The Daily Star - Bangladesh News, Political News, Bangladesh Economy & Videos, Breaking News
Banks sell dollar at more than Tk 118 as pressure mounts
The chief executives of at least three private commercial banks told The Daily Star that the BB had verbally allowed them to quote Tk 1 more than the exchange rate to collect US dollars amid the ongoing forex crunch.
‘Narrow escape from crossfire’
With his hands tied, trader Abdul Basit was forced to get off a police van at Rarai village in Sylhet’s Zakiganj upazila in the dead of night on September 13, 2019.
Govt to buy 261 SUVs for DCs, UNOs
Deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers are going to get 261 SUVs worth about Tk 1.46 crore each.
Alonso feels pride and pain after 'Neverlusen' finally lose
Leverkusen - or 'Neverlusen' as they had been dubbed after obliterating Bayern Munich's 11-year Bundesliga title monopoly in Germany - can still win a domestic double with victory against second-tier Kaiserslautern in Saturday's German Cup final.
Atalanta end Leverkusen's unbeaten run to win Europa League
Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hattrick as Atalanta ended Bayer Leverkusen's 51-match unbeaten run to win the Europa League final 3-0 on Wednesday and claim their first trophy for 61 years.
Opinion
Beyond renewables: A coordinated and just transition for Bangladesh
Diversifying domestic energy sources into renewables is crucial because of the current dwindling gas reserve and no new exploration
Freedom vs prosperity: A rehash of the development vs democracy debate
The declining freedoms identified in the report once again give a clear indication that the consecutive governments of Bangladesh, from multiple political parties, have repeatedly failed to empower the country's people.
An alarming lapse in data security protocols
NTMC's revelation about illicit sale of private data raises concerns
Business
Consumption stays low for two straight years as inflation bites
According to a provisional estimate of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), consumption of goods and services grew 3.53 percent in 2023-24, up from 2.52 percent in the last fiscal year.
Sports
Kings show why they are champions
Bashundhara Kings and their loyal band of travelling fans were ecstatic at the Rafique Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh yesterday as the club added the Federation Cup to the Independence Cup and the Bangladesh Premier League following a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Gasperini hails 'incredible' Atalanta history-makers
Gian Piero Gasperini lavished praise on his "incredible" Atalanta players after they stunned Bayer Leverkusen to win the Europa League and claim their first ever continental honour.
Rain washes out England-Pakistan T20 opener
The match was meant to be the launchpad for reigning champions England's defence next month of their T20 World Cup title in the Caribbean and the United States.
News
North Gaza hospitals barely operational
North Gaza’s last two functioning hospitals, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan, are barely operational, doctors and the World Health Organization said Tuesday with the Israel’s offensive in Gaza now in its eighth month.
Russia ‘launched’ space weapon in path of US satellite: Pentagon
Russia has launched a likely space weapon and deployed it in the same orbit as a US government satellite, the Pentagon said.
Nepal sherpa scales Everest for record 30th time
A Nepali sherpa guide scaled the summit of Mount Everest for a record 30th time yesterday, an official said, while two climbers went missing while descending from the world’s tallest peak.
Iranian official reveals more details of Raisi’s copter crash
Iran’s presidential chief of staff has revealed more details about a helicopter crash in northwest of the country over the weekend which led to the martyrdom of president Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and two top local officials in the province of East Azerbaijan.
S’PORE AIRLINES / 20 people in ICU after turbulent flight
Twenty people were in intensive care in Bangkok hospitals yesterday after a terrifying high-altitude plunge on a flight from London during which an elderly passenger died and more than 100 were injured.
Primer to Press: Celebrating the evolution of Bangla alphabets
The recently held exhibition along with the book launch event of Bornomala: Bangla Alphabet Book Collection by Sabyasachi Hazra was profoundly insightful. As an artist, researcher, and prolific...
Where is the grave of Dhaka's Nawab Ahsanullah?
Nawab Ahsanullah is indeed a historic figure. We remember him as a philanthropist and among his contributions was the installment of the first electric lights in Dhaka.
Entertainment
Why was SRK rushed to the hospital?
Ahmedabad, along with many other parts of India, experienced high temperatures. In Gujarat's capital, the temperature reached around 45 degrees, and the Meteorological Department issued a red alert for the city.
Cate Blanchett delivers subtle pro-Palestine message at Cannes 2024
Australian actress and film producer Cate Blanchett drew significant attention at the Cannes 2024 red carpet on May 20, not only for her impressive fashion choice but also for how it seemingly reinforced her well-known political stance on an important humanitarian issue.
Bangladeshi director appointed as juror for International Emmy Awards
This honour recognises Shishir's extensive contributions to the film and television industry on both national and international stages.
Life & Living
#Perspective / Beauty straight out of fairy tales: Why we can’t stop loving the moon
One does need a dose of romance — even a dash of lunacy perhaps — to appreciate a full moon night, but to those who eagerly wait to behold nature’s symphony, it is an ethereal experience.
#Perspective / Bringing street children out of despair through skateboarding
Susie Halsell — founder and CEO of Bangladesh Street Kids Aid (BSKA), and a passionate skateboarder herself — came up with such a unique skateboarding program that not only offers street children a burst of adrenaline, but also nurtures their potential, helping them build confidence, community, and dreams for a brighter future.
#Perspective / Je t’aime Dhaka: Friends are forever
I have been asked many times by my friends about the next instalment of my encounters with people in Dhaka. Honestly, I have been meaning to write and there are quite a few who I want to pay tribute to. It’s just that life catches up in the most unexpected ways and keeps you busy. However, finally, I could make time for another such story of another person who has enriched my life infinitely.
Youth
UIU Mars rover team chasing big dreams at this year’s URC
The team is participating in the 2024 University Rover Challenge (URC) finals with its YGGDRASIL rover.
BRACU students secure 1st, 2nd, and 4th positions at National Mathematics Olympiad
Students from BUET, IUT, and SUST also secured positions in the top 10.
A conversation with the coach who led BUET to ICPC glory
Campus sat down with Sohel Rahman, a professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Fellow at the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, and the team coach of BUET Potatoes, to learn more about the process and experience of representing the nation as part of the BUET ICPC team.
Tech & Startup
AI-PCs, new laptops, and more: Everything Microsoft just announced
Ahead of its Build developer conference, Microsoft has unveiled significant advancements in AI and Surface technologies. At a pre-Build event on Monday, which was not livestreamed for the public, Microsoft introduced its vision for AI-centric PCs with the new Copilot+ PCs and announced the latest Surface devices.
Meet the astronaut who waited 60 years to voyage into space
Former US Air Force Captain Ed Dwight fulfilled a lifelong dream on May 19 by venturing into space, becoming the oldest person to do so at the age of 90. His journey on Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-25 spacecraft was the company’s first human flight since 2022. The mission took six tourists to the edge of space including Ed.
Can we rid artificial intelligence of bias?
AI's underlying intelligence, therefore, is only as good as the world it came from, as likely to be filled with wit, wisdom, and usefulness, as well as hatred, prejudice and rants.
Star Multimedia
When will Cyclone 'Remal' hit Bangladesh coast?
A low pressure has formed in the Bay of Bengal area. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, a low has formed in the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Central Bay, which has the potential to turn into a more concentrated cyclone, which has been named Remal
Helicopter crash: What says late Iran's president's chief of staff?
An investigation has been launched over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and several other officials who died in a helicopter crash on May 20
Shariatpur chairman candidates arranges beef khichuri for voters for last 25 days
In Shariatpur, a candidate for the post of chairman in the upazila parishad election, has organised beef khichuri for voters for the last 25 days.
What we know about MP Azim, who has been missing in India for five days
He went to Kolkata on May 12 for treatment. His family members have not been able to find him since May 17
How was Ebrahim Raisi as a president?
Watch Star Special to find out more
Daily Star Books
Environment
Low-pressure area formed in the Bay
A low-pressure area has formed under the influence of cyclonic circulation over Southwest and adjoining West Central Bay and it is likely to intensify further, the Met office said.
Take urgent actions to address climate change: Saber urges South Asian nations
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today called upon the South Asian countries to take urgent actions to cope with the adverse impacts of global warming, halting glacier melting in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region
Low pressure area forms over Bay
A low pressure area has been formed over the south-west Bay and adjoining west-central Bay and is likely to intensify further, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)
Gas supply to remain shut in parts of Dhaka for 10hrs tomorrow
Gas supply will remain suspended in different areas of the capital from 10:00am to 8:00pm tomorrow due to gas pipeline replacement works
Industrial output growth lowest since pandemic. Here's why
Bangladesh's factory output grew 6.66 percent in the current fiscal year, the slowest pace of expansion since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country, as the stubbornly high inflation hurt domestic demand and the shipment of export-oriented goods slowed.
Indian Ocean: Dhaka, Canberra to collaborate on maritime security
Australian foreign minister, Hasan Mahmud hold talks
NGOs seek climate trial of French oil giant TotalEnergies
NGOs filed a criminal complaint against French oil giant TotalEnergies and its top shareholders in Paris on Tuesday, seeking a trial for involuntary manslaughter and other consequences of climate change “chaos”
Developed countries failed to fulfil commitments on climate change: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed frustration that the developed countries are not fulfilling their commitments on climate change issues
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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