Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed that battery-run auto-rickshaws and easy bikes be allowed to operate in Dhaka city, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday (May 20).
The direction comes after the drivers of battery-run auto-rickshaws and easy bikes took to the street for the second consecutive day protesting the ban on their vehicles.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked for allowing the movement of battery-run auto-rickshaws during a Cabinet meeting on Monday,&rdquo; said Quader while addressing a discussion organised to mark the founding anniversary of the Olama League at the Awami League&rsquo;s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka this afternoon.
However, the movement of battery-run auto-rickshaws will be banned on 22 highways, said the road transport and bridges minister.
The auto-rickshaw and easy bike drivers blocked roads in the Staff Quarters, Mohammadpur Beribadh, Khilgaon, and Agargaon Taltola areas, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
In Demra, a clash erupted between the police and drivers when the latter blocked the road in the Staff Quarters area around 11:15 am. Police used batons and fired shotgun rounds to disperse the crowd, according to Jahirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Demra Police Station. Protestors retaliated by throwing bricks at the law enforcers, creating panic in the area, as reported by police and locals.
In Rampura, over 100 drivers blocked the road near Better Life Hospital at around 9:30 am, causing a severe traffic jam. Mashiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Rampura Police Station, said that traffic movement resumed after the drivers left the road around 10:30 am.
In Agargaon, a group of drivers formed a human chain beside the road, urging the government to allow their vehicles to operate until alternative employment could be arranged. When the protesters attempted to position themselves beside the road, police chased and dispersed them. Some drivers responded by throwing bricks at the police. Police detained at least seven drivers from the scene, according to our staff photographer on site.
Yesterday, traffic in Mirpur was severely disrupted as drivers of battery-run rickshaws demonstrated, clashed with police, and vandalised vehicles.

PM allows battery-run rickshaws to ply in Dhaka: Quader

Drivers of battery-run rickshaws and easy bikes continued their protests on various city streets for the second consecutive day, opposing the crackdown on their vehicles.
The drivers blocked roads in the Staff Quarters, Mohammadpur Beribadh, Khilgaon, and Agargaon Taltola areas, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
In Demra, a clash erupted between the police and drivers when the latter blocked the road in the Staff Quarters area around 11:15 am. Police used batons and fired shotgun rounds to disperse the crowd, according to Jahirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Demra Police Station. Protestors retaliated by throwing bricks at the law enforcers, creating panic in the area, as reported by police and locals.
In Rampura, over 100 drivers blocked the road near Better Life Hospital at around 9:30 am, causing a severe traffic jam. Mashiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Rampura Police Station, stated that traffic movement resumed after the drivers left the road around 10:30 am.
In Agargaon, a group of drivers formed a human chain beside the road, urging the government to allow their vehicles to operate until alternative employment could be arranged. When the protesters attempted to position themselves beside the road, police chased and dispersed them. Some drivers responded by throwing bricks at the police. Police detained at least seven drivers from the scene, according to our staff photographer on site.
Yesterday, traffic in Mirpur was severely disrupted as drivers of battery-run rickshaws demonstrated, clashed with police, and vandalized vehicles.

Drivers take to street for second straight day protesting ban on battery-run rickshaws

Gusty winds along with rain and thunderstorms are likely to pass through some places in Dhaka, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
&ldquo;Along with this, there may be scattered hailstorms in some places,&rdquo; the BMD said in its latest weather forecast bulletin on Monday (20 May).
Some places in Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal divisions may experience temporary gusty or windy rain or rain with thunder, it added.
At the same time, stormy winds with a speed of 60-80km per hour may blow temporarily over Rangpur, Dinajpur, Bogura, Tangail and Mymensingh districts from west or north-west. &nbsp;Rain or thundershowers may also occur, the BMD said.
River ports in these areas have been asked to hoist warning signals no 2.
BMD said that the additional low pressure is extending from West Bengal in India to the North-West Bay of Bengal.

Gusty winds and rain likely in Dhaka, 4 other divisions: BMD

Dhaka has ranked sixth on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 165 at 9 am this morning (May 20, 2024).
Dhaka&rsquo;s air this morning was classified as 'unhealthy', 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 Indonesia&rsquo;s Jakarta occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 381, 188 and 175, 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 the 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. &nbsp;

Dhaka’s air quality 6th worst in the world this morning

A Dhaka court on Sunday sent BNP's International Affairs Committee member and former mayoral candidate of Dhaka South City Corporation, Ishraque Hossain, to jail by rejecting his bail petition in a case filed on charges of committing treason.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad As-Shams Joglul Hossain issued the order as Ishraque Hossain appeared before the court seeking bail in the case, said his lawyer Taherul Islam Tauhid.
On 29 October, Mohiuddin Shikder filed a case with Paltan Police Station, accusing Mian Zahidul Islam Arefy, who claimed to be an advisor to US President Joe Biden, Ishraque, and retired Lieutenant General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi of attempting to destabilise the country by resorting to lies.
Tauhid stated that his client, Ishraq, had secured bail for six weeks once already in the case. "As that period was about to end, he applied for bail in court again."
Tauhid further mentioned that the BNP leader applied for permanent bail in twelve cases, including the one with Paltan Thana. "The court granted bail in all cases except this one and ordered him to be sent to jail."
According to the case statement, during a press conference at BNP&rsquo;s Nayapaltan central office on 28 October last year, Arefy recommended the US government to impose bans on various governmental departments and claimed to have frequent contact with President Biden.
The plaintiff also alleged that Ishraque and Suhrawardi endorsed Arefy's speech, inciting chaos to disturb the peace in the country. &nbsp;

BNP leader Ishraque sent to jail

Desk Report

World Metrology Day, commemorating the anniversary of signature by representatives of 17 nations of the "Metre Convention-1875", is being observed today (20 May) in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the globe.
Like all member countries of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and International Bureau of Legal Metrology (BIML), the day will be observed at the initiative of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) in Bangladesh.
The theme of the World Metrology Day-2024 is "We Measure Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow".
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages wishing the success of all programmes on the occasion.
Besides, the heads of BIPM and BIML issued messages on the occasion.
On the eve of the day, the president, in his message, said the government is working towards digital transformation of the traditional system to ensure accurate weight and measurement of equipment used in all sectors of industry, trade and services.
In her message, the prime minister hoped that the collective efforts of all will continue to transform the country into a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
To mark the day, BSTI has chalked out various programmes including discussions at its headquarters and regional offices.
Marking the day, a discussion will be held at the head office of BSTI in Dhaka's Tejgaon at 12:30pm today.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun will attend the event as the chief guest, a press release said.

World Metrology Day today

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

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

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.
<img src="https://images.bangladeshfirst.com/resize?width=1600&amp;height=900&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=85&amp;path=mediaImages/2024-May-19_664985a5169e5_1716094373.jpg" alt="" width="1156" height="867">
"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

As Iranian President &nbsp;Ibrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, US Republican Senator Rick Scott said the world is a "safer and better place" without him.
"If Raisi is dead, the world is now a safer &amp; better place. That evil man was a tyrant &amp; terrorist. He was not loved or respected &amp; he will be missed by no one," Rick Scott wrote on X on Monday (20 May).
"If he's gone, I truly hope the Iranian people have the chance to take their country back from murderous dictators," he added.
Senator Scott's comments stand in stark contrast with the numerous foreign officials and countries expressing condolences over Raisi's death, including many US allies in the Middle East.
As confirmed by officials and state media, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, along with other passengers, were killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border.
Their remains were found early on Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.&nbsp;
State TV reported that images from the site showed the aircraft slammed into a mountain peak, although there was no official word on the cause of the crash.

World is now a safer place: US senator on Raisi's death

Reuters

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner long seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday.
The helicopter was also carrying Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew.
Here are reactions to the news:
CHARLES MICHEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ON X, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER:
"The European Union expresses its sincere condolences for the death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian, as well as other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter accident. Our thoughts go to the families."
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV, IN STATEMENT:
Raisi and Abdollahian were known as "true, reliable friends of our country".
"Their role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trusting partnership is invaluable.
"We sincerely extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to the entire friendly people of Iran. Our thoughts and hearts are with you in this sad hour."
JAPAN'S GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON YOSHIMASA HAYASHI:
Japan expresses its deepest condolences to the government and people of Iran over the death of President Raisi and the foreign minister.
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO, ON X:
"...Deeply saddened to have to say goodbye to an exemplary person, an extraordinary leader of the world as our brother Ebrahim is, and will always be, an excellent human being, defender of the sovereignty of his people and unconditional friend of our country.
"From Bolivarian lands, we express our deepest condolences to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and wish for divine consolation for such a sensitive loss. We join the feelings of his family and our Iranian brothers and sisters in these difficult moments."
MARYAM RAJAVI, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE PARIS-BASED NATIONAL COUNCIL OF RESISTANCE OF IRAN OPPOSITION GROUP, IN A STATEMENT:
"This represents a monumental and irreparable strategic blow to the mullahs&rsquo; Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the entire regime, notorious for its executions and massacres.
"It will trigger a series of repercussions and crises within theocratic tyranny, which will spur rebellious youths into action.
"The curse of mothers and those seeking justice for the executed, along with the damnation of the Iranian people and history, mark the legacy of Ebrahim Raisi, the notorious perpetrator of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners."
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH EL-SISI, IN A STATEMENT:
"The president of the Arab Republic of Egypt extends his sincere condolences and sympathy to the brotherly Iranian people, and prays that the deceased Iranian President and the departed may rest in God Almighty's mercy, and grant their families patience and solace, expressing the solidarity of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the Iranian leadership and people in this terrible incident."
LEBANON'S IRAN-BACKED HEZBOLLAH GROUP, IN A STATEMENT:
Said it mourned "with deep sadness the martyrdom of Raisi, Abdollahian and others in a tragic incident."
It offered condolences to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the religious authorities, the leaders of Iran and its patient people.
It praised the struggle of the martyrs in defending the causes of the nation and their service to Iran, calling upon God to bless them with His mercy, to protect Khamenei, and to grant Iran the ability to overcome the ordeal with patience and determination.
SRI LANKA PRESIDENT RANIL WICKREMESINGHE, ON X:
"I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of President Raisi and his entourage."
JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH, ON X:
"My deepest condolences to the brothers, leadership, government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the death of Brother President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Brother Hossein Amir Abdullahian and those accompanying them, may God have mercy on them all.
"We stand in solidarity with our brothers in Iran in this difficult circumstance"
UAE PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL-MAKTOUM, IN A STATEMENT:
"Our hearts are with you in this difficult time. Our prayers are that God will cover them with His vast mercy and dwell them in His spacious Paradise."
SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD:
In a statement of condolence, Assad affirmed Syria's solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the families of the dead, adding that Raisi's dedication to his work and duties had taken him to East Azerbaijan to inaugurate a vital project for his country, where he was martyred in the line of duty.
Assad added that Syria had worked with the late president to ensure strategic ties between Syria and Iran remained prosperous, recalling Raisi's important visit to Syria as part of enhancing ties for the benefit of both nations.
IRAQ PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMED SHIA AL-SUDANI, IN A STATEMENT:
"We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, and to the nation of Iran, its government and people.
"We express our solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people and the officials of the Islamic Republic during this painful tragedy."
HAMAS STATEMENT:
The statement conveyed Hamas' "deepest condolences...for "this immense loss."
It praised the deceased Iranian leaders for supporting the Palestinian cause and resistance against Israel and expressed confidence that Iran's "deep-rooted institutions" will enable it to overcome "the repercussions of this great loss."
MOHAMMED ALI AL-HOUTHI, HEAD OF YEMEN'S HOUTHI SUPREME REVOLUTIONARY COMMITTEE, ON X:
"We ask God to grant their families patience and solace. Verily we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. The Iranian people will remain adhering to the loyal leaders of their people, by God's will."
QATAR'S EMIR SHEIKH TAMIN BIN HAMAD AL-THANI, ON X:
"Sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran...asking God Almighty for mercy and forgiveness for them and for their families with patience and solace.
"We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return."
PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF, ON X:
"The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage.
"Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with brotherly Iran."
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI ON X:
"Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered.
"My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow."
&nbsp;

Reactions to the death of Iran's president in a helicopter crash

Here are some key facts about Mohammad Mokhber, 68, Iran's first vice president who, based on the country's constitution, is expected to become interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
* As interim president, Mokhber is part of a three-person council, along with the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary, that will organise a new presidential election within 50 days of the president's death.
* Born on Sept. 1, 1955, Mokhber, like Raisi, is seen as close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the last say in all matters of state. Mokhber became first vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected president.
* Mokhber was part of a team of Iranian officials who visited Moscow in October and agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russia's military, sources told Reuters at the time. The team also included two senior officials from Iran's Revolutionary Guards and an official from the Supreme National Security Council.
* Mokhber had previously been head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader.
* In 2010, the European Union included Mokhber on a list of individuals and entities it was sanctioning for alleged involvement in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities". Two years later, it removed him from the list.
* In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department added Setad and 37 companies it oversaw to a list of sanctioned entities.
* Setad, whose full name is Setad Ejraiye Farmane Hazrate Emam, or the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, was set up under an order issued by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei's predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It ordered aides to sell and manage properties supposedly abandoned in the chaotic years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and channel the bulk of the proceeds to charity.

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the man set to become Iran's interim president?

Press Release

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC and Daffodil International University (DIU) signed an agreement on payment of all student fees.&nbsp;
Under this agreement, DIU students and their parents can pay all kinds of fees including tuition and semester fees conveniently at Islami Bank branches, sub-branches, agent outlets and through the Cellfin app, reads a press release.&nbsp;
In the presence of Professor Dr. M. Lutfar Rahman, Vice Chancellor of DIU and Md. Altaf Hossain, Additional Managing Director of Islami Bank, Mominul Haque Majumder, Treasurer (Current Duties) of DIU and A.B.M Mostafa Ali Haidar, Head of Ashulia Branch of the bank signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations recently at the DIU Conference Hall. Md. Maksudur Rahman, Senior Executive Vice President, Bashir Ahamed, Head of Dhaka North Zone of Islami Bank, Dr. S.M. Mahbub Ul Haque Majumder, Pro- Vice Chancellor and Dr. Mohammed Nadir Bin Ali, Registrar, Dr. Sayed Mizanur Rahman, Professor, Department of Economics of DIU along with executives &amp; officials of both institutions were present on the occasion.

Islami Bank inks agreement with Daffodil International University

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, an Iranian official said on Monday, after search teams located the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province.
"President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash," the senior Iranian official told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Iran's Mehr news agency confirmed the deaths, reporting that "all passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred".
An Iranian official earlier told Reuters the helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was completely burned in the crash on Sunday.
State TV reported that images from the site showed the aircraft slammed into a mountain peak, although there was no official word on the cause of the crash.
State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a US-made Bell 212 helicopter.
Raisi, 63, was elected president 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.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran's nuclear programme, had earlier sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.
PRAYERS, SEARCHES
Rescue teams fought blizzards and difficult terrain through the night to reach the wreckage in the early hours of Monday.
&ldquo;With the discovery of the crash site, no signs of life have been detected among the helicopter's passengers,&rdquo; the head of Iran&rsquo;s Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand, told state TV.
Earlier, the national broadcaster had stopped all regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country.
In the early hours of Monday, it showed a rescue team, wearing bright jackets and head torches, huddled around a GPS device as they searched a pitch-black mountainside on foot in a blizzard.
Several countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue.
The White House said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. China said it was deeply concerned. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology.
HARDLINER, POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR TO KHAMENEI
The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran's clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.
Since Iran's ally Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October provoking Israel's assault on Gaza, conflagrations involving Iran-aligned groups have erupted throughout the Middle East.
In Iran's dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is Raisi's 85-year-old mentor Khamenei, supreme leader since 1989, who holds decision-making power on all major policies.
For years many have seen Raisi as a strong contender to succeed Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's main policies.
Raisi's victory in a closely managed election in 2021 brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years when the presidency had been held by pragmatist Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal was negotiated with powers including Washington.
However, Raisi's standing may have been dented by widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's economy, hamstrung by Western sanctions.
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who said he had bid a "friendly farewell" to Raisi earlier in the day, offered assistance in the rescue.

Iranian president, foreign minister killed in helicopter crash

Social Islami Bank held a reception and felicitation ceremony for its newly promoted officers working in Dhaka.
The event took place at Jamuna Future Park Convention Center on May 13 with the bank's Managing Director and Chief Executive &nbsp;Zafar Alam in attendance as the chief guest at reads a press release.
Muhammad Forkanullah, Deputy Managing Director, presided over the ceremony. Special guests included Deputy Managing Directors Abdul Hannan Khan and Mohammad Habibur Rahman.
The occasion was attended by regional heads from various bank regions, department heads from the head office, senior executives, and branch managers from Dhaka and surrounding areas. Approximately 2000 officers and employees from all levels of branches in Dhaka and its neighboring regions participated in the event.
In his address, Zafar Alam encouraged everyone to collaborate and innovate to propel the bank forward. He emphasized that the success of the bank is intrinsically linked to the success of its employees, urging them to work together to achieve excellence.

Social Islami Bank greets promoted officers in Dhaka

Social Islami Bank arranged a programme on Saturday &nbsp;to congratulate the officers who got promotion in 2024 in Chattogram.&nbsp;
Zafar Alam, Managing Director &amp; CEO, was present as chief guest while Mohammad Forkanullah and Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Managing Directors, were present as special guests, reads a press release.&nbsp;
Sayed Md Sohel, Head of Chattogram Zone, presided over the programme. Md. Towhid Hossain, SEVP &amp; Head of IRMD-I, Abu Rushd Iftekharul Haque, Head of TF &amp; RMG, branch managers, sub-branch in-charges &amp; officers of Chattogram Zone attended the event.
Zafar Alam, MD &amp; CEO, greeted the officers who got promotion, and urged everyone to work dedicatedly to take our bank to the height of success.&nbsp;

Social Islami Bank greets promoted officers in Chattogram

Bangladesh is going to organise a big roadshow in the USA on Friday (24 May) with 30 managing directors of different domestic banks to attract dollar deposits in response to recent foreign exchange fluctuations.
A total of 45 officials, including MDs of 30 banks are going to the USA for the special promotion program to increase US dollar deposits in banks through offshore accounts. Such a big gathering of Bangladeshi bank MDs will be held for the first time ever abroad.
According to the source, commercial banks are launching special campaigns to increase the flow of dollar deposits. Expatriates will be encouraged to send dollars through banking channels. For this purpose, a program related to Offshore Banking Fixed Deposit has been organised for expatriates in a hotel in New York.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Imran, will be present as the chief guest at the event. Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, Deputy Governor Kazi Sayedur Rahman, Bangladesh Consulate General in New York Md Najmul Huda will be special guests.
This gathering, aimed at exploring opportunities in offshore banking, underscores the growing interest among Bangladeshi banks in diversifying their foreign currency reserves.
As a part of this, it is said that a promotional event has been organised in the country to encourage Bangladeshis residing in the United States to deposit dollars under offshore banking. &nbsp;

Bangladesh to launch US roadshow with 30 banks’ MDs to advertise offshore services

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip, residents said, as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday amid US calls for a more focused military campaign.
Sullivan was expected to press for Israel to go after Hamas militants in a targeted way, not with a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the White House said before the discussions.
Israel has been pushing into the city that it says is the last bastion of Hamas forces. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled the area that was one of their few remaining places of refuge.
"Across the Gaza Strip, there is no safety," said Majid Omran who told Reuters his family had fled Rafah and just returned to what was left of their home in the southern city of Khan Younis that they had fled nearly five months ago.
"We took our children, grandchildren, and daughters and we came and lived above the rubble of our home. Because there is no place to take refuge here," Omran told Reuters inside the wrecked property as a woman cooked over a fire.
Israeli forces also pushed deeper into the narrow alleyways of Jabalia in northern Gaza overnight and into Sunday, returning to an area that they said they had cleared earlier in the conflict, residents said.
The Israeli military has said its operations in Jabalia - the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps - are precise and meant to stop Hamas from reestablishing its grip there.
The Israeli military said it was "operating to identify armed terrorist cells and ... conducting dozens of strikes to assist the forces operating on the ground" in the Jabalia area.
TALKS, TUNNELS, THREATS
Ahead of Sunday's talks, an Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his senior aides would try to reach an agreement with Sullivan about the need to press ahead with the Rafah push.
Past US misgivings about the feasibility of Israel's humanitarian measures may have been allayed by the evacuation of around half of the city's Palestinians in 12 days, said the official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
"We've shown that this is not only necessary, but doable," added the official.
The official said Israel would also air concerns about dozens of tunnels it says its forces have found under Rafah, running into next-door Egypt - which has condemned the military sweep.
"These tunnels are used by Hamas to supply itself with weapons and ammunition, and could potentially be used to smuggle out of Gaza hostages or Hamas senior operatives," Deputy Israeli State Attorney Noam Gilad said during a hearing at The Hague on Friday, in a rare detailing of allegations that Egypt's state information service previously dismissed as untrue.
Netanyahu has said the operation in Rafah, where Israel believes that as much as a quarter of Hamas' fighting forces are holed up, could be completed within weeks.
Washington worries for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians sheltering there, and has cited a need not just to evacuate them but also to ensure adequate alternative accommodation.
At least 28 Palestinians were killed on Sunday, Gaza health officials and Hamas said, most of them in a strike on a house in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Civil Emergency Service said in a statement rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of 150 Palestinians killed by the army in recent days, and that 300 houses had been struck by Israeli aerial and ground fire.
The 7 October Hamas assault on Israel that sparked the war killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. About 125 of the 253 people abducted in the raid are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza.
At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since 7 October, according to the enclave's health ministry. Aid agencies have warned of widespread hunger and shortages of fuel and medical supplies.
The US military said on Friday trucks had started moving aid ashore from a temporary pier built by its forces, the first to reach the besieged enclave by sea in weeks.
The Popular Resistance Committee (PRC), an armed group that fights alongside Hamas in Gaza, released a statement saying the pier had been built to ease political pressure on Israel, and that any Israeli or US troops on its territory would be considered a legitimate target.
On Saturday, Hamas also raised concerns about the pier and warned against any foreign military force in Gaza, but made no direct threats.
In March, when President Joe Biden announced his country's pier construction plans, he said: "No US boots will be on the ground."

Israel launches strikes across Gaza as US envoy meets Netanyahu

India began voting in the fifth phase of its mammoth general elections on Monday, with seats in the financial capital Mumbai and the opposition's Gandhi family bastions set to be sealed in the last few legs of the seven-phase vote.
The world's largest election began on 19 April and will conclude on 1 June, with votes set to be counted on 4 June.
Monday's phase has the least number of seats being contested, with 89.5 million voters set to choose representatives for 49 seats.
Several high-profile candidates are in the fray on Monday - including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal from Mumbai - cities which have suffered from a dismal voter turnout in the past.
The Election Commission on Sunday specifically called upon residents of those cities "to erase the stigma" of urban apathy.
"At the core of our vision for Mumbai is &ndash; better infrastructure and more 'ease of living," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while campaigning in the city last week, just days after at least 14 people were killed when a massive billboard fell during a rainstorm.
Two boroughs of the Congress party's Nehru-Gandhi dynasty in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh are also going to polls, with scion Rahul Gandhi contesting the seat of Raebareli, in addition to Wayanad in the south which has already voted. India allows candidates to contest multiple constituencies but represents only one.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress party chief and former lawmaker from Raebareli, made an emotional appeal to voters asking them to vote for her son in a region that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has dominated in the last 10 years.
Smriti Irani, minister for women and child development, is contesting from Amethi. In 2019, she defeated Rahul Gandhi in a seat his family held continuously for the last four decades.
Among other keenly watched electorates in the state is Kaiserganj, where the BJP is fielding a former wrestling federation chief's son, despite his father being charged with sexually harassing female wrestlers.
Poor voter turnout became a concern for the ruling BJP initially, and analysts believe the low numbers cast doubts on the landslide victory the party and its allies sought.
After an initial poor performance, more people started casting their votes with an average turnout of 66.95% in four phases, and 69% in the fourth one on 13 May.
Modi, widely expected to return as prime minister for a third consecutive term, has been accused by opponents of targeting minority Muslims to please hardline voters.
Modi has repeatedly accused the Congress party of planning to extend welfare benefits to Muslims at the expense of disadvantaged tribal groups and Hindu castes, a claim the Congress has denied.
In a recent television interview aired after the fourth phase, Modi said it was his resolve to "not do Hindu-Muslim (in politics)".
The opposition INDIA alliance, consisting of Congress and a dozen political parties, got a major boost after fierce Modi critic and Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal was given temporary relief by the court and allowed to campaign in the elections.

India begins voting in fifth phase as Mumbai, Gandhi family boroughs head to polls

BSS/AFP

China said on Monday it was "deeply concerned" after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter went missing in what Tehran's state media described as an accident, and pledged to help the rescue operation.
Contact was lost with the aircraft carrying Raisi, as well as Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others, in East Azerbaijan province in northwest Iran on Sunday, reports said.
Iran's Red Crescent said on Monday the helicopter had been found and the situation was "not good".
"The Chinese side is deeply concerned about the hard landing of the helicopter in which President Raisi was travelling, and we wish President Raisi and the crew on board safe and sound," state broadcaster CCTV quoted Beijing's foreign ministry as saying.
China was closely monitoring the situation and would "provide all necessary support and assistance" to the rescue operations, it added.
China is a close partner of Iran, its largest trade partner, and a top buyer of its sanctioned oil.
Tehran and Beijing have deepened trade ties in recent years, though Beijing's efforts to pull Iran into its flagship Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure project have been complicated by sanctions.
Beijing has also long played a critical role in arming Iran, aiding its efforts to modernise its military hardware and tactics.
It has also facilitated the "transfer of technology and machinery" for Iran's illicit nuclear program, according to the RAND Corporation.
The United States has repeatedly made public appeals for China to use its influence over Tehran to manage tensions in the region, which have been heightened by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

China 'deeply concerned' over Iran president's helicopter accident

Hopes are fading that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister have survived a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, an Iranian official said on Monday after search teams located the wreckage.
"President Raisi's helicopter was completely burned in the crash ... unfortunately, all passengers are feared dead," the official told Reuters.
Rescue teams fought blizzards and difficult terrain through the night to reach the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province in the early hours of Monday.
&ldquo;We can see the wreckage and the situation does not look good,&rdquo; the head of Iran&rsquo;s Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand, told state TV.
&ldquo;With the discovery of the crash site, no signs of life have been detected among the helicopter's passengers.&rdquo;
Iranian state media said images from the site showed the helicopter crashed into a mountain peak, although there was no official word yet on the cause of the crash.
Raisi, 63, was elected president 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.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran's nuclear programme, had earlier sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.
PRAYERS, SEARCHES A Turkish drone identified a source of heat suspected to be the helicopter's wreckage early on Monday and had shared the coordinates of the possible crash site with Iranian authorities, Anadolu news agency said on X.
State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter.
The chief of staff of Iran's army ordered all resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be put to use in search and rescue operations.
Earlier, the national broadcaster had stopped all regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country.
In the early hours of Monday, it showed a rescue team, wearing bright jackets and head torches, huddled around a GPS device as they searched a pitch-black mountainside on foot in a blizzard.
&ldquo;We are thoroughly searching every inch of the general area of the crash," state media quoted a regional army commander as saying. "The area has very cold, rainy, and foggy weather conditions. The rain is gradually turning into snow."
Several countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue.
The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. China said it was deeply concerned. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology.
HARDLINER, POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR TO KHAMENEI The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran's clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.
Since Iran's ally Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, provoking Israel's assault on Gaza, conflagrations involving Iran-aligned groups have erupted throughout the Middle East.
In Iran's dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is Raisi's 85-year-old mentor Khamenei, supreme leader since 1989, who holds decision-making power on all major policies.
For years many have seen Raisi as a strong contender to succeed Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's main policies.
Raisi's victory in a closely managed election in 2021 brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years when the presidency had been held by pragmatist Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal negotiated with powers including Washington.
However, Raisi's standing may have been dented by widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's economy, hamstrung by Western sanctions.
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who said he had bid a "friendly farewell" to Raisi earlier in the day, offered assistance in the rescue.

Iranian President Raisi feared dead as helicopter wreckage found

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain on Sunday, has become a contender to be Iran's next supreme leader with a clampdown on morality questions and a bloody crackdown on the nationwide protests it triggered.
Raisi's victory in an election in 2021, after heavyweight conservative and moderate rivals were disqualified by a hardline oversight body, brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Raisi's 85-year-old mentor, who has the final say on all major policies.
Raisi, 63, took a tough stance in now-moribund negotiations with six major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal, seeing a chance to win broad relief from US sanctions in return for only modest curbs on Iran's increasingly advanced nuclear programme.
Hardliners in Iran have been emboldened by the chaotic US military withdrawal from neighbouring Afghanistan and policy swings in Washington.
In 2018, then-US president Donald Trump had reneged on the deal Tehran had done with the six powers and restored harsh US sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to progressively violate the agreement's nuclear limits.
Indirect talks between US President Joe Biden's administration and Tehran to revive the pact have stalled.
Raisi's hardline position has also been evident in domestic politics; a year after his election, the mid-ranking cleric ordered that authorities tighten enforcement of Iran's "hijab and chastity law" restricting women's dress and behaviour.
Within weeks, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died in custody after being arrested by morality police for allegedly violating that law.
The resulting months of nationwide protests presented one of the gravest challenges to Iran's clerical rulers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Hundreds were killed, according to rights groups, including dozens of security personnel who were part of a fierce crackdown on the demonstrators. "Acts of chaos are unacceptable," the president insisted.
Although a political novice, Raisi has had full backing for the nuclear stance and the security crackdown from his patron, the strongly anti-Western Khamenei.
However, the widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's struggling economy - hamstrung by Western sanctions and mismanagement - may have diminished his popularity at home.
'PILLAR OF THE SYSTEM'
As a young prosecutor in Tehran, Raisi sat on a panel that oversaw the execution of hundreds of political prisoners in the Iranian capital in 1988, as Iran's eight-year war with Iraq was coming to an end, rights groups say.
Inquisitions known as "death committees" were set up across Iran comprising religious judges, prosecutors and intelligence ministry officials to decide the fate of thousands of detainees in arbitrary trials that lasted just a few minutes, according to a report by Amnesty International.
While the number of people killed across Iran was never confirmed, Amnesty said minimum estimates put it at 5,000.
Asked about allegations that he had played a part in the death sentences, Raisi told reporters in 2021: "If a judge, a prosecutor, has defended the security of the people, he should be praised ... I am proud to have defended human rights in every position I have held so far."
He rose through the ranks of Iran's Shi'ite Muslim clergy and was appointed by Khamenei to the high-profile job of judiciary chief in 2019. Shortly afterwards, he was also elected deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the 88-member clerical body responsible for electing the next Supreme Leader.
"Raisi is a pillar of a system that jails, tortures and kills people for daring to criticize state policies," said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of New York-based advocacy group the Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). Iran denies torturing prisoners.
Raisi shares with Khamenei a deep suspicion of the West. An anti-corruption populist, he backs Khamenei's self-sufficiency drive in the economy and his strategy of supporting proxy forces across the Middle East.
When a missile attack killed senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers in Iran's embassy in Damascus in April, Iran responded with an unprecedented but largely unsuccessful direct aerial bombardment of Israel.
Raisi said that any Israeli retaliation against Iranian territory could result in there being nothing left of the "Zionist regime".
"Raisi is someone that Khamenei trusts," said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham House&rsquo;s Middle East and North Africa Program. "Raisi can protect the supreme leader's legacy.
Raisi served as deputy head of the judiciary for 10 years before being appointed prosecutor-general in 2014. Five years later, the United States imposed sanctions on him for human rights violations, including the 1980s executions.
Seeking the presidency, Raisi lost to the pragmatist Hassan Rouhani in a 2017 election. His failure was widely attributed to an audio tape dating from 1988 that surfaced in 2016 and purportedly highlighted his role in the 1988 executions.
In the recording, the late Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, then deputy supreme leader, spoke of the killings. Montazeri&rsquo;s son was arrested and jailed for releasing the tape.
Raisi was born in 1960 to a religious family in Iran's holy Shi'ite Muslim city of Mashhad. He lost his father at the age of 5, but followed in his footsteps to become a cleric.
As a young student at a religious seminary in the holy city of Qom, Raisi took part in protests against the Western-backed Shah in the 1979 revolution. Later, his contacts with religious leaders in Qom made him a trusted figure in the judiciary.

Iranian President Raisi: a hardliner on morality, protests and nuclear talks

Sunrisers Hyderabad ended the IPL league stage in second behind table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders after they beat Punjab Kings by four wickets on Sunday (19 May).
Former champions Hyderabad, led by Pat Cummins, edged out Rajasthan Royals for second spot on net run-rate after the final league match between Rajasthan and Kolkata was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled in Guwahati.
Chasing 215 for victory, Hyderabad, who are already among the top four teams to have made the play-offs, depended on Abhsihek Sharma's 66 to reach the target with five balls to spare at their home.
"We've had a lot of fun and played some really great cricket," said Cummins. "It's satisfying and exciting (to be in the play-offs)."
Kolkata and Hyderabad will face each other in the first qualifier on Tuesday with the winner moving to the final on May 26 in Chennai.
The loser will have another shot at making the final when they play the winner of the eliminator in the second qualifier.
Third-placed Rajasthan, who have been winless in their last five matches, will play Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the eliminator on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.
Left-handed Abhishek, who has been a breakout young Indian star in this edition with 467 runs including three half-centuries, took charge after Travis Head departed for a first-ball duck.
"He (Abhishek) is amazing. I wouldn't want to bowl to him," Cummins said of his team's player of the match. "It's scary as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners."
He reached his 50 in 21 balls and hammered five fours and six sixes in his 28-ball blitz to set up the chase.
- Classy Klaasen -
Abhishek put on an attacking stand of 72 with Rahul Tripathi, who smashed 33, before Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the innings and hit back.
Klaasen smashed 42 before he got out in the 19th over and Sanvir Singh steered the team home.
Punjab, who exited the play-off race early and extended their wait for a first IPL title, posted 214-5 as Prabhsimran Singh hit 71 off 45 balls to lay the foundations for the total.
Prabhsimran put on a key stand of 54 with South Africa's Rilee Rossouw, a left-handed batsman who hit 49, to set up the batting attack.
Rossouw kept up the charge after Prabhsimran's departure in the 15th over as he smashed three fours and four sixes in his 24-ball knock.
Jitesh Sharma, who stood in as captain after England's Sam Curran returned home after the previous win, steered the team past 200 and ended the innings with two sixes in his unbeaten 32 off 15 balls.
Left-arm medium-pace bowler T. Natarajan stood out with figures of 2-33 in his four overs.
In the second match of the day at Rajasthan's adopted home ground in Guwahati, unrelenting rain kept the players off the field until a seven-overs-a-side game was planned.
Kolkata won the toss and elected to field first but another spell of rain finally forced officials to call off the match.

Hyderabad finish second after last IPL league match washed out

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool's fans as the "superpower of world football" after his final match as manager ended in a 2-0 win at home to Wolves on an emotional day at Anfield on Sunday.
Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah scored the goals, but the game was largely a sideshow as supporters paid tribute to the German they have taken to their hearts.
The charismatic 56-year-old, who announced in January he was leaving the club, has forged a strong bond with the Anfield faithful, who gave him a rousing welcome as he emerged from the famous tunnel.
The fans used cards to create giant mosaics, one simply reading "Jurgen" and another saying "Danke", with many holding scarves aloft bearing Klopp's name during a rousing rendition of the club's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone".
After full-time he returned to the pitch through a guard of honour from the players to address the crowd wearing a red top bearing the words "Thank You" on the front and "I'll Never Walk Alone Again" on the back.
A stage was set up in the centre of the pitch and the club's owners, directors and ambassadors, including Anfield great Kenny Dalglish, all welcomed Klopp onto the field, with fans chanting his name.
"It doesn't feel like an end," said Klopp, who arrived at Anfield in 2015 with the club at a low ebb.
"It just feels like a start. Today I saw a football team play full of talent, youth, creativity, desire, greed. That's one part of development, that's what you need, obviously.
"People say I turned them from doubters into believers. That's not true. You did it. Nobody tells you to stop believing. This club is in a better moment than for a long time.
"We have this wonderful stadium, training centre and you -- the superpower of world football. Wow."
'Keep believing'&nbsp;
Klopp added: "We decide if we are worried or excited. We decide if we believe. We decide if we trust or don't trust. Today I am one of you and I keep believing. I stay believing 100 percent.
"Obviously I saw a lot of people crying and I will tonight too because I will miss people but change is good. Everything will be fine because the basics are 100 percent there.
"You welcome the new manager (Arne Slot) like you welcomed me. You go all in from the first day. You keep believing. You push the team. I'm one of you now. I love you to bits.
"Thank you. You are the best team in the world. Thank you."
Klopp then also adopted the song Liverpool fans had created for him to lead the crowd in a chant of "Arne Slot, na, na, na, na".
The German led the club to Champions League glory in 2019 -- the sixth time they had been crowned European champions.
The following season he secured his place as a Liverpool great by winning their first Premier League title for 30 years, the 19th time they had been crowned English champions.
He also lifted the FA Cup and won two League Cups in his spell.
When Klopp made the shock announcement that he was leaving earlier this year, Liverpool were chasing a quadruple.
They won the League Cup final against Chelsea in February but crashed out of the FA Cup against Manchester United and the Europa League against Atalanta.
Their Premier League title bid also faded quickly, but by finishing third Liverpool have qualified for next season's Champions League.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Premier League champions Manchester City, paid a warm tribute to his long-time rival, saying Klopp deserved to be ranked alongside such outstanding Liverpool bosses as Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
"He has been a huge competitor in my life," Guardiola said after guiding City to an unprecedented fourth straight English title.
"It's not just about titles won and who won the most. There are personalities that when they arrive in one place they stay forever and Jurgen will depart in the level of Shankly, Paisley, these incredible legends."
/MHK/

Klopp hails 'superpower' fans in emotional Liverpool farewell

Rescuers in Iran were racing on Sunday to find the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi to find out the fate of all those on board. Below is brief outline of what Iran's constitution says happens if a president is incapacitated or dies in office:
According to article 131 of the Islamic Republic's constitution, if a president dies in office the first vice president takes over, with the confirmation of the supreme leader, who has the final say in all matters of state.
A council consisting of the first vice president, the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary must arrange an election for a new president within a maximum period of 50 days.
Raisi was elected president in 2021 and, under the current timetable, presidential elections are due to take place in 2025.

What happens if an Iranian president dies in office?

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters, and rescuers were struggling to reach the site of the incident.
The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were "at risk following the helicopter crash", which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran's northwest.
"We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in the Islamic Republic, sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.
Iranian state media said bad weather was the cause of the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. The chief of staff of Iran's army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations.
 "It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area ... however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult," a local reporter told state TV.
State TV had earlier 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 deployed on foot in the mountainous area in heavy fog.
The rescue teams were expected to reach the probable site of the crash later on Sunday evening.
Neighbouring countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology to help Iran with the search.
Hardliner seen as possible successor to Khamenei
The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran's clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.
Since Iran's ally Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, provoking Israel's assault on Gaza, conflagrations involving Iran-aligned groups have erupted throughout the Middle East.
Raisi, 63, was elected president 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 Raisi's 85-year-old mentor Khamenei, supreme leader since 1989, who has the final say on all major policies.
For years many have seen Raisi as a strong contender to succeed Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's main policies.
Raisi's victory in a closely managed election in 2021 brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years when the presidency had been held by pragmatist Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal negotiated with Washington.
However, Raisi's standing may have been dented by widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's economy, hamstrung by Western sanctions.
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who said he had bid a "friendly farewell" to Raisi earlier in the day, offered assistance in the rescue.

Lives of Iran president, FM at risk following helicopter crash, official says

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iranians on Sunday to "not worry" for the country after state media said a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi had an accident.
"The Iranian people should not worry, there will be no disruption in the country's work," Khamenei said in a speech carried on state TV. "We hope that Almighty Allah will bring our dear president and his companions back in full health into the arms of the nation."
/MHK/

Khamenei tells Iranians to 'not worry' after president's helicopter accident

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

A high-level probe committee has been formed over the crash of a training fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force into the Karnaphuli river in Chattogram on Thursday morning that left a pilot dead.
The probe body was formed as per the order of the Air Force chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR).
Earlier, a pilot died and another was injured after a BAF training fighter jet crashed into the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram around 10:25am.
The pilot, Mohammad Asim Jawad, breathed his last around 12:30 pm while undergoing treatment at BNS Issa Khan Hospital in Patenga.
The injured pilot is Wing Commander Md Sohan Hasan Khan.
A rescue operation is on to retrieve the aircraft, ISPR said.
Assistant Chief of Air Force (Planning) Air Vice Marshal Mu Kamrul Islam reached the spot from Dhaka and gave necessary directions to all those involved in the rescue operation.
Air Commander Air Vice Marshal AKM Shafiul Azam of Air Force Base Zahurul Haque is supervising the post-accident operations.
Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of pilot Asim Jawad. &nbsp;

Probe committee formed to investigate BAF fighter jet crash in Ctg

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