The UN rights chief yesterday expressed serious concern over the dramatic increase in brutal murders in Bangladesh and urged the authorities to ensure full respect for human rights in investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of recent vicious crimes.

Transit between Bangladesh and India is set to become fully operational with the first Indian consignment reaching Ashuganj tomorrow on its way to north-eastern Indian state of Tripura.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the Saudi authorities that Bangladesh, if necessary, will send troops to protect the two holy sites of the Muslims -- Makkah and Madinah.

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam accuses Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) of creating ground for assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

A number of international groups working on press freedom and freedom of expression urge urgent and concrete steps by the United Nations (UN) to reverse the deteriorating climate for free expression in Bangladesh.

Rebel candidates were responsible for the deadly violence during the recently held Union Parishad (UP) elections, law minister tells the parliament.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assures Saudi Arabia it will send its troops to Mecca Haram Shareef and Madina Shareef if necessary.

Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu says Bangladesh does not need assistance of any foreign country or government to protect the minority community.

Over 2,100 leaders and activists of BNP are so far arrested by law enforcers during the ongoing anti-militancy crackdown, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed claims.

Parbatya Chhatragram Janasanghati Samity (PCJSS-Santu Larma) has been observing a 36-hour road and waterway blockade in Rangamati demanding reelection at a polling centre at Bhushanchhara union of Barkal upazila of the district.

High Court has stayed for three months the proceedings of 10 cases filed on charges of defamation and sedition against The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam.

Over 3,200 people are detained countrywide on the third day of the anti-militancy crackdown. Among them only 34 were suspected militants.

Seven persons have been detained on charge of fraud and doping people from the capital’s Mohammadpur area, police say.

Five female workers of a husking mill were killed and five injured as a truck hit a human hauler in Kushtia Sadar upazila.

Mohammedan Sporting Club and Bangladesh Sporting Club notch up big victories as the goalfest continues in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu was threatened with life yesterday. An unknown person sent him a shroud in a shopping bag, said a ministry official.

Police arrested 48 more suspected militants on the third day of their countrywide clampdown yesterday, taking the total number of captured “militants” to 85 since the special drive began following Sunday's murder of a top police official's wife by suspected militants in Chittagong.

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a High Court verdict that scrapped the rules allowing lawmakers to become governing body heads of private schools and colleges without elections.

Police detained an Islami Chhatra Shibir leader in connection with the killing of Nityaranjan Pande, volunteer of a Hindu Ashram, early yesterday.

Rejecting the bail petition of ruling Awami League lawmaker Mustafizur Rahman Chowdhury, the High Court yesterday ordered him to surrender before the lower court concerned by June 20 in a case filed for assaulting an upazila election officer.