Bangladesh
Covid kills 18, infects 794 more in Bangladesh
Covid-19 claimed 18 more lives in Bangladesh with 794 new cases being detected in 24 hours till Monday morning.
On Sunday, the country saw 18 Covid-related deaths and 617 cases.
The fresh cases were detected after testing 24,928 samples which increased the daily case positivity rate to 3.19 per cent from Sunday’s 2.90 per cent, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: ADB to provide Bangladesh $250 million for Covid recovery
The daily case positivity rate in the country remained below 5 percent for the 12th consecutive day.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if the daily-case positivity rate remains at 5 per cent or below for 14 days it is considered to be safe for mass unlocking.
The daily case positivity rate in Bangladesh reached its peak 32.55 percent on July 24 this year.
The fresh numbers took the total fatalities to 27,591 while the caseload mounted to 15,58,758, said the DGHS.
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.77 percent.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 18 more deaths; positivity rate falls to 2.90 pc
The recovery rate slightly increased to 97.49 percent with the recovery of 834 more patients during the 24-hour period.
So far, 15,19,588 people have recovered from the deadly virus infections, the DGHS added.
Another dead dolphin found in Halda River
Another dolphin was found dead in the Halda River in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram district on Monday.
Naval police members recovered the dolphin carcass from Ramdas Munshirhat in the upazila.
Professor Manjurul Kibria, co-ordinator of the Halda River Research Laboratory of Chittagong University, said local people spotted the dead dolphin in the morning and informed it to river police.
Also read: Another dead dolphin found in Halda River
A team of river police buried it near the river.
On September 30, local people found another dead dolphin in the same area.
So far, local people have recovered 31 carcases of dolphins from Halda River since 2017 and all the carcasses bore several injury marks.
Also read: Dead dolphin washes ashore on Kuakata beach
Dengue claims 3 more lives in Dhaka division, 192 more hospitalized
Dengue fever claimed three more lives in Bangladesh with 192 more patients hospitalized across the country in 24 hours till Monday morning.
With this, the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 71 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Among them, 66 people died in Dhaka division alone, two each in Chattogram and Khulna divisions and one in Rajshahi.
Among the new patients, 162 were undergoing hospital treatment in Dhaka while the remaining 30 cases were reported from outside the division, according to DGHS.
Also read: Dengue: 194 more hospitalized across the country
Some 922 patients diagnosed with dengue fever are receiving treatment in the country as of Monday morning.
Of them, 743 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 179 were listed outside Dhaka.
Some 18,936 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January.
So far 17,943 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS.
The number of dengue patients hospitalized in a single day was the highest with 343 patients on September 7.
Also read: Dengue claims 2 more lives, 217 others hospitalized in 24 hours
In September the country recorded the highest number of 7,841 dengue cases of the current year with 22 deaths
In August 7,698 people were diagnosed with dengue while the highest 34 people died from it, said the DGHS.
Bangladesh and ADB jointly launch country partnership strategy
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) jointly with Bangladesh aiming at boosting competitiveness, employment, and private sector development, promoting green growth and climate resilience; and strengthen human capital and social protection.Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Manmohan Parkash jointly launched the Strategy for 2021-2025 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Dhaka, according to a press release.The Strategy for 2021–2025 will support rapid socioeconomic recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Also read: ADB unveils new partnership strategy for Bangladesh
ADB will further expand its private sector operations in Bangladesh and continue to leverage a high level of co-financing with other development partners.It also envisages enhancing ADB operations to support climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk management to address the country’s high vulnerability to climate events and other natural disasters, in line with the Paris Agreement.A holistic approach to integrate climate change will be applied to all operations, while expanding programs to directly address climate change impacts through integrated management of water, river, and coastal areas.During the implementation period, ADB will increase its lending operations to $10 billion–$12 billion.The new Country partnership strategy will continue the efforts to reduce poverty in addition to implementing specific programs to reduce inequality, strengthen social protection, promote more equitable rural and regional development, and mobilising investments in low-cost housing and basic services.Special attention will be provided to improve health and education. In the next 5 years, Bangladesh aims to reduce poverty from 20.5 per cent to 15.6 per cent and extreme poverty from 10.5 per cent to 7.4 per cent of its population.The new ADB strategy was prepared in close coordination with the government to support the implementation of its Eighth Five-Year Plan, which aims to address the need for higher resource mobilization, diversification of manufacturing and exports, and sustainable urbanization.Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, ADB has adjusted its program priorities to help Bangladesh overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges related to health and social protection, food security, skills development, rural development, water and sanitation, and the finance sector, among others.
Also read: ADB to loan $400 million to Bangladesh under agreement signed MondayADB has supported Bangladesh’s response against the COVID-19 pandemic with a $940 million loan for vaccine procurement under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility and other initiatives.A $250 million subprogram-1 of the $500 million Sustainable Economic Recovery Program, approved on 24 September 2021, will support Bangladesh’s economic recovery following COVID-19 pandemic.A $250 million loan approved in June 2021 is strengthening social protection and resilience programs. Earlier in 2020, over $651 million in loans and grants were provided to manage the immediate health and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.Country Director Manmohan Parkash said that the new Strategy reinforces the strong partnership between Bangladesh and ADB. It puts forward a collaborative, futuristic, and transformational framework for development of Bangladesh.“It reflects ADB’s commitment to accelerate the ongoing growth and development of Bangladesh through timely, efficient, and high-quality assistance combining knowledge, finance, and partnerships”.He said that ADB is looking at expanding its private sector operations in Bangladesh.“Our aim is to help Bangladesh realize its aspirations of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2031, and a developed country by 2041 by promoting modern technologies, stimulating inclusive and sustainable growth, and investing in its people and their welfare, especially women, for shared prosperity”, Parkash said.Finance Division Senior Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder, ADB Alternate Governor and Secretary for Economic Relations Division Fatima Yasmin, Alternate Executive Director representing Bangladesh at ADB Azizul Alam, and ADB Country Director designate Edimon Ginting, among others, attended the event.
FTA with Algeria to boost bilateral trade: DCCI
President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Rizwan Rahman on Monday said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Algeria will boost bilateral trade between the two countries.
Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Rabah Larbi had a meeting with the DCCI President at the DCCI and discussed the issues of mutual interests.
During the meeting, Rizwan Rahman said the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Algeria reached US$ 98.28 million in FY2019-20 of which, Bangladesh’s export was US$ 5.90 million and import was US$ 92.38 million.
Also read: Export diversification: DCCI for comprehensive trade policy
Bangladesh mainly exports RMG products to Algeria while it mainly imports mineral products from Algeria.
The DCCI President requested Algeria to hire more skilled manpower and professionals from Bangladesh.
He finally invited Algerian investors to register with the Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit to be jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and DCCI.
Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Rabah Larbi said regular contact between the Chambers of Algeria and Bangladesh would pave the way of enhancing bilateral trade and investment.
He said Bangladesh can import fertilizer, cement and fruits from Algeria and Algerian investors are keen to work in the energy sector in Bangladesh.
Also read: Bangladesh can sign FTA with Thailand to boost trade: Thai envoy
The envoy said Algeria is a developing country and there are huge opportunities to explore for business.
Rabah Larbi appreciated DCCI’s effort to organize a business summit this month and he would request Algerian investors and traders to join this summit.
EC to be constituted through search committee: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the new election commission will be constituted through a search committee to be formed by the President.
“The President will form a search committee and the election commission will be constituted through this search committee,” she said, replying to a question at a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban.
The present election commission will complete its five-year tenure in February 2022 and the next commission will arrange the 12th parliamentary election to be held at the end of 2023.
The press conference was arranged to inform the media about the outcomes of her recent visit to the United States for joining the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
BNP and election
Sheikh Hasina said BNP wants to make the next general election controversial knowing that there is no chance for them to win it.
“They know they don’t have any possibility of winning the election. So, their effort is to make it controversial, create confusion among people and harm people by any means,” she said, responding to another question.
The Prime Minister questioned the leadership of BNP saying that one (Khaleda) is convicted for misappropriating the fund of orphans and another (Tarique) is a fugitive convicted for various misdeeds, including the August-21 grenade attack and 10-truck arm-haul cases.
“They know they won’t win. How will a party win? Where is its leadership? One is a convicted for misappropriating the fund of orphans and another is a fugitive as he’s convicted for the August-21 grenade attack and 10-truck arm-haul cases. They are still there in the (party) leadership. If this is the case, under which consideration people would vote for them,” she questioned.
Sheikh Hasina said even these two top leaders will not be able to take part in the election! “They have no belief that they can win the polls.”
Referring to the 2014 general election, she said BNP had made frantic efforts to make it questionable and committed many misdeeds, including arson attacks, to thwart the polls. “Since the election was held (successfully) and then there was stability, it (govt) has made it possible to ensure development of what you’re witnessing today,” she said.
Hasina said BNP had no complaint over the 2008 general election and questioned why they could not win the polls.
The Prime Minister made a pointed reference to some incidents of tortures carried out by BNP men after the 2001 national election.
Also read: Cabinet approves draft Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Mentioning the development activities carried out by her government, Hasina questioned who and why would vote for BNP.
Pointing at the journalists, she said, “Ask who would vote for them. I asked all journalists first to question their conscience: who, why and with what hope will vote for BNP and others.”
Biman aircraft
The Prime Minister said she had been to the USA to attend the 76th session of the UNGA by an aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines so that Biman gets the money at this tough time caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘It’ll, in fact, strengthen the government’s effort to resume Biman’s flight operation on Dhaka-New York route. I went to the USA by the latest and advanced aircraft, ‘Dreamliner’, of Biman.”
She said her government collected a good number of the latest aircraft for Biman, but many of those remain idle as many routes were suspended due to the Covid pandemic. Besides, it has to count maintenance costs even when they remain idle.
“So, when we decide we’ll go, what is the use of paying money to other airlines,” she said.
Hasina went on saying, “Besides, the aircraft would land in JFK (John F Kennedy Airport, New York), which is also a matter of joy for us. An effort from us is also on (to resume the flight operation on Dhaka-New York Route).”
She said Biman earlier had a landing slot there in the JFK which was closed for corruption and various misdeeds during the BNP regime. “When we procured new aircraft, we made an effort to keep the (landing) slot.”
The government has enacted some new laws in line with international ones in this regard. “Besides, our negotiations are on to resume its operation on the Dhaka-New York route.”
Referring to the new Dreamliner aircraft, the PM said this aircraft can reach New York directly from Dhaka within 14 hours as its operation capacity is some 17 hours.
Ecommerce fraud
In reply to another question over frauds by some e-commerce organizations including Evaly and E-orange, she said the government continues to do what’s necessary on its part.
Hasina said investigation continues to find out where they took or deposited the money, and when the investigation will be completed, the government will return it to the people. “Those who swindle people for making money taking advantage of their tough time must be punished.”
She also said the journalists also had the responsibility to find out the fraud companies when things started unfolding. “If you do so, then people will be alert.”
Also read: NDB membership to open new avenue of foreign financing: PM
Asked if many Bangladeshi convicted hatching conspiracies, staying in London, Hasina said the homes of many convicted and the children of war crimes convicted are there in England and other countries.
She criticized the attack on British MP Tulip Siddiq saying that she is not only granddaughter of Bangabandhu but also a British MP. “It’s the responsibility of the British government to oversee such matters.”
Rohingya and “business”
The Prime Minister said keeping Rohingya in Bangladesh has apparently become a business for some organisations.
“I’m very sorry to say it seems that keeping refugees has become a business to some organizations. If they (Rohingya) are not here, they (NGO officials) will lose jobs,” she said.
If refugees stay here, some people will be benefited, she said, adding that they don’t have much concentration on their repatriation. “Some (organizations) are sincere and we get good response from them. There’re others who just hear it (about Rohingyas). The problem is here,” Hasina added.
Mentioning that a new generation of displaced Myanmar nationals is also there, she said it seems Rohingyas have no interest (to return to their motherland).
The PM questioned international organisations as to why they are not mounting pressure and do not act for their repatriation as Rohingyas are damaging the environment of the host country.
She voiced concern that Rohingyas are indulging in various misdeeds, including terror acts, women and children trafficking and drug peddling.
Some journalists attended the press conference at Ganobhaban while others were connected from the Prime Minister’s Office through a virtual platform.
2 death-row convicts to be executed for killing two women after rape
Two death-row convicts will be executed on Monday night in connection with a case filed for killing two women after violating them in Alamdanga upazila of Chuadanga district.
The execution of the two men —Mintu alias Kalu, 50 and Aziz alias Azizul, 50 of Laxmipur village in Alamdanga upazila—will take place at Jashore Central Jail around 10:45 pm, authorities said.
The jail authorities are taking preparation in this regard.
Also read: Man executed for killing his wife 17 years ago
According to the jail authorities, prisoners Mashier, Ketu, Kamal and others were trained to execute them.
Tuhin Kanti Khan, Jailer of Jashore Central Jail, said the relatives of the two condemned convicts visited them finally on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner, Police Commissioner and Civil Surgeon will be present during the execution.
Azizul and Mintu gang-raped women at Railaxmipur village in Alamdanga upazila and strangled them to death with scarfs.
On September 28, 2003, the family of the two victims lodged complaints with Alamdanga Police Station in Chuadanga.
On July 26, 2007, Chuadanga Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge sentenced Azizul and Mintu to death.
Also read: JMB member executed in Gazipur jail
The court also fined them Tk 2 lakh each.
Later, the two convicts filed an appeal against the lower court order.
On November 11, 2012, the High Court upheld the lower court verdict. Besides, Appellate Division of the Supreme Court also upheld the lower court verdict on July 26, this year.
The two convicts also filed mercy petitions before the President which were also rejected.
The jail authorities received a letter regarding it on September 8.
According to the prosecution, Kamela Khatun, 30 and her friend Finge Begum, 32 of Jorgachha village in Alamdanga upazila, were found dead in a field at Railaxmipur village on September 27, 2003.
During investigation, police unearthed that the victims were strangulated to death after rape. Later, the convicts also slit the throat of the two women to ensure their deaths.
A case was filed against four people—Mintu, Azizul, Mahi and Sujon-- with Alamdanga Police Station on the following day.
During the trial, Mahi, an accused of the case, died while Sujon was acquitted by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and he walked out from jail on July 20.
Padma boat tragedy: Death toll rises to 5, 3 remain missing
The death toll from last week’s tragic boat accident in the Padma river rose to five with the recovery of another child’s body on Monday.
Three people still remain missing, said the officials.
The body of missing Brishti Khatun,8, daughter of Harunur Rashid of of Bish Rossia village in Panka union of Shibganj upazila was recovered from barrier dam-8 area of the river.
Officer-in-Charge of Shibganj police station, Asaduzzaman said family members of the child spotted the body in the morning and recovered it from the river.
Also read: Padma boat tragedy: Death toll rises to 4
The body was buried without an autopsy according to the family’s request, he said.
The tragedy occurred on September 29, afternoon when the boat carrying 47 people sank in the Padma river off the coast of Laxmipur in Shibganj.
The other five deceased were identified as Nilufar Begum, 62, wife of Khairul Islam of Bish Rossia village in Panka union of Shibganj upazila, and her grandchildren Maisha, 5, and Asmaul 7, children of Babu Ali, and Daisy Begum,35, wife of Harunur Rashid, Bish Rossia village.
Also read: 2 dead, 7 missing in Sirajganj boat accident
Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shakib Al Rabbi said the boat carrying around 50 people capsized in the river around 2.15 pm owing to strong winds.
The boat was heading towards Bishrashia from Boglauri of Shibganj upazila.
Photos of teacher with student’s baby on lap at classroom go viral, sparks online debate
Some exceptional photos of a school teacher teaching in a classroom with a baby on his lap have recently gone viral on social media and sparked debate.
The incident took place at the Chinair Anjuman Ara High School in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila where English teacher Pankaj Madhu was seen taking lessons holding a five-month old child of a student on his lap.
Talking to the UNB correspondent, teacher Pankaj said a class IX student of the school was married off during the closure of the educational institutions due to the Covid pandemic.
Also read: Viral: Woman tortured for failing to pay interest on loan
“When the school reopened after the long closure we noticed the girl was absent. Later, we took initiative to bring back the dropped out student to school,” said Pankaj.
“We came to know that the student was married off and gave birth to a child when we went to visit her house and requested her family to send her back to school,” he said.
On Sunday, the girl came to her school with her child.
“As the school girl was facing problem to attend the class, I took the baby on my lap and started teaching. I had no intention to make the photos viral,” said the teacher.
Many people on social media appreciated the teacher for helping the student by holding her child while some expressed concerned over the baby’s health and hygiene issue.
Many raised questions blaming the mother for taking her child to classroom.
Contacted, headmaster of the school Mosharref Hossain refused to make any comment over the issue.
Also read: Audio clip of Kurigram DC, journo Ariful goes viral
Upazila Education officer Jiban Bhattachariya said the student should not take the child to school as the government did not make school attendance compulsory.
Jatiya Press Club gears up to celebrate anniversary
The Jatiya Press Club (JPC), passionately called as the ‘Second Home’ by its members, has taken up various programmes to celebrate its 67th founding anniversary after a hiatus of one year due to the pandemic.
JPC acting general secretary Mainul Alam unveiled the two-week programme at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at an auditorium of the club on Monday.
He said the programmes will begin on October 6 with a meeting remembering 34 club members who died over the last one year.
Read: JPC condemns BFIU as it seeks bank account details of 11 journalists
As part of other programmes, Mainul said, an eye camp will be held on October 7 on the club premises, followed by Shishu Ananda Mela on October 8 and 9, chess competition on October 10 and 11, an air-gun shooting competition on October 12 and spades trump competition on October 13 and 14.
Besides, he said, Ludo competition for female members will take place on October 14, table tennis on October 16 and 17 and mini-marathon in the early morning of October 20 and a cultural function on the same day in the evening.
The participants of Shishu Ananda Mela and sports competitions will have to ensure their entries into the competitions by October 6.
Speaking at the programme, JPC President Farida Yasmin said they could not arrange elaborate programmes last year, rather than arranging a memorial meeting, to celebrate the 66th founding anniversary of the club due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have had a miserable time over the last two years due to the pandemic. Our children have gotten fed up with staying at home for a long time. The children and spouses of our members are eagerly waiting to join the founding anniversary programmes. As the Covid situation is relatively better, we’ve decided to mark the event this time with various programmes,” she said.
The JPC president said they will arrange all the programmes maintaining social distancing and health safety rules as the virus is yet to be eliminated.
Read: Jatiya Press Club announces 67th anniversary programmes
She said 34 JPC members died over the last one year since October 11. “So, we’re passing through a very painful and sad time. But we’ve to move ahead amid such a bad time.”
Farida said the media sector has been growing through a crisis period like all other sectors, but the situation is improving and media outlets are trying to stay afloat overcoming all the difficulties.
She said they want to turn the JPC into a more dignified institution so that it can help the journalists enhance their professional skills.
The JPC president said they have already held various programmes, including seminars, to develop the skills of journalists.
She said they will celebrate Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the golden jubilee of independence in a grand manner in December, the month of victory.
MoU with Press Club of India
Farida said the Jatiya Press Club and the Press Club of India, Delhi have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase mutual cooperation among the journalists of the two neighbouring countries.
Read:Farida Yasmin becomes first female President of Jatiya Press Club
As per the MoU, she said, JPC members will be able to use the facilities of the Press Club of India while their members can use all the JPC facilities during their visits.
Besides, the JPC president said, various reciprocal programmes will be taken to enhance the cooperation between the members of the two clubs.
She said both the clubs will jointly organise training and various other programmes for enhancing the professional efficiency of journalists.