Bangladesh
India–EU Connectivity Conference in Meghalaya: Identifying concrete projects in India’s northeast and Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan
India and the European Union (EU) are exploring connectivity investments and identifying concrete projects in India’s northeastern states and Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan for implementation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the EU Delegation to India, and the Asian Confluence jointly organized the India–EU Connectivity Conference in Meghalaya recently.
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The objective of the conference was to explore connectivity investments and identify concrete projects in India’s northeastern states and with the country’s neighbours under the India-EU Connectivity Partnership, which was launched during the India–EU leaders’ meet in May 2021.
The conference, held earlier this month, was inaugurated by Conrad Kongkal Sangma, chief minister of Meghalaya, and Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, minister of state for external affairs.
Dr Singh stressed the importance placed by the Government of India on connectivity initiatives, both within the country, and as part of India’s development partnership abroad.
He further highlighted the tremendous opportunities for India–EU Triangular Development Cooperation in South Asia and the Indo–Pacific, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The CM of Meghalaya emphasized the importance of interstate and cross border connectivity for the northeast region as a whole, and for Meghalaya in particular.
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He referred to India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, within which Meghalaya has an ‘Act South’ Policy focussing on the need to improve connectivity between Meghalaya and Bangladesh.
He suggested a ‘zonal approach’ to connectivity, involving neighbouring states that caters to the needs of each state.
The second day of the conference saw technical sessions on the themes – digital connectivity, energy connectivity, and transport connectivity – focusing on projects linking the northeast with India’s neighbourhood, as part of the ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies.
The sessions saw participation from senior officials of the government of India, the EU Commission, governments of the northeastern states of India, North Eastern Council, stakeholders from Nepal, Bangladesh and executives from the private sector with presence in the region.
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Deliberations in the panel on ‘Connectivity & Beyond’ focused on the hurdles and bottlenecks faced by these projects, and on ways to ameliorate their impacts.
The panel on ‘Digital Connectivity’ focused on improving the network penetration in the region by deploying infrastructure, and simultaneously building capacity of the various stakeholders to ensure meaningful connectivity.
Developing localized off–grid solutions through community participation was stressed as the way forward to promote ‘Energy Connectivity’ in the region.
Experts deliberating on ‘Transport Connectivity’ appreciated the several ongoing transformative infrastructure developments in road, rail and waterway connections in the region, but suggested there was need for more. Deliberations also focussed on identifying the right projects to source external funding.
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A study on the existing EU Member States driven projects would be brought out by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).
The first-ever India-EU Trade and Technology Council Ministerial meeting held in Brussels on 16 May 2023 had prioritised Connectivity Partnership as one of the important focus areas of cooperation between India and the EU.
World Oceans Day: UN chief calls for greater action to protect oceans
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for greater action to protect oceans.
“The ocean is the foundation of life. It supplies the air we breathe and food we eat. It regulates our climate and weather. The ocean is our planet’s greatest reservoir of biodiversity,” he said in a message to mark World Oceans Day on Thursday.
One example of how human activity is damaging the oceans, which make up more than 70% of the Earth's surface, is the fact that over a third of the world's fish stocks are being harvested at levels that are not sustainable.
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In addition to these advantages, the ocean generates resources that support societies, economic growth, and human health. Fish is the primary source of protein for over a billion people worldwide.“We should be the ocean’s best friend. But right now, humanity is its worst enemy,” he said, pointing to the evidence.
The UN chief said human-induced climate change is heating the planet, disrupting weather patterns and ocean currents, and altering marine ecosystems and the species living there.
Marine biodiversity is also under attack from overfishing, over-exploitation and ocean acidification, fish stocks are being depleted, and coastal waters have been polluted with chemicals, plastics and human wastes.
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“But this year’s World Oceans Day reminds us that the tides are changing,” he said.
Guterres recalled that last December, countries adopted an ambitious global target to conserve and manage 30 per cent of land, and marine and coastal areas, by the end of the decade.
The past year also saw a landmark agreement on fisheries subsidies, and the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, where the world agreed to push for more positive action.
Negotiations for a global, legally binding treaty to end plastic pollutions are currently underway, and in March, countries agreed the historic High Seas Treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
“Realizing the great promise of these initiatives requires collective commitment,” Guterres said.“This World Oceans Day let’s keep pushing for action. Today and every day, let’s put the ocean first.”
US eyeing enhanced cooperation with Bangladesh in security and trade
The United States has reiterated that they are keen to enhance relationship and cooperation with Bangladesh in key areas, including security and trade.
“Last year we celebrated an anniversary as it relates to our bilateral relationship with Bangladesh, and this year in 2023 we look forward to deepening that relationship, and there are a number of areas in which we intend to deepen that cooperation,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson at US State Department, Vedant Patel, said.
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Responding to a question during a regular briefing at the US Department of State on June 7, he said that in addition to security cooperation, there is potential for enhanced cooperation on climate, trade and many other issues.
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“So of course, this is an issue that continues to be of importance to us. I have spoken about this a great deal to some of your colleagues. One of them, of course, is the opportunity for security cooperation with Bangladesh,” Patel said when asked about boosting US engagement in counterterrorism in Bangladesh.
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Death of siblings after ‘pesticide poisoning’: MD, chairman of pest control company arrested
Detectives in a drive arrested the managing director (MD) and chairman of a pest control company that worked at the home of a family in Dhaka's Bashundhara -- following which the family fell sick and two siblings died while undergoing treatment.
The MD and chairman of the pest control company were arrested today (June 8, 2023) from Tangail and Brahmanbaria districts.
The arrestees were identified as Ashraf, chairman of the company, and Farhad, its MD.
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Based on a tip-off, a team of DB from Lalbagh division conducted drives in Tangail and Brahmanbaria, and arrested the duo, Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Lalbagh DB Police, said.
They are now on their way to Dhaka, he said.
On June 4, Shayan Mobarrat Zahin (15) and Shahir Mobarrat Zayan (9) -- fell sick after pesticide was used at their home in Dhaka's Bashundhara. Mobarak Hossain, father of the children, hired DCS Organisation Ltd for pest control.
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Police and the children’s family said the pest control service sprayed insecticide at their new home in Bashundhara’s Block I on June 2. The family members left the house after the insecticide was used.
On June 4, the family returned to the house and fell sick after inhaling the pesticide, and they were rushed to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, they said.
On June 5, Mobarak Hossain filed a case in this connection.
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More rain or thundershowers likely in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains or thundershowers in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, over 24 hours -- starting from 9 am today.
“Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind are likely to occur at many places over Chattogram and Barishal divisions, at a few places over Dhaka and Khulna divisions, and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Chattogram and Barishal,” the Met Office said.
A severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Noagaon, Dinajpur, Jashore and Chuadanga.
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Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions, and the district of Sylhet are witnessing a mild to moderate heatwave, and it may abate in some places.
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Daytime temperatures may fall by 1-3 degree C and nighttime temperatures may fall slightly across the country. A trough of westerly low lies over India's West Bengal and adjoining area.
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Short-lived rain brings inadequate relief from sweltering heat in Dhaka
Dhaka city saw drizzles on Thursday (June 8, 2023) morning, providing some brief relief from the scorching heat that has been sweeping across the country for several days.
The day started with a cloudy sky, and Dhaka dwellers witnessed drizzles on their way to work in the morning.
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Man held with 15 gold bars in Rangpur
Members of Narcotics Control Department arrested a man and seized 15 gold bars from his possession at Kamarpara in Rangpur city on Wednesday.
The arrestee was identified as Foysal, son of Abul Hossain of Munshiganj district.
Acting on a tip off, that a consignment of gold was being smuggled to Rangpur from Dhaka, a team of Narcotics Control Department, intercepted a bus and arrested the man, said Aslam Ali Mandal, inspector of Narcotics Control Department, Rangpur.
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Later, they seized 15 gold bars from the belt of the young man.
The market value of the seized gold bars, weighing 150 tola, is Tk 1.27 crore.
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Dhaka’s air quality 'unhealthy', 4th most polluted in the world this morning
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 163 at 8:54 am today (June 8, 2023), Dhaka ranked 4th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.USA’s New York City, Pakistan’s Lahore and the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai occupied the first, second, and third spots, with AQI scores of 267, 209, and 167 respectively.
Also read: 8 vehicles, 6 institutions, and 6 brick kilns fined Tk 20.57 lakh for air pollution in DhakaAn AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201–300 is ‘’very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Also read: Urgent, coordinated actions needed to curb air pollution in South Asia: World BankDhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
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Italy to take skilled workers from Bangladesh, contain illegal migration
Bangladesh and Italy have agreed to contain illegal migration to the European country.
Italy has agreed to take skilled workers from Bangladesh under bilateral migration and mobility arrangement, particularly in the construction, shipbuilding and hospitality sectors.
The decisions were shared at the Political Consultations held on June 7 in Rome.
The Italian side expressed satisfaction that at present over 46% of workers under Flussi Decree are coming to Italy from Bangladesh for seasonal and non-seasonal work.
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Bangladesh and Italy held the first-ever Political Consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rome.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Secretary General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Riccardo Guariglia led the respective sides at the consultations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Before the Political Consultations, Foreign Secretary Momen and Secretary General Guariglia signed am memorandum of understanding on Political Consultations between the foreign ministries of Bangladesh and Italy.
During the meeting, both countries expressed keen desire to deepen the relations and further engage in multiple areas including trade and investment, technological intervention in Bangladesh’s textile sector, cooperation in defence and security, ICT, agriculture, migration and mobility.
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Three killed as motorcycle collides with easybike in Cox's Bazar
Three people were killed in a collision between a motorcycle and an easybike on the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive road, said police.
The deceased were identified as Imarat Ullah (38) of Jashore, Akhter Kamal (18) of Ukhiya, and Riduan (18).
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Akhter Kamal was a student of Cox's Bazar City College and Ridwan was a student of Ukhiya Degree College.
Rezaul Karim, assistant sub-inspector of Inani Police Outpost said the incident happened around 2:00pm on Wednesday in the Shafir Beel area.
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Imarat Ullah, who was in charge of Inani's Palongki Restaurant, was killed on the spot. The other two were rescued by locals and sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, said the ASI.
Later, Akhter Kamal and Riduan died on the way to Chattogram, he added.
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