Bangladesh
Two more dengue patients die in 24hrs; 180 hospitalised
Two more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 26 this year.
During the period, 180 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: Exploring Dengue Diagnosis: The Essential Tests for Detecting the Virus
Of the new patients, 150 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, DGHS said.
Six hundred and fifty patients, including 528 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Read: 3 more dengue patients die in 24 hours; This year’s death toll rises to 16
So far, the DGHS has recorded 3,390 dengue cases, and 2,714 recoveries this year.
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.
Energy cooperation has been the backbone of Bangladesh-Russia economic relations: Ambassador
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Aleksandr Mantytsky has said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the megaproject of the State Corporation Rosatom, will strengthen the energy security of Bangladesh.
“Energy cooperation has always been the backbone of our economic relations. Gazprom company has successfully drilled 20 gas wells in the south of your country,” he said.
Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
The ambassador was speaking at a reception on the occasion of Russian Day on Sunday evening. Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque spoke as the chief guest.
The agriculture minister highlighted the importance of the relationship between Bangladesh and Russia and remembered the role of the latter during the Liberation War. “Russia is always in our heart,” he said.
Russia and Bangladesh have been maintaining “close friendship and cooperation” since 1971, when the then USSR whole-heartedly supported the Liberation War.
The Russian ambassador said his country remains committed to ensuring Bangladesh’s food security, steadily supplying wheat and fertilizers.
Read: Bangladesh, UN to work closely to achieve SDGs
“I am sure that the bonds of sincere friendship between Russia and Bangladesh and their people will keep on thriving in the years ahead,” he said.
In 2021, Ambassador Mantytsky said that Russia-Bangladesh bilateral trade volume reached a record amount of almost US$ 3 billion.
Despite “artificial external obstacles and counterproductive sanction policy” employed by the Western states, the envoy said their governments and business communities are promptly adjusting to the new reality and determined to expand the trade relations to attain new heights.
Moscow and Dhaka have no major unresolved political issues, strongly advocate multilateralism and non-alignment in international relations, spare no efforts in countering terrorism, extremism, cybercrime, xenophobia, neo-colonialism and climate change, said the ambassador.
“Dynamic interactions within international organizations enable us to efficiently coordinate efforts to these ends,” he said.
Read: Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association launched in Rome
Over the years, the ambassador said, they have developed different mechanisms of bilateral interaction, such as the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, foreign office consultations, parliamentary friendship groups, friendship societies and working groups.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, political leaders, ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka, civil society members, and senior journalists were present at the event.
Graft, inefficiency behind BIWTA’s failure in river digging, excavation: SCRF
Though the government has allocated sufficient funds for river excavation and dredging, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has not been able to show the expected success due to inefficiency, mismanagement, irregularities and corruption, according to a report of Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF).
SCRF on Monday disclosed the gist of the report through a press release.
It said the level of public money wastage is very high even though the achievement is very little especially in the mega projects. A full report regarding this will be published soon, the release said.
Also Read: 13 Citizens demand transparency in silt removal, river digging
The report blamed inefficiency, indifference, mismanagement, irregularities and corruption of BIWTA's dredging department for the failure to achieve desired targets in river digging.
It has been observed that the senior engineers associated with the mega projects along with the project director (PD) stay at the head office in Dhaka most of the working days of the year without going to the project area regularly.
According to SCRF, visiting some rivers on the ground, discussions with people of different classes and professions in the project areas, reports published in some well circulated national dailies and information obtained from various sources have been considered in the long observation.
Also Read: Many waterways abandoned due to irregularities in dredging
SCRF said BIWTA has taken up the 155 km excavation project of Kangsa and Vogai rivers from Mohanganj in Netrakona to Nalitabari in Jamalpur. The cost was estimated at Tk. 134 crore and 64 lakh. According to the tender conditions, the width of both the rivers will be 80 to 100 feet and the depth will be eight to 10 feet during dry season. The project has also been implemented on paper.
However, it has been reported that the width and depth of Kangsa and Vogai rivers have not increased at all from the surface inspection and talking to the people along the river banks. They claimed that most of the 134 crore taka has been misused.
Mymensingh integrated district office and Dhaka office of the Anti-Corruption Commission are investigating this matter, the report added.
Also Read: CSOs demand investigations into irregularities in dredger pilotage, repair
According to the SCRF observation, excavation of 227 km of Old Brahmaputra began in 2019. The amount allocated for a-five year project is Tk. 2763 crore. It was said that between June and July of this year, from the junction of the Jamuna-Brahmaputra to Kishoreganj, the width will be 300 feet and the depth will be at least 10 feet. But knee-deep water has been seen in many places in Mymensingh. It is mentioned in the notification that the process of extending the project period for at least three more years is going on without working on time.
According to the report, BIWTA undertook a project of Tk 124 crore and 77 lakh in 2017 with the aim of starting the ferry from Balasi in Gaibandhar to Jamalpur's Bahadurabad.
At one stage of the excavation, the organization said that ferry service is not possible on this waterway. However, if the project is implemented, water vessels including launch will move. On April 9, 2022, the launch of the Balasi-Bahadurabad waterway was inaugurated. However, due to the severe navigability crisis, the launch movement was stopped within a month.
The report also said that the project cost was increased to Tk 145 crore 2 lakh through two revisions without knowing that it would be successful.
Also Read: NCPSRR wants transparency in river dredging, silt removal
Besides, the project officials wasted public money by constructing 11 infrastructures including office buildings, pilothouses, police and Ansar barracks, fire service stations, tools buildings, driver rest houses, passenger sheds, toilets at Balasi and Bahadurabad terminals, according to the report.
Khulna city polls: Mobile court fines 1, takes bond from 3 for violating electoral code of conduct
A mobile court fined a person Tk 500 and took bond from three others today for violating the electoral code of conduct as Khulna City Corporation election is underway.
One Akram Hossain was fined while Tawhidul Islam, Abdus Samad and Mirajul Islam were released on bond that they would never violate the rules in the future.
The mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Md Asaduzzaman, said the punished were voters under ward 17 but they were gathering in front of a polling station under ward 18.
The court released them after fining and taking bond, he added.
Read: Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres
Voting in the KCC election began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines are being used at all the centres to take votes.
Five candidates are vying for the mayoral post, 136 for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats.
Eleven executive magistrates are performing duty in the election field.
Read:Khulna city polls: Jatiya Party's mayor candidate says agents barred from entering polling stations
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are carrying out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election, along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Read more:Security tightened ahead of Khulna city polls
PM mourns death of Dhaka South City AL leader Abdul Huq
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Dhaka South City Awami League’s senior advisor Abdul Huq Sabuj.
He was also former joint secretary of undivided Dhaka City Awami League.
In a condolence message, the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Abdul Huq died of kidney ailments at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital here last night. He was 68.
Read: PM mourns death of valiant freedom fighter Nurul Islam Khan
Sabuj was admitted to the BSMMU on June 8 with kidney ailments and later shifted to the ICU on Sunday as his physical conditions deteriorated.
Sabuj was elected as Vice President (VP) of Habibullah Bahar College Central Students' Union twice.
His first Namaj-e-Janaza was held at a mosque in capital’s Shanirakhra.
Read: PM mourns death of ex-Mohila League leader Taslima
Later, his body was taken to his ancestral home at Kalai Sardarer Char Village of Purba Enayet Nagar Union at Kalkini upazila in Madaripur district where he will be laid to eternal rest beside his parents' graves following his namaj-e-janaza there.
Read more: PM mourns death of noted film actor Farooque
3 dead in Sylhet road accident
Three people were killed and another was injured as a speeding truck hit another stationary truck on Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet early Monday.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately while the injured was identified as Jasim, 35, a truck driver.
Read: Man dies after being hurt in road accident in Dhaka
The road accident occurred just four days after a fatal road accident that left 15 dead and 10 injured in the same upalizla.
Fakhrul Islam, leader of Osmaningar Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the driver and the helper of a truck were changing the tyres of the truck on the highway in Nij Kuruya area around 4:30am.Another speeding truck from the same direction hit the stationary truck, leaving the trio dead on the spot, he said.
Read: 9th grader killed in road accident in capital
On information, police rushed to the spot and sent the bodies to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, the fire service officer said, adding that the injured is now undergoing treatment.
Read more: Truck driver arrested over Sylhet road accident that killed 15
PM unveils 'Bhayera Amar', a book containing 200 speeches of Bangabandhu
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday unveiled a book containing 200 speeches of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The book titled “Bhayera Amar” was unveiled at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's office.
Also Read: Take Bangladesh forward keeping heads high: PM Hasina tells students
The name “Bhayera Amar (My Brothers)” has been given by the prime minister herself, according to a release from PMO Press Wing.
She also wrote the introduction of the book.
All the speeches have been collected, compiled and edited by PM's speech writer M Nazrul Islam. The book has been published by Genius Publications.
Also Read: Promote local sports in a bigger way: PM
The main feature of this collection of speeches of the Father of the Nation is that it includes all the speeches available so far.
Of the two hundred speeches in the book, more than one hundred have been collected from audio tapes/CDs obtained from the archives of Bangladesh Betar.
The accuracy and reliability of each speech has been duly verified.
The book highlights the important parts of each speech and displays them separately.
Also Read: Urge for independence was rooted in 6-point demand: PM
Besides, the content, year and date of each speech are mentioned in the index.
The press release said speeches of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali ever born, is an invaluable document not only in Bangladesh but also in the world.
In the introduction of the book, the prime minister mentioned, "The new generation, especially the leaders, activists and supporters of Awami League, should not only read Bangabandhu's speeches, but also understand their meaning and practice it in their own lives."
The PM also mentioned that Bangabandhu wanted his golden people to build a golden Bangla.
“To become this golden man, it is essential to practice the ideals and lifestyle of the father of the nation," she said.
Editor of the book Nazrul commented that the entire speeches will be very important documents for politicians, teachers, researchers, students and the next generation.
Barishal city polls: Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leaves several injured
Several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Awami League (AL) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh were injured in a clash over entering a polling centre, as Barishal City Corporation election is underway today (June 12, 2023).
Islami Andolon candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who is contesting the election with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men when they were about to enter the Kawnia Secondary Girls School centre.
He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah centre.
“Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia centre when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer,” the Islami Andolon candidate told UNB Barishal correspondent.
“I, along with several of my supporters, was injured in the attack,” he said.
Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates
Denying the allegation made by the Islami Andolon candidate and supporters, AL activist Biddyut said they only told them that they "should not enter the polling centre with such a big crowd."
“Rather they (Islami Andolon activists) carried out an attack on us with knives, leaving several men injured,” he said.
More rain likely in Dhaka, elsewhere in country as monsoon sets in
Southwest monsoon set in over Bangladesh on Monday, bringing much needed relief from scorching heat.
“Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate over North Bay,” said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Chattogram & Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” said the morning bulletin of Met office.
Also Read: Rain or thundershowers likely in Dhaka, other divisions over 24 hours
Mild heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Rajshahi & Pabna and it may abate, it said.
Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country.
The weather office recorded the highest rainfall of 117mm in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram in 24 hours till 9 am on Monday.
Also Read: Dhaka's air 'unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning
The highest temperature was recorded at 37.8 degree Celsius in Jashore, while the lowest temperature was recorded at 21.5 degrees in Cox’s Bazar’s Kutubdia.
No progress in the level of prejudice shown against women in 10 years: UN report
There has been no progress in the level of bias against women over the previous ten years, with nearly nine out of ten men and women still believing such prejudices globally, according to a new UN report released on Monday (June 12, 2023).
UN Development Programme (UNDP) in its most recent Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) says , "Half of people worldwide still believe men make better political leaders than women, and more than 40% believe men make better business executives than women."
Also Read: 9 countries inc. Bangladesh release first national estimates of illicit financial flows with UN support
“Social norms that impair women’s rights are detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development,” said Pedro Conceição, head of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office.
A staggering 25 per cent of people believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife, according to the report, reflecting the latest data from the World Values Survey.
The report said that these biases are to blame for the obstacles women encounter, which have taken the form of the denial of women's rights in many regions of the world, the growth of movements opposing gender equality, and an increase in human rights abuses in some countries.
The stark underrepresentation of women in leadership positions is another example of bias in action. Since 1995, the percentage of women serving as heads of State or governments has generally hovered around 10%, and in the job market, they make up less than one-third of executive posts.
The report also sheds light on a broken link between women’s progress in education and economic empowerment.
Also Read: A child or youth died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021: UN report
Women are more skilled and educated than ever before, yet even in the 59 countries where women are now more educated than men, the average gender income gap remains a 39 per cent in favour of men.
“Lack of progress on gender social norms is unfolding against a human development crisis,” Conceição said, noting that the global Human Development Index (HDI) declined in 2020 for the first time on record and again the following year.
“Everyone stands to gain from ensuring freedom and agency for women,” he added.
The UNDP report emphasized that governments have a crucial role in shifting gender social norms, from adopting parental leave policies, that have changed perceptions around care work responsibilities, to labour market reforms that have led to a change in beliefs around women in the workforce.
“An important place to start is recognizing the economic value of unpaid care work,” said Raquel Lagunas, Director of UNDP’s gender team.
The report emphasized that despite the continued prevalence of bias against women, the data shows change can happen.
Also Read: Rights groups slam severe Taliban restrictions on Afghan women as ‘crime against humanity’
An increase in the share of people with no bias in any indicator was evident in 27 of the 38 countries surveyed. The report authors said that to drive change towards greater gender equality, the focus needs to be on expanding human development through investment, insurance, and innovation.
This includes investing in laws and policy measures that promote women’s equality in political participation, scaling up insurance mechanisms, such as strengthening social protection and care systems, and encouraging innovative interventions that could be particularly effective in challenging harmful social norms, patriarchal attitudes, and gender stereotypes.
For example, combatting online hate speech and gender disinformation can help to shift pervasive gender norms towards greater acceptance and equality, according to the report.
The report recommended directly addressing social norms through education to change people’s views, policies and legal changes that recognize the rights of women in all spheres of life, and more representation in decision-making and political processes.
Read more: 90% of countries see decline in human development