Bangladesh
Sitakunda fire: 8 BM Container Depot officials sued
A case was filed against eight people on Wednesday in connection with the deadly fire at Sitakunda BM Container Depot.
Ashraf Siddiqui, sub-inspector (SI) of Sitakunda Model police station, filed the case mentioning names of eight people and several unnamed ones, said Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sitakunda police station.
The accused are Deputy General Manager of BM Container Depot Limited Nurul Akhter, its general manager Saiful Islam, manager( Admin) Khaledur Rahman, assistant admin officer Abbas Ullah, senior executive Mohammad Nasir Uddin, assistant manager Abdul Aziz, container freight station in-charges Saiful Islam and Nazrul Islam.
However, no one has been arrested so far, said the OC.
READ: Ctg container depot fire fully doused after 85 hrs
Earlier, the death toll from the deadly fire rose to 44, with a 36-year-old man succumbing to his burn injuries at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in the early hours of Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Masud Rana, a worker of the container depot. He was originally from Sarishabari in Jamalpur district.
Meanwhile, the condition of many victims, who sustained burn injuries in the fire, is critical, said deputy commissioner Mominur Rahman.
The fire and subsequent blasts at the container depot left over 200 people wounded. Around 130 people are currently undergoing treatment at the burn unit of CMCH.
However, what caused the fire could not be known yet. Already three probe teams have been formed to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, the deadly fire at the container depot was fully doused Wednesday morning, nearly 85 hours after the incident, said firefighting officials.
Finally the firefighters managed to douse the flame around 10 am, said Anisur Rahman, deputy director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense.
Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 58 cases, zero death
Bangladesh registered 58 new Covid cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning taking the country's total caseload to 1,953,812.
The country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,131 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 54 cases, zero death
The daily test positivity rate increased to 1.18 per cent from Tuesday’s 1.14 percent as 4,927 samples were tested.
The country on Monday saw 54 cases with zero death.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.49 percent as 314 patients recovered during this period.
In May, the country reported only four Covid-linked deaths and 816 new cases, while 7,356 patients recovered from the disease, according to the DGHS.
Among the four deaths during the period, one was vaccinated with single dose of Covid vaccine while three were vaccinated with two doses.
Also read: Bangladesh gets 115 million free Covid vaccines: Zahid Maleque
The country reported its first zero Covid death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 cases, since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest positivity rate of 33.37 per cent.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
BR to operate special mango train on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route from on June 13
A ‘special mango train’ will operate on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route from June 13 to transport mangoes at lower cost, said authority on Wednesday.
The special train will start its journey from Rahanpur railway station in the afternoon on June 13, said Rajshahi Railway (West) General Manager Asim Kumar Talukder.
Also read: Barind region's mangoes to be marketed globally for export
The first Mango Special Train was inaugurated on 5 June, 2020 to transport mangoes from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka .
The train, which ran till July 21 of that year, transported 167 metric tonnes (MTs) of mangoes. Bangladesh Railway earned revenue of Tk 2.11 lakh.
The train was launched for the second time on May 27 last year and it transported 236 MTs of mangoes till July 16. The revenue was Tk 13.44 lakh.
Chapainawabganj Railway Assistant Station Master Obaidullah said the cost of mango transportation this year has not been fixed yet.
Also read: Mango export to Europe from Satkhira begins
However, the train has been transporting mangoes at the rate of Tk 1.31 per kg for the last two years.
The train having the capacity of carrying 150 metric tonnes (MT) in its five wagons will depart Chapainawabganj for Dhaka via Rajshahi every day.
The train will have stoppage for loading mangoes at 14 stations on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka rail route.
PM: US$1500 million under way as budgetary support
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said a process is under way to mobilise an additional USD 1000 million as budgetary support to tackle future emergency situation and economic crisis caused by Russia-Ukraine war.
She made the statement in a written answer to a question from ruling party lawmaker M Mozaffar Hossain (Jamalpur-5) during PM’s question-answer session.
Hasina said that this budget support will be spent in the stimulus package for industries, factories, trading organisations, small and medium entrepreneurs and social safety net.
Besides, she said, as part of the programme to tackle the economic crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic, a process is underway to mobilise USD 500 million as budgetary support.
READ: Exercise austerity amid global price hike of goods: PM to all
Climate change wipes out $525 bn over last 2 decades: Report
A V20-commissioned report launched on Wednesday alongside the UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany, shows how climate change has already eliminated one fifth of the wealth of these countries, or US$ 525 billion, over the last two decades.
The V20 Group of finance ministers from climate vulnerable economies including Bangladesh called for the immediate establishment of a separate and dedicated international funding for loss and damage crisis-level adaptation action.
Also read: UN: Climate shocks, war fuel multiple looming food crises
The report, titled “Climate Vulnerable Economies Loss Report: Economic losses attributable to climate change in V20 economies over the last two decades (2000-2019)", shows that for the top ten per cent of worst at-risk of the V20 countries, economic losses due to climate change for the past two decades are estimated to exceed half of all growth.
The analysis provides the first ever estimate of the economic losses attributable to anthropogenic climate change only.
Economic losses cut GDP growth in the V20 by one full per cent each year on average which averaged 3.67% in 2019 across the vulnerable economies, according to a message received from Bonn.
From 2000 to 2019, the report estimated economic losses due to hydro-meteorological extreme events are higher than the previous two decades and the world’s most vulnerable economies are also not adapting fast enough to cope with the changing climate as it currently stands.
Though the study analysed historical economic losses, it also highlighted that these losses will continue to increase given the earth’s warming is set to progress to within 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next decade regardless of further actions to reduce emissions.
It noted that losses due to climate change have been growing over time, underscoring that countries are not adapting fast enough.
Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, Ghana Finance Minister, said this should sound alarm bells for the world economy, since V20 are fast-growing engines of global economic growth, whereas the climate crisis has the potential to bring that phase to an end if the world fails to act.
“The failure on the $100 billion of international climate finance delivery, particularly the failure to ensure a 50:50 balance for adaptation, has left us highly exposed. Meeting and exceeding the COP26 agreed Delivery Plan to make-up shortcomings on the $100 billion and to double adaptation finance by 2025 are therefore absolutely crucial to our and the world's economic well-being. But it is no longer enough,” he said.
Also read: Dhaka: Inadequate efforts for climate migrants may lead to global security risk
Minister Ofori-Atta said as matter of pragmatism and justice, the V20 and Climate Vulnerable Forum is calling on COP27 to establish an international financing mechanism for climate change loss and damage in solidarity with victims least responsible for, and least equipped to withstand, the increasingly extreme physical shocks driven by climate change.
Dr Michiel Schaeffer, chief scientist at Finres, author of the study, explained at 1.1°C of warming, the majority of V20 countries have already reached their optimum temperature - any further warming beyond this will cause an acceleration in the loss and damage experiences by societies - this report is an also urgent call for more stringent mitigation action in line with keeping global mean temperature increase below 1.5°C.
Florent Baarsch, CEO of Finres, who led the study, said results are extremely novel they built on new peer-reviewed scientific methods and data that did not exist less than a year ago.
Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, which hosts the V20 secretariat, while countries work hard to find enough ambition to reduce emissions within Paris Agreement bounds, the climate emergency has become the lived reality that is devastating lives around the globe.
“Acceleration adaptation at speed and at scale is a solution we have at hand right now to reduce loss and damage. It is not only proven to work but it is also a smart investment that will continue to pay off.”
Dr Seth Ofaso, Ghana CVF Presidency Envoy to the UNFCCC said the $100 billion commitment under the Paris Agreement is for mitigation and adaptation.
“When this was first negotiated over a decade ago, recognition of loss and damage was not what it is today. It is untenable that the world’s rich and responsible nations continue to refuse the poor, vulnerable and least responsible nations support for the crushing costs that we bear because of inaction on the climate crisis.”
Ghana highlighted how the V20 and Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) are working unitedly for COP27 in Egypt later this year to deliver concrete results in terms of establishing international funding for loss and damage through a dedicated new instrument.
Dr Ofaso said what the V20 can do on its own is limited and only makes sense if the world’s rich, powerful and climate change responsible nations can be inspired by the V20’s breakthrough efforts and go beyond.
“It should fall on COP27 to decisively act on the void of finance for loss and damage in a clear litmus test for whether those fueling the climate crisis can truly begin to take responsibility for the breath of damage that has been unleashed by it.”
DU students protest BJP spokespersons’ derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad
Some students of Dhaka University have formed a human chain protesting the remarks by two Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) leaders defaming Prophet Mohammed (pubh).
They formed the human chain under the banner of ‘General Students of Dhaka University’ in front of the university's Anti Terrorist Raju monument at 12 pm.
Also read: DU students demand end to bullying, harassment in guestrooms
The human chain was formed in front of university's Anti Terrorist Raju monument at 12 pm.
They urged the government to issue a statement condemning the heinous act.
Masood, a second year student of Department of Islamic Studies said, "Muslim countries have already called for a boycott of Indian products because of their comments. Though Bangladesh could not boycott the product, it may issue a statement at least condemning the comments."
Abu Huzaifa Jabed, a student of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (ISWR), said, "The BJP leaders' comments on the Prophet and his wives were pre-planned. It is an attempt to destroy the friendly relations between Hindus and Muslims."
Also read:DU students extend support for agitating SUST students
India is facing major diplomatic outrage from Muslim countries after top officials in the ruling Hindu nationalist party made derogatory references to Islam and the Prophet, drawing accusations of blasphemy across some Arab nations that have left New Delhi struggling to contain the damaging fallout, reports AP.
At least five Arab nations have lodged official protests against India, and Pakistan and Afghanistan also reacted strongly Monday to the comments made by two prominent spokespeople from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. Anger has poured out on social media, and calls for a boycott of Indian goods have surfaced in some Arab nations.
Worker killed, 2 hurt in Ctg shipyard
A 45-year-old worker was killed and two others were injured after being hit by large aluminum tank at a ship breaking yard in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram on Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Sadekur Rahman Bulbul, hailing from Naogaon district.
Also read: Construction worker crushed under falling shaft of crane in Khulna
The accident occurred around 1pm at Sagarika Ship Breaking Yard near Shitalpur Chowdhury Ghat coast when Sadekur and two other workers were hit by an aluminum tank (big drum) of an old ship, said Suman Banik, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sitakunda police station.
Later, the injured were rushed to nearby BSB Hospital where doctors declared Sadekur dead, he added.
Also read:Union worker 'ends life' in Chapainawabganj
BNP denounces attack on Saki as scandalous
BNP has strongly condemned the attack on Ganosanghati Andolan Coordinator Zonayed Saki reportedly by the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League and said it will remain as a scandalous incident in history.
“This is a heinous attack and it will remain as a stigma in history,” he said.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Fakhrul said such an attack on Saki during his visit to a hospital to express sympathy to the injured people in the Sitakunda depot fire can only be possible by cowards.
“This attack is extremely against civilization and human values. This incident has proved that the government wants to run the country by letting lose the terrorists,” he said.
The BNP leader also said this attack is also a strategy to divert people’s attention from all the failures of the government.
He said the ‘’demonic Nazism’’ got exposed more intensely through the violent attack on Saki.
The BNP leader said opposition parties and people of different faiths are now not getting spared from the bloody scourge of the government-backed ‘terrorists’. “What is the sign of this? Their mischievous attempt to attack the opposition forces and destroy voting, democracy and fair elections has not stopped.”
Read: ‘BCL men’ attack Junaid Saki at CMCH
He also said the government has been making one evil plan after another with all its might.
“Zonayed Saki has been bloodied through the attack that was carried out with the intention to kill him. Now is the time to resist them,” Fakhrul observed.
He urged all the democratic forces to get united to defeat the ‘illegitimate’ government by putting up barricades in the streets against ‘fascism’.
“I strongly condemn and protest the violent attack on Zonayed Saki by the armed terrorists of Awami Chhatra League and wish his a speedy recovery,” he said.
The BNP leader also demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers. "
On Tuesday evening, Saki and some other leaders and activists of his party were injured in an attack allegedly by some Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
Success requires partners like Bangladesh amid new global economic order: Hungary
Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade Peter Szijjarto has said a new world economic order is emerging where success requires partners like Bangladesh.
He described Bangladesh as one of the fastest growing economies where he sees a huge opportunity for Hungarian companies in Bangladesh.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen held bilateral talks with the Hungarian minister in Budapest on Tuesday.
Read: Bangladeshi students in Hungary urged to contribute to Bangladesh’s dev
Journalist Fazle Elahi gets bail in DSA case
A Rangamati court on Wednesday granted bail to journalist Fazle Elahi in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.
Rangamati Senior Judicial Magistrate Fatema Begum Mukta granted the bail and asked Elahi, editor of Dainik Parbatya Chattogram and Pahar 24.com, to appear before the Chattogram Cyber Tribunal within seven days.
Also read:Comment on ‘nomination trade’: Janipop chairman, 2 others sued under DSA
Earlier in the day, Elahi’s counsel Advocate Biplab Chakma filed a petition seeking bail for his client.
Nazneen Anwar, daughter of former Rangamati MP (reserved seat) Firoza Begum Chinu lodged the complaint with police against Elahi under the Digital Security Act over publishing a report against her mother Chinu.
Chattogram Cyber Tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Elahi following the case and police arrested him from his ADC Hill residence in Rangamati Tuesday evening.
Also read:HC stays trial against journo Kajol in 3 cases under DSA
A group of journalists held a human chain in front of Rangamati Deputy Commissioner’s Office Wednesday morning demanding release of Elahi. Later, social workers, political activists and students expressed solidarity with them. They also demanded cancellation of the DSA.