A 24-year-old man, Farid Ahmed, was shot dead in a clash between two rival groups in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila last night. The incident occurred during a conflict over establishing supremacy in the village. Farid was caught in the crossfire when one group tried to attack their cousin. The perpetrators, identified as Shakib, Maruf, and Mahfuz, fled the scene after the incident. Police are investigating the case. Star Online Graphics
The Bangladesh Bank has changed its decision regarding the exchange rate for exporters who delay in bringing back their export income. Instead of paying them at the rate when the income was supposed to be repatriated, exporters will now get the dollar rate applicable at the time of actually remitting their export proceeds. This move comes as the central bank continues its efforts to encourage timely repatriation of export earnings amid the ongoing dollar crisis in the country. US dollarFile photo
Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited has partnered with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka, to support student welfare and academic infrastructure. The collaboration involves purchasing study materials for the library and renovating the Executive MBA Canteen at IBA DU. The partnership aims to nurture young talent, promote educational excellence, and facilitate a creative learning environment for students. Officials from both organizations expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative during the launch event held at IBA DU.
Argentina has named a 29-man squad led by Lionel Messi for their final friendlies before the Copa America, but Paulo Dybala misses out due to injuries. Coach Lionel Scaloni has included youngsters like Leonardo Balerdi, Valentin Barco, Alejandro Garnacho, and Valentin Carboni alongside World Cup winners. Argentina will face Ecuador on June 9 and Guatemala on June 14 before trimming the squad to 26 for the Copa America, which starts on June 20. PHOTO: AFP
BRAC Bank celebrated Mother’s Day 2024 uniquely by inviting the mothers of its co-workers to visit their children’s workplace. The event aimed to show the mothers the work environment and express gratitude for their invaluable role in their children’s success. Around 200 mothers attended the event at BRAC Bank’s head offices and Agrabad Branch, where they mingled with their children and received appreciation from the bank’s top management.
Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal his extradition to the United States, where he argues he may not be able to rely on free speech protections at trial. London’s High Court ruled Assange can appeal on grounds he could face discrimination as a foreign national. The WikiLeaks founder’s legal team welcomed the decision, though his full appeal could take months to be heard. Photo: Reuters
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen has been voted the Bundesliga Player of the Season after his stellar performances helped the club win their first-ever league title. Leverkusen completed the season unbeaten, with Wirtz contributing 18 goals in 47 games. The 21-year-old midfielder’s form also earned him a spot in Germany’s preliminary Euro 2024 squad, having scored the winner against France in a recent friendly. Photo: Reuters
The proposal to impose a 15% VAT on Dhaka metro rail fares has sparked concerns over accessibility for lower-income commuters. While the current fare may seem affordable, the additional tax could make the service unattainable for those living below the poverty line. The road transport minister has requested the prime minister to reconsider the decision to ensure the metro rail remains inclusive and benefits the underprivileged segment of the population. PHOTO: MARUF AREFIN MIM
Shares at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell for the sixth consecutive day, primarily due to the price erosion of selective large-cap stocks like BRAC Bank, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, and Beximco Pharmaceuticals. The DSEX, the benchmark index, plunged 0.69% to 5,393.65, the lowest in over three years. Despite increased daily .
A police officer’s wife was killed and he was injured in a hit-and-run accident on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar’s Hemayetpur last night. The deceased is Hafiza Akhter Tania, 30, wife of Sub-Inspector Arif Hasan from Dhanmondi Police Station. They were hit by an unknown vehicle while riding a motorcycle. Tania was declared dead at a local hospital, while the injured Hasan was later moved to a Dhaka hospital. The vehicle involved in the accident is yet to be identified.
Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza expects the Tigers to win at least one match against South Africa or Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes Bangladesh should aim to beat both teams as well as Nepal and the Netherlands in the first round. Mashrafe also emphasized the importance of the Olympics, stating that winning a gold medal at the mega event would be the biggest achievement for Bangladesh. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
At least 44 people, mostly battery-run rickshaw and easy bike drivers, were arrested in four cases filed after clashes erupted in Dhaka’s Mirpur area on Sunday. The drivers protested a ban on their vehicles, leading to clashes with police, vandalism, and arson. The cases accuse the drivers of attacks on law enforcers, unlawful gatherings, and vandalism. At least 20 people were injured in the clashes. Photo: Prabir Das
Team Atlas, a Bangladeshi student robotics team, won the Gold Medal in the Technology category at the World Science Environment and Engineering Competition (WSCEEC) 2024 in Indonesia. The team comprised students from BRAC University, Nirjhor Cantonment Public School and College, Dawood Public School and College, and Dhaka College. Their water cleaning technology impressed the judges, and they plan to further improve the robot based on the feedback received at the competition. Photo: Team Atlas
A 65-day nationwide ban on fishing at sea commenced from last midnight due to the breeding season of various fish species. During the ban until July 23, over 1 lakh fishing vessels will be barred from entering the sea. The government will provide 56kg of rice to each of the 3.11 lakh affected fishermen under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme. Fishermen and trawler owners have urged the authorities to be vigilant and take further steps to support them during this period. Photo: Rajib Raihan
Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te called on China to stop military and political threats during his inauguration speech, urging Beijing to respect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom. He declared peace as the only option while vowing Taiwan’s determination to defend itself. Lai also reiterated Taiwan’s sovereignty, drawing applause from the crowd. Photo: Reuters
Chris Gayle, former RCB opener and Hall of Famer, expressed his love for the franchise during their IPL playoff-clinching win over CSK. He humorously offered to be an “impact substitute” and reminisced about his fond memories at Chinnaswamy Stadium, stating it’s the “best place to play cricket” due to the brilliant atmosphere and fans. PHOTO: X
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric and potential successor to Supreme Leader Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border. Hamas and Yemen’s Houthis expressed condolences, praising Raisi’s support for Palestinian and Yemeni causes. Indian PM Modi mourned Raisi’s demise, highlighting his contributions to India-Iran ties. Photo: Reuters
Economists and businesspeople doubt Bangladesh’s ability to achieve the government’s ambitious target of earning $110 billion from exports by fiscal year 2026-27. Despite the depreciation of the taka benefiting exporters, challenges like global inflation, lack of product diversification, and local crises in gas, power, and banking sectors pose significant hurdles. The government’s Export Policy proposes incentives and financial packages to boost exports, but concerns remain over attaining the goal within the stipulated time. PHOTO:Daily Star
Bangladesh can raise $32.6 billion annually by digitalizing tax returns within four years, says the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). This amounts to 5% of the nation’s GDP. Digitalizing the taxation system can gradually enhance the tax revenue-to-GDP ratio to 16% by FY2029-30, generating $167 billion in tax revenue. Bangladesh’s revenue-to-GDP ratio declined from 10.99% in FY2010 to 8.26% in FY2023, lower than its neighbors, leading to increased loan dependence.PHOTO:Daily Star
Brazil have expanded their Copa America squad to 26 players, adding Bremer, Ederson, and Pepe. Goalkeeper Ederson has been replaced by Rafael due to an eye injury. Despite calling up 17-year-old Endrick, coach Dorival Junior omitted experienced players like Casemiro, Richarlison, and Gabriel Jesus from the initial 23-man squad. Brazil will face Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Colombia in the Copa America, preceded by friendlies against Mexico and the US.. PHOTO: REUTERS
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal on May 22, aiding the advancement of monsoon. Meteorologists stated that while it’s too early to confirm if the low pressure will intensify into a cyclone, they are closely monitoring the situation through mathematical models to forecast the possibility of a cyclonic storm formation and associated rainfall. Representational image of a cyclone: NASA/International Space Station
Jurgen Klopp bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool fans after his final match as manager ended in a 2-0 win over Wolves at Anfield. Klopp hailed the fans as the “superpower of world football” and urged them to support the new manager Arne Slot. The German led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2019 and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020, cementing his legacy as one of the club’s greatest managers. Photo: AFP
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader dismissed BNP leaders’ claims as “absurd comments” stemming from “mental trauma.” He refuted BNP’s allegation that Awami League supporters didn’t vote in elections, citing EC data on voter turnout. While acknowledging BNP’s right to protest, Quader warned against arson attacks, stating the government and Awami League would take appropriate actions. Daily Star
An Iranian helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister made a rough landing on Sunday due to heavy fog in a mountainous area while returning from Azerbaijan. Rescue efforts were hampered by bad weather. Raisi, elected in 2021, has ordered tighter morality laws, overseen a crackdown on protests, and pushed hard in nuclear talks. Though the president wields less power than the supreme leader in Iran’s dual system, Raisi is seen as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo: Reuters
In a move to facilitate the return of Tk 127 crore owed to customers stuck in payment gateways of certain e-commerce companies, the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection (DNCRP) has formed a committee. AHM Shafiquzzaman, DNCRP director general, revealed that Tk 407 crore worth of refunds have already been made to customers, while the committee will work to return the remaining Tk 127 crore soon. The issue stems from 27 e-commerce platforms engaged in money laundering, with some companies like E-orange and Dhamaka Shopping having laundered substantial amounts abroad. Photo: Star
Babar Ali, a 33-year-old physician from Chattogram, has conquered Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. He reached the summit at 8:30 am (Nepal time) on Sunday, raising the Bangladeshi flag. Babar undertook the Everest expedition with his mountaineering club Vertical Dreamers. An avid traveler and adventurer, he has previously cycled across India and walked across all 64 districts of Bangladesh to promote environmental awareness. Collected
The commercial generation of electricity from Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur has been deferred due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. While the first unit was originally scheduled to start production in December 2023, it may now begin operations by the end of 2025, with the second unit following in 2025. The project’s deadline has been extended by two years to December 2027.
BNP leader Ishraque Hossain, son of former mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, has been ordered to be sent to jail by a Dhaka court in a sabotage case filed with Paltan police station. His lawyer confirmed that while Ishraque surrendered seeking bail in 12 cases, the court rejected his bail plea in the Paltan case but granted bail in the remaining 11 cases. Ishraque was previously arrested in April 2022 in another case but was later released on bail.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reconsider the decision to impose 15% VAT on metro rail services, citing no VAT on metro services in neighbouring countries. He expressed dismay over rundown buses in Dhaka, calling it “shameful” and urging city mayors to take action to align with the country’s progress . Photo courtesy: Amran Hossain
China has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of a crucial engineering plastic called polyoxymethylene copolymer from the European Union, United States, Taiwan, and Japan. The probe will last up to a year and a half and comes amid escalating trade tensions, with the EU recently launching investigations into China’s alleged unfair trade practices and the US raising tariffs on Chinese imports. Photo: Reuters
Kaan Pete Roi, a suicide prevention helpline, celebrated its 10th anniversary by presenting a policy brief highlighting its activities. The event was attended by the State Minister for Women and Children Affairs, representatives from SAJIDA Foundation, health experts, and others. Speakers emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues, increasing funding, promoting awareness, and adopting a multi-sectoral approach to suicide prevention in Bangladesh. Kaan Pete Roi provides a confidential space for people struggling with mental health challenges.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects Russia to intensify its offensive in northeast Ukraine after recent territorial gains. He warned Kyiv only has about 25% of the air defenses needed to hold the front line. Zelensky said Ukraine needs 120-130 advanced fighter jets from allies to achieve air parity with Russia. He acknowledged issues with staffing and morale in Ukraine’s outgunned army, and said the West wants a quick end to the war, while Ukraine is playing the long game. Photo: AFP
The World Meteorological Organization reports 2024 has been particularly bad for extreme weather, with droughts, extreme heat, and floods causing severe damage globally. Climate change is increasing the likelihood and intensity of such events by adding more moisture to the atmosphere and warming temperatures. Studies show recent heatwaves in India and floods in Brazil were made significantly more likely by climate change. While extreme weather occurred naturally in the past, human-caused climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of these disasters. Photo: Reuters
Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF) will establish a Confucius Institute at Rajshahi University within a year to offer Chinese language and cultural courses for Bangladeshi students. The decision was made during a meeting in Beijing between RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar and CIEF officials. The institute will be jointly set up by RU and China’s Honghe University. It aims to bridge differences between universities of the two countries. Around 15 RU students were selected to visit China in September under the same program. CopyRetry
In the last 24 hours till 8:00am today, one person died of dengue fever, taking the death toll to 33 this year. Meanwhile, 12 new dengue cases were reported, raising the total cases to 2,581 so far in 2023. The new cases were detected in Chattogram, Dhaka, and Mymensingh divisions. Last year, Bangladesh witnessed a massive dengue outbreak with 1,705 deaths and 321,179 reported cases. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS
Some personalities at the Cannes Film Festival are discreetly showing support for causes related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Survivor Laura Blajman-Kadar wore a dress featuring hostage images, calling for their release. Actress Leila Beikhti sported a pro-Palestinian brooch. Juror Omar Sy urged a ceasefire on Instagram. While few films directly address the conflict, a Palestinian documentary explores the struggles of trans women, and an Israeli short depicts a woman’s indifference to patriotic celebrations. The festival provides a platform to raise awareness amid the glamour. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne :