State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday said terrorism can never be justified on political, religious, ideological, or any other grounds. She said this at a memorial programme hosted honouring the memory of the victims of the July 1 terrorist attack in Dhaka. “Our government remains steadfast in its determination to confront terrorism and violent extremism in ...

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has said madrasa education should no longer remain confined to its traditional framework, stressing the need to modernise the sector so that its graduates can compete and lead at both national and international levels. Speaking as the chief guest at the “Best Institution and Outstanding Students Award” ceremony ...

A Dhaka court on Wednesday recorded the testimony of six more prosecution witnesses in the corruption case against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, bringing the total number of witnesses examined to 14 out of 28. Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 fixed July 16 for the next hearing after recording the depositions. As the ...

The National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reform (NICAR) has approved the creation of three new upazilas and one new police station as part of the government’s ongoing administrative reorganisation. The approval was granted at the committee’s 121st meeting, held on Wednesday (1 July) at the Cabinet Division’s conference room at the Secretariat with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. ...

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will begin across Bangladesh on Thursday, with all education boards using a set of unified question papers for the first time. Authorities have introduced enhanced security measures to prevent question paper leaks, while education experts have identified maintaining uniform marking standards as a key challenge. The examination with unified question papers will ...

The West Bengal legislative assembly on Monday passed two amendment bills to formally change Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation laws and remove 77 Muslim communities from OBC lists as directed by the Calcutta high court in May 2024. The amendments have also revised the reservation quota for OBCs from 10% to 7% and reorganised OBC categories. Also, a 1993 law ...

A bank holiday is being observed across the country on Wednesday (July 1), with all customer banking services and stock market trading remaining suspended nationwide. According to Bangladesh Bank sources, July 1 is observed as the half-yearly closing date for the banking sector. Scheduled banks use the day to reconcile accounts, prepare half-yearly financial statements and complete other year-end accounting ...

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored first-half goals as Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night to end a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout-stage victory and book a place in the round of 16. Quiñones gave Mexico the lead in the 22nd minute before Jiménez doubled the advantage nine minutes later. It was Mexico’s first win in the ...

Erling Haaland shattered Ivory Coast’s World Cup hopes on Tuesday, netting an 86th-minute winner that sent Norway into the last 16 with a 2-1 victory at Dallas Stadium. Haaland’s fifth goal of the tournament sealed Norway’s progression after Amad Diallo had cancelled out Antonio Nusa’s 39th-minute opener, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Brazil in New York on Sunday. The ...

France uncorked a Champagne performance on Tuesday to sweep Sweden aside 3-0 with a display of attacking verve and precision and book their place in the World Cup last 16. The scoreline flattered Sweden. France’s flamboyant attack might have reached double figures were it not for the woodwork and a series of near-misses measured in millimetres. Paraguay lie in wait, ...