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Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan declared last night that no one from Myanmar will be allowed to enter Bangladesh, and vice versa, in a strict move aimed at securing the border and Rohingya camps. Addressing concerns over violence, Khan emphasized ending bloodshed and preventing terrorist activities in the camps. He directed heightened security measures, including joint operations, fencing, and CCTV installation. The minister aims to halt factional clashes and infiltration while thwarting anti-repatriation efforts. He plans to visit the Rohingya camp in Ukhiya today. Photo: Collected

A severe storm lashed Dinajpur Sadar upazila and municipality area early today, leaving a trail of destruction. Hundreds of houses were damaged, trees uprooted, and power supply was disrupted as transmission lines snapped. The power outage crippled emergency services like hospitals and clinics in the town. While the extent of damage is still being assessed, at least 50 houses were found damaged, and the entire town remained without electricity till noon. Photo: Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina distributed relief materials among cyclone-affected people in Patuakhali today, assuring that her government will stand by them until their lives are rebuilt. Addressing a relief distribution event, Hasina reiterated her government’s commitment to improving people’s living standards despite natural calamities. She credited continued democracy for enabling the government’s development efforts and praised people for taking shelter during the cyclone.

BNP paid tribute to its founder Ziaur Rahman on his 43rd death anniversary today. Party leaders, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed a wreath at Zia’s grave and offered munajat. BNP has organized a 15-day program nationwide, including discussions, photo exhibitions, and relief distribution, to observe the day with due respect. Zia, who founded BNP in 1978, was assassinated on May 30, 1981.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized around 2.5 kg of cocaine from the Khulna-bound Kapotaksha Express at Mirpur Railway Station in Kushtia yesterday. Acting on a tip-off, a BGB team searched the train and found the abandoned cocaine worth crores of taka. However, no one was arrested in this connection. The BGB has filed a general diary with the local police station regarding the seizure of the contraband drugs. Photo: BGB

According to the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Patuakhali, Cyclone Remal has caused extensive damage to crops worth over Tk 26 crore, affecting nearly 60,000 farmers in the district. Crops on 7,540 hectares of land have been badly damaged, including varieties like boro paddy, aush, groundnut, chilli, and mung daal. The DAE plans to provide free fertilizer and seed incentives to 18,200 affected farmers during the upcoming Aman season, with other farmers also receiving aid on a priority basis to help them recover from the losses. Photo: Sohrab Hossain

The Supreme Court has extended its earlier order maintaining the status quo on the transfer of Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited’s shares of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway project to China’s Sinohydro Corporation Limited. The Appellate Division bench, headed by the Chief Justice, ruled that the status quo will remain in effect until the first arbitration meeting on this issue, pending in Singapore. This order comes after Italian-Thai challenged a High Court verdict that had lifted the stay on the share transfer.

BRAC and BRAC Bank have contributed Tk 100 million as relief assistance for the victims of Cyclone Remal. BRAC has allocated Tk 70 million (Tk 30 million from its own funds and Tk 40 million from staff salaries), while BRAC Bank has contributed Tk 30 million. The funds will be used to provide emergency cash support for essential food packages, rebuilding homes, water sources, latrines, and restoring livelihoods in the cyclone-affected areas. BRAC estimates that over 35,000 houses were fully destroyed, and 115,000 were partially damaged by Remal. AFP

The government of Oman has announced granting visas to Bangladeshi nationals in 12 categories, including family, visit, doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants, investors, and official visas. This comes after Oman banned the issuance of visas for Bangladeshis across all categories on October 31, 2023, leading to a over 50% drop in their arrivals. The Bangladesh embassy had earlier stated that the visa ban would be temporary. Photo: Collected

An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt in Bangladesh at 7:13 pm on Wednesday.The epicenter of the earthquake was at 31 km East-southeast (ESE) of Mawlaik, Myanmar, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the earthquake.

The Bangladesh government has cancelled the contractual appointments of Hasan Jahid Tusher as deputy press secretary and Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku as assistant personal secretary (APS-2) to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The public administration ministry issued separate notifications today, citing clause-8 of their contracts for the cancellations effective from June 1, 2024. No specific reasons were provided for terminating their appointments attached to the Prime Minister’s office.

The UN independent experts have raised concerns over the recruitment process of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, alleging that it begins with bribery within Malaysian ministries and the Bangladesh High Commission. Workers are reportedly charged exorbitant fees of $4,500 to $6,000, violating the agreed cap of $720 under a bilateral agreement. The experts urged both governments to investigate the exploitation, ensure ethical recruitment, and prevent retaliation against workers for claiming their rights, citing potential debt bondage and humanitarian crisis. Representational photo: Star/File

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina will visit areas hit by cyclonic storm Remal in Patuakhali on Thursday.AL general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader disclosed the information in a press conference at AL president Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka today.

Cyclone Remal battered Pirojpur district, leaving a trail of destruction. It inundated villages, uprooted trees, and damaged houses, stranding thousands. The storm washed away croplands, fish farms, and disrupted utilities. Locals described unprecedented high water levels, with most houses flooded. At least 13 people died, over 35,000 homes were destroyed, and 37 lakh people were severely affected across 19 districts. Photo: Habibur Rahman

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) cut electricity generation by more than half due to Cyclone Remal, leaving hundreds of thousands without power across the country. Many power plants in coastal areas were shut down as a precautionary measure. Electricity poles were damaged, mainly in Khulna and Barisal regions. PDB’s current production is around 5,000MW, down from over 12,000MW the previous day. Power cuts began last midnight in many areas including parts of Dhaka.

Child abuse is rampant in Bangladesh with reports becoming increasingly common. Between January-April 2024, 226 children were subjected to violence and 176 killed, according to Ain O Salish Kendra. In 2023, over 1,000 children faced abuse. Major issues include lack of legal recourse, social stigma, perpetrators’ influence, and delays in justice delivery. The trauma leaves lasting psychological scars on victims. Urgent systemic reforms and societal change are needed to protect children’s rights and dignity. VISUAL: SHAIKH SULTANA JAHAN BADHON

The High Court has directed the government to immediately halt all activities of the “Silicon City” housing project in Savar, including earth-filling, plot selling, and registration. The court ordered this after the project was allegedly established by filling flood zones, reservoirs, and agricultural land illegally. The authorities have been asked to assess the environmental damage caused and submit a report within three months.

At a BIPSS policy circle, experts highlighted that influence operation threats are rapidly evolving, especially with advancements like AI. They discussed how influence operations undermine democracy, divide societies, and spread disinformation. The panelists emphasized the need for efficient fact-checking mechanisms, forensic labs, and increased awareness to cope with these emerging threats in Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of properties held by former IGP Benazir Ahmed, his wife and children from 133 deeds, including 4 flats in Gulshan, and freezing of their shares in private firms. The orders came after the Anti-Corruption Commission appealed to attach more assets traced against the former police chief, who was earlier sanctioned by the US over human rights abuse allegations. The photo is taken from Benazir Ahmed’s Facebook page

Here’s a summary of the news in under 80 words:

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a great danger signal no. 10 for Mongla and Payra ports as cyclonic storm Remal over the northwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It is expected to cross the Sagar Island and Khepupara coasts of West Bengal near Mongla by evening or midnight, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Cyclone “Remal” in the Bay of Bengal has triggered panic among coastal residents of Bagerhat. The district administration has prepared 3,505 volunteers, 88 medical teams, and 359 shelters. Local authorities have urged people to evacuate and take shelter, with police assistance if needed. The Mongla Port Authority has issued an alert, instructing ships to seek safe haven and clearing the jetty. The district, upazila, and various agencies have made extensive preparations to tackle the impending cyclone.

The Maldives has closed its labor market for Bangladeshi workers again after fulfilling the quota of 100,000 foreign workers from a single country allowed by law. Though the market reopened in December 2023 after a 4-year gap, over 6,400 Bangladeshi workers who obtained clearances could not go as visas were not issued since April. Negotiations are ongoing to raise the quota and resume recruitment. UNB file photo