UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T&uuml;rk has appealed to Bangladesh to once again extend protection to vulnerable people seeking safety, and for the international community to provide all necessary support.
&ldquo;I am deeply alarmed by reports of renewed violence and property destruction in Buthidaung township in Myanmar&rsquo;s northern Rakhine state, resulting in the displacement of potentially tens of thousands of civilians, mainly Rohingya," he said on Sunday, commenting on violence in Myanmar&rsquo;s Rakhine State.
Bangladesh is now shouldering the burden of 1.3 million Rohingyas and seeking international community's support for their safe repatriation first. &nbsp; With inter-communal tensions between ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya high &ndash; and being actively stoked by the military &ndash; this is a critical period when the risk of yet further atrocity crimes is particularly acute, T&uuml;rk said in a message issued from Geneva.&nbsp;
"While we seek to corroborate information indicating serious violations, I appeal directly to the Myanmar military and Arakan Army to pause the fighting, protect civilians, allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian access, and comply fully and unconditionally with international law &ndash; including the measures already ordered by the International Court of Justice for the protection of Rohingya," he said.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh has been following the path of "negotiations" through diplomatic channels avoiding provocations from Myanmar and other international actors.
"There were provocations from Myanmar and other international actors. We did not step into those provocations. Rather, we have taken the path of negotiations. We are following the diplomatic path to seek a solution to the crisis and repatriation is the only solution," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club.

Violence in Rakhine: UN rights chief appeals to Bangladesh to provide protection to people seeking safety

Anwarul Azim Anar, the lawmaker from Jhenaidah-4 constituency, has been missing since at least May 14, having gone on a medical trip to India on 11 May.
&ldquo;His whereabouts are still unknown. Family members and party activists could not reach him after 14 May(Tuesday),&rdquo; the MP Anar's personal assistant, Abdur Rauf said.
He also said &ldquo;Anar went to India for medical treatment on 11 May. He maintained contact with his family members till 14 May. Since then, all communication with him has been lost. His WhatsApp number is also unreachable.&rdquo;
MP Anar's wife and daughters went to the DB office in Dhaka on Sunday (May 19) at noon.
The Prime Minister has also been informed about the matter, Abdur Rauf told the media.
Meanwhile, Anar&rsquo;s nephew Simon and three others went to India to try and find him. But they could not give any good news till Sunday afternoon.
According to party insiders, moments before his last known activity, Hemant asked his manager for Rs 4.2. At that time he was in a private car with some Indian friends after attending a wedding ceremony. There is no trace of MP Anar since taking this money, they claimed.
&nbsp; Kaliganj Municipal Mayor Ashraful Alam said on Sunday afternoon that he spoke with the MP the day after he left for India. He did not know anything since then.
Saidul Karim Mintu, general secretary of the Jhenaidah district unit Awami League, said that he came to know about the matter from the MP's family and upazila Awami League leaders. &ldquo;We have informed the party high command in this regard,&rdquo; he added.
Jhenaidah Superintendent of Police Azim ul-Ahsan said, Awami League leaders and public representatives of Kaliganj verbally informed us about MP Anar's disappearance.
&ldquo;Since the incident is from a different state, we have informed it to the higher authorities,&rdquo; added the SP.
Regarding Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar's reported missing, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi and Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata are in touch with the relevant authorities to try to know what exactly happened, a diplomatic source told UNB.
The Ministry of External Affairs has also been informed, the source said.

Jhenaidah-4 MP goes missing after going to India for treatment

Senior Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the construction work of the Bangabazar Nagar Wholesale Market on 25 May.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has taken the initiative to construct a new Bangabazar wholesale market to rehabilitate the traders affected by the terrible fire in the Bangabazar complex on 4 April last year.
The blaze razed around 5,000 shops across four markets, shattering the dreams of thousands of traders and leaving employees bereft of their livelihoods.
Sheikh Hasina will also inaugurate the construction of '8-lane Inner Circular Road' from Dhaka South City Corporation&rsquo;s Grihit Postagola to Rayer Bazar Sluice Gate and 'Najrul Sarobar' in the Dhanmondi Lake.
DSCC has initiated the establishment of an 8-lane inner circular road from Postagola Bridge to Rayer Bazar Sluice Gate. This project aims to ensure that North Bengal-bound buses from 21 districts in South Bengal and 16 districts in the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions no longer need to enter Dhaka city.
As part of the initiative, an 8-lane road will be constructed from Lohar Pool in Kamrangirchar to Rayer Bazar Sluice Gate in the 1st phase. Two four lanes in the middle of this road have been kept for expressways and two four lanes on both sides as service lanes.
DSCC is going to construct Nazrul Sarobar on the bank of Dhanmondi Lake adjacent to road number 13/A and 8/A of Dhanmondi residential area to create adequate public space in the city.

PM to inaugurate Bangabazar market on 25 May

Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) has increased the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 984 per bhori, setting the new price at Tk1,19,544.&nbsp;
This change will be effective from Monday (20 May), BAJUS announced in a press release this evening (19 May).
According to the new rates, 21-carat gold is now Tk 1,14,109 per bhori, 18-carat gold is Tk 97,803 per bhori, and traditional method gold is Tk 80,8667 per bhori.
The adjustment is due to an increase in the price of pure gold in the local market, BAJUS said.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Gold price rises to Tk1.19 lakh per bhori

Drivers of battery-run three wheelers set a police box on fire at Kalshi intersection in the city's Mirpur area on Sunday during demonstration against banning the vehicle on Dhaka streets.
Duty office of Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters, Shahjahan, said the drivers set the police box on fire around 4:15 pm.
On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot around 4:32 pm and brought the situation under control.
Mukhlesur Rahman, inspector (investigation) of Pallabi Police Station, said necessary steps were taken.
The drivers of battery-run three wheelers staged demonstration blocking roads in Dhaka&rsquo;s Mirpur, Pallabi and some other areas on Sunday morning, obstructing traffic movement in the area.
The protesters also vandalised some buses passing in the Mirpur area after 2:30 pm. A chase and counter-chase between police and protesters also took place.
Munshi Sabbir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station, said the traffic movement in the area remained halted for four hours following the demonstration, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.
Earlier on Wednesday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader instructed the authorities concerned to take steps to stop the movement of battery-run three wheelers on the roads in Dhaka city.
&nbsp;

Ban on battery-run rickshaw: Drivers set police box on fire in Mirpur

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that the government is working to develop an e-waste management system in Bangladesh.
"E-waste management rules have been formulated, and an e-waste management plant will be constructed under the BEST project," the minister told Telenor Asia Senior Vice President Manisha Dogra at the Secretariat on Sunday (19 May).
The minister stated that the government is strongly committed to implementing the sustainable agenda, with goals to reduce fuel consumption, expand the use of renewable energy, and decrease the use of single-use plastics.
He also mentioned that the government is working tirelessly to make Bangladesh a climate-resilient country. He urged Telenor to continue its efforts in building a green Bangladesh.
Climate action plan Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets will be revised soon. The draft of the Enhanced Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines will be finalized by June," said the minister.
Telenor Asia Senior Vice President Manisha Dogra said that Telenor Asia is committed to environmental sustainability and climate action in the region and is dedicated to working with the Government of Bangladesh towards a sustainable future.

Govt working to improve e-waste management: Environment Minister

Canada's Indo-Pacific Trade Representative Paul Thoppil said that his country wants to expand trade relations with Bangladesh.&nbsp;
"The Bangladesh-Canada relationship is crucial in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada aims to finalize an investment agreement with Bangladesh to attract investment companies," said Paul Thoppil during a meeting with State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu at the Secretariat on Sunday (19 May).
Indo-Pacific trade representative Paul Thoppil praised the development of Bangladesh and said that Canada is keen to invest in infrastructure projects, cyber security as well as the garment sector.&nbsp;
He said that Canola oil can be exported to Bangladesh, if the oil factory is set up here it will be easier to process the oil.
In the meeting, Ahsanul Islam Titu said that Bangladesh is transitioning to the status of a Least Developed Country (LDC) under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh is making bilateral agreements with different countries to gain market advantages in various regions.
"Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations started today. The Ministry of Commerce is working to improve relations with various countries of the world, especially ASEAN countries," said Ahsanul Islam Titu.
The first phase of Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations started on Sunday (19 May) at a hotel in the capital. The negotiations will be held on various commercial issues between the two countries and will end on Thursday (23 May).

Canada wants to expand trade relations with Bangladesh

The State Minister of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury said that the current government is working to build a better, prosperous and sustainable future for expatriate workers.
The government has always recognised the huge contribution of migrant workers, said the minister at the programme titled "The Project Launching and Stakeholder Networking Event for the Reintegration of Migrant Workers Project" at a hotel in the capital on Sunday (19 May).
"Prime Minister always says that we have taken a lot from them (migrant workers), now we have to give them something back," said the minister.
The state minister said that the government is committed to providing job-oriented training, financial assistance and counseling to the returning migrant workers.&nbsp;
He also said that the government is formulating and implementing various projects so that migrant workers can live in society properly, find jobs, and start businesses.
The Chairperson of Parliamentary Caucus of Migration and Development Tanveer Shakeel Joy, Secretary of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Ruhul Amin, Head of Cooperation of Switzerland in Bangladesh Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Country Director of ILO Tuomo Poutiainen, representatives of various international organizations, NGOs were also present at the programme.

Govt working to build sustainable future for migrant workers: State minister

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is going to bear the brunt after recent enhancement of US Dollar rate as it will have to spend an additional amount of over Tk 7,300 crore to purchase electricity from the private sector.
According to official sources, the BPDB's annual spending was roughly calculated as Tk 104,000 crore for purchasing electricity from the independent power producers (IPPs) for the fiscal year 2023-24. The total expense will now go up to about Tk 1,11,300 crore, according to officials familiar with the estimate this week.
But after the increase in the rate of USD by the central bank through the introduction of a crawling peg system, the BPDB has been a great victim of such a decision.
The Bangladesh Bank on May 8 unveiled the crawling peg exchange rate system and allowed banks to buy and sell US dollars freely near Tk117, as well as letting go of its regulatory power of the Smart rate, and hiking the repo rate.
Under this system, a crawling peg mid rate (CPMR) has been set at Tk117 per US dollar with immediate effect.
Scheduled banks may purchase and sell US dollars freely around the CPMR with their customers and in interbank deals, the notice also said.
A crawling peg system is a method of exchange rate adjustments that allows a currency with a fixed exchange rate to fluctuate within a band of rates. It is a hybrid of fixed and floating exchange rate systems.
"The payment mode of the power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the IPPS is in USD. So, we have to incur a huge financial loss when the USD rate goes up", a top official of the BPDB told UNB.
As the issue is very sensitive, preferring anonymity, he said the BPDB's loss will be enormous this year as the dollar rate went up in one go by Tk 7 to Tk 117 from the Tk 110.
He said the extra burden of paying Tk 7,300 crore will complicate the situation when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been insisting on reducing government's loss in buying electricity from the private sector.
He noted that The BPDB has to spend over Tk 12 in each unit of power generation while its average selling rate is about Tk 8.95 with incurring over Tk 3 per unit.
"The IMF has repeatedly been putting pressure on the BPDB to raise the electricity tariff to reduce the financial loss. Now, after enhancement of the USD rate, the financial loss will be tough to manage", said another official of the BPDB.
He, however, said despite the pressure from the international lending agency, the BPDB has not taken any decision to raise the tariff shortly.
"The Power Division and the BPDB have been making their own calculations about the impact of the USD rate enhancement. The final decision will come from the government if any decision is taken politically to raise the power tariff", added.
The BPDB annual report reveals that as the single buyer in the power sector, the organisation's operating expense was Tk 93,797.37 in the fiscal year 2023-24.

BPDB to bear the brunt after recent hike in US Dollar rate

The government has banned fishing in the Bay of Bengal for a total of 65 days, from tomorrow until July 23, to conserve marine fish and ensure their safe spawning.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a notification on Sunday (19 May), prohibiting the fishing of any species using fishing boats in marine waters.
The notification said that during this period, monitoring at navigation entrances will be intensified, and fishing boats will be completely prohibited from operating. To prevent the transport of marine fish, seashore ice mills will operate at a limited capacity, and fishing vessels at sea will remain anchored.
The ministry has sought cooperation from law enforcement agencies to stop illegal fishing in the sea.
The ministry also sent a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, requesting measures to broadcast special awareness programs on television and radio.
Under the direction of the Ministry, the Department of Fisheries has launched a control room and formed three divisional monitoring teams in the Barisal, Chattogram, and Khulna divisions.
The ministry announced that, as an emergency alternative source of income, a total of 311,062 families dependent on fishing for their livelihood will be provided with food aid. Each family will receive 86 kilograms of rice, distributed in two installments over 65 days, through the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme.

65-day marine fishing ban begins tomorrow

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Sunday it is possible to address the Rohingya crisis if the involvement of India and China can be strengthened.&nbsp;
"We are maintaining communication with countries having influence on Myanmar internationally. India and China are playing key roles in this regard," said the minister, expressing hope that Myanmar will start repatriation if international pressure is maintained.
Hasan made these remarks during a discussion titled "Rohingya Crisis: The Future Way Ahead," organised to mark the 45th founding anniversary of the Overseas Correspondent Association Bangladesh at the National Press Club on Sunday (May 19).
The minister said, "We can't push the Rohingyas into a situation where junta troops are fleeing intense conflicts with rebel groups."
"The country has more than six million Rohingyas who are trying to flee to developing countries like Bangladesh. Repatriation is not the solution; guaranteeing basic rights can provide a sustainable solution," Hasan said.
He also mentioned that during a meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister in Uganda, it was observed that Myanmar is keen to take back the Rohingyas to maintain good relations with the world.
"There have always been ethnic conflicts in Myanmar, but the country should come forward with a solution instead of using the crisis as an excuse," Hasan added.
Speaking at the programme, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave shelter to the displaced Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. The government is now making all-out efforts to send them back, but it needs time and patience to facilitate repatriation. Not every international effort will fail."

Growing involvement of India, China can address Rohingya crisis: Hasan

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged local businesses to make investments in the country's 100 economic zones in addition to foreign investment.
&ldquo;We are setting up 100 economic zones across the country. We are inviting investments there. But we do not want only foreign investments, but also want domestic investments &nbsp;there,&rdquo; she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the weeklong 11th National SME Product Fair to showcase locally made products from small and medium enterprises at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), jointly organised by the Industries Ministry and SME Foundation.
She said that of the total 100 economic zones the government has so far allocated lands for up to 80 economic zones.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I think that from the SME Foundation or those who are entrepreneurs can avail lands in these economic zones alone or with partnership basis to set up their industries there,&rdquo; she said.
Hasina said that along with mechanisation of agriculture the government is putting emphasis on food production, agricultural products production which will contribute to the economy, and industrialisation based on that.&nbsp;
&ldquo;If there is no industrialisation no employment will be created and we won't be able to advance further. So We have to focus on industrialisation,&rdquo; she said.
She said that huge small mechanical parts will be needed for the mechanisation of the agriculture for which the government is providing various types of facilities.
She said that if proper training are provided it will be possible to produce those mechanical parts which can also be exported to many countries.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It will create market in our own country with the increase of our purchasing capacity,&rdquo; she said.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun presided over the programme where Senior Secretary of Industries Ministry Zakia Sultana, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and Chairperson of the SME Foundation Professor &nbsp;Md Masudur Rahman also spoke.
A documentary on Industries Ministry and SME Foundation was screened at the programme.
On this occasion, the prime minister handed over the crests and certificates to 7 micro, small, medium and start-up entrepreneurs who have won the National SME Entrepreneurship Award 2023.
Swapna Rani Sen expressed her feelings from among the award recipients.
The prime minister visited different stalls of the exhibition.
&nbsp;

Make investments in country's economic zones, PM Hasina asks local businesses

A Dhaka Food Court has ordered the withdrawal of all SMC Plus electrolyte drinks from the market, deeming them harmful to human health. The court also fined Tanveer Sinha, owner of ACME Agrovet and Beverages Ltd, Tk 16 lakh.
Pure Food Court Judge Alaul Akbar delivered the order on Sunday (19 May).&nbsp;
ACME Agrovet and Beverages Ltd produces SMC Plus orange and lemon-flavored electrolyte drinks.
Earlier, on 14 May, Food Inspector Qamrul Hossain of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority filed a case against the owners of five electrolyte drink companies, including SMC Plus, Active, Bruvana, Recharge, and Turbo, for selling products without acquiring approval.
Following the case, the court summoned the accused to appear.&nbsp;
Tanveer Sinha appeared in court this morning, pleaded guilty, and sought bail. The court fined Tanveer Tk 16 lakh and ordered the withdrawal of all SMC Plus electrolyte drinks from the market, confirmed Food Inspector Kamrul Hasan.

Court orders withdrawal of SMC Plus electrolyte drinks from market

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Saturday he had requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reconsider the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) decision to impose a 15% VAT on metro rail services.
"Imposing a 15% VAT on metro rail services is a wrong decision. Our neighboring country has not imposed any VAT on metro rail services," Quader said at a branding seminar for Dhaka Metro Rail held at a city hotel.
Addressing the issue of rundown buses in the capital, Quader said, "This is shameful. Don't our bus owners see it?"
He said, "Dhaka's status as one of the most unliveable cities in the world is inconsistent with the country's significant progress over the past fifteen years."
Quader urged the city mayors to take immediate action to address these issues.

Quader requests PM to reconsider decision imposing 15% VAT on metro rail

Though the situation in the Kyrgyzstan capital is &ldquo;under control,&rdquo; as per the local authorities, panicked Bangladeshi students want to return home for a few weeks.
They want to attend regular classes online for the time being.
&ldquo;The situation is under control. We are trying to return to Bangladesh, but we do not have a flight schedule. All Bangladeshi students are trying to return home for the time being,&rdquo; Bangladeshi medical student Samia Kabir told UNB.
She said the university authorities told them that their classes would be conducted online.
Regarding their exams, Samia said that the university authorities will issue a notice soon.
She also said students from other countries are also leaving Kyrgyzstan.
&ldquo;Even though the situation is under control, we still don&rsquo;t feel safe here. It would be better if chartered flights can be arranged soon,&rdquo; Samia said.
Speaking on the subject, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters today, &ldquo;We have conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan. Our students also came under attack, but no one was severely injured.&rdquo;
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic, has said the situation in Kyrgyzstan is under control, as per information released by the relevant state authorities.
However, Bangladeshi students have been advised to stay indoor for the moment and get in touch with the embassy for any issue in this regard at the following 24x7 emergency number: +998930009780.
Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan is in communication with Bangladeshi students in Kyrgyzstan, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Saturday night.
The embassy is also in touch with Kyrgyzstan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.
&ldquo;Till now, we have information that Bangladeshis are unhurt,&rdquo; a Bangladeshi diplomat stationed in Uzbekistan told UNB.

Panicked Bangladeshi students want to return home following mob attack in Kyrgyzstan

The Government of Bangladesh has expressed deep concerns over the mob violence on the night of 17 May in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.
&ldquo;We have conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan. Our students also came under attack but no one was severely injured,&rdquo; Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters today.
He said they are closely monitoring the situation through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Embassy is in constant communication with Bangladeshi students who are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan, as well as with Kyrgyz government officials.
There are no reports of any serious injury or casualty among Bangladeshi students so far.
The Embassy has already shared an emergency contact number on its official Facebook page.
Through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, the government is coordinating with the relevant authorities of Kyrgyzstan, including the ministries of foreign affairs and internal affairs, to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshi students.
&ldquo;We are closely and constantly monitoring the developments. We have asked our Ambassador stationed in Tashkent to visit Bishkek soon to inquire about the well-being of Bangladeshi students,&rdquo; said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan, no Bangladeshi student severely injured: Foreign minister

Three members of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) were killed during a gunfight with the army-led joint force in Ruma upazila, Bandarban, on Sunday (May 19).
Acting on a tip-off, the joint force raided a KNF hideout in the Ranin area of the upazila that left three members of the group dead, said Bandarban&rsquo;s Additional Superintendent of Police Raihan Kazemi.
Following the gunfight, the army recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and radio devices from the scene.
The joint force also conducted a search operation in the area, and the patrolling of security forces has been intensified, Kazemi added.
On April 2 and 3, the joint force launched combing operations in Ruma and Thanchi in Bandarban, suspecting the involvement of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in cases of bank robbery, mosque attacks, and the looting of money and weapons.

3 KNF members killed in gunfight with army in Bandarban

A clash erupted this afternoon between battery-run rickshaw drivers and police, who were supported by local ruling party members, as the authorities attempted to clear the Mirpur-10 intersection.
The protest, which started earlier in the day, saw the drivers blocking the busy roundabout to oppose ongoing drives against their vehicles. The confrontation escalated, but by 3:00 pm, the protesters were dispersed, and vehicular movement resumed after a five-hour blockade.
A group of ruling party members arrived around 2:30 pm and requested the rickshaw drivers to vacate the area. When the drivers refused, the party members chased them with sticks. The police, who had been managing the situation for several hours, joined in and used batons to drive the protesters away.
The drivers retaliated by throwing bricks, resulting in injuries on both sides. Several vehicles were also vandalised during the clash.
As of 3:30 pm, the protesting drivers had taken positions in different lanes.
Jasim Uddin Mollah, Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur Division Police, said they had waited a long time for the protesters to leave peacefully, but when the drivers refused, they were forced to disperse them.
Witnesses reported that commuters suffered significant inconvenience as battery-run rickshaw and easy bike drivers blocked various roads in Mirpur, Dhaka, since the morning.
The drivers later gathered and blocked the Mirpur-10 intersection, leading to the day's events.

Battery-run rickshaw drivers dispersed after clash with police

The number of candidates with assets worth over Tk1 crore has tripled to 116 in the second phase of the sixth upazila parishad elections, according to the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).&nbsp;
"Chairman candidates seeking re-election have seen an asset increase of 11,000% over the last five years, with movable assets rising by 11,500% and dependents' assets, including those of wives and others, climbing by 12,400%," stated the anti-graft ogranisation, reviewing the affidavits submitted by candidates for the elections scheduled on May 23.
TIB shared these findings during a press conference at the Midas Convention Centre in Dhaka on Sunday.
It also revealed that 13.13% of the candidates are accused in various cases.
TIB says 1811 candidates are contesting in 157 upazilas across the country in the second phase. Among them, 599 candidates for the chairman position, 689 for vice-chairman, and 533 for women vice-chairman positions.
Notably, Asaduzzman, a chairman candidate from Purbadhala in Netrokona, has the highest amount of loan of Tk310.98 crore, followed by Mohammad Akturazzaman, a chairman candidate from Cumilla Sadar South, with a loan of Tk99.15 crore, and Sohag Miah, a vice-chairman candidate from Necharabad, Pirojpur, with a loan of Tk35.87 crore.

Number of candidates with assets over Tk1cr triples in 2nd-phase upazila polls: TIB

The 7.5km long metro rail route from Uttara North to Tongi Railway Station will have a total of 5 stations along the way, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director MAN Siddique said.
"Once the work on this route from Uttara North to Tongi railway station is completed, the metro rail will be able to carry an additional 5 lakh passengers. There will be 5 new stations on this route," he said while speaking at a branding seminar for the Dhaka metro rail on Sunday (19 May).
"MRT Line-6 of Metrorail has gained popularity as the capital's fastest public transport. At present, passengers are travelling on this route from Uttara to Motijheel for work," he added.
The route is currently being extended from Motijheel to Kamalapur railway station.
DMTCL has started the process of extending the project from Uttara Uttara Station to Tongi Railway Station.

Uttara-Tongi route will have 5 metro rail stations: DMTCL MD

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government is working to try to tame the persistent inflation in the country.
"The instability in the world has affected the economy of Bangladesh. We have to face the challenges arising from these situations. The government is trying to keep inflation under control," she said at the opening ceremony of the National SME Product Fair-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Sunday (19 May).
"Importance should be given to increasing domestic production to tackle the effects of the global economic crisis on Bangladesh," she added.
The premier said the Awami League government started working to develop the youth of the country as entrepreneurs after coming to power.
"Along with production, market creation of the products is also important," she said.
The fair will continue till 25 May under the aegis of the SME Foundation as it will be open for visitors from 10am to 9pm daily.
More than 300 entrepreneurs are taking part in the fair as almost 60% of participants are women entrepreneurs.
After the inauguration, PM Hasina handed over the National SME Award-2023 to seven small, medium and start-up entrepreneurs including crest and accreditation certificates.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Senior Secretary Zakia Sultana, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam and SME Foundation Chairman Dr Md Masudur Rahman spoke at the function.

Govt trying to control inflation: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today opened the seven-day 11th National Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair in the city.
She inaugurated the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at Agargaon this morning.
The fair will continue till 25 May under the aegis of the SME Foundation as it will be open for visitors from 10am to 9pm daily.
More than 300 entrepreneurs are taking part in the fair as almost 60% of participants are women entrepreneurs.
The SME fair will showcase 100% local products. More than three hundred and fifty companies will participate in this year's fair.
At the same function, the prime minister handed over the National SME Award-2023 to seven small, medium and start-up entrepreneurs including crest and accreditation certificates.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, its Senior Secretary Zakia Sultana, President of FBCCI Mahbubul Alam and SME Foundation Chairman Dr Md Masudur Rahman spoke at the function.
Of the award recipients, Swapna Rani Sen expressed her feelings on winning the National SME Award -2023.
This year's fair will see the largest number of 75 participants from the garment sector. Besides, 42 participants will showcase jute products, 38 to present handicrafts, 32 to display leather products and 27 to showcase processed agricultural products.
Moreover, 23 will display light engineering products, 14 to present food products, 13 to display IT-based services as 12 SME cluster entrepreneurs will take part in the fair from different parts of the country, 5 participants will showcase herbal industry products and 5 more will display jewellery products.
Four stalls will display plastic products, 3 to showcase electrical and electronics items, 3 to present furniture items and 19 others will display various government organisations products.
Besides, 30 banks, 15 public-private organisations, business clubs of 5 universities and about 50 other organisations will provide services to participants in the fair.
SME Business Incubation Centers in Dhaka and Chattogram under the supervision of SME Foundation will display their activities.

PM Hasina opens SME Fair

Desk Report

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts rain across the country until Tuesday. 
Thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty winds are expected today in many areas, including the Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, and in a few places over the Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions.
Meanwhile, a mild heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Noakhali, Cox&rsquo;s Bazar, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Satkhira, Patuakhali, and Bhola.
However, temperatures are likely to drop in the next two days, coinciding with the expected rainfall on Monday and Tuesday.
Looking ahead, the meteorological office has indicated the potential formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal from Wednesday, which could influence weather patterns in the subsequent days.

Rain likely until Tuesday: Met office

Dhaka has ranked second on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 183 at 9am this morning (19 May).
Dhaka&rsquo;s air this morning was classified as 'unhealthy', though yesterday&lsquo;s air quality was &lsquo;moderate&rsquo; with an AQI score of 99, according to the air quality index.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered &lsquo;moderate&rsquo;, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered &lsquo;unhealthy for sensitive groups&rsquo;, between 150 and 200 is &lsquo;unhealthy&rsquo;, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
India&rsquo;s Delhi, Pakistan&rsquo;s Lahore and China&rsquo;s Wuhan occupied the first, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 370, 177 and 167, respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka’s air quality 2nd worst in the world this morning

Special Correspondent

Bangladeshi Mountaineer Babar Ali has become the fifth person in the country to conquer the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest.&nbsp;
He reached the summit around 8:45am on Sunday (19 May), said the&nbsp;chief coordinator of the expedition, Farhan Zaman.
"Expedition to Mount Everest is undoubtedly a difficult task. After completing it today, Babar will embark on a journey to climb the 27,940-foot Mount Lhotse. Although Everest has been conquered before by Bangladeshis, no attempt has been made to climb Everest and Lhotse in the same expedition before. That is the challenge taken by Babar, who has prepared himself for expeditions to various peaks of the Himalayas for the past several years," he added.
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"The total cost of this campaign is Tk45 lakhs. In which Visual Knitwear Limited is the main sponsor. Besides, co-sponsors were Everest Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dhaka Divers Club, Beacon Pharmaceuticals Limited, Blue J, Chandrabindu Prakashani, Giri, and Vertical Dreamers," Farhan Zaman said.
Also, various social and sports organisations from the country and abroad and countless well-wishers have participated in mass fund collection for the campaign.
Babar's Everest adventure began on 1 April, he reached Everest base camp 10 days later, said a press release issued by his organisation, Vertical Dreamers.
On 26 April, he started from the base camp and went up to Everest Camp-II and returned in order to acclimatise to the conditions.
After that, it had been a long wait for the right weather to summit.&nbsp;The journey to the final goal began on 14 May.
Babar Ali reached Camp-II on 14 May, Camp -II on 18 May, and Camp-IV early on 19 May.
Born in Budishwachar of Hathazari Upazila of Chrattogram, Babar Ali is a doctor by profession.
He started his medical career after passing MBBS from Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
<img src="https://images.bangladeshfirst.com/resize?width=1600&amp;height=900&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=85&amp;path=mediaImages/2024-May-19_664985b2155e0_1716094386.jpg" alt="" width="1156" height="867">
Babar eventually quit medical practice to pursue his passion.
Previously four Bangladeshis -&nbsp;Musa Ibrahim in 2010, MA Muhit in 2011, Nishat Majumdar in 2012, and Wasfia Nazreen in 2012 successfully summited Mount Everest.
Mohammed Khaled Hossain summited Mount Everest in 2013 but died on his way down.

Babar Ali becomes 5th Bangladeshi to conquer Mount Everest

UNB/AKM Moinuddin

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is scheduled to pay an official visit to Bangladesh on May 21-22 to strengthen their bilateral relationship with Bangladesh and find ways to boost cooperation for regional peace, prosperity and security.
Issues related to the promotion of trade and investment, sustainable and renewable energy production, Rohingya crisis, maritime security, technology transfer and free and open Indo-Pacific region are likely to be discussed during her visit, officials said here on Sunday.
Penny Wong is likely to have a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from holding a bilateral meeting with her Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmud, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
A small delegation including Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group and Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan will accompany the Australian foreign minister, he said.
The Australian minister is likely to visit the Rohingya camp during her visit to see the situation there.
Bangladesh seeks Australia&rsquo;s support in keeping the Rohingya issue alive globally with a view to the ultimate repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals sheltered in Bangladesh.
Australia has a commitment to continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas and support Bangladesh in their repatriation effort.
Wong was born in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Her family moved to Australia in 1976, when she was eight years old, and settled in Adelaide.
The forthcoming visit by the Australian foreign minister demonstrates the country's growing interest in Bangladesh, an Australian diplomat told UNB.
Earlier this month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he looks forward to working with PM Hasina to strengthen the bilateral relationship and together contribute to regional peace, prosperity and security.
&ldquo;As Indian Ocean nations, we share an interest in a region that is grounded in sovereignty, promotes the prosperity and security of our citizens, and addresses the threat of climate change," he said in a letter written to PM Hasina congratulating on her reelection in January.
The Australian PM highlighted the importance of their partnership in promoting "peace, prosperity and security" in the Indian Ocean.
He affirmed his support for growing bilateral and regional cooperation between Australia and Bangladesh.
&ldquo;We have many common interests in increasing our trade and investment, promoting human rights, cooperating on people smuggling and addressing the Rohingya issue,&rdquo; Albanese wrote.
Bangladesh and Australia have already signed a framework agreement to open newer trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
The Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA), the first of this kind between Australia and Bangladesh in the last five decades, is expected to provide a platform for institutionalised economic interactions and open newer opportunities for trade and investment.
In May last year, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts visited Bangladesh.
During the visit he said Bangladesh and Australia work closely together to promote their shared interests in regional peace and security, and have a growing trade and investment relationship.
Welcoming Bangladesh&rsquo;s Indo-Pacific Outlook, he said Australia seeks a region where &ldquo;no country dominates, and no countries are dominated,&rdquo; and the country thinks building a region like that requires efforts by all countries in the region.
&ldquo;We welcome the Bangladesh government&rsquo;s Indo-Pacific Outlook in that context. I particularly welcome the point in the Indo-Pacific Outlook that argues for an inclusive region,&rdquo; Watts said while responding to a question from UNB in a group session at that time.
Australia recently sent a defence advisor to its High Commission in Dhaka, and, reciprocally, they welcomed a defence advisor from Bangladesh in Australia.
From Australia's perspective, the defence adviser is a symbol of their "intention and willingness" to cooperate on defence matters.
The two countries are scheduled to hold the 5th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Australia next month, said an official.
The 4th FOC was held in Dhaka in March last year.
The two-way trade now stands at around $4 billion, reflecting Bangladesh&rsquo;s significant economic growth and its highly complementary commercial strengths. &nbsp;

Business, Rohingya issue and regional security likely to get priority during Australian foreign minister's Dhaka visit

Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani students have reportedly come under attack by violent mobs in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek.
Pakistan's mission in Bishkek said a few hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, where students from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan reside, have been attacked amid the violence, which broke out on Friday night.
The Kyrgyz government said four foreign citizens have been arrested following mob violence in Bishkek on the night of May 17-18 that injured at least 28 people, including several foreigners, and appeared to be directed against foreign students and migrants.
The violence prompted diplomatic reactions from Pakistan and India, who have warned their students in Bishkek to remain indoors.
The violence broke out after a video purportedly showing Kyrgyz students fighting medical students from Egypt on May 13 was widely shared online, according to Radio Free Europe.
Mobs gathered in several spots in Bishkek on Friday night after users on social media claimed those who were beaten were Kyrgyz youths.
On Saturday, a number of Bangladeshi students reached out to UNB seeking help for their safety.
&ldquo;We are here, five Bangladeshi girls. We are inside our apartment right now. Some people are gathering in front of our apartment. Please help us," Samia Kabir, one of the Bangladeshi students at International School of Medicine, Kyrgyzstan, told UNB on Saturday evening.
"We have been asked by the authorities to stay inside. We hear some noises from other apartments nearby&hellip;some Pakistanis are likely to be there," Samia added.
"Our mission in Uzbekistan is looking into the matter. So far, we have not received any reports of injuries of any Bangladeshis. We are in touch with our Mission. We will share a complete report soon," a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka told UNB.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic in a statement said that at present the situation in Bishkek is "absolutely calm and fully under control".
"All necessary measures have been taken to ensure security and maintain peace and stability," it said.
It also asked representatives of the media, the blogging community and foreign colleagues to be guided only by official and verified information from the competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic.
One of the students, named Mustafa, who is living a bit far from the main city, told UNB that the number of Bangladeshi students is now over 1000 in Kyrgyzstan. &nbsp; He said they are relatively safer where he is than those who are living in Bishkek.
In some cases, students from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan live in the same hostels, putting them at risk together.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the situation was "calm" in Bishkek and advised students to stay in regular touch with the Indian Embassy.
"The situation is presently calm, but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment," the Indian Consulate tweeted.
Videos of the clashes have flooded social media since Friday night.
Kyrgyzstan has long been a favoured destination for students from South Asian nations for top-notch medical training. As per the Migration Data Portal, Kyrgyzstan hosted the highest number of international students (61,418) in 2021 among the five Central Asian countries.
There are multiple reasons why students flock to Kyrgyzstan, which has the best healthcare, education, and transportation facilities among Central Asian nations.
Cheap cost of living, wide availability of Subcontinental cuisine, a good student-teacher ratio, and no entrance fees are some of the facilities that attract MBBS students.

South Asian students, including Bangladeshis, endure night of horrors in Kyrgyz capital

There is no restriction on journalists entering Bangladesh Bank to get information, its Deputy Government Khurshid Alam said on Saturday.
"If you need information, you can go to the bank a hundred times," he said.
He came up with the remarks on the occasion of "Customer Awareness Week-2024" in Rangpur, held at the conference room of Panchagarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday afternoon.
"Each institution has a spokesperson. We have three. Go and talk to them for any kind of information."
"If you're not satisfied with the information, you can talk to the four deputy governors. We will give you the answer," he added.
Regarding free access, Khurshid Alam posed a question: "What is free access?"
Would any private company give anything freely to another company? &nbsp;There is no country in the world that allows so much access to legally recalled products.
"If you want to go alone, you can and the assigned officials will provide you with information, which is allowed under The Secrecy Act. However, it is not permitted if you want to get information about the secrecy of the state."
He urged journalists not to be misguided with any kind of propaganda.
Acknowledging the challenges of the emerging economy, he said we are moving forward with long strides.
Addressing the bankers, the deputy governor said that we have to advance the country with the economy. The finance sector is the lifeblood of the economy. You have to collect taxes from the customers, and at the same time, you have to keep an eye on them so that they are not harassed or dissatisfied.
"Bangladesh has now become a role model for many countries. The country is moving forward. There is no time to look back," he added.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Directors Nurul Amin and Ruhul Amin, Bangladesh Bank Financial Integrity and Customer Services Department Directors Liza Fahmida and Shayema Islam, Bank Asia Managing Director Shafiuzzaman also spoke on the occasion.

Journalists can frequent central bank for info, says deputy governor

Bangladeshi students in Kyrgyz Republic have been advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Bangladesh embassy in Uzbekistan.
The Bangladesh Uzbekistan embassy, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic, suggested the Bangladeshi students to contact at the following 24x7 emergency number +998930009780 for any issue, said a foreign ministry press release Sarturday. &nbsp; "The Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan is in communication with Bangladeshi students, currently studying in Kyrgyz Republic, regarding the recent incident of mob violence in Bishkek," said the release. &nbsp; The mission said that the situation in Kyrgyzstan is under control of the law enforcing agencies as per information released by the relevant state authorities.
The Embassy is also in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic on this matter, said the release.

Bangladeshi students in Kyrgyz advised to stay indoor

Bangladesh Bank lost its ability, to make independent decisions for the banking sector, and it&rsquo;s now operating to implement decisions of outsiders, which is unable to resolve the crisis in the banking sector, said&nbsp;eminent economist Fahmida Khatun.
The executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) made these remarks on Saturday (18 May) while speaking as the chief guest at the shadow parliament debate competition organised by the Debate for Democracy at the FDC Auditorium, in the capital.
&ldquo;The culture of transparency and accountability is being lost in various regulatory bodies, including the central bank. As a result, the institutions are not able to fulfill the responsibilities, that the state assigned to them," said Dr Fahmida.
Currently, the anarchy in the banking sector has reached such a level that the decision to merge banks has to be taken on the advice of the IMF, she pointed out.
However, due to a lack of prior preparation, integration has been challenged. Forced bank mergers may not be sustainable. The banking sector has lost its ability to support the overall economy due to a lack of good governance, said Dr Fahmida.
She said that people have lost confidence in the banking sector. The central bank even cannot provide any guarantee to keep the deposits in the bank safe
As a result, there has been concern among depositors. Those responsible for the haemorrhaging of the banking sector remain untouchable. People are not able to know the correct information about defaulted loans in the banking sector from the BB, Dr. Fahmida opined.
Referring to the Bangladesh Bank's recent decision to restrict the entry of journalists, Chairman of Debate for Democracy Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran said the central bank owes them (journalists) an explanation.
&ldquo;Journalists have played a major role in publishing news of major irregularities in the country's financial sector, it is not a crime, but their professional responsibility to highlight any irregularities [of the banking sector] in the media, including the heist in the BB's reserves,&rdquo; the state minister said.

BB lost ability to make independent decisions for country’s economy: Dr Fahmida Khatun

Rail stations will be built in every district of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to realise Bangabandhu's dream, Railway Minister Zillul Hakim said on Saturday.
All stations and lines will be renovated to facilitate connectivity in the public interest, he said.
He said this while visiting the site office of the broad gauge railway construction project from Madhukhali via Kamarkhali to Magura this afternoon and inspecting the progress of the project.
Later, the minister visited the under-construction railway bridge on Madhumati River, broad gauge railway and Magura's Ramnagar Thakurbari railway station areas.
Lawmaker Dr Biren Shikder, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Dr. Md Humayun Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abu Naser Baig, Superintendent of Police Mashiudullah Reza, Magura District Council Chairman and District Awami League General Secretary Pankaj Kumar Kundu, were also present.

Every district to get rail station, Minister Zillul Hakim says

Silmoon Pipe and Fittings have entered the market with a commitment to serving customers with high-quality plastic products.
The product was officially launched at an event held at the Gulshan Club in the capital, inaugurated by Silmoon&rsquo;s Chairman, Abdus Samad Labu, who is also the vice chairman of S Alam Group and Ekushey TV.
The event was organised under the slogan &ldquo;Tension-Free Life with the Right Pipe,&rdquo; and Silmoon&rsquo;s Managing Director assured the audience of the product&rsquo;s quality and affordability.&nbsp;
At the event, Abdus Samad Labu emphasised that Silmoon Pipe and Fittings will play a significant role in the plastic industry by maintaining high-quality standards.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The use of plastic products is increasing in the country, especially in the construction sector. With the customer in mind, Silmoon Pipe and Fittings have been introduced to the market,&rdquo; he said.
Additionally, a 26% discount was announced in celebration of the launch.
The launch event was attended by Silmoon&rsquo;s dealers, sales staff, and senior officials.

Silmoon Pipes and Fittings enters market with commitment to quality

The Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) has increased the price of 22-carat gold by Tk1,178 per bhori, setting the new price at Tk1,18,460.&nbsp;
This change will be effective from Sunday, BAJUS announced in a press release this evening (18 May).
According to the new rates, 21-carat gold is now Tk1,13,082 per bhori, 18-carat gold is Tk96,916 per bhori, and traditional method gold is Tk80,131 per bhori.
The adjustment is due to an increase in the price of pure gold in the local market, BAJUS said.
Earlier on 11 May, the price of 22-carat gold was Tk1,17,282 per bhori. The prices for 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional method gold were Tk1,11,951, Tk95,960, and Tk79,339 per bhori, respectively.
This year, gold prices have been adjusted 23 times, with 12 increases and 11 decreases.&nbsp;
In 2023, prices were adjusted 29 times.

Gold prices hike again, 22-carat now Tk1,18,460 per bhori

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun today said by following the 'zero-tolerance' policy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, militancy and terrorism have been brought under control in the country.
IGP said this while talking to reporters after inaugurating the Liberation War-themed terracotta 'Mrityunjai' at Moulvibazar District Police Lines and 'Bangabandhu Corner' at the District Superintendent of Police today, said a press release here.
He said there was a rise of militancy and terrorism in the country. Today, with the cooperation of all, Bangladesh Police has been able to maintain law and order in the country.
"In response to Bangabandhu's clarion call, on the night of March 25, 1971, the Bengali policemen at the Rajarbagh Police Lines mounted the first armed resistance against the Pakistani invaders forces with the only weapon 'Three Not Three' Rifles, he said.
The police chief said motivated by patriotism, every member of the Bangladesh Police is committed to ensuring safety of the people by keeping the spirit of the great liberation war alive.
DIG of Sylhet Range Sha Migan Shafiur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan police Commissioner Md. Zakir Hossain Khan, Superintendent of police of Moulvibazar district Md. Manjur Rahman and other officials were present in the function.

Militancy, terrorism now under control: IGP

Two cousins were killed and four others injured by lightning strike at Noabari village in Birbashinda union under Kalihati upazila of the district today.
The deceased were identified as Afzal Hossain, 52, and his cousin Amir Hossain, 50. They are residents of Chakdafarpur village of Pirganj upazila of Dinajpur district.
According to the locals, six workers, including Afzal and Amir, were harvesting paddy in the field of Hazrat Ali in the area early on Saturday morning. When it started to rain around 9:30am, lightning struck Afzal and Amir as they were running home from the paddy field. They died on the spot and four others were injured, sub-inspector (SI) of Kalihati Police Station Rajib said.
The injured were taken to Kalihati Upazila Health Complex, he added.
Md Sohrab Ali, union parishad Chairman of Birbashinda Union, said Afzal and Amir had rented a room at Awliabad Bazar and had been harvesting paddy in many nearby areas for the past week.

2 cousins killed in Tangail lightning strike

Jute and Textile Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak today said the government is working tirelessly to return previous glory of golden fibre (jute).
Terming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as labourer friendly and she is working for their welbeing, the minister said while addressing a press breifing after visiting a number of Jute and Textile Mills here.
The minister said that the Prime Minister have already paid all the dues of the labourers amid closed jute mills in the region.
Nanak, who is also a presidium member of Bangladesh Awami League, said that the leasee jute mills would not be able to showcase the expected result. The ministry can take new decision as the leasee of the mills can&rsquo;t fulfill lease conditions, Nanank added.
He, however, said the main condition of lease was to produce adequate jute goods &nbsp;and to create job opportunity of previous skilled labourers.
Besides, the government is considering to build economic zone of the lands of closed jute mills, he added.
Earlier, the Textile and Jute Minister visited Daulatpur Jute Mill, Platinum Jubilee Jute Mill, Crescent Jute Mill, Khalishpur Jute Mill under the BJMC and Khulna Textile Mill under the BTMC of the Ministry.
Mayor of Khulna City Corporation(KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Parliament member of Khulna-3 constituency S M Kamal Hossain, Chairman of BJMC Faruk Ahmed, Chairman of BTMC Brig Gen Zia, among others, were present.
The Textile and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak later exchenged views with the members of Bangladesh Jute Association(BJA) at a hotel here as chief guest.
He urged the BJA members to work unitedly to reduce dependency of jute yield import.
Terming the farmers are growing 1,500 metric tonnes of jute yield across the country in a year and the remained 4,500 metric tonnes jute yeild has been collected from India as 5,000 jute yeild is needed in the country, he said, adding that we should inspire our fermers to produce huge jute yield in the country.
Chaired by the Chairman of BJMC Farhad Ahmed Akand, KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque and Parliament Member S M Kamal Hossain addressed the meeting as special guests.

Govt is working to return glorious days of golden fibre: Nanak

Embracing the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) compliance framework is essential for businesses in Bangladesh to align their values and strategies with sustainability objectives, foster economic growth, and remain competitive beyond LDC graduation, said DCCI President Ashraf Ahmed.
He highlighted these points during a roundtable discussion titled &ldquo;Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of ESG Compliance in Bangladesh,&rdquo; organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry (DCCI) on Saturday (May 18).
Ashraf Ahmed emphasised that as Bangladesh becomes more interconnected with the global economy and its international trade continues to grow, ESG compliance is becoming mandatory for businesses. Investors consider ESG factors when assessing a business's potential as they indicate resilience and long-term financial health.
He pointed out the increasing trend of ESG reporting in Bangladesh. Various organizations across different industries have started reporting on their ESG performance, and government bodies have also initiated efforts to promote and encourage ESG reporting. Recognizing the importance of ESG compliance, he recommended developing effective ESG compliance strategies aligned with the global value chain and integrating ESG considerations into decision-making processes and organizational culture.
He underscored the need to educate stakeholders, including employees, management, investors, regulators, and the public, about the importance of ESG compliance and its reporting. Furthermore, ESG compliance should be embedded in other policies such as industrial policy and SME policy, he added.
Md Munim Hassan, Director General, Department of Patent, Design &amp; Trademarks, Ministry of Industries, emphasized that compliance is mandatory in every sector and enhances business credibility. He stressed personal responsibility for environmental and social compliance and noted significant progress in Bangladesh's GI (Geographical Indication) certifications.
Md Anwarul Alam, Director General (Additional Secretary), Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), Ministry of Industries, stated that the BAB is directly linked with ESG, ensuring the quality of goods and services with worldwide acceptance of BAB&rsquo;s certification. He encouraged lab owners to seek accreditation from BAB and highlighted the interconnection between ESG and the vision of Smart Bangladesh.
Keynote speaker Zaku Uz Zaman, Country Representative for UNIDO, Bangladesh, explained that the term "ESG" emerged in the early 2000s, with roots in the 1990s. ESG evaluates a firm's engagement with environmental, social, and governance factors, and investors are increasingly focused on a company's societal impact. He noted the lack of a defined format for ESG reporting, which challenges management in understanding reporting requirements. Compliance with ESG reporting can help Bangladeshi companies remain competitive post-LDC graduation.
Other speakers, including Dr. M Niaz Asadullah, Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Reading, UK; Mohammad Bin Quasem, Director of Echotex Ltd.; Yeasmin Akther, Business Manager at Knowledge, Health and Nutrition, SGS Bangladesh Limited; M. Abu Horairah, former Vice President of DCCI; Enamul Haque Patwary, former Director of DCCI; and Rashid Shah Shamrat, former Director of DCCI, also contributed to the discussion. They stressed the need for an ESG policy, creating awareness, and having a monitoring and reporting system. They suggested educating people about ESG, emphasizing environmental safety, and advocating for massive afforestation across the country. The speakers called for concerted efforts and the implementation of rules and regulations to enforce ESG in Bangladesh.

ESG compliance reporting standard essential to boost trade: DCCI president

Bangladeshi civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised concerns about the country's increasing debt and its implications for sustainability following Bangladesh's transition to a middle-income country.&nbsp;
They demanded a people-centric budget at an event held today (18 May) led by EquityBD.
&ldquo;The total FY 2024-25 budget will be Tk8.05 trillion including a debt of Tk2.75 trillion. The per capita debt is now US $580. The repayment of this unprecedented amount of debt will cause reductions in the lifeline of people,&rdquo; said Omour Faruk Bhuiya of BDCSO Process.
Ferdous Ara Rumee from the International Rural Women&rsquo;s Day Observation Committee stated, &ldquo;91% of people are involved in the informal sector employment where 95% are women. We must evaluate women's progress through the yearly gender-budget reporting system.&rdquo;
Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Foundation criticized the budget allocation for roads and highways, saying, &ldquo;The total budget for roads and highways is 875 billion Taka while there is no allocation for safety in the road. The number of deaths in road accidents in 2023 is 8,505.&rdquo;
Mir Mohammad Ali of Shere Bangla Agricultural University highlighted the challenges facing fisherfolk, explaining, &ldquo;Fisheries and aquaculture employed nearly 1.4 million people but the budget hardly considers how the poor fisherfolk survive during three to four fishing ban periods across the year.&rdquo;
Pradip K Roy of the Online Knowledge Society stressed the need for investment in skilled human resources, stating, &ldquo;The government must allocate enough budget for skilled human resources if we want to take advantage of the demographic dividend by 2040.&rdquo;
Abul Hasan of EquityBD pointed out, &ldquo;Internal climate-induced migration is one of the biggest challenges for Bangladesh. Even after five years of migration strategy paper is developed, not enough investment is declared on it.&rdquo;
Hasan Mehedi of CLEAN emphasized, &ldquo;The government&rsquo;s 8th FYP planned to achieve at least 10% renewable energy by 2025, now only 3%. The allocation for power in the upcoming budget is 450 billion Taka hardly has the allocation to achieve the target.&rdquo;
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, the Chief Moderator of EquityBD, concluded, &ldquo;The entire budget process in Bangladesh is undemocratic. Even the participation of the parliament members in the budget process is questionable.&rdquo;
The event, moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Foundation, featured speakers from various organizations, including Bangladesh Krishok Federation, CLEAN, CSRL, NDF, Online Knowledge Society, Sundarban Bachao Andolon, Young Change Makers, and Water Keepers Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi CSOs demand people-centric budget for 2024-25

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday stated that the defeated evil forces of foreign masters continue to make relentless efforts to tarnish the country's achievements even after 53 years of independence. He delivered this speech at the eighth council of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
&ldquo;After winning the bloody nine-month war under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, we forgot the torture, exploitation, and deprivation of the past. However, the anti-independence forces could not forget the despair of their defeat,&rdquo; he said.
He also mentioned that these evil forces are engaged in various conspiracies against the country and its freedom, collaborating with foreign powers in efforts to destabilize the spirit of the Liberation War.
Referring to the assassination of Bangabandhu along with his family on August 15, 1975, as part of a domestic-foreign conspiracy by the defeated forces of the Liberation War, he said, &ldquo;We could not save the Father of the Nation. It is our unforgivable failure as a nation.&rdquo;
President Shahabuddin said the anti-independence faction embarked on a series of conspiracies to destroy the spirit of the Liberation War and independence, attempting to erase the principles and ideals of Bangabandhu after coming to power. They took shameful steps to distort the history of the Liberation War and independence.
&ldquo;Whenever they get a chance, they want to strike like a poisonous snake. They do not believe in the country&rsquo;s development, democracy, human rights, or tolerance,&rdquo; he said.
He added that these forces want to use the country and its people for their own benefit and that of their local and foreign masters.
The President urged everyone to build an all-out resistance against the defeated forces of 1971 to continue the current development spree and maintain the country's independence and sovereignty.
&ldquo;There is no alternative to strong unity among all pro-liberation forces,&rdquo; he said, adding that everyone must work for the interests of the country and its people, putting aside individual and group interests.
He said those who spread negative propaganda about Bangladesh mainly aim to hinder its development journey.
Stressing the need to strengthen social bonds between religious and ethnic communities, he said any form of discrimination against citizens is against the rule of law.
&ldquo;It must be remembered that awareness, humanity, human rights, and respect for the beliefs and lifestyles of others strengthen social bonds among different groups in society,&rdquo; he added.
He urged the government as well as civil society to play an effective role in ensuring that no one is discriminated against regardless of religion, caste, or community.

Defeated evil force still active to tarnish country’s achievements: President

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has issued a clarification over recent reports regarding restrictions on journalists' entry to the central bank.
In a circular issued on Wednesday, the central bank stated that it considers disseminating information to the public a top priority.
In the clarification, it said the central bank appointed an executive director-level official as its spokesperson while two director-level officers were assigned as assistant spokespersons to provide information to the media.
It said any journalist could get information and take BB statements at the main building of the central bank during official hours through communication with the assigned officials.
In case of any special requirement, the journalists could get any information and explanation after collecting entry passes from the official concerned, it said.
At the same time, it said, the central bank kept on disseminating information through holding press conferences, issuing press releases and other ways on a regular basis.
Simultaneously, the BB had been regularly publishing all the economic information and data on its website to ensure free access to information, the BB statement said.

BB clarifies on journalists' access to central bank

Four people, including a woman and her son, were killed in separate incidents of lightning in Narsingdi. 
The incidents occurred in Charanchala Alok Bali Uttarpara and Hajipur, both in Sadar Upazila, around 10 am on Saturday, April 18.
The deceased are Sharifa Begum, 50, wife of Kamal Mia, her son Iqbal Hossain, 12, and Qayyum Mia, 22, son of Karam Ali, all residents of Alok Bali Uttarpara. Kamal Mia was seriously injured in the incident. Additionally, Moslehuddin, 50, died in Chakpara of Hajipur Union in Sadar Upazila.
Narsingdi Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tanveer Ahmed said all the victims were in agricultural fields harvesting paddy when the lightning strikes occurred.
He said Sharifa Begum and her son Iqbal died on the spot while Qayyum Mia died on the way to Sadar Hospital from his injuries.
Kamal Hossain is currently receiving treatment, he added.

Mother, son among 4 killed in Narsingdi lightning strikes

Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has sought support from the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford to establish a vaccine centre in Bangladesh.
He recently visited the university where the AstraZeneca vaccine was developed during the Covid pandemic.
During the visit, the minister met with the Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard F MedSci, and discussed opportunities for establishing cooperation to create a National Vaccine Project in Bangladesh for producing vaccines in the country, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Saturday.
The health minister highlighted the Bangladesh government's vision under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to provide high-quality health services for all.
He also mentioned that her government aims to establish a vaccine centre in Bangladesh to produce vaccines.
Taking note of all the points raised by Minister Sen, Sir Andrew Pollard assured him of all cooperation in developing vaccines in Bangladesh.
The minister visited the drug discovery unit at Oxford University, where he met with senior researchers and high-ranking officials.
They discussed the potential for establishing a laboratory in Bangladesh for large-scale industrial production of vaccines.
They also talked about collaborating to provide training to scientists, doctors, and health professionals.
The minister met with Professor Sir David Warrell, a leading figure in tropical medicine and the founding director of the Centre for Tropical Medicine in Thailand at the invitation of the Thai king.
They discussed the prospect of producing antivenom in Bangladesh under EDCL to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Young researchers from Bangladesh who are studying in Oxford also attended the meeting.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK accompanied the health minister during the visit and the meetings.
Health Minister Dr Sen was in the UK on an official visit to attend the Conference on &ldquo;International Response to Antimicrobial Resistance,&rdquo; organised by the UK Government and the Royal Society.

Bangladesh seeks support of Oxford Vaccine Group to establish vaccine centre

Dhaka's green areas have decreased to 9% over the last 28 years, while wetlands have diminished to 2.9%, according to a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP). 
This information was disclosed at a day-long conference marking the 52nd founding anniversary of the Center for Urban Studies, Dhaka, held at the Jatiya Chitrashala Auditorium on Saturday (May 18).
The BIP report indicates that as Dhaka's green areas and wetlands have decreased, the city's gray areas and concrete structures have increased. This shift has exacerbated the urban heat island effect, raising temperatures in urban areas. The study suggests that the reduction in greenery is a primary factor contributing to the ongoing heat wave in the country.
Urban planning standards recommend that an ideal city should have 25% green areas and 10-15% water bodies. However, due to global warming, temperatures in various parts of Dhaka city have increased by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius in the past year, whereas the expected rise was only 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
BIP research shows that Dhaka's concrete-covered area was 64.99% in 1999, increased to 77.18% in 2009, and reached 81.82% in 2019. This increase has disrupted the overall environmental balance of the city.
Professor Md. Iqbal Sarwar from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Chittagong University highlighted the economic losses caused by heat waves, including decreased worker productivity, reduced agricultural output, disrupted industrial processes, and damage to infrastructure.
He noted that heat waves are considered extreme weather conditions with detrimental effects on human health. In 2024 alone, around 11 people have died across Bangladesh due to the severe heat wave.
The conference was presided over by Urban Research Center President Emeritus Prof. Nazrul Islam, with the chief guest being Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Tajul Islam. Speakers included Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr. Abul Kalam, BUET Professor Israt Islam, BIP President Adil Muhammad Khan, and Architect Iqbal Habib.

Dhaka's greenery shrinks to 9% in 28 years

A light rain drenched the capital on Saturday morning, offering city dwellers some relief from scorching heat.
The sky had been gloomy since early morning and the much-awaited downpour started around 8:30am.
Light rain was reported in different areas of the capital including Shyamoli, Jatrabari, Agargaon, Farmgate, Kawran Bazar, Asadgate, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Jigatala, New Market, Kalyanpur and Banglamotor areas.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains or thundershowers in different parts of the country including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing at 9am on Saturday.
&ldquo;Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at a few places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rajshahi, Rangpur and Barishal divisions with hails at isolated places,&rdquo; it said.

Light morning rain in parts of Dhaka brings some relief

The fire that broke out at the Dholaikhal branch of Mutual Trust Bank in Dhaka has been brought under control.&nbsp;
Five firefighting units from Sutrapur and Siddik Bazar fire stations doused the fire around 11:57am, Sutrapur fire station's Senior Station Officer Hasan Ali told the Bangladesh First.
The fire originated at 10:40am at the bank located on the second floor of a four-storey building in Dholaikhal.&nbsp;
Hasan Ali said it is suspected that a short circuit sparked the fire.

Fire at Mutual Trust Bank's Dholaikhal branch under control

Two workers were killed and 10 others injured when the truck they were riding in after harvesting paddy fell into a ditch in Tala upazila of Satkhira early on Saturday (May 18).&nbsp;
The incident occurred in the Harish Chandra Kati area on Tala-Paikgacha road.
The deceased are Saidul Islam, 38, son of Taleb Gazi from Baga village in Koira upazila, Khulna, and Monirul Islam, 30, son of Tofazzal Sardar from Madarbaria village in the same upazila.
Injured laborer Zahidul Islam said they had gone to Gopalganj to harvest paddy. After completing their work, they were returning home on a truck carrying the rice they had received as remuneration. Near the Harish Chandra Kati area, the truck overturned, causing two workers to be buried under the paddy sacks and die on the spot.
Zahidul added that at least ten people were injured in the accident.
Locals suggested that the accident might have been caused by holes dug for road expansion on both sides of the road.
Tala police station Officer-in-Charge Mominul Islam said the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and the injured were admitted to Tala Health Complex.

Paddy harvest: 2 workers killed, 10 injured as truck falls into ditch

A Malaysian recruitment company is being taken to the Industrial Court for failing to pay salary arrears amounting to Tk2.3 crore to 733 Bangladeshi workers.&nbsp;
Despite a directive issued by Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry on February 5 to settle the outstanding amount within 45 days, the company has not complied, reports The Star quoting a ministry statement on Friday (May 17).
The ministry said the case is being referred to the court under Section S69(4) of the Employment Act 1955. If found guilty, the employer could face fines of RM50,000 for each offence in addition to paying the arrears.
The claim proceedings revealed that although the workers were legally brought into the country, they were not provided with any jobs. The statement noted that ten investigation papers (IPs) have been opened on the company. Permission for prosecution has been obtained for four IPs, with further instructions pending on the others.
Additionally, the company's recruitment licence has been revoked, preventing it from accepting any new applications. Of the 733 affected workers, 692 have since secured employment through the Special Employers Exchange Process.
"The ministry will not compromise with any parties who flout labour laws and will ensure that the welfare of workers is always guaranteed," the statement concluded.

Malaysian firm faces court for unpaid wages to Bangladeshi workers

A 40-year-old school teacher was beaten to death allegedly by his cousins over a land dispute in Mymensingh's Phulpur upazila on Friday.
The victim was identified as Sajjat Hossain Kamal, &nbsp;headmaster of Gowatla Raghurampur Government Primary School.
The incident took place at Puran Nagar village of Baola Union of the upazila around 11am on Friday.
Locals said Kamal had a long-standing dispute with his uncle Abul Khair and his cousin Zakaria Gong over a piece of land.
On Friday morning, when &nbsp;Kamal went to irrigate the disputed land, his cousins beat him mercilessly, leaving him seriously injured.
He was rushed to Phulpur Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Phulpur Police Station Mahbubur Rahman said police visited the spot after receiving the information.
The body was recovered and sent to Mymensingh Medical College morgue for an autopsy.
Police have detained three people including the cousin and aunt of Kamal for questioning, added the officer.

Headmaster beaten to death

Two cousins drowned in a pond at Mominpara area of Gomstapur upazila in Chapainawabganj district on Friday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Farhana, 4, daughter of Mofizul Islam, and Fahim Ali, 3, son of Dawud Ali of the upazila.
Moin Uddin, sub-inspector (SI) of Gomstapur police station said that two children fell into the water body in the absence of family members when they were playing on the bank of the pond near their house at around 12:30pm.
At one stage of a frantic search that followed the discovery that they were missing, the bodies of the children were found floating in the pond.
"As there was no complaint from the families of the victims, the bodies were handed over in the afternoon," said the SI.

Two minor cousins drown in C'nawabganj village pond

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said police will play the main responsibility towards implementing the Prime Minister's vision to transform the country into Smart Bangladesh. &nbsp; "Bangladesh is moving forward due to your (police) sincere efforts to control terrorism, militancy and crimes. Now Bangladesh has become a strong country," he told a function at Rajarbag police line here yesterday. &nbsp; The newly elected committee of Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) held its installation ceremony with its president Special Branch Chief and Additional Inspector General of Police Md Monirul Islam. &nbsp; Kamal said, "We have come to this place today because of the vision of the honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she materialized digital Bangladesh. Now she is talking about Smart Bangladesh. She formulated a plan to build a better Bangladesh. The main responsibility of implementing that plan lies on you." &nbsp; The minister inaugurated the installation ceremony of the newly elected 155-member committee of BPSA and said the association was formed to achieve professional excellence and solve various problems of the members of the police force. &nbsp; Md Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Secretary, Public Security Division and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were present as special guests on the occasion. &nbsp; Among others, Md Mahabubur Rahman, Additional IGP, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar and Superintendent of Police of Narayanganj District and General Secretary of BPSA Golam Mostafa Russell spokes on the occasion. &nbsp; Mustafizur Rahman said that smart policing is necessary for smart Bangladesh. He urged members of the association to give smart policing as a gift to the people of the country. &nbsp; Welcoming the newly formed committee, the IGP said that members of BPSA will work tirelessly to provide services to people. He expressed his hope that members of the association will continue their efforts to make Bangladesh Police a service-oriented institution.
Md Monirul Islam thanked all said that Bangladesh Police can face any challenge in provision of security. &nbsp; He said that with the blessings and support of Prime Minister, BPSA has been playing a role in building Bangabandhu's dream 'Sonar Bangla'.&nbsp;

Police to play key role in building smart Bangladesh: Kamal

Reuters

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan, an Iranian official told Reuters.
The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were "at risk following the helicopter crash".
"We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The bad weather was complicating rescue efforts, the state news agency IRNA reported.
State TV stopped all its regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country and, in a corner of the screen, live coverage of rescue teams searching the mountainous area on foot in heavy fog.
The 63-year-old was elected president at the second attempt in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.
In Iran's dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is the supreme leader rather than the president who has the final say on all major policies.
But many see Raisi as a strong contender to succeed his 85-year-old mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has strongly endorsed Raisi's main policies.
Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told state TV only that one of the helicopters in a group of three had come down hard, and that authorities were awaiting further details.
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalaisi Dam, a joint project.

Helicopter carrying Iran's President Raisi crashes in mountains, official says

In a country where cricket and football dominate the sports scene, boxing often goes unnoticed. Yet, Muhammad Utshob Ahmed, a young boxer from Rajshahi, is breaking barriers and putting Bangladesh on the global boxing map.
For the first time, a Bangladeshi professional boxer has qualified to compete under the prestigious World Boxing Council (WBC). Utshob, a 19-year-old fighter, will contend for the WBC Asia Silver Super Flyweight title against India's top contender, 32-year-old Mazhar Hussain. This historic match is scheduled for May 25 at the InterContinental Dhaka during the "Beximco Xcel Boxing Championship (XBC) 3.0," according to a media release.
The WBC is one of the four major international boxing organizations, and its belts are among the most prestigious in the sport.
While Bangladesh has already seen its first professional boxing star in Suro Krishna Chakma, who competes in the Lightweight category, Utshob is making waves in the Flyweight division. He is one of the youngest boxers from Bangladesh to step onto the global stage.
In the world of boxing, championship belts are hotly contested and must be defended or relinquished regularly. Currently, the Silver Super Flyweight belt is vacant, providing an opportunity for Utshob and Mazhar to claim it.
Through XBC Xcel Sports Management &amp; Promotions, Utshob earned his shot at the title. Ranked 99th out of 784 in the world in the flyweight division, Utshob's impressive record includes eight bouts, totaling 28 rounds, with 37.5% of his fights ending in knockouts. He has zero losses and eight straight victories, making him a formidable contender.
Utshob's journey to professional boxing began on May 19, 2022. Raised without a father, Utshob was supported by his maternal family, with his mother, Ayesha Khatun, being his sole provider. His passion for boxing was evident from a young age, starting his first fight at seven. Recognizing his talent, Utshob's uncle enrolled him at Bangladesh Ansar VDP in Shafipur for training. There, his skills caught the attention of Kancho Robert McInnes, president of the World Kumite Organization.
Financial hardships were a constant challenge, but Utshob's determination never wavered. Xcel Sports Management &amp; Promotions saw his potential and provided the support he needed to advance. Utshob faced and defeated many of Bangladesh&rsquo;s rising boxers, including notable victories at the BoxStar Series 1 tournament and the Path to Glory event.
His most significant victory came against the undefeated Indian Bantamweight, Pawan Kumar Arya, in a unanimous decision at Beximco XBC 2. Utshob has also won a gold medal at the first Bangabandhu Boxing Competition in 2018, a silver medal at the Bangladesh Youth Games, and a gold medal at the 22nd Junior Boxing Competition.
XBC, in collaboration with WBC Asia, is arranging the first-ever WBC Asia Title match in Bangladesh. Alongside Utshob&rsquo;s highly anticipated bout, other national boxers will face international contenders from China, France, India, Iran, Thailand, and Turkey.
Boxing enthusiasts can watch the event live at the venue or tune in to T Sports and Bongo for live coverage. The event runs from 6 pm to 11 pm. &nbsp;

19-year-old Utshob taking Bangladesh to the global boxing ring

Tax collection will increase by 5% of the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product (GDP) if 100% e-filing is ensured, according to a study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
&ldquo;This will increase tax collection by $5.8 billion in the first year and $7.8 billion in the fourth year, which is equivalent of Tk90,862 crore at current exchange rates,&rdquo; CPD Distinguished Fellow Professor Mustafizur Rahman said while presenting the findings at a dialogue titled "Digitalisation of the Taxation System in Bangladesh: The Next Frontier" on Sunday (19 May).
&ldquo;A dangerous co-dependency is developing due to not being able to increase domestic resource extraction,&rdquo; he added.
He also commented that as a result, the entire Annual Development Programme (ADP) has to be implemented with loans.
&ldquo;Entire revenue collection is being spent to meet the government's management and underdevelopment expenses. As a result, no revenue collection money can be spent on development,&rdquo; he added.
&ldquo;The government's 7th 5-Year Plan aimed to raise the revenue to GDP ratio to 14% by 2020, but the achievement was nowhere near it,&rdquo; Dr Mustafizur Rahman said.&nbsp;
It will not be possible to achieve a tax collection target of more than 9% of GDP in the current financial year, he added.
&ldquo;Even if 14% of the GDP can be collected as a tax, even at this time, the government will not have to borrow a penny to implement the budget,&rdquo; the economist said.
Urging to increase the capacity of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in tax collection, and increase the use of skilled manpower and technology, he said, &ldquo;If other conditions remain unchanged, tax collection will increase to $167 billion by 2030 if 100% digital technology is used.&rdquo;
&ldquo;If the use of technology is not increased, the tax collection at that time will be a maximum of $90 billion. As such, the use of digital technology will help increase tax collection by about 86%,&rdquo; he added.
CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun said large investments are needed to sustain the ongoing development of the country.
&ldquo;Although the demand for investment increases with economic growth, domestic resource circulation or tax collection does not increase in line with it. In the meantime, some pressure is coming from the external sector,&rdquo; she said.
&ldquo;After coming out of the list of least developed countries (LDCs), the interest rate on foreign loans will increase. Apart from that, a large amount of money is going away for repayment of existing loans and interest,&rdquo; she further said, adding there is no alternative to domestic resource extraction.
Stating the problems in tax collection are very old and have already been identified, Dr Fahmida Khatun said, &ldquo;NBR should be strengthened to modernise the tax system. The use of skilled manpower and technology should be increased.&rdquo;
"People live in fear of coming into the tax net. This fear of taxpayers should be nullified by simplifying the tax collection system,&rdquo; said Dr Fahmida Khatun.
The dialogue was organised with the support of the European Union (EU) at a hotel in the capital.
State Minister for Finance Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications &amp; Information Technology Chairman Kazi Nabil Ahmed, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem and CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya also spoke at the event.

100% e-filing can increase tax collection by 5% of GDP: CPD

Touseful Islam

Serenity is said to echo as the strings of a Sitar are pulled.&nbsp;
And Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan is a maestro of that soul-serenading music.
Born on 19 May 1960, into the formidable Imdadkhani gharana, Shujaat Khan is the son of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, whose own mastery set an almost unassailable standard.
Yet, Shujaat Khan has not merely inherited a legacy; he has sculpted it anew.&nbsp;
His music, while deeply rooted in the classical tradition, is infused with a spontaneity and emotional depth that render it uniquely his own.&nbsp;
This blend of heritage and personal expression is the hallmark of his style, often described as "gayaki ang" - a sitar playing technique that mimics the nuances of the human voice.
His artistry is a seamless confluence of tradition and innovation, reverence and rebellion.&nbsp;
Each note coaxed from his sitar is as intricate as they are evocative - inviting listeners into a world where the boundaries of time and space dissolve.
There is a palpable sense of dialogue in his music&mdash;a conversation between the musician and the divine, the instrument and the infinite.&nbsp;
His renditions are imbued with a profound sense of bhava (emotion), capable of evoking a spectrum of feelings from the serene to the ecstatic.
The impact of Shujaat Husain Khan&rsquo;s music transcends mere auditory pleasure; it is an experience of transcendence.&nbsp;
His performances are not just concerts but spiritual journeys, each one an exploration of the soul&rsquo;s deepest yearnings and exaltations.&nbsp;
Shujaat Khan&rsquo;s collaborations with musicians across genres and cultures further underscore his versatility and openness.&nbsp;
Whether blending the classical with the contemporary or the Eastern with the Western, he approaches each collaboration with the same integrity and passion that define his solo performances.&nbsp;
These endeavours have not only broadened the horizons of his music but have also introduced the richness of Indian classical music to a global audience, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of its complexities and beauties.
Through his music, Shujaat Khan has created a legacy that bridges the past and the future, honouring the traditions of his forebears while simultaneously paving the way for new interpretations and expressions.
&nbsp;In a world increasingly dominated by the ephemeral and the superficial, his music offers a sanctuary of purity and depth.&nbsp;
As his sitar sings, it carries the echoes of an ancient tradition, resounding with the timeless truths of beauty, emotion, and transcendence - It is a reminder of the power of tradition to speak to contemporary sensibilities, of the timeless nature of true artistry.

Shujaat Husain Khan: A maestro of soul serenading music

At least 13 members of a family, including five children, were killed and nine injured when a mini-truck in which they were travelling skidded off the road and fell into a ravine in Pakistan&rsquo;s Punjab province on Saturday, rescue officials said.
The vehicle was coming from the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to the Khushab district of Punjab when the accident occurred, reports The Dawn.
The mini-truck, while negotiating a turn, skidded off the road and fell into a ravine at Pench Pir area of Khushab, some 250 kilometres from Lahore.
&ldquo;As many as 14 people, including five children, died on the spot. Nine injured have been shifted to a hospital where their condition is stated to be critical,&rdquo; an official said.
Rescue officials said the deceased and the injured belonged to an extended family who were coming to Khushab for labour work.
According to a couple of eyewitnesses, the driver lost control of the vehicle because of over-speeding.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her grief over the loss of lives in the accident and directed the authorities to provide the injured with the best treatment facilities.

13 of a family killed in Pakistan road accident

A powerful armed ethnic group in Myanmar said on Sunday it had won control over a town in the western state of Rakhine after weeks of fighting, denying accusations it had targeted members of the Muslim-minority Rohingya during the offensive.
Khine Thu Kha, a spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA), said its soldiers had taken Buthidaung near Myanmar's border with Bangladesh, marking another battlefield defeat for the ruling junta that is fighting opposition groups on multiple fronts.
"We have conquered all the bases in Buthidaung and also took over the town yesterday," Khine Thu Kha told Reuters by telephone.
Some Rohingya activists accuse the AA of targeting the community during the assault on Buthidaung and surrounding areas, forcing many of them to flee for safety.
"AA troops came into downtown, forced the people to leave their homes and started torching houses," Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition advocacy group told Reuters, based on what he said were eyewitness accounts.
"While the town was burning, I spoke with several people I have known and trusted for years. They all testified that the arson attack was done by the AA."
Reuters could not independently verify the conflicting accounts. A junta spokesman did not respond to a call seeking comment.
Rohingya have faced persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar for decades. After escaping a military-led crackdown in 2017, nearly a million of them live crammed into refugee camps in Bangladesh's border district of Cox's Bazar.
JUNTA'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE
Myanmar has been in turmoil since a 2021 military coup, which led to the rise of the resistance fighting alongside long-established ethnic minority rebel groups.
The conflict has escalated since October, when an alliance of ethnic armies including the AA launched a major offensive near the Chinese border, taking swathes of territory from the better-armed junta and presenting its biggest challenge since taking power.
The junta has lost control of around half its 5,280 military positions, including outposts, bases and headquarters, according to one estimate.
The AA's Khine Thu Kha said junta aircraft and Muslim insurgent groups aligned with the military had set fire to parts of Buthidaung, which had a population of around 55,000 people, according to the most recent government census available, from 2014.
"The burning of Buthidaung is due to the air strikes from the junta's jet fighter before our troops entered the town," he said.
Aung Kyaw Moe, a Rohingya civil society activist and a deputy minister in Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, said Rohingya residents had been asked by the AA to leave Buthidaung but had responded that they had nowhere to go, leaving them trapped when the offensive occurred.
"Since about 10 p.m. last night up to this early morning, Buthidaung town had been burning and now only ashes remain," he told Reuters.
Rohingya residents fled to the field and there may casualties, he said.
&nbsp;

Myanmar rebel group claims control of town, denies targeting Rohingya

A British court could give a final decision on Monday on whether WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States over the mass leak of secret US documents, the culmination of 13 years of legal battles and detentions.
Two judges at the High Court in London are set to rule on whether the court is satisfied by US assurances that Assange, 52, would not face the death penalty and could rely on the First Amendment right to free speech if he faced a US trial for spying.
Assange's legal team say he could be on a plane across the Atlantic within 24 hours of the decision, could be released from jail, or his case could yet again be bogged down in months of legal battles.
"I have the sense that anything could happen at this stage," his wife Stella said last week. "Julian could be extradited, or he could be freed."
She said her husband hoped to be in court for the crucial hearing.
WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of classified US military documents on Washington's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - the largest security breaches of their kind in US military history - along with swathes of diplomatic cables.
In April 2010 it published a classified video showing a 2007 US helicopter attack that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff.
The US authorities want to put the Australian-born Assange on trial over 18 charges, nearly all under the Espionage Act, saying his actions with WikiLeaks were reckless, damaged national security, and endangered the lives of agents.
His many global supporters call the prosecution a travesty, an assault on journalism and free speech, and revenge for causing embarrassment. Calls for the case to be dropped have ranged from human rights groups and some media bodies, to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other political leaders.
DETAINED SINCE 2010 Assange was first arrested in Britain in 2010 on a Swedish warrant over sex crime allegations that were later dropped. Since then he has been variously under house arrest, holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London for seven years, and held since 2019 in Belmarsh top security jail, latterly while he waited a ruling on his extradition.
"Every day since the seventh of December 2010 he has been in one form of detention or another," said Stella Assange, who was originally part of his legal team and married him in Belmarsh in 2022.
If the High Court rules the extradition can go ahead, Assange's legal avenues in Britain are exhausted, and his lawyers will immediately turn to the European Court of Human Rights to seek an emergency injunction blocking deportation pending a full hearing by that court into his case at a later date.
On the other hand, if the judges reject the US submissions, then he will have permission to appeal his extradition case on three grounds, and that might not be heard until next year.
It is also possible the judges could decide that Monday's hearing should consider not just whether he can appeal but also the substance of that appeal. If they find in his favour in those circumstances, he could be released.
Stella Assange said that whatever the outcome she would continue to fight for his liberty. If he is freed she plans to follow him to Australia or wherever he was safe. If he is extradited, she said all the psychiatric evidence presented at court had concluded he was at very serious risk of suicide.
"We live from day to day, from week to week, from decision to decision. This is a way that we've been living for years and years," she told Reuters.
"This is just not a way to live - it's so cruel. And I can't prepare for his extradition - how could I? But if he's extradited, then I'll do whatever I can, and our family is going to fight for him until he's free."

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange faces US extradition judgment day

Legendary English musician Sir Paul McCartney has become the UK's first billionaire musician.
McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell have a net worth of &pound;1 billion ($1.27 billion), reports ABC News.
It is estimated &pound;50 million of the couple&rsquo;s wealth is due to Shevell, daughter of the late US trucking tycoon Mike Shevell.
According to The Sunday Times, Sir McCartney's 2023 Got Back tour and Beyonc&eacute;'s cover of The Beatles' "Blackbird" on her "Cowboy Carter" album contributed to the increase in his wealth.
A &ldquo;final&rdquo; Beatles song, &ldquo;Now and Then,&rdquo; was also released in November and topped music charts in the US, the UK and other countries as the two last surviving members of the famous band McCartney and Ringo Starr completed a demo track recorded in 1977 by the late John Lennon, adding in guitar by George Harrison, who died in 2001.
McCartney ranked 165th overall on the list of the UK's 350 richest people. The top spot went to Gopi Hinduja and his family, who own the banking, media and entertainment conglomerate Hinduja Group and are worth an estimated &pound;37 billion.
Other entertainment figures on the list include &ldquo;Harry Potter&rdquo; author JK Rowling, whose fortune is estimated at &pound;945 million, and singer Elton John, estimated to be worth &pound;470 million.
King Charles III ranked 258th with an estimated wealth of &pound;610 million. The king&rsquo;s fortune includes the large inherited private estates of Sandringham in England and Balmoral in Scotland. The total does not include items that are held in trust by the monarch for the nation, such as the Crown Jewels. &nbsp;

Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musician

Tycoon Elon Musk arrived on the Indonesian island of Bali on Sunday ahead of the planned launch of SpaceX's Starlink internet service, which the Indonesian government hopes will boost internet penetration and health services in remote parts of the sprawling archipelago.
Chief investment minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan greeted Musk's arrival by private jet at Bali's airport on Sunday morning, saying the two would discuss several important collaborations, including the inauguration of Starlink, according to a post on his Instagram page.
Equal internet access across Southeast Asia's largest economy, home to more than 270 million people living in three time zones, would enable people in remote areas to enjoy the same fast internet as those in urban areas, he said.
Musk, the billionaire head of SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA.O), will launch Starlink with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at a community health centre in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, on Sunday afternoon, he said.
The satellite unit of Musk's SpaceX has already secured a permit to operate in Southeast Asia's largest economy, Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi told Reuters last week.
Starlink obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, the minister said in an interview.
Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink will operate. Malaysia issued the firm a license to provide internet services last year and a Philippine-based firm signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022.
Starlink is also used extensively in Ukraine, where it is employed by the military, hospitals, businesses and aid organisations.
This February, the country also urged SpaceX to act to prevent Russia from using its Starlink terminals for communications in areas occupied by Moscow's troops.

Musk arrives in Indonesia's Bali for planned Starlink launch

Several top White House aides say they are confident protests across US college campuses against Israel's offensive in Gaza will not translate into significantly fewer votes for Joe Biden in November's election, despite polls showing many Democrats are deeply unhappy about the US president's policy on the war.
The White House optimism on the issue, which is shared by many in the Biden campaign, runs contrary to dire warnings from some Democratic strategists and youth organizers who warn misjudging the situation could cost Biden dearly in a tight race with Republican rival Donald Trump.
Several aides told Reuters they are advising Biden to remain above the fray, rather than directly engage with the relatively small groups of protesters on college campuses, arguing their numbers are too insignificant to harm the president's reelection campaign.
Faced with a choice between Biden and Trump in November, many officials remain confident even Democrats who oppose US policy will choose Biden. Reuters interviewed nearly a dozen top White House officials in recent days, but only two expressed concern about the impact of the protests and Biden's handling of the issue.
The issue returns to the spotlight Sunday, when Biden makes the commencement address at Morehouse College, over some objections by students and faculty, and a warning from the college's president that the ceremony will stop if there are protests.
Most officials Reuters spoke to said they believe housing costs and inflation were the issues top of mind for young voters, not the war in Gaza, pointing to a recent Harvard poll that ranks Israel/Palestine 15th on a list of issues, after taxes, gun violence and jobs. Several aides refer to the protesters as "activists" rather than students.
Asked for comment on the issue, White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said Biden understands this is a painful moment for many communities and is listening. He has said too many civilians have died in the "heartbreaking" conflict and that more must be done to prevent the loss of innocent lives, Bates added.
Biden and Trump are nearly tied in national polls, and Trump has the edge in the battleground states that will decide the election, multiple recent polls show. On economic issues like inflation, Trump scores higher with voters overall than Biden.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found Democrats deeply divided over Biden's handling of both the war in Gaza and the US campus protests against it, with 44% of registered Democrats disapproving of Biden's handling of the crisis, and 51% of his handling of the protests.
Young voters still favor Biden, but support has dropped significantly since 2020, polls show. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in March showed Americans aged 18-29 favored Biden over Trump by just 3 percentage points - 29% to 26% - with the rest favoring another candidate or unsure if anyone would get their vote.
Two White House officials Reuters spoke to emphasized Biden's support among young voters is not where it was in 2020 and said they worry the administration is not taking the drop seriously enough.
With over 35,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since war began in October, US support for Israel's government could weigh heavily on the presidential election in November, they said.
"There is almost a level of defiance when it comes to some of the president's closest advisers on this issue," said a senior White House official with direct knowledge of the matter, who did not wish to be named. "They think the best approach is to simply steer clear and let it pass."
BIDEN SPEAKS CAUTIOUSLY Protests over Israel's war in Gaza have broken out at more than 60 colleges and universities this year, disrupted Biden's events around the country, pushed Democrats in key battleground states to vote "uncommitted" and divided the Democratic party.
Biden, who is known for saying what he thinks, even when it's not politically beneficial, has been cautious on the issue of protests over Gaza. He spoke in early May on the importance of following the law, while defending free speech and later on addressed the threat of antisemitism on college campuses.
Both times, he mostly avoided the issue that has sparked the protests - how young Americans feel about his support for Israel. But he also said bluntly that protests will not change his Middle East policy.
Groups organizing the protests say that a recent halt to some weapons to Israel was too little too late, and are planning fresh demonstrations, though the summer break may quieten action on campuses.
Michele Weindling, political director of the climate-focused youth group the Sunrise Movement, said "young people are incredibly disillusioned, they are angry at the way the president has treated this conflict."
"A huge risk right now is that young voters will completely stay out of the electoral system this November, or deliberately vote against Biden out of anger," Weindling said.
That has the potential to cost Biden dearly, given 61% of the more than half of Americans aged 18 to 29 that voted in the 2020 general election voted Democratic, a Tufts University research group found. The youth turnout was up 11 points from 2016.
GAZA NOT A TOP ISSUE Republicans both overwhelmingly disapprove of the protests and Biden's handling of the war, a Reuters/Ipsos poll published this week shows. Some Republicans have called for him to send National Guard troops on to campuses.
But until a day before Biden delivered his first speech on the protests on May 2, he remained unsure he needed to address the issue, two officials said. Biden asked his team to put together "something rudimentary," so he could edit and change it, which he did that evening, one of the officials said.
He did not make the final decision to speak until the morning, after violence broke out on the UCLA campus, the official added.
The Harvard youth poll showing Israel/Gaza is low on youth concerns is being circulated at internal meetings at the campaign and the White House and is in line with private data the White House has seen, the first official said.
The president doesn't speak about every issue in the news, on purpose, another White House official said. It "doesn't always happen, no matter what kind of news it is, whether it's the news of the day or the week or the month," he said.

Despite polls, Biden aides insist Gaza campus protests will not hurt reelection bid

A tourist couple was injured in India's Kashmir after militants fired on them late on Saturday night, police said, ahead of voting scheduled in the volatile region for India's ongoing election.
The couple from the Indian city of Jaipur was evacuated to the hospital and the area where the attack took place was cordoned off, Kashmir police said on social media. The condition of the injured tourists is said to be stable, they said.
India is in the middle of a marathon election with the remaining two seats in Kashmir going to polls on May 20 and May 25.
Voters turned out in large numbers for polling in the first seat in Srinagar on May 13, reversing the trend of low vote counts in the first polls since Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed the region's semi-autonomy in 2019.
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is skipping elections in Kashmir for the first time since 1996 saying it will support regional parties instead.
Major parties in Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party (PDP), have focused on restoration of semi-autonomy in their campaigns.
Analysts and opposition parties say the BJP is not contesting elections in Kashmir because it fears the outcome will contradict its narrative of a more peaceful and integrated region since 2019.
In a separate incident, unknown militants shot dead former village headman and BJP party member Ajiaz Ahmad Sheikh in Shopian district on Saturday.
The last major attack on tourists in Kashmir had happened in 2017 when a Hindu pilgrimage bus was targeted, killing eight people.

Tourist couple injured in militant shooting in India's Kashmir amid elections

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met to discuss a broad bilateral agreement and Israel's war in Gaza, the Saudi state news agency reported on Sunday.
The meeting in the Saudi city of Dhahran reviewed "the semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the two countries, which are almost being finalised," a statement read.
Washington and Riyadh have been discussing US security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance as part of a broader deal that the U.S. hopes would lead to normalising Saudi-Israeli relations.
The de facto Saudi leader and President Joe Biden's top security aide also discussed the need to find a "credible track for bringing about the two-state solution" for Israel and the Palestinians, stop the war against Hamas militants in Gaza and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, the statement said.
The Biden administration and Saudi Arabia have been seeking to finalise the nuclear agreement, Reuters reported early this month, even as Israel-Saudi normalisation, part of a Middle East &ldquo;grand bargain&rdquo;, remains elusive.
The White House said on Friday that Sullivan would visit Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss bilateral and regional matters, including Gaza and efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.
Saudi Arabia, as the world's largest oil exporter, is not an obvious candidate for a nuclear pact typically aimed at building power plants.
But the kingdom is seeking to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions under an ambitious long-term plan, while critics say Riyadh might want nuclear expertise in case it someday wished to acquire nuclear weapons, despite safeguards enshrined in any deal with Washington to prevent this.

Saudi crown prince, US national security adviser meet on Gaza, bilateral deal

Pakistan asked its nationals in Kyrgyzstan to stay indoors after mobs attacked foreigners in the capital Friday night over some unknown dispute with migrants, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday. It also repatriated 140 Pakistani students from Bishkek after the violence.
A special flight bringing the Pakistani students home from Kyrgyzstan landed at an airport on Saturday in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, the Interior Ministry said.
Pakistan plans to use more such flights to bring back all those who want to leave Bishkek following the violence in the central Asian country, the ministry added.
According to local media, the violence began last week following a clash between Kyrgyz people and foreigners in the city.
Earlier, Pakistan said its embassy in Bishkek was in contact with the Kyrgyz government to ensure the safety and security of its nationals. Some of the injured Pakistani students were treated at a local hospital in Bishkek, it said.
On Saturday, Pakistan summoned a Kyrgyz diplomat to lodge a protest over the alleged attacks on its nationals.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his concern over the violence and said he was immediately sending a senior Cabinet minister to Bishkek to supervise efforts to ensure the wellbeing of Pakistan students.
Pakistani authorities say they are unable to confirm if any of their nationals died in the attacks.
Thousands of Pakistanis are studying or working in Kyrgyzstan.

Mob attack in Kyrgyzstan: Pakistan repatriates 140 students from Bishkek

Israeli troops and tanks pushed on Saturday into parts of a congested northern Gaza Strip district that they had previously skirted in the more than seven-month-old war, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, medics and residents said.
Israel's forces also took over some ground in Rafah, a southern city by the Egyptian border that is packed with displaced people and where the launch this month of a long-threatened incursion to crush hold-outs of Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas has alarmed Cairo and Washington.
Exposing further cracks in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the war cabinet, threatened to resign if the right-wing leader does not agree by 8 June to a day-after plan that would include how Gaza might be ruled after the war with Hamas.
In what Israeli media said was the result of intelligence gleaned during the latest incursions, the military announced the recovery of the body of a man who was among more than 250 hostages seized by Hamas in a cross-border rampage on 7 October that triggered the war.
Ron Binyamin's remains were located along with those of three other slain hostages whose repatriation was announced on Friday, the military said without providing further details.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
Israel has conducted renewed military sweeps this month of parts of northern Gaza where it had declared the end of major operations in January. At the time, it also predicted its forces would return to prevent a regrouping by the Palestinian Islamist group that rules Gaza.&nbsp;
One site has been Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps. On Saturday, troops and tanks edged into streets so far spared the ground offensive, residents said. In one strike, medics said 15 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded.
The Gaza Health Ministry and the Civil Emergency Service said teams received dozens of calls about possible casualties but were unable to carry out any searches because of the ongoing ground offensive and aerial bombardment.
"Today is the most difficult in terms of the occupation bombardment, air strikes and tank shelling have been going on almost non-stop," said one resident in Jabalia, Ibrahim Khaled, via a chat app.
"We know of dozens of people, martyrs (killed) and wounded, but no ambulance vehicle can get into the area," he told Reuters.
The Israeli military said its forces have continued to operate in areas across Gaza including Jabalia and Rafah, carrying out what it called "precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure".
"The IAF (air force) continues to operate in the Gaza Strip, and struck over 70 terror targets during the past day, including weapons storage facilities, military infrastructure sites, terrorists who posed a threat to IDF troops, and military compounds," the military said in a statement.
STRAINS IN ISRAELI COALITION
Netanyahu has faced criticism at home and abroad for failing to articulate an endgame more than seven months into the war.
In a news conference, Gantz said he wanted the war cabinet to form a six-point plan in the next three weeks and that if his expectations are not met he would withdraw his centrist party from Netanyahu's emergency coalition.
Gantz said his proposal would include creating a temporary US-European-Arab-Palestinian system of civil administration for Gaza while Israel retains security control.
Though Gantz is Netanyahu's most formidable rival in opinion polls, were he to leave the government that would not be enough to bring about its collapse, as remaining parties would still give the premier a comfortable parliamentary majority.
Yet Gantz's challenge shows increased strain on Israel's coalition, which is dominated by far-right parties. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday demanded clarity on post-war plans and for Netanyahu to forswear any military reoccupation of Gaza.
Armed wings of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and Fatah said fighters attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia and Rafah with anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and explosive devices already planted in some of the roads, killing and wounding many soldiers.
Israel's military said 281 soldiers have been killed in fighting since the first ground incursions in Gaza on 20 October.
At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since 7 October according to the enclave's health ministry, while aid agencies have warned repeatedly of widespread hunger and dire shortages of fuel and medical supplies.
In the Hamas cross-border attack on 7 October, 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli tallies. About 125 people are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza.
In Rafah, where Israeli tanks thrust into some of the eastern suburbs and clashed with Palestinian fighters, residents said Israeli bombing from the air and ground persisted through the night into Saturday morning.
Rafah had been sheltering more than one million displaced Gazans. UNRWA, the main UN aid agency for Palestinians, said on Saturday that nearly 800,000 Palestinians have fled the city since Israel launched its ground operation there on 6 May.
Israel says it must capture Rafah to destroy Hamas and ensure the country's security.x

Israel pushes further into parts of north Gaza; new cracks in Netanyahu coalition

BSS/AFP

Leonardo Campana came off the bench and scored a stoppage time winner as Inter Miami beat D.C. United 1-0 in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
Despite the return of Lionel Messi to the starting line-up, after he missed the 0-0 draw at Orlando on Wednesday, Miami struggled to create chances against a very well organized D.C. defense.
Ecuador international striker Campana, who has lost his starting place to Luis Suarez this season, was brought on in the third minute of stoppage time and scored with his first touch.
Campana made a darting, diagonal run across the D.C. back line and was picked out by Sergio Busquets, bringing down the lofted pass and then blasting an unstoppable shot past Alex Bono.
It was a cruel end to the game for Troy Lesesne's team, who look vastly improved on the performances they produced under Wayne Rooney last term.
With the win, league leaders Miami clinched their ninth victory of the season - matching their total for last season after just 15 games.
The start of the game was delayed by 25 minutes due to lightning and 15 minutes after the game began there was a torrential downpour.
Miami enjoyed the vast majority of possession in the opening 45 minutes, with the visitors appearing happy to concede the ball while keeping their shape and aiming to counter.
That approach almost paid off, after the break, but Jared Stroud missed a glorious opportunity, poking hesitantly wide from close range.
Messi had been restricted to two free-kick efforts, which both struck the wall, and the Argentine -- who missed the midweek game with a knee injury -- was well below his best.
D.C. grew into the game and Matti Peltola flashed a shot just wide in the 69th minute.
Two minutes later, Messi found space in the inside-left channel, bringing a high ball down with his chest but he blasted his shot just over the bar.
United had a chance to win the game in the final moments of regulation after a smart move but Cristian Dajome's meek shot was parried away by Drake Callender.
Then came Campana's instant impact to extend Miami's unbeaten run to nine games after a night where little had worked for Gerardo Martino's team.

Campana's late stunner gives Messi's Miami victory over D.C.

&nbsp;Narges Mohammadi, jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner,&nbsp; says she is facing a new trial after she accused the security forces of sexually assaulting women.
In a message from Evin prison where she is being held, Mohammadi said the trial relates to an audio post, in which she condemned a "full-scale war against women" by the Iranian regime, reports BBC.
Mohammadi has already served over 12 years in prison due to multiple convictions.
Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, said the court would convene on Sunday to address the new charges of "spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic".
There has been no comment on the case from Iranian officials.
In her message, posted on the Narges Foundation website, Ms Mohammadi said it was the fourth time in as many years she had been "dragged to the unjust and farcical courts&rsquo; table" due to her "protest and disclosure of the religious regime&rsquo;s men&rsquo;s sexual assault against women".
The 52-year old Nobel laureate continued that this time she was being tried for speaking against "the bruising of the body and narrating the assault on [journalist and student] Dina Ghalaibaf", in an audio message.
Ghalibaf was reportedly detained after she accused the security forces of handcuffing and sexually assaulting her during a previous arrest at a metro station.
She was later released.
Mohammadi is calling for a public trial with the presence of independent journalists, human rights activists, women&rsquo;s rights activists, and her lawyers.
She continued: "Witnesses, along with their lawyers, should be able to attend with guarantees of physical, mental, and legal security, and openly recount their assaults.&rdquo;
Mohammadi has tirelessly campaigned for women's rights in Iran. She has been in and out of jail for two decades because of her activism.
Her family has said that, as well as 12 years and three months of imprisonment, her sentences also include 154 lashes, two years of exile and various social and political restrictions.
She has not seen her Paris-based husband and children for several years.
Despite the numerous threats and arrests she has kept up her work to campaign against the mandatory headscarf.
She won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work fighting against the oppression of women in Iran.
Her teenage children accepted the prize, at Oslo's city hall in December, and read her speech which had been smuggled out of prison.
"I write this message from behind the high, cold walls of a prison. The Iranian people, with perseverance, will overcome repression and authoritarianism," Ms Mohammadi said.
She added that young Iranians had "transformed the streets and public spaces into a place of widespread civil resistance", alluding to the protests that began in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly".
The authorities in the Islamic Republic in recent weeks intensified a crackdown to enforce a strict Islamic dress code on women and arrest those who disobeyed, making use of video surveillance.

Iran Nobel laureate says she faces new trial

Manchester City go into their last match against West Ham with a two-point lead, knowing that victory would secure the title for an unprecedented fourth successive season.
If Arsenal beat Everton, a defeat or even a draw would not be enough for Pep Guardiola's men, who have an inferior goal difference by one. Arsenal, who also finished second behind City last year, are seeking to become English champions for the first time in 20 years. Guardiola's men have dropped just six points since mid-December, in draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's men have set a club record by winning 27 Premier League games this season, but that still might not be enough to dethrone City. "We have to give ourselves the opportunity to live a beautiful day on Sunday, where the dream is still alive and is possible," Arteta said. "It's football and once we are there we just have to live the moment."
European places
Liverpool and Aston Villa are secure in third and fourth -- which guarantee entry into the Champions League, leaving the remaining attention on qualification for next season's Europa League and Conference League. Tottenham need only a point away to relegated Sheffield United to guarantee fifth place, sending them directly to the Europa League group stage. Defeat would allow Chelsea, three points behind with a better goal difference, to leapfrog them by beating Bournemouth. Mauricio Pochettino's Blues would be secure in sixth with at least a point but defeat would open the door to Newcastle, who travel to Brentford. Manchester United, who play at Brighton, can realistically only climb to seventh due to their negative goal difference. Erik ten Hag's side need to better Newcastle's result to do so. However, they would also reach the Europa League by winning the FA Cup. Should City win that final next week, the cup winners' Europa League group-stage spot would pass to the sixth-placed finishers, with seventh place bringing Conference League football.
Relegation
Sheffield United and Burnley will be joined in the second-tier Championship next season by Luton, barring a spectacular combination of scorelines on the final day. Luton are three points behind Nottingham Forest and would need a win over Fulham, defeat for Forest against relegated Burnley and a huge swing in goal difference to survive. If Luton's fate is sealed then all three promoted teams will go straight back down for only the second time in the Premier League era.

City eye history as Arsenal dare to dream

Skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli hit key knocks to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru seal the last play-off spot in the Indian Premier League with a 27-run win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.
Bengaluru posted 218-5 after Du Plessis, who hit 54, and Kohli, who smashed 47, laid the foundations for the total in a rain-hit innings at their home M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Chennai were held to 191-7 in reply and with both sides level on 14 points, Bengaluru went through to the play-offs on run-rate after a sixth win in a row.
"What a night! Such a great atmosphere," player of the match Du Plessis, who did a lap of honour with his team for the home fans, said.
"Just a pleasure to finish the season in front of the home crowd with a win."
Bengaluru will now play in the eliminator on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.
Table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already made the play-offs, which will begin with the first qualifier on Tuesday in Ahmedabad.
The final is on May 26 in Chennai.
Rachin Ravindra hit 61 before Ravindra Jadeja, who made an unbeaten 42, and old warhorse M.S. Dhoni (25) gave Bengaluru a scare in a stand of 61 as Chennai fell short of the qualification mark.
The match could be Dhoni's last IPL outing as a player and also the final face-off between him and Kohli -- two legends of Indian cricket.
Dhoni, 42, was widely expected to retire after he led the team to a record-equalling fifth title last year, but vowed to come back for one more season after a knee operation.
Dhoni handed over the Chennai captaincy ahead of the season to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who won the toss and elected to field first in the virtual knockout for the final play-off place.
"Happy with the seven wins, couldn't get over the line though," said a disappointed Gaikwad.
Du Plessis stunner
Kohli, who leads the batting chart with 708 runs, and Du Plessis started on the offensive before rain halted their charge after the third over and suddenly the ball began to turn once play resumed.
Both openers waded their way through Chennai's spin charge from Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner as Kohli hit a couple of sixes.
New Zealand's Santner, a left-arm spinner, denied Kohli his fifty and got Du Plessis run out through a deflection from his finger at the non-strikers end.
Rajat Patidar, who hit 41, and Cameron Green, who struck an unbeaten 17-ball 38, then steadied the ship and hit back in a partnership of 71 off 28 balls.
Bengaluru returned strong with the ball and Glenn Maxwell struck on the first ball to send back Gaikwad for a duck.
Fast bowler Yash Dayal had Daryl Mitchell caught by Kohli to dent their chase.
But it was Du Plessis who pulled off a stunning one-handed airborne grab at mid-off to send back Santner.
Jadeja and Dhoni raised hopes of a turnaround as Chennai needed 17 off the last over to qualify but Dayal kept his calm to dismiss Dhoni and then gave away just one run.

RCB win six in row to make IPL play-offs, Chennai out

Heavy clashes and&nbsp;bombardment rocked Rafah on Saturday, as Israel pressed an assault against&nbsp;Hamas militants that has led hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee the southern Gaza city.
The Israeli military said its air forces hit more than 70 targets across&nbsp;the Gaza Strip while ground troops conducted "targeted raids" in eastern Rafah,&nbsp;killing 50 militants and locating dozens of tunnel shafts.
Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said it fired a&nbsp;barrage of rockets towards the Israeli city of Ashkelon and targeted an Israeli&nbsp;command centre at the Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip.
An AFP reporter said air strikes and artillery shells pounded eastern Rafah&nbsp;as warplanes criss-crossed over the city on Gaza's border with Egypt.
More than 10 days into what the army called a "limited" operation in Rafah&nbsp;that sparked an exodus of Palestinians, fighting between Israeli forces and&nbsp;Palestinian militants has also flared again in northern Gaza.
Israel said in early January it had dismantled Hamas's command structure in&nbsp;the north, but the army said Hamas -- whose October 7 attack sparked the war --&nbsp;had been "in complete control here in Jabalia until we arrived a few days ago".
&nbsp;

Fierce fighting on streets of Gaza's Rafah

Twenty-three people trying to cross the&nbsp;Mediterranean to Europe from Tunisia have been missing for the past two weeks,&nbsp;the country's National Guard said in a statement on Saturday.
The National Guard, which oversees the North African country's coastguard,&nbsp;said searches were still under way after the group departed in early May.
"They set sail overnight between May 3 and 4" from the city of Nabeul, the&nbsp;statement said, adding that relatives of the missing only contacted the authorities 10 days later.
Acting on orders from prosecutors in Nabeul, the National Guard said it had&nbsp;arrested five people allegedly involved in organising the crossing.
It said two of the missing were related to some of the organisers.
Tunisia is a key departure point for irregular migrants who risk perilous&nbsp;sea journeys hoping to reach Europe.
More than 1,300 died or disappeared last year in shipwrecks, according to&nbsp;the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FTDES) non-governmental&nbsp;organisation.
Last week, authorities reported a 22.5 percent increase in the number of&nbsp;migrant interceptions, with more than 21,000 people prevented from leaving&nbsp;Tunisia or rescued during the first four months of 2024.
According to the National Guard, 21,545 people were intercepted between&nbsp;January 1 and April 30, compared with 17,576 over the same period last year.
Since January 1, the bodies of 291 shipwreck victims have been recovered&nbsp;compared with 572 last year in almost triple the number of operations (1,967 this year against 686 in 2023).
Last year, Tunisians accounted for the second largest number of irregular&nbsp;migrant arrivals in Italy, at 17,304 people, second only to Guineans at 18,204,&nbsp;Italian government figures show.
The increase in interceptions come after agreements between Tunisia and the&nbsp;European Union and Italy, who provide financial aid and economic cooperation&nbsp;deals in return for the debt-ridden country's commitment to curb migrant&nbsp;departures.
Tunisia has also been shaken by political tensions after President Kais&nbsp;Saied orchestrated a sweeping power grab in July 2021.

23 missing for two weeks off Tunisia: officials

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk4,502 per bhori, making it now Tk115,450 per bhori.
The Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring of BAJUS adjusted the price of the precious metal upward on Tuesday (7 May), citing an increase in the price of pure gold in the local market.
With the new rates effective from Wednesday (8 May), the price of 21-carat and 18-carat gold rose to Tk1,10,201 and Tk94,445 per bhori, respectively.
The traditional gold price has been set at Tk78,090.
Earlier, the price of gold dropped for the consecutive eighth time, where each carat of top-quality gold came to Tk1,09,163.
Later, it was increased to Tk6,287 in three stages.

Gold price rises by Tk4,502 per bhori

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