In a world where cars serve as essential parts for both personal commutes and services like Uber, their safety and security have never been more critical. Car theft remains a pervasive concern, leaving owners and drivers vulnerable to substantial losses. However, in 2023, the solution to this problem lies in advanced technology – GPS trackers for cars. These devices not only enhance the security of the vehicle but also provide a myriad of benefits, from optimizing routes for businesses to lowering insurance premiums.  Necessity of GPS Trackers for Cars Enhanced Security: GPS trackers provide real-time location data, facilitating theft recovery and ensuring the safety of the vehicle and its occupants. Fleet Management: Businesses can optimize routes, monitor fuel efficiency, and enhance employee productivity by tracking their vehicles. Lower Insurance Premiums: Improved risk management and driver behavior tracking can lead to reduced insurance costs for car owners and commercial fleets. Peace of Mind: GPS trackers offer peace of mind to vehicle owners and loved ones, knowing that they can locate the vehicle at any time. Efficiency: Real-time data enables more efficient travel, whether for personal or business use, reducing wasted time and resources. Valuable Information: GPS trackers generate valuable data on vehicle usage and performance, aiding in decision-making and maintenance. Compliance: Certain industries and regulations may require the use of GPS trackers to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards. Read more: Top Super Luxury Cars for 2023 Top 10 GPS Trackers for Cars in Bangladesh in 2023 Autonemo GPS Tracking Service Autonemo GPS Tracking Service, launched in 2022 by Autonemo Limited in Bangladesh, offers a range of cutting-edge features and technical specifications to enhance the vehicle tracking experience. With real-time fuel monitoring, users can save up to 30% on fuel costs and closely track their vehicle's mileage and fuel efficiency. The Route Replay feature allows the users to review past routes, providing valuable insights into the vehicle's history. Detailed records of daily mileage and fuel usage are kept with high accuracy. The users can pinpoint their car's exact parking spot and monitor the duration of parking, while also configuring automated alerts for added security. Geofence alerts notify the users when their vehicle enters or exits specific areas. Autonemo doesn't stop at tracking alone; they offer a 100% genuine supply of automotive parts, accessories, and lubricants through their online shop. As for pricing, Autonemo offers various options, including the Autonemo Premium GPS Tracker at BDT 8000, the Autonemo Standard GPS Tracker for Car-Microbus-SUV at BDT 6000, and the Autonemo GPS OBD Plug and Play GPS Tracker for Hybrid-Brand New Cars at BDT 5500. Pros - Real-time fuel monitoring can lead to significant fuel savings.- Detailed route replay helps track vehicle movements and verify routes.- Accurate daily mileage and fuel tracking for better cost control.- Parking times feature aids in vehicle security and monitoring.- Geofence alerts enhance safety and security. Cons The availability of certain features might depend on the subscription plan chosen. Read more: How to Reduce Oil Consumption in Cars Grameenphone Smart Vehicle Tracker  Grameenphone's Smart Tracker is a comprehensive GPS solution for both individual vehicles and fleets. This telematics system offers precise vehicle location tracking, driver behavior monitoring, engine diagnostics, and real-time notifications. It employs satellite GPS and GSM communication, supporting various vehicle types.  With BTRC approval, it ensures high accuracy, nationwide installation, and 24/7 support. The platform is stable with 99.9% uptime, and it comes with a generous extended device replacement warranty of up to 5 years. Notable features include smart geo-fencing, remote engine diagnosis, and audio listening. For pricing details, it's advisable to contact Grameenphone directly.  There are two types of GPS trackers offered by Grameenphone. One is a wireless system called eVTS that charges BDT 3,599 and a monthly subscription fee of BDT 299. The other one is a wired system that charges BDT 3,999 for the device and a monthly subscription fee of BDT 399. Pros - High accuracy and strong M2M connectivity.- Nationwide installation and robust aftersales support.- Comprehensive features for fleet management and security.- Compatibility with a wide range of vehicles.- Dedicated hotline support and extended warranty. Cons The availability of certain features might depend on the subscription plan chosen.Users may need to inquire about specific technical details and compatibility for their vehicles. Read more: Autonemo awarded vehicle tracking service license by BTRC Easytrax GPS Tracking Service Easytrax GPS Tracking Service, introduced in 2016, stands out as a top contender in the GPS tracking service arena with a wealth of impressive features. Users can harness the power of real-time fuel monitoring, precise daily mileage tracking, and the ability to replay historical routes. The service also offers geofence alerts, essential maintenance scheduling, and the unique capability to monitor multiple vehicles within a single platform. With access to six distinct map views, including street and satellite perspectives, Easytrax provides unmatched flexibility. Users can remotely control their vehicle's engine, receive movement updates through email, SMS, or notifications, and even get alerted to idle vehicles or excessive speeds. Furthermore, advanced features like tamper alerts, location marking, fleet vehicle tracking, real-time fuel management, and intelligent GPS electronic locks elevate the level of asset security. Driver monitoring and reporting tools keep businesses well-informed, while Google Live Traffic updates ensure real-time access to critical traffic information. Easytrax offers a wide range of pricing options, starting at just 2,999 BDT, making these advanced features accessible to a broad spectrum of customers. Pros - A comprehensive set of features for both individual users and businesses.- Robust fleet management tools, including route monitoring and real-time fuel management.- Advanced features like intelligent GPS electronic lock for asset protection.- Easy online sign-up process and a network of nationwide distributors.- Affordable pricing options and potential cost savings for clients. Cons - Performance may be affected in areas with poor network coverage- Limited international availability Read more: How to Get BRTA Smart Card Driving License

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the authorities concerned to investigate whether opposition BNP and Jamaat, who had unleashed a campaign of terror and arson attacks during 2013-14, are involved in the recent fire incidents in the country. “It should be investigated whether they (BNP-Jamaat) are taking a different path by causing incidents like fire and cripple the economy,” she said. The prime minister said this while speaking at the Awami League Local Government Nomination Board meeting held at her official residence Ganabhaban. Her call came even as another massive fire broke out in Dhaka's New Super Market gutting scores of shops early Saturday. Also read: Intelligence agencies urged to probe if sabotage is behind frequent fire incidents: Fire Service DG Hasina, also the president of Awami League, asked to investigate whether the fire incidents in various markets were conspiracy or sabotage to hurt the economy. She asked to increase surveillance in important markets across the country. “Everyone should be more aware. Everyone has to make arrangements on their own initiative to guard (their establishments). All efforts by the government will continue,” she said. She also said that unwanted crowds must not be allowed to gather during the fire fighters' battle to control the blaze and strict action will be taken in case of any obstruction regarding this matter. The PM said that when the first fire incident occurred it was thought to be an accident. “But after the couple of other fire incidents at the same time of the first one… the fire incidents are taking place after 6am. Surveillance should be increased and other markets have to remain alert,” she said. She also mentioned that it has been noticed that when the fire service comes they face obstacles by some people. “Why will they face obstacles and while they tried to douse the fire some people with sticks and blunt instruments attacked the fire fighters. Who are these people?, " she wondered. She said that a careful study of the four recent fire incidents at shopping malls in the city suggests these have been either planned or manipulated. “We know that some political parties are there to wage movement after Eid, cripple the economy and oust the government. Yes, you can oust the government, but what are the faults of these common people and businessmen,” she asked. She said that businesspeople have been the worst sufferers as fire incidents hit them at a time when they looked for brisk business. “This will not be spared easily, and we have increased our surveillance in this matter,” she said. She also urged the people to remain alert. Recalling the arson terrorism by the BNP-Jamaat clique in the recent past, she suspected that they might resort to another path aimed at hurting the economy. "It should be properly investigated," she asserted. “In the past they burnt the common people and now wonder whether they have taken a different path to cripple the economy. We have to unearth this mystery,” she said. She requested all to remain alert regarding BNP-Jamaat’s change of strategy of taking to arson terrorism in another form. “We have to keep this under watch,” she added.

North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters in its latest weapons display on Saturday, a day after rival South Korea launched a solid-fueled rocket as part of its efforts to build a space-based surveillance capability to better monitor the North. Tensions between the rival Koreas rose earlier this week when South Korea accused North Korea of flying five drones across the rivals’ tense border for the first time in five years and responded by sending its own drones toward the North. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement it detected the three launches from an inland area south of Pyongyang, the North’s capital, on Saturday morning. It said the three missiles traveled about 350 kilometers (220 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The estimated range suggests the missiles tested target South Korea. The Joint Chiefs of Staff called the launches “a grave provocation” that undermines international peace. It said South Korea closely monitors North Korean moves in coordination with the United States and maintains a readiness to “overwhelmingly” deter any provocation by North Korea. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launches highlight “the destabilizing impact” of North Korea's unlawful weapons programs and that the U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan “remain ironclad.” Earlier Saturday, Japan's Defense Ministry also reported suspected ballistic missile firings by North Korea. It was North Korea’s first missile launch in eight days and came five days after South Korea said it detected the North Korean drones, all presumed to be small surveillance drones, south of the border. South Korea’s military on Monday scrambled warplanes and helicopters, but they failed to shoot down any of the North Korean drones before they flew back home or vanished from South Korean radar. One of the North Korean drones traveled as far as northern Seoul. That caused security jitters among many people in the South, for which the military offered a rare public apology Tuesday. South Korea still flew three of its surveillance drones across the border on Monday in an unusual tit-for-tat step against a North Korean provocation. South Korea on Thursday staged large-scale military drills to simulate shooting down drones. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for boosting his country’s air defense network and vowed to sternly deal with provocations by North Korea. Since taking office in May, Yoon’s government has expanded regular military drills with the U.S. in the face of increasing North Korean nuclear threats. North Korea has called such drills between its rivals an invasion rehearsal and argued its recent missile tests were a response to them. But some experts say North Korea is using the South Korea-U.S. training as a pretext to modernize its arsenal and increase its leverage in future dealings with the U.S. Before Saturday’s launches, North Korea had already test-fired more than 70 missiles this year. Many of them were nuclear-capable weapons designed to attack the U.S. mainland and its allies South Korea and Japan. On Friday, South Korea launched a solid-fueled rocket, a type of a space launch vehicle that it plans to use to put its first spy satellite into orbit in coming years. In March, South Korea conducted its first successful launch of a solid-fuel rocket, and defense officials said Friday’s launch was a follow-up test to the earlier launch. Friday’s unannounced launch triggered a brief public scare of a UFO appearance or a North Korean missile firing in South Korea. South Korea currently has no military reconnaissance satellites of its own and depends on U.S. spy satellites to monitor strategic facilities in North Korea. North Korea is also pushing to acquire its first military surveillance satellite. Earlier this month, North Korea said it used two old missiles as space launch vehicles to test a camera and other systems needed for a spy satellite and later released low-resolution satellite photos showing South Korean cities. Some South Korean experts said the North Korean satellite imagery was too crude for military reconnaissance purposes and that they are likely a disguised test of North Korea’s missile technology. Infuriated over such an assessment, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued crude insults against unidentified South Korean experts. She also dismissed some outside doubts over North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile technology and threatened to conduct a full-range, standard-trajectory ICBM test. This week, North Korea is under a major ruling party meeting in Pyongyang to review past policies and new policy goals for 2023. It's highly unusual for North Korea to test-launch a missile when it holds a key meeting. In an indication that the plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party was being wrapped up, the North's state media reported Saturday that its powerful Politburo decided to complete the draft resolution of the plenary meeting. Some observers said North Korea will likely publish details of the meeting on Sunday, which would carry Kim Jong Un's vows to expand his nuclear arsenal and introduce sophisticated weapons in the name of dealing with what he calls U.S. hostility. ___ Associated Press writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.

The ministry of finance called strengthening capital markets literacy activities to raise awareness among investors to build sustainable stock markets for future generation. The ministry has given some specific directives to Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) as part of government's initiative to reform the sustainable capital market. Read:Stock markets continue to fall on the third day Tuesday The Financial Institutions Division (FID), a wing of the finance ministry, has sent a letter with the directive to the BSEC chairman recently. The letter asked BSEC to enhance surveillance so that no company or institution can enter or exit the capital market illegally. At the same time, the letter mentioned that a team of finance ministry will keep a close watch on the markets, so that no dishonest syndicate can influence the capital market through manipulation. Read:Capital market to follow banking sector's ‘lead’ in operating during lockdown The letter also directed BSEC to keep close observation on the companies, stakeholders or institutions’ share transactions in the capital market, and bring suspicious transactions under special scrutiny. The letter has also called for instant legal action if any company is found involved in anything illegal and strengthens coordination with all organizations involved in the capital market.