The court has taken into account the police investigation report in a case filed against actress Pori Moni and her costume designer by businessman Nasir Uddin. The report found truth in Nasir’s allegations that he was assaulted by Pori Moni and her associate. The court has summoned the two accused to appear. However, Pori Moni’s lawyer says the trial has begun in the attempted rape case filed by Pori Moni against Nasir, and she is completely innocent. The conflicting cases and investigations highlight the complex legal battle between the two parties.(Photo/Kabir Hossain)
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Development of Bangladesh conventional, not surprise
Experts have attributed Bangladesh’s economic developments to a coordination between collective and individual initiatives, as well as a symbiotic relationship between the government and the market. However, they warn of upcoming challenges, including the loss of trade privileges after graduating from the LDC group in 2026. Concerns were raised about a shift from an inclusive to an exclusionary development paradigm, and the need for institutional reforms to address issues like corruption and revenue collection capacity. Experts emphasize that the country’s past successes may not guarantee future progress. (photo/prothom alo)
Bangladesh hikes bottled soybean oil prices by Tk 4 a litre
The Bangladeshi government has readjusted the prices of soybean oil, increasing the cost of widely used bottled products from Tk 163 to Tk 167 per litre. However, the price of unpacked soybean oil has been cut by Tk 2 to Tk 147 per litre. The price of palm super oil has been set at Tk 135 per litre. The new rates will take effect immediately, but the state minister acknowledged that it may take 15-20 days for the reduced prices to be reflected in the market. (photo/bdnews24)
Google lays off employees, amid cost cuts
Google, the Alphabet-owned tech giant, is laying off an unspecified number of employees as part of a broader effort to become more efficient and align resources with its top product priorities. The layoffs are not company-wide, and affected employees will be able to apply for internal roles. The move follows a series of job cuts across the tech and media industry, as companies grapple with economic uncertainty. Google’s finance chief has also announced plans to expand the company’s operations in locations like Bangalore, Mexico City, and Dublin. (photo/reuters)
Tesla’s Musk likely to unveil $2-$3bn India investment during visit
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is set to announce a $2-$3 billion investment in India during his visit to New Delhi next week to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The investment will primarily be used for building a new Tesla factory in the country, where electric vehicle (EV) adoption is still in its early stages. The move comes as Tesla faces slowing sales in major markets like the US and China, and the company has recently announced layoffs affecting 10% of its workforce. (photo/reuters)
Indonesian volcano eruption forces evacuations, airport closure
The Ruang volcano in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province erupted violently, spewing lava, rocks, and ash up to 3 km into the sky. Authorities have shut down a nearby airport, evacuated over 800 people from the vicinity, and raised the alert status to the highest level. The eruption has caused damage to homes and forced a hospital to evacuate. Officials are concerned about the potential for further eruptions and the risk of a tsunami if parts of the mountain collapse into the ocean. (photo/reuters)
IMF further trims Bangladesh’s GDP growth forecast for FY24 to 5.7%
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has further cut its real GDP growth forecast for Bangladesh in fiscal 2023-24 to 5.7 percent from its previous projection of 6 percent, citing high inflation and a persistent dollar crisis. The IMF also projected that consumer prices in the country will rise by 7.9 percent by the end of the fiscal year, up from the 7.2 percent it had predicted earlier. Despite the government’s 7.5 percent growth target, economists doubt its achievability. (photo/bdnews24)
Tokyo’s public toilets are a unique tourist attraction
Tokyo has launched a new tourist attraction, the Tokyo Toilet Shuttle, which takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the city’s artfully designed public restrooms. The project, started in 2020 by The Nippon Foundation, has transformed 17 public toilets in the Shibuya district, with designs by renowned architects like Tadao Ando. The shuttle allows tourists to explore these modern wonders, showcasing Japan’s technological prowess in the world of toilets, which have become a source of national pride. (photo/reuters)