The number of people with hypertension and diabetes has increased alarmingly in the country and health experts attribute it to poor food habit and lack of exercise.

The High Court yesterday ordered the law enforcers not to harass or arrest Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and five others until the hearing on the bail petition in a case filed over the death of Naimul Abrar Rahat, a student of Dhaka Residential Model College.

The second phase of the Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims, ended yesterday with the Akheri Munajat or final supplications seeking divine blessings for people and the Muslim Ummah.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she did not understand the purpose of the Citizenship Amendment Act passed recently in India, and observed that it was an unnecessary law.

BNP’s mayoral pick for DSCC polls Ishraque Hossain is all set to face his main rival Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, ruling Awami League mayor candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation, pledges to ensure civic services for the DSCC people within the first 90 days of him being elected.

Bangladesh could achieve only a little more than half of the targets set by the World Bank Group for 84 projects and programmes in the last four years, says a draft performance review report of the World Bank Group.

The High Court yesterday directed the government to form a commission within 30 days under the law ministry to stop rape and violence against women.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced a 15-member squad, featuring the uncapped right-arm pacer Hasan Mahmud, for the T20I series against Pakistan which will begin on January 24 in Lahore.

Amnesty International South Asia yesterday said Bangladesh authorities must ensure that the legal proceedings against 10 people, including Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, follow due process.

China and Myanmar yesterday inked dozens of deals related to Belt and Road Initiative to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbour increasingly isolated by the West.

Tabith Awal, BNP’s mayoral candidate for the DNCC polls, says if elected, he will work for a facelift of the capital and give his best to improve the city’s environment and air quality.

Md Atiqul Islam, who stepped down as the DNCC mayor last month to run for the post in this election, pledges to use digital technology to curb corruption and solve civic problems in the capital’s northern areas.

The Election Commission last night shifted the Dhaka city corporation polls date to February 1 in the face of mounting pressure from various quarters as the previous date, January 30, coincided with Saraswati Puja.

The Election Commission will spend around Tk 40 crore for holding the Dhaka city polls on January 30, almost double the amount spent in the previous elections in 2015.

Amid growing pressure on the Election Commission to shift the January 30 Dhaka city elections, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said his party or the government had no objection to changing the polls date.

When the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority introduced what is popularly known as digital number plate in 2012, it made promises of gaining the ability to track vehicles that have been stolen or used in criminal activities.

Forty-seven noted citizens yesterday protested and condemned the filing of a case against Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman and nine others over the death of Naimul Abrar Rahat, a student of Dhaka Residential Model College.

The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur erupted with fireworks last night moments after Rajshahi Royals skipper Andre Russell erupted with a roar. He had bowled the last ball of the match, and in the process ensured that he became the first foreign captain to get his hands on a Bangladesh Premier League trophy in the tournament’s seventh edition.

The High Court has stressed the need for preventing financial scams in the banking sector.