Bangladesh
Farmer dies of heat stroke in Ctg
A farmer died of heat stroke while working in the fields in West Chunti Hadur Pahar area of Chunti Union of Lohagara upazila pf Chattogram on Wednesday.
The deceased farmer Samshul Alam (60) was the son of Late Thanda Mia of the area.
Two farmers die from heat stroke in Nilphamari
Monirul Mabud Royal, local UP member, confirmed the matter.
Alauddin, in-charge of Chunati Police Station, said that the matter has been informed to the OC of the police station.
DGHS issues directives to reduce risk of heat stroke
Zoynal Saudagar, son of the deceased, said that he went to work in the chili field and did not return within the specified time. While looking for him, his body was found in the field. But there was no sign of injury on the body. He may have died of heat stroke while working in the fields in intense heat.
UK wants to help develop Bangladesh's aviation industry
The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed its keen interest in collaborating with Bangladesh to develop the country's aviation industry.
This was conveyed by UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Mohammad Faruk Khan at his residence on Wednesday.
The High Commissioner said that the UK has a long-standing partnership with Bangladesh's aviation industry. She mentioned that the two countries have previously worked together in various sectors of the aviation industry, including the development of airport security systems.
Supply Chain Law: EU Council vote still needed
Cooke said the UK is now eager to expand cooperation in a wider range of potential new areas, including the development of technical skills in Bangladesh's aviation industry, the training of skilled personnel, and the further enhancement of security measures. The UK is committed to playing a supportive role in transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub.
In response, the minister welcomed the UK's friendly cooperation in successfully transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub. He expressed his delight at the prospect of the two countries working together to develop the aviation industry. He added that the scope for collaboration between the two countries in various areas of the aviation industry will be explored.
Faruk Khan further stated that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is working to transform Bangladesh into a major aviation hub. He mentioned that extensive development work has been carried out at all airports in the country, including the construction of a third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and that further development work is underway.
Japanese envoy visits Japan-funded UNFPA project sites in Noakhali
He also mentioned that the government is working to transform Syedpur Airport into a regional hub. Once the development work at Saidpur Airport is completed, it will play a game-changing role in regional connectivity, economy, and trade between Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Bhutan.
Bangladesh‘s Hajj management to be smarter: Minister
The Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s Hajj management will be one of the smartest systems in the world in the future.
The government has introduced information technology in Hajj management as part of building a developed and prosperous smart Bangladesh as per the Vision-2021 and 2041 announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.
Govt employees sent to Saudi to during hajj to serve country's pilgrims: Religious Affairs Minister
“Hajj management has been digitized. We are adding new features to the portal related to hajj,” he said while inaugurating Hajj Training 2024 at the conference room of Dhaka Hajj Office as the chief guest.
Md Faridul Haque Khan said, the aim of today’s training program is helping people to perform hajj properly and skilled trainers have been selected.”
Many people in the country prefer to perform Hajj at the end of life, making it difficult for those without physical ability to follow the formalities, he said.
Bangladesh's hajj quota remains unchanged at 1.27 lakh
Additional Secretary of Hajj Division Md Matiul Islam, Joint Secretary Dr Md Manjurul Haque and Director of Dhaka Hajj Office Muhammad Kamruzzaman, among others, addressed the function with Religious Affairs Secretary Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar in the chair.
Woman dies as train hits her in Lalmonirhat
A woman died after being hit by a train in the Khanpara Harishova Bazar area at Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Wednesday afternoon.
Two farmers die from heat stroke in Nilphamari
The deceased was identified as Mamta Begum (40) of Dhabalsuti village of the upazila.
DGHS issues directives to reduce risk of heat stroke
Abu Saeed Chowdhury, officer-in-charge (OC) of Patgram Police Station, confirmed the matter.
How to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Stroke
According to locals, Mamata, who was deaf, was walking along the railway line. At that time, the Burimari-bound local train leaving from Parbatipur hit her, killing her on the spot.
Bus driver that killed 2 Cuet students arrested; fellow students continue demo
Police arrested the driver of the bus involved in a road crash that cost the lives of two Cuet students on Monday.
Driver Md Tazul Islam was arrested from the Kotwali area of Chattogram city on Wednesday afternoon, Chattogram district additional superintendent of (district special branch) Abu Tayeb Mohammad Arif Hossain said.
Derailment halts Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail link
The driver hails from Uttar Ghatchek area of Rangunia municipality of Chattogram, police said.
Meanwhile, the students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) blocked the road protesting the death of two fellows for the 3rd consecutive day on Wednesday
Around 9 am, they took position on the road in front of Chuet placing tree trunks on the road and setting fire to the tyres to press home their demand for a safe road.
Two Cuet students—Shanto Saha, a 3rd year student and Tawfiq Hasan, a 2nd year student of Civil engineering department, died when a bus of ‘Shah Amanat’ paribahan hit a motorbike on Chattogram-Kaptai road at Zianagar in Rangunia upazila on Monday.
As soon as the news spread, some Cuet students vandalised three buses and set one more on fire on that day.
Body of Kaptai road crash victim received by inconsolable family in Narshingdi
A 7-member committee has been formed headed by Additional District Magistrate AKM Golam Morshed Khan of Chittagong district administration to investigate the accident.
Besides, the district administration assured to give Tk10 lakh to the families of the two students.
Two farmers die from heat stroke in Nilphamari
Two farmers died from heat stroke in separate upazilas of Nilphamari on Wednesday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Anarul Ahmen, 52, and Abu Taleb, 54.
In Domar Upazila, Anarul fell ill while working on a field under the open sky around 1:30pm. Later, locals rescued him and took him to the Domar Health Upazila Complex, where a doctor declared him dead.
Bus ploughs through shop in Bagerhat; one dies
Domar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohsin Ali confirmed the matter.
In Dimla upazila, Abu Taleb felt sick while working on farmland. Later, locals took him to the health complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Supply Chain Law: EU Council vote still needed
The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the proposed European law to require large companies to prevent and remedy human rights and environmental abuses in their global supply chains as a step forward for corporate accountability, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday.
Following the European Parliament’s vote, the law now needs final approval by ministers of EU member states. The EU ministerial vote is expected to take place in late May, according to the HRW.
The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks to introduce legal obligations for large corporations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their global supply chains.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
The Parliament’s vote in Strasbourg was on the 11th anniversary of the tragic collapse on April 24, 2013, of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 garment workers and injured over 2,000 others.
The proposed law requires large companies to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their own operations and in their global value chains. It considers large companies to be those with more than 1,000 employees on average and more than €450 million in net worldwide in the previous financial year.
It empowers regulators to take action against companies failing to conduct such due diligence and, in some situations, allows the victims of corporate abuses to approach European courts to seek justice.
“The 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster is a somber reminder of why a due diligence law is long overdue,” said Aruna Kashyap, associate director on corporate accountability at Human Rights Watch. “The European Parliament’s vote sends a strong message that the EU should no longer let large corporations get away with human rights and environmental abuses.”
The Rana Plaza disaster, alongside a range of other corporate abuses of human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards in global supply chains, have prompted rights groups, trade unions, and even some businesses to call for binding legislation to hold corporations accountable for abuses in their global supply chains.
Rights groups and social movements from around the world have campaigned for the European Union to adopt such legislation.These efforts have been critical to push back against corporate lobbying seeking to derail the proposed law.
The legislative process, which began in 2020, has been protracted and difficult, Human Rights Watch said.The governments of France, Italy, and Germany vastly curtailed the scope of the legislation, limiting its application to very large corporations, excluding certain sectors, and extending the time it would take before the directive comes into force.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
On March 15, a majority of ambassadors of EU member states approved the draft law, but only after significantly weakening a text that had been previously approved.
On March 18, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee approved the text.“The European Commission pledged to adopt a law to hold corporations accountable when they took office five years ago,” said Kashyap. “Ministers from EU member states should give a final nod to the text and pave the way for a new chapter on corporate accountability in global supply chains.”
Women should be made skilled in ICT sector: State Minister
Women should be made skilled in the ICT sector for the progress of the society and the country, State Minister for Education Begum Shamsun Nahar Chapa said on Wednesday.
"The demand for freelancing is increasing in a significant way but it is unfortunate that the participation of women in this sector in our country is very low," she said.
The state minister was speaking at the discussion titled "Empowering girls with ICT skills and employment: challenges and opportunities" organised by Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Center for Gender and Development Studies of the University at Muzaffar Ahmed Auditorium of Dhaka University.
Keeping in mind the future employment opportunities and needs, a vocational education system is being developed for women,she said.
The state minister also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has adopted a plan to further develop Bangladesh in technology. According to this plan digital technology is included in both public and private sectors.
Dr. Monjur Hossain, research director of Bangladesh Development Research Institute, presented an article at the meeting while professor Tanya Haque, director of Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatun Nescha Center for Gender and Development Studies, gave the welcome speech.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction initiatives in Bangladesh.
The MOU was signed on Wednesday by Md Mijanur Rahman, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh in the presence of the representatives from DDM and UNOPS.
The DG of the Disaster Management Department presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the shared commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering an empowered and Smart Bangladesh.
Environment Minister calls for unified action to safeguard Ganges River dolphin
With its infrastructure and procurement expertise, UNOPS will support DDM in rehabilitating critical infrastructure, providing emergency supplies and establishing robust field operations.
Additionally, specialized assistance will be extended in areas such as gender integration, stakeholder engagement and human-centered design.
Mijanur Rahman emphasized that this partnership, which aligns with Bangladesh's goal of reducing disaster risks, comes at a crucial time.
“With Bangladesh being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing an average of 7-10 tropical cyclones annually, and with over 60% of its land vulnerable to flooding, the collaboration with UNOPS is essential. This collaboration will enhance institutional capacity, implement innovative solutions, and facilitate knowledge sharing, fortifying Bangladesh's resilience against disasters and safeguarding vulnerable communities. Together, we can create a safer and more resilient future for all.”
Sudhir Muralidharan expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Today marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to build resilience and strengthen disaster preparedness in Bangladesh.
"This MOU between UNOPS and the Department of Disaster Management reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding communities across the country from the increasing impacts of climate change and natural hazards.”
"Through this partnership, we aim to leverage UNOPS' expertise in infrastructure, procurement and project management to support the Department in developing resilient infrastructure, fortifying emergency response capacities and rolling out innovative technologies. Our complementary strengths can pave the way for a more proactive, coordinated and holistic approach to disaster management.”
The MoU establishes a framework of cooperation and collaboration between UNOPS and DDM in various areas of common interest.
Bangladesh pledges to create a resilient world for all: Saber
Areas of Cooperation:
The cooperation aims to develop and implement plans aligning with government DRR policies, priorities and the Sendai Framework for DRR, enhance institutional capacity for disaster preparedness, coordinate efforts for pre and post-disaster situations, craft guidelines in line with international standards, explore innovative DRR solutions, and foster knowledge sharing to implement best practices, ensuring comprehensive disaster resilience in Bangladesh.
The partnership upholds the core principles of the Sendai Framework, prioritizing localized, inclusive and whole-of-society approaches to reduce disaster risks, minimize losses and safeguard human well-being.
By uniting DDM's mandate and UNOPS' technical strengths, the collaboration will ensure Bangladesh is well-equipped to anticipate, respond to, and recover effectively from cyclones, floods, and other hazards exacerbated by climate change.
This strategic alliance represents a significant milestone in fostering a partnership that aligns with the global 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Japanese envoy visits Japan-funded UNFPA project sites in Noakhali
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has visited the Horni Union Health & Family Welfare Center, the women-led community center in Chanondi Union, and Islamganj Janata High School.
He attended the inauguration of the renovated labor room and Rohingya refugee ward at the Noakhali district Sadar hospital.
During the two-day visit (April 22-23), the ambassador also discussed with the Divisional Director of Health, the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, the Hospital Superintendent, the Deputy Director of Family Planning, UNFPA, and its NGO partners.
Since the large influx of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar in August 2017, Japan has contributed over USD 220 million to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organizations and NGOs.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
These assistance included food assistance, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming, said the Embassy of Japan on Wednesday.
Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field, Ambassador Iwama said, “This is my first visit to the Noakhali dostrict, and I extend my appreciation to UNFPA for its unwavering commitment to promoting maternal health as well as addressing gender-based violence (GBV), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and the people of Japan.”
He said this is a unique contribution to bridging humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. “I hope this project will contribute to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled”.
“We are grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their generous support for the health, protection, and dignity of women, adolescent girls, and young people here in Noakhali,” said Masaki Watabe, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Bangladesh.
“The Japanese timely support to the health facilities is vital for ensuring that Rohingya refugees hosted in Bhasan Char have full access to life-saving emergency obstetric care through referral systems. With the Japanese support, we are also promoting life skill education in schools that help prevent child marriage and ensuring that community-based survivor-centred GBV services are made available and accessible.”
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More than six years have already passed since the onset of the crisis, it is essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world. Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue.