A case was filed over the alleged rape and torture of a woman in Noakhali’s Hatia upazila yesterday, five days after the incident.

Tarique Rahman spent a busy first day as prime minister yesterday, holding meetings with ministers and top bureaucrats where he asked them to work in a coordinated manner to achieve his government’s goals while remaining above influence or nepotism.

Former army chief General (retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan yesterday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he had strongly opposed the promotion of Ziaul Ahsan, calling him a “serial killer” unfit for advancement.

Revising the annual holiday schedule, the new government yesterday announced the closure of primary and secondary schools (classes I-X) from today during Ramadan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday declared that stabilising law and order and strictly controlling corruption are the top priorities of his government.

The new finance minister, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, may have arrived in office with a long list of priorities -- fiscal reform, banking stability, and negotiations with international lenders.

The government will ensure an environment free from fear for journalism, said Zahir Uddin Swapon, the information and broadcasting minister.

Bangladesh will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan today, after the new crescent moon was sighted last evening, marking a period of fasting and self-purification for Muslims worldwide.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday said mob culture would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The new government must apply to the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (UN CDP) by February 23 if it intends to defer Bangladesh’s graduation from the least-developed country (LDC) category to developing nation status.

A special court yesterday issued arrest warrants against British MP Tulip Siddiq, niece of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and Rajuk’s former assistant legal adviser Sardar Mosharraf Hossain in a case filed over “illegal acquisition” of a flat in Dhaka’s Gulshan-2 area by providing undue benefits to a developer.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has welcomed the government’s decision not to take duty-free cars and government plots, calling it timely, thoughtful, and hopeful.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen yesterday visited SM Sultan Art Conservation Project at the Bengal Shilpalay in the capital.

In its first four months at the helm of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel took a number of initiatives for the welfare of Dhaka University students, but some of its leaders faced criticism for their excesses on the campus.

With the 13th parliamentary election now over, the Election Commission (EC) has begun preparations for elections to three major metropolitan local government bodies.

A few months before his death, Sharif Osman Hadi told the investigation officer in a crimes against humanity case that he had been receiving repeated death threats.

PEN Bangladesh has congratulated the newly elected government on receiving an overwhelming mandate to lead the country at a critical stage in its democratic transition.

A petition was filed with the High Court yesterday challenging the legality of the July charter.

Our Correspondent, Noakhali

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