Bangladesh is a riverine country. Geographically the country is identified with rivers and is now under severe threat. These rivers are either polluted or becoming rubbish dumps as well as the shores are being illegally occupied.

Kadamtali, an area in Dhaka city, has been waterlogged for the last 10 months. Around 5,000 residents are living with severe health hazards and limited mobility with a non-operational drainage system and filth mixed murky water.

Officials from the Ministry of Railways are currently on a tour in four European countries, and planning three more trips to the USA and India amid the pandemic, its economic fallout, and reduction in foreign tour budget from the finance ministry and instructions from the government.

Without the portrait of the elephant, there is no Bengali celebration on the first Baishakh. Elephants are an integral part of Bengali folk culture. In the south-east regions of the country, elephants are referred to as “uncles”. Occupancy of elephant habitat, deforestation, and destruction of gardens and croplands are some of the major reasons why the lives of this gentle giant is in a crisis today.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital Dhaka again from November 13 due to various health complications including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney issues. BNP demands, with hunger strikes and processions, that the 76-year-old former prime minister should be allowed to leave the country for medical treatment. On the other hand, the government is saying that since Khaleda Zia is a convicted individual, going abroad is not an option legally.

Sky lanterns were released at Rangamati’s Rajban Bihar. According to Buddhist belief, a ritual is performed with Buddha Keshdhatu and Dantodhatu. And every year this ritual is celebrated with the lighting of sky lanterns.

The UN has adopted a resolution on the Rohingyas by consensus for the first time. Member states and the organisation -- lauding Bangladesh on its action on Rohingya refugees, especially the humanitarian aid and vaccination programme -- have agreed on the issue of repatriation of the Rohingyas as a permanent solution.

Students of Dhaka Science College protested today, demanding half fare on buses, at Farmgate intersection.

A South Korean consortium has started its investment assessment study for constructing a circular railway around the capital, under a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative. The assessment began in October is set to finish within nine months.

Many countries around the world are trying to step away from coal as a source of energy while Bangladesh is still leaning towards fossil fuel for electricity production.

Due to the ferry crisis, transportation on the Paturia-Daulatdia route is being disrupted. Everyday, hundreds of passengers and lorries are stuck at the dock for several hours. People who use this route have been suffering for the last 22 days.

Metro rail officials are aiming for a partial start of the system in December of next year. Technological tests are currently underway. A demonstration took place last Tuesday in the presence of the Japanese ambassador, high officials of the metro rail project, and journalists. For the first time, the interiors of metro rail coaches were also shown.

In his 82 years, Hasan Azizul Huq have unabashedly criticised oppression, discrimination, and exploitation, and resolutely worked for a society of culture and progress through his writing and also in real life.

The shipbreaking industry of Chattogram is not in the “red” category for pollution anymore. Rather it is listed in the less serious "orange" category. This category change means they will no longer require an environmental survey before setting up a shipbreaking yard.

Once they were a source of fear even in a forest with tigers and crocodiles -- unleashing violence on the locals, tourists and even the authorities. But now they are struggling to live a humble, normal life.

Molnupiravir - the first oral Covid-19 antiviral medicine that is said to reduce severe illnesses and even deaths caused by complications of the virus, by half.

A Filipino who settled down in Bangladesh a decade ago has won the Union Parishad election.

Sangsarek is the ancient religion of the Mandi (Garo). Existing followers of the religion believe that it was founded long ago on an island called Jigel Bari Warigutti. A priest of this almost extinct religion was Jonik Nokrek. He chose to stick to his roots, although his family members converted.

A zoonotic disease is contagious and transmitted mostly from animals to people. Viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi are responsible for the spread of such diseases.

Bus owners’ association has decided to terminate seating and gate lock service options throughout Dhaka within three days -- an attempt that failed four years ago -- to apparently reduce passenger inconvenience.