Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday clarified a viral video showing a large number of postal ballot papers delivered to a single address in Bahrain, saying the incident was due to differences in the country’s postal delivery system and did not indicate any irregularities in the voting process. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed made the clarification while responding to reporters’ queries ...

Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Joint Secretary General and spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman on Wednesday said the outline and nature of 11-party alliance’s electoral seat-sharing arrangement would be disclosed shortly. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office in the capital, he said Islami Andolan Bangladesh remains committed to the vision of “one ballot box” in an effort to ...

The rate of women dying during or soon after pregnancy in the UK has increased by 20% over the last decade, despite the Conservatives having pledged to halve it, according to figures experts have described as “an absolute tragedy”. In 2015, the then Tory health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, vowed to reduce maternal deaths by 50% by 2030 and make the ...

Keir Starmer has rejected the claim that his change of plan over digital IDs represents another U-turn, as the prime minister faced accusations from the Conservatives that his government had “no sense of direction”. Late on Tuesday it emerged that a key plank of the controversial plan for digital IDs was being rolled back, with the original plan to make ...

TGI Fridays has closed 16 of its UK restaurants, putting 456 employees out of work. The American-inspired casual dining chain’s remaining 33 restaurants will continue to operate after the business was sold in a rescue deal. Interpath was appointed as administrator to Liberty Bar and Restaurant group, which managed the operations of TGI Fridays’ UK restaurants, on Tuesday. TGI Fridays’ ...

London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new £2.2 million programme designed to help low-income families across London access millions in financial support, as it was revealed £4 billion in benefits go unclaimed, writes Frankie Hills… Named the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, the service will provide free, independent advice to families with children on a multitude of issues, including benefits, ...

A tourist tax on overnight visitors to London could raise more than £350million per year for the capital – but central boroughs are keen to retain their fare share of the revenue. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan last year finally received the powers to levy a tax on overnight visitors to the capital after years of lobbying ministers. New ...

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday emphasised the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable blue economy, hoping that the MoU signed between Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) and Japan’s renowned Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) will enhance cooperation in fisheries and marine affairs. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of MIDA, and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of the Ocean ...

Farmers in Sylhet said most of them are not happy with the price they have been getting for their transplanted Aman (T-Aman), or commonly called Aman, paddy as they recently completed harvesting with good yields. Sylhet trader Abdul Bari on Sunday said the trade of Aman paddy has been ongoing in the local markets and it got momentum this week. ...

Popular television presenter Rafsan Sabab and acclaimed singer Zefer Rahman tied the knot on Wednesday, ending years of speculation surrounding their relationship. Rafsan Sabab shared the news in a Facebook post, seeking blessings from their well-wishers as they begin a new journey together, surrounded by the love of friends, family and loved ones. “Today, we unite our lives and step ...