How he embodied cultural affinities between Assam and Bangladesh
The death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on September 19 in Singapore has rekindled reflection on the enduring cultural bonds between the Indian state of Assam and Bangladesh.
Garg, aged 52, died from drowning while swimming at Lazarus Island without a life jacket.
While initial reports speculated about scuba diving, a post-mortem conducted in Singapore confirmed drowning as the official cause of death.
He was transported to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the ICU at approximately 3 pm BST.
Yunus emphasises trade and connectivity in South Asia
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has underscored the importance of reviving and strengthening the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), describing it as a “family of very close members” with significant untapped potential for regional integration.
Speaking at an event titled “A Conversation with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus”, hosted by the Asia Socie...
Bangladesh, 3 others seek entry into RCEP
Bangladesh, along with Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Chile, has formally expressed interest in joining the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade bloc, according to Southeast Asian officials.
RCEP currently comprises China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and all ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Officials attending the ASEAN trade and economic ministers’ mee...
High spectrum fees risk slowing digital future
The GSMA released on Wednesday "The Impact of Spectrum Pricing in Bangladesh," a comprehensive analysis that links the country’s spectrum pricing and tax burden to slower network investment and lagging internet speeds. The report outlines reforms to spectrum pricing, licensing, and sector taxation that would help Bangladesh achieve its ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy. The findings were launched in Dhaka in the presence of Mr. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Hon’ble Chief Adviser, MoPTIT; Mr. Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary (PTD Division); Maj Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari, Chairman of the BTRC; and Md Ja...Allowing spectrum prices to adjust could unlock up to US $45 billion of economic growth by 2035
Life worse for Rohingya on Bhasan Char, report shows
Esrat Jahan:
Framed initially as a bold humanitarian solution to overcrowded camps, the initiative now appears to be falling short of its promises, delivering reduced welfare for refuge...A major new study released by the World Bank this September, in collaboration with the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Yale University, and the University of Kent, has cast a stark light on the relocation of Rohingya refugees from Cox’s Bazar to the remote island of Bhasan Char.
Real-world gains for Bangladesh’s retail sector
Esrat Jahan:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be reshaping retail across Bangladesh, delivering significant cost savings, faster customer responses, and improved operational efficiency. From automating customer interactions to optimising supply chains, local businesses are increasingly turning to AI tools to streamline processes and enhance the shopping experience.
Such as LazyChat, a locally developed AI platform that integrates communication channels such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and ...
