bangladesh
Rajshahi sees 18 more Covid-19 deaths in 24 hrs
Eighteen more Covid patients have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in 24 hours till Sunday morning, health officials said.
Read: 13 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
Six of the patients died of Covid-19 while seven died with symptoms of the virus and the remaining died with post-Covid complications, said Director General of the hospital Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani.
Besides, six of them were from Rajshahi district, four from Natore, one each from Chapainawabganj and Kushtia and three each from Naogaon and Pabna districts.
Besides, 140 people have tested positive for Covid at the hospital during the 24-hour period. Some 428 samples were tested in two laboratories of the district during the period, the director said.
Read: Rajshahi hospital sees 18 more Covid deaths in 24 hrs
Currently, 418 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital which has 513 beds.
RMCH has been one of the most stretched hospitals in the country during the second wave of Covid-19, particularly since the latter part of May when the deadly Delta variant of the virus was identified in multiple samples in Rajshahi division.
68 more return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight
Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has facilitated repatriation of a group of 68 Bangladeshi, Indian and Thai nationals from Thailand to Bangladesh by a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.
The flight was arranged on a self-payment basis in line with Bangladesh Government’s commitment to extend all possible assistance and support to stranded Bangladeshis abroad.
Read: More people return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight
The Biman Bangladesh flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye thanked the Thai Government for extending their cooperation in this regard.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok has so far facilitated 16 special flights from Bangkok to Dhaka in coordination with the authorities concerned in Bangladesh and Thailand.
Read:78 Bangladeshis, foreign nationals arrive from Thailand
Officials of the Embassy saw the passengers off at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and extended necessary consular and other assistance for their departure formalities.
Factories reopen amid Covid surge as ‘economy falters’
Export-oriented industries resumed operation on Sunday, the 10th day of the ongoing stringent lockdown, amid warnings against Covid surge as workers started returning to their workplaces without maintaining health protocols.
The workers in their thousands have been on their way back to their workplaces in Narayanganj, Gazipur and Mymensingh in Dhaka division since Friday after the government’s announcement of reopening factories.
Read:Vessels to move till 12 pm Sunday to carry factory workers
The workers took their arduous journeys to get back to their workplaces as public transport remained suspended due to the lockdown.
They walked miles for miles or moved on in hired auto-rickshaws, motorbikes, goods-laden vehicles in their desperate bid to join work.
Later, the government on Saturday night allowed public transport to operate until 12 pm on Sunday to facilitate the return of workers.
Buses started plying roads from early Sunday and people were seen entering the capital through Gabtoli, Abdullahpur, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Postagola and Babubazar point by bus or on foot.
The Covid-19 crisis has hit the country’s economy hard and jeopardized its impressive achievements in poverty reduction, according to economists.
‘Robber’ killed in ‘gunfight’ with Rab in Gazipur
A suspected robber was killed in a 'gunfight' with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Satchungipar in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur district early Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Parvez Ahmed, ringleader of inter-district robber gang.
Read: Rohingya gang leader killed in Ukhiya gunfight
Pervez was wanted in 23 criminal cases, said Mushfiqul Rahim Tushar, assistant director of Rab-1 (media).
Tipped off, a team of Rab-1 conducted an anti-narcotics drive in the area around 1 am.
Read: ‘Top terrorist’ killed in Cox’s Bazar ‘gunfight’
Sensing the presence of the Rab personnel, Parvez and his two associates opened fire on Rab men, forcing them to fire back.
At one stage, Pervez was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while the two others managed to flee the scene.
Read: 'Drug peddler' killed in Gazipur gunfight
The elite force members recovered one pistol and some Yaba pills from the spot
Later, the body was taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College and Hospital.
Bangladesh, India start freight train services on Haldibari-Chilahati route
Bangladesh and India on Sunday started regular operation of freight trains through restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail route, aiming to "strengthen rail connectivity and bilateral trade" between the two countries.
It will also enhance rail network accessibility to the main ports and dry ports to support the growth in regional trade and to encourage economic and social development of the region, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday.
Read:After 56 yrs, Bangladesh-India rail link to reopen Sunday
The Haldibari- Chilahati rail link is the fifth rail link between Bangladesh and India that has been made operational.
The commodities that can be exported from India to Bangladesh through this rail route include stones and boulders, food grain, fresh fruits, chemical fertilizer, onion, chilies, garlic, ginger, fly ash, clay, limestone and wood.
From Bangladesh to India all exportable commodities are permitted.
Indian Railways dispatched the first freight train loaded with stones from Damdim station of Northeast Frontier Railway to Bangladesh.
After the partition in 1947, 7 rail links were operational between India and the then East Pakistan (up to 1965).
Read:BR Masterplan: Riding train to a prosperous future?
Ambassador Muhith takes over chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Group in Vienna
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Agencies and other International Organizations in Vienna Muhammad Abdul Muhith has taken over the chairmanship of the Group of Aisa-Pacific States (APG) in Vienna.
Read:Ambassador Ito sees 5 challenges ahead to elevate Dhaka-Tokyo ties
In the 54-member group, the Chair plays a vital role in coordinating the positions of this unique and diverse group with regard to the UN agencies, conferences and processes based in Vienna, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Ambassador Muhith vowed to effectively promote the APG’s collective interests on important issues such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovative and peaceful use of nuclear technology, climate action, inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), and to tackle global challenges such as transnational crimes including terrorism, narcotic drugs and corruption as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resilient and green recovery.
Read: Peter Haas nominated next US Ambassador to Bangladesh
Bangladesh took over the Chairmanship from Afghanistan at a virtual handover ceremony recently which was attended by the Permanent Representatives and other diplomats of the APG member states in Vienna.
Covid-19: 18 more lives lost in Kushtia
Eighteen more Covid-related deaths were reported at Kushtia General Hospital in 24 hours till Sunday morning amid a devastating virus situation across the country.
“All the deceased were Covid-19 patients,” said Md Mejbaul Alam, statistics officer of the hospital.
Read: Covid-19: Kushtia sees 7 more deaths in 24 hrs
Besides, 181 people have tested positive for the virus in the district in the past 24 hours and 533 samples were tested during the period, he said.
The positivity rate currently stands at 33.95%.
Meanwhile, 243 people with Covid symptoms are currently undergoing treatment at the leading medical facility.
Read: Kushtia man ends up 'fully vaccinated' in ten minutes
So far, 14,416 people have been infected with the virus in the district while the death toll from Covid topped 584. On the other hand, 10,795 people have recovered from Covid to date.
Covid patient in Chandpur ‘attempts suicide’
A Covid-19 patient, undergoing treatment at Chandpur General Government Hospital, reportedly attempted suicide by jumping off the second floor of the hospital on Saturday.
Witnesses said Beauty Begum, 35, wife of Khokon Mia of Algi village in Haimchar upazila, has been undergoing treatment at the isolation ward of the hospital for the past 11 days.
Read: Covid patient ‘commits suicide’ in Satkhira
When Beauty’s mother-in-law who was attending her went to the toilet around 6 PM, she jumped off the second floor of the hospital, injuring her right leg and backbone, said its medical officer, Omar Faruk.
Though she is still Corona positive, Beauty was doing well, Faruk said, adding that she is now being treated for her bone injuries.
Global Covid situation worsening as cases near 198 million
The overall number of global Covid cases is fast approaching 198 million, as the world continues to battle against the devastating second wave of the pandemic.
Although the situation in Europe is improving, globally it is worsening as the Delta variant of Covid-19 has now been detected in 124 territories worldwide, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the US-based Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 197,767, 859 while the death toll from the virus reached 4,215,888 on Sunday morning.
Read: Global Covid cases top 197mn as Delta variant presents new challenges
So far, 4,078,901,841 vaccine doses have been administered across the world.
The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 34,975,540 cases. Besides, 613,135 people have lost their lives in the US to date, as per the JHU data.
Brazil registered 910 more Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising its national death toll to 556,370, the health ministry said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the total caseload rose to 19,917,855 after 37,582 new cases were detected.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 31,613,993 on Saturday as 41,649 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.
Besides, as many as 593 deaths due to the pandemic since Friday morning took the total death toll to 423,810.
Situation in Bangladesh
As health authorities scramble to prevent the spread of the Delta variant, Bangladesh added 218 fatalities to its national tally on Saturday.
The country registered over 200 single-day fatalities for the last six days as it is fighting a horrific wave of the pandemic that overwhelmed its healthcare systems.
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
The country recorded 9,369 new cases on Saturday after testing 30,980 samples, and reported the highest daily Covid-19 fatality number – 258 – on July 27 and 16,230 infections the next day, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
There have been 1,249,484 positive cases and 20,685 coronavirus-related deaths here since the pandemic began, the DGHS said.
Astrazeneca’s fresh rollout
On a positive note, Bangladesh will resume vaccination with Astrazeneca shots within the next few days, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque.
“We’ll resume vaccination with Astrazeneca jabs within the next 2-1 days. Those who failed to take the second dose after getting the first one will be able to get it now,” he said.
He said the government has an overall stock of 2 crore 60 lakh vaccine doses now.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday received the second consignment of AstraZeneca vaccine doses from Japan under the COVAX facility.
Read: Covid-19: What life is like when hospitals refuse admission!
The second consignment contains 7,81,320 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.
A cargo flight of Cathay Pacific that carried the vaccine doses from Japan landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:15 pm.
The third consignment that will contain 6,16,780 doses of the vaccine is scheduled to arrive here on August 3.
August 15 Tragedy: Month of Mourning begins
August, the month when Bangladesh lost its founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, began today (Sunday) in a sombre mood.
A cable of army officers killed the Father of the Nation along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975.
Every year, the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies chalk out month-long programmes on the occasion but this year will be different because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Awami Swechchasebak League on Saturday midnight observed the month of National Mourning Day with a torch procession on Dhaka streets marching towards Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
Also read: AL volunteers front ushers in month of mourning
Different political and socio-cultural organisations have also chalked out month-long programmes on the occasion.
This year, the nation will observe National Mourning Day and the 44th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangabandhu.
Bangladesh Awami Jubo league will distribute the relief to the helpless people and needy people considering the corona situation as part of its month-long programme in the city while Krishak League will also launch blood donation programmes centrally at Bangabandhu Avenue on the day.
On August 5, marking the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Shaheed Sheikh Kamal, wreaths will be placed at his portrait on the premises of Abahani Club at Dhanmondi at 8:30am while wreaths will be laid at his grave at Banani Graveyard at 9:15am.
On August 8, wreaths will be placed at her grave at Banani Graveyard at 9:00am to observe the birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib.
Also read: Month of Mourning: BSA launches 4-week lineup of online events
On August 15, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day, homage will be paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 at 8:30 am.
Homage will also be paid to other August 15 martyrs by laying wreaths at their graves at Banani Graveyard at 9:15am on that day.
An AL delegation will pay tributes to the Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 11:00am on the day while special prayers will be arranged at all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship across the country to observe the National Mourning Day.
Also read: Month of mourning begins Saturday
Besides, a discussion will be arranged marking National Mourning Day at 3:30pm on August 16 at Bangabandhu Avenue on August 17, while Dhaka city south units of AL will organise a discussion commemorating the countrywide series of bomb attacks that took place on the day in 2005.
Bangabandhu’s family members -- Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, Bangabandhu’s brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabad, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and military secretary Colonel Jamil were killed on the fateful night of August 15, 1975. Bangabandhu’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana escaped the assassination as they were in Germany.