Bangladesh now faces a decisive period that will determine whether the latest vote leads to structural reform or reinforces familiar patterns of power, said senior policymakers and analysts at a discussion in London yesterday.

Amid a surge in mosquitoes over the past month, the health ministry has initiated a move to check whether the insecticide used to kill mosquitoes is effective.

The death toll from the gas line explosion in a flat in Chattogram’s Halishahar rose to three as an expatriate, who had returned home to celebrate Eid, succumbed to his injuries at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka yesterday.

For 13 days, three children waited anxiously to see their mother again, after first enduring the disbelief that she was even alive.

Dhaka University students yesterday staged a protest in front of Shahbagh Police Station, demanding justice for the police assault on a DU student during an anti-narcotic drive at Suhrawardy Udyan.

The government is considering the appointment of administrators to the zilla parishads of 61 districts to oversee the activities of the local government bodies until elected representatives assume office.

Japan yesterday urged Bangladesh’s new government to honour the defence agreement it signed with the previous interim administration.

The government is set to launch the pilot phase of its family card programme on March 10 with the ultimate aim of gradually bringing two crore families under monthly cash support.

For 17 years, the killing of 74 people, including 57 of the nation’s top military officers, during a mutiny at the then BDR headquarters in Pilkhana has remained an open wound, clouded by state-led investigations dismissed by critics as a facade of justice.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s intervention prompted a swift police operation yesterday to rescue an abducted schoolboy.

The government yesterday appointed Additional Inspector General of Police and Armed Police Battalion chief Md Ali Hossain Fakir as the new Inspector General of Police.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday instructed officials to ensure that all decisions regarding the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port serve the national interest.

A sense of disgruntlement has taken over the civil administration over discussions to appoint retired officers to top positions in key ministries through contracts.

Five remain in critical condition with severe burns

Forms committee, prepares candidates for city and upazila polls

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia today, making it his first official foreign trip since his appointment.

Newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Aminul Islam yesterday said he will review the case file before deciding on any legal steps in the case involving former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has asked administrators of six newly appointed city corporations to submit action plans within seven days after identifying key problems and crises in their respective cities.

Seventeen long years have passed since the BDR carnage, but neither the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government nor Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government took any extensive steps to settle the appeals in the Appellate Division, leaving the death penalties of 139 convicts unexecuted.

Rangamati General Hospital’s newly constructed building, built to expand its capacity and services, remains unused due to an acute manpower shortage.