The taka has gained nearly five per cent against the US dollar over the past six months as import of products except fuel oil fell and foreign remittance rose. The foreign currency reserve touched $10.70-billion mark on Thursday as the 2012-13 fiscal year kicked off with a downtrend of opening of import LCs (letter of ... Read more
Month: August 2012
Hyder Husyn releases qawwali album
Ami phaisa gechhi known popular singer Hyder Husyn has added a new dimension to his artistic career as a singer by releasing a qawwali album. Hyder Husyn, who has already earned huge plaudits from the audience by presenting different genres of music dealing with various issues, is very optimistic about the latest album titled ‘Qawwali ... Read more
Kaberi Das initiates music school in US
Talented classical music singer Kaberi Das, daughter of classical music exponent pundit Ramkanai Das, is continuing the legacy of her father by running a music school in New York, USA. Children, mostly having Bangladeshi origin, learn classical music at her music school named Sangeet Parisad. In fact, it is the branch of Sangeet Parisad incepted ... Read more
Mohan takes the field today
Mohan Khan, Bangladesh’s last remaining athlete in Olympics 2012, will take the field today when he will sprint in men’s 100-metre pre-qualifying heats at the Olympics Stadium. Mohan, who was drawn in the first heat, said he is very relaxed before this long cherished event. ‘I am not at all nervous,’ said Mohan. ‘I know ... Read more
Speed costs Pendleton
“These things happen,” said a weary looking Victoria Pendleton. She said it with purpose, her brilliant blue eyes looking straight at the journalist who had asked her the question. But even then you got the feeling that the only person she was trying to convince was herself. “How could they do this to you Vicky?” ... Read more
A game far too wide
As the USA took the second set in tie-break Brazil coach Bernardo Rezende put his both hands on the head. The game was still evenly-poised but he sensed the worst and at the end he was proved right. Brazil lost their epic Pool B volleyball battle to the USA by 3-1 sets in what was ... Read more
London Diary
London Olympic 2012 London Diary After we reported yesterday that luminaries as diverse and impressive as Dmitri Medvedev (RUS), Kobe Bryant (USA) and Prince Albert of Monaco had been among the glitterati gracing the stands at these games, the celeb-sightings poured in from other sports, determined not to be outdone. One breathless snowboarding fan of ... Read more
BD U-19s thrash PNG
Bangladesh Under-19 team bounced back strongly from their 31-run loss against West Indies Under-19 by handing a massive 129-run defeat to Papua New Guinea in their second and final unofficial practice match at the Caloundra Cricket Club, Brisbane yesterday. Bangladesh Under-19s posted 235 runs before getting dismissed in 49 overs,
Quizzical export
Hilsa Tk 900/kg at market, Tk 480/kg for export Hilsa has increasingly become elusive and is beyond reach of the common people for its high prices, but it was being exported to India for less than half the local market price before a ban was slapped on its overseas sales on Tuesday. The exporting price ... Read more
Ministry goes soft on realtor
Wetland Filling Ministry goes soft on realtor Slashes Tk 45 lakh off Tk 50 lakh fine The environment ministry has mysteriously waived Tk 45 lakh from a penalty of Tk 50 lakh slapped on the developer of illegal housing scheme Ashiyan City for destroying nature. In addition, it ordered the Department of Environment (DoE) for ... Read more
No fish export to Dhaka
Threatens West Bengal business body Paschimbanga Fish Importers Association has threatened to halt exports of all kinds of fish if Bangladesh’s ban on hilsa export to West Bengal is not withdrawn immediately. Atul Das, the association president, said the recent ban on hilsa export from Bangladesh has cast a negative impact on Paschimbanga (West Bengal) ... Read more
Cops sue 300 JU students over violence
Around 300 students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) were sued yesterday in two cases filed in connection with Thursday’s violence on and outside the campus. Ashulia police recorded one case naming six students and around 100 unnamed on charges of attacking the on-duty policemen and obstructing them in the discharge of their duties during the
Academic life stands jeopardised
Campus violence Academic life stands jeopardised Campus violence breaking out at regular intervals continue to hamper academic activities in universities and colleges, forcing students to bear the brunt. Teachers and students rallying against top administrators in universities and colleges offering tertiary education also spoil the atmosphere, delaying their academic
Friendship core of swim rivalry
Michael Phelps tiptoed into the press conference, taking exaggerated steps with his massive frame. On the podium, Ryan Lochte who was answering a question, looked at Phelps with a flummoxed expression. A second later, they both burst out laughing. It was a wonderful moment partially because not thirty minutes ago, both these guys
Govt moves to destroy Grameen
BNP terms it a personal vendetta against Yunus Condemning the government’s move to amend the Grameen Bank ordinance, the main opposition BNP yesterday said the government has initiated the move to destroy the bank in a planned way. Expressing its concern over the step, the BNP asked the government to save the institution by rescinding ... Read more
Olympics hit by series of controversies
No Olympics is free from controversies but it seems London is having one too many with one after another debate unfolding making it very hard for the organisers to cope with. No sooner than the doping allegation against Chinese swimming champion Ye Shiwen dried down a match-fixing scandal by badminton players hit the Games and ... Read more
Dozen fake taka makers active
Gangs find time before Eid ideal for offloading forged currencies At least a dozen of forger gangs are active across the country and using the shopping rush of Eid-ul Fitr to spread fake notes in the market, say detectives. The gangs use computer technology and chemicals for making fake notes of Tk 50, 100, 500 ... Read more
Risky stretches of 8 highways still not repaired
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has identified about 318km stretches of eight national highways as the most risky but no major initiatives have been taken before Eid to check the rush of vehicles on the stretches. BRTC officials said that they had identified the points in 2010–11 which needed to be repaired on a priority basis to ... Read more
Elephant tramples 1 to death
A man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district early yesterday. The deceased was identified as Saber Ahmed, 45, of Chhagalkhaiya village. His brother Shaidul Islam, 29, who was also trampled by the elephant, is battling for his life. Baishari Union Parishad chairman Monirul Islam said an elephant
Bus operators charging extra for advance Eid tickets
Most long-distance bus operators in the capital started selling advance Eid tickets on Friday but like previous Eid festivals they were charging extra from passengers. Passengers waiting in long queues alleged that bus operators took extra money from them. At Gabtoli bus terminal, counters of Shyamoli Transport, Hanif Enterprise and