57% insurance firms failing to pay claims unacceptable: Khosru

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said 57 percent of the country's insurance companies are not paying policyholders' claims, calling the situation "deeply frustrating" for the country's insurance sector."If 57 out of 100 companies cannot settle customers' claims, that is in no way acceptable," he told reporters after visiting the office of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA).The minister said irregularities, disorder and corruption in the sector have created the current crisis, adding that tough measures must be taken to bring the industry under control.He said insurance companies must be made to settle claims within a fixed timeframe to restore customer confidence, and that firms should sell off assets if necessary to clear their dues.Khosru noted that customers pay premiums from their hard-earned money to secure their future, yet many companies are failing to honour their claims, a situation he said is co...

Govt plans measures to improve business climate, diversify exports

The government plans to take a series of measures to improve the cost and ease of doing business, attract foreign investment, diversify exports and promote balanced industrial development across the country, according to a budget document.Giving priority to deregulation, the government plans to streamline investment-related services, fully digitalise them and integrate them with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s One-Stop Service (BIDA-OSS) platform.It also plans to strength...

Restoring trust; 5,868 insurance clients to get Tk 23 crore

In another major step aimed at expediting long-pending insurance claims and rebuilding public confidence in the sector, the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has taken an initiative to disburse Tk 23 ...

Celebrating Kazi Nazrul Islam: An Evening of Culture, Literature and Bangladesh–Russia Connections

BP DeskThe Russian House in Dhaka, in cooperation with Chhayanat (Kolkata), India, organised a special evening of culture and remembrance celebrating the life, poetry, music and enduring legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the National Poet of Bangladesh.In her welcome address, Alexandra A. Khlevnoy, Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, highlighted Kazi Nazrul Islam as a timeless poet whose words transcended boundaries of religion, class, language, geography and time, expressing universal values of freedom, equality, love, humanity and hope.She also highlighted the meaningful connection between Nazrul’s literary world and Russian and Soviet cultural traditions, particularly their shared themes of freedom, justice, courage, compassion and human dignity.A key part of the programme focused ...

Good, honest people need to enter politics: Andaleeve Rahman

India’s women crowned Asia Cup title for 8th time

India took control from the start to win the Women’s Asia Cup cricket tournament for an eighth time on Sunday, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final.India won the toss, scored a challenging total of 183-5 and then dismissed Sri Lanka for 111 in its 20 overs.Smriti Mandhana (59) and Shafali Verma (68) shared an opening stand of 129 in 12.5 overs before India spinner Shree Charani took 4-20 in four overs.Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (36) was the top scorer for her team, sharing a 58-run partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne (20) before Sri Lanka collapsed from 62-1 to 111 all out off the last ball of the innings, reports UNB....

SRB must not become ‘Old Wine in a New Bottle’

Parliament’s passage of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill, 2026, paving the way for the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), is a significant step in reforming Bangladesh&rsquo...

Relocating bus terminals: Don’t let bureaucracy derail a good decision

The government’s decision to relocate inter-district bus terminals outside Dhaka city is a timely and welcome initiative. Given the capital’s worsening traffic congestion and the urgent need to modernise its transport system, moving long-...

KFC's 'Eidi for Angels' Spreads Eid Joy to Underprivileged Kids

To stem the scourge of smoking, follow the science, not the dogma

Benefits of Having an Oven in Your Kitchen