From midnight yesterday, people from all walks of life thronged Shaheed Minars across the country to pay homage to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, observing Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day.

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day and Language Martyrs’ Day, no patriotic songs were played on the central Shaheed Minar premises in Lalmonirhat district yesterday, drawing flak from local eminent citizens and cultural activists.

A competition was held yesterday on making temporary Shaheed Minars on the occasion of the Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language, featuring children from local marginal families in Rasulpur shoal within Kirtankhola river in Barishal.

Rajshahi city residents have finally received a permanent Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to the heroes of the 1952 Language Movement.

An upazila-level Sramik Dal leader was shot and injured by armed miscreants in Raozan upazila of Chattogram on Friday night.

The government plans to introduce monthly honorariums and festival allowances for khatibs, imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths in some areas before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr in line with the ruling party’s election pledges.

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan yesterday alleged that certain quarters are secretly patronising mob activities.

Hundreds of US troops have been pulled out of the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, The New York Times reported Friday, as US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes on Iran.

A police constable was stabbed by miscreants during a search at a checkpoint in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area yesterday.

The first session of Bangladesh’s newly elected 13th Parliament will take place on March 12, or possibly a day or two earlier, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed last night.

All Bangladesh missions in India resumed visa services on Friday, signalling a step towards normalising relations between the two countries.

Uncertainty has arisen over the withdrawal of security support -- including the deployment of gunmen, and in some cases, house guards -- provided to at least 70 politicians and politically important individuals ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

Time is the most valuable currency in global trade. Wise governments spend it carefully. On February 9, however, Bangladesh’s interim administration spent it recklessly.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon yesterday said the country’s conventional education system is to blame for rising unemployment, as it fails to align with employment needs.

If the 15 percent rate replaces the 19 percent reciprocal tariff finalised for Bangladesh under the trade deal, Bangladesh’s effective tariff for exports to the US would stand at 31.5 percent.

Once rooted largely in rural heartlands, the party has now made visible inroads into urban constituencies, drawing support from affluent and educated voters.

Rumeen Farhana, MP from Brahmanbaria-2, yesterday said she was obstructed and attacked while attempting to place a wreath at the Sarail Shaheed Minar during the first hour of International Mother Language Day.

At least 10 people, including three members of a family, were killed and four injured in separate road crashes in five districts over the last two days.

The appearance of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman at the Central Shaheed Minar early yesterday has sparked a debate across political and social circles, piquing interest around this “unprecedented” visit.

Speaker election, review of interim govt ordinances expected in first session, he says