Govt signs $1bn IsDB loan for Eastern Refinery expansion

The government on Thursday signed a US$1 billion loan agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for the Modernisation and Expansion of the Eastern Refinery Project.The agreement was signed at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the IsDB Group President Dr Muhammad Al Jasser, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.The financing will support the construction of the second unit of Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), Bangladesh’s only state-owned crude oil refinery, in Chattogram.The project is considered strategically important for reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products and strengthening long-term energy security.The long-delayed Eastern Refinery expansion project has been under consideration for more than a decade.Once completed, the second unit is expected to significantly increase Bangladesh’s domestic refining capacity and reduce the foreign currenc...

Gold price sees fresh cut of Tk 4,374 per bhori

Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has once again revised down the price of gold in the local market, cutting the rate by Tk 4,374 per bhori.Following the adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold including VAT now stands at Tk 2,31,880 per bhori, effective from 10am on Wednesday, according to a Bajus notice issued in the morning.The trade body said the fresh pricing was set in view of a fall in the price of pure gold in the local market.Under the new rates, 21-carat gold will cost Tk 2,21,44...

RJSC adopts Singapore model for faster company registration

The government has taken an initiative to reduce delays and bureaucratic dependence in company registration by making the entire process online. The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) is set to introduce...

438 held across the capital in 24hrs, 86 cases filed

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 438 people in the past 24 hours during regular anti-crime operations across the capital and filed 86 cases.The arrests were made by different units of the DMP, said a DMP press release.The Ramna Division arrested 33 people, Lalbagh 30, Wari 65, Motijheel 43, Tejgaon 78, Mirpur 116, Gulshan 37 and Uttara 31.In addition, one person was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) and four by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit.During the operations, police recovered 1,055 yaba tablets, 14 packets of cannabis, 26 packets of heroin, nine mobile phones, a knife, a cutter, Tk 111,589 in cash and a fake student identity card.According to the DMP, the suspects were arrested from different parts of the capital following raids targeting various...

PM vows to honour sacrifices of democracy martyrs, victims

Tawhid Hridoy hits historic overseas first-class triple-century

Tawhid Hridoy etched his name into Bangladesh’s cricket history on Wednesday, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a triple-century in first-class cricket outside the country.Hridoy reached the landmark on the fourth day of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A, completing his 300 from 450 balls. He was unbeaten on 328 as Bangladesh reached 652 for eight.His achievement was all the more remarkable given the pressure that briefly built around him as he approached the milestone.With Hridoy on 288, South Africa captain Marques Ackerman and several senior players gathered for a discussion before opting to take the third new ball. The decision initially appeared to pay dividends as the Kookaburra ball gave the South African bowlers some extra bite and Bangladesh’s scoring rate slowed.Hridoy was beaten on 294 while attempting to drive a delivery outside off stump, prompting a strong appeal for a catch behind. The umpire, however, remained unmoved. Replays showed that Hridoy’s bat had struck the pitch rather than the ball.There were further moments of hope for South Africa at the other end. Rejaur Rahman edged one delivery that fell just short of a slip fielder and later struggled to control a bouncer that flew past the short-leg fielder. But he survived, allowing Hridoy to continue his march towards history.Hridoy had resumed the day on 204 after Mohammad Saifuddin was dismissed for 87 with the final ball on Tuesday. Naeem Hasan joined him at the crease but was soon stumped for 16, giving South African off-spinner Tshepo Ntuli his first wic...

Make law and order the government’s top priority

The brutal killing of four members of a family in Rangpur, allegedly after they objected to two young men consuming Yaba on the rooftop of their home, is yet another chilling reminder of the country&r...

Kolkata hotel fire: Bangladesh must demand answers and stronger safety measures

The tragic hotel fire in Kolkata that claimed the lives of nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, is deeply shocking and demands the urgent attention of both Bangladesh and India. The loss of an entire Bangladeshi family, including a thre...

KFC's 'Eidi for Angels' Spreads Eid Joy to Underprivileged Kids

To stem the scourge of smoking, follow the science, not the dogma

Benefits of Having an Oven in Your Kitchen