bangladesh
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Sheldon Yett has said UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the health and safety of children across the country due to sweltering temperatures with an oppressive heatwave persisting throughout Bangladesh.
“Look out for your neighbors: Vulnerable families, children with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly face a higher risk of illness or death during heatwaves. Take the time to check on your neighbors, especially those who live alone,” Yett said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to UNICEF’s 2021 Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI), children in Bangladesh are at 'extremely high risk' of the impacts of climate change.
The unusual rise in temperatures poses grave risks, particularly to newborns, infants, and young children who are considered to be an especially vulnerable population to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and diarrhea caused by dehydration.
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“Moreover, as the Primary and Mass Education Ministry has ordered the closure of all government primary schools in the country till 27 April due to concerns with the impact of rising temperatures on children, UNICEF is urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe,” Yett said.
The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change.
With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, we must prioritize the well-being of children and the most vulnerable populations.
To protect children from this heatwave, UNICEF urged frontline workers, parents, families, caregivers and local authorities to protect children and pregnant women by taking the following steps:
Prevention: Wherever children are staying, create cooler places for children to sit or play. Avoid being outdoors during the hot midday and afternoon hours. Make sure that children wear light, breathable clothes, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
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First aid: If a child or a pregnant woman shows symptoms of heat stress (eg dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, mild fever, nosebleeds, muscle cramps, heath rashes in diaper area), place the person in a cool, shaded area with good ventilation and apply wet towels or cool water to the body.
Administer water or Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). Severe symptoms of heat stress (such as confusion or inability to respond, fainting, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, seizures and loss of consciousness) require urgent hospital care.
Security relationship between Dhaka-Washington, and in region important: Peter Haas
Bangladesh and the United States Navies have started Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh commemorating the 30th year of the CARAT exercise series.
CARAT Bangladesh is a week-long exercise that seeks to enhance collaboration focused on shared maritime security challenges in the region.
"CARAT remains one of our most important annual exercises. The security relationship between our two countries and in the region is an important one," said U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas.
“Our militaries are finding more ways to expand their ability to work together to counter security threats and alleviate the impact of natural disasters," he said.
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With nearly a half century of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bangladesh, this year’s exercise focuses on innovative naval capabilities and featured cooperative evolutions highlighting the ability of Bangladesh and the U.S. to work together on common goals that ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and rules based international order.
“We are committed to partnering with Bangladesh on our shared regional priorities and maintaining consistent collaboration ashore, in the air, and at sea,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore, DESRON 7.
“Bangladesh joined the CARAT exercise series in 2010 and have been dedicated partners in continued bilateral opportunities for training. Our coordination and integration are even stronger today and it shows in the highly professional in-depth training that we have planned this year.”
Other focus areas include surface warfare, search and rescue, exchanges between explosive ordnance disposal technicians, and subject matter expert exchange events featuring a variety of joint training opportunities, to include maritime aviation, maritime domain awareness, Women, Peace & Security symposium, and mine countermeasures.
U.S. assets participating in CARAT Bangladesh 2024 include staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 73, CTF 75, CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and U.S. Embassy Bangladesh.
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CARAT exercises are designed to address shared maritime security concerns and strengthen partnerships between regional navies, according to the US Embassy.
The exercises feature complex training to demonstrate the bilateral force’s ability to work together through numerous events including divisional tactics designed to practice maneuvering as ships sail together in complex formations.
As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to military engagements.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Derailment halts Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail link
Train communication between Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar routes remained suspended since Wednesday morning following the derailments of two compartments and engine of the train at Dulahazra station in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar district.
Golam Rabbani, Station master of Cox’s Bazar Rail Station, said the engine and two bogies of Cox’s Bazar-bound Eid special train from Dhaka veered off the tracks while entering into the station around 10 am, halting train movement on the route.
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However, no casualty was reported.
The authorities concerned are working to salvage the derailed bogies.
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Thailand rolls out red carpet to greet PM Hasina on her six-day official visit
A red carpet was rolled out as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday afternoon on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin.
On her arrival at Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok at 1:08pm (local time),Puangpet Chunlaiad, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office received the Bangladesh Prime Minister at the airport.
She was given a static guard of honour and a 19-round gun salute at the airport.
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Earlier, the Bangladesh premier left Dhaka by a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 10:13am on the six-day tour, which is both a bilateral and multilateral visit.
The 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.
During her visit from April 24 to 29, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin and also attend the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Bangladesh and Thailand will sign a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries.
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, said Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at a media briefing on Monday.
Bangladesh will seek support from Thailand regarding Rohingya repatriation as well as increased investment from Thailand, he said, adding that the issue of shipping connectivity will also be discussed.
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.
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Next budget will focus on controlling inflation, raising remittance and exports: State Minister for Finance
Waseqa Ayesha Khan, state minister for finance, has said in the next national budget the government will emphasise controlling inflation and boosting remittance and exports.
She said this while speaking as the chief guest at a pre-budget roundtable discussion, organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB), to recommend its proposals for the FY2024-25 national budget. The event was held in a hotel in the capital on Tuesday.
The government is also working to create an investment-friendly environment ensuring uninterrupted electricity and power supply, she said.
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She also assured that the government will continue to focus on infrastructural, ICT and human resource development, and short- and long-term revenue strategy for sustainable economic growth.
Other speakers at the event also highlighted the need for nuanced adjustments in fiscal and monetary policies to address issues such as exchange rate stability, currency policy, and balancing export-import dynamics.
The importance of encouraging household savings, broadening the tax base, enhancing reserve buffers, and controlling the prices of daily commodities were also focused.
Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI) Mahbubul Alam, president of FBCCI, participated in the discussion as the special guests.
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The discussion was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Md. Salim Uddin FCMA, President of ICMAB, and moderated by Arif Khan FCMA, past president and current council member of the institute.
Man, niece killed as train hits auto-rickshaw in M’sing
A 60-year-old man and his 40-year-old niece were killed when a train hit an auto-rickshaw while crossing Natun Bazar level crossing in Mymensingh district town on Tuesday night.
The deceased were identified as Abdur Rahman of Barrora village and Shefali Akter, wife of Rafiqul Islam of the village.
The accident occurred near Vidyamoyee School around 10:15 pm when the Dewanganj-bound intercity ‘Brahmmaputra Express’ train hit an auto-rickshaw carrying the two, while passing the level crossing, leaving them dead on the spot, said Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Government Railway Police (GRP).
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Habib, younger brother of Rahman, said Abdur Rahman and Shefali went to the district town market for shopping on the occasion of the wedding ceremony of Khoka, Rahman’s nephew.
They met a tragic death while returning to their home by an auto-rickshaw.
On information, police recovered the bodies and sent them to the local hospital morgue for autopsy.
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Train communication on the Mymensingh-Jamalpur route remained suspended for two hours following the accident.
Victims of Rana Plaza tragedy being remembered on Wednesday
The 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, the worst-ever tragedy in the country’s multi-billion-dollar ready-made garment (RMG) industry, is being observed on Wednesday.
Different right bodies, worker organisations and left-leaning political parties, including Rana Plaza Survivors’ Association, usually arrange various programmes every year, remembering the victims of the tragedy.
On April 24 in 2013, Rana Plaza, an illegally-constructed building in Savar which housed five garment factories, came down crashing, killing 1,138 people and injuring over 2,000 others.
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Later, police filed the murder case accusing Sohel Rana who has been in jail since his arrest.
Trial in the murder case filed over Rana Plaza collapse began officially on January 31, 2022 by recording statements of the witnesses.
On July 18, 2016, Dhaka District and Session Court Judge SM Kuddus Zaman framed charges against the accused and passed an order to begin the trial.
But it got barred as most of the accused appealed to the higher court challenging legality of the order.
On January 31, 2022, after clearing the appeals, District and Sessions Court Judge AHM Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan recorded the statement of plaintiff, then Sub-Inspector of Savar police station Wali Ashraf.
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Over the tragic incident then SI of Savar police station Wali Ashraf filed a murder case accusing the owner and others of dereliction and negligence in building construction.
On June 1, 2015, Assistant Superintendent of Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police Bijoy Krishna Kar submitted a charge sheet in the case against 41 people including the building owner Sohel Rana.
A total of 594 people were made witnesses in this case.
PM mourns death of Gopalgonj AL leader Rezaul
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Labour Affairs Secretary of Gopalganj District Awami League Rezaul Haque Shikdar Raju.
Raju was also the President of Gopalganj District Sramik League and former elected Mayor of Gopalganj Municipality.
The prime minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved members of the family.
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PM Hasina departs for Thailand on six-day official visit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka on Wednesday (April 24, 2024) for Bangkok on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.
A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:13am on Wednesday, said PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam.
The PM is scheduled to land at Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok at 1:30pm local time.
"It's both a bilateral and multilateral visit," said Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said at a media briefing on Monday.
The 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.
PM Hasina begins her six-day official visit to Thailand on Wednesday
During her visit from April 24 to 29, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin and also attend the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Bangladesh and Thailand will sign a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries, said the Foreign Minister.
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, he said.
Bangladesh will seek support from Thailand regarding Rohingya repatriation as well as increased investment from Thailand, said Hasan Mahmud adding that the issue of shipping connectivity will also be discussed.
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 (Prime Minister’s Office) following a tete-a-tete between the two leaders, witness the signing of the documents, participate in a joint press conference and then attend a state lunch to be hosted by her Thai counterpart in her honour there.
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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.
In her multilateral engagement, PM Hasina is scheduled to attend the 80th Session of ESCAP and deliver a speech there on April 25.
On the same day, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and ESCAP Executive Secretary 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.
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Dhaka’s air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups
Dhaka's air quality was categorised as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 134 at 8:59 am, Dhaka ranked 11th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
India’s Delhi, Egypt’s Cairo City and Thailand’s Chiang Mai occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 193, 171 and 170 respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious 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.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
After a day of being ‘moderate’, Dhaka’s air quality back to being ‘unhealthy’
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.