bangladesh
One kg gold seized at Chattogram airport
Members of National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Customs Intelligence seized one kg of gold from three Dubai returnees at Shah Amanat International Airport on Monday.Director of Shah Amanat International Airport group captain Taslim Ahmed, said a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines BG-148 landed at the airport around 6:30 am.Tipped off, a joint team of NSI and Customs Intelligence challenged three passengers of the flight and seized one kg gold from their possession.
2 held with 40 gold bars worth over Tk 4 cr in JhenaidahThe three passengers are Mobarak Ali of Chakaria in Cox’s Bazar, Nazmul Haque of Satkania in Chattogram and Anwar Shah of Sandwip.They were not arrested yet. Investigation is going on in this regard.2 arrested with foreign cigarettes, gold bars at Ctg airport
Bangladesh taking up long-term programmes to tackle climate change impacts: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP) has been created to synchronise with the international stakeholders to face the climate change impacts in their global programmes.
This BCDP will work with the stakeholders, developed countries and international organisations and fund programmes to mitigate the climate change issues, she said.
The prime minister said this while Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Steele called on her at a bilateral meeting room at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
According to a release from PM’s Press Wing the prime minister said that Bangladesh is taking long-term programmes to tackle the impacts of climate change.
She briefly described various adaptation and mitigation programmes of Bangladesh including Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to face the adverse impacts of climate change.
Hasina said that due to the adverse impacts of the climate change Bangladesh is often facing various types of cyclones, heavy rain and heatwaves.
Need to boost adaptive capacity to build a safe world: PM Hasina
“We are encouraging social movement for forestation, created 84000 volunteers and build multipurpose cyclone shelters,” she said.
She also said that researchers in Bangladesh have invented saline, flood and drought resilient rice varieties.
She said that from June next tree plantation programmes will be started across the country during the rainy season.
In this connection, she said that her Party Awami League is the pioneer in this movement.
Simon Steele appreciated the prime minister for creating climate fund on her own initiative.
He said that Bangladesh not only works for facing the climate change impacts, rather it is taking various types of social programmes for adaptation and mitigation.
These matters are obviously examples for the whole world, he said.
He mentioned that PM Hasina is the longest serving leader of Bangladesh and she attended various international forums where she talked about the climate change issues.
“You can share your experiences for facing the adverse impacts of climate change issues with the world leaders in these forums to expedite the movement for the climate change issues,” he said.
Won’t allow anyone to undermine independence and sovereignty: PM Hasina
He said that other couturiers could adapt these experiences of Bangladesh to mitigate the impacts of climate change to formulate their own adaptation and mitigation plans.
“Bangladesh is leaving behind its footprints regarding climate change issues across the globe, not only in its own country,” he said.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Principal Secretary Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Farhina Ahmed were present.
Security guard killed in road crash at Merul Badda
A security guard was killed being hit by an unidentified vehicle when he was on-duty at Merul Badda U-loop bridge in the city on early Monday.
The deceased was identified as Md Farid Mia, 65.
Quoting witnesses police said the road accident took place under Merul Badda U-loop Bridge while he was on duty around 4:30 am on Monday.
Bishwanath village in shock as minor cousins drown in pond
Being informed, a team of Badda police station rushed to the spot and rescued seriously injured Farid.
Then he was taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) at around 6:30 in the morning, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.
Nazmul Islam, the grandson of the deceased who brought him to the DMCH hospital, said that his grandfather was on-duty to guard the busses, which were parked near Merul Badda temple at night.
Heat wave: 3 more said to die from heatstroke
In-charge of DMCH Police Camp Md. Bachchu Mia said the body was kept in the hospital morgue and the concerned police station is aware of the matter.
‘Baishakhi Mela and Curry Festival’ held in Japan
The 23rd edition of ‘Baishakhi Mela & Curry Festival’ with participation of around 10, 000 Bangladeshis living in Japan was held at Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park in Japan’s Toshima city on Sunday.
A book tilted ‘Father of the Nation Bangabandhu' on the struggling life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman written in Japanese Manga form drew huge attention in the fair.
NRB Scholars Publishers Limited from Bangladesh participated in the fair with the book this year.
M E Chowdhury Shamim, author and publisher of the book and founder of Centre for NRB Foundation, was present at the fair.
PM Hasina to leave for Thailand Wednesday on official visit to boost ties
He said Bengali, English and Japanese versions of the book, which won bronze prizes in the 17th International Manga Awards in Japan, were sold at the stalls.
However, a large number of Japanese bought the book written in Japanese Manga form to know the role of Bangabandhu in the Liberation War of Bangladesh, the author said.
Besides, expatriate Bangladeshis collected the book for their second generation living in Japan, he said.
Qatar Emir’s visits to Bangladesh, Nepal should prioritise migrant workers' protections: HRW
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed distributed the book among Bangladeshi children at free of cost.
The book was unveiled in the form of Japanese 'Manga' on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-Japan friendship on April 5 last year.
Later, the book was handed over to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo during Sheikh Hasina's visit to Japan on April 28.
Met office issues heat alert for another 72 hours
The prevailing heat wave condition over the country may continue for 72 hours commencing Monday.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued an alert in this regard on Monday.
Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may persists, it said.
Earlier, the Met office issued a heat alert on April 19.
PM Hasina to leave for Thailand Wednesday on official visit to boost ties
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a six-day official visit to Thailand from Wednesday at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Bangladesh and Thailand will sign a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for free trade agreement between the two countries, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters at a media briefing on Monday.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh and Thailand are likely to sign an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation while two more MoUs on tourism sector cooperation and duty related mutual cooperation to expand the relations.
Primer Minister Sheikh Hasina will witness the signing of the documents.
"It's both bilateral and multilateral visit," he said while responding to a question.
He said Bangladesh will also seek support from Thailand regarding Rohingya repatriation.
The foreign minister said the issue of shipping connectivity will also be discussed. "I am very much interested to raise the issue."
He said Bangladesh will seek increased investment from Thailand.
The scheduled bilateral visit of the prime minister will be the first-ever visit at the level of head of government from Bangladesh to Thailand since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972.
The visit is significant for both Bangladesh and Thailand as it will open new windows of cooperation between the two friendly countries, Minister Hasan said.
The PM would lead a high level delegation which includes a number of ministers, advisers, secretaries and senior officials of the government.
Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will accompany the prime minister during April 24-29 visit.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu will also be part of the Bangladesh delegation.
On April 26, PM Hasina will be formally received by her Thai host Srettha Thavisin while a ceremonial guard of honor will be accorded to her.
On the same day, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin at the Government House.
During the visit, the prime minister will have a Royal audience of Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Palace.
Hasina is also scheduled to attend a state lunch to be hosted by her Thai counterpart in her honour.
In her multilateral engagement PM Hasina is scheduled to attend the 80th Session of the Commission for UNESCAP.
She will deliver a speech at UNESCAP on April 25. On the same day, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjabana will call on the prime minister.
Guided by the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”, the eightieth session will be an opportunity to strengthen region-wide cooperative action on leveraging digital innovation for the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The session will bring together government leaders and ministers from across Asia and the Pacific and other key stakeholders to discuss how digital innovation can more inclusively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across multiple disciplines.
Moreover, participants will be able to identify opportunities to fully unleash the transformative potential of digital innovations and discuss pathways to strengthen their contribution to sustainable development, said the organisers.
A digital innovation fair will provide space to engage with a broad range of partners and stakeholders showcasing digital innovations that are already contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across the region.
Asia and the Pacific are uniquely placed to leverage digital technologies to overcome sustainable development challenges.
Already, the region is recognized as a dynamic hub for digitally driven innovation fueled by pioneering technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Finance, GovTech, and the Internet of Things.
Yet to encourage further ingenuity and tap digital innovation to bolster the huge collective effort required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the region needs a plan.
Man killed over previous enmity in Mymensingh; 3 arrested
A 34-year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly by his rivals over previous enmity in Nandail upazila of Mymensingh on Sunday night.
The deceased was identified as Rana Ahmed, son of Abul Hashem of Banati village under Rajgati union of the upazila.
Police and locals said there was a long standing enmity between Abul Hashem and Bakul in the village.
The killers attacked Rana with sharp weapons when he was operating a mobile phone near his house on Sunday night, leaving him critically injured, they said.
Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot and took him to Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead, they said.
Nandail Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Majid said the previous rivalry between Hashem and Bakul might lead to the killing.
Three suspects have so far been arrested in this connection and drives were on to arrest the others, he said.
Father, son shot dead by robbers in Cox’s Bazar
A man and his son were shot dead reportedly by a gang of robbers at Thoaingakata Ghonarpara in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar early Monday.
The deceased were identified as Jafar Alam, 52, son of late Nurul Islam and his son Mohammad Selim, 33.
Mir Kashem, a resident of Ghonarpara area of Gorjania union said, some robbers came to the house of Jafar Alam to lift cows.
Missing woman’s throat-slit body recovered in Natore
When they resisted, the robbers opened fire, leaving Jafar Alam and his son dead, he said.
Abu Taher Dewan, officer-in-charge of Ramu Police Station, confirmed the death.
There might be a clash between two groups over establishing dominance, said the OC.
Faridpur road crash: Probe body finds bus driver’s drowsiness, over speed of bus, pickup
The 7-member probe body formed to investigate the road accident in Faridpur on April 16 that claimed 15 lives identified over speed of both the bus and the pick up van and drowsiness of the bus driver behind the deadly road crash.
The committee led by additional district magistrate Md Ali Siddique submitted the report to Deputy Commissioner Md Qamrul Ahsan Talukder on Sunday afternoon.
DC Qamrul said they will forward the report to the higher authorities concerned to take measures as per the report.
Probe committee head Md Ali said,”We talked to people from all departments concerned about the accident. I visited the spot and tried to find out why this tragic accident occurred, I tried to make some recommendations to prevent deaths in road crashes.”
The drowsiness of the bus driver due to long time driving after the Eid and over speed of the bus and the pickup van were blamed for the fatal accident, reads the report.
The report also put forward some recommendations to prevent such road accidents.
All those driving on the roads or highways should know and abide by the relevant law, set up a road divider or widen the road in the accident prone areas, drivers of vehicles should not drive without break, autorickshaws or small risky vehicles shouldn’t be allowed on the highways, said the report.
On April 16, at least 15 people including six women and two children were killed and 15 others injured in a head-on collision between the bus and the pickup van on the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Sadar upazila.
All the victims were passengers of the pickup van although carrying passengers in pickup vans or trucks is prohibited in the country.
The deceased included five members of a family.
Later, Rapid Action Battalion arrested the bus driver Khokan Mia from Jhenaidah.
A case was filed accusing the bus driver with Kotowali police station in this regard.
Need to boost adaptive capacity to build a safe world: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday called for increasing adaptive capacity and strengthening resilience to build a safe and beautiful world for future generations.
“We aim to build a safe and beautiful world for future generations. Achieving this goal requires increasing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience, and undertaking coordinated risk reduction initiatives,” she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the four-day UN Climate Adaptation Conference National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
In order ro achieve this goal she put forward six stems.
NAP Expo aims to share success of adaptation strategies with the world: Saber
First, major carbon-emitting countries must take effective action to reduce their emissions to limit global temperature rise to within 1.5 degrees Celsius;
Second, commitments by developed countries to an annual climate fund of $100 billion must be met. This fund must be equally distributed between adaptation and mitigation.
Third, developed countries must ensure efficient energy solutions and the transfer of technologies to developing countries.
Fourth, during the transition to renewable energy, the development priorities of the countries involved should be taken into account based on their loss and damage;
Fifth, all countries must share the responsibility for the rehabilitation of people displaced by sea-level rise, salinity, river erosion, floods, and droughts.
Finally, major economies must work globally in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Farhina Ahmed, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Steele and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury were among others also spoke at the programme.
The prime minister said that although Bangladesh's contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 0.48 percent, it is one of the most affected and vulnerable countries to its negative impact.
“These adverse effects of climate change threaten our potential development and economic prosperity. Continued global warming is raising sea levels,” she said.
As a result, she mentioned, a large swath of southwestern Bangladesh, which comprises about 12–17 percent of the country's total area, is at risk of submergence by the end of this century.
“We have made the call to the developed world to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C,” she said.
Climate Development Partnership to be formed to attract global capital invested in Climate Change: Saber
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that in 2015, Bangladesh formulated the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and submitted it to the UNFCCC in 2021 after updating.
In the document, she said, Bangladesh set an unconditional 6.73 percent and a conditional 15.12greenhouse gas emission reduction target.
She also mentioned that Bangladesh has reduced the use of fossil fuels and increased the use of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and in 2023 it formulated the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP), which aims to reach from vulnerability to resilience to prosperity while combating the adverse impacts of climate change.
Besides, she said in the adaptation and mitigation programs of the MCPP, emphasis has been laid on the spontaneous participation of local people and stakeholders and nature-based solutions.
“Bangladesh has already formulated the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for 2022–2050 and submitted it to the UNFCCC in October 2022. In this plan, 113 priority programs have been identified in 8 sectors across 11 climate risk areas,” she said.
She sated that for this purpose Bangladesh needs approximately 230 billion US dollars to implement the action plans adopted in the NAP over the next 27 years.
“I urge the rich countries and the international community to provide specific funds and additional financial resources.”
The prime minister said that developed countries are contributing more to global warming through massive carbon emissions.
“It is their moral responsibility to protect the people affected by climate change. During our tenure as the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), we repeatedly called for implementing the pledge of providing $100 billion per year by developed countries for adaptation and mitigation activities. I hope the developed countries will abide by their promises.”
PM Hasina opens four-day UN climate adaption expo
She also urged the international community and wealthy nations to continue providing financial, scientific, and technical assistance to Bangladesh and other countries facing threats from the adverse impacts of climate change, even after graduation to developing countries.
According to the COP-26 decision, she said, developed countries should double their adaptation financing by 2025 compared to 2019. She urged rich countries to fulfil this commitment.
“It should be ensured that countries that have already formulated NAPs can easily and quickly access financial support from all available sources, including the UNFCCC, to implement their NAPs.”
Hasina said that Bangladesh is taking appropriate actions in adaptation and mitigation to reduce the potential damage caused by climate change.
“In this case, Bangladesh will take the necessary initiatives to access funding from the UNFCCC's Loss and Damage Fund.”
She said that Bangladesh has always been working with the international community to combat the impacts of climate change.
Under the leadership of the prime minister's office, she said, Bangladesh has already formed the "Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP" with development partners where all parties have agreed on this.
She hoped that the BCDP will significantly contribute to implementing the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, National Adaptation Plan, National Determined Contribution, and Vision 2041 of Bangladesh.
“Let's work together to protect this planet more intensively," she said.
From the programme, the prime minister also launched the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP).