bangladesh
Sadarghat launch fire under control
A fire that broke out in a launch at Sadarghat Launch Terminal's Lalkuthi ghat area on Friday morning has been brought under control.
There was no passenger in the launch, Mayur-7, as all had left it before the fire broke out.
On information, 13 firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control around 12.10pm, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters media cell.
Rafiq Ullah, a owner of Mayur-7 launch, said that the launch reached the terminal from Chandpur at around 10:30am.
The fire might have originated due to explosion of an air conditioner in a cabin of the launch, he said.
IMF reaches $3 billion preliminary deal with Pakistan
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level pact with Pakistan on a $3 billion stand-by arrangement, the lender said, a decision long awaited by the South AsA decision long awaited by the South Asian nation which is teetering on the brink of default.
The deal — subject to approval by the IMF board in July — comes after an eight-month delay and offers some respite to Pakistan, which is battling an acute balance of payments crisis and falling foreign exchange reserves.
The $3bn funding, spread over nine months, is higher than expected for Pakistan. The country was awaiting the release of the remaining $2.5bn from a $6.5bn bailout package agreed in 2019, which expired on Friday.
The new stand-by arrangement builds on the 2019 programme, IMF official Nathan Porter said in a statement on Thursday, adding that Pakistan’s economy had faced several challenges in recent times, including devastating floods last year and commodity price hikes following the war in Ukraine.
“As a result of these shocks as well as some policy missteps — including shortages from constraints on the functioning of the FX market — economic growth has stalled. Inflation, including for essential items, is very high,” he added.
“Despite the authorities’ efforts to reduce imports and the trade deficit, reserves have declined to very low levels. Liquidity conditions in the power sector also remain acute,” Porter said in a statement.
“Given these challenges, the new arrangement would provide a policy anchor and a framework for financial support from multilateral and bilateral partners in the period ahead,” he said.
Meanwhile, the IMF’s press release states, “The IMF staff and the Pakistani authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on policies to be supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA).”
It added that the new SBA will “support the authorities’ immediate efforts to stabilise the economy from recent external shocks, preserve macroeconomic stability and provide a framework for financing from multilateral and bilateral partners”.
“The new SBA will also create space for social and development spending through improved domestic revenue mobilization and careful spending execution to help address the needs of the Pakistani people,” the IMF said.
It further said, “Steadfast policy implementation is key for Pakistan to overcome its current challenges, including through greater fiscal discipline, a market-determined exchange rate to absorb external pressures, and further progress on reforms, particularly in the energy sector, to promote climate resilience, and to help improve the business climate.”
The IMF noted that the parliament had approved the FY24 budget “in line with the goals of supporting fiscal sustainability and mobilising revenue, which will enable greater social and development spending”.
It added that the budget “advances a primary surplus of around 0.4 per cent of GDP by taking some steps to broaden the tax base and increase tax collection from undertaxed sectors, as well as improving progressivity, while ensuring space to strengthen support for the vulnerable through the BISP (Benazir Income Support Program)”.
“It will be important that the budget is executed as planned, and the authorities resist pressures for unbudgeted spending or tax exemptions in the period ahead,” the lender emphasised.
It went on to note that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has “withdrawn the guidance on import prioritisation and is committed to ensuring the full market determination of the exchange rate”.
“Going forward, the SBP should remain proactive to reduce inflation, which particularly affects the most vulnerable, and maintain a foreign exchange framework free of restrictions on payments and transfers for current international transactions and multiple currency practices,” the IMF highlighted.
The press release added: “In addition to generous climate-related pledges from the January 2023 Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan held in Geneva, the authorities’ efforts have focused on obtaining new financing and securing the rollover of debt falling due.
“This will support near-term policy efforts and replenish gross reserves, with the aim of bringing them to more comfortable levels,” it asserted.
Pakistan daily Dawn reported that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal termed the development “good news”.
He said in a tweet, “Let’s resolve to implement Turn Around Pakistan 5E framework to make our economy strong & sustainable by developing it to its full potential.”
Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute Director at The Wilson Centre, noted that “Islamabad waited until the very final hour to take the (politically risky) fiscal policy steps”, adding that if taken earlier, “much of the drama and fraught negotiations of recent months likely wouldn’t have had to play out”.
Kishoreganj farmer couple sacrifices cow in name of Bangabandhu, Bangamata and PM to mark Eid-ul-Azha
A farmer couple in Kiahoreganj has sacrificed a cow they bought and reared as a gift to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
The sacrificial animal belonging to farmer Bulbul Ahmed of Charkauna village in Kishoreganj's Pakundia upazila and his wife Israt Jahan was slaughtered on the Eid day Thursday in the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, PM Hasina as well as Bulbul’s the parents, himself and his wife Israt.
Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher confirmed the matter to journalists.
The couple bought the cow for Tk 2.5 lakh in 2020 from neighbouring Netrokona district as a gift to the prime minister and started rearing it for sacrifice during Eid.
Bulbul, who is also the organising secretary of Kishoreganj District Awami Matsyajibi League, said he bought the cow out of passion and love for the prime minister.
Coming to know about the matter through her Special Assistant and Agriculturist Mashiur Rahman Humayun, Sheikh Hasina accepted the gift respecting the couple’s love towards her.
Tusher said the cross Brahma breed cow produced 565 kg of meat which, at the directive of the PM, was distributed among the local poor, and also166 landless and homeless people of Jangalia and Sukhia unions of Pakundia Upazika under Kishoreganj district in presence of Mashiur Rahman.
A special munajat was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the martyrs of 15th August carnage including Bangabandhu and Bangamata.
Prayers were also offered seeking good health and long life of PM Hasina as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Rains may lash all divisions: BMD
Rain may lash all the six divisions of the country onFriday, said Bangladesh Metrological Department.
“Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at many places over Khulna, Barishal & Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said a BMD bulletin on Thursday evening.
The low pressure area over Northeast Madhya Pradesh and adjoining area now lies over North Madhya Pradesh & adjoining area, it said.
Read: Braving monsoon rain, Muslims in Bangladesh celebrating Eid-ul-Azha today
The axis of monsoon trough runs through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, the center of the low, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay.
Day temperature may rise slightly over Chattogram division and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.
Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Dhaka's air quality ‘moderate’ thanks to less traffic on 4th day of Eid holidays
Dhaka's air quality was ‘moderate’ on Friday morning due to less traffic on the 4th of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays that began on Tuesday.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 63 at 10:11 am, the densely populated capital city of Bangladesh ranked 23rd 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.
Toronto in Canada, Washington, D.C. in USA and Dubai in UAE occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 159, 158 and 154, respectively.
Read: Rain, few vehicles on the street during Eid holidays make Dhaka air quality ‘moderate’
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.
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.
Read: 77.5% work of Dhaka Airport's 3rd Terminal done, should be operational by 2024: CAAB Chairman
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
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.
Dhaka strongly condemns burning of Quran outside Mosque in Sweden
Bangladesh has strongly condemned the despicable act of burning a copy of the holy Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm.
Bangladesh expressed grave concern over such heinous acts of insulting the sacred values and religious symbols of the Muslims in the name of ‘freedom of expression’.
Bangladesh yet again urged all concerned to put an end to such unwarranted provocations for the sake of harmony and peaceful coexistence, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of Islam's holy book outside Stockholm's central mosque on Wednesday, according to BBC.
The Quran burning was condemned by many Muslim-majority countries.
Govt intensifies repression fearing fall: Mirza Abbas
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Thursday alleged that the government has stepped up the level of repression in fear of losing power.
He warned that their party will intensify the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy by ousting the current government soon.
“The government has increased its repressive acts and the level of repression as the regime is fearing that it faces ouster,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP will come to polls with preparations this time: Information Minister
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, made the comments while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at party founder Ziaur Rahman's grave on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
He said the Awami League government has no possibility to sustain this time, no matter how much repression it resorts to.
Abbas said there is no joy of Eid among the people of the country due to soaring prices of daily essentials.
“Can you say whether the prices of goods and the joy of the Eid are the same now as it was 15 years ago?…the situation is not the same now,” he said.
Also read: BNP associate bodies to showcase plight of wage-earners by marching in six districts
The BNP leader said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia must be freed and democracy and the people’s ownership of the country will have to be restored to bring back the past glory of the country.
He said BNP has not stopped its movement but it has slowed down due to the Eid.
After the Eid, the BNP leader said they’ll continue their agitation with a fresh vigour to realise the demands of the nation and the people.
Also read: BNP's movement to boil down to single point 'soon': Fakhrul
"Inshallah, we’ll restore the democracy that has been hijacked and robbed through the movement. “People have already extended their support for us. People are supporting our movement, processions and meetings,” Abbas said.
He said their party's founder Ziaur Rahman started developing the country with many real development activities.
“The development that is happening now can’t be called development as it’s nothing but a money laundering project. That's why the country is now facing a dollar crisis, money crisis and food crisis,” the BNP leader observed.
Also read: BNP leaders being picked up, pressured to join polls: Fakhrul
He alleged that all the crises that exist in the country now are only because of corruption and looting by the government.
On behalf of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tariq Rahman, the BNP leader wished Eid Mubarak to the country’s people.
Mirza Abbas along with BNP standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairperson Advisory Council members Amanullah Aman, Abdus Salam and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other party leaders and activists went to Zia’s grave around 11:30am and paid homage to him by placing wreaths there.
Also read: BNP can't tell the difference between politics and terrorism: Information Minister
Momen urges people to remain alert against instigation of others
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged people to remain vigilant so no one can mislead them.
He said this while talking to reporters after attending the Eid Jamaat in Sylhet on Thursday morning.
Also read: Momen senses untoward purpose behind Amnesty letter to UN on Bangladeshi peacekeepers
"It is the responsibility of all our citizens to protect the country, irrespective of which party they belong to. Therefore, no citizen should be misled by the instigation of others,” he said. “If we go astray, the state of the country, our development can be hampered.”
“That is why on the day of Eid, I would urge everyone to keep your eyes and ears open. You are very knowledgeable, the people of Bangladesh always take the right decisions and they are very knowledgeable. They know and understand what to do. I believe in them. We have confidence in the people of our country," Momen said.
Also read: Next national polls will be free, fair: Momen
Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen offered Eid prayers at the historic Shahi Eidgah ground in the city.
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, newly elected Mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, lawmakers, top politicians and public representatives and ordinary devotees attended the Eid jamaat in Sylhet.
Also read: Momen urges US to import more medicines from Bangladesh
44 new dengue cases reported in 24 hours
Bangladesh reported 44 new dengue cases in the 24 hours till Thursday Morning.
The official death toll from dengue remains at 47 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: 108 new dengue cases reported in 24 hours
Of the new patients, 24 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it.
A total of 1, 302 patients, including 943 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Also read: Two more dengue patients die in 24hrs; 145 hospitalised
So far, the DGHS has recorded 7, 906 dengue cases, 6,557 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.
Also read: Bangladesh reports 371 more dengue cases
4 killed in truck, pick-up van collision in Sirajganj
Four people, including a child, were killed and two others injured in a collision between a truck and a pick-up van in Sirajganj on Thursday morning.
The accident took place at Pukurpara area in Ullapara upazila around 9:00 a.m., the day of Eid-ul-Azha, police said.
The deceased were identified as Sujan, 32, and Rabbi, 26, of Gaibandha and Rana, 30, and Ayaan, 4, of Natore. Ayaan’s parents, Shariful and his wife Shapla Khatun, were taken to Sirajganj 250 Bed Bongamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib General Hospital.
Also read: 2 dead as bus overturns on Bogura-Rangpur highway
Quoting the locals Badrul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said the accident took place around when a pick-up van carrying cattle from Hatikumrul to Banpara collided head-on with a mango-laden truck coming from the opposite direction on the Hatikumrul-Banpara highway.
On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies of four passengers.
Also read: Out-of-control Mitali Paribahan bus kills pedestrian, easy-biker in Sylhet
Three cattle were also killed in the accident.
The truck and the pick-up van were seized, but the drivers and helpers escaped. A case has been registered in this regard, the OC said.
Also read: 3 killed in Bogura road crash