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AL-BNP clash in Mirsharai leaves 1 killed, 20 injured
A 16-year-old teenager was killed and 20 leaders and activists of both sides were injured in a clash between BNP and Awami League at Azampur Bazar area of Mirsharai upazila in Chattogram district on Friday afternoon.
The deceased was identified as Zahid Hossain Ruman, 16, son of late Nurer Zaman of Osmanpur area of the upazila.
Read: 3 killed in Feni road crash
Both Awami League and BNP have claimed that the deceased was an activist of their organization's student wing.
Masud Karim Rana, convener of Upazila Chhatra League, said BNP men attacked BCL leaders and activists at Azampur bazar in Osmanpur union around 4:30pm on Friday. Five BCL leaders and activists were injured and one of them, Zahid Hossain, died.
Nurul Amin, joint convener of Chattogram North district BNP, claimed that local Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League members attacked them while preparing for a scheduled meeting. One of them was killed and 15 activists were injured.
Jorargonj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Zahid Hossain said, “We have heard that one person was killed in a clash between two groups. Police have been sent to the spot.”
Motorcyclist killed in Dhaka road mishap
A motorcyclist was killed and his pillion rider was also injured as their motorbike hit a stationary truck in Mugda area of Dhaka on Thursday night.
The deceased Md Emon Khandaker, 42, was son of Tofazzal Khandaker at Kutipara village in Sadar upazila of Gaibandha.
The injured Faruk, 40, is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and hails from Barpa village of Rupganj of Narayanganj.
Both Emon and Faruk are truck drivers by profession.
Mosharraf Hossain, friend of Emon, the duo was heading towards Demra’s Konapara area by bike on Thursday night.
The bike accidently hit the stationary truck from behind in the Green Model Town area, leaving them critically injured, he said.
Later, they were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where Emon breathed his last while undergoing treatment around 10:30pm, he said, quoting DMCH’s police outpost in-charge Md Bachhu Miah.
The body was kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy and Faruk was undergoing treatment there, he added.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam nominated as UNACLA member
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam has been nominated as a member of the United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA)
On September 25, 2023, a letter signed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed about the nomination of Mayor Atiqul Islam.
Read: Over 200 illegal shops evicted during DNCC drive in Dhaka’s Banani
Later, the DNCC mayor was finally included as a member of the advisory council.
"The Advisory Committee has an important timely role to play in strengthening the involvement of local and regional governments in the formulation of intergovernmental and national plans," the UN Secretary-General noted in his letter.
Read: Over 200 shops burnt down in Krishi Market fire: DNCC CEO
The Advisory Committee has a total of 15 members. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay are the two members from Asia and The Pacific region. The other members are three from Europe, three from the African continent, two from North America, three from Latin America and the Caribbean, and two from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Deaths from dengue now 975 as 8 more die in 24 hrs
Eight more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Friday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 975 this year.
During the period, 1,793 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the DGHS.
Read: Deaths from dengue now 967 as 9 more die in 24 hrs
Of the new patients, 584 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital--indicating a worsening situation across the country, DGHS said.
Read: Study on dengue vaccine shows promising result in Bangladesh
A total of 9,526 dengue patients, including 3,283 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 200,981 dengue cases and 190,480 recoveries this year.
September has so far been the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak this year with 382 fatalities and 77,173 cases, according to DGHS data.
Read more: Deaths from dengue now 943 with 15 more in last 24hrs
Rains likely amid mild heat wave sweeping country, low pressure formed in Bay: BMD
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted more rains across the country, including in Dhaka, over 72 hours commencing from 9 am Friday amid a mild heat wave.
“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at many places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Southern part of the country” said a met office bulletin.
Read: Weather update: More rain likely across the country over 72 hours, says BMD
Meanwhile, a mild heat wave is sweeping over Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions and the districts of Dhaka, Khulna, Kushtia, Faridpur, Tangail, Kishoregonj, Manikgong, Bogura, Sitakunda, Narayongong and Nilphamari and it may abate in some places, it read.
Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and it may fall slightly elsewhere over the country and night temperature may fall slightly over the country.
On the other hand, a low pressure area has formed over Northeast Bay an adjoining area. The axis of monsoon trough runs through Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Center of the low to Assam across southern part of Bangladesh. Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong elsewhere over North Bay, according to the bulletin.
Read: Weather forecast: Light to moderate rain likely in Dhaka, other divisions
Highest rainfall in the country, 19 mm, was recorded in Rangamati in 24 hours till 6 am Friday.
The highest temperature was recorded at 36 degrees Celsius in Nilphamari’s Syedpur while the lowest temperature was recorded at 23.5 degrees Celsius in Chattogram’s Sitakunda.
Read more: Weather forecast: Light to moderate rain likely to continue in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
Mud wall collapse leaves 2 siblings dead, 3 more injured in B'baria
Two siblings died and their parents and a sister also sustained injuries in a mud wall collapse in Bijoynagar upazila of Brahmanbaria early Friday.
The deceased Rafin, 12, his younger sister Mishu, 10, were children of Md Mannaf Miah, 42, and Roksana Begum, 35, of Laxmipur village under Pattan union of the upazila.
The couple and their 10-year-old daughter Isu were also injured in the collapse.
Read: 1500 families stranded as embankment collapses in Naogaon
According to the victims and locals, the five went to their beds after having dinner in their mud house on Thursday night.
Suddenly a wall of another abandoned mud house fell on their house which had already weakened due to the downpour overnight, leaving the five critically injured, they said.
Hearing screams, the neighbours rushed to the spot and took them to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital where the siblings succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment there, according to them.
Read: 3 dead as sand pile collapses in Rajbari
Injured Isu was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment while the couple was receiving treatment at the Sadar hospital.
Raju Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Bijoynagar police station who has already visited the spot, said a legal process has been underway.
Read more: 2 women killed in Naogaon wall collapse
First batch of uranium for RNPP heads to Rooppur amid tight security
The first consignment of uranium, the nuclear fuel for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, is headed to Pabna’s Rooppur under special security arrangement.
The consignment crossed the Bangabandhu Bridge area at around 10am on Friday, said Superintendent of Tangail Police Sarker Mohammad Kaiser.
Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu Bridge highway remained suspended since early morning for security reasons, according to Tangail highway police.
Also read: First shipment of uranium for Rooppur nuclear power plant arrives in country
Despite the inconvenience faced by regular commuters due to the traffic suspension, they did not endure any prolonged difficulties, as traffic swiftly resumed its normal flow following the passage of the convoy, said SP Kaiser.
The members of the security forces, including the police, were vigilant in ensuring the safety of the public, he added.
The first batch of fresh uranium, the nuclear fuel of the first unit of Rooppur nuclear power plant, has arrived at Dhaka airport yesterday in a special air cargo from Russia.
Also read: USD300 million compensation guarantee given to import fuel for Rooppur plant: Official
According to official sources said Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Aleksey Likhachev will hand over the fuel officially to the project authority in Rooppur project on October 5.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to virtually join the function.
The fuel was produced at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP) in Russia, a subsidiary of Rosatom's fuel manufacturing company Tevel.
Rosatom has been engaged in building the 2400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) having two units, each capacity 1200 MW.
According to project officials, the government is expecting to commission the first unit of the RNPP in September next year and second unit in mid of 2025.
Also read: First unit of Rooppur Nuclear Plant to be ready for power generation next year, possible tariff rate still not set
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' Friday morning
Dhaka's air quality was marked as ‘moderate’ on Friday morning (September 29, 2023).
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 97 at 8:40am, Dhaka ranked 21st in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Pakistan’s Lahore, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 176, 159 and 158, respectively.
Also read: Air pollution causing severe health concerns: CPD
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.
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.
Also read: Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis expected to live 5 years less due to air pollution: AQLI
A recent report by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) says air pollution in Dhaka is creating severe health concerns and increases the risk of stroke, heart diseases, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases.
According to the report, air pollution in Dhaka has increased by 13 percent since 2020 which indicates that the respondents’ perception is in line with reality.
Due to these diseases caused by air pollution, Dhaka residents spend more than Tk4,000 per person every year for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Also read: Urgent, coordinated actions needed to curb air pollution in South Asia: World Bank
According to data from Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), residents in Bangladesh are expected to lose about 5 years off their lives on average if the current high levels of pollution persist.
Raushan greets PM Hasina on her birthday
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad on Thursday conveyed warm greetings and congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of her 77th birthday.
In her congratulatory message, the opposition leader emphasised that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not only demonstrated exceptional statesmanship within her country, but has also earned recognition globally for her dynamic leadership, political acumen, commitment to human values and wisdom.
Also read: Raushan Ershad hopes next elections will be free and fair
She also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina has provided exemplary leadership to the Bengali nation during a transitional period, elevating the country to a position of prominence.
"Her commitment to secularism, liberalism, progressiveness, democracy, and scientific thinking has earned her recognition as a modern and forward-thinking stateswoman."
Also read: Raushan Ershad pays courtesy call on PM Sheikh Hasina
"Inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has devoted herself to the realisation of Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla. Her extensive political journey has not been devoid of challenges, yet with her wisdom, experience, courage, and exceptional organisational abilities, she is steadfastly progressing toward the vision of forging a developed Bangladesh, triumphing over all obstacles and thwarting diverse conspiracies," Jatiya Party Chief Patron Raushan said in her congratulatory message.
The opposition leader offered her prayers for the Prime Minister's wellbeing, longevity, and enduring success.
Also read: Jatiya Party is gearing up for next general elections: Raushan Ershad
She expressed hopes that the Prime Minister would continue her efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty in the country, combat corruption and terrorism, and assist the citizens in establishing principles of good governance, social justice, and an improved quality of life.
First shipment of uranium for Rooppur nuclear power plant arrives in country
The first batch of fresh uranium, the nuclear fuel of the first unit of Rooppur nuclear power plant, has arrived in Bangladesh.
According to official sources, the consignment of uranium arrived in Dhaka from Russia on Thursday afternoon through a special air cargo.
Project Director of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project Dr. M Shawkat Akbar confirmed the arrival of the nuclear fuel but would not provide details of the air shipment of the nuclear fuel on security grounds.
Also read: USD300 million compensation guarantee given to import fuel for Rooppur plant: Official
Sources said Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Aleksey Likhachev will hand over the fuel officially to the project authority in Rooppur project on October 5.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to virtually join the function.
The nuclear fuel was brought to Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka by a special plane from a factory in Russia.
It will then be taken to the project site at Rooppur in Ishwardi, Pabna by road. Army and law enforcement personnel will be in charge of special security in this uranium transportation.
Also read: Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant set to face major delay in commissioning
The fuel was produced at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP) in Russia, a subsidiary of Rosatom's fuel manufacturing company Tevel.
Rosatom as a Russian contractor has been engaged in building the 2400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) having two units, each capacity 1200 MW.
Dr. M Shawkat Akbar said that the government is expecting to commission the first unit of the RNPP in September next year and second unit in mid of 2025.
Also read: First unit of Rooppur Nuclear Plant to be ready for power generation next year, possible tariff rate still not set