Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan revealed he stopped endorsing a fairness cream after realizing “it could be wrong.” He has also rejected offers from pan masala brands, unlike many leading male actors. Aaryan endorsed a “Fair and Handsome” cream after his 2018 hit but didn’t renew it, saying he wasn’t convinced. He stated he refuses pan masala brand endorsements as he doesn’t relate to those products, unlike some colleagues who endorse multiple such brands. Photo: Collected
Category: Archive
45 Bangladeshis to return from Myanmar tomorrow
Forty-five Bangladeshi nationals are expected to reach Cox’s Bazar from Myanmar early tomorrow by the Myanmar Naval Ship UMS Chin Dwin. They are scheduled to leave Sittwe in Myanmar’s Rakhine State today. Most of the returnees are from Cox’s Bazar, Narshingdi, and Narayanganj districts of Bangladesh. This is part of the coordinated efforts by the Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar to facilitate the return of Bangladeshi nationals, with 247 already repatriated in the last year.Photo: UNB
DNCC to designate specific roads for cycling twice a month: Atiqul
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam announced plans to designate specific roads for cycling two days per month to promote the environment-friendly mode of transport. He made this announcement at the “Pedal for Planet” cycling rally organized to raise awareness about carbon emissions and environmental protection. The mayor emphasized the importance of cycling and physical activities for a healthy society. Photo: UNB
123 Bangladeshis among 214 illegal immigrants detained in Malaysia
Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 214 illegal immigrants, including 123 Bangladeshis, in raids on workers’ settlements near Kampung Belokok and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam in Johor Baru. The raids also led to the arrest of two locals for harboring illegal immigrants. The detainees, aged 20-40, were found working at a nearby construction site. Authorities reminded employers to ensure hiring workers through legal channels. Photo: Collected
Modi and other ministers to be sworn in today
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his new cabinet will be sworn in on Sunday evening, the President’s office announced. President Droupadi Murmu appointed Modi as PM-designate after the BJP’s election victory. The BJP won 240 seats while its NDA alliance secured 293 seats, a majority. Murmu handed Modi’s appointment letter after NDA leaders submitted letters backing him as PM. Major NDA allies like JD(U), Shiv Sena, and LJP(R) are expected to get cabinet berths during the swearing-in ceremony. AFP
Mahmudullah’s last-minute heroics guide Bangladesh to victory over Sri Lanka
Bangladesh pulled off a last-minute two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their T20 World Cup Group D match in Grand Prairie, Texas. Chasing 125, Bangladesh were reeling at 28/3 before Towhid Hridoy’s 40 off 20 balls provided a lifeline. Despite a middle-order collapse, experienced Mahmudullah’s calm 16 not out guided Bangladesh home with an over to spare. For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers with 4/18. AFP
Apollo 8 astronaut dies in small plane crash
William Anders, the former US astronaut who captured the iconic “Earthrise” photo from the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, died at 90 in a plane crash off Washington state’s coast on Friday. Anders, along with Frank Borman and James Lovell, became one of the first humans to reach the Moon during that mission. The “Earthrise” image, showing Earth against the darkness of space, is considered one of the most influential photographs in history. NASA chief Bill Nelson paid tribute to Anders, praising his embodiment of exploration’s purpose. .AFP
The country needed him now’
At a discussion marking the first death anniversary of Serajul Alam Khan, speakers highlighted the need for his leadership in today’s times of criminalised politics. They praised his pivotal role in the six-point movement and the Liberation War. Attendees, including politicians and activists, recalled his uncompromising approach and contributions that were integral to Bangladesh’s independence. They expressed concerns about capitalism’s criminalised form in Bangladesh today and stated overcoming it would require even greater efforts than in the past, noting the void left by Serajul’s absence in this struggle.
Hajj pilgrimage to start June 14: KSA
Saudi Arabia announced that the annual Hajj pilgrimage will start on June 14, after astronomical observatories spotted the crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month Dhu al-Hijjah. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all able-bodied Muslims at least once. It involves a series of rituals over four days in Makkah and surrounding areas, with the high point on June 15 when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat. image: Reuters
India court grants bail to Rahul Gandhi
An Indian court granted bail to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in the latest defamation case against him for accusing PM Narendra Modi or his party BJP of corruption. Gandhi, who has faced numerous such cases, was last year briefly disqualified from parliament after a criminal libel conviction. The latest case stems from Gandhi’s Congress party accusing BJP of taking commissions from projects in Karnataka. Critics have accused Modi and BJP of using the justice system to target political rivals.
Nayeemul appointed PM’s press secretary
The government has appointed senior journalist Nayeemul Islam Khan as the new press secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to a Public Administration Ministry notification, Nayeemul has been appointed on a contractual basis with the status of a secretary. He will remain in office for the duration of the PM’s term or subject to her satisfaction. The post was vacant since the demise of former press secretary Ihsanul Karim Helal in March.
Canada stun Ireland by 12 runs
Canada secured their first ever win at a Twenty20 World Cup, defeating Ireland by 12 runs in a Group A match in New York. Defending a modest 137/7, Canada’s bowlers restricted Ireland to 125/7. Despite a late fightback from George Dockrell (30*) and Mark Adair (34), Jeremy Gordon’s excellent final over sealed Canada’s victory. Earlier, Nicholas Kirton’s 49 and Shreyas Movva’s 37 lifted Canada after a top-order collapse. Photo: AFP
England suffer Iceland embarrassment in final Euro warm-up
England suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat against Iceland in their final Euro 2024 warm-up at Wembley. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s first-half goal spoiled England’s farewell, leading to boos from fans. Manager Gareth Southgate admitted his team didn’t show enough character and called it a “really good focus” ahead of the tournament, insisting they will be better despite the concerning defensive display against the world’s 72nd-ranked team. Photo: Reuters
Cyclone Remal: 772km roads, 755m bridges, culverts damaged in Patuakhali
Cyclone Remal severely damaged 772 kilometres of roads, including 489.13 km of paved and 283.20 km of unpaved roads, across eight upazilas in Patuakhali. The cyclone also affected 755 meters of bridges, culverts, and connecting roads, and damaged 10 schools, according to the Local Government Engineering Department. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage to undertake repair and renovation work upon receiving necessary allocations. Photo: Sohrab Hossain
RMG export to USA falls 14% in Jan-Apr
Bangladesh’s garment exports to the USA, its largest export destination, declined by 14.44% year-on-year to $2.3 billion in the January-April period of 2023. The combined export of textile and garment to the USA also fell by 14.15% to $2.38 billion, as American buyers slowed down apparel imports amid high inflationary pressures on consumers. PHOTO COLLECTED
Woman found dead at home
An elderly woman, Rezina Begum, 75, was found dead with her throat slit at her home in Dhangaon village, Birganj upazila, Dinajpur. Police recovered the body from her separate room after her husband discovered it. The authorities suspect it to be a pre-planned murder but are currently without leads. The body has been sent for autopsy. (Star Online Graphics)
Forex reserves reduce by $51 million in a week
Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves dropped by $50.78 million to $18.67 billion on June 5, raising concerns about reaching the government’s estimate of $32 billion by the end of 2024-25 fiscal year. Experts cite external factors, mismanagement, policy changes, and exchange rate disparities as reasons for the forex market volatility and the $24 billion decline since August 2021.
Ambassador Muhit elected as UNGA 2nd committee chair
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, has been unanimously elected as the Chair of the Second Committee of the 79th UN General Assembly. The Second Committee addresses economic, financial, and environmental affairs. Muhith called it a recognition of Bangladesh’s sustainable development success under PM Hasina’s leadership and the trust Bangladesh enjoys globally. He is also serving as the president of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board for 2024. Photo: UNB
Two-day int’l judicial conference starts in Dhaka
Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, along with Nepal’s Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha and Bhutan High Court’s Justice Lobzang Rinzin Yargay, paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara, Gopalganj. They offered prayers for Bangabandhu, Bangamata, and other martyrs of the 1975 massacre. The visiting judges are in Bangladesh for an international conference on the judiciary. Photo: Collected
Italian envoy vows to make migration from Bangladesh ‘safer, orderly
The Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro, stated that fake documents and illegal practices like paying hefty amounts to middlemen are reasons hindering smooth migration from Bangladesh to Italy. He vowed to make migration safer and more orderly, encouraging applicants to use only official channels. The envoy cited one in five applications having problematic documents as a reason for visa processing delays, and a backlog of around 20,000 pending passports at the embassy. Photo: UNB
PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu on historic 6-point Day
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the historic six-point day, marking the launch of Bangabandhu’s massive movement against Pakistani misrule in 1966. Hasina placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait at Dhanmondi, followed by Awami League associate bodies. The six-point demand, a charter for autonomy, paved the way for the 1971 Liberation War after police firing on protesters killed 10 people on this day in 1966.Photo: BSS
Constable who ‘slapped’ Kangana Ranaut suspended
A CISF constable, Kulwinder Kaur, allegedly slapped Mandi MP and actor Kangana Ranaut at the Chandigarh airport, citing Ranaut’s previous remarks against farmers protesting the farm laws. Kaur has been suspended, and a police case has been filed against Ranaut. The incident occurred when Ranaut was boarding a flight to Delhi after her election victory. Ranaut had previously made controversial statements against the farmers’ protest, leading to backlash. Photo: Collectedk
Dilara smashes fastest ton as Abahani hit unprecedented 404
Dilara Dola’s 104 off 58 balls, the fastest century in Women’s Dhaka Premier League history, propelled Abahani to a record 404/6 against Jahid Ahsan Sohel Cricket Club. Shorna Akter (118) and late cameos from Nahida Akter and Jahanara Alam contributed to the mammoth total, surpassing Mohammedan’s previous record of 392/3. In reply, the chasing team lost 4 wickets for 7 runs within 7 overs. Photo: BCB
Jubo League man shot dead in Jashore
A 28-year-old man, Mohammad Ali, a supporter of the newly elected upazila chairman in Bahadurpur village, Sadar upazila, was killed by a group of 4-5 people who shot him in the head. He was returning home after attending a victory programme when the incident occurred. The body was sent for autopsy, and law enforcement agencies are investigating the case.
Rahul Gandhi gets bail in defamation case
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi secured bail in a defamation case filed by the BJP in Bangalore. The case pertains to advertisements published by Congress during the Karnataka assembly polls, alleging corruption by the previous BJP government. Gandhi appeared in court today, complying with an earlier order, while the state Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had secured bail earlier.
Modi’s alliance unanimously elects him to lead as India’s PM for third term
Narendra Modi was formally elected by lawmakers of his National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to serve a historic third consecutive term as India’s Prime Minister. For the first time in a decade, Modi’s BJP needed support from regional parties to form the government, as they secured only 240 seats, short of the 272 required majority. The NDA won 293 seats, while the opposition INDIA alliance led by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party won over 230 seats. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File photo
Gaza hospital says 37 dead in strike on UN school
A Gaza hospital reported at least 37 people killed in an Israeli strike on a UN school, which Israel alleged housed Hamas militants. The strike came amid talks for a truce in the 8-month Gaza war sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel last October. The US called for transparency, while the UN condemned the civilian toll. Spain joined a case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Tensions escalated with cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. AFP
Bangladesh show fight, but lose to Socceroos
Bangladesh put up a spirited fight but ultimately lost 0-2 to Australia in their FIFA World Cup qualifier in Dhaka. The hosts resisted the higher-ranked Socceroos for nearly 30 minutes before conceding goals to Ajdin Hrustic and Kusini Yengi. Coach Javier Cabrera was satisfied with the improved performance despite the defeat, while Australian coach Graham Arnold criticized the heavy pitch conditions. With this loss, Bangladesh’s mathematical chances of qualifying for the next round ended.Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Palestine create history, reach Round 3 of WC qualifiers
Palestine created history by qualifying for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time following a goalless draw against Lebanon in Doha. This achievement comes amidst the backdrop of the war in Gaza. Earlier this year, the Palestinian team made their debut appearance in the Asian Cup knockout phase, showcasing their remarkable progress in football despite the challenging circumstances.Photo: Reuters
Baby Reindeer’ inspiration sues Netflix for $170 mn
A British woman named Fiona Harvey is suing Netflix for $170 million, claiming she was falsely portrayed as the stalker in the hit series “Baby Reindeer.” Harvey alleges the show’s claim of being a “true story” is a lie, and that she did not harass or assault the show’s creator Richard Gadd as depicted. The lawsuit accuses Netflix and Gadd of defamation, emotional distress, and negligence by broadcasting lies about her for profit without verifying facts. Netflix intends to vigorously defend Gadd’s right to tell his story.
Nature Quest: Cleaners of the Bay
A rare feather duster worm was spotted around 12 feet deep in the Bay of Bengal near Saint Martin’s Island. These filter-feeding marine worms, with fossils dating back to the Jurassic period, play a vital role by consuming plankton and detritus, helping maintain marine ecosystem health. However, their habitats like mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs face threats from human activities and pollution, endangering the survival of these ancient creatures. Photo: Sharif Sarwar
Baby Reindeer’ and ‘Bridgerton’ stars to unite for famed novel adaptation
Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s novel “The Magic Faraway Tree” is being adapted into a film starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan from “Bridgerton”, Jessica Gunning from “Baby Reindeer”, and Nonso Anozie from “Ted Lasso”. The family adventure follows the Thompson children as they discover a magical tree leading to extraordinary realms. Filming begins soon in the UK with Simon Farnaby’s screenplay and Ben Gregor directing for Neal Street Productions. Photos: Collected
No more 24-carat gold under baggage rules
In the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, significant changes have been made to baggage rules in Bangladesh. The most notable change is that 24-carat gold ornaments will no longer be allowed as part of baggage. Only gold ornaments of 22 carats or lower, up to 100 grams, can be brought in. Additionally, children below 12 years cannot bring in gold ornaments, gold bars, or alcoholic beverages, and unaccompanied baggage will not receive duty exemption facilities. These changes aim to regulate the import of high-value items through baggage.(Bd pratidin English)
For every Tk100 mobile recharge, the govt takes Tk28
Mobile phone users in Bangladesh will have to pay more for talk time and internet usage as the government has increased supplementary duty on these services by 5 percentage points. For every Tk100 recharge, people will now get only around Tk62 for talk time and internet usage, instead of the previous Tk75, as the government’s share has increased to Tk28. Experts criticize this move, saying Bangladesh’s telecom sector already has one of the highest tax rates globally, and further increasing it is a wrong decision.
MPs to lose tax-exemption privilege on car imports
Members of Parliament (MPs) in Bangladesh are set to lose their long-standing privilege of exemption from customs duties and taxes on the import of cars, jeeps, and microbuses. The government plans to amend the relevant law, as announced by the Finance Minister in his budget speech on Thursday. He encouraged moving away from the “culture of tax exemption” and requested the concerned minister to make necessary amendments to the MPs’ remuneration and allowances order of 1973 accordingly.
Mirza Fakhrul terms proposed budget as ‘anti-Bangladesh’
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the proposed national budget for 2024-25 as “anti-Bangladesh”, alleging it contains new schemes to facilitate embezzlement by ruling party-backed looters. He criticized the lack of plans for job creation and warned the expenditure-revenue gap will increase public suffering. Fakhrul also questioned the provision for whitening black money and alleged widespread corruption, saying the budget lacks accountability as it was passed in a “dummy parliament”. File photo