bangladesh
ADB appoints Fatima Yasmin as Vice-President for sectors, themes
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Fatima Yasmin as Vice-President for Sectors and Themes for a period of three years.
Yasmin is expected to join ADB in late August, ADB announced on Wednesday.
She will be responsible for management of the newly-created Sectors Group and the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department under ADB’s new operating model.
Yasmin is currently the Senior Secretary at the Finance Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance.
She has more than 32 years of broad development experience, including in macroeconomic management, public sector and fiscal policy reform, and trade and poverty reduction in government and international organizations.
Read: ADB approves $400mn loan to Bangladesh to enhance revenues, reforms, help small businesses
Under its new operating model, to be launched on June 30, 2023, ADB’s sector and thematic expertise will be consolidated in the two groups under Yasmin to deliver integrated solutions to clients in accordance with country programs and to strengthen ADB’s position as a leader in development knowledge in the region.
The sector and thematic groups will launch and lead innovative initiatives to tackle the region’s key development challenges, with a focus on climate change.
Yasmin holds a master’s degree in development economics from Australian National University and a master’s in business administration from the Institute of Business Administration, Dhaka University, in Bangladesh.
Read: OECD and ADB delegation meets with BGMEA president
She also received a fellowship in Public Policy and Human Rights under the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program at Rutgers University in New Jersey, United States.
Read more: ADB lowers Bangladesh’s GDP growth forecast to 5.3% in FY 23
Rain brings relief, disrupts pre-Eid traffic movement in Dhaka
Intermittent rains, triggered by active monsoon, may continue on Eid-ul-Azha day (tomorrow) across the country, including in Dhaka, said the Met office today.
“The Met Office has recorded 15 mm of rainfall across the country from 6 am Tuesday till 6 am Wednesday, but between 6 am to 12 pm on Wednesday, it has recorded 42 mm of rainfall,” said Tariful Newaz Kabir, a meteorologist.
“The continued rainfall may prolong through Thursday morning and it may abate in the afternoon,” he added.
People who left for village homes to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones are facing traffic congestion and other problems due to the rain.
Met office predicts rains in Dhaka, other divisions
Besides, those who are yet to purchase their sacrificial animals are facing inconveniences at the cattle market.
Rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws are charging extra fare, taking advantage of the inclement weather.
Rains or thundershowers likely to drench Dhaka, 18 other districts
According to Met Office bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.
Rains likely in Dhaka, other divisions : BMD
Light to moderate rain may continue in Dhaka, other divisions: BMD’s weather forecast
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Wednesday predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers across the country as monsoon is active in Bangladesh.
“Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said the Met office.
Rains or thundershowers likely to drench Dhaka, 18 other districts
Day and night temperatures may fall by 1-2°C in the country.
Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over north Bay, the weather report said.
Rains likely in Dhaka, other divisions
2 dead as bus overturns on Bogura-Rangpur highway
Two people were dead and two were injured when a bus overturned on Bogura-Rangpur highway at Chandihara in Shibganj upazila of Bogura district on Wednesday.
One of the deceased was identified as Al Amin, 15, of Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district while the identity of the other deceased could not be known immediately.
3 killed in Bogura road crash
Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of Gobindaganj Highway Police, said the accident occurred around 6 am when the Rangpur-bound bus of ‘Boishakhi Paribahan’ overturned after hitting a road divider, leaving two dead on the spot and two others injured.
The injured were taken to a local hospital.
Schoolboy dies in road crash in Bogura
Rain, few vehicles on the street during Eid holidays make Dhaka air quality ‘moderate’
Dhaka's air quality was ‘moderate’ this morning (June 28, 2023) due to the ongoing rain.
Besides, few vehicles on the street also contributed to improved air quality, as the Eid-ul-Azha holidays began on Tuesday.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 55 at 10:49 am, the densely populated capital city of Bangladesh ranked 40th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
With less traffic as Eid holidays begin, Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
Dubai in UAE, Detroit and Chicago in the US occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 229, 205 and 174, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria 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.
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
15 stranded tourists rescued from Mirsarai fountain after 999 call
Police have rescued 15 tourists, who remained stranded in the fountain area of Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram district on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, 15 students of different universities including Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) , Chattogram Medical College, Dhaka University, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Khulna Agriculture University and Green Herald School and College, went to Sonaichhari hill to see fountain under Wahedpur union of the upazila and got struck due to rain, said Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Mirsarai Police Station.
Avalanche sweeps away tourists in northeast India; 7 killed
It was difficult for them to walk on foot on the road as it gets slippery, said Ayon Chowdhury, a student of Buet. “We all are friends as we were the students of St Placid's School & College in Chattogram. During the Eid holiday we made a plan to go to Mirsarai to see the fountains,” he said.
Later, they made a phone call to the national emergency number 999 and sought help.
Tourists can’t carry single-use plastics in Sundarbans: Environment Minister
After getting their phone call, police and fire service men rescued them in the evening.
All of them were handed over to their families, said OC.
Over 500 tourists stranded on St Martin's Island due to inclement weather
Let’s share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha, imbued with amicability and sense of brotherhood: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Eid-ul-Azha becomes meaningful through sacrificing pettiness, unkindness, pride, and self-centredness.
“The meaning of qurbani is sacrifice. Eid-ul-Azha becomes meaningful through sacrificing pettiness, unkindness, pride, and self-centredness,” she said.
National Eidgah ready to hold Eid Jammat even in case of heavy rain: Taposh
Sheikh Hasina made the call through a video message on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.
She also urged all to be invigorated with the spirit of sacrifice, and be devoted to the welfare of mankind.
Action to be taken if passengers are charged extra fare during Eid journey: DMP Commissioner
“Let’s share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha, imbued with amicability and sense of brotherhood,” she said.
Eid journey: Vehicles’ pressure increased on Gazipur highways
More Bangladeshi nationals to return home from war-torn Sudan
Another 100 or so Bangladeshi nationals are set to return from war-torn Sudan early next week, as part of the government's rekindled evacuation effort, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has revealed.
In the first phase, a total of 80 Bangladeshi nationals -- stuck in Sudan -- are set to take Sudan’s Badr Airlines flight to Doha on June 30 as there’s no flight available from Sudan to Jeddah right now, the state minister said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Also read: Over 570 Bangladesh citizens evacuated from Sudan
Later, they will return to Bangladesh in a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on July 1, he added.
The rest of the 'registered' - i.e. those engaging the government to return home - Bangladeshi nationals will be able to return home by a Biman Bangladesh flight on July 2, the post reads.
Regarding renewed evacuation efforts, the state minister said: “When we started the rescue operation, we changed the date several times and declared it closed more than a month ago as there were no new registrations.”
Also read: 262 more Bangladeshis return home from Sudan
“However, after closing our rescue camp, many Bangladeshis started gathering in Port Sudan as the situation in Khartoum continued to deteriorate. The number exceeded 100 in a few days. They have faced a lot of hardships as they do not have a suitable place to stay,” the state minister said. “They spend their nights on the shores of the Red Sea under the open sky. We were only able to supply floor mats and some water tanks for their use in the last few days. Some of them fell ill. We have tried to arrange medical assistance.”
Shahriar Alam said the ministry later gave permission to renew evacuation efforts on the request of the consulate.
The state minister said a total 104 people have registered to return home after the reopening of evacuation efforts.
Also read: 51 Bangladeshi expats return home from Sudan via Jeddah
“We have announced June 27 as the last date for registration. We expect more than 150 Bangladeshis to register,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May said a total of 1,500 Bangladeshi nationals were living in Sudan, of whom around 680 registered to come back in earlier evacuation rounds the government participated in with its international partners.
They were brought back to the country in phases after being taken out from Sudan to Saudi Arabia, the government's most important partner in the process.
Also read: Another 176 Bangladeshis from war-torn Sudan arrive in Jeddah
Out-of-control Mitali Paribahan bus kills pedestrian, easy-biker in Sylhet
Two people, including an easybike driver, were killed and four others injured after being hit by a Mitali Paribahan bus carrying passengers in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet.
The incident took place at Sherpur toll plaza area on Sylhet-Dhaka highway around 10:30 pm on Tuesday.
Also read: RMG worker dies in Gazipur road accident
The deceased were identified as easybike driver Jewel Mia, 22, and pedestrian Asma Begum, 45.
On information, police and Fire Service teams rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies. The injured were sent to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital, Osmaninagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mashudul Amin said.
According to the OC, the Sylhet-bound Mitali Paribahan bus lost control and hit an Easybike parked on the side of the road, killing pedestrian Asma Begum on the spot.
Also read: 3 dead in Syhlet road accident
Jewel Mia, who was seriously injured when the bus crashed into his vehicle, died on the way to the hospital, according to OC Mashudul Amin.
US for making Bangladesh's end-of-year report publicly available to improve its fiscal transparency
Bangladesh’s fiscal transparency would be improved by making its end-of-year report publicly available within a reasonable period, says a new report by the United States.
In its 2023 Fiscal Transparency Report, the US State Department laid emphasis on preparing budget documents according to internationally accepted principles, breaking down expenditures to support executive offices in the budget.
The report also suggested ensuring that the supreme audit institution meets international standards of independence and has sufficient resources — publishing timely audit reports that contain substantive findings, recommendations, and narratives, and making basic information about natural resource extraction awards publicly available.
Also read: ‘What future do BNP and their paid agents plan for defence forces when they challenge their qualification to serve as peacekeepers?’ — Shahriar Alam asks
The State Department’s fiscal transparency review process assesses whether governments meet minimum requirements of fiscal transparency.
For this report, the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency include having key budget documents that are publicly available, substantially complete, and generally reliable.
The review includes an assessment of the transparency of processes for awarding government contracts and licenses for natural resource extraction.
Also read: US Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights likely to visit Bangladesh in July
Fiscal transparency is a critical element of effective public financial management, helping build market confidence, and underpinning economic sustainability.
Fiscal transparency fosters greater government accountability by providing a window into government budgets, helping citizens hold their leadership accountable, and facilitating better public debate.Annual reviews of the fiscal transparency of governments that receive US assistance help ensure US taxpayer funds are used appropriately and provide opportunities to dialogue with governments on the importance of fiscal transparency.
During the review period, the government of Bangladesh made its executive budget proposal and enacted budget publicly available, including online.
Also read: Those trying to undermine peacekeepers’ achievements are Bangladesh’s enemies: Shahriar
However, it did not make its end-of-year report publicly available within a reasonable period, said the US report.
Information in the budget was considered generally reliable, although budget documents were not prepared according to internationally accepted principles, said the US report.
Information on debt obligations was publicly available.
Also read: US invests $35 million for new climate-smart agriculture project in Bangladesh
Budget documents provided a reasonably complete picture of the government’s planned expenditures and revenue, including natural resource revenues.
However, the government did not break down expenditures to support executive offices, said the report.
Publicly available budget documents included financial allocations to and earnings from state-owned enterprises. Information on debt obligations was publicly available.
The government’s supreme audit institution reviewed the government’s accounts, but its reports did not contain substantive findings and were not made publicly available within a reasonable period, said the US report.
Also read: US says it would let India speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh
The supreme audit institution did not meet international standards of independence, it said.
The government specified in law or regulation and appeared to follow in practice the criteria and procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licenses.
Basic information on natural resource extraction awards was not consistently made publicly available, said the US report.
Sixty-nine countries did not meet the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency.
Of these 69, however, 25 made significant progress toward meeting the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency.