The duty for 117gm of gold was previously Tk 40,000. There is so much gold in the market, yet we see no record of formal imports. "Khan had announced on that day that the misuse of the baggage rule would be addressed, and changes were coming.According to BAJUS, the annual demand for new gold in Bangladesh is 18 to 20 tonnes. While Bangladesh Bank has licensed 19 companies as authorised gold importers, only seven of them actually imported any gold between 2020 and June 2023, bringing in 139.64 kg worth $8.2 million. The other 12 companies did not import any gold despite having licences.�"bdnews24.com

Bangladesh has confirmed 13 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours to 7pm on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections this year to 215. According to DGHS, the latest cases were identified after testing 101 samples, resulting in a positivity rate of 12.87 percent. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Bangladesh has tested 15,726,224 samples, confirming a total of 2,051,739 Covid-19 cases. In 2023, as many as 37 people died due to Covid-19 after 1,368 had died in 2022. Earlier, the DGHS issued precautionary measures in response to a surge in cases of new sub-variants of Covid-19 in several neighbouring countries, including India.

Former pupil kills nine, then himself in shooting at Austrian schoolA former pupil killed nine people and then himself at a secondary school in the southern Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday in the worst school shooting in the country's modern history. He gave no further details to identify the victims but Austrian media said most were pupils. At the scene, police had set up a perimeter a few hundred meters away from the school, barring access routes with police cars after evacuating the school. 'DARK HOUR'Police were called to the scene at around 10 am after shots were heard at the school. Julia Ebner, an extremism expert at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue think-tank, said the incident appeared to be the worst school shooting in Austria's post-war history, describing such shootings as rare compared to some countries including the United States.

Britain and other allies imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, on Tuesday over "their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities", the UK's foreign ministry said. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway joined Britain in freezing the assets and imposing travel bans on Israel's national security minister Ben-Gvir - a West Bank settler - and finance minister Smotrich. These actions are not acceptable," British foreign minister David Lammy, along with the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said in a joint statement. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the move was "outrageous" and the government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the "unacceptable decision". "Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again.

A man who reportedly took part in Bangladesh’s July protests in 2024 has been listed as a registered voter in India’s West Bengal, according to The Hindu, fuelling political controversy over electoral “irregularities” in the state. “I have been a voter in Kakdwip since 2014 but lost my voter card in 2017. Since he was born in Bangladesh, he is a voter of Bangladesh too. “The same Newton who was seen wielding a stick during Bangladesh’s quota reform movement is now a registered voter in Kakdwip,” he said. BJP leaders had countered the claim, alleging that Bangladeshi citizens were included in West Bengal’s voter lists with the backing of the ruling party.

The first return flight for Hajj pilgrims has arrived in Dhaka from Saudi Arabia. The Saudia Airlines jet touched down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:55am on Tuesday, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.com. As many as 4,904 pilgrims are expected to return to Bangladesh on 12 different flights. The return flights will continue until Jul 10. This year, a total of 86,958 Bangladeshi pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj on 224 flights.

Eid-ul-Azha holidaymakers have packed Sajek Valley to the brim, sending spillover crowds surging into Rangamati town’s scenic hotspots, from the hanging bridge to Kaptai Lake. The rush has given a strong boost to the region’s hill tourism businesses, with footfall rising steadily since the long Eid break began. “We’re getting a good number of visitors.”At the tourist boat terminal, toll collector Fakhrul Islam said: “Rangamati’s key spots have been packed since Eid began. Every year, just after Eid, we see record tourist turnout.”Sajek Valley, often called the “land of clouds”, is also swarming with visitors. Drawn by its famous misty hills, tourists have rushed in, booking up rooms well in advance.

Russia hit Ukraine overnight with its largest drone attack since the start of the war, causing some damage at a military airfield in the west of the country that was one of its main targets, the Ukrainian air force said on Monday. It was the latest in Russian onslaughts since Ukraine destroyed a number of Russian bombers in drone attacks on air bases deep inside Russia earlier this month. Ukraine's air defence units downed 460 out of 479 drones and 19 out of 20 missiles launched by the Russian forces, the air force said in a statement. A military airfield close to Ukraine's western border was the key target, air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said. Ukraine is pushing for an unconditional ceasefire as a first step, something Russia has repeatedly rejected.

Bangladesh advises against travel to India, recommends precautions as COVID cases surgeThe Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued precautionary measures in response to a surge in cases of new sub-variants of COVID-19 in several neighbouring countries, including India. The notice said that cases of new coronavirus sub-variants, particularly Omicron LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1, are on the rise in various neighbouring countries. Health screening and surveillance should be strengthened at IHR (IHR-2005) health desks at various land/sea/airports in the country. >Adequate quantity of masks, gloves and protective clothing should be kept in stock for use by health workers. >Travel to India and other affected countries should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Authorities have reported the recovery of bodies of six people, including tourists, along the Cox’s Bazar coastline over 16 hours. Ilias Khan, chief of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station, said five of the bodies were recovered within the Sadar police station region. Police also reported that one of the tourist’s bodies was recovered at around 1am on Monday from the “Diabetes Point” of the beach. Around 11:30am, the body of Nuru Sawdagar from Cox’s Bazar town’s West Baharchhara was recovered from the Nazirartek Beach Point. For several years now, the SeaSafe Lifeguard team has been operating under a private development organisation to provide services at the Cox’s Bazar sea beach.

A father and son who went to swim in the ocean at Sayeman Point on Cox’s Bazar beach have died. The incident occurred around 2pm on Monday, according to Ilias Khan, acting chief of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station. Ilias identified the dead as Shaheenur Rahman, 60, and his son Sifat, 20. The two had come to Cox’s Bazar on a trip from Rajshahi. The bodies have been kept at the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue, said Acting OC Ilias.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have exchanged greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. On Jun 4, Modi sent a letter conveying Eid greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Yunus. In reply, the head of Bangladesh's interim government conveyed his "deep appreciation" for Modi's message and greetings on Eid, which he said, "reflects the shared values" between the countries. “I also would like to convey my warmest greetings to you, through you, to the people of India on this auspicious occasion. The chief advisor also wished Modi continued good health and happiness, and the people of India peace, progress, and prosperity.

Five passengers are feared dead after falling onto the track from an overcrowded commuter train in India's Mumbai. According to Indian Railways, a huge crowd inside the train caused the passengers to fall off a compartment. The overcrowded conditions reportedly forced many passengers to hang from the train’s doors, leading to the fall. Following the incident, railway authorities decided that all rakes being manufactured for the Mumbai Suburban system will be equipped with automatic door-closing facilities. "The injured were immediately admitted to Shivaji Hospital and Thane General Hospital and are undergoing treatment.

Former president Abdul Hamid has returned to Bangladesh from Thailand following medical treatment. Dressed in a lungi and shawl, the former president was brought off the aircraft in a wheelchair. In response, Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam warned that anyone found negligent would face consequences. Hamid has been named in a murder case filed on Jan 14 at Kishoreganj Sadar Police Station in connection with casualties during last year’s July Uprising. Others named in the case include ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Saima Wazed Putul, and Obaidul Quader.

India has recorded over 6,000 active COVID-19 cases, with six virus-related deaths reported in the past 24 hours, reports the Times of India. On Sunday, the Union Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 769 new infections, making the number of active cases across the country stand at 6,133. In comparison, on May 22, there were 257 active COVID-19 cases across India. According to the Times of India, Kerala continues to report the highest number of cases, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi. Times of India said incidences of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) are being closely monitored, with all hospitalised SARI patients being tested for COVID.