Bangladesh
Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 158 at 9:03 am, Dhaka ranked seventh in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Iraq’s Baghdad, Myanmar’s Yangon and and India’s Kolkata occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 185, 163 and 162, respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
Also read: Dhaka’s air quality still 'unhealthy', 4th most polluted in the world this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Pirojpur road accident takes 5 lives
Five people were killed when a bus collided head-on with a locally-made motorised vehicle at Shankarpasha of Pirojpur's Sadar upazila on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Shahin Mallik, 18, son of Al-Amin Mallik, Yeasin Mina, 22, son of Abul Hossain Mina, both were residents of Bagerhat’s Morrelganj upazila, Md. Badsha, 17, Shahin Molla, 20, Shabbir Hossain, 21, all three were residents of Bagerhat’s Kachua upazila.
Locals said, a group of 18 people were going to Bhandaria area of Pirojpur district to provide catering service (food serving) at a wedding program by a locally-made motorised vehicle from Kachua upazila of Bagerhat district.
When the motor-vehicle came near the Shankarpasha area, a wheel of the vehicle blasted and collided with a bus coming from the opposite direction, leaving two dead on the spot.
Immediately, the injured were rushed to the nearby hospital where doctor declared another dead.
Besides, some critically injured people were referred to Khulna Medical College Hospital where two more succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
Alson read: Juba League leader shot while campaigning in Pirojpur
AZM Masuduzzaman, officer-in-charge of Pirojpur Sadar Police Station, said that police recovered three bodies in the incident so far and seized the bus and motorised vehicle.
Legal actions are under processing in this regard, said the OC.
2 killed, at least 20 hurt as bus returning from picnic overturns in Rangamati
Two people were killed and at least 20 others were injured as a bus carrying a group of picnic-goers overturned at Manikchari area of Rangamati on Friday evening.
The identities of the two deceased couldn't be known immediately.
Of the injured, 4 were admitted to Rangamati Sadar Hospital as their condition was critical. The rest were released after primary treatment.
Locals said that a group of brick kiln workers from Chattogram’s Bhatiari area came to Rangamati this morning. After visiting various tourist spots of Rangamati, the bus was returning to Bhatiari when its driver lost control over the steering and overturned, leaving two dead on the spot and more than 20 injured.
Kotwali Police Station Second Officer Md Akhtar said that the accident occurred when a tourist bus, returning to Chattogram, overturned at Manikchari area.
Two people are buried under the bus at the scene, said the officer, adding that the Fire Service team is working to rescue them.
Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline to vastly improve transport of diesel: New Delhi
The operation of the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.
It will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries, according to the MEA.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on 18 March via video-conference.
This is the first cross border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline built at a cost of approx. INR 285 crore, has been borne by the government of India under grant assistance.
The Pipeline has a capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD).
It will supply High Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.
Road accident leaves two dead in Brahmanbaria
Two people were killed in a road accident when a tractor fell into a roadside ditch after losing control at Binauti union of Brahmanbaria's Kasba upazila on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Pavel Mia, 18, helper of the tractor and Delowar Mia, 30, a pedestrian. Md. Mahiuddin, Officer-in-Charge of Kasba Police Station, said that a tractor plunged into a roadside ditch at Chandisar area losing its control, leaving a pedestrian dead on the spot and the tractor helper critically injured.Later, locals rescued the helper and rushed him to Upazila Health Complex where he succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, said the OC. On information, police visited the spot and recovered the dead bodies, he added.
BNP and like-minded parties to hold rallies in all cities Saturday
As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement, the main opposition BNP, its associate bodies and like-minded parties who prioritise restoration of the country's democracy through a return to fair elections are set to hold rallies in cities across all divisions on Saturday to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
The programme is also meant for registering the opposition parties’ protest against the rise in the prices of power, gas and essential items, and mounting pressure on the government to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition, essentially to drop the 'false' cases against her.
This will be the 10th programme of the simultaneous movement that started coalescing in December, towards the end of a very successful divisional rally programme of the BNP that attracted massive crowds in all ten locations it visited. Tomorrow's programme was announced from the human chain programme observed in all district towns and 13 organisational divisional cities, including Dhaka on March 11.
As part of the programme, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units will arrange a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the afternoon. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party secretary general, will address the rally as the chief guest.
Besides, all other metropolitan city units of BNP will also arrange a similar programme to be attended by party senior leaders, including standing committee members.
Apart from BNP, Ganotantra Mancha, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, Gonoforum and People’s Party, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote, 12-party alliance, Bam Ganatantrik Oikya and LDP will also hold separate rallies from 11-12 pm in different areas of the capital.
In December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement based on their common objective of ousting the present government and holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
So far, they have arranged rallies, human chains, sit-ins and road march programmes in all unions, districts and divisional cities across the country to press home their 10-point demand.
Besides, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the road march programme in five areas in the capital since January 28.
2 youths killed in separate road crashes in capital
Two youths were killed in separate road accidents in the capital’s Ramna and Matuail areas early Friday, police said.
In the Ramna accident, businessman Abdullah Limon, 30, sustained severe injuries when a speeding truck crashed into his motorbike near the Justice Residence around 1:45am.
Limon, from Manikganj’s Ghior upazila, was rushed to the Emergency Department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital where physicians declared him dead around 2:30am, confirmed Mujahidul Islam, sub-inspector at Ramna police station. The truck driver was detained and the vehicle was also seized soon after the accident, SI Mujahidul added.Limon's body was kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. His paternal uncle Md Alam said Limon was returning to Narayanganj from the capital’s Mirpur after attending a wedding ceremony. He had a Navana Battery dealership in Narayanganj’s Balu Math area.
In the other fatal mishap, an unidentified youth aged around 35 was killed in what looked like a hit-and-run, but there were no witnesses. An unknown vehicle knocked him down while he was crossing the Dhaka-Chattagram Highway in the Matuail area around 3am, leaving him dead on the spot, said Mostafizur Rahman, sub-inspector at Jatrabari police station.
The body was sent to the DMCH morgue for autopsy, the SI said, adding that they were trying to identify the youth.
Hanif Paribahan bus catches fire in Chattogram
A Hanif Paribahan bus caught fire with passengers on board in the Natun Bridge area of Bakalia in Chattogram on Thursday night.
The fire broke out at around 10:30pm, UNB’s Chattogram correspondent reports.
Later, two units from Nandan Kanan fire station in the city rushed to the spot and doused the fire.
According to witnesses, the bus was mostly burned before the Fire Service arrived. However, no one was injured in the incident.
Md. Ali, a senior officer at the Nandan Kanan fire station, said: “The bus was picking up passengers for the journey to Cox's Bazar. Suddenly, the fire started from a short circuit.”
The control room could not say how much financial loss was caused to the bus in the fire.
Russia-Bangladesh Intergovernmental Commission's fourth session held via video conferencing
The 4th session of the Russia-Bangladesh Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (IGC) – the key mechanism for bilateral economic relations – was held via video conference recently.
The Russian delegation was led by the Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries of the Russian Federation Ilya Shestakov, while the Bangladeshi delegation was headed by Secretary of Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sharifa Khan.
The Parties stated that there is a significant potential for trade and economic cooperation, despite the logistical and financial difficulties arising due to the unstable geopolitical situation.
They noted with satisfaction the consistent implementation of “Rooppur” NPP project and the successful activity of “Gazprom EP International Investments B.V.” for gas exploration in Bangladesh. Against the background of the crisis in the global energy market, the opportunities of purchasing Russian LNG, oil and oil products, cooperation in the coal industry and the joint development of green energy sources, in particular – nuclear and solar energy, were explored.
Also Read: Discussions with Russia held for economic and scientific cooperation
Among the promising areas for the exchange of experience, technologies and the establishing of joint ventures, the railway industry, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical industry and engineering were underscored.
Mutual interest in strengthening relations in the ICT field and cybersecurity was expressed.
The delegations agreed to further increase mutual supplies of agricultural products, expand their range by approving the necessary veterinary and phytosanitary documentation.
Matters of science and education occupied an important place within the framework of the meeting. The Sides highlighted the intensification of ties between the academic circles and quota increase for studying of the Bangladeshi students in Russia at the expense of the federal budget.
The focus was on such initiatives as the development of human resources, conducting of geological and oceanographic research in Bangladesh.
The participants stressed the necessity for expanding the contractual legal framework in the spheres of customs cooperation, standardization and certification, civil aviation, communications, ICT, mutual recognition of education, qualifications and academic degrees.
An importance to establish banking relations and the prompt creation of a safe and reliable settlement system in terms of the current sanctions restrictions was also noted.
As a result of the talks, the Parties expressed the hope that the coordinating role of the IGC will assist in taking interstate and business cooperation to a qualitatively new level as well as in restoring the positive dynamics of Russian-Bangladeshi trade.
UK parliamentary delegation pays tribute to Bangabandhu
A five-member parliamentary delegation from the UK visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 on Friday to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The delegation placed a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had a tour of the museum, and signed the visitors’ book.
The parliamentary delegation comprises of Jane Hunt MP (Conservative), Paul Bristow MP (Conservative), Paulette Hamilton MP (Labour), Antony Higginbotham MP (Conservative), and Tom Hunt (Conservative).
Also Read: "Bangabandhu’s enduring legacy continues to illuminate path of Bangladesh-India partnership"
The delegation was also accompanied by, among others, Zillur Hussain MBE, Founder of ZI Foundation, UK.
The parliamentary delegation along with the founders of ZI Foundation is on a four-day visit to Bangladesh.