Gas supply across Bangladesh has reduced after one of the two Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) was damaged by a stray broken floating pontoon during Cyclone Remal. The Summit Group’s FSRU in Moheshkhali suffered a hit to its ballast water tank, reducing the country’s LNG supply to less than 700 mmcfd from the normal 1,100 mmcfd. An expert surveyor is assessing the damage before the FSRU can resume operations.
International buyers are increasingly preferring to use Delhi’s airport over Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for air shipments of Bangladeshi goods, especially garments, due to significantly lower tariffs and charges at the Indian airport. The higher expenses at Dhaka airport make it uncompetitive, leading buyers to transport goods by road from Bangladesh to Delhi despite the longer distance, costing exporters and airlines business.
Former President Donald Trump became the first US president to be convicted of a crime after a New York jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a payment to a porn star before the 2016 election. The verdict plunges the US into uncharted territory ahead of the 2024 presidential election, where Trump is seeking to win back the White House from President Joe Biden. Photo: Reuters/Seth Wenig
Summit LNG Terminal’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, suffered damage to its ballast water tank after being hit by a stray broken floating pontoon during Cyclone Remal on Monday. Summit is working closely with RPGCL and Petrobangla, and an expert surveyor is en route to assess the damage. The company is taking full precautions before resuming normal operations, given the sensitive nature of handling liquefied natural gas and the FSRU’s importance for gas supply to the national grid. Further details will be provided after receiving the surveyor’s report. Photo: Summit Group
“Team Diamonds” from Daffodil International University’s Software Engineering Department won the “Most Inspirational” project award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2022. Their interactive game-based learning app “Diamond in the Sky” teaches children about stellar variability. The team, led by Tisha Khandokar, will visit NASA, including the Goddard Space Flight Center, to represent Bangladesh and gain insights from space scientists. Their achievement showcases the nation’s potential on a global stage and highlights the importance of creative problem-solving in space science. Photo: Courtesy
Jude Bellingham’s remarkable first season at Real Madrid could culminate in a historic La Liga and Champions League double against his former club Borussia Dortmund in the final. The 20-year-old England midfielder, voted La Liga’s player of the season, has scored 19 league goals and 4 in Europe, making an instant impact at Madrid. Bellingham is relishing the prospect of facing his old team in his first Champions League final, describing it as a “crazy” and “unbelievable” scenario he couldn’t have dreamed better. PHOTO: AFP
The pre-wedding celebrations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are underway with a lavish private cruise across Europe, featuring a performance by the iconic Backstreet Boys. A video surfaced online showing the band entertaining guests aboard the cruise in Italy. Numerous Bollywood celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh, are attending the extravagant event, which follows their grand pre-wedding celebration in Gujarat earlier this year with a performance by Rihanna. Photos: Collected
Google has confirmed the authenticity of leaked internal documents suggesting it collects and potentially uses data like clicks and Chrome user data for its search ranking algorithm, contrary to previous claims. The leak provides unprecedented insights into Google’s closely guarded practices, fueling debates around transparency and fairness in the tech giant’s operations. While Google cautions against drawing definitive conclusions, the revelations have significant implications for the SEO, marketing, and publishing industries heavily impacted by Google’s search decisions. Image: Christian Wiediger/Unsplash
Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher expressed elation and pride over India’s remarkable achievements at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. He praised the increasing recognition of talented yet previously unknown individuals on global platforms, marking a significant shift in the Indian cinema landscape. Kher emphasized the importance of quality content, citing the historic wins of director Payal Kapadia and actor Anasuya Sengupta as examples of this changing dynamic. Photos: Collected
A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on May 29, with the epicenter in neighboring Myanmar. While no casualties were reported, it served as a reminder of Bangladesh’s high seismic vulnerability due to its location at the confluence of tectonic plates. Despite being prone to earthquakes, the country remains ill-prepared to face a potential powerful quake that could unleash catastrophic destruction, especially in densely populated areas like the capital, Dhaka. VISUAL: REHNUMA PROSHOON
Brad Pitt and George Clooney are set to reunite on the big screen in the upcoming action-comedy film “Wolfs” directed by Jon Watts. The film, scheduled for a September 20 release, features the two actors as independent problem solvers forced to collaborate on an assigned task. Pitt and Clooney are also producing the film through their respective companies, alongside Apple as the third studio partner. “Wolfs” marks their first on-screen collaboration since the 2008 film “Burn After Reading.” Photo: Collected
A Dhaka court today framed charges against five people, including Regent Group Chairman Mohammad Shahed Karim, for issuing fake Covid-19 certificates to 76 workers of the Dhaka Metro Rail project. The other accused are Regent Group’s managing directors and employees. Shahed, who is in jail custody, and two others pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out. The court dismissed petitions for discharging them and set July 2 for starting the trial. Photo: Star
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 acclaimed Bangladeshi film “Kajol Rekha,” directed by Gias Uddin Selim of “Monpura” fame, is set to release in the USA and Canada tomorrow. The movie has been garnering positive reviews and praise from audiences since its release six weeks ago in Bangladesh. Selim expressed confidence that the film, starring Mondera Chakroborty in the lead role, will resonate with audiences abroad as well. The trailer for “Kajol Rekha” was even featured on billboards in New York’s Times Square. Photo: Collected
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.
In a car-ramming attack near the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, two Israeli soldiers, Eliya Hilel and Diego Shvisha Harsaj, were killed, the Israeli army said on Thursday. The incident occurred amidst escalating violence in the West Bank against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The Israeli army has launched a manhunt for the perpetrator of the attack, which Hamas has termed a “natural response” to Israeli actions. Photo: AFP
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 Biden administration stated that the recent deadly Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, which killed dozens of Palestinians, would not prompt a withdrawal of U.S. military aid to Israel. Officials said the incidents did not constitute a major ground operation that could cause extensive damage, despite calling them tragic. The U.S. reiterated its stance of not wanting a large-scale Israeli invasion of Rafah that could endanger displaced people, but maintained that the current operations did not cross that red line. AFP
In a startling revelation, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found that Suraiya Parvin, wife of National Security Intelligence (NSI) official Akram Hossain, had over Tk 1.26 billion deposited in her bank accounts over the past 15 years. The couple owns numerous properties, including flats, shops, and lands across Bangladesh, despite Akram’s modest government salary. The ACC has filed a case against them for acquiring assets from unknown sources and concealing information about their wealth. The six-storey building in Savar’s Birulia owned by NSI official Akram Hossain
Olympiakos became the first Greek club to win a European title, defeating Fiorentina 1-0 in the Europa Conference League final after extra time. Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi scored the winning goal in the 116th minute to make history for the Greek side. Despite Fiorentina’s chances, Olympiakos held on to clinch the victory in the final played at the home of their rivals AEK Athens. PHOTO: AFP
A man was killed and another injured in an explosion at a house in Dhaka’s Badda area early morning today. The blast occurred around 6:45 am on the ground floor of a three-storey building. Fire service officials suspect the explosion was caused by accumulated gas leaking from a cooking cylinder. However, further investigation will be conducted to determine the actual cause of the fatal blast. Photo: Collected
New York will boost security for the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup in June, particularly for the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan match, after reports of potential threats from extremist groups. Governor Kathy Hochul said there’s no credible threat currently, but additional law enforcement presence, surveillance, and screening processes will be implemented to ensure the safety of attendees. PHOTO: ICC
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
The implementation of Bangladesh’s new school curriculum is facing significant challenges one and a half years after its launch. Teachers lack proper training, and the method of evaluating students remains undecided. Two textbooks were recalled due to pressure from Islamists, and a third book faces similar demands over a story deemed controversial. Experts criticize the haphazard rollout, citing inadequate preparation, large classroom sizes, and teachers’ resistance to the curriculum’s activity-based learning approach that could undermine private tutoring opportunities. Photo: Hasibur Rahman Bilu
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.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te told visiting US lawmakers that Taiwan will work with the United States to counter “authoritarian expansionism,” referring to China’s recent military drills around the island. US Senator Tammy Duckworth announced support for legislation sanctioning China if it invades Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defense ministry detected 28 Chinese aircraft near the island within three hours, a week after Beijing’s drills simulating a blockade. Lai has vowed to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty, prompting Beijing’s harsh rhetoric and military pressure. Photo: AFP
Uganda’s national men’s cricket team, the Cricket Cranes, is making final preparations for their historic first appearance at the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. With a new Indian head coach and a strong captain in Brian Masaba, the team hopes to make an impact despite being considered underdogs. Players like Juma Miyagi and veteran Frank Nsubuga see this as a dream opportunity to promote cricket in Uganda and advance their own careers. The Cranes remain realistic about their prospects but are determined to represent their nation well on the global stage. PHOTO: AFP
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 Bangladesh Railways has cancelled the special train service between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar due to engine and crew shortage, effective from May 30. The decision has drawn criticism from commuters, who allege a vehicle-owner syndicate’s influence behind the move. The service, launched on April 8 to handle Eid rush, was later extended till June 10 but has now been suspended, despite its popularity among passengers. Representational Image
India’s capital Delhi experienced a record-high temperature of 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department reporting severe heatwave conditions. Authorities have warned of potential water shortages and have reduced supply in some areas to ration water to deficient areas. Climate change is causing longer, more frequent, and intense heatwaves, while simultaneously parts of India like West Bengal and Mizoram are battling cyclone Remal, which has claimed over 38 lives and is attributed to climate change effects. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
The American e-commerce giant Amazon is seeking to establish a central bonded warehouse facility in Bangladesh to enjoy tax benefits and use the country as a transshipment hub for its global supply chain. State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu revealed this, stating that Amazon wants to bring in goods through Bangladesh before sending them to destination countries to reduce tax burdens. The government plans to amend the e-commerce policy to allow local companies to engage in international transactions and facilitate the formation of an Amazon-like company for global distribution.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its 2023 growth forecast for China to 5%, in line with Beijing’s target, citing recent policy measures and better-than-expected first quarter performance. However, the IMF warned that China’s industrial policy risks misallocation of resources and could harm trade. It urged scaling back such policies, removing trade restrictions, and implementing structural reforms to rebalance the economy towards consumption and address imbalances for sustainable long-term growth. Photo: AFP