An Iftar and prayer gathering held in New York turned into a warm reunion for former students of North South University living abroad. The event was organized by the North South University Alumni Association of USA on Saturday at the elegant Chef Mahal Restaurant in Jackson Heights.

Bangladesh’s Consul General in New York, Mohammad Mozammel Haque, attended the program as the chief guest. In his remarks, he said such initiatives based on education and culture among expatriate Bangladeshis are highly commendable. He noted that these events not only strengthen relationships within the community but also help foster a positive connection with Bangladesh among the younger generation.

Before the Iftar, a special prayer was offered seeking peace, prosperity, and well-being for Bangladesh, the nation, and the global Muslim community.

Former students of North South University who attended the gathering expressed their excitement at having the opportunity to reconnect, exchange views, and reminisce despite the busy schedules of expatriate life.

Renowned journalist and writer Akbar Haider Kiron attended the event as a special invited guest. However, due to sudden health complications, he had to leave the venue shortly after arriving.

The special Iftar and reunion at Chef Mahal created a memorable evening for many attendees. Alumni noted that the event reflected the strong bond among graduates of North South University, one of Bangladesh’s most prestigious higher education institutions.

Organizers said that alumni not only from New York but also from several other states across the United States participated in the event. They also mentioned plans to organize similar Iftar gatherings and reunions in other states in the future.

At the end of the program, participants expressed their commitment to further strengthening connections, collaboration, and social initiatives among North South University alumni living in the United States.

DHAKA- BNP standing committee member and Dhaka-8 lawmaker Mirza Abbas today urged all not to create chaos in the country and called for giving the government a chance to work. He said those who are trying to incite instability or force the government to fall in various ways should remain patient and consider the country’s stability.

Mirza Abbas made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an iftar mahfil organised by the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital this evening. The event was presided over by IEB interim convener Engineer Md Kabir Hossain.

Addressing the gathering, Abbas said no problem or anarchy should be created in the country, adding that a democratic government has come to power after a long time and should be given an opportunity to work.

“A democratic government has come after 18 years. Please let the government work. The people will decide in the next election whether this government should remain,” he said.

The BNP leader also said the party is working to build Bangladesh in a new way. Referring to the roles of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the country’s development, he expressed hope that BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would contribute to building a more prosperous Bangladesh in the future.

The US Awami League observed the historic March 7, the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Children’s Day with due respect and dignity. The program was held at Nabanna Party Center in Jackson Heights, New York—often referred to as the capital of the world—with the presence of leaders and activists from all wings and affiliated organizations of the US Awami League. The hall was filled with party members and supporters.

The event was chaired by US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman and conducted by General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad. Speakers at the event expressed concern that the newly elected BNP government has prevented the proper observance of the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—an address internationally recognized as an epic declaration of independence—thereby pushing the nation toward division.

The speakers also urged the BNP government to immediately withdraw the ban imposed on the Awami League and its affiliated organizations through what they described as an illegal ordinance issued by the “killer-fascist Yunus government.”

Leaders from the US Awami League, New York State and City Awami League, Mahila Awami League, Swechchhasebak League, Jubo League, and the US Chhatra League took part in the discussion.

—Press Release

Shahjalal International Airport has turned into a scene of confusion and frustration as multiple flights to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Gulf destinations were abruptly suspended amid regional tensions. Passengers reported a total lack of information from airlines, with hotlines unreachable and departure boards blank, leaving many stranded in sweltering terminals and walkways.

Md Rubel, a Faridpur resident scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia on Biman Bangladesh Airlines, described the uncertainty: “They are not telling us when the flight will leave. Even the monitor shows empty times. They don’t say whether it’s cancelled. What are we supposed to do?”

Flights to Dammam, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain were affected, leaving Umrah pilgrims and expatriates trapped. Government assurances of overnight arrangements were not visible as of 11pm, and police and Ansar personnel struggled to manage crowds arriving from outside Dhaka.

Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers said on Friday they were willing to negotiate after Pakistan bombed its forces in major cities and dozens of troops were killed in the most serious clashes between the allies-turned-foes. The strikes by Pakistan were the first time it had directly targeted its former allies over allegations they are harbouring militants; it described the situation as “open war”.

Targets in the capital Kabul and the city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based, were hit, signalling a stark rupture in ties between the Islamic neighbours. Thick plumes of black smoke rose from two sites in Kabul and a huge blaze was also visible in video verified by Reuters.

“The plane came and dropped two bombs, then flew away again. After that, we heard explosions,” said Kabul taxi driver Tamim, who was asleep when the strikes hit. “Everyone, in panic, ran down from the second floor of the house. The ammunition inside the depot kept exploding on its own.”

Security sources in Pakistan said the strikes involved air-to-ground missile attacks on Taliban military offices and posts in response to Afghan attacks on Thursday. The Taliban said Afghan forces had used drones to hit Pakistani military targets. Pakistan said all the drones had been brought down and there was no damage.

Multiple ground clashes were reported along the border. Pakistan said it killed 274 Taliban officials and militants while Afghanistan said it killed 55 Pakistani soldiers – figures which Reuters was unable to verify. Pakistan confirmed that 12 of its own soldiers were killed and Afghanistan said it had lost 13 Taliban fighters.

The Taliban, which denies sponsoring militant attacks on Pakistan and makes similar accusations against its neighbour, said it had launched what it described as retaliatory attacks on Pakistani military installations on Thursday but was ready to negotiate.

“Afghanistan has never been a supporter of violence and has always preferred to resolve issues based on mutual understanding and respect,” the Afghan foreign ministry quoted Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as telling Qatar’s junior Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalifi by telephone.

“However, this approach will be effective only if the other party demonstrates a practical and sincere willingness to find solutions.”

Qatar, which helped stop the fighting between the two countries last year, is working with other countries to help resolve the latest crisis, the statement added. The strikes threaten to unleash a protracted conflict along the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) frontier.

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan),” Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry warned that any new provocations by the Taliban, or attempts by any “terrorist group” to target Pakistanis, will be met with a “measured, decisive and befitting response”.

Pakistan is nuclear-armed and its military capabilities are vastly superior to Afghanistan. However, the Taliban are adept at guerrilla warfare, hardened by decades of fighting with US-led forces, before returning to power in 2021.

Reuters witnesses in Kabul said many ambulance sirens could be heard following loud blasts and the sound of jets. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistani forces carried out air strikes on parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and on Paktia, Paktika, Khost, and Laghman on Friday.

While there were no casualties in the night strikes, there were civilian casualties in Friday’s strikes, he told reporters without sharing numbers.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue,” Mujahid said.

Clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan in October killed dozens of soldiers until negotiations facilitated by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia brought an end to the hostilities. Pakistan has been on high security alert since it launched air strikes earlier this week that Islamabad said targeted camps of Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan. Kabul and the United Nations said the strikes killed 13 civilians and the Taliban warned there would be a strong response.

The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province said it was on high alert for militant attacks on Friday and had conducted a series of security operations, taking 90 Afghan nationals to holding centres for deportation.

DHAKA – Despite an overall contraction in the United States apparel import market in 2025, Bangladesh registered strong growth, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the world’s largest consumer market. According to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), total US apparel imports stood at $77.88 billion during January–December 2025, marking a 1.74 percent decline compared to the same period in 2024.

In terms of volume, measured in square meter equivalent (SME), US apparel imports fell by 3.70 percent, while the average unit price increased by 2.03 percent, indicating continued pricing pressure amid softer demand. In contrast to the overall downturn, US apparel imports from Bangladesh rose to $8.20 billion in 2025 — the second-highest annual figure on record — registering an impressive 11.71 percent growth over January–December 2024.

For December 2025 alone, imports from Bangladesh increased by 3.33 percent compared to December 2024. Bangladesh’s share in total US apparel imports reached 10.53 percent in 2025, consolidating its position as one of the top sourcing destinations for American buyers.

Among other major suppliers to the US market in 2025, Vietnam accounted for 21.50 percent of total apparel imports, followed by China with 13.66 percent. India held 6.35 percent, Cambodia 6.20 percent, and Indonesia 5.98 percent.

While China continues to lose ground in the US apparel market, Bangladesh and Vietnam displayed similar trends in terms of value growth, unit price movement and volume performance. However, Vietnam still maintains a significantly larger overall market share.

The data also show that growth in the second half of 2025 was weaker than in the first half for the overall US apparel market. Imports during the final three months of the year were lower than expected, amid uncertainty surrounding reciprocal tariffs and subdued consumer demand.

Even in this challenging environment, Bangladesh’s strong export performance underscores its competitiveness, product diversification, and growing compliance strength in the global apparel supply chain.

Talking to BSS, Mohiuddin Rubel, former Director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Additional Managing Director of Denim Expert Ltd., said even in the uncertain environment with reciprocal tariffs and declining overall demand, Bangladesh performed quite well overall.

“China is clearly losing ground in the US apparel market, while Bangladesh and Vietnam are showing similar trends in value, unit price, and volume growth, although Vietnam still holds a much larger overall share.” he added. Rubel also said Bangladesh’s sustained growth in the US market reflects buyers’ confidence and the industry’s ability to adapt to shifting global dynamics.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the current government will work to establish a liberal democratic state system with moral standards and dignity so that the country can move forward in all branches of knowledge and science, including education, literature, arts, science and technology. “I believe that politicizing education, research, arts and literature is never a sign of a civilized society,” he said.

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing the Ekushey Padak-2026 distribution ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium here this morning. “The current democratic government will work to establish a liberal democratic state system with moral standards and dignity so that the country can move forward in all branches of knowledge and science, including education, literature, arts, science and technology,” he said.

In this journey, guidance from the country’s distinguished individuals is highly expected, the premier added. Although politicians are entrusted with the responsibility of running the state, he said that as a political worker he believed that learned and distinguished individuals play a guiding role. The greater the number of accomplished people in a state and society, the more enlightened that society becomes in terms of prosperity and moral standards, the premier added.

Therefore, the state honors learned and distinguished individuals for its own need, he said, adding, from this realization, the proclaimer of independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had introduced the Ekushey Padak for the first time in independent Bangladesh. Noting that the Ekushey Padak is not merely a medal, the Prime Minister said through this award, from the 1952 Language Movement to the present, the historical events of Bangladesh are remembered.

At the same time, it introduces the general public to those distinguished individuals who have enriched themselves, the state and society through education, literature, arts, research and practice, he added.

Stating that the journey of the Ekushey Padak as a state honor began in 1976 with awards in three fields, Tarique Rahman said at present, the award is given in at least 12 fields for special contributions to different fields, including Language Movement, Liberation War, education, research, arts, science and technology.

He described this as a positive achievement and expressed the hope that the practice of knowledge, science and literature would become more refined and developed. The state and government, the premier said, will certainly fulfil their responsibilities to further accelerate the advancement of education, research and the practice of arts and literature.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue at Osmani Memorial Auditorium around 10:53am on foot from his Cabinet Division office in the Secretariat. The ceremony organized by the Cultural Affairs Ministry began with singing the national anthem and recitation of religious scripts.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury presided over the function while Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the award giving ceremony and read out the citation of the awardees.

State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam spoke as the special guest while Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the function. Cabinet members, members of parliament, diplomats, senior civil and military officials and dignitaries were present at the function. This year, the government conferred the Ekushey Padak to nine individuals and one music band in recognition of their outstanding contributions to various fields.

The award recipients are: Farida Akhtar Babita (Film), Professor Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts), Marina Tabassum (Architecture), Ayub Bachchu (Music) (Posthumous), Arthy Ahmed (Dance), Islam Uddin Palakar (Palagan), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education), Tejosh Haldar Josh (Sculpture), and Warfaze (Music Band).

Turning to the international Mother Language Day on February 21, Tarique Rahman said, “The importance of the month of February in our national history is immense. And February 21 is a reminder of our identity. It can be said that February 21 is the lifeblood of our cultural consciousness”.

He said that February 21 represents both the struggle to establish the dignity of the mother language and a movement to establish rights against oppression.

“Therefore, February is a month of realizing self-identity and searching for our roots,” the premier said, adding, like every year, the government honored its learned individuals, poets, writers, artists and language movement activists with the Ekushey Padak in this month this year too.

Introducing the work and life of distinguished individuals to the general public is one of the responsibilities of the state, he said. Describing February 21 as the eternal spirit and the seed mantra for achieving freedom, Tarique Rahman said that the nation has crossed 74 years of the Language Movement and entered its 75th year.

“At the Ekushey Padak award ceremony introduced in memory of the language martyrs of Amar Ekushey, I pay deep tribute to the language heroes,” he said and prayed that Allah accept their deaths as martyrdom. Congratulating the Ekushey Padak-2026 winners, Tarique Rahman wished them happy and long lives.

He expressed the hope that one day Bangla language and literature will shine in the world of global literature. Later, the premier took part in a photo session with the awardees.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today adorned newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir with the rank badge. The premier pinned the rank badge at a ceremony at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said sources at Prime Minister’s Office. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury were present on the occasion.

DHAKA – The government has appointed Md. Ali Hossain Fakir as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) replacing Baharul Alam, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs today. Prior to his promotion, Md. Ali Hossain Fakir was serving as Additional Inspector General of Police and Chief of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN).

A member of the 15th batch of the BCS (Police) cadre, Fakir hails from Bagerhat district. Over the course of his career, he has held several important positions within the police department, earning recognition for his professional competence and leadership.

The official notification issued by the Home Ministry confirmed that the promotion takes effect immediately. Earlier, the government has cancelled the remaining tenure of contractual appointment of Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Baharul Alam following his application.

A notification, issued by the Ministry of Public Administration today, said the remaining period of his contractual appointment, made under a gazette notification dated November 20, 2024, has been annulled.

DHAKA – The government today said that any financial transaction through brokers or other intermediaries to obtain the Family Card is illegal. The Family Card is a priority programme of the present government and it is firmly committed to implementing the initiative. The information was disclosed in a press release of the Ministry of Social Welfare, a PID handout said today.

According to the release, a Family Card will be issued in the name of the female head of every family, irrespective of religion, caste or ethnicity. The card will be distributed free of cost under government arrangements.

The government urged people not to make any payment to middlemen or through any other channel for receiving the card. It also requested all to inform law enforcement agencies if anyone is found involved in such illegal activities.