Bangladesh
This year’s dengue death toll rises to 67 with two deaths in 24 hours
Two more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Saturday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 67 this year.
During the period, 820 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read more: Best Foods to Increase Platelets in Dengue Fever
Of the new patients, 603 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to DGHS.
A total of 2, 502 dengue patients, including 1, 773 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 12, 118 dengue cases, 9, 549 recoveries.
Read: 1 more dengue patient dies in 24 hours; 182 hospitalised
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
Read more: This year’s dengue death toll rises to 64 with two deaths in 24 hours
Momen says Bangladesh not leaning towards any particular country
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has ruled out the perception that Bangladesh is leaning towards China. Bangladesh maintains a balanced and independent foreign policy, he said.
“Some say we are tilted towards China. Apparently forcibly, it’s being said. We maintain a balanced and independent foreign policy. We are not tilted towards anybody,” he said, recalling the historic quote of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: “Friendship to all, malice towards none.”
Speaking at the ‘DCAB Talk’ today, the foreign minister said Bangladesh’s aim is development and public welfare, and the government has been focusing on that goal.
He reiterated that Bangladesh will never fall into the so-called “Chinese debt trap”, as suggested and accepted by many.
“This is a wrong perception. Some pundits say this. Many accepted it, especially some foreign institutions. Under no circumstance, will we fall into ‘Chinese debt trap’,” Momen said.
He said some people had perpetuated the “wrong perception” that after Sri Lanka, Bangladesh would fall into the “Chinese debt trap”.
“We are very prudent. We are very careful when taking foreign loans. We do not take unnecessary loans,” he said, sharing statistics.
Read: Bangladesh’s foreign debt flow down by 24.38% in July-Aug: ERD report
According to the IMF, Momen said, if any country takes over 55 percent of its loans from a single country, then the former risks falling into a debt trap.
“Our overall debt is only 13.78% of the GDP. Out of this, 61% was taken from international agencies like ADB, IMF and the World Bank. As a single country, Japan is the highest loan provider with 17%,” he said.
From China, Momen claimed, Bangladesh has taken USD 3.5 billion, which is 0.75% of the total GDP.
Momen described Bangladesh’s relationship with India as “rock-solid”. “We are in a golden chapter in our relations with India. It is a rock-solid relationship.”
The foreign minister quoted US President Joe Biden as saying that America wants to improve relations with Bangladesh. “They are sending one delegate after another. It’s good. We have good relations with all countries. That is why when we contest any election in the UN, we win. Our relations have improved with all countries,” he said.
Regarding Bangladesh’s Indo-pacific Outlook, Momen said Bangladesh is in a good position geo-strategically.
Read: Bangladesh’s foreign debt far below risk limit: Economic review tells PM
He said China is a rising star and Bangladesh wants open, free, secure, inclusive and rules-based navigation for all in the Indo-Pacific region. “Countries like India and Japan want to see the same. We added ‘inclusive’ in our outlook, as we want to live harmoniously with all countries.”
Momen highlighted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s policy of sustainable peace, saying that without peace and stability, development is impossible.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organised the event at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke on the occasion.
Read more: Bangladesh’s per capita foreign debt now stands at Tk 24,890
Throat-slit body of Rohingya man recovered in Cox’s Bazar
The throat-slit body of a Rohingya man was recovered from a canal in a Rohingya camp in Ukhia upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Friday night.
The deceased was Sanaullah, 40, son of Mohammad Ali of the bloc-D at camp No-11 in the upazila.
Ameer Jafar, commander of the Armed Battalion Police (APBN)-11, said they recovered the body from the canal around 9pm after being informed by the locals who spotted it floating.
Read: 5 killed in gunfight in Ukhiya Rohingya camp
The body was handed over to the Ukhia police station, he said.
Earlier on Friday, five Rohingyas were gunned down in a clash between armed factions Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) over establishing dominance in a refugee camp in the Ukhiya.
Read more: Rohingya leader stabbed to death in Ukhiya
Security was beefed up in the Rohingya camp area following the fierce clash.
Road accidents claim 299 lives during Eid journey
As many as 299 lives were lost and 544 people were injured in 277 road accidents across the country in 15 days during Eid-ul-Azha travels, according to a report of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passenger welfare platform.
During this period 25 people were killed in 25 railway accidents and 16 people in 10 waterways accidents across the country, it said.
The report was published on Saturday after analysing accident reports published in the country's national and regional dailies and online media from June 22 to July 6.
Read: Probe committee formed over Sylhet road accident that killed 15
According to the findings of Jatri Kalyan Samity, road accidents came down by 15.16 percent while the number of deaths also decreased by 33.11 percent compared to the last year during Eid holidays, due to the good condition of roads.
Among the deaths, 93 people were killed in 88 road accidents involving truck, pickup and covered van, 94 killed in 91 motorbike accidents, which is 31.76 and 32.85 percent of the total accidents, the report said.
Among the vehicles involved in the accidents were 22.37 percent motorbikes, 23.05 percent truck-pick-up-covered van-lorry, 17.57 percent battery-run easy bikes or human haulers, 15.75 percent buses, 10.27 percent car, microbuses and jeeps, 5.57 percent three-wheelers and 4.56 percent CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
Read: 9th grader killed in road accident in capital
Of the accidents, 36.46 percent occurred on national highways, 29.24 on regional roads and 29.60 percent on roads. Besides, 1.8 percent of accidents occurred in Dhaka city.
The association blamed reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and movement of unfit vehicles, unskilled drivers and helpers, plying of slow-moving three-wheelers and human-haulers on highways and violation of traffic rules for the accidents and deaths.
Read more: 408 deaths in 491 road accidents in May: Road Safety Foundation
8th grader held hostage, raped; 3 fugitive convicts held in Dhaka’s Bhatara
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested three fugitive convicts, who were sentenced to life term jail in a case over violating an 8th grader for four years after kidnap, from Bhatara area of the capital on Friday .
The arrestees were Bakul Mia, son of Meda Sheikh, his son Shakil, 22, and daughter Shimu Begum.
Tipped off, a team of Rab-2 conducted a drive in the area and arrested them, said a press release of Rab.
25-year-old man arrested over Dhanmondi rape incident
According to the press release, Shakil abducted a class VIII student from the city's Gulshan area on way home from school in February, 2019.
Shakil kept her confined till January 17, 2022 after giving sedatives with the help of other convicts. During this period Shakil used to rape the girl.
Fugitive war crimes accused arrested in Cox’s Bazar
On January 17, 2022, the girl managed to flee and returned to her house.
A complaint was lodged with police over the kidnap and rape.
In 2022, the Women and Child Repression Tribunal Judge sentenced the trio to life imprisonment in the case.
The trio served jail for three months and later they went into hiding after securing bail in the case.
DB arrests 4 in connection with police constable's death from stabbing in Dhaka's Farmgate
Dialogues between parties not held in other countries, including in the US: Momen
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (July 08, 2023) said he is not aware that dialogue between political parties over election brought any results in the past.
He said the government will not talk to “any terrorists.”
The foreign minister said such dialogues are not held in other countries, including in the US, and referred to those as "useless" discussion.
Momen was responding to questions on political dialogue at ‘DCAB Talk’ at the Foreign Service Academy.
He said foreigners can come and observe the elections. "We remain transparent. We have nothing to hide."
Momen displeased at ‘seeking solutions’ of Bangladesh's internal issues from foreigners
Momen said the next election will be held as per the constitution. "We have a good track record of holding good elections. We are doing our best."
Responding to a question on recent remarks by China and Russia, he said those are their remarks. "You may ask them."
Momen said democracy is a dynamic process and it becomes mature through practice.
He said the next election will be a model election in the world. "We want all parties, who are willing, to join the elections."
Justice delayed is justice denied, resolve case involving Rohingyas as soon as possible: Momen tells ICC Prosecutor
The foreign minister also said there is no problem if any “terrorist party” does not join the election.
Foreign Minister Momen has said that he fears there are efforts of hindering the national elections.
“We have indication some are trying to hinder the election process,” he said, without elaborating further whether they are from Bangladesh or outside the country.
Asked who are those making such efforts to hinder elections, he sad, “You know it better. You are journalists."
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke on the occasion.
Dev agencies should concentrate on development issues, not politics: Momen
Man goes missing as boat sinks in Sylhet
A man went missing after a stone-laden boat capsized in the Dhalai River in Bholaganj zero point area of Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila on Friday.
According to police and locals, when Afik Mia, 43, and three other workers went to extract stone their boat sank in the river around 10:30 pm on Friday.
Bus-truck collision leaves 3 dead in Gaibandha
Among them, three workers managed to swim ashore but Afik is still missing, said Hillol Roy, officer-in-charge of Companiganj police station.
Jashore road crash leaves 7 dead
Search is underway to find him, he said.
Light to moderate rains likely in Dhaka, other parts of country
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers across the country including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Saturday.“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and at many places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” it said.
Rains likely to drench Dhaka, other placesDay temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.Besides, the axis of monsoon trough runs through Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,West Bengal to Assam across northern part of Bangladesh.
Light to moderate rains likely in Dhaka, other parts of the countryOne of its associated troughs extends to North Bay.Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over North Bay.Heavy rains: DNCC's Quick Response Team working to handle waterlogging
Momen displeased at ‘seeking solutions’ of Bangladesh's internal issues from foreigners
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed displeasure over “seeking solutions” of Bangladesh's internal issues from foreigners, especially from diplomats stationed in Dhaka.
“I believe you (media) will not be playing a supportive role to that end,” he said while speaking at DCAB Talk at the Foreign Service Academy.
Momen said diplomats come here to promote bilateral relations between their countries and Bangladesh.
The foreign minister said the image of Bangladesh has undergone a complete change over the past decade.
Read more: Dialogues between parties not held in other countries, including in the US: Momen
“Bangladesh is not a country of terrorists and terrorism activities. That is a great achievement of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Momen remarked.
Regarding the next national election, the foreign minister said the government is committed to holding a fair election free of violence.
It requires sincere commitment from all parties to make that happen, he said.
The foreign minister highlighted the achievements of the government and its efforts to boost export through diversification.
He said Bangladesh’s investment intention rate is very high but in some cases implementation gets slowed down.
Read more: Not aware elections in Bangladesh connected to US State Dept or EU Parliament: Russian Foreign Ministry
The foreign minister said Bangladesh is a peacebuilding nation.
Referring to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Momen said peace is imperative for development.
He said democracy, human rights and justice — these are in the DNA of Bangladesh.
Momen recalled the sacrifices made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, noting that her sacrifices go far beyond other global leaders.
He said everyone will be affected if the democratic process, peace and stability are hampered. “We need to make peace and stability sustainable. You (media) have a role to play.”
Read more: No pressure, no fear in Awami League’s dictionary: Shahriar Alam
The foreign minister said the government is maintaining good relations with the neighbouring countries.
He also said the government remains prudent in taking foreign loans.
As far as countries are concerned, maximum loans came from Japan while major loans came from the ADB, IMF and World Bank, he added.
Bangladesh does not want to tilt towards any specific country but maintains a balanced relations with all.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary Emrul Kayesh spoke at the event. Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present on the occasion.
Read more: Climate-impacted countries like Bangladesh need financial, tech support: UN Resident Coordinator
Worker dies from electrocution in Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar
A 33-year-old worker died from electrocution at a plastic factory in the city's Kamrangirchar area early Saturday.The deceased was identified as Md Shaheen, son of Mojibor Rahman of the area.
Father, son die from electrocution, another by lightning in NatoreQuoting Shaheen’s co-worker Rajab, Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said Shaheen fell unconscious after he came in contact with a live electric wire when he went to Bikrampur plastic factory to deliver a machine in the early morning.
Man dies from electrocution in cityLater, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him dead.