The West has invented weapons of mass destruction and used them in ways no other parts of the world have.! — AP photo

Julian Marley with his band The Uprising presents reggae on Friday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Demonstrators shout slogans and hold a placard reading ‘We need peace in RCA’ (Central African Republic) during a protest, in Bangui on Saturday. — AFP photo

CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya speaks at a press briefing at its office in the city on Saturday. CPD executive director Mustafizur Rahman was also present. — New Age photo

Man of the match Sohag Gazi (fourth from R) tosses the ball as the Prime Bank South Zone players walk off the field after completing a dramatic 37-run win over Islami Bank East Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League match at Mirpur on Saturday. — New Age photo

Sunidhi Chauhan blazes the Dhaka audience with her hit playbacks on Friday at Sher-e Bangla Stadium on Friday.

A file photo shows labourers husking paddy on the outskirts of Dhaka. — New Age photo

A Scottish Qualifications Authority official receives a crest of the United Maritime Academy in a ceremony in the UMA auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday. — New Age photo

Fire fighters spray water to put out flames in a covered van set on fire at Ramna in Dhaka on Saturday. — Sanaul Haque

The national committee to protect oil, gas, mineral resources, power and ports brings out a procession in Dhaka on Saturday, protesting at fuel price increase. — New Age photo

Students start fire with a tyre blocking the Shahbagh crossing in Dhaka on Saturday demanding 35 years as the age limit for government jobs. — Sanaul Haque

MAIN NEWS

Many promises not kept

The Awami League-led alliance assumed office this day four years ago with lofty promises amid great expectations of people but the government has so far mostly failed to live up to such expectations. Many of the pledges the ruling Awami League... Full story

Pressing public issues largely ignored

Partisan issues took precedence over pressing public concerns in the movement carried out by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led opposition last year, though it has apparently been able to win back... Full story

BNP, allies call shutdown for today

About a dozen of vehicles were torched and damaged and several crude bombs exploded in different parts of the capital on Saturday ahead of the opposition’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike today. The 18-party alliance led by the... Full story

Govt to re-fix long-route bus fares

The government is going to re-fix the fares of diesel-run buses carrying passengers on long routes in the wake of the latest increase in fuel prices. Associations of transport owners and workers urged the government... Full story

NATIONAL

CAB to sue govt for energy price hikes

The Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh on Saturday warned the power and energy ministry of filing a case against it for continuing with increasing the fuel and power prices and interfering in the activities of... Full story

6 new marine academies to be opened

METRO

BUSINESS

7.2pc growth unlikely to be achieved: CPD

The Centre for Policy Dialogue on Saturday observed that the government would not be able to achieve its target of 7.2 per cent GDP growth for this fiscal year mainly due to a decreased growth in investment, export and industrial production. Full story

Big dive in food grain import continues

INTERNATIONAL

Central African rebels capture 2 more towns

Rebels in the Central African Republic captured two more towns overnight, the territorial administration minister, Josue Binoua, said on Saturday. ‘The rebels took two towns near Bambari,’ a town already under the control of the Seleka rebel coalition... Full story

Syria’s Alawite area Assad’s last resort: analysts

SPORTS

Sohag seals sensational South win

Prime Bank South Zone took the honour of becoming the first side to post an outright win in the Bangladesh Cricket League when they fought back to beat Islami Bank East Zone by 37 runs in Dhaka on Saturday. Off-spinner Sohag Gazi sealed... Full story

Gladiators to face Royal Bengals in BPL opener

EDITORIAL

Time for AL-led govt to make a course correction

The Awami League formed its government this day four years ago... Full story

An affront to incumbents’ pledge to ensure primary education for all

TIMEOUT

Julian Marley moves Dhaka audience

It was wonderful for the local audience as Julian Marley, son of king of reggae Bob Marley, gave a brilliant presentation of reggae with his band on Friday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Local band Miles also resented its popular... Full story

Sunidhi gives a blazing performance

LETTERS

Driving school in each district

A large number of people in this country are poor. The democratically elected government has a special responsibility to improve their economic conditions. Different measures can be taken to raise their level of income. Full story