Star Online Report

Rice market totally deceitful

“Because of the cutting and polishing, rice loses its nutritional value and it is being done by importing machines spending crores of taka. The government will take steps soon to stop it.”

Bangladeshi students in German universities seek assistance from Foreign Ministry for visa facilitation

“About 2,000 students have registered for visa appointments at the embassy since July last year," said Raihan, a student at a German technical university.

Third batch of Rohingyas have arrived in Bhasan Char

The third batch of Rohingyas were on the way to Bhasan Char today from Chattogram Boat Club.

Wealth statement submission time of bank directors, MDs extended

Time to submit wealth statements for bank directors, managing directors, employees of two subordinate stages under them and their families has been extended by one and a half months.

Inside look at Ajo Idea Space

​Khalid Mahmud, Owner of Ajo Idea Spcae, speaks to The Daily Star about the story behind the origins of Ajo, Which has especially picked up distinction for its unique establishment. He talks about his journey from being an artist to creating a tranquil idea space in Dhaka and how he has managed to overcome tough competition in recent years through his eccentric architecture style and distinctive ways of management.

Inside look at Kiva Han

In conversation with Samit Bin Salam

Institute of Public Health issues dress code for Muslim employees

Dr Muhammad Abdur Rahim, director of the institute under the health directorate, in a circular issued on Wednesday asked male employees to wear clothes above the ankle and women below the ankle with hijab.

Dr Zafrullah's condition 'somewhat unstable'

Condition of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder and Trustee Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury is somewhat unstable, said an official of Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital today.

Migrants’ organisation urges PM for safety net programme

Ovibash Karmi Unnayan Programme (OKUP) has appealed to the prime minister to announce a social safety net programme for returnee migrant workers and their families, who are not being included in any of the social protection schemes declared by the government.

Facebook launches third-party fact-checking in Bangladesh

Facebook announced the launch of its third-party fact-checking program today in Bangladesh as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of misinformation and improve the quality of news people find online. Facebook will partner with BOOM, which has been certified by the Poynter Institute's non-partisan International Fact Checking Network.

WATCH: How to spend your time at home during the shutdown

The nationwide shutdown to control the spread of the Coronavirus has been extended till April 25th, 2020. It's imperative to take necessary safety precautions instead of panicking at this point in time. Spending day after day cooped up inside can get irritating, however, if you follow a plan to occupy your days with activities, it is possible to come out of this with new skills and reduce the restlessness at home. Watch the video below to know more.

DMP sets shutdown guidelines for police

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has handed out instructions to its officials on handling the shutdown.

Inbound Bangladeshi passengers being marked with quarantine stamp

Authorities at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have started marking inbound passengers with stamps bearing the date till which they will have to stay under home quarantine.

Offer sunnah of Juma prayers at home: Islamic Foundation

Islamic Foundation in a statement asks all Muslims to offer sunnah prayers from their respective homes before going to the mosque to offer their two rakahs of faraz Jummah prayers in order to contain the spreading of coronavirus.

Coronavirus: Govt instructs halting political, cultural and religious gatherings

The government has instructed concerned authorities to halt all political, cultural and religious gatherings.

An unrest, a slowdown and a health epidemic: Manmohan Singh

In a column published in The Hindu, the former Indian PM has made a heartfelt appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convince the nation not through words but deeds:

Ronaldinho, brother held over fake passports in Paraguay

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho was caught on Wednesday with alleged altered passports, in Paraguay, for him and his brother according to a police report obtained by ESPN Brasil.

This is our version of coronavirus: Arundhati Roy on Delhi violence

Author and activist Arundhati Roy has said the Modi government is acting as though the constitution does not exist and they are doing everything to completely dismantle democracy.

Coronavirus might be here to stay: experts

Experts think that the new coronavirus might end up being a seasonal flu and will probably continue to circulate indefinitely.

‘No iPhones for bad guys’

In an interview with Vanity Fair, director Rian Johnson has said, "I don't know if I should say this or not, Apple... they let you use iPhones in movies but — and this is very pivotal if you're ever watching a mystery movie — bad guys cannot have iPhones on camera."

Northeast Delhi calm; law enforcers urge vigilance against rumours

The situation in riot-torn parts of northeast Delhi remained peaceful this morning with residents gradually resuming the daily chores after coming to terms with the damage in four days of violence and arson earlier this week.

12 Eminent citizens express grave concern over Delhi clashes

Twelve eminent citizens of Bangladesh today expressed grave concern over the ongoing spate of communal clashes in the Indian capital New Delhi -- between people for and against the new citizenship law in the country.

Roger Waters recites anti-CAA poem

Waters read out an English translation of Aamir Aziz’s ‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’, introducing him as “a young poet and activist in Delhi involved in the fight against Modi and his racist Citizenship law.”

Hindu man battling for life after saving six Muslims from arson attack

Amid violence, there were many who whole-heartedly came out in support of those in need and offered help in every capacity. Gurdwaras in Delhi opened their doors for Muslim families forced to flee their homes. There were several warm stories of people saving lives of those targeted. In one such case, a Hindu man saved lives of his six Muslim neighbours when an unruly mob set their house on fire, reports India Times.

Disney’s Indian subsidiary blocks John Oliver episode criticising Modi

Hotstar, India’s largest on-demand video streaming service and a subsidiary of global media powerhouse Disney, has blocked the latest episode of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” that dealt with a critical view of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports US-based technology publication Tech Crunch.

Dhaka zoo suspends elephant rides

The ban was quietly introduced last month, said Nurul Islam, curator of the zoo.

In pictures: Delhi clashes

Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) took a violent turn in northeast Delhi, killing seven people so far, just as US President Donald Trump is completing his first official visit to the country, reports The Statesman. Reader discretion is advised, as some of the images may disturb or offend some people.

Inside Look at Emerald Restaurants

We were doubtful if the market was ready for such a venture because most upscale restaurants were situated in areas like Gulshan and Banani. So, to differentiate, we chose Uttara as it was a nascent location for a restaurant.

‘Miss you every day’: Janhvi writes on mother Sridevi's 2nd death anniversary

“Miss you every day,” Janhvi wrote in the Instagram post with a throwback photo from her childhood days with her mother.

Tk 200 note to be launched on Bangabandhu’s birth centenary

Bangladesh Bank will launch a regular currency note of Tk 200 denomination alongside commemorative gold and silver coins worth Tk 100 on March 17.

Bank commission can bring the sector out of fragile scenario: CPD

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today welcomed the government’s initiative to form a bank commission in a bid to reform the country’s banking sector.

Suspected German gunman’s ‘hate list’ included Bangladesh

A man suspected of shooting dead nine people across two shisha bars in a German town on Thursday had posted a manifesto online including conspiracy theories and deeply racist views that envisioned complete extermination of people from a number of countries—including Bangladesh.

Claims of mass cremation in Wuhan debunked

The screenshot, taken from windy.com, cited the alarming rise in SO2. It was found that it was not real-time data, but was from a weather prediction model which has little relation to current events.

Woman raped by neighbour, family claims

In Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria, a mother of two was raped allegedly by her neighbour on Sunday night.

HerStory fellows map a day in their lives in 2040

‘Storytelling and Alternative Futures’, a two-day-long training hosted by HerStory Foundation, was conducted by Shakil Ahmed, an educator, futurist and storyteller and part of the leadership team at Acumen Academy Bangladesh who has been recognized as a Young Global Changer at the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin and as a Joseph Jaworksi Next Generation Foresight Practitioner.

Metro rail mock-up coach installed

In order to inform people about the metro rail—a new mode of public transport in Bangladesh, a mock-up of the coach will be displayed.

CCTV footage shows police brutality at Delhi's Jamia Millia University

In a video released by Jamia Co-ordination Committee yesterday, Delhi police officers can be seen beating up students in the library of Jamia Millia Islamia University on December 15 last year.

20 Chinese nationals resume work at Payra Power Plant project

Twenty Chinese employees have resumed work at the Payra Thermal Power Plant project in Patuakhali after 14 days of being quarantined.

5 in police custody for ‘spreading rumour on coronavirus outbreak’

Five persons have been taken to police custody to be quizzed in connection with spreading rumours on coronavirus outbreak in the country.

2 more Bangladeshis infected with coronavirus in Singapore

Two more Bangladeshi expatriate workers in Singapore have been infected with the novel coronavirus— recently named Covid-19—with links to the previous two cases being confirmed, The Straits Times reports.

Android phones face difficult launch as MWC 2020 canceled amid Coronavirus fears

On Wednesday, GSM Association (GSMA), the London based industry organisation that represents the global mobile industry, pulled the plug on the 2020 Mobile World Congress show. The show's organiser said the coronavirus, the virus infecting tens of thousands of people globally and originating from China, had made it "impossible" for the show to proceed.

Bangladesh U-19 World Cup win: Cricket world reacts

After Bangladesh Under-19s' seminal World Cup triumph on Sunday, the cricketing world both at home and abroad, legends past and present, showered Akbar Ali's teen titans with praise.

Coronavirus: Myths vs facts

The death toll from the novel coronavirus surged past 800 in mainland China today, overtaking global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, even as the World Health Organization said the outbreak appeared to be "stabilising".

Bernie Sanders appeals to Bengali-American immigrants in Facebook post

US Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders has posted on Facebook in Bengali seeking support from the Bengali diaspora in the US for his Medicare for All campaign.

5 madrasa teachers jailed for providing answers to Dakhil examinees

A mobile court today jailed five madrasa teachers for two years for providing answers to Dakhil examinees during an MCQ test at an exam centre in Brahmanbaria’s Ashuganj upazila.

‘Queues formed at 2 polling centres to show high voter turnout’

Our reporters stationed at different polling centres across the city have found instances of “artificial queues” being formed to show high voter turnout in the Dhaka City Corporation polls.

Will accept the result, whatever it is: Atiqul

Awami League’s mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Atiqul Islam said he will accept the election result, whatever it is.

341 Bangladeshis to arrive from China tonight

Three hundred and forty one Bangladeshis will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow night on a special flight from Wuhan, China

January 30, 2020
January 30, 2020

Want to see democracy in action at Dhaka polls: Western diplomats

Western diplomats in Dhaka said they want to see democracy in action as the Dhaka South and North City Corporation elections are going to be held day after tomorrow.

January 29, 2020
January 29, 2020

Baul singer Shariat Sarkar denied bail

A Tangail court today rejected a bail petition of Baul singer Shariat Sarkar in a case filed under the Digital Security Act for “hurting religious sentiment”.

January 29, 2020
January 29, 2020

Off-Facebook Activity: An important privacy tool

Popular social media site Facebook has recently launched a tool for its users to strengthen the privacy of their personal information.

January 29, 2020
January 29, 2020

Govt forms 7 committees to control price of rice in the market

The government has formed seven special monitoring committees to control price of rice in the market. The initiative was taken by the Food Ministry in a bid to prevent increasing price of rice in the market through illicit means, according to a press release of the ministry issued today.

January 28, 2020
January 28, 2020

3 killed in Gopalganj as train hits motorbike at unmanned level crossing

Three youths died after a train hit the motorbike they were on while crossing an unmanned level crossing in Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila this afternoon.

January 26, 2020
January 26, 2020

Writ seeks restriction on gender detection of fetuses

A Supreme Court lawyer today filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the authorities concerned to prohibit the gender detection of fetuses in order to ensure the protection of the babies and pregnant mothers.

January 26, 2020
January 26, 2020

NRC, CAA are India’s internal affairs: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday told parliament that Bangladesh is intensely observing Indian’s internal situation regarding the country’s controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

January 26, 2020
January 26, 2020

Grameenphone files review petition to pay BTRC Tk 575 crore

Grameenphone today filed a review petition with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, seeking its permission to pay Tk 575 crore in 12 equal monthly instalments as adjustable deposit to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Earlier on November 24, the Supreme Court directed Grameenphone to pay Tk 2,000 crore, around 10 times higher than what the carrier was willing to pay as adjustable deposit, to the telecom regulatory body.

January 26, 2020
January 26, 2020

Govt can now publish gazette of 9th Wage Board

The Supreme Court today upheld its earlier order that cleared the way for the government to publish the gazette notification for implementing the recommendation of 9th Wage Board for journalists.

January 26, 2020
January 26, 2020

Bangladesh is not Ukraine: US Secretary of State Pompeo to NPR reporter

The issue has also blown up on Twitter and hundreds have so far tweeted with the hashtag #BangladeshIsNotUkraine.