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Ashrayan-2: About 33, 000 homeless families get homes as PM's Eid gift
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday provided homes to 32,904 homeless and landless families across the country under the third phase of the Ashrayan-2 Project as her Eid gift.
She inaugurated the distribution of semi-pucca abodes, joining a virtual function from her official residence Ganobhaban in the morning.
The prime minister exchanged views with beneficiaries from the four cluster housing sites at Nagarkanda Upazila in Faridpur, Barguna Sadar Upazila, Sirajganj Sadar Upazila and Anwara Upazila in Chattogram through a videoconference.
Also read: Ashrayan-2: 32,904 families to get homes ahead of Eid
The distribution of the houses along with land came as part of the government’s initiative to provide houses to all landless and homeless families on the occasion of “Mujib Year” as the prime minister promised that no one will remain without a home in the country.
Each unit has two rooms, a kitchen, a toilet and a veranda costing Tk 259,500 without tax and VAT. The amount is Tk 330,000 with tax and VAT.
Alongside the houses, the ownership documents of a two decimal land were given to each family.
Earlier, the government had given 63,999 houses on January 23, 2021 in the first phase, while 53,330 houses on June 20, 2021 in the second phase under the Ashrayan-2, a project of the Prime Minister’s Office, during the Mujib Year.
In the third phase, approval was given to build 65,674 houses, but 32,904 houses were handed over on Tuesday.
Also read: PM’s Ashrayan Project: Homeless Hanufa, thousands more to get own homes on Tuesday
The number of specially designed houses for the island areas is 1,242. Portable houses are given to homeless families staying in Char lands so that they can move their houses during soil erosion.
Some 5512 acres of Khas lands recovered from the illegal occupation across the country to construct the houses under the Ashrayan-2 project.
Besides, the government procured 168.32 acres of land for the Ashrayan project till now which cost Tk 115.33 crore.
The Ashrayan Project also rehabilitated 507,244 landless and homeless families from 1997 to December 2022.
PMO Senior Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the house distribution function.
Fridge explosion: After parents, daughter dies of injuries at Dhaka hospital
A day after her parents died, a two-year old girl on Tuesday succumbed to the injuries she sustained in a refrigerator explosion in their house in Dhaka on April 20.
The deceased was identified as Fatema Akter, daughter of Abdul Karim and Khadiza Akter, residents of the Konapara area of Jatrabari.
“Fatema, who was under treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, passed away around 7am. She had sustained 35% burns,” said inspector Bacchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost.
Read: Rangamati road crash leaves 2 intelligence agency men dead
On Monday, her mother Khadiza (25) and father Abdul (30) died at the same hospital within a span of two hours. "Khadiza had sustained 95% burns and Karim 54% burns,” said Dr Ayub Hossain of the institute.
Around 3.30am on April 20, the compressor of their fridge exploded in the kitchen when the family was having seheri, said Karim’s brother Kamal Hossain.
Global Covid cases top 510 million
The overall number of Covid cases has surged past 510 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 510,034,044 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,220,164 Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 81,042,367 cases so far and 991,572 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,062,097 on Monday after 2,541 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the South Asian country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.
Also read: Bangladesh reports 27 new Covid-19 cases, no death
This is the sixth consecutive day when the number of daily new cases has surpassed the 2,000-mark, after lower tallies were reported in recent weeks.
Besides, 30 deaths due to the pandemic recorded since Sunday morning took the death toll to 522,193.
Covid Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh logged 27 fresh Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning taking the total caseload to 19,52,583.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily positivity rate slightly increased to 0.43 per cent from Sunday's 0.41 per cent after testing 6,251 samples during the period.
On Sunday, the number of infections was lower as 24 new cases were reported with zero death.
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
Also read: Ensure wearing masks, social distance, health guidelines amid Covid surge in world: NTAC
The recovery rate rose to 96.90 per cent with the recovery of 299 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Four-lane road construction waterlogs BSCIC in Brahmanbaria
The four-lane road construction on Comilla-Sylhet highway has caused waterlogging inside the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial park in Brahmanbaria.
The canal along BSCIC park in Nandanpur area of the Sadar upazila has recently been filled due to the road construction. For this, the factories in the park have no place to drain the wastewater. Thirty of the 68 factories in the park are now under water, said the factory owners.
READ: BSCIC reopened 715 industrial factories in 13 years, Industries Minister tells parliament
Factories including Abdul Monem Limited, Munni Soap, Ma-Mani Soap, Alam Chemical, Subarna Ice Cream, Babul Chira Mill, Bhai Bhai Mudir Mill, Kasem Metal, Ratan Food, Rahima Love Well, Jabed Metal, Bhai Bhai, Mannan Chemical and Apon Major Flower Mill are waterlogged. Besides, officials and employees are suffering too as the park premises went underwater.
The factories couldn’t resume work for the last five days, owners claimed.
Md. Zakir Hossain, owner of Suvarna Ice Cream factory, said that the canal was used for draining wastewater since the park was established in the 90s. "We have talked to the authority for building a drainage system. It’s not possible for us to do it as it’s a government run park," he said.
Khandaker Golam Mostafa, director of the four-lane project, told reporters that part of the canal area was owned by the Roads and Highways Division. "BSCIC has no place here. BSCIC authorities will have to decide where they will dump the wastewater. They have also been asked to make their own arrangements for this. We will provide necessary assistance," he said.
Xiaomi brings Mi Notebook, RedmiBook 15 laptops to Bangladesh
Global technology company Xiaomi announced the launch of two new laptop series – Mi NoteBook and RedmiBook 15 – for the first time in the Bangladesh market.
Mi NoteBook Ultra and Mi NoteBook Pro are designed to enhance and simplify the productivity of power users.
RedmiBook 15 series features a modern design, sturdy build quality, and optimised specifications. It comes with a 15.6-inch FHD display, 11th Gen Intel Core processors, 8GB DDR4 3200 MHz RAM and 11 hours of battery backup.
Mi NoteBook Ultra
Mi NoteBook Ultra is milled out of a single block of series 6 aluminium and aircraft-grade metal alloy precisely cut using a CNC machine.
The body chassis is further taken through a process of sandblasting and anodisation for a lustrous grey finish. The entire body weighs 1.7kg and is less than 17.9mm thick.
The device is also equipped with Mi TrueLife+ Display which covers 100 percent of the sRGB colour gamut and brings to life images, videos and games.
Mi NoteBook Ultra is powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7 and i5 H35 series processors built on Intel's 10nm Superfin process technology.
READ: Xiaomi Bangladesh brings Redmi 10C
The i7-11370H has 4 cores which support multi-threading up to 8 threads and can clock up to a maximum of 4.8GHz while operating at a TDP of 35W. This enables enhanced productivity and multitasking on applications like the Microsoft Office suite.
Mi NoteBook Ultra houses a large 70 WHr battery and offers up to 12 hours of battery life. Also, with the 65W USB Type-C charger, it can charge from 0 to 50 percent in just under 45 minutes.
Mi NoteBook Ultra will be available at Tk96,999 (Intel Core i7 H Series+ 16GB+512GB Variant) from April 25 2022.
Mi NoteBook Pro
Mi NoteBook Pro has an aircraft-grade series 6 Aluminium alloy chassis. This unibody design enables it to be lightweight at just 17.3mm thin and 1.4 kg light.
The device has a 14-inch 2.5K (2560x1600) or QHD+ screen offering sharpness and an immersive viewing experience with an 88 percent screen-to-body ratio. It also comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio for 5 perent extra vertical real estate enabling enhanced productivity.
This laptop has the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 Tigerlake H35 processors which clock up to 4.8GHz, ensuring top-notch performance. This is paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200 MHz and supports up to 512GB of NVMe SSD storage.
Both Mi NoteBook Ultra and Mi NoteBook Pro run on Windows 11 out of the box. They also come preloaded with a licenced MS Office package.
Mi NoteBook Pro will be available at Tk77,999 (Intel Core i5 H Series + 16GB+512GB variant) from April 25.
RedmiBook 15 Pro
RedmiBook has been designed with a balanced chassis, equipped with a distinct cutout enabling users to open it up with a single finger. Featuring a sleek, thin, and light form factor, it is 19.9mm thin and weighs just 1.8kg.
The newly launched laptop range comes packed with an immersive 15.6-inch full HD display, making it an ideal size for an enhanced working experience.
Also, to avoid reflections and to reduce strain on the users' eyes while working in a bright environment or under a direct light source, these notebooks come with an anti-glare coating.
Featuring a 1920x1080 full HD resolution and narrow bezel, RedmiBooks offers an impressive 81.8 perent screen-to-body ratio for a clear viewing experience.
RedmiBook Pro comes with 11th Gen TigerLake Intel Core i5 H35 series processors, the 11300H, and 8GB DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MHz and a 512 GB NVMe SSD.
With a 46WHr battery, the device delivers up to 10 hours of performance. With a 65W charger out of the box, users can power up their notebook from 0 to 50 percent in fewer than 35 minutes.
RedmiBook 15 Pro will be available at Tk59,999 for 8GB+256GB from April 25.
RedmiBook 15
RedmiBook 15 has been specially crafted for avid learners – school-going students, college-going young adults, or office-going workers.
The device comes with one of the latest 11th Gen TigerLake Intel Core i3 processors, 1115G4 with a max clock of 4.1 GHz, ensuring lag-free performance.
Also, it is equipped with 8GB of DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MHz with a 256GB SATA SSD and features a 720p HD webcam for seamless learning or working from home experience.
Both RedmiBook laptops will run on Windows 11 out of the box. It also comes pre-loaded with a licenced MS Office package, making it a productivity powerhouse out of the box.
RedmiBook 15 will be available for 8GB+256 GB at Tk49,999 from April 25.
Mizan passes hectic days ahead of Eid
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr actor Maznun Mizan is passing a hectic work schedule.
Most of Mizan’s works this Eid are OTT-based.
The web series 'Isaac Liton' will be released on Eid day on OTT platform Binge, Mizan said.
He will be seen playing the character of a police officer in this web series.
Directed by Ashrafuzzaman, this web series is based on a satirical story where the lead role of the scientist will be played by Musharraf Karim, Mizan told UNB.
Though the web series is an entertaining one, it will depict a lot of social realities with a strong point of view which the viewers will like, hopes Mizan.
READ: Palak set for acting debut in 'Freelancer Nadia'
Meanwhile, referring to the drama 'Golapjan Road', the actor said that he recently worked with a team of young varsity students of Film studies. And he was impressed with their tidy production.
Films including 'Bhuban Majhi', 'Gondi' and 'Mission Extreme' acted by Mizan will be broadcasted on different TV channels this Eid.
The post-production work of the film ‘Jean Kay’ acted by Mizan is almost over and the release would be announced soon. Mizan is also working on the film 'Gondi 2', he added.
BCL members harassed, tortured youth after kidnap in Satkhira
Members of Bangladeh Chhatra League allegedly kidnapped a male student in Satkhira on Sunday and tortured and harassed him by recording his nude video and demanded Tk 2 lakh as ransom.
The victim is Shoeb Aziz Tonmoy, 20, a university admission test examinee and son of Sheikh Azizur Rahman from Jatpur village in Tala sadar upazila.
Tonmoy’s father Azizur Rahman accused Syed Akib, 25, Organizational Secretary of Upazila BCL, Soumitra Chakraborty, 32, Organizational Secretary of Upazila Sramik League, and BCL members JR Sumon, 25, Joy, 24, and Nahid Hasan Utsho of being involved with the incident.
Azizur Rahman said around 1am, Nahid, who was an acquaintance of Tonmoy, asked him to come in front of Tala Government College over phone and as he went there the alleged BCL members took him inside a room in the college.
“They had beaten him, shaved his head, and recorded a video of him after removing his clothes. At one point they called my wife and asked for Tk 2 lakh as ransom, claiming they kidnapped Tonmoy. She could hear Tonmoy’s cry over the phone call,” said Tonmoy’s father.
READ: RU residential student ‘ousted’ by BCL men from Sher-E-Bangla Hall
Around evening Tonmoy was rescued from the college and was taken to Tala Hospital.
“As I went to lodge a complaint at Tala police station, one of the accused’s father called me and threatened me not to do it,” said Azizur Rahman.
Tonmoy’ s father suspects the accused wanted to snatch the new motorcycle he bought for Tonmoy.
Meanwhile, Abul Kalam, Officer-in-Charge of Tala police station said, “All the alleged accused remained absconding since the incident. The complaint was not recorded as the victim’s father did not submit a copy of his Voter ID card with it but I have no information that they were threatened.”
Tonmoy said, “All his kidnappers were BCL activists and the room they took him to what seemed like a torture cell in the Tala College student dormitory with belt, sticks and arms.”
However, Sheik Humayun Kabir, incumbent principal of Tala College said he has no idea about such an incident neither about BCL men having any torture cell inside the college.
Ashiqur Rahman Ashiq, President of Satkhria District BCL unit said, “If evidence of any BCL members being involved in the incident is found, organizational actions will be taken against them. But no one yet informed us about such an incident.”
Md Mostafizur Rahman, Superintendent of Satkhira police said the matter is under investigation none of the perpetrators will be spared.
Soybean oil price jumps as Indonesia bans export of palm oil
The edible oil price has increased sharply in the domestic market in the last two days after Indonesia, the world's top palm oil producer, announced an export ban.
Indonesia announced on Friday a ban on palm oil exports from April 28 in a bid to stymie the soaring domestic price of cooking oil. However, analysts expect the ban to be a temporary one lasting weeks rather than months.
The soybean oil (loose) which had been selling at Tk 192-195 per litre in the capital, started selling for Tk 200 per litre on Monday.
Also read: Govt doing its best to rein in prices of essential commodities: PM
Some areas of the capital are not getting oil at higher prices even. Not only loose Soybean oil, but also bottled oil is seeing a shortage.
Buyers at Shanti Nagar Bazar complained that shoppers are creating artificial crises to sell oil at higher prices.
A retailer there told UNB that they sold loose Soybean oil at Tk 175 per liter on Sunday morning. In the afternoon on the same day, they bought the same edible oil from the wholesaler at Tk 182 per liter. On Monday morning the same oil the retailer bought at Tk 192 per liter.
Talking to UNB, an additional secretary of commerce ministry in additional charge on import cell said that the Commerce inistry is working to control the price of edible oil.
Also read: Palm oil price cut by Tk 3 per litre
The ministry will hold a meeting with business leaders regarding alternative sources of edible oil to meet the demand of palm oil, he said, maintaining anonymity.
He also hinted that a huge volume of edible oil has been imported or LCs have been opened to import, so there is no reason for price hike or to worry about shortages.
BGMEA seeks cooperation of BRT to make garment workers’ Eid journey easy
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has requested the Dhaka Rapid Bus Transit (BRT) authority to manage the construction works of the dedicated bus corridor between Dhaka airport to Gazipur to reduce traffic congestion on the highway and ensure easy and safe travel of garment workers during Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
He also sought support and cooperation of the government bodies, law enforcement agencies and BRT to keep the highway free from construction materials and makeshift shops and markets as such occupation narrows down the existing road and causes traffic congestion.
The BGMEA chief made the call during a meeting with BRT Managing Director Safiqul Islam in Dhaka on Monday.
High officials of BRT authority were also present at the meeting.
READ: BGMEA wants illegal gas connections to be snapped
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan urged the BRT authority to complete the Bus Rapid Transit project as quickly as possible to ease traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Gazipur highway and ensure that commuters can avail the full benefits of fast, efficient and comfortable mode of transport.
He said a huge number of garment workers will travel from Gazipur and surrounding areas to their villages to enjoy their Eid holidays with their near and dear ones.
"It’s very important to ensure hassle-free and safe journeys for passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr."
The BGMEA President assured the BRT authority of cooperation in raising awareness among garment workers so that they move in an orderly manner during Eid journey to keep transportation easy for all.
RSF wary of 'anarchy' in transport sector over Eid
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF), a rights body, on Monday demanded the government take strict action to stop anarchy in the transportation sector in general and road and riverways in particular with fares and extortion during the upcoming Eid journey.
“This year, 80-90 lakh people will travel from the capital Dhaka to their homes across the country to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which is more than ever before. We do not have the vehicles to transport such a large number of passengers in just 5 days. As a result, there is a risk of increasing vehicle crisis and anarchy this time,” the RSF said in a joint statement.
READ: Half bus fares for students in Dhaka metropolitan area from Wednesday
In the joint statement, the RSF's Chairman Prof Dr A I Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Vice Chairman M. S Siddiqui, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, Abdul Hamid Sharif, Profr Hasina Begum and Executive Director Saidur Rahman also said that rent anarchy will be created due to extortion on the roads and waterways, which will make the Eid journey unbearable. The extortion syndicate has already become active on the roads and waterways centering the Eid journeys.
Past experience shows that political extortion of several thousand crores of taka takes place during the Eid season alone. Unfortunately, many police personnel are involved in these extortions, the joint statement said.