Statement Desk, Author at TheStatement24

May222026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

BRAC Bank-BBDN-TBS Roundtable Calls for Better Disability Data to Shape Inclusive Bangladesh

BRAC Bank, Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN), and The Business Standard (TBS) joined forces to host an inspiring roundtable, "Data Matters: Numbers and Evidence are Key to a Disability-Inclusive Society." This discussion comes at a crucial time, when the Bangladesh government is placing greater emphasis on disability-inclusive development and seeks accurate data for policy decisions. The roundtable highlighted why evidence-based approaches are vital for advancing disability rights and inclusion. TBS sparked a lively discussion on 20 May 2026 as part of BRAC Bank’s CSR Programme, ‘Aporajeyo Ami’, designed to inspire meaningful conversations and champion disability inclusion. Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, said, “BRAC Bank's founder, ...

May222026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Phones That Fit the Way You Actually Live

Breaking News, Technology

A smartphone today is no longer just a device in your pocket. It has become part of your daily routine; from the moment you wake up until the end of your day. The Infinix NOTE 60 Series and HOT 70 are designed with this real-life usage in mind, focusing more on experience than just specifications. The NOTE 60 Series is built for users who want smooth performance and a premium feel in everyday use. The 1.5K AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, streaming, and gaming feel extremely fluid and responsive. Whether you are watching videos, browsing social media, or switching between multiple apps, the experience feels fast and effortless. Performance is another strong point. With powerful chipsets like the Dimensity 7400 5G and Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 5G, the phones handle mu...

May212026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Bangladesh SOEs cost treasury Tk 882b as losses mount: World Bank study

Breaking News, Business

Bangladesh’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) drained nearly Tk 882 billion from the national exchequer in a single year, emerging as one of the country’s biggest fiscal risks, according to a World Bank study. The study report highlighted that the deteriorating financial condition of public enterprises has become “unsustainable” at a time when Bangladesh is already facing falling revenue collection, slower economic growth and mounting pressure on public finances. It said the growing losses of SOEs are consuming resources that could otherwise be invested in healthcare, education and social protection. The findings were presented at a dissemination workshop on the report titled “Financial Performance and Fiscal Risk of SOEs in Bangladesh” held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka on May 21, 202...

May212026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Effective Tobacco Tax and Price Increase Demanded in the Upcoming National Budget

Breaking News, NGO News

A discussion meeting organized by Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) was held on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, demanding effective taxation and price increases on all tobacco products in the upcoming national budget for FY 2026–27 to protect public health. The keynote paper presented at the event stated that Bangladesh currently has a four-tier cigarette pricing structure—low, medium, high, and premium. Around 90 percent of cigarettes sold in the market belong to the low and medium tiers, making tobacco products highly affordable and easily accessible, especially to young people and low-income populations. As a result, tobacco control efforts are becoming ineffective among these groups. The paper proposed merging the low and medium ti...

May212026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

British Council launches new position paper calling for language-responsive education systems

Breaking News, Education

The British Council has launched a new global position paper advocating for language-responsive education systems that better reflect the linguistic realities of learners and support more inclusive, equitable and effective education. The position paper outlines the organisation’s approach to language policy and practice in education, recognising the evolving and complex role of English globally while emphasising the importance of linguistic diversity and contextual decision-making. Across many education systems worldwide, students learn in multilingual environments where the language used at school may differ from the language spoken at home. While English continues to play an important global role in education, mobility and opportunity, the British Council’s position stresses that there ...

May212026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Uber Expands Its Footprint in Bangladesh with Launch in Chattogram

Breaking News, Business

Uber, Bangladesh’s leading ridesharing app today announced the launch of its services in Chattogram, further expanding access to convenient, affordable, and technology-enabled mobility solutions across Bangladesh. With this launch, residents and visitors in the city will now be able to seamlessly request rides through the Uber app while drivers gain access to flexible earning opportunities. Starting today, riders in Chattogram will be able to access Uber’s mobility offerings through the app, designed to make everyday travel more reliable, safer, and efficient. The expansion reflects Uber’s continued commitment to supporting urban mobility and economic opportunity in Bangladesh. As Bangladesh continues to witness rapid urban growth and increasing demand for tech-enabled transportation...

May212026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Samsung’s Eid offers and cashback with every Smartphone purchase

Breaking News, Business

This Eid-ul-Adha, Samsung Mobile is set to double the festive joy by offering guaranteed prizes across its entire smartphone lineup. With every purchase, customers will stand a chance to win exclusive gifts, enjoy exciting cashback offers on select devices, and receive a complimentary one-time screen replacement. Samsung Bangladesh has officially launched the campaign on May 19, 2026, across all authorized outlets nationwide. Under the campaign, customers purchasing any Samsung mobile device will be eligible to win household electronics, with a Samsung Refrigerator as the first prize, a Samsung TV as the second prize, and a Samsung Microwave Oven as the third prize. In addition to the giveaway, buyers can enjoy up to BDT 7,900 cashback on selected devices. Select credit card users will a...

May202026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Model and choreographer Saddam Shihab’s birthday is today

Breaking News, Feature

He started with brand photoshoots and fashion video shoots for TV channels in 2014. Although his journey began in 2014, he took a break in between and has returned. In the meantime, he went to the gym, shed fat, and came back fit, to reclaim his place. I was talking about Saddam Shihab, known as the Hrithik of Narayanganj. He started with brand photoshoots and fashion video shoots for TV channels in 2014. Inside this, he started practicing his idol Hrithik Roshan's dances. This gave him new motivation to make a comeback. Covering Hrithik's dances caught the attention of netizens in the online world. He was able to attract the viewers' attention! In this context, recently his interview on Ananda TV has already reached 2 million views. In addition, a report on his dance cover has recent...

May202026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Call for Effective Tobacco Price Hike to Discourage Youth Tobacco Initiation: Sandhani

Breaking News, NGO News

Sandhani, the Independence Award-winning student organization, has called for an effective increase in tobacco prices in the upcoming FY 2026–27 national budget to discourage tobacco use among young people. The organization proposed merging the low and medium cigarette tiers and setting the retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at BDT 100, along with a specific supplementary duty of BDT 4 per pack. It also recommended setting the prices of high-tier and premium-tier cigarette packs at BDT 150 and BDT 200 respectively. The demands were presented at a press conference titled Effective Increase in Tobacco Prices to Discourage Youth Tobacco Initiation: Sandhani’s Budget Proposals for FY 2026–27, held today at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club. The press conf...

May202026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

The British Council to publish new Research and Insight on Bangladesh: Sustainable Architecture Practice

Breaking News, Education

The British Council and the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements are set to announce the launch of the Research and Insight publication 'Sustainable Architecture Practice' on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at Bengal Shilpalay, House 42, Road No. 16, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The event will begin at 5:00 PM and is open to architects, planners, built environment professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the wider public. The publication is the culmination of a nationwide research initiative commissioned by the British Council and led by the Bengal Institute. The research maps existing sustainable and climate-adaptive architectural practices across Bangladesh — spanning public, private, and grassroots levels — and offers policy recommendations to support the growth and recogni...