Non-performing loans surpass Tk 6 lakh crore

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh's banking sector have surged once again, surpassing Tk 6 lakh crore by the end of June 2026 despite various policy concessions and restructuring facilities offered to borrowers.According to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank, total default loans reached Tk 6,06,555 crore at the end of June, marking an increase of Tk 17,851 crore in three months.The total proportion of default loans against total disbursed loans rose to 32.78 percent in June, up by 0.52 percentage points from 32.26 percent in March.At the end of March 2026, classified loans in the banking sector stood at Tk 5,88,704 crore.The continuous accumulation of non-performing assets, which now account for nearly one-third of total loans in the banking ecosystem, has sparked renewed concerns regarding asset quality, capital adequacy, and overall financial stability across the sector. -UNB...

10 Premier School Dhaka students honoured at O & A Level awards

Premier School Dhaka has celebrated another strong performance at the 25th The Daily Star–Prime Bank O & A Level Awards 2026, with 10 of its students receiving recognition for their outstanding academic performance. Recently held in Dhaka under the theme “Saluting the Nation Builders of Tomorrow,” the prestigious awards ceremony recognized and celebrated the achievements of 2,545 students from 121 English-medium schools across Bangladesh. Of the awardees, 1,928 students wer...

Gold prices drop by Tk 11,489 in two rounds this week

Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has once again cut the price of gold ornaments in the domestic market, reducing the price of the best quality 22-carat gold by Tk 4,374 per bhori.According to the new pricing, eff...

438 held across the capital in 24hrs, 86 cases filed

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 438 people in the past 24 hours during regular anti-crime operations across the capital and filed 86 cases.The arrests were made by different units of the DMP, said a DMP press release.The Ramna Division arrested 33 people, Lalbagh 30, Wari 65, Motijheel 43, Tejgaon 78, Mirpur 116, Gulshan 37 and Uttara 31.In addition, one person was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) and four by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit.During the operations, police recovered 1,055 yaba tablets, 14 packets of cannabis, 26 packets of heroin, nine mobile phones, a knife, a cutter, Tk 111,589 in cash and a fake student identity card.According to the DMP, the suspects were arrested from different parts of the capital following raids targeting various...

PM vows to honour sacrifices of democracy martyrs, victims

Tawhid Hridoy hits historic overseas first-class triple-century

Tawhid Hridoy etched his name into Bangladesh’s cricket history on Wednesday, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a triple-century in first-class cricket outside the country.Hridoy reached the landmark on the fourth day of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A, completing his 300 from 450 balls. He was unbeaten on 328 as Bangladesh reached 652 for eight.His achievement was all the more remarkable given the pressure that briefly built around him as he approached the milestone.With Hridoy on 288, South Africa captain Marques Ackerman and several senior players gathered for a discussion before opting to take the third new ball. The decision initially appeared to pay dividends as the Kookaburra ball gave the South African bowlers some extra bite and Bangladesh’s scoring rate slowed.Hridoy was beaten on 294 while attempting to drive a delivery outside off stump, prompting a strong appeal for a catch behind. The umpire, however, remained unmoved. Replays showed that Hridoy’s bat had struck the pitch rather than the ball.There were further moments of hope for South Africa at the other end. Rejaur Rahman edged one delivery that fell just short of a slip fielder and later struggled to control a bouncer that flew past the short-leg fielder. But he survived, allowing Hridoy to continue his march towards history.Hridoy had resumed the day on 204 after Mohammad Saifuddin was dismissed for 87 with the final ball on Tuesday. Naeem Hasan joined him at the crease but was soon stumped for 16, giving South African off-spinner Tshepo Ntuli his first wic...

Make law and order the government’s top priority

The brutal killing of four members of a family in Rangpur, allegedly after they objected to two young men consuming Yaba on the rooftop of their home, is yet another chilling reminder of the country&r...

Kolkata hotel fire: Bangladesh must demand answers and stronger safety measures

The tragic hotel fire in Kolkata that claimed the lives of nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, is deeply shocking and demands the urgent attention of both Bangladesh and India. The loss of an entire Bangladeshi family, including a thre...

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