The Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) yesterday demanded decisive action from the government against owners and groups who looted money from banks, warning that the overall financial cushion against bad loans has declined to an alarming level.

The government is preparing to hold elections to local government bodies in phases, beginning this September-October and continuing into early next year.

Cultural platform Gems of Nazrul marked its 10th anniversary yesterday by announcing a nationwide Nazrul Sangeet talent hunt to discover young performers for the national stage.

An elite force, whether the Rapid Action Battalion or another, would continue to operate under well-defined laws, as it is necessary for the state, said Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on information and broadcasting affairs, yesterday.

The Directorate General of Health Services yesterday directed all private hospitals to admit and treat measles patients without refusal.

The government officials, pensioners, and MPO-listed teachers and staff are set to get a new pay scale from July 1 after the committee led by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani recommended the rollout of the revised pay scale.

A total of 170 Bangladeshis were repatriated home from Libya yesterday.

The BNP government has approved the first public medical college in its current term, with plans underway to establish seven more, as many established medical schools grapple with severe shortages of teachers and infrastructure.

The government has planned to introduce a central emergency alarm system, dubbed “Pagla Ghonta”, at medical facilities to ensure the safety and security of healthcare workers and patients, said Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain.

The High Court yesterday sought a report from the government on the current status of storage, supply, availability and adequacy of measles and rabies vaccines across the country.

A delegation of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh yesterday met the Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed to discuss forming an all-party parliamentary caucus to strengthen the voice of marginalised communities.

The government has undertaken a series of initiatives to strengthen the operational capacity of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, including the construction and reconstruction of 20 fire stations and the procurement of 100 ambulances.

The government has dissolved the Supreme Court Secretariat, removed 15 lower court judges assigned to run it, and attached them to the law ministry.

A heavy, grief-stricken silence was witnessed outside the Paediatric Ward and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) yesterday afternoon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday said the government wants to build a modern, technology-based and citizen-friendly land management system so that people no longer have to suffer harassment or visit government offices unnecessarily for land services.

Dimash Qudaibergen urges global solidarity during Cox’s Bazar visit

Blaming street vendors for the city’s chaos is easier than confronting failed decentralisation, displacement and deepening class divides

Operations suspended until new ammonium nitrate consignment arrives in June

Bangladesh Jute Association blames export curbs for factory closures, mass unemployment

CMP officials say an unnatural death case will be filed, and the body will be handed over to Indian mission officials after autopsy