United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh reported one more COVID-19-linked death and three fresh cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,500 and caseload to 2,051,739, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The daily case test positivity rate stood at 14.29 per cent as 21 samples were tested, said the DGHS. COVID-19: Bangladesh reports 49 more cases in 24hrs The recovery and death rates remained at 98.42 per cent and 1.44 per cent, respectively. Recently, the spike of the Covid-19 case has been noticed, growing concern over the viral disease.

-The authorities concerned have decided to reopen ‘Bholaganj Sada Pathor’ tourist spot in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet on Friday, seven days after its closure caused by inclement weather on May 30 last. According to a notice, signed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Azizunnahar, the decision to reopen the spot was taken from a meeting of Upazila Tourism Development Committee on Thursday. The decision will be effective from Friday, a day before the holy Eid-ul-Azha, reads the notice. Tourism, fishing banned in Sundarbans for three months On May 30, the tourist spot was declared off-limits to avoid potential risks to visitors after heavy rainfall and upstream water flow flooded the site and disrupted boat services. With weather conditions now stable, the site is once again open to the public.

Sixty-two more new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Thursday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 4,845 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), new cases were reported as follows: 50 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), two each in Chattogram and Sylhet Divisions (Out of CC), one each in Mymensingh and Rangpur Divisions (Out of CCC), and six in Dhaka South City Corporation. The number of deaths remained at 23, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Dengue: 83 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs Currently, 406 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

This is for the first time in history that with a rare 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday beginning on Thursday, Bangladesh is witnessing one of the largest mass movements of people in recent times as millions begin their journey from Dhaka and its adjoining areas to celebrate the festival with their loved ones. Although the official Eid journey is to begin from today (Thursday), the exodus started informally from May 30, when educational institutions across the country went on holiday.  But, the rush reached its peak on Wednesday—the last working day before Eid—as people started leaving Dhaka from noon onward.Bangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday, (June 7).  Due to the extended holidays, particularly from Wednesday through early Saturday, tens of millions are expected to leave the capital.Terminals across Dhaka, including Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Kamalapur Railway Station and various inter-district bus stations, have been overcrowded for the surge in passengers since Wednesday morning.Though there is no specific statistics about the number of people who will leave the mega city Dhaka and its adjoining areas for celebrating the upcoming Eid, the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF), said nearly 20 million people are expected to leave Greater Dhaka during this Eid break—around 10 million of whom are departing from Dhaka city alone.

The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries (BAPI) views the proposed extension and enhancement of duty and tax exemptions on the import of raw materials for the pharmaceutical sector in the FY2025-26 budget as a positive move.  The association in a press release said such decisions by the government will further strengthen the country's pharmaceutical industry. The proposed duty exemptions for importing raw materials used in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) will significantly help develop the API industry, it said.  BAPI also expresses hope that the pharmaceutical sector, with some additional incentives, can emerge not only as a key supplier for the domestic market but also as a major export-oriented industry. One additional issue the association highlighted is the current high duty on sandwich panels and laboratory furniture used in pharmaceutical investments. Previously, the duty rate was only 1%, but it has since increased significantly.  BAPI urges the relevant government authorities to address this matter and restore the previous low-duty rate for panels, particularly for new pharmaceutical projects. BAPI appreciates the government's commendable initiatives in this year’s budget.  However, it emphasizes that the successful implementation of these initiatives depends on the commitment and integrity of the officials at the National Board of Revenue and other relevant authorities. Alongside the proposed benefits, BAPI requests that the following points also be considered and included in the final budget: 1. Corporate Tax for Non-Listed Companies: The minimum corporate tax rate for non-listed companies was 25% in the previous fiscal year. However, it has been increased to 27.5% in the proposed budget. Given that most pharmaceutical companies are already struggling due to rising costs, this increase will impose an additional burden.BAPI urges the government to retain the previous 25% tax rate. 2. Personal Income Tax Threshold: The proposed budget does not raise the tax-free threshold for individuals, and some changes in conditions will result in increased tax for employees in the sector. This will effectively reduce their real income. BAPI requests the government to reconsider this matter. 3 Minimum Corporate Tax on Gross Turnover: The proposed budget sets a minimum corporate tax of 1% on gross turnover, up from the previous 0.6%. As many pharmaceutical companies are currently struggling to generate profits, this increase will severely impact their operational capacity. Companies that are not making profits will have to pay this tax from their capital, which is unjustifiable. BAPI strongly appeals to revert the minimum tax rate to its previous level.  

The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries (BAPI) views the proposed extension and enhancement of duty and tax exemptions on the import of raw materials for the pharmaceutical sector in the FY2025-26 budget as a positive move.  The association in a press release said such decisions by the government will further strengthen the country's pharmaceutical industry. The proposed duty exemptions for importing raw materials used in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) will significantly help develop the API industry, it said.  BAPI also expresses hope that the pharmaceutical sector, with some additional incentives, can emerge not only as a key supplier for the domestic market but also as a major export-oriented industry. One additional issue the association highlighted is the current high duty on sandwich panels and laboratory furniture used in pharmaceutical investments. Previously, the duty rate was only 1%, but it has since increased significantly.  BAPI urges the relevant government authorities to address this matter and restore the previous low-duty rate for panels, particularly for new pharmaceutical projects. BAPI appreciates the government's commendable initiatives in this year’s budget.  However, it emphasizes that the successful implementation of these initiatives depends on the commitment and integrity of the officials at the National Board of Revenue and other relevant authorities. Alongside the proposed benefits, BAPI requests that the following points also be considered and included in the final budget: 1. Corporate Tax for Non-Listed Companies: The minimum corporate tax rate for non-listed companies was 25% in the previous fiscal year. However, it has been increased to 27.5% in the proposed budget. Given that most pharmaceutical companies are already struggling due to rising costs, this increase will impose an additional burden.BAPI urges the government to retain the previous 25% tax rate. 2. Personal Income Tax Threshold: The proposed budget does not raise the tax-free threshold for individuals, and some changes in conditions will result in increased tax for employees in the sector. This will effectively reduce their real income. BAPI requests the government to reconsider this matter. 3 Minimum Corporate Tax on Gross Turnover: The proposed budget sets a minimum corporate tax of 1% on gross turnover, up from the previous 0.6%. As many pharmaceutical companies are currently struggling to generate profits, this increase will severely impact their operational capacity. Companies that are not making profits will have to pay this tax from their capital, which is unjustifiable. BAPI strongly appeals to revert the minimum tax rate to its previous level.           

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said cattle prices are comparatively lower this year than last year's. Speaking to reporters after visiting the Gabtoli Bus Terminal and Cattle Market in the capital, he said there is a sufficient supply of sacrificial animals this year and buyers are unlikely to face difficulties in purchasing cattle. In response to a question, the adviser said prices at the Gabtoli market are “reasonably affordable” and buyers are benefitting.  “It seems to me that cattle prices are slightly lower this year than previous years,” he added. When asked why people seem hesitant to buy large cattle, he said, “Previously, many had pockets full of black money. Now, with reduced corruption, they don’t have that kind of money. Still, there are many honest people who can afford big cattle and will buy them.” On the issue of cattle market security, he assured that there is no shortfall in safety measures and that adequate security arrangements have been made. Regarding the security of Dhaka city during the Eid holidays, the adviser said, “Though many people will leave Dhaka for Eid, members of law enforcement agencies will remain in the city to ensure security. So, the capital's security situation is expected to remain good.” Earlier, while visiting the Gabtoli Bus Terminal, he told reporters that he had not received any complaints about overpriced tickets or artificial transport crises. He acknowledged that rain has caused traffic congestion in some areas and said comprehensive measures have been taken to avoid such situations, especially on highways.

  Thousands of holidaymakers have begun their journey home but the persistent rainfall  across the country could cause disruptions on roads and highways. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a 120-hour weather forecast warning of rainfall across the country starting Thursday (June 5) morning. According to the forecast, parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions may experience temporary gusty winds accompanied by light to moderate rain or thundershowers.  Some places in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions could also see similar weather.  However, day and night temperatures are likely to remain largely unchanged. The BMD said temperatures in Dhaka and surrounding districts could rise by 1°C to 3°C on Thursday. Rain is expected to continue till Friday, although the overall intensity may weaken slightly, the department said, citing currently weak to moderate monsoon activity over the Bay of Bengal and less active conditions over Bangladesh. On Friday, light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds may occur at some places in all eight divisions, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet. The BMD said light to moderate rain/thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely at one or two places over Chattogram, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions on the Eid day. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. The same condition may prevail the following day.  People could face discomfort due to rising temperatures, as both daytime and nighttime heat are expected to increase on Saturday.

Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, left Dhaka for London on Thursday after spending a month in Bangladesh.  She departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:55 am for Heathrow Airport, London, in a flight of Qatar Airways, said Atikur Rahman Rumon, a member of the BNP Media Cell. “As soon as she boarded the plane, Zubaida Rahman called Madam (Khaleda Zia) and sought her blessings,” Rumon said. On Wednesday night, he said Tarique’s wife met her mother Iqbal Mand Banu at their home in Dhanmondi, ‘Mahbub Bhaban’, to bid her farewell. Later, Rumon said, she returned to Feroza, the residence of her mother-in-law Khaleda Zia in Gulshan area of the city. After four months of advanced treatment in London, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia returned to the country on May 6, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, including Zubaida. Zubaida’s return marked the end of her 17 years of exile in London. Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008. Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with top merit and began her career as a government doctor after qualifying through the BCS in 1995.  She secured first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination. Sheikh Hasina’s government dismissed her from her position after she went to London on study leave in 2008. After settling in London, Zubaida obtained a postgraduate degree in medicine from Imperial College.  

Dhaka's air quality was marked "moderate" this morning due to rain in the capital city. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 82 at11:02 am, Dhaka ranked 22th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality. Senegal’s Dakar, Iraq’s Baghdad and India’s Delhi the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 174, 160 and 157, respectively. Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’ An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered to be “good” while between 50 and 100 it is considered “moderate”. 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 safe 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. 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.