bangladesh
Lightning kills 19-year-old in city
A 19-year-old youth died after being struck by lightning in the city's Kawla area of Dakshin Khan on Thursday, his family members said.
The deceased was identified as Md Rahat Ahmed Badhon, son of Md Nurunnabi from Cumilla.
According to the victim's brother Rakib, Rahat became unconscious while playing on a field near their house after a bolt of lightning struck him around 5.30pm.
Also read: Lightning kills 3 in Sunamganj
Badhon was first taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where he was declared dead on arrival around 8 pm, said Bacchu Mia, inspector in-charge of DMCH police outpost.
The body has been sent for an autopsy, he added.
Also read: Lightning strikes kill 6, injure 3 in four districts
Global Covid cases top 534 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now crossed 534 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 534,122,368 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,317,436 on Friday morning.
The US has recorded 86,271,283 cases so far and 1,032,862 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 22 cases, zero death
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,169,599 on Thursday while 524,641 people have died from the virus, as per the data.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh registered 22 new Covid cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning, taking the country's total caseload to 1,953,563.
The country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,131 as no deaths were reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily test positivity rate dropped to 0.42 percent from Wednesday’s 0.63 percent as 5,225 samples were tested.
The country on Wednesday saw 34 cases with zero deaths.
Also read: WHO believes COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.43 percent as 268 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 a Covid vaccine while three were vaccinated with two doses.
Dhaka interested to receive US investment from DFC for infrastructure opportunities
Bangladesh has expressed interest in receiving U.S. development finance from the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for a wide range of infrastructure opportunities.
The United States affirmed it would consider Bangladesh’s request while emphasizing the need for Bangladesh to implement the ILO road map.
Bangladesh raised the issue at the second Bangladesh-US high-level economic consultation held in Washington, DC on Thursday.
Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez co-chaired the discussion.
Also read: Washington briefs Dhaka on Indo-Pacific economic framework
The United States acknowledged the government of Bangladesh’s progress with respect to workers’ rights in Bangladesh in, for example, instituting safety reforms in the garment export sector, simplifying trade-union registration, developing a publicly accessible trade-union database, establishing helplines to receive complaints, digitalizing labor inspection and strengthening labor courts, according to US Department of State.
The US urged Bangladesh to take further steps to adhere to internationally recognized labor rights standards, including those developed by Bangladesh for its International Labor Organization (ILO) road map.
Bangladesh expressed its commitment to swiftly pass necessary reforms and fully implement the four priority areas of the ILO road map, according to a joint statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday.
Bangladesh also expressed a commitment to address other areas of labor reform including improving workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in export processing zones (EPZs) and gradually in other sectors across Bangladesh’s economy.
Both sides decided that the effective implementation and enforcement of international labor standards can help the economies of both countries recover from the pandemic, broaden economic gains, and unlock further economic potential with other trade partners by creating an attractive business environment.
Climate, Energy & Health
The US commended Bangladesh on its admirable response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangladesh has fully vaccinated over 76 percent of its population and partially vaccinated over 99 percent of the eligible population.
Bangladesh expressed gratitude for the over 64 million vaccine doses the United States donated, in partnership with COVAX, to support Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response efforts.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks Swedish support to overcome climate challenges
The US welcomed Bangladesh’s interest in the United States-developed COVID-19 Prioritized Global Action Plan for Enhanced Engagement so that Bangladesh could share best practices with the world on its effective vaccination of its population and Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN).
The US also highlighted Bangladesh’s role as a global climate leader.
Both sides emphasized the importance of delivering on and strengthening existing commitments in the lead-up to COP 27.
The US encouraged Bangladesh to consider joining the Global Methane Pledge, urge major emitting countries to do more on climate initiatives, and continue outlining adaptation priorities.
Bangladesh welcomed USAID’s climate support, including a review of embankments to assess the feasibility of nature-based solutions to protect critical biodiverse areas from degradation.
Bangladesh encouraged U.S. companies to invest in clean energy to help Bangladesh advance on its COP nationally determined contribution targets for climate.
Strengthening Business Engagement
The meeting participants celebrated the strong and growing economic partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, a highlight of our 50 years of bilateral relations.
The US highlighted Bangladesh’s evident potential to be a regional leader in digital trade and noted with appreciation steps taken by Bangladesh to adopt a transparent regulatory environment to secure broad-based foreign investment in its bourgeoning digital economy sector.
Bangladesh welcomed investment from U.S. firms in Bangladesh, including in the renewable energy, telecommunications, and agricultural and food processing sectors and to its economic zones.
Bangladesh warmly welcomed a U.S. concept of a U.S.-Bangladesh Women’s Council, which would enhance women’s employment, entrepreneurship, and access to educational opportunities in support of a more equitable future.
Both sides decided to coordinate more on implementing existing transparent commercial policies and consistent enforcement of intellectual property rights in Bangladesh.
Washington briefs Dhaka on Indo-Pacific economic framework
The United States has briefed Bangladesh on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Bangladesh welcomed additional information on the supply chain resilience and decarbonization pillars of the IPEF.
Bangladesh also sought U.S. technical assistance to sustainably explore its ocean resources and further develop its blue economy in pursuit of environmental protection and economic prosperity.
The issues came up for discussion at the second Bangladesh-US high-level economic consultation held in Washington, DC on Thursday.
Also read: Dhaka interested to receive US investment from DFC for infrastructure opportunities
Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez co-chaired the discussion.
US President Joe Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP.
Earlier on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched IPEF.
There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely.
Both countries share a common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all, according to a joint statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday after the high-level economic consultation.
Bangladesh highlighted that resumption of non-stop flights between New York City and Dhaka is a high priority.
Also read: Dhaka, Washington to discuss trade, investment, labour rights Thursday
Both sides are committed to taking the next steps to move this forward at the earliest.
Bogura woman found hanging
Police recovered the body of a woman hanging inside her room with a scarf around her neck in Bogura's Dhunat upazila Thursday.
Shapla Khatun, 19, was from Tarash upazila of Sirajganj.
She got married to Alamgir Hossain of Dhunat two years ago. After that, her husband left for Dhaka for work and stays there now.
Shapla lived at her parents-in-law's house with her four-month-old daughter.
And there had been a domestic disputes at the house for the last one year, the locals said.
On Thursday morning, family members found that Shapla killed herself by hanging and immediately got in touch with the police, Kripa Sindhu Bala, officer-in-charge of Dhunat Police Station, said. "We have registered a case of unnatural death for now."
Although no complaint from the family had been lodged, the body was sent to the morgue of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College for autopsy, she said.
Also read: 3 hanging bodies recovered from different parts of Naogaon in 24 hours
Two kids drown in Chandpur
Two minors drowned in a pond near their home in the village of Munsirhat Dighaldi in Matlab Dakshin upazila of Chandpur district on Thursday noon.
The deceased were identified as Minhaj, 3, son of Mizan Mridha, and Hanjala, son of Muktar Mijhi of the same age.
Neighbour Al Amin said Minhaj and Hanjala were playing near the pond adjacent to their house, when at one stage they fell into the pond.
Later, family members found their lifeless bodies floating on the surface of the pond and took them to Chandpur government general hospital, where doctors declared them officially dead, said Dr Animash Chakroborty.
Also read: Manikganj: 5-year-old drowns while swimming in Kaliganga
Missing gold trader found dead after 5 months
Police have recovered the body of a gold trader from Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj five months after he went missing.
Anup Baul, a gold trader in Old Dhaka's Tanti Bazar, was from Teghoria union of South Keraniganj.
Biplob Baul, the younger brother of the deceased, said Anup was owed Tk2 lakh by his business partner Noyon – that at the time of his disappearance he was trying to get back.
In fact, on the day Anup went missing, last January 4, Noyon had told him over the phone that he was ready to pay up, for which he asked to meet in Sirajdikhan. Since then, Anup had been missing.
A general diary was filed at Sirajdikhan Police Station the next day.
Later Biplob lodged a complaint at Dhalpur RAB-10 office in the capital.
Police's Detective Branch (DB) detained Noyon over the incident and questioned him, according to Khorshed Alam, superintendent of police at PBI Dhaka district unit.
Based on Noyon's information, police recovered Anup's body Thursday and sent it to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, added the officer.
Also read: Missing man found dead in Sylhet
Banshkhali power plant likely to start generating electricity this year
The Banshkhali power plant – SS Power I Limited – in Chattogram is expected to start producing electricity by the end of 2022.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming visited the under-construction thermal plant Thursday in coastal upazila Banshkhali.
Officials of the plant, developed as a joint venture with local partner S Alam Group, said one of the units of the under-construction 1320MW coal-fired power plant will be commissioned by December this year.
The Chinese ambassador said many such power plants are being built with the help of Chinese people and Chinese teams: "And this is the second (power plant) that is going to be completed very soon (in Bangladesh)."
"I've been to Payra, which is exactly the same size. And I'm glad that this one (Banshkhali power plant) is almost ready. Payra power plant, as far as I know, helped Bangladesh realise its 100 percent electrification target,” Ambassador Li said.
"I'm sure that this one (Banshkhali) will enhance the 100 percent electrification of this country," he added.
About the environmental concerns, Li Jiming said: "The plant is being constructed with state-of-the-art technology. I don't think there should be any environmental concern about this project."
Being built on 606 acres of land in the Gandamara union of Banshkhali since 2015, the power plant near the Bay of Bengal is one of the most significant joint ventures between Bangladesh and China.
"This project is going on smoothly, and the construction is on schedule, which is very important when it (the power plant) is put into operation, you will get profit from it," the Chinese envoy said.
Also read: Power flow set up from Payra plant to Rampal sub-station
TowerCos can help consumers save up to $67 billion: Study
Tower Companies (TowerCos) can help mobile network operators (MNOs) save up to $10 billion through infrastructure sharing and result in cumulative savings of up to $67 billion for consumers due to affordable 5G connectivity by 2025, according to a study.
Edotco Group, an integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company in Asia, launched the study "Towering Above: Building Tomorrow's Digital Infrastructure in Asia" in collaboration with Roland Berger.
The report, launched during a panel discussion featuring edotco, Roland Berger and the International Finance Corporation, explores the critical roles and potential impact of TowerCos across nine key Asian markets – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
It shows how TowerCos are stimulating sustainable digital connectivity to realise incremental socio-economic benefits for industries, societies and governments, in addition to assessing how key policies and regulatory reform recommendations can unlock such opportunities.
According to the report, digital infrastructure is becoming a critical digital economy enabler, with 5G expected to transform the industry.
TowerCos are now transforming their roles to become digital infrastructure providers, in addition to working closely with industry stakeholders to undertake deeper forms of active infrastructure sharing.
READ: Carbon emissions dip, at least briefly, in China, study says
Not only are these services critical to stimulate development during the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, but such partnerships are also crucial for preparing economies for the 5G era – an age that will further revolutionise network usage and unlock new opportunities while easing the MNOs' investment and deployment challenges.
"While MNOs are rapidly expanding their network in low average revenue per user (ARPU) markets such as Asia, they face a significant challenge in keeping their cost per GB under control while striving to meet the industry demands and adhering to regulators' intended policy and regulatory outcomes. These can only be addressed sustainably through a higher degree of infrastructure sharing," Gayan Koralage, director of group strategy at edotco Group, said.
Although Southeast Asia and South Asia are among the fastest-growing sub-regions in terms of average data usage per user, MNOs have not been able to capitalise on the traffic trend here.
This is causing the continuous decline in ARPU, making it challenging for MNOs to generate returns that are commensurate with their cost of capital, according to the report.
The study notes that leading TowerCos are poised to assist MNOs by moving up the value chain. Namely, this is by offering innovative 5G-enabled solutions such as OpenRAN, Network-as-a-Service solutions and Edge Computing to help MNOs achieve greater cost and network efficiency.
Forward-looking regulatory reforms and policy changes are needed for TowerCos to realise their potential in the next normal, it says. "These include providing incentives and introducing a more conducive regulatory framework for TowerCos to explore more innovative partnerships and services."
1 held after Kushtia college girl forced to marry at gunpoint
Police said on Thursday that they arrested a man and were looking for several others in a case filed in connection with forcing a college girl into marriage at gunpoint.
Police named the arrestee as Md Faruk, 43, of Panti village in Kumarkhali upazila in the district.
But the main accused Golam Dastagir Titas,45, whom the girl was forced to marry was still on the run along with about 20 other alleged accomplices, police said.
Read: Two held with 2.30 lakh USD at Dhaka airport
According to the case Titas led the gang to burst into the girl’s house in Kumarkhali upazila and tied her mother up with ropes before forcing her to sign the marriage registration book.
The case was filed at the Kumarkhali Police Station on a complaint from the girl’s mother, said Kamruzzaman Talukdar, officer-in-charge of the station.
Golam Dastogir Titas, 45, was named as the main accused in the case filed against 20 people, some of them unnamed.
The girl completed her graduation from a local college this year.
Read: Chattogram brother, sister get life imprisonment for acid attacks on cousins
She complained that Titas has been pestering her with the marriage proposal for the past six years. He also threatened to kill her unless she accepts the proposal.
Efforts are on to nab the others accused, said the OC.