Bangladesh
Cop killed in city road crash
A policeman was killed after being hit by a covered van in the city's Kakrail area Monday night.
The deceased was identified as Shahidul Islam, son of late Abdul Karim of Ishwarganj upazila in Mymensingh district.
Also read: 22-yr-old biker killed in B'baria road crash
The accident occurred when a covered van of Shah Cement hit Shahidul when he was crossing Kakrail area on his motorbike, leaving him seriously injured, said Subir Kumar Karmakar, sub-inspector of Ramna police station.
Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Bangladesh number 1 recipient of COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX: UNICEF
In one year, UNICEF has delivered over 190 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh through COVAX while a COVID-19 booster dose campaign is planned for June.
To date, Bangladesh remains the top recipient of doses under COVAX, the global initiative co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization, with UNICEF as a key delivery partner.
Also read: Richest countries damaging child health worldwide: Unicef
COVAX accounts for more than 62 per cent of doses received by the country. The goal of COVAX is to ensure equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines globally, said UNICEF on Tuesday.
COVID-19 vaccinations started in Bangladesh in February 2021. UNICEF delivered the first COVAX shipment of vaccines to Bangladesh on 1 June 2021, at a time when only 4 per cent of the population in the country were fully vaccinated.
A year on, thanks to a strong partnership between the Government, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other partners, Bangladesh has fully vaccinated with two doses 69 per cent of its population – a staggering 117 million people.
“Bangladesh’s ability to absorb and roll out COVID-19 vaccines is a testament to what can be achieved when there is political commitment and an equitable supply of vaccines,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
The success in getting millions of vaccines quickly and safely into arms in every corner of the country has been nothing short of remarkable, Yett, added.
“With the committed strong leadership of the Prime Minister, Bangladesh has shown incredible resilience to face the COVID-19 pandemic. With continuous supply of vaccines and hard work of dedicated health workers, we have been able to vaccinate the targeted population without wasting doses,” said Prof. Dr. Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Additional Directorate General (Planning and Development), DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
UNICEF has also supported the Government’s COVID-19 response by strengthening the cold chain and ultra-cold chain, delivering critical supplies, generating demand, supporting data management and building capacity for vaccine administration.
These investments will continue to serve the people of Bangladesh for years to come beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
Also read: UNICEF: South Asia is epicentre of severely wasted children; Bangladesh fares better than India, Pakistan
They are especially important to keep children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio.
“Bangladesh with 69 per cent fully vaccinated population is close to achieving the global benchmark of 70 per cent fully vaccinated population by June 2022.
The success could not have been possible without COVAX support. The ongoing pace of vaccination gives us a hope to see the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency. Let us also not forget that the pandemic is not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere” said Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.
Bus strike called off in Khulna
Bus, minibus owners and workers have called off their strike, in demand for a crackdown on vehicles, particularly three-wheelers, not authorised to ply on roads and highways.
The decision to withdraw the strike was taken after assurance from the district administrator to fulfill their demands at a meeting Tuesday noon, said Anwar Hossain Sona, joint secretary of Khulna District Bus-Minibus Coach Owners Association.
Read: Drives against illegal rice hoarders begin
Earlier, Khulna District Bus-Minibus Coach Owners Association and the Bus-Minibus Coach Owners-Workers Unity Council decided to enforce the strike on 18 routes from Wednesday.
The local administration was given time till Monday (May 30) to stop the movement of the unauthorised vehicles on the roads and highways.
Bangladesh won’t face Sri Lanka-like crisis: Ambassador Haas
The United States does not see any Sri Lanka-like situation in Bangladesh, noting that Bangladesh is a country which has done “extremely well” in terms of debt management with careful borrowing and strong foreign currency reserve.
“Basically Bangladesh is not Sri Lanka,” said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, mentioning fundamentally there are different sets of challenges.
He also mentioned that Bangladesh has taken a small amount of loan from China.
The ambassador, however, said it does not mean that Bangladesh economy does not face challenges - with inflation and growing food prices.
He was responding to questions at “DCAB Talk” organized by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at Jatiya Press Club.
Read: US stands by Bangladesh as a steadfast dev partner: Ambassador Haas
“Just think for a moment about how far Bangladesh has come since its war for independence--from a newborn country devastated by conflict to a thriving country with one of the world’s fastest growing economies,” Haas said.
National Elections
Responding to a question, the envoy said he has been speaking about the importance of having free, fair and transparent elections here in Bangladesh where the people have the right and the ability to freely elect their leaders.
He, however, said it is up to Bangladesh to decide how it is going to create those conditions required for a free election.
The envoy said freedom of press, no violence and the role of Election Commission are some of the important factors to ensure a fair election.
This is the job of the Bangladesh government, Bangladeshi people, media and (Bangladesh's) civil society to ensure free and fair election, he added.
IPEF & Bangladesh
Responding to a question, Haas said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely.
Read: PM offers Fateha at the mazar of Bangabandhu in Tungipara
President Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP.
Regarding sanctions imposed on the elite force Rab, the US envoy said President Biden has made it clear that human rights and protection of human rights are central to the US foreign policy.
And the sanctions imposed against the Rab and some of the officials were result of that, he said.
Haas said the US wants accountability for the Rab and avoid potential human rights abuses and efforts to make sure that those abuses do not happen again in the future. It is not really the question of providing the list of things that must be accomplished
"So, it's not really a question of providing a list of things that must be accomplished. It's not about specifics but the underlying principles: commitment to human rights and commitment to accountability in the cases of human rights violations,” he said.
DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus moderated the programme while its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin delivered welcome remarks.
Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 26 cases, zero death
Bangladesh registered 26 new Covid cases in 24 hours till Tuesday taking the country's total caseload to 1,953,507, health authorities said.
The country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,131 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read:Shanghai to ease COVID-19 control measures
The country on Monday saw one Covid-linked death with 34 cases.
The daily test positivity rate slightly dropped to 0.61 percent from Tuesday's 0.63 percent as 4,198 samples were tested, according to the DGHS.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 percent.
The recovery rate rose to 97.40 percent as 169 patients recovered during this period.
In April, the country reported only five Covid-linked deaths and 1,114 new cases, while 14,100 patients recovered from the disease, according to the DGHS.
Among the five deaths during the period, two were unvaccinated patients while three were vaccinated with two doses of the Covid vaccine.
Also read: N. Korea moves to soften curbs amid doubts over COVID counts
The country reported its first zero Covid death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 cases, since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest positivity rate of 33.37 per cent.The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Nasrul to businesses: Stop talking about rental power plants
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has urged the businesspeople to stop commenting on rental power plants as he ruled out any reduction in power tariff.
“They (businesses) should talk about uninterrupted and quality power supply at affordable price…from which kind of plants they are getting electricity should not be their subject”, he told reporters while addressing a “Meet the Press” on Tuesday.
Also read: Despite 40 pc surplus capacity, BPDB buys 6 pc of electricity from pricier rental power plants
He also said there is no possibility that the electricity tariff will decrease. It may rise, but will remain within affordability.
Nasrul noted that Bangladesh will not buy crude oil from Russia as the fuel’s specification will not match with the country’s own requirements.
He mentioned that many countries are facing difficulties in keeping their price lower amid the global situation after the Russia-Ukraine war.
“You should not think that you would get electricity at the same price that you were getting 13 years back. You should not expect that”, he said responding to a question about the government’s assurance that the power tariff will gradually be cut down within 4-5 years after a temporary rise due to costly rental and quick rental power plants.
Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) jointly organised the event titled: “BPDB’s 50th Anniversary: Achievements and Challenges” at Biduyt Bhaban in the city.
BPDB chairman Mahbubur Rahman and FERB chairman Shamim Jahangir also addressed the function while it was moderated by FERB executive director Rishan Nasrullah.
Reacting to the FBCCI’s demand for shutting down the rental and quick rental power plants, Nasrul said “If fabric merchants talk about power plants from which we should get electricity, it’s not fair.”
“If your problem is about uninterrupted power supply, then it’s okay”, he said.
“You should not advise about the dos and don’ts….You should talk about whether the power supply situation has improved or not”, he added.
Defending the BPDB’s moves about raising power tariff, the state minister said the income of the people has increased too.
“Now the people’s thoughts should be about the quality supply of electricity,” he said.
He, however, said the current challenge of the Power Division is to ensure uninterrupted power supply. But it is unlikely that the uninterrupted power supply will be ensured before the next 5-6 years as it involves huge cost.
Also read:Despite surplus electricity, contracts of 10 rental power plants extended in four months
“If we go for ensuring uninterrupted power supply, the entire power distribution and transmission line have to go underground…all substation will go underground which are very costly projects”, he said adding that only Uttara Area will need Tk 14,000 crore to take the system underground.
He said the government has to think about the return from such a huge investment.
He said many countries are offering Bangladesh to buy their petroleum products and Bangladesh has no crisis regarding the petroleum fuel as it has long import term agreements with different countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE.
Drives against illegal rice hoarders begin
The government launched drives across the country against illegal rice hoarders from Tuesday, said the Food Ministry.
Eight teams of the ministry started the drives to detect those who are involved in creating artificial crisis by hoarding rice illegally and they will take legal steps against them, according to an official release.
Also read: Cabinet orders prompt action against rice hoarders
The decision was taken at a meeting with Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder in the chair, held at the Secretariat.
The meeting also decided to send letters to the deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers, National Security Intelligence, Rapid Action Battalion and Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to tackle the crisis created by illegal hoarding of rice.
The Food Ministry also opened a control room and people have been requested to inform them about illegal rice hoarding by making phone call on +88022233802113, 01790499942 and 01713003506.
The Cabinet on Monday directed the relevant authorities to find out why the rice price is so high during the peak harvest season.
Also read:Strict action if anyone tries to destabilise rice market: Food Minister
The directive came from the Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office.
The meeting decided to conduct drives against illegal rice hoarders like the recent drives carried out against the edible oil hoarders in the country, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.
Kurigram: 5 Indians freed after jail term for illegal entry
Kurigram district jail authorities on Tuesday released five Indian nationals who had been jailed for illegally entering Bangladesh with drugs.
The five Indians are Alam Mia, son of Dudu Mia from Bengal's Cooch Behar district, Md Nuruzzaman, son of Surut Mia from Dhubri district in Assam, Selim Mia, son of Nur Islam from Mainkarchar, Jahangir Alam, son of Amirul Islam, and Maha Alam Sheikh, son of Sanowar Hossain, Md Ismail Hossain, Superintendent of Kurigram jail.
Also read: Bangladeshi man shot dead by Indian Khashias; BSF hands over body
However, two others -- Akbar Ali and Golzar Ali from Dhubri district -- will have to remain in prison as they didn't receive clearance from the Indian government though their jail term expired on February 1, 2022, he said.
“At 7am, the five Indians were released from the jail and taken to the Burimari land port. There they will be handed to Border Security Force,” said Kurigram jail superintendent Ismail Hossain.
The seven Indian citizens were arrested on charges of possession of drugs and illegal entry, he said.
Also read:Illegal Indian products worth Tk 30cr seized in 10 months at Benapole border
“Those who were released had to spend an extra six months in jail after serving their sentences, which is a serious violation of human rights," said advocate SM Ibrahim Lincoln, convener of Border Victim Rescue Legal Assistance Forum.
"There are many like them in jails of both the countries. The Indian and Bangladeshi governments should take initiatives to return the inmates immediately after the end of their jail terms,” he added.
Kishoreganj ferry tragedy: Woman drowns, child goes missing
A 50-year-old woman drowned while a child went missing after a ferry capsized in the Dhanu river of the district's Itna upazila Tuesday morning.
The deceased was identified as Mahal Begum, wife of late Salek Miah of Charpara area of Mithamoin upazila. The missing child has been identified as Rahmotullah, 3, from Itna Sadar upazila.
Read: Maritime ports told to warn vessels of deep convection in North Bay
Kamrul Islam Mollah, officer-in-charge of Itna Police Station, said the ferry carrying 40-50 passengers sank in the river at 9am while crossing the Elongjuri Bazarghat area.
Except the two, all the passengers of the ferry, coming from Mithamoin, managed to swim ashore, he said. "Divers of the fire services have been pressed into action."
Read: Bangladesh bans fishing in Sundarbans for 3 months
US stands by Bangladesh as a steadfast dev partner: Ambassador Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday said his country will remain a “steadfast partner” of Bangladesh in its journey towards further development.
"The United States should remain the same steadfast partner to Bangladesh for the next fifty years as it has been over the past fifty years," he said, mentioning three things that he plans to report when he gets to Washington.
Ambassador Haas has been here in Bangladesh for about three months, and he is about to go on his first trip to Washington since he arrived here.
Read: Bangladesh, US celebrate cooperation in livestock
"While I am there, I plan to meet with a number of U.S. government officials, congressional staffers, NGOs, and businesspeople to discuss my experiences and observations in this country so far," said the US envoy.
Haas mentioned that he will say in Washington that in the last 50 years, Bangladesh had had no better friend than the United States. “And that it will have no better friend over the next 50 years.”
He said both the successes of Bangladesh and the challenges it faces are real.
Ambassador Haas was delivering his speech at "DCAB Talk" hosted by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at Jatiya Press Club.
DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus moderated the programme while its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin delivered welcome remarks.
Haas said Bangladesh will soon graduate from Least Developed Country status, and it is steadily progressing towards becoming a middle-income country. “These accomplishments are real, tangible, and truly extraordinary.”
The envoy said Bangladesh’s geography on a low-lying river delta, with a long coastline and large floodplains, makes it extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
He said when it comes to democracy and human rights, the United States raised their concerns publicly and privately.
He reiterated they are concerned about press freedom, especially the Digital Security Act, and several draft laws and regulations that could inhibit press freedom.
Read: Rohingya repatriation should be UNHCR's priority: Momen
“We are concerned about human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances,” Ambassador Haas said.
On December 10, 2021, Human Rights Day, the United States imposed sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion and some of its officials based on what he said “credible evidence” of serious human rights abuse.
He said they are also concerned about insufficient labor rights and poor working conditions in Bangladesh.
These concerns, unfortunately, cost Bangladesh access to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences trade benefit, or GSP, in 2013, he mentioned, adding that they are also causing Bangladesh to miss out on the US Development Finance Corporation, a massive source of investment capital from the United States.
He said they are ready to continue to work with Bangladesh and build on the progress they have made together in food security, health, and reducing poverty – while identifying new and innovative approaches to address issues like climate change, promoting democratic principles, and sustaining Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth.