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Meherpur witnesses season’s highest temperature at 40.7°C
Meherpur district recorded the highest temperature of this season at 40.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
People are experiencing blistering heat as a severe heat wave is sweeping the district.
Chuadanga Weather Observatory Centre recorded 40.7 Degrees Celsius in Meherpur at 3pm on Wednesday, said Jaminur Rahman, in-charge of the Observatory Centre.
Heatwave sweeps over 8 divisions as temperatures soar
The situation may persist for a few more days, he said adding that there is no possibility of rain at this moment.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chuadanga recorded the highest temperature of this season at 40.6 degrees Celsius.
The people of the district especially the low-income people are in dire straits due to intense heat.
Working people were seen resting under trees and in shady places hoping for some relief.
9 flights from Dubai to Dhaka cancelled for inclement weather in UAE
A total of nine flights from Dubai to Dhaka were cancelled due to the severe weather conditions in the UAE and the region.
The flights, scheduled from 17 April to 24 April were cancelled, confirmed Group Captain Mohammad Kamrul Islam, executive director of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The cancelled flights include five flights of Air Arabia Airlines, two each of both Emirates Airlines and FlyDubai Airlines.
Storm dumps a year and a half's worth of water on parts of UAE, flooding roads and Dubai's airport
Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half's worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport, reports AP.
The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport.
The storms intensified around 9 a.m. local Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.
Heavy rains lash UAE and surrounding nations as the death toll in Oman flooding rises to 18
By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours.
An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.
Nothing to be worried over lowering growth projection by IMF: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has said there is nothing to worry about downgrading growth forecast for Bangladesh by IMF for the current fiscal year.
He said he is satisfied over the recovery of Bangladesh’s economy.
The finance minister said this in response to a question from a Bangladeshi journalist on the sideline of the World Bank-IMF spring meeting in Washington DC on Tuesday.
IMF downgrades Bangladesh's GDP growth projection again for current fiscal
The finance minister said that he is not too worried about the GDP growth forecast by the IMF as the country has already started to recover from crisis.
“Initiatives taken by the government for economic reforms are working,” he said.
Even though people are slowly getting relief, those who see negatively are not happy, he added.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) again has revised downward the growth forecast of Bangladesh's economy to 5.7 percent for the current fiscal year of 2023-24.
Bangladesh’s second quarter GDP growth slowed to 3.78%: BBS
The IMF made the revised projection in its World Economic Outlook released April 16.
The IMF growth forecast highlighted different global and local challenges, including persistently high inflation, unemployment, lower remittance flow, and a fell industrial investment target.
The global lender for the second time cut economic growth forecast for Bangladesh. In October last year, it projected 6 percent growth, cutting down its previous prediction from 6.5 percent for the FY2023-24.
ADB forecasts Bangladesh's GDP growth at 6.1% in FY 2023-24, anticipates rise to 6.6% next year
The IMF growth forecast comes a week after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Bangladesh's GDP will expand 6.1 percent in FY 2023-24, riding on exports.
Early this month, the World Bank said Bangladesh will register subdued growth for reduced private consumption affected by high inflation.
Bangladesh to introduce drone technology to assess crop losses
Bangladesh is preparing to introduce remote sensing and drones to detect crop damage caused by extreme weather events or diseases, said the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Around 20 officers of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are initially receiving training to learn how to use the state-of-the-art technologies.
Malay Choudhury, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, and Edimon Ginting, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh inaugurated a workshop titled “The Use of Drone and Satellite Image for Crop Monitoring and Crop Damage Assessment” in Dhaka on Tuesday to initiate a seven-day training programme.
ADB forecasts Bangladesh's GDP growth at 6.1% in FY 2023-24, anticipates rise to 6.6% next year
DAE and ADB jointly designed the training programme that will continue till April 25 April, according to ADB.
Renowned geospatial experts from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will conduct the training.
The trainees will receive four days of classroom training on geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing analysis for crop damage detection and participate in a three-day field trip to Sylhet to learn how to collect ground data using mobile devices.
Local DAE officials are expected to participate in the training in Sylhet, where the 2022 floods caused major crop damage.
ADB to increase cooperation in Bangladesh climate actions: Environment Minister
Proper assessment of crop diseases and losses are critical to take appropriate measures to ensure agricultural productivity and food security in the context of growing threats of climate change in Bangladesh, said Country Director Edimon Ginting.
“ADB will continue to bring in innovative solutions including advanced technologies to help Bangladesh tackle climate impacts,” Ginting added.
With advanced geospatial technology, our officers will be able to assess crop damage and provide effective government programs to mitigate the expected damage caused by climate change in the future, said Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General, DAE.
PM Hasina seeks more support from ADB for socioeconomic uplift
Following the training program, ADB and DAE plan to produce joint reports on crop damage assessment in the Sylhet region, conduct a project evaluation study of an ADB-supported integrated water management project in Gopalganj areas, and implement a nationwide climate disaster assessment in a small local government unit.
Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific financed by the Government of Japan provided the grant fund for the training program through the Asian Development Bank.
Train movement normal after 2-hour derailment disruption
Train movement from the capital city resumed after a 2-hour disruption fo0llowing the derailment of the Dhaka-bound Jamalpur Express in Tejgaon of Dhaka on Wednesday morning.
The railway authorities said that the train movement has returned to normal around 10 am.
Station Manager of Kamalapur Railway Station Mohammad Anwar Hossain said that the train derailed at 8:05 am. He couldn’t confirm the reason behind the accident.
However, Md. Abul Hossain, railway second grade mechanic working at the accident site, said that the train was derailed due to the broken equaliser beam.
He explained that there is a hanger positioned between the two wheels, with two equaliser beams flanking it on either side. “These equalisers play a crucial role in stabilizing the beam. The derailment occurred as a result of the breakage of this vital component,” he said.
No casualties have been reported in the accident.
‘Mujibnagar Day’ observed by Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei
The High Commission of Bangladesh in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam observed the historic Mujibnagar Day with due solemnity and respect.
In the morning the high commission organised a programme with the expatriate Bangladeshi communities in attendance,according to a message received here.
The programme started with hoisting of National flag and continued with recitation from the Holy Quran, and observing one minutes silence for the salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, the four National Leaders of Bangladesh: Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali, and AHM Kamaruzzaman, and the martyrs of our glorious liberation war. The Bangladesh High Commissioner Nahida Rahman Shumona read out messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the historic Mujibnagar Day.
The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day
A documentary on Mujibnagar Day was screened, reflecting on the historical significance of the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh in the tiny mango grove-covered village in Baidyanathtala, now under Meherpur district.
The Bangladesh high commissioner enlightened the audience with factual analysis of the history of ‘Mujibnagar Day’ in particular, in relation to how important the formation and oath-taking of the provisional government was during that epochal moment in the history of the nation's independence movement and liberation war.
She paid tribute and homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the martyrs of our glorious liberation war.
The high commissioner requested the Bangladesh community members to work hard with utmost sincerity and honesty so as to help materialize the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.
Hasan Mahmud attends "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Greece
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has attended the "9th Our Ocean Conference Greece 2024" held in Athens on April 16-17.
He led a delegation at the Conference which is a regular platform for governments, international organisations, academia, private sectors and NGOs to come together with the aim of sharing a common vision for the protection of oceans and taking actions to support this vision.
The conference was inaugurated by the Greek President through a video message, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the first day, apart from various plenary sessions on greening of the shipping sector, confronting plastic pollution, effective management of marine protected areas, ocean-climate nexus, the foreign minister participated in a high-level segment with the participation of Heads of State/Government, preceded by an event where the Geek Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech.
The foreign minister also took part in a working lunch hosted by the Greek foreign minister in honor of the participating toreign ministers.
9 BNP men land in Naogaon jail
In the morning of 16th April, on the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister had a bilateral meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
The ocean plays a key role in human existence; it is essential for people's survival, well-being and prosperity.
It provides food, regulates our climate, and generates most of the oxygen we breathe.
It also serves much of the world’s economy, supporting sectors from tourism to fisheries and to international shipping while it is connected to our culture and is a major source of inspiration.
Number of Benazir-like wealthy people increased: Rizvi
However, the health of seas and the ocean, and of marine ecosystems in particular, is threatened by unsustainable practices such as discharges of wastewater and marine litter, unregulated and unreported fishing, unsustainable shipping and tourism activities, said the speakers.
To mitigate the negative impacts from human interventions and improve the current state of our oceans, it is essential to join efforts on a global scale, they said.
Collaboration among nations, NGOs, private entities, academia, professional groups, civil society organisations and more, is of paramount importance for implementing effective solutions, fostering sustainable practices, and safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of oceans.
Read more: SeaKeepers Society: Making waves in ocean conservation
47 members of Myanmar border guards take shelter in Bangladesh again
Amid a conflict between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group in Myanmar’s Rakhine, 47 members of Border Guard Police (BGP) took shelter again in Bangladesh on Wednesday , the authorities said.
So far, a total of 261 BGP members have taken refuge in Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Earlier in February, 330 members of Myanmar security forces including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials had taken shelter in Bangladesh.
High-level BGB-BGP meeting begins
On February 15, they were handed over to Border Guard Police of Myanmar amid tight security.
BGB, BGP to work together to step up border security
The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day
The historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed on Wednesday marking the formation of Bangladesh's first government that led the War of Liberation in 1971.
The day began with hoisting the national flag and placing wreaths at Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial in Meherpur.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
Historic Mujibnagar Day tomorrow
She paid homage by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of Awami League.
JS passes Mujibnagar University, Meherpur Bill,2023
The government declared the day as a public holiday at Mujibnagar upazila in Meherpur district.
On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations are marking the day with elaborate programmes.
National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio and television channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries have been arranged to highlight the significance of the day.
Senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala, a mango orchard, which was later named as Mujibnagar, in Meherpur district on April 17, 1971 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was arrested and flown to Pakistan after Pakistan military had cracked down on the Bangalees on the night of March 25, 1971.
Bangabandhu was declared the first President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while Vice-president Syed Nazrul Islam became the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first Prime Minister, while Khandoker Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were named cabinet members.
PM Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu on Mujibnagar Day
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
She placed a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Mujibnagar Day to be observed tomorrow
Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of Awami League.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh's first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district.
The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who was declared the president of the government-in-exile.
Mujibnagar Day observed in Washington
Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu was arrested and taken to West Pakistan after the then Pakistani military regime launched a brutal crackdown in the night of March 25 in 1971.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members.
The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 that year.
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