bangladesh
Bangladesh logs 5 more dengue deaths in 24 hours
Five more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 61 this year.
During the period, 678 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: 4 more dengue patients die in 24 hours; This year’s death toll rises to 56
Of the new patients, 429 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to DGHS.
A total of 1,669 dengue patients, including 1,100 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Also read: Bangladesh logs 2 more dengue deaths, 509 new cases
So far, the DGHS has recorded 9,871 dengue cases, 8,141 recoveries.
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.
Papia shifted to Cumilla jail from Kashimpur over allegation of torture on inmate
Expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papia was shifted from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur to Cumilla Central Jail on Tuesday under special security following allegations of torturing an inmate for taking her money.
Senior Jail Superintendent (Acting) of Kashimpur Central Women's Jail Obaidur Rahman said Shamima Nur Papia was n shifted to Cumilla Central Jail on the order of the higher authorities to maintain discipline and security inside the jail following some recent incidents.
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According to jail sources, trainee lawyer Runa Laila, who was arrested in a document theft case, was released from Kashimpur Central Jail on bail on June 27.
When she was in the prison jail matron found Tk 7,400 in her possession and when Papia and her associates came to know it they tried to take the money from her.As Runa denied to give the money, they brought her to a place where there were no CCTV cameras and beat her up inhumanly tying her hands and legs with chains on June 19.
Lightning kills 3 in ChapainawabganjAt that time, the money was forcibly taken away by Papia, Runa claimed.Runa Laila's brother Abdul Karim filed a written complaint with Gazipur Deputy Commissioner on June 25 regarding the incident and it was published in different newspapers.The Deputy Commissioner has assigned an additional district magistrate to investigate the incident.Three people have been served show cause in connection with the incident. The three are jailer Farhana Akter, deputy jailer Jannatul Taiba of and matron habildar Fatema.
8-year old raped, killed in Rajshahi
“Action will be taken if anyone is found guilty in the inquiry report,” Senior Jail Superintendent (Acting) of Kashimpur Central Women's Jail Obaidur Rahman said.
On October 12, 2020, A Dhaka court sentenced expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Papia and her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon to 27 years imprisonment each to in an arms case.
Illegal trafficking activities need to be tackled: French Forces Commander
Joint Commander of the French Forces deployed in the Indian Ocean Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars has said they are extremely concerned over illegal trafficking, more specifically narco-trafficking and weapon trafficking.
“Those illegal trafficking activities need to be tackled. To do so, it needs specific skills and legal management issues. France is an active nation to fight against narcotics trafficking,” he told UNB in an interview, highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing and training.
Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy was present during Monday’s interview on board visiting French naval ship, Surcouf.
Also read: France keen on cooperation with Bangladesh in aviation, maritime security: Envoy tells PM
As a nation of the Indian Ocean, Slaars said, they have economic exclusive zones (EEZs) into which resources need to be protected.
Surcouf, the La Fayette type frigate, arrived in Chattogram port on Sunday on a five-day port-call.
USAID’s MaMoni project improves maternal, newborn health care services in Bangladesh’s 17 districts
The U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joined the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in hosting a learning dissemination event marking the end of the five-year USAID MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project (MNCSP).
The USAID project, implemented by Save the Children and its consortium partners, shared data detailing improved health outcomes for mothers and newborns across MaMoni's 17 districts in Bangladesh, reads a media release.
“USAID's MaMoni MNCSP, in collaboration with the ministry enhanced the quality of maternal and newborn care services, strengthened health systems, and focused on community engagement to ensure Bangladeshis had access to essential healthcare. By implementing a range of interventions, including building the capacity of healthcare providers, improving health infrastructure and equipment , and supporting maternal and newborn health community awareness campaigns, MaMoni contributed significantly to the government of Bangladesh’s goal of ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths,” it said..
Deputy Secretary Md. Nasir Uddin, Director (Administration), Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery, mentioned that the project expanded the availability of life-saving health interventions for pregnant women, mothers and newborns in the areas in which it operated and reached approximately 35.5 million population.
Read: USAID trade activity launches 2 new Easy Export Series editions for agro exporters
“Working with civil surgeons, health facility managers, and service providers, MaMoni empowered recently deployed graduate midwives to take up their assigned role as the main maternal and newborn healthcare providers in health facilities, particularly at the Upazila Health Complex levels," said the Director.
USAID’s MaMoni project interventions have already been incorporated into the ministry’s health system, which means that even though the project has come to an end, most of MaMoni’s activities will continue at the national and subnational levels.
USAID’s MaMoni project recommends that the Government of Bangladesh continues to work with its implementing partners and donors to not only continue supporting the life-saving interventions in MaMoni-supported districts, but expand them to all 64 of Bangladesh’s districts.
Read: USAID Trade Activity to publish agro-export guideline for Gulf countries
USAID Bangladesh's Infectious Diseases Team Lead, Dr. Samina Choudhury also spoke at the event.
"By collaborating closely with the Government of Bangladesh, local communities, and other stakeholders, USAID's MaMoni project improved availability of, and access to quality maternal and newborn health services The project directly benefited district and upazila health management and public sector facilities, including medical college hospitals, district hospitals, mother and child welfare centers, upazila health complexes, and union-level health facilities,” she said.
Guests of honor at the event included Prof. Dr. Mohammod Shahidullah, President Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons and Chairperson National Technical Working Committee, Newborn Health; Prof. Ferdousi Begum, Immediate Past President, Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB); Dr. Md. Azizul Alim, Program Manager- of the Maternal Health Program, Directorate General of Health Services.
Read more: USAID announces $75 million assistance for Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, host community
Missing tourist found dead in Sylhet’s Sada Pathor area
A 23-year-old tourist, who went missing from Sada Pathor area of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet on Sunday, was found dead after 44 hours on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Abdus Salam, son of Abul Kalam of Mirpur area of the capital.
Lusikanto Hajong, Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said, Salam along with his five friends went to Sada Pathor tourist spot on Sunday.
Read: Two missing bodies recovered from Mirsarai waterfall
When they jumped into Dhalai river in the area for bathing strong current washed away Salam.
On information, local people and divers from the local firefighting unit rushed to the spot and conducted a rescue operation.
Read: Two madrasah students go missing while bathing in Dinajpur
The divers recovered the body of Salam around 10 pm on Tuesday from the river, said Hillol Roy, officer-in-charge of Companiganj Police Station.
The body was sent to a local hospital for autopsy, said the OC.
Read more: 4 workers burned, 5 others missing as oil vessel explodes in Jhalakathi’s Sugandha River
Light to moderate rains likely in Dhaka, other parts of the country
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers in Dhaka and seven other divisions of the country in 24 hours commencing at 9 am on Tuesday.
“Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at most places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions; at many places over Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions and at a few places over Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” said a Met office bulletin.
Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Besides, the axis of monsoon trough runs through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across northern part of Bangladesh.
Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay.
Flood submerges 10 villages in Sunamganj, rain continues
At least 10 villages in Dowarabazar upazila of Sunamganj district have been inundated thanks to onrush of hill water from Meghalaya and swelling of rivers caused by torrential rains for the last five days.
The villages are Camper Ghat, Andairgaon, Bogula, Chanderghat, Sonachara, Noagaon, Ramnagar, Terakuri and Kandagaon.
Incessant rain in Sylhet brings threat of flooding
The traffic movement on Doarabazar-Tengratila-Mohabbatpur road has become risky as it went under knee-deep water in Sharifpur Sidingghat area due to the overflow of the Surma River.
Besides, road connectivity between upazila headquarter and Narsingpur, Banglabazar, Bogulabazar, Laxmipur and Surma unions has been cut off from the upazila sadar due to the inundation of roads. Hundreds of hectares of Aman seedbeds have been submerged.
More than 100 fish farm owners are worried as ponds have already been submerged due to the rising water level. At the time of filing this report, the flood situation remains unchanged as rain continues.
Heavy rains may trigger short-term flood in Sylhet, Sunamganj
Executive Engineer of Sunamganj Water Development Board Md Mamun Hawlader said that the flood situation in all the upazilas of the district could soon become severe if the heavy rains in Cherrapunji of India do not stop.
Dowarabazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arif Morshed Mishu said the flood situation is normal now. “However, our monitoring system is active in all areas to deal with disaster. Besides, we are in constant touch with the district administration and local public representatives.”
Jamuna banks erosion washes away 50 establishments in Sirajganj
Erosion by the Jamuna River in Sirajganj’s Belkuchi upazila has turned severe over the last few days which has resulted in the destruction of over 50 establishments including Khidrchapari Government Primary School in the area.
Local residents are attributing the calamity to negligence and the illegal extraction of sand near the project area for the construction of a permanent dam.
River Teesta destroys 50 homes, school in Kurigram
A Tk 95 crore project was taken to construct a dam from Mehernagar in Belkuchi upazila to Enayatpur spur dam in Chauhali upazila for protecting the area from river banks erosion.
The establishments went into the gorge of the river as using geo bags remained suspended over the past few days due to rising water levels in the Jamuna River, they alleged.
Farid Ahmed Nayan, acting headmaster of Khidrchapari Government Primary School, said, “Established in 1940, it currently has 142 students. The academic building and shelter centre were constructed in 2008.”
N’ganj’s DND area gets waterlogged after heavy rains; no end to sufferings of residents
He said, “This year, prior to the monsoon, the school building was at risk of collapsing. Despite multiple appeals to various departments to take preventive measures, no action was taken. We have no place left to accommodate our students.”
Sujan Sarkar, president of Baradhul Union Swechhasebok League, said the adverse consequences are due to the illegal extraction of sand from the Jamuna River and the project contractor's negligence.
Low-lying areas in Sunamganj inundated; 322 mm rainfall recorded in 24 hrs
Farewell Aftab: Now the young ones leave
Aftab Ahmed died on the 3rd of July, that is yesterday. I had suddenly come to learn a few weeks back that he was unwell and hospitalized. But I couldn’t find any common friend to confirm the news. I sent a message to his wife on messenger-someone I didn’t know- that went unanswered naturally.
Yesterday a stray post on Facebook mentioned his death. It was past 12 and no way to call him and know more. One of the nicest persons who walked this earth is gone and I have none to share my grief with. Aftab Ahmed was a first generation staff of UNB.
Flourish Bengali culture keeping its uniqueness in tech-driven world: PM Hasina
Those were the happy days of journalism and the mixed crowd at UNB and Dhaka Courier were young, able and loved to laugh. That spirit can’t be recaptured now as it belonged to another history and age. Not only was Dhaka Courier the top selling weekly in town but UNB was strong and the most powerful news provider in Bangladesh. Those were heady days.
The line between the two –UNB and DC- was not always clear. This was because so many were friends, the young ones. Irteza, Huda, Aftab, Ayesha were close and on Thursday evenings when the cover page of DC was being done, they would all come to the top floor office of DC and chat and laugh and remind the world that they were young and spirited. Both Aftab and Huda were great at doing cover captions and the laughter that followed was always louder than the words that described the story.
Aftab was the nicest of the lot, an absolute gem of a human being. One of the most intellectually articulate people around, he bought a sense of humour and yet understanding of news value that was remarkable. I respected them all for their specialties if you will. Aftab was the quiet one, the deep one, the one who saw it all and said little. I respected him for that.
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Over time, as I drifted away elsewhere, contacts declined. I was a bit surprised that Aftab had joined the civil service but happy as he rose through the ranks. After a long time, his retirement actually, we met at a news media event last year. And of course we chatted about the old days. The same articulate, sharp witted, polite person he always was. I am bringing out a journal in English and asked him to contribute. He did. It will appear after he is gone. I wish he could be around to see it.
That old DC/UNB crowd is gone and dispersed. Irteza is in Malaysia and Huda is in the States and I am not in touch with either. Ayesha is with Prothom Alo (English) and our paths occasionally cross. But the crowd is gone. Now Aftab has left the building.
Farewell Aftab, keep laughing and talking and keep a seat for us too at the table. Best wishes and all my affections.
Flourish Bengali culture keeping its uniqueness in tech-driven world: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the need for flourishing the Bengali culture upholding its uniqueness in the age of technology.
“The attitude of our children is changing in the age of technology. So, we’ll have to flourish our culture keeping consistency with their thoughts and spirit so that they won’t forget our Bengali culture,” she said.
“We’ve uniqueness. We’ll have to protect our uniqueness and take steps accordingly,” she said while addressing a function at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum in the city’s Shahbagh area through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban.
PM unveils foundation stones of six projects under cultural affairs ministry
In the event, she unveiled the foundation stones of six development projects of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, including the multi-storied building for the Department of Public Libraries.
Besides, she opened the newly constructed 12-storey Copyright Bhaban in the city for the Copyright Office of Bangladesh.
Hasina said her government will continue working towards building the cultural-minded, creative and talented nation through promotion of the heritage of Bengali nation, local culture and history, the spirit of the Liberation War and preservation of arts and literature, research and development.
“Now it is the world of technology. So, we want to impart technological knowledge and skills to our generation as well as use technology in our cultural practices in a bid to build a modern nation equipped with the latest knowledge. Our government has been working to this end,” she said adding that some projects are being implemented in this regard.
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The PM said the government has taken initiatives to promote the Bengali language by enriching and expanding its every branch including literature, music, film, arts, creativity and publication.
She said the Cultural Affairs Ministry arranges cultural fairs in every district, which paves the way to get grassroots hidden talents flourished.
She said now Bangladesh doesn’t lag behind. There are wifi connections throughout Bangladesh. Her government provided electricity connection to every house. Now the condition of the people even at union-level has radically changed, she added.
Putting emphasis on reaching cultural practices up to the grassroots people, she said, “We’ve many hidden talents at the grassroots. We’ll have to promote them and evaluate them on the national stage. So, we’ll have to take our cultural practices even to the grassroots level, not keeping it only at the district-level.”
The premier said the people of Bangladesh are liberal-minded and embodied with non-communal spirit. So, it needs to take measures to flourish these mentality and spirit further, she said.
She said her government has already taken many necessary steps to flourish and enrich the cultural practices of Bangladesh and will continue to take further steps in this regard.
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“We are improving the socio-economic condition of Bangladesh. So, we will go forward in case of cultural practice and protection of intellectuality in the same way,” said the PM.
The five other projects are Rose Garden in old Dhaka city, Kabi Nazrul Institute Bhaban in Dhaka, President Md Abdul Hamid Shilpakala Academy and Regional Cultural Centre at Mithamain in Kishoreganj, Muktagacha Cultural Centre in Mymensingh, and Children Library in the National Museum.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid chaired the function, while Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed delivered the welcome speech.