bangladesh
RRF elects Habibullah Mizan as president, Nishat Bijay as secretary
The Rail and Road Reporters Forum (RRF), a journalists organization specialized on road and railway coverage, has formed a new 25-member full Executive committee on Saturday.
The new committee was announced at a meeting of the forum at its Segunbagicha office in the capital.
Habibullah Mizan of the Daily Bangladesh Post and Nishat Bijay of BanglaNews24.com have been elected President and Secretary respectively for the next two years.
Other office bearers are: Nizamul Haque Bipul (Dhaka Prokash) as Senior Vice President, Rajan Bhattacharya (Kalbela) as Vice President, Saugata Bose (Ajker Patrika) as joint general secretary, Ekhlas Haque (Daily Inqilab) as Organizing Secretary, Sanmun Ahmed (Desh Rupantor) as Treasurer, Hasan Mehedi (Dhaka Times 24) as Office Secretary, Nazmul Huda (Manabzamin) as Publicity Secretary and Rajneen Farzana (Sara Bangla) as Women Affairs Secretary.
Zubair Ahmed (Bangla Tribune), Mostafizur Rahman (Dainik Sangbad), Jayant Kumar Saha (Daily Newspaper), Nahid Sabbir (Jagonews), and Abhijit Roy (Barta24) will take charge as Training and Workshop secretary, Publication Secretary, Cultural Secretary, Sports Secretary, and Information Technology Secretary respectively.
The executive members are: Ashish Kumar Dey (Pathoker Kontho), Lion Mohd Jahangir Alam (UNB), Shahjahan Swapan (FNS), Abu Zakir (Daily Messenger), SK Reza Parvez (RisingBD), Nazmul Hasan Likhan (Desh Rupantor), Qazi Mubarak Hossain (bdnews24.com), Akhtaruzzaman (Bangladesh Pratidin), Jannatul Ferdous Linda (GTV), and SM Russell Ahmed (Dainik Paribartan Sangbad).
Exemplary punishment for accused involved in mob beating over temple fire in Faridpur: Religious Affairs Minister
Calling Bangladesh a non-communal country, Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan on Saturday warned that exemplary punishments will be taken against those who were involved with the deaths of two construction workers in a mob beating following a fire in a temple in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur on Thursday night.
He said this while talking to the family members of the victims, also two brothers, during a visit to their house in Ghoperghat village under Naowarpara union of the upazila.
The minister condoled the victims’ parents and assured them of taking exemplary punishment against the accused involved with the mob beating, bringing them under trial.
Temple fire: BGB deployed after mob attack kills two youths in Faridpur
Faridul said, “I just want to tell you one thing, the honourable Prime Minister has instructed me, I also want to tell the administration quoting the Honourable Prime Minister that you (administration) will do whatever is necessary for the sake of justice at the earliest and let it be justice.”
Addressing the country as a non-communal one, he said no one else can commit such misdeeds and the criminals should not dare to do this in any other place.
Urging all to be patient, he expressed gratitude to all who stood by the victims’ families.
Minister Faridul provided the victims’ parents with the financial assistance of Tk two lakh. The injured will be given Tk 25000 each.
During the visit, he offered a prayer for the salvation of departed souls of the brothers at the graveyard and inspected the Hindu-dominated Panchpalli village where the mob beating occurred on Thursday night and talked to local residents.
Secretary to the ministry Md A Hamid Zamadder, district deputy commissioner Md Qamrul Islam and superintendent of police Mohammad Morshed Alam and other officials accompanied the minister.
On Thursday afternoon, a fire broke out at Kali idols of the Barwari temple in Hindu-dominated Panchpalli village.
Hindu residents became angry over the incident and they locked seven workers on suspicion of their involvement in the desecration of the idols.
The workers were constructing a wash block at Panchapalli Government Primary School, 20 yards off the temple.
On information, Madhukhali police and upazila administration officials rushed to the spot but the mob also confined them. Later with the help of Faridpur District Sadar and Rajbari District Police, the besieged people were rescued after a few hours.
Seven workers were rescued with injuries and taken to Madhukhali Upazila Health Complex and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur. Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
The deceased were identified as Ashraful, 21, and his younger brother Ashadul, 15, sons of Shahjahan Khan of Ghoperghat village under Naowarpara union of the upazila.
Later, three platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members led by a magistrate were deployed along with police to ease the tensions in the Dumain area.
Sports can build worthy citizens: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said children can build themselves as worthy citizens of the country through participation in sports, exercise and cultural events apart from studies.
“I want that our children will build themselves as the worthy citizens of the country through participating in sports, exercise and cultural events apart of studies,” she said.
The premier was addressing the prize distribution ceremony of Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament at the Army Stadium in the capital.
She said that while in power she tried to make children more interested in sports.
“Because sports provide physical and mental strength to human beings and teach discipline, obedience and patriotism,” she said.
Hasina said that through sports the country can be advanced further and make it better known to the whole world.
“We see that our boys and girls are showing their expertise in sports in the world arena,” she said.
In this connection she mentioned that women football team of Bangladesh became the champions of the SAFF Women Championship 2022.
She said that five players of that team emerged from this Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament.
The prime minister said that the government is building one mini stadium in every upazila aiming to create facilities for sports round the year.
“We are also creating scope for the disables and autistics to have practice and academy,” she said.
She also asked the authorities concerned to give equal scope for the domestic sports of the country side by side other sports.
“Through the domestic sports children will get chance to flourish their merits,” she said.
Earlier, the premier enjoyed the second half of the grand final held between Bancharampur Model Government Primary School, Brahmanbaria and Patgram Tepurgari BK Government Primary School, Lalmonirhat.
In the final of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament, Jamalpur's Motherganj Chargolabari Government Primary School beat Rangpur's Mithapukur Talimganj Government Primary School.
Patgram Tepurgari BK Government Primary School, Lalmonirhat beat
Bancharampur Model Government Primary School, Brahmanbaria in the final of the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament.
The prime minister distributed prizes and medals among the members of the champion and runner-up teams of the two tournaments.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Ministry Rumana Ali, Primary and Mass Education secretary Farid Ahmed also spoke at the event.
Dhaka records its season’s highest temp at 40.4°C, Jashore hits countrywide highest
The highest temperature in the capital Dhaka has been recorded at 40.4 degrees Celsius this season, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Today's highest temperature was recorded in Jashore at 42.6 degrees Celsius, which is also a season's high for the country.
2 die from heat stroke amid ongoing countrywide heat wave
The BMD issued a warning that the heat wave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing 9 am on Saturday (20 April).
Severe heat wave is sweeping Khulna division and Rajshahi, Pabna and Tangail districts. A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, the rest of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and Chandpur and Moulvibazar districts and it may continue.
Schools, colleges to remain closed till Apr 27 due to heat wave
In the face of current weather condition, the government has announced that schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical education institution across the country will remain closed until April 27
BAF chief departs for Egypt
Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan left Dhaka for Egypt on Saturday on an official visit along with three entourages.
Chief of Air Staff of the BAF will visit Egypt from 21-24 April at the invitation of the Commander of Egyptian Air Force.
During the visit, the Chief of Air Staff will visit Egyptian Air Force Headquarters in Cairo and make a courtesy call on the Commander of Egyptian Air Force to discuss various bilateral issues of mutual interest, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) media release.
Besides, Chief of Air Staff will visit Egyptian Air Force College, Combat Training School, 292 Air Brigade and various important installations.
The Chief of Air Staff will return to Bangladesh on 25 April after completing the visit.
Heatwave: National University-affiliated colleges to remain shut until further notice
All colleges affiliated to National University will remain closed until further notice due to a heatwave sweeping over the country.
This information was confirmed in a notice signed by the Director of Public Relations Department of National University Md Ataur Rahman on Saturday.
Schools, colleges to remain closed till Apr 27 due to heat wave
Earlier, the Education Ministry decided to keep all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical education institutions across the country closed from April 21 to 27.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the severe heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna and Tangail. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Barishal division, the rest part of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and the districts of Chandpur and Moulvibazar and it may continue.
No respite from heat wave for five days: BMD
ADB provides $71 mn for climate resilient water management in Bangladesh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh on Saturday signed a $71 million loan agreement to improve flood control, irrigation, and water resources management in rural communities in Gopalganj and Madaripur districts to strengthen their preparedness and resilience to the effects of climate change.
Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Edimon Ginting, Country Director, ADB, signed the loan agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, at a ceremony at ERD in Dhaka.
“This project reflects ADB’s renewed commitment to help Bangladesh tackle climate change challenges through improved flood control, irrigation, and water resources management,” said Edimon Ginting, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh.
“Building on our previous successful projects in this area, the new project will further boost economic growth and productivity, increase incomes and sustainable livelihoods, especially for women and vulnerable groups, and reduce poverty in rural areas of southwest Bangladesh,” Ginting added.
The Climate-Resilient Integrated Southwest Project for Water Resources Management Project is expected to benefit more than 600,000 people and will introduce climate-resilient flood control, drainage, and irrigation (FCDI) measures and reduce saline intrusion.
It will adopt nature-based solutions to strengthen FCDI infrastructure and improve drainage in four subbasins, ADB said.
The project will develop and enhance integrated water management plans, construct training centers for water management organizations, and other community infrastructure.
The project will promote participatory water resource management to foster local ownership and ensure sustainability.
It will strengthen the capacity of water management groups in the design, construction, and operation and maintenance of the facilities and support the establishment of joint management committees.
Support will be extended to form water management organizations in four subproject areas targeting women’s membership.
The project will also build the capacity of the Bangladesh Water Development Board to improve coordination of government agencies concerned with water resources management, supervise the activities of water management organizations, and integrate climate adaptation in its operations.
Based on the Global Climate Risk Index, Bangladesh is ranked seventh in terms of vulnerability to climate risk. Bangladesh faces increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather and slow-onset climate events.
Without effective adaptation measures, the country could lose about 30% of agricultural gross domestic product by 2050 because of climate variability and extreme events impacting rural communities, especially women, who depend on climate-sensitive agricultural practices and natural resources for their livelihoods.
COVID-19: Bangladesh reports 12 cases in 24hrs
Bangladesh reported 12 more COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 2,049,828, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,494 as no new fatalities were reported during this period.
The daily case test positivity rate was 4.01 percent as 388 samples were tested, said the DGHS.
The recovery and death rates stood at 98.41 percent and 1.44 per cent, respectively.
Aviation minister directs Biman to address concerns with Boeing, following whistleblower's warning
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan has directed Bangladesh Biman to talk to the Boeing Company about technical defects raised by a whistleblower- a former Boeing engineer, regarding the 787 Dreamliner jet.
He gave this instruction during a telephone conversation with Biman's managing director and chief executive officer Shafiul Azim today (20 Apr 2024).
The minister said that since the Dreamliner aircraft in the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are new, it has nothing to worry about the technical problems that have arisen for now.
Boeing predicts air travel in Bangladesh will double in next 10 years
“However, with a view to the future and to ensure passenger safety, it is necessary to quickly discuss technical issues with the aircraft manufacturer Boeing,” he said.
The whistleblower, in US Congressional hearings, urged Boeing to ground every 787 Dreamliner jet worldwide after warning they are at risk of premature failure.
Boeing bids farewell to an icon, delivers last 747 jumbo jet
Bajus decreases gold price by Tk840 per bhori, after raising it by Tk 4560 earlier
After raising gold price by Tk 4560 per bhori over three occasions in April, the Bangladesh Jeweller’s Association (Bajus) on Saturday announced a decrease of Tk 840 per bhori.
According to the latest announcement Bajus fixed the best quality 22- carat gold price at Tk118,798 per bhori (11.664 grams), effective from 3.30 pm on Saturday (April20).
On Wednesday Bajus announced the 22-carat gold price would be Tk 119,638 per bhori (rising Tk2065 per bhori), which would've been the highest ever. In April Bajus increased gold price thrice so far (April 6, 8, and 18) claiming a price hike in the global market.
Gold prices hit new record high
Masudur Rahman, Chairman of the Price Determination and Price Monitoring Standing Committee of BAJUS issued a notification of the price hike on Saturday.
As per the new price, per bhori (11.664 grams) of 22-carat gold will cost Tk 118,798 as Tk 10,185 per gram. Apart from this, the price of 21-gold has been set at Tk113397 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk 97196 per bhori and the traditional method price set at Tk78242.
Gold price goes up by Tk 3,499 per bhori over just two days
Though the price of gold has decreased, the price of silver has been kept unchanged. According to the category, currently, the price of 22-carat silver is Tk2100, 21-carat is Tk2006, 18-carat is Tk1715 and the price of silver in traditional is Tk1283.