A fire broke out at a five-storey building in the capital’s Karwan Bazar last night.

In officialdom, a microphone malfunction is usually seen as a sign of disorder. Yet in April 2025, at the Hotel InterContinental, Ashik Chowdhury transformed this familiar frustration into a piece of calculated theatre.

About 68.6 percent of the candidates in the 13th national election exceeded the legal campaign expenditure limit, according to a report by Transparency International Bangladesh.

The arduous struggle for the restoration of democracy reaches its final step this afternoon, as an elected government prepares to take oath following the swearing‑in of newly elected lawmakers this morning.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, highlighting the interim government’s initiatives to ensure democratic rights and values over the last 18 months, has called upon everyone to continue the struggle to build a just, humane and democratic Bangladesh

Intense lobbying has gripped the bureaucracy and police, with officials scrambling for coveted postings as the contours of a new BNP-led government begin to take shape.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed the newly elected party lawmakers to work to implement the party’s election pledges.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has pledged his party’s commitment to standing by the people as a responsible opposition in parliament, promising to play a constructive role in safeguarding public and national interests.

Thirty-seven citizens yesterday called on the Election Commission, the government and leaders of all political parties to take effective steps to prevent post-election violence reported in several districts.

Bangladesh’s relations with India will not be “captive” to a single issue, and the presence of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India will not “deter” Dhaka from pursuing broader ties with New Delhi, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

At least six people, including a policeman, were injured in a clash between two groups of BNP men in the presence of police in Jhenaidah yesterday.

A total of 73 fishermen, who had been detained by the Arakan Army, were brought back to Bangladesh from Myanmar yesterday evening.

Bangladesh’s Christian church leaders have urged the new leadership of the country to pay attention to the underprivileged and minority communities of the country, support them in improving their quality of life and ensure peace and security.

Dr Sharif N AS-Saber has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh.

A 15-year-old madrasa student was stabbed to death allegedly by a group of teenagers in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Sunday night, police said.

No one will be allowed to register a new or used motor vehicle without scrapping a vehicle that has exceeded its economic life, according to a new government guideline.

The Bangla Academy has decided to run the Amar Ekushey Book Fair from February 20 to March 15.

The new prime minister will decide on his official residence as the interim government has not finalised it so far, said Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan yesterday.

Twelve young lawmakers are set to join the national parliament formed in the wake of the July mass uprising, with their oath-taking scheduled for this morning at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

11 fire engines worked at the scene to bring the blaze under control