Bangladesh’s economy is projected to grow by 4.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2025, rising to 5.0% in FY2026, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025 released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). While garment exports remain a key strength, the subdued growth outlook reflects muted domestic demand amid political transitions, recurrent flooding, industrial labor disputes, and persistently ...

Bangladesh and Turkey have agreed to co-host a global conference early next year on Women in Islam, bringing together leading Muslim scholars and researchers and highlighting countries that showcase best practices in advancing women’s rights. The decision was made during a meeting between Bangladesh’s Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen Murshid and Turkish Minister for Social Services Mahinur Ozdemir Gokta ...

BNP Standing Committee member Hafizuddin Ahmed on Monday accused Jamaat-e-Islami of pushing for a proportional representation (PR) system as part of a strategy to obstruct Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections. Speaking at a discussion titled “There is no alternative to the National Parliament Election” at the Jatiya Press Club, Hafiz said Jamaat has historically feared the people’s verdict and has never won ...

Nearly four years have passed since train services were suspended on the 34-kilometre Chhatak-Sylhet railway line and hopes of a quick return to normalcy remain dim. Locals, commuters and traders say their frustration is mounting as renovation work drags on at what they call a ‘snail’s pace’. The railway line, which was first closed during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, ...

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized smuggled goods worth Taka 1.43 crore during separate drives from different areas in Sylhet border, said a press release of Sylhet BGB-48 Battalion this morning. A man was also arrested in this connection. The BGB conducted the drives on Friday and Saturday at Sonarhat, Utma, Sreepur, Sangram, Bichnakandi, Banglabazar, Sonalichela borders areas, the release ...

Andy Burnham has warned against “underestimating the peril the party is in” at a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference. The mayor of Greater Manchester continued his criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership at events at the Liverpool conference, telling audiences he would not shy away from debate on Labour’s future. Despite a backlash from MPs, Burnham said Labour ...

Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Reform UK’s policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain as “racist” and “immoral”. The policy, which could effectively lead to hundreds of thousands of people who are here legally being deported from the UK, was announced by party leader Nigel Farage last week. Sir Keir added he did not think Reform UK supporters were racist ...

Jaguar Land Rover has said it will resume some production in the “coming days” after a cyber-attack forced the carmaker to suspend operations. Work at its three UK facilities in the West Midlands and Merseyside were halted on 1 September after a cyber-attack the night before. The BBC understands manufacturing will resume first at the engine facility in Wolverhampton on ...

The doctors union, the British Medical Association (BMA), has warned that potentially serious health problems could be missed by GPs, and lead to patients being harmed, when a new online booking system is launched across England on Wednesday. But Health Secretary Wes Streeting says ministers are putting the interests of patients first and had already agreed clear safeguards with the ...

Halifax Panthers completed rugby league’s Wheelchair treble by beating London Roosters in the Super League Grand Final to finish the season undefeated. The Panthers, who had already won the Challenge Cup by beating Roosters, and pipped them into second place on points difference to take the League Leaders’ Shield, had pacy pair Rob Hawkins and Jack Brown in top form ...