The cozy atmosphere was set up by Bookworm Bangladesh, with the owner Amina Rahman kicking things off. Both Press and Hoque read out excerpts from their own books.

Confidence and self esteem are vital for women to have equal respect, leading women professionals said yesterday during a roundtable discussion on the eve of International Women's Day.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid assures the agitating university teachers of solving the deadlock over “disparity” in the new pay scale through discussion.

The BNP is now concentrating on “positive politics” with nonviolent programmes like rallies, discussions, and human chains to compel the government to initiate talks with all political parties for an immediate national election.

China and Japan are holding their first high-level security talks in four years, following recent tensions over territorial and historical issues.