When reflecting on broken promises, people sometimes refer to Sunil Gangopadhyay’s poem “Keu Katha Rakheni” (Nobody kept their promise), whose protagonist received numerous assurances and pledges over his 33 years of life but none were apparently kept.

Bangladesh had the opportunity to set a good example by banning the production and sale of e-cigarettes through the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

Operation Epic Fury launched on February 28, 2026, and struck at a moment when the post‑Cold War international order was already trembling, leading the world to sense that something irreversible had begun.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant technological frontier. It is already shaping how governments make decisions, information circulates, borders are managed, and how citizens interact with the state.

There is a well-known concept in economics called the “tragedy of the commons.” To understand this, let’s imagine a village with a common well.

The 1996 Ganges Water Treaty (GWT) is approaching the end of its life cycle, with the 30-year treaty set to expire in December 2026.

Persistent tensions in the Middle East, the resultant disruptions in key shipping routes, and the volatility in fuel access and prices are once again reminding the world of a hard truth: that energy security is no longer just about supply but also about having durable systems and structures in place.

Bangladesh is once again facing a public health threat that is both familiar and preventable. Since early January 2026, the country has seen a surge in measles cases, with thousands of suspected infections and a rising number of deaths.

The multiple amendments and expansion of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 created scope for mass arbitrary arrests and detention of suspects, which often led to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Europe often touts itself as a “development partner.” Where was Europe as a partner when Trump was hammering the LDCs with tariffs?

Frugality begins at home. Simple actions such as turning off lights and appliances when not in use, choosing energy-efficient devices, and minimising water wastage can reduce household energy consumption and contribute to broader resource conservation.

The real question before parliament now is brutally simple. Does it want an independent judiciary, or merely a friendlier one?

With the parliamentary politics once again becoming vibrant and engaging, a clear fault line is gradually emerging between the ruling party, BNP, and the opposition, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

Bangladesh’s garment industry has faced some serious challenges of late. In the first eight months of FY2025-26, the country’s ready-made garment exports fell 3.73 percent year on year to $25.79 billion, against $26.79 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Geopolitical crises have repeatedly exposed Bangladesh’s excessive dependence on imported fossil fuels, driving up energy prices and depleting foreign exchange reserves.

One of the main reasons for traffic congestion during school hours is that guardians in private cars drop off and pick up students directly in front of school gates. Since our road capacity is limited, the pressure spills onto the main roads.

Communication is now one of the most decisive forces governing the state in Bangladesh. Policymaking, administrative control, and conventional political management remain as necessary as ever, but they are no longer enough on their own. Today, a rumour can spread faster than an official instruction.

Despite remarkable progress in child survival, newborn deaths remain a major challenge in Bangladesh. According to recent estimates, about 60,000 newborns die each year in the country, with nearly three-quarters of these deaths occurring in the first week of life.

Last month, three special days of observation occurred in succession.

I woke up before dawn on Wednesday to a call from my younger sister, Nazia. The ICU doctors had asked that the family come in. A quiet fear settled in my chest.