Govt aims for inclusive cultural revival engaging youth
Leaving dreams behind: stories of girls forced into early marriage
Leaving dreams behind: stories of girls forced into early marriage
DHAKA, May 01, 2026 (BSS) - From the moment life begins, human beings learn to dream. Dreams shape growth and give people the motivation to move forward. But not all dreams come true—especially for girls from the underprivileged families. For many of them, childhood dreams come to an abrupt and heartbreaking end due to the harsh reality of early marriage.   Momena (not real name), a schoolgirl from BaghaUpazila of Rajshahi, once expressed this painful reality in her notebook: many girls are forced to leave behind their dreams and go to their in-laws’ house even before those dreams fully take shape.   Momena was a student of Nawtika Government Primary School. After completing her primary education, she enrolled in a secondary school. However, while studying in class nine, she was married off. Later, her younger brother brought her notebook to the same primary school, where former teacher DulariKhatun discovered it.  She showed it with great interest to the head teacher, Kabiruzzaman. Head teacher Kabiruzzaman said he found it hard to believe that a mid-level student from a lower-middle-class family could think so deeply.  “Perhaps our understanding of children’s inner world is still limited,” he remarked.   DulariKhatun said that most girls in rural areas fall victim to child marriage, and very few protest against it.  It is unknown whether Momena had objected to her marriage, but her writing was striking—almost like a silent protest. That’s why she preserved the notebook as an example. Momena is now married in Charghatupazila of the same district.  When contacted, she said she has two sons. Her elder son is nine years old, and she has arranged three private tutors for him.She also helps with his studies at home. Her in-laws are very supportive.  Over the past 10 years, she has forgotten the dreams she once wrote about—now all her dreams revolve around her two sons. But her story is not unique. Helena, a young woman from BarishalSadarupazila, once dreamed of becoming a barrister.  She also wanted to learn acting and dancing. Her family was financially stable, and her father was supportive, so she believed her dreams would come true.  But right after her higher secondary exams, she received a good marriage proposal—the groom was a government officer. She got married.  The following year, she had a child. Her education then became secondary.   Although her in-laws did not oppose her studies, they also did not encourage her.  In this situation, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She has no regrets, but now all her dreams center on her five-year-old daughter. Roksana from Khulna faced even harsher realities. Despite achieving good results in her SSC examination in 2023, she could not get admitted in college due to financial hardship.Her father struggled to support the large family alone. Eventually, she agreed to marriage. A year later, she gave birth to a baby girl. Now, all her thoughts revolve around her child’s future. Roksana said, “I had many dreams—to go to college, to attend university, to stand on my own feet, to support my father. But none of that happened. Now I just want my daughter not to face the same fate. I want her to fulfill the dreams I once had.” These stories may differ in detail, but they converge in one place—the pain of lost dreams.    Even when many young women find stability in their in-laws’ homes, the dreams they once cherished in childhood continue to haunt them. In this reality, one question remains: do girls’ dreams simply shift to the next generation, or do they quietly disappear?
Women boost incomes through riverbank mangrove nurseries
Women boost incomes through riverbank mangrove nurseries
Case filed in Jashore against ex-state minister, five MPs
Case filed in Jashore against ex-state minister, five MPs
China urges US to preserve 'stability' in ties, warns Taiwan is 'risk point'
China urges US to preserve 'stability' in ties, warns Taiwan is 'risk point'
BEIJING, MAY 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China's foreign minister on Thursday urged the United States to maintain "stability" between the two powers and warned that Taiwan posed the biggest risk, weeks before President Donald Trump visits Beijing. In a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing and Washington should "safeguard the hard-won stability" in China-US relations, China's foreign ministry said. The talks also discussed the Middle East, where China has been a key partner of Tehran but has largely kept its distance after Trump joined Israel in attacking Iran, sending global oil prices spiralling. A State Department official confirmed the phone call and said it was to arrange Trump's trip but did not give further details. Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14-15 to see President Xi Jinping -- the Republican billionaire's first trip to the rival power since returning to the White House in January 2025. During Trump's first year back in office, Washington and Beijing clashed over trade and tariffs until a truce was declared in October, when Trump and Xi met in South Korea. "Both sides should safeguard the hard-won stability, prepare well for key high-level interactions, expand areas of cooperation" and manage their differences, Wang told Rubio, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry. While ties have "generally remained stable" under Trump and Xi, Wang "emphasised that the Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests and is the biggest risk point in China-US relations", it said. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and is sharply critical of US military assistance to the self-ruled island and its support of Taipei on the international stage. "The United States must honor its commitments and make the right choices, opening new perspectives for bilateral cooperation and do its part to promote world peace," Wang said. The statement from the Chinese ministry said Wang and Rubio had "exchanged views" on the situation in the Middle East, without offering further details.   
Govt to review outdated British, Pakistan-era laws: Law Minister 
Govt to review outdated British, Pakistan-era laws: Law Minister 
PM directives save 3,000 trees at Cox’s bazar marine drive 
PM directives save 3,000 trees at Cox’s bazar marine drive 
PM directs fiscal austerity, strict scrutiny of projects
PM directs fiscal austerity, strict scrutiny of projects
Bill Gates visited Bangladesh on brief trip at Tarique Rahman’s invitation: Saleh Shibly
Bill Gates visited Bangladesh on brief trip at Tarique Rahman’s invitation: Saleh Shibly
Venezuela leader hikes minimum wage package by 26%
Venezuela leader hikes minimum wage package by 26%
CARACAS, MAY 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday hiked the minimum wage package by 26.3 percent, to $240, in an attempt to quell growing discontent over difficult living conditions. Addressing thousands of government supporters in Caracas on the eve of International Workers' Day, Rodriguez, who succeeded deposed leftist leader Nicolas Maduro, said it was "the most significant increase in recent years." She did not give a breakdown of the increase, leaving it unclear who would benefit. Venezuelans have in recent weeks repeatedly demonstrated for an increase to wages so low that many struggle to survive in the face of annual inflation of over 600 percent. On April 9, police clashed with thousands of protesters who marched towards the presidential palace in Caracas to demand salary and pension increases. The increase announced Monday by Rodriguez is to the "comprehensive minimum income," a package composed of a very low wage ($0.30 a month) -- roughly 330 times lower than the UN poverty line of $3 a day -- topped with a food bonus of $40 and an "economic war" bonus of $150 for a total of $190. Rodriguez also announced a $70 increase to the state pension, which she said represented an increase of 40 percent. She acknowledged that it was still "not enough" and promised a "special plan for our grandfathers and grandmothers." The announcements were met with applause and cries of joy from the crowd in Caracas. But the increases still leave most workers far short of the $677 that a family of five needs to cover its basic food needs, according to Venezuelan analysts. Rodriguez has insisted on the need for "responsible" wage increases that do not cause inflation to further spiral. Yeisi Romero, a 44-year-old local government worker attending the rally, said the increases fell short of his expectations but that "things are getting better."
Trump says lifting Scottish whisky tariffs to 'honor' King Charles
Trump says lifting Scottish whisky tariffs to 'honor' King Charles
Oil slumps after hitting peak, US indices reach new records
Oil slumps after hitting peak, US indices reach new records
  • Latest
  • Most Viewed
40,590 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia
RUET's three departments receive BAETE accreditation
Leaving dreams behind: stories of girls forced into early marriage
Khulna Chamber election ordered within four months, two officials relieved
Women boost incomes through riverbank mangrove nurseries
Buddha Purnima being celebrated today 
Historic May Day today 
China urges US to preserve 'stability' in ties, warns Taiwan is 'risk point'
Iran war redraws sea routes with Africa as the pivot
First direct US-Venezuela flight in years arrives in Caracas
১০
Rumor Scanner debunks SSC question leak claims
Rumor Scanner debunks SSC question leak claims
AI images used to spread false claim about Dr Yunus’s residence: FactWatch 
AI images used to spread false claim about Dr Yunus’s residence: FactWatch 
Communal claims about death of Nayan Das is baseless: BanglaFact
Communal claims about death of Nayan Das is baseless: BanglaFact
Fake photo card misquoting Mahbub Anam circulated to mislead: BanglaFact
Fake photo card misquoting Mahbub Anam circulated to mislead: BanglaFact
Khulna Chamber election ordered within four months, two officials relieved
Khulna Chamber election ordered within four months, two officials relieved
KHULNA, May 01, 2026 (BSS) - The government has appointed a new administrator to the Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and directed him to hold an election within the next four months. The Ministry of Commerce issued the directives through two separate office orders on Wednesday, says a KCCI press release on Thursday. According to the first order, the tenure of the previous administrator, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Khulna, ended on April 29. To ensure continuity of KCCI activities and keep trade and commerce functioning smoothly, the ministry appointed Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) of Khulna Abu Sayed Md Monjur Alam as administrator under Section 17 of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022. The order said the newly appointed administrator must complete a free and fair election within four months and hand over responsibilities to the elected committee, informing the ministry accordingly. In another office order, the ministry requested that KCCI's contractual secretary Nur Rukhsana Banu and Assistant Secretary (Estate) Bishwarup Sarkar be temporarily relieved from all chamber activities until the election is completed, in accordance with the recruitment rules and conditions of their appointment, the press release added.   
MSF intensifies measles response in Cox’s Bazar 
MSF intensifies measles response in Cox’s Bazar 
BGB distributes relief, financial aid to storm-hit families in Moulvibazar’s Juri
BGB distributes relief, financial aid to storm-hit families in Moulvibazar’s Juri
RUET's three departments receive BAETE accreditation
RUET's three departments receive BAETE accreditation
JUAAB inks software development agreement with KAICOM
JUAAB inks software development agreement with KAICOM
3-day international photography exhibition kicks off at KU
3-day international photography exhibition kicks off at KU
JU classes for 2025-26 session to begin June 17
JU classes for 2025-26 session to begin June 17
FIFA to review ticket strategy for 2030 World Cup
FIFA to review ticket strategy for 2030 World Cup
BCB, Ansar ink deal to strengthen security at stadiums across country
BCB, Ansar ink deal to strengthen security at stadiums across country
Tamim outlines 'Structural Revolution' for Bangladesh Cricket
Tamim outlines 'Structural Revolution' for Bangladesh Cricket
Tigresses concede T20 series to Sri Lanka
Tigresses concede T20 series to Sri Lanka
Mini School Handball begins in capital
Mini School Handball begins in capital
Joypurhat Handball Academy emerge champions
Joypurhat Handball Academy emerge champions
City Club post big win as Saheed slams hat-trick in BCL
City Club post big win as Saheed slams hat-trick in BCL

Start Prayer Time

Date : 01 May, 2026
US launches Founders Museum in Dhaka 
US launches Founders Museum in Dhaka 
Man goes on trial in Austria over Taylor Swift concert attack plan
Man goes on trial in Austria over Taylor Swift concert attack plan
Shilpakala to celebrate Int'l Dance Day
Shilpakala to celebrate Int'l Dance Day
Technician dies installing stage for Shakira concert in Rio
Technician dies installing stage for Shakira concert in Rio
CRT device successfully implanted at Zia Heart Foundation Hospital in Dinajpur
CRT device successfully implanted at Zia Heart Foundation Hospital in Dinajpur
Over 1 cr children administered measles-rubella vaccine nationwide
Over 1 cr children administered measles-rubella vaccine nationwide
2 more die of measles, 1,151 infected
2 more die of measles, 1,151 infected
422-year-old mosque in Dinajpur stands as a witness to history
422-year-old mosque in Dinajpur stands as a witness to history
Apple earnings beat forecasts on iPhone 17 demand
Apple earnings beat forecasts on iPhone 17 demand
Opening remarks Tuesday in Elon Musk versus OpenAI
Australia aims to tax tech giants unless they pay news outlets
Stage set for Elon Musk's court battle with OpenAI
Grape farming boosts rural economy in Pirganj
Grape farming boosts rural economy in Pirganj
Bumper wheat yield in Dinajpur; harvesting in full swing
54,369 tonnes of mustard produced in Khulna agri region
Tropical forest loss eased in 2025 after record year: researchers
Tropical forest loss eased in 2025 after record year: researchers
Warming El Nino set to return in mid-2026: UN
'Cruelly hot': Japan devises new term for heatwave days