Bring bordering districts under strict lockdown

The government should have gone for a complete lockdown of the bordering districts long ago, at the time when the virus started spreading in
30 May 2021, 18:00 PM

KSA-bound workers to get vaccines, aid for hotel quarantine

We commend the expatriates’ welfare ministry’s decision to provide Tk 20,000-25,000 as aid for unvaccinated migrant workers who have to quarantine at hotels upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia.
29 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Enforced disappearance can no longer be ignored by the state

The picture of forlorn children holding pictures of their fathers forcibly disappeared for six or eight years or more, as was published yesterday, are heart-breaking reminders of this abhorrent practice that has only resulted in unease and lack of public trust towards the government.
29 May 2021, 18:00 PM

No decision on Electric Traction System for six years!

According to a report published by The Daily Star on May 27, even after six years the Bangladesh Railway (BR) still has not been able to decide on introducing an electric train service in the country which could make this mode of transport both more efficient and environment friendly.
28 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Relief for Yaas survivors top priority now

Bangladesh is no stranger to cyclones. The people of this land have had to live with such extreme weather events since as far back as modern history goes, with increasing frequency in recent years.
28 May 2021, 18:00 PM

DSA strikes again!

Once again, the dreaded Digital Security Act is being used against journalists and media officials, this time to sue two journalists and one official of Somoy TV over airing a report on corruption allegations against a Noakhali court official. In addition to these three members of the press, three other individuals have also been made accused in the case.
27 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Reopening of schools postponed for the umpteenth time

It is quite frustrating to see most industries operating in a business-as-usual manner even amidst a still-dangerous Covid-19 situation while students of all levels have been suffering from varying degrees of learning loss since March of last year,
27 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Sinopharm vaccine delivery in June a welcome announcement

We commend the government’s quick action in securing more vaccines for the citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially since we have recently seen a spike in cases, prompting another round of lockdown across the country.
26 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Vandalised livelihoods of Bangladeshi expats in South Africa

It is extremely disturbing to learn of the plight of Bangladeshi expats in South Africa, as over 400 Bangladeshi-owned shops have been vandalised and looted in Free State’s capital, Bloemfontein, since May 16.
26 May 2021, 18:00 PM

DU student’s death deserves thorough investigation

We would like to join the call for an impartial investigation into the death of Hafizur Rahman—a Dhaka University student—whose death remains shrouded in mystery.
25 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Saudi Arabia’s new travel advisory

Expatriate workers are among the worst affected by the pandemic. They have had to suffer the consequences since the start of the pandemic and they continue to suffer.
25 May 2021, 18:00 PM

The public must know more about black fungus

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, a new infection has surfaced—black fungus or Mucormycosis. Although the infection has mostly spread in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat states of India, as a neighbouring country, we must also start taking preventive measures as it can have severe consequences, such as blindness, stroke and death.
24 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Rozina’s bail a welcome relief

We are relieved that journalist Rozina Islam has been finally granted bail by the court after six days of imprisonment.
24 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Rozina’s bail a welcome relief

We are relieved that journalist Rozina Islam has been finally granted bail by the court after six days of imprisonment. We thank the court and congratulate the wider journalist community and all those who came out in support of Rozina and the freedom of the press. The bail brings only temporary relief, however, as the court has set a July 15 date for the next hearing in the case. While we are encouraged by the news of the bail, the circumstances under which this case was initiated leading to her detention raise several questions.
24 May 2021, 13:09 PM

Political parties should take women’s representation seriously

In a country where the prime minister, the speaker of the parliament and also, the leader of the opposition political party are all women, the fact that none of the 39 registered political parties (to the Election Commission) have been able to make room for the required minimum 33 percent women members in all of their committees in the last 49 years is a very disappointing phenomenon.
23 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Police’s short shrift may have cost a life

By any definition the killing of Shahinuddin was a most gruesome and well-planned murder motivated by unashamed greed and business considerations.
23 May 2021, 18:00 PM

No regard for health guidelines post-Eid

While the most recent “lockdown” had helped bring down the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the country, it is now disappointing to see both members of the public and the authorities reverting to ways which led to the worst surge in the number of cases last month.
22 May 2021, 18:00 PM

Inefficiencies in Covid-19 vaccine purchase

At a time when the country’s Covid-19 vaccination efforts are grinding to a halt due to shortage of doses, the foreign minister has remarked about delays in the procurement process caused by the health ministry’s mismanagement.
22 May 2021, 18:00 PM

The RHD must be commended for their efficiency

We applaud the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) for its Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumti 2nd Bridge Construction and Existing Bridges Rehabilitation Project, which won the Technology Award of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers Award 2021.
21 May 2021, 18:00 PM

How long before Israel breaks this truce?

After 11 days of violence, we are relieved that an Egypt-mediated truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday. However, to call the violence perpetrated over the last 11 days lopsided would be an understatement,
21 May 2021, 18:00 PM