Letter to Biden: Dhaka to update US congressmen on issues raised
Dhaka will reach out to all the six US congressmen to update them on the issues of human rights and elections in the country, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam today
US visa policy for Bangladesh outcome of AL’s misrule: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today alleged that the US visa policy for Bangladesh is the outcome of Awami League's misrule and mischievous activities..Speaking at a seminar, he also said that democratic countries are creating various pressures on the current regime to
ACC sues ex-secy for graft
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today filed a case against former secretary Dr Proshanto Kumar Roy for amassing about Tk 1.25 crore beyond his known source of income..ACC’s Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman filed the case with its integrated district office against Proshanto, who was als
Next nat’l election a challenge
Trump's VP Mike Pence joins 2024 presidential race
Former US Vice President Mike Pence on Monday declared himself a candidate in the 2024 Republican race for the White House, setting up a fight against former President Donald Trump
Here's why Electric Vehicles are better for the environment
One of the most compelling reasons why electric vehicles are better for the environment is their significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Opinion
Project Syndicate / Double standards of Western industrial policy
US President Joe Biden’s administration should be commended for its open rejection of two core neoliberal assumptions.
Inside the chaotic Anuv Jain concert: Audience and organisers tell all
Disappointed fans claim frustratingly messy circumstances ruined the show, while organisers offer explanations.
Why is government support for poor going to non-poor?
Only 40 percent of social safety net budget catering to poor, vulnerable groups
Business
Inflation hits new high in May at 9.94%
Food inflation rose 40 basis points to 9.24 per cent in May. It was 8.84 per cent in April.
Grameenphone to halve carbon emission by 2030
The operator is taking 2019 emissions as the baseline
Going Cashless: A path towards sustainable growth
Cashless payments are clearly gaining momentum, aided by increased regulatory support that is fueling innovation, a prime example being contactless payments.
After delay, BR to launch 'mango special train' June 8
With almost half of the season gone, Bangladesh Railway has decided to launch a special train service to transport mango from June 8 from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi to Dhaka.
Cut gold jewellery-carrying limit for travellers to 50g: Bajus
The gold ornament makers' body placed budget reaction
Why should you have an emergency savings fund?
Setting aside a portion of money can be a great help during the worst time. People don’t know what is going to happen in the near future. Any sudden accident may occur and he may require emergency money for treatment.
Stocks end in red
The DSEX, the benchmark index of the top bourse in Bangladesh, lost 9 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 6,356.
Start of onion import cuts its prices in Dhaka
The prices of onion fell by at least Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kilogramme (kg) in Dhaka's retail markets today, a day after the government allowed import of the cooking ingredient from India.
POST-LDC ERA / Farm exports likely to fall up to 11% in key markets
The agricultural export from Bangladesh could decline as high as 11 per cent in the nations that are the biggest GSP facility providers following the country’s LDC graduation, according to a new study.
News
To save a Banyan tree
Amid the tree felling spree in Tangail in name of development work, the people of Ghatail’s Gorjana village in the district have taken an initiative to save an ancient Banyan tree.
Tangail-Aricha highway: 2,379 trees felled for road expansion
Around 2,379 roadside trees are being cut for the development work of the Tangail-Aricha highway. These include mango, berry, jackfruit, mahogany, banyan and numerous other old trees.
Violation of polls code rampant
Violating the electoral code of conduct, most of the mayoral and councillor candidates in Sylhet City Corporation elections have been seen putting up laminated posters and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) banners around the city roads.
Khulna City Polls / Councillor candidates the centre of attention
Voters have been showing more interest towards councillor candidates rather than mayoral ones in the upcoming Khulna City polls, scheduled for June 12.
Graft made BSMMU a no-go for 'gentleman': HC
A High Court bench today said there is no environment for a gentleman to go to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for receiving treatment
My Dhaka
Entertainment
Trailer for ‘The Night Manager’ part two out
“The Night Manager” follows the story of an undercover militant, Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Kapur) who has infiltrated the criminal circle of an international arms dealer, Shailendra Rungta aka Shelly (Anil Kapoor). Now, with Shaan leaking the criminal circle’s secrets, Shelly is out to hunt the mole in his group.
A hattrick for Chanchal Chowdhury
The Mejbaur Rahman Sumon directorial film, “Hawa” has earned numerous accolades, and people still have a craze for the project. “It is a great matter of joy that the film is still in the hearts of the people, and I really hope that our film eventually captivates the entire world,” concluded Chanchal.
Melodies whisper, memories stir: Azam Khan's eternal serenade
Today, we commemorate the 12th death anniversary of the legendary Azam Khan, the true pioneer of rock music in Bangladesh. His profound impact on our cultural landscape, coupled with his unwavering commitment to peace and freedom, continues to resonate even after his passing.
Sports
I will look to become stronger mentally: Dipu
Young batter Shahadat Hossain Dipu was among the two new faces in the Tigers squad alongside pacer Mushfik Hasan called up for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium starting on June 14.
Salahuddin 'won't interfere with team selection'
Salahuddin said he saw in past that the players don’t go to the field with a winning mentality, which is what he wants to be changed.
Djokovic was desperate to meet Messi & Neymar during French Open
Tennis icon Novak Djokovic has revealed why he was desperate to meet Lionel Messi and Neymar while in Paris for the 2023 French Open
Life & Living
#Perspective / Cutting down trees and Dhaka’s slow, gruelling death
This year, the whole of Bangladesh is experiencing unprecedented heat waves. The intense heat has reached a point where opening the windows makes the situation worse instead of bringing in relief in the form of a soothing breeze. Millions around the country, especially the lower middle class, day labourers, farmers, and people who work outside are suffering greatly.
#Perspective / ChatGPT — Life in the hands of AI?
Popular natural language AI, ChatGPT had made waves in global news when it first arrived. Hailed as a revolutionary aid to all kinds of writing, it had the world riveted. Fast forward a few months, has it really evolved into the job-eating monster that writers around the world were scared it would become?
A culinary voyage of conceptual delights
Manzo is an exquisite fine-dining restaurant nestled in the heart of the bustling metropolis of Dhaka. Eagerly, I ventured into this gastronomic sanctuary, curious to unravel the conceptual wonders that awaited me within its elegant confines.
Youth
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the antithesis of superhero fatigue
The long-awaited sequel exceeds all expectations and delivers a truly amazing film.
Air pollution, depression, and our health
Dhaka's rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have led to a significant increase in air pollution levels.
Why do some men dress so terribly?
Most guys don’t have the slightest clue about how to dress themselves.
Tech & Startup
Microsoft 365 down for users across the world
Microsoft 365, the comprehensive suite of productivity tools including Word and Excel, experienced a significant outage on Monday, leaving more than 15,000 users unable to access essential services.
Google offers free Generative AI courses: Here’s how to start learning
The learning path guides users through a curated collection of lessons on Generative AI products and technologies.
Uber working to resume card payment services in Bangladesh
Ride-sharing platform Uber is planning on resuming its card payment services for their customers in Bangladesh.
Star Multimedia
Abul Bashar: Narrating stories of the marginalised
Abul Bashar Rahman has been eager to learn about the environment since his school days. As he started studying economics at the British Columbia University of Canada three years ago, he went in-depth into the matter. He found out how massive industrialisation in the global North was mostly respo
Thousands of trees being felled on Tangail-Aricha highway
As many as 2,379 trees are being cut down along the Tangail-Aricha highway for the sake of development work. Among them, many are centuries old.
5,000 factories recycling plastic waste
The plastic industry has become a very important part of Bangladesh’s industrial sector in the last two decades. Plastic use has been embedded into everything from everyday use household products to furniture to luxury clothing items. Plastic use is growing rapidly all over the world. With it, we’re facing the enormous challenges of plastic waste management. About 1.2 million people are currently involved in the industry. Man-made plastic waste or unused plastic material has been undegradable for over a hundred years.
Methane gas plumes: Should Bangladesh be concerned?
Analysing satellite images, Paris-based company Kayrros SAS has detected huge plumes of methane gas over Bangladesh, the Bloomberg recently reported.
The story of Upendra, the last generation of roving barbers
Even two decades ago, roving barbers could be seen in remote villages of the country. These nomadic barbars used to move around different markets or villages to provide grooming services to their customers. Coming to the twenties of this 21st century, their numbers are now negligible. They are found in a handful of villages. One of them is Upendra Nath Sheel. He belongs to one of the last generations of roving barbers.
Daily Star Books
Environment
Strict action to be taken against polythene producers: Environment minister
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said the government is taking strict action against producers of plastic and polythene, which are harmful to humans and the environment.."Mobile courts are being conducted against production, transportation, marketing an
Payra Power Plant shuts down completely due to coal shortage
The 1,320MW coal-fired Payra Power Plant in Patuakhali has been shut temporarily due to shortage of coal
Plastic most lethal among all waste
Plastics are silently piling on the environmental miseries of Bangladesh, one of the most climate change-vulnerable countries in the world.
Single-use plastic causing harm to ecosystem: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the widespread use and mismanagement of single-use plastic products are destabilising the ecosystem
At least 2 more weeks needed to resolve power crisis: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said they had been trying to ensure smooth supply of coal, gas and fuel to the power plants for the last two months but it did not work due to the “financial issues”
Severe heatwave across 4 northern districts likely to continue
A severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Naogaon, Nilphamari and Dinajpur and it is likely to continue.
Coal shortage: Payra Power Plant to shut down after June 5
'We're struggling to import oil. We are diverting most of the gas to industries to keep those running,' says Nasrul Hamid
No gas for 8 hours at different areas of city today
Gas supply will remain suspended for eight hours today in different areas of the capital for emergency replacement and removal of gas pipelines..According to a press release of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, the areas where gas supply will be suspended from 10:00a
