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Beyond Dollar: Bangladesh to seek over 36b yuan in Chinese loans
Bangladesh is going to seek more than 36 billion yuan, equivalent to $5 billion, as soft loans from China to reduce pressure on its dollar reserves.
Tk 34,000 crore investment proposals came in Jan-Mar: Bida
302 industries will make the investments
Rain douses Sundarbans fire
The Sundarbans fire has been completely doused, almost four days since it started..It started raining on the affected location from 5:30pm yesterday, Khulna Circle Forest Conservator Mihir Kumar Doe said this evening. .Besides, members of the Forest Department and Fire Service and C
News Analysis / Crawling PEG System: A welcome step but will it be enough to boost reserves?
The crawling peg system for the taka is a delayed and, perhaps, inadequate response to the bleeding of forex reserves. Some economists suggest the central bank should go beyond this formula and open the exchange rate to market forces to stop the continuous erosion of reserves. Either way,...
Chunnu slams lawmaker for posting MPs' salaries, fund allocation on FB
Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Haque Chunnu today in parliament criticised independent MP Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon for his recent Facebook post on MPs' salaries and allocation of funds
Opinion
Another day, another scandal in public procurement
PGCBL incident is just the latest proof of continued procurement irregularities
BIRTH CENTENARY OF KALIM SHARAFI / A life dedicated to cultural activism
“I firmly believe in the profound impact of music, dance, and acting on shaping people’s thoughts and emotions.
Why would anyone want to become a teacher?
Teaching is one of the noblest things a person can choose to do with their life. But sadly, that’s not the narrative that exists today.
Business
Hike tax on cigarettes to boost revenue collection
The tax on cigarettes in Bangladesh should be raised in the national budget for fiscal 2024-25 to boost the country’s revenue generation and minimise health risks, according to experts.
US trade show begins May 9
Sports
Menotti: The flamboyant football romantic
He is best remembered for leading Argentina to the 1978 World Cup and the under-20 title the following year and for his commitment to a romantic ideal of football at a time when Argentina had developed a reputation for a cynical approach straying into violence.
Thiago Silva returning to hometown club Fluminense
"I'm coming home," Silva said in an Instagram post.
Mbappe and PSG aim to seize moment in Champions League semifinal
The only time PSG have previously appeared in the biggest match in club football turned out to be a depressingly flat occasion, with the French side losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich behind closed doors in Lisbon in 2020, at the height of the pandemic.
News
Indian national arrested at Patgram border
Border Guard Bangladesh BGB today arrested an Indian national for illegally entering the country at Patgram border in Lalmonirhat
'Dishonest' forest officials responsible for Sundarbans fire: speakers
Environmental activists at an event today said "dishonest" forest officials were responsible for the repeated fires in Sundarbans
PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTEST / Police break up demos in Berlin, Amsterdam
Police yesterday broke up pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities in Amsterdam and Berlin, which were inspired by similar demonstrations on campuses around the world.
Hasina thanks AL, people for standing by her
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today in parliament expressed gratitude to her party members and people of the country for their unwavering support, ignoring the 1/11 army-backed caretaker government's threat and barriers she faced while returning home from abroad
Xi criticises Nato ahead of Serbia visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday criticised Nato for its “flagrant” bombing of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia in 1999, warning Beijing would “never allow such tragic history to repeat itself”.
My Dhaka / The busy days of AC mechanics
As Dhaka continues to tackle the woes of summer heat, the business of selling air conditioners, stand fans, table fans, and coolers has seen an obvious rise.
Love road at Mirpur: A youthful street
Certain neighbourhoods in Dhaka have that one spot where people gather to just sit back and relax. For Mirpur, it’s the frequently discussed street referred to as “Love Road”.
Entertainment
‘Toofan’s’ teaser hints at action like never before!
The film is expected to be released on Eid-ul-Azha. The Raihan Rafi directorial film also stars Masooma Nabila, Mimi Chakraborty, and Jisshu Sengupta, amongst others.
Rafiath Rashid Mithila’s versatility shines through ‘Kajol Rekha’
The "Myself Allen Swapan" famed actress has not only received acclaim from industry insiders but also from a wide array of audiences. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, Mithila shares her heartfelt appreciation, plans, aspirations within Bangali cinema, and more.
Coke Studio Bangla’s ‘Ma Lo Ma’ trending on YouTube
Coke Studio Bangla's "Ma Lo Ma" has soared to the number one trending position on YouTube within four days of its release.
Life & Living
Iconic dresses from Met Gala 2024
The Met Gala 2024 dazzled under the theme "The Garden of Time," inspired by a short story with a similar title. Held on 6 May 2024, the gala saw fashion and film luminaries showcasing designs that married elegance and innovativeness with contemporary environmental consciousness.
When fashion mattered: throwback to the ‘cool’ days
1960s and 1970s fashion, a vibrant tapestry of rebellion and innovation, is making a comeback. Embodying freedom and expression, the era’s psychedelic prints, bohemian maxi dresses, and mod miniskirts spoke volumes about societal change. Today, the resurgence of these trends celebrates the blend of tradition and modernity, offering a nostalgic yet modern look.
Dermatologist-recommended skin care tips during this heatwave
Heat, humidity, and intense sun exposure can exacerbate or lead to various skin issues, especially during the heatwave. To keep our skin healthy and comfortable, we need to understand these common skin conditions and how to effectively manage them.
Youth
Mongol-Tori Phoenix: BRAC University’s next-generation Mars rover
Mongol-Tori’s Phoenix, a next-generation Mars rover from BRAC University (BRACU), has secured a spot in the finals of the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2024.
Decision to increase age limit for govt jobs up to PM: minister
Regarding the education ministry's recommendation to raise the age limit for government jobs, Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain today said it is subject to government policy
Understanding religious scriptures and finding spirituality
In Muslim households, children are taught to read the Quran from start to finish. But that’s the thing, they are taught to read, not understand it
Tech & Startup
Apple launches the thinnest iPad ever
Apple has launched its latest iPad Pro models at the Apple event on May 7, featuring an incredibly slim design and cutting-edge technology. The 11-inch model measures just 5.3 mm thin, while the 13-inch model is even thinner at 5.1 mm, making it the thinnest iPad ever produced by Apple.
Here are the biggest announcements from Apple’s iPad event
Apple has unveiled a new line up of products at the Apple’s iPad event on May 7. Here are the announcements from Apple’s iPad event:
RUET students develop bomb-disposal robot for Bangladesh Army
The robot, named Hades-X-ZeroThree, draws inspiration from Greek mythology.
Star Multimedia
Upazila Polls: AL, BNP struggle to keep a grip on grassroots
The upazila election has exposed how neither of the two major parties, the Awami League and BNP, has full control over the grassroots leaders.
Myanmar conflict: Explosions from across the border rock Teknaf
Teknaf upazila in Cox's Bazar was once again rocked yesterday by sounds of explosions coming from across the border in Myanmar's Rakhine state
Israel plays down Hamas nod to ceasefire, hits Rafah
Israel played down the likelihood of a ceasefire in Gaza yesterday after Hamas said it had accepted a proposal from mediators, even as residents fled the city of Rafah in fear of an Israeli assault.
US pauses ammunition shipment to Israel for first time since Oct 7: reports
The Biden administration paused a shipment of US-made ammunition to Israel last week amid the latter's ongoing attack on Gaza, but the reasons for doing so were not clear, according to media outlets in the US and Israel
BCL expresses solidarity with student movement against assault on Gaza
Holds protest programme on DU campus
Daily Star Books
Environment
Pirojpur faces power outage after rain
Consumers of Pirojpur Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) endured a prolonged power outage from yesterday evening till this noon due to rain.
Rain or thundershowers likely in all eight divisions: Met office
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicted rain or thundershowers in all eight divisions in the 24 hours from 9:00am today
South Korea reports hottest April in half a century: weather agency
South Korea experienced its hottest April since comprehensive records began in 1973, the state weather agency said Tuesday, with average daily temperatures more than 2.5 degrees higher than in previous years
BCSIR holds workshop on energy research
The Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industry Research (BCSIR) organised a stake-holder workshop on "The Role of Energy Research for ensuring Socio-Economic development in building Smart Bangladesh" today in the capital.
Nor’wester brings relief, triggers waterlogging in Ctg
The nor'wester or kalboishakhi, a storm that is natural to this season, struck the port city and adjoining areas immediate after 3:00pm and the downpour followed soon afterwards
Climate Adaptation: Address inequality while forming policies, says study
Despite the existence of policies, strategies, and plans to address climate change as a major concern, gaps still remain in the engagement of marginalised communities in climate action, according to a new study
Cutting trees: Why shouldn't eco-friendly laws be formulated, HC asks govt
The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why it should not be directed to formulate an eco-friendly law, rule, regulation, or policy for cutting and planting trees
When day turns into night
Clouds gather in the northern sky of Chattogram with a hint of storm and rain from the afternoon
Fact-check
India sieves online deluge to stamp out disinformation in world's biggest election
Just last week, two AI-generated deepfake videos of Bollywood stars criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a rare third term, and asking people to vote for the opposition Congress went viral, drawing half a million views.
Deepfakes of Bollywood stars spark worries of AI meddling in India election
The two videos have been viewed on social media more than half a million times since last week, a Reuters review shows.
Fact check: Mossad did not describe deceased US airman as 'enemy'
More claims suggesting the remark came from Mossad spread across X and TikTok.
Meta to set up team to counter disinformation, AI abuse in EU elections
European Parliament elections will take place June 6-9. Its 720 lawmakers, together with EU governments, pass new EU policies and laws.
Misinformation and disinformation: A threat to democracy in Bangladesh
In today’s digital age, the spread of misinformation and disinformation has arisen as a major challenge to global democracy.
OpenAI to launch anti-disinformation tools for 2024 elections
The explosive success of text generator ChatGPT spurred a global artificial intelligence revolution but also triggered warnings that such tools could flood the internet with disinformation and sway voters.
Deepfake video targeting Gaibandha-1 candidate surfaces on Facebook
On the day of the National Election 2024, a fabricated video surfaced on Facebook featuring Nahid Niger, an independent candidate for the Gaibandha-1 seat, announcing her withdrawal from the election. Subsequent verification by Dismislab, an online platform specialising in media research and verification, confirmed that the video was a product of AI-based deepfake technology.
Podcast on fake news: Impact of Israel-Hamas conflict on Bangladesh's national election
Uncover the sources and intentions behind these circulating rumors.
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