College admission tests amid rising Covid infections

Some colleges in the capital held admission tests today, despite the current high rates of coronavirus infections. Students and their guardians gathered outside the exam centres, ignoring social distancing guidelines and health regulations.
14 January 2022, 17:44 PM

Are masked finfoots of the Sundarbans becoming extinct?

The masked finfoot is one of the most beautiful birds of the Sundarbans. To the fishermen and honey collectors of the Sundarbans, the bird is known as "Sundari Hash". The "Sundari Hash", including two other existing variants of this species found worldwide, is now critically endangered.
14 January 2022, 17:01 PM

ICE or Crystal meth becoming easily accessible in Bangladesh

A new product in Bangladesh's drug market, "ice" or crystal meth, is a “Class A” synthetic compound. Use of methamphetamine drugs can cause severe addiction and health risks leading to mental and physical damage, and pose high risks of death. Meth addiction is rampant all over the world and has been causing a lot of damage in our society. Ice is becoming easily accessible in our illegal drug market. Our Star Crime Files team has been investigating for the last 5 months how this product is getting into our borders. Who are its consumers? And where is it being sold? What are the laws surrounding this drug in Bangladesh? And what are the future plans of our authorities to control the illegal substance?
14 January 2022, 15:01 PM

Bangladeshi-led group of scientists discover ways to keep fruits fresh for longer

Fruits and vegetables decay rapidly. According to a study, 60% of food is usually rotten by the time they reach their destination. In the meantime, one-third of the world’s population can’t even get a proper meal once a day.
13 January 2022, 17:08 PM

Not picked in lottery: Admission of over 50 students uncertain!

Students and their guardians protested for the third consecutive day in front of Savar Adhar Chandra Government High School, demanding admission of the students to sixth grade.
13 January 2022, 10:33 AM

Jashore village exporting flowers after meeting local demand

Godkhali of Jashore’s Jhikargacha upazila is known as the flower capital of the country.
13 January 2022, 07:02 AM

5,000 factories recycling plastic waste

The plastic industry has become a very important part of Bangladesh’s industrial sector in the last two decades. Plastic use has been embedded into everything from everyday use household products to furniture to luxury clothing items. Plastic use is growing rapidly all over the world. With it, we’re facing the enormous challenges of plastic waste management. About 1.2 million people are currently involved in the industry. Man-made plastic waste or unused plastic material has been undegradable for over a hundred years.
12 January 2022, 17:07 PM

Will there ever be proper investigation of the deaths in police custody?

Himangshu Ray, a tea stall worker, has reportedly died in police custody in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district of Rangpur division. Locals are claiming that he died as a result of police torture. But the police claim that he committed suicide. What actually happened that day? Is there ever going to be a proper investigation regarding the deaths in the custody of law enforcement agencies?
12 January 2022, 15:02 PM

38,000 kgs of honey extracted in two months in Tangail

There has been a bumper mustard harvest in Tangail this year. As a result, the production of honey has increased too.
12 January 2022, 03:03 AM

Widening inequality in Bangladesh

Inequality between the rich and poor is growing exponentially. This was mentioned in a book published by the Paris-based World Inequality Lab’s “World Inequality Report 2022”. Only a few elites of the society control the majority of the resources. No one is denying the fact that inequality is increasing but no one has been able to offer a solution either. Bangladesh is slowly becoming a land of inequality.
11 January 2022, 17:08 PM

Where does leftover food go?

What happens to the leftover food from social programmes like wedding ceremonies or birthday parties? Some vendors buy these leftovers from community centres and sell them to low-income people. This makes it possible for low-income people to have luxurious food at a low price. On the other hand, some people earn their livelihood through this business. These foods are usually sold at Mirpur Majar Road, Mohakhali, Shahjadpur, Press Club and Jatrabari areas of the capital.
11 January 2022, 03:03 AM

Two sisters lose both parents within hours

Priyanka Rai and Priyoshi Rai have lost both their parents within day. At dawn their mother allegedly committed suicide. Then police came and took their father to interrogate. Evening came with another news of death. Their father died while in custody of the police. Within a matter of a day the two sisters found themselves orphaned, without any support or solace.
10 January 2022, 17:24 PM

Is the Roads and Highways Department unlawfully filling up Kuhelia river?

The Roads and Highways Department has been constructing a road by filling up parts of the Kuhelia river. Despite the PMO and Land Ministry’s directive against it, the RHD has already filled up 26 acres of the only river of Maheshkhali upazila.
10 January 2022, 15:22 PM

Remittance flow takes a hit in the last quarter of 2021

In November 2021, the flow of remittance saw a decline. A lot of Bangladeshis living abroad are choosing to use illegal channels locally known as “Hundi”. This illegal system has led to a fall in remittance.
10 January 2022, 14:05 PM

Flood clogged Bhabadaha locals gather in protest

For many months thousands of acres of land in the Bhabadaha region of Jashore has been under floodwater.
9 January 2022, 16:09 PM

Spike in Covid infection rate: What are the govt's plans?

The government has ordered people who tested positive for Covid-19 across the country to not travel to the capital. The Directorate General of Health Services has also issued special instructions for passengers from different countries, especially from India.
9 January 2022, 15:00 PM

NRCC listed them as river grabbers, district admin let them off the hook

Munshiganj district authority gave Three Angle Marine Limited the highest ranking on the list of river occupiers in 2019. It was mentioned that their shipbuilding and repair company occupied land adjacent to the Meghna and Fuldi rivers. Two years later, the same district administration reported that the company had never occupied any land of those rivers.
8 January 2022, 15:36 PM

Man in Lalmonirhat dies in police custody, cops claim suicide

Himangshu Ray from Lalmonirhat has reportedly died under police custody.
8 January 2022, 12:59 PM

Is Kalurghat bridge suitable for high-speed trains?

The 92-year-old Kalurghat bridge has witnessed a lot of historical moments such as Independence from the British to Bangladesh’s independence. The bridge was built in 1930 to connect North and South Chittagong. This was the first rail bridge built on the Karnafuli river. This bridge was opened to traffic in 1962. In 2001, 61 years after the bridge was opened, the Bangladesh Railway Authority declared it unsafe. No decision has been made whether high-speed rail will be able to use this bridge after several repairs.
7 January 2022, 17:12 PM

11 years on, Felani's parents await justice

On this day, in 2011, 15-year-old Felani Khatun was killed along the Indian border.
7 January 2022, 15:37 PM