bangladesh
Police charge baton on BNP rally in Khulna; 15 injured
Baton-wielding police on Monday clashed with BNP activists during a rally in Khulna city injuring several people, including a journalist, local BNP said.
The district BNP organised the rally in front of its office here as part of a nationwide programme to pressure the government to allow party chief Begum Khaleda Zia to travel abroad for better treatment. She is now receiving medical treatment in Dhaka’s Evercare hospital for multiple health problems.
Police used batons to try to disperse the rally after it started at 12 noon, said Shamsuzzaman Chanchal, assistant office-secretary of Khulna BNP. He said police detained some of the leaders and members of the party.
Also read: Journo among 20 hurt as BNP men, police clash in Natore
Nazrul Islam Monju, president of city BNP said the party will not be silenced by such actions of overzealous police.
Monju said local police are not even heeding the home minister who said BNP can hold such rallies.
Also read: Police foil BNP's hunger strike prog in Khulna
Fashion industry can become 80pc circular by 2030: Report
The fashion industry could become 80 percent circular by 2030 if there is an increased investment in the existing recycling technologies and infrastructures, said a new report on Monday.
The findings are based on an independent analysis and learning from the Circular Fashion Partnership in Bangladesh - a cross-sectoral project to scale post-industrial recycling and capture textile value domestically in Bangladesh - one of the largest garment producing countries in the world.
In order to deliver the 2030 scenario, it estimated that US$ 5-7 billion investment is needed by 2026. The shift also requires increased confidence in the business case, calling for greater transparency of the demand for recycled output and the consistent supply of traceable high-quality feedstock.
In the wake of COP26, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) , the leading non-profit for industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion, and its Strategic Knowledge Partner, McKinsey & Company, have published the new report - Scaling Circularity - which reveals the opportunities and investment required to scale circular fashion systems.
Also read: BGMEA, Good Fashion Fund team up to support innovative sustainability solutions
The clothing and textile industry accounts for 4% of global CO2eq emissions, equivalent to the emissions of France, Germany and UK combined, and material production is the largest polluter within the value chain – accounting for 70% of fashion’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Yet currently, less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing, representing a loss of more than 100 billion USD worth of materials each year.
Therefore, the report says, scaling circularity is crucial to deliver the radical emissions reduction needed to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree pathway and the other ambitious climate targets that were recently announced at COP26.
Scaling Circularity modeled the potential for scaling textile recycling across the full value chain in 2035 based on existing technologies.
This analysis suggests current technologies have the potential to deliver 75% textile-to-textile recycling into the fashion system, and a further 5% recycled feedstock from other industries.
Also read: Leading fashion players implement circular systems in Bangladesh
The analysis also indicated that major recycling technologies deliver better environmental outcomes across GHG emissions, water depletion and land use.
Plus, all technologies have the potential to be more cost effective than using corresponding virgin materials if they are scaled.
Federica Marchionni, CEO, Global Fashion Agenda, said the research proves that the necessary recycling technologies exist, deliver huge improvements in environmental impact and that the economics work at scale.
“The challenge is providing conditions for scaling. With sufficient investment, supportive policies, and by enabling pre-competitive collaborations, I am optimistic that we can create a profitable circular system and accelerate fashion’s journey to net zero.”
The report was made possible through the concerted and dedicated efforts of the GFA and McKinsey teams –particularly Holly Syrett, GFA’s Impact Programmes & Sustainability Director and Corinne Sawers, McKinsey’s Associate Partner.
Putting circularity into practice in Bangladesh the report highlighted learning from the Circular Fashion Partnership in Bangladesh.
Since its launch in October 2020, the partnership has mapped and traced over 1000 tonnes of textile waste in Bangladesh and is expected to reach over 200 tonnes a month by the end of 2021 – a significant achievement in the context of the global pandemic.
The analysis showcases the strong case for scaling this model to other markets including Vietnam, Turkey, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh, claiming there is a US$ 4.5 billion opportunity.
The case study also illuminates the critical actions needed to overcome the barriers to scaling systems including: formalising the informal waste management sector, providing alternatives to current use-cases for textile waste and assuring supply of quality feedstock and demand for recycling output.
Bangladesh reports 2 more deaths from Covid-19
Bangladesh reported two more Covid-linked deaths along with 264 fresh cases in 24 hours till Monday morning.
On Sunday, the country logged seven Covid-linked deaths with 199 cases while zero on Saturday with 178 cases.
With this, the daily case positivity rate rose to 1.42 per cent today from Sunday’s 1.16 per cent, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Today’s both the deceased were women, aged between 41 and 50. They were residents of Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.
Also read: Zero to 7, Bangladesh’s Covid daily death toll increases again
Of the 31 deaths recorded from November 15 to November, 21, 9.7 per cent received Covid vaccines while 90.3 per cent did not, the DGHS mentioned.
Comorbidities among Covid patients and deceased declined 11.14 per cent this week compared to the previous one. Comorbidity means the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient.
With the fresh numbers, the total fatalities rose to 27,955 while the caseload mounted to 1,574,352.
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.78 per cent.
The fresh cases were detected after testing 18,614 samples, the DGHS added.
Besides, the recovery rate increased slightly to 97.73 per cent, the highest so far, with the recovery of 339 more patients during the 24-hour period.
Also read: Zero death from Covid brings relief for Bangladesh
So far, 34,863,159 people have fully been vaccinated in the country while 54,783,648 received the first dose as of Sunday, according to the DGHS.
Dengue cases drop: 89 more hospitalized in 24 hrs
As many as 89 new dengue patients have been hospitalised in 24 hours until Monday morning, health authorities said.
Although dengue cases were supposed to drop ahead of winter, the country has been recording more than 100 dengue cases per day over the last few weeks.
On Sunday 110 people were hospitalised with dengue fever.
Also read: Dengue: 110 more hospitalized in 24 hrs
The number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 98 in the current year as no fresh death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the deceased, 90 people died in Dhaka division alone, two each in Chattogram, Mymensingh and Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi and Barishal divisions.
Among the new patients, 75 are undergoing treatment in hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining 14 cases have been reported from outside the division.
Some 506 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country as of Monday.
Of them, 388 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 118 were listed outside Dhaka.
Also read: Dengue cases keep rising: 142 more hospitalized in 24 hrs
Since January, some 26,453 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue in the country. So far, 25, 824 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS.
In September, the country recorded the highest number of 7,841 dengue cases of the current year with 23 deaths.
In October, the number of dengue cases came down to 5,604 with 22 deaths recorded.
Aminbazar 6 students killing: Verdict on December 2
A Dhaka court on Monday fixed December 2 to deliver its verdict in a case over the killing of six students at Aminbazar in Savar on the outskirts of the capital in 2011.
Judge Ismat Jahan of Dhaka Second Additional District and Sessions Judge Court fixed the date.
In the early hours of July 17, 2011, six students were beaten to death by angry mob after branding them as bandits at Aminbazar in Savar on the outskirts of the capital.
Three of the deceased were students of Mirpur Bangla College, while the others were of Tejgaon College, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology and Maple Leaf International School in the capital.
Read: Decision on legal steps against GCC mayor to be known soon: Tajul
Savar Model police filed a murder case against 60 people in connection with their involvement in the killing.
On January 13, 2013, Additional Police Super Sharif Uddin Ahmed of Rab Headquarters, also the investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the 60 accused.
The trial in the case started on July 8, 2013 after a court framed charges against the accused.
Read: SSC examinees, others suffer as transport strike begins in Sylhet
Decision on legal steps against GCC mayor to be known soon: Tajul
Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam said the decision about taking legal steps against Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) Mayor Jahangir Alam will be known within a day or two.
“The government is reviewing the legal issue and the decision will be known within a day or two,” he said.
The minister came up with the information while talking to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
“Legal action will be taken after scrutinizing the city corporation law, and we’ll let you know about it,” said Tajul.
Also read: Gazipur Mayor to seek review of his expulsion decision
On Friday, Awami League expelled its Gazipur unit general secretary and city mayor Jahangir Alam for life for his controversial comments on Bangabandhu and other local leaders.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee at Ganobhaban on Friday evening with party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
On October 3, Awami League issued a show cause notice to Jahangir Alam for his recent viral video with controversial comments on Bangabandhu, regarding the number of people martyred during the Liberation War and other local leaders.
He was asked to reply to the notice within 15 days.
The notice said Jahangir’s viral comments damaged the image and popularity of the political organization.
It is equal to going against the interest of the organization and breaking its disciplines which is a punishable offence according to the party’s constitution, it said.
Also read: Awami League expels Gazipur mayor Jahangir
Jahangir was asked through the letter to explain why organizational action should not be taken against him.
The mayor claimed that conspirators and anti-election groups have spread the 'technologically manipulated video' as propaganda against him.
Cabinet approves President’s draft speech to be delivered in Parliament
The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft speech of President Md Abdul Hamid to be delivered in the 15th session of the 11th Parliament on November 24 next on the occasion of 50 years of the country’s Independence.
The approval came at a virtual meeting of the cabinet held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: President to deliver speech in Parliament on Nov 24
“The President will deliver the speech in Parliament on November 24 during a special discussion on the occasion of 50 years of the country’s Independence. The Cabinet today approved the speech,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
As part of the yearlong celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence, the special discussion will be held on November 24 and 25 next.
Also read: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
Zila Parishad representatives can’t hold posts after tenure
Zila Parishad chairmen and members cannot hold posts after the 5-year tenure on any excuse as per the draft of the Zila Parishad (Amendment) Act 2021, which was approved by the Cabinet on Monday.
The approval came in a virtual meeting of the cabinet held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: Balanced development: Govt creates 3 new upazilas in 3 districts
“Zila Parishad representatives will have to leave their posts on the expiry of their tenure. The government would appoint administrator/s to run the local body until the formation of the next council (parishad),” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
S Korea to provide $ 100mn loan to help Bangladesh’s economic recovery
The government of South Korea has approved US$ 100 million in concessional loan from Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to help the recovery of Bangladesh’s economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new concessional loan of US$ 100 million will be used to implement several projects aimed at advancing public finance management system and improving small and medium-sized businesses struggling from the repercussion of the pandemic.
The amount would be released as soon as the loan agreement is signed between the Korea EXIM Bank and the Bangladesh Government which is expected to be done within the year.
Also read: Korea promotes young entrepreneurs’ development through business curriculum at universities
EDCF is a Korea’s development financing program for assisting the socio-economic development of developing countries.
The Republic of Korea has already provided US$ 50 million of EDCF loan as budgetary support in December 2020 to to help Bangladesh’s efforts for fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the second provision of this type of concessional loan.
It will be the first EDCF loan to be implemented under the new EDCF Framework Agreement for the years 2021 through 2025 which was signed between the two Governments on 24 October 2021, said the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka on Monday.
Also read: S Korean envoy Lee for diversifying collaboration with Bangladesh
According to the agreement, the Korean government will provide up to US$ 700 million of concessional loans to the government of Bangladesh for the five year period.
Bangladesh is the second largest recipient of the EDCF loans worldwide in aggregate amount.
So far, the Republic of Korea has funded 24 development projects of Bangladesh with total amount of USD$ 1.2 billion US dollars through the EDCF.
EU envoy hosts special school children at his residence
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Monday hosted special children with different abilities at his residence and enjoyed their cultural performances putting emphasis on their inclusion in society.
A new book titled “Amar Nam Runa” (My Name is Runa) was also launched at the event and reading of the book is expected to lead to more inclusive and open society.
The book tells the real life story of Runa depicting how she grew up and what are the difficulties she faced and what is the current way of living life for her.
Also read: Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU
“The book is about the life experience of a girl with disabilities and of appeal for new school building,” said EU Ambassador Whiteley.