bangladesh
Domestic help dies after falling off building in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi
A 25-year-old domestic help died after falling off the fifth floor of a building in the city’s Dhanmondi area early Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Nasrin, hailed from Bhola.
Body of missing fisherman recovered after 38 hours in Kishoreganj
Muhit Khan, sub-inspector of Dhanmondi Police Station, said Nasrin had been working at the house as a domestic help for six years.
Body of a man found near CUET gate
On information, police recovered the body of Nasrin around 3 am and sent it to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Police are investigating whether the girl committed suicide or it was an accident, said the SI.
Woman’s throat-slit body recovered in Chattogram
Rain, thundershowers likely across the country
Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicted rain or thundershowers across the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Saturday.
“Light to moderate rain/thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at most places over Khulna, Barishal & Chattogram divisions and at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” according to a BMD bulletin.
Light to moderate rains likely in Dhaka, other parts of country
Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
The axis of monsoon trough runs through Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends upto North Bay.
Weather forecast: Light to moderate rain likely in Dhaka, other parts of Bangladesh
Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over North Bay.
Light to moderate rain likely in Dhaka, elsewhere in Bangladesh over 24 hours
Mother, son among 5 killed in Bogura road crashes
Five people including a woman and her son were killed in separate road accidents in Adamdighi and Shajahanpur upazilas of Bogura district on Friday night and early Saturday.In Adamdighi upazila, three people were killed in a head-on-collision between two trucks on Bogra-Naogaon regional highway at Murail early Saturday.
Schoolboy dies in road crash in BoguraTwo of the deceased were identified as Mostaque, 45, and Rafiqul Islam, 34, while the identity of the other could not be known immediately.
College teacher killed as bus runs over him in BoguraThe accident occurred around 3:30 am when the two trucks collided head-on, leaving three people dead on the spot, said Rezaul Karim, officer-in-charge of Adamdighi Police Station.In Shahjahanpur upazila, a woman and her five-year-old son were killed and another was injured when a truck hit a motorbike on Dhaka-Bogra highway at Katabaria on Friday night.The deceased were identified as Zakia Akter Tasli, 25, wife of Mostafizur Rahman Mithu and their son Tashfian Rahman of Baranjul village.The accident occurred around 8 pm when the paddy-laden truck rammed the motorbike carrying three people, leaving Zakia and Tashfian dead on the spot and Mithu, husband of Zakia, injured, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Shahjahanpur Police Station.
2 women crushed under trains in BoguraMithu was taken to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital.Police seized the truck and arrested its driver.
Flood situation worsens in Kurigram
The flood situation in Kurigram district deteriorated further as water levels in all the major rivers in the region are rising rapidly.
Abdullah Al Mamun, Executive Engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board, said the Dudhkumar river was flowing 42 cm above its danger level while the Dharla river was flowing 22 cm above the red mark.
Besides, the water level of Teesta and Brahmaputra rivers is also increasing rapidly.
Flood situation may worsen in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari: FFWC
Due to the rise in the water level of all major rivers, the roads were submerged while flood water also entered houses, causing untold suffering to the dwellers, especially sanitation problems and creating a shortage of drinking water.
Flood situation improves in Sunamganj; water levels of rivers fall
According to the local administration, they are preparing a list of flood-affected areas, and food assistance has already been provided to 800 families in the area.
The worsening flood situation may continue for 3-4 more days and then it may abate, said Engineer Abdullah.
Flood situation in Netrokona’s low-lying areas may improve in 24 hours: FFWC
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
Dhaka’s air is no longer world’s most polluted.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 93 at 9:11 am, Dhaka today ranked 15th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Dhaka's air quality continues to be in 'moderate' zone
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Qatar’s Doha, the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 181, 173 and 129, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
Dhaka’s air quality ‘moderate’ this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka's air quality still in the 'moderate' range
ARTICLE 19 concerned by DSA case against RTV reporter
ARTICLE 19 has expressed concern over the Digital Security Act case filed against Yeasmein Akter Adhora, staff reporter of private television station RTV, for reporting on the Rajarbagh Darbar Shareef pir.
ARTICLE 19, an international free speech watchdog, also urged the authorities to take no further action on the case against the journalist and withdraw it immediately.
Faruq Faisel, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 South Asia said, “The role of journalists in ensuring transparency and accountability is undeniable. This case is the latest addition to the series of cases against journalists and rights activists who have misused the controversial provisions of the Digital Security Act since its inception. Such cases always damage the independence and objectives of journalism.”
Adhora reported on the allegations of various crimes including the prosecution of Pir Dillur Rahman and his syndicate centred on Rajarbagh Darbar Shareef in the capital, harassment of numerous people across the country, land grabbing, etc.
Shakerul Kabir, one of the associates of Pir Dillur Rahman, filed the case against the journalist under sections 24, 25 and 29 of the Digital Security Act 2018.
Sections 25 and 29 have been regularly flagged by various stakeholders as among the most egregious sections of the DSA, which caused UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk in March to call on the government "to immediately suspend its application of the Digital Security Act".
Even yesterday (Thursday), Law Minister Anisul Huq had to provide assurances to a visiting US delegation led by the under-secretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, Uzra Zeya, that the DSA will be amended within September.
"We had talks about DSA. I have told them the same thing that I had told earlier. I have told them that the DSA would be amended within September," he told journalists after coming out of his meeting with the US delegation.
This has led some to legitimately question why citizens should continue to suffer the brunt of an act that is acknowledged as flawed, and only awaits correction.
One of the most glaring examples at present of bearing that brunt is the case of Khadijatul Kubra, a student of political science at Jagannath University, who has been languishing in jail for 11 months now. Earlier this week the Supreme Court stayed for another four months a High Court order that granted her bail in two separate cases filed under the Digital Security Act.
That puts her next hearing at a date well beyond when the law minister has said the act under which she was sued will be amended.
Teesta flowing 40cm above danger level at Dimla
The Teesta river's water level was recorded 40cm above the danger mark at the Teesta Barrage point in Dalia, located in Nilphamari's Dimla upazila, at 6am on Friday.
It had marooned at least five thousand families of 15 char villages of seven unions of Dimla.
At least 500 families of Kelapara, Tapur Char and Chatunama Char had knee-deep water in their houses causing sufferings for families as well as cattle.
"Suddenly, the water came. As the water rose quickly, houses and stoves all went down. Now we can't drink water or cook at home," said Shefali Begum, a housewife of Kellapara village of Jhunagachha Chapani union of Dimla upazila.
Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker, chairman of Khalishachapani Union Parishad of Dimla upazila, said: "Around 1,200 families of Chhotokhata and Baispukur villages of the union were marooned as the water rose at night. These families spent sleepless nights in fear."
Dalia Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Asfauddoula said, "The water of Teesta river is flowing 40cm above the danger level due to heavy rainfall in the local areas and upstream of the river in India for the last few days."
"All the water gates of the barrage (44) have been opened to keep the situation normal. Due to the rise in water, the flatlands of teesta river have been flooded and many houses have been damaged," he added.
The officer also said, "We have received predictions that the water will be above the danger level in the next 12 hours and after 12 hours, the water will start receding continuously."
Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Belayet Hossain said, "I have visited different areas and seen the flood situation. Public representatives also have visited the area and are inspecting the people. At present, I have 20 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 2 lakh in cash for relief."
BGMEA demands "transparent, comprehensive" investigation into death of Shahidul Islam
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has demanded a "transparent and comprehensive" investigation into the death of labour leader Shahidul Islam.
He also demanded that all those who are involved in the incident are brought to trial immediately and punished.
BGMEA President Hassan visited the residence of labour leader Shahidul Islam in Sreepur, Gazipur on Friday to express condolences over his death.
He also conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members of Shahidul Islam and handed over a financial donation to his wife.
The BGMEA President offered dua at the grave of Shahidul Islam, praying for the salvation of his departed soul.
He was accompanied by Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Labour and ILO Affairs ANM Saifuddin and Giant Group Director Sharmeen Hassan Tithi during the visit, said a media release.
Amirul Haque Amin, President, IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC); Kutubuddin Ahmed, General Secretary, IBC; Babul Akhter, General Secretary, BGIWF; Z.M. Kamrul Anam, President, Bangladesh Textile and Garments Workers League; Salahuddin Sapan, President, Bangladesh Biplobi Garments Sramik Federation; Rashedul Alam Raju, General Secretary, BIGUF; Kamrul Hasan, General Secretary, Akota Garments Sramik Federation; and leaders of other labour organizations were also present on the occasion.
PM to join 'Business Conference on Building Smart Bangladesh' on Saturday
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the country's apex trade body, will hold a conference on building Smart Bangladesh on Saturday (July 15, 2023) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center.
PM Sheikh Hasina will join the event as the chief guest. FBCCI held a press conference on Friday in this regard.
President Md. Jashim Uddin said that the conference titled 'Business Conference on Building Smart Bangladesh', will be focusing on the private sector's role in building Smart Bangladesh. Foreign investors, top corporates, sector-based associations, and top business leaders, General Body (GB) members from chambers and associations of FBCCI will join the conference, he added.
Read: Reach sewage treatment facilities outside Dhaka too: PM Hasina directs authorities
The business community will have the opportunity to directly express their thoughts and expectations from the govt. in building smart Bangladesh. The private sector will get the guidelines for working together with the government through the conference, he opined.
The top business leaders of the country will get an opportunity to directly talk with HPM Sheikh Hasina and express their needs, the FBCCI President added.
Md. Jashim Uddin said, 'We hosted the Bangladesh Business Summit 2023 to showcase Bangladesh's trade and investment potential to the world. Top Business leaders and experts from home and abroad joined the summit and expressed their thoughts on building Smart Bangladesh. FBCCI is publishing a book capturing the suggestions, recommendations, and policies discussed during the summit. We will hand over the book to HPM tomorrow (Saturday).' FBCCI will also distribute the book to the relevant ministries of the government later, he added.
Read: PM Hasina inaugurates South Asia's largest STP in Dhaka's Dasherkandi
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman will attend the program as special guests, he mentioned.
Former FBCCI president AK Azad, FBCCI senior vice president Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Vice President MA Momen, Salahuddin Alamgir, Md. Habib Ullah Dawn, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh Md. Mahbub ur Rahman, FBCCI directors, and other business leaders were present at the press conference.
Khulna University: Commuters suffer as protesting students block highway
The students of Khulna University on Friday blocked the Khulna-Satkhira highway protesting an attack on their fellow in Khulna city.
Taking position on Gollamari Mor of the highway at around 1pm, they chanted different slogans.
As the blockade continued for about two and a half hours, a large number of vehicles got stranded on both sides of the important highway.
Read: 4 JCD activists detained during protest against harassment of their female activist
Later they withdrew the blockade around 3:30pm after the authorities concerned assured them of meeting their two-point demand.
According to the campus sources, Shafayet Sagar, a fourth year student of Mathematics department of Khulna University, locked into an altercation with a truck driver around 11:30am.
At one point, the truck driver and his assistant started beating Shafayet, leaving him injured.