Iran is in talks with Russia over the construction of two new units at its sole nuclear power plant, the Islamic republic’s atomic energy agency said yesterday.

As he starts his second term as UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres said Thursday the world is worse in many ways than it was five years ago because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and geopolitical tensions that have sparked conflicts everywhere — but unlike US President Joe Biden he thinks Russia will not invade Ukraine.

The UN will look into the 12 human rights bodies’ call for banning Rab from its peacekeeping missions, UN secretary-general’s Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said yesterday.

Rakibul Islam should have been in school and not on the streets selling masks to pedestrians and bus passengers.

Bangladesh now plans to inoculate 70 percent of its population with the Covid-19 vaccine -- down from the initial plan of 80 percent -- in line with the World Health Organisation’s target.

All types of social events, including marriage ceremonies, have to be stopped as the Covid transmission has risen at an alarming rate, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said yesterday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday that he believed reviving the Iran nuclear deal was still possible after “modest progress” in talks, after meeting with European allies in Berlin.

The High Court yesterday cautioned the celebrities involved with controversial e-commerce platform Evaly, saying they must be conscious about their positions.

The results of 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service preliminary test were published yesterday.

A Cox’s Bazar court yesterday placed Mohammad Shah Ali, brother of Ataullah Abu Amar Jununi, commander of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), on a six-day remand in three cases.

A man was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by a Dhaka tribunal for making derogatory remarks about the prime minister on Facebook.

All authorised recruiting agencies will get opportunities to send workers to Malaysia, said Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad.

Moringa oleifera is a tree native to the subcontinent.

Outgoing US Ambassador Earl R Miller wants Dhaka and Washington DC to have honest and direct conversations on democracy, human rights, and rule of law as partnership of the two nations is indispensable not only for future prosperity and security but also for addressing global challenges.

After two road safety organisations, a government report now shows that the road crashes and fatalities saw a big leap last year, indicating that the road safety situation deteriorated further.

The eighth edition of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League is set to begin today amid a Covid-19 surge in the country.

North Korea yesterday hinted it could resume nuclear and long-range weapons tests as it prepares for “confrontation” with Washington -- its latest threat after a string of sanctions-busting missile launches. 

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said those who built Rab are now speaking against it.

The deputy commissioners have been instructed to stop the misuse and abuse of the Digital Security Act, Law Minister Anisul Huq said yesterday.

Twenty-four students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) went on a “hunger strike until death” in front of the VC’s residence yesterday demanding his resignation.