United News of Bangladesh

Continued monsoon showers have brought welcome relief to Dhaka residents, significantly improving the capital's air quality. Dhaka ranked 33rd among the world's most polluted cities, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 64 at 10:32am on Sunday. The city's air quality was classified as "moderate." Kinshasa of DR Congo, Kolkata of India and Jakarta of Indonesia occupied the first, second and third spot, with AQI scores of 170, 168 and 145, respectively. Dhaka's air quality remains moderate amid rain According to AQI standards, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered "good", while 51 to 100 is "moderate." A reading between 101 and 150 is regarded as "unhealthy for sensitive groups", 151 to 200 as "unhealthy", 201 to 300 as "very unhealthy", and above 301 as "hazardous", posing serious health risks. The AQI, updated daily, measures how clean or polluted the air is and indicates the potential health effects associated with current air quality. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality usually deteriorating during the dry winter months and improving during the monsoon season. Maps According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Taiwan and eastern China remained on high alert as Typhoon Bavi moved closer on Saturday after bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Japan's southern islands. The typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometres per hour (89 mph), is expected to pass north of Taiwan before heading toward China's eastern coast. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said the storm is forecast to move toward Zhejiang province and make landfall in the early hours of Sunday, according to China's National Meteorological Center. In Japan's Okinawa prefecture, authorities warned residents about high waves, powerful winds and storm surges. More than 200 flights were cancelled across the region, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported. Islands including Ishigaki were hit by heavy rain and strong winds. In Taiwan, the Central Emergency Operation Center said at least 36 people had been injured by Saturday morning. Many were hurt while riding motorcycles on wet and slippery roads during the storm. Authorities also evacuated 14,210 people from different parts of the island, including Hualien County and the central city of Taichung. Schools and government offices remained closed in most areas on Saturday. In southeastern China, coastal cities stepped up preparations as the storm approached. In Ningde city of Fujian province, more than 3,700 residents had been moved from high-risk coastal areas by Friday evening, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. Provincial authorities have also placed more than 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby. China's National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert for the typhoon, the second-highest level in its four-tier warning system. Many schools and ferry services were suspended, hundreds of flights were cancelled and some high-speed train services were halted. The weather agency also issued its first red alert of the year for heavy rain, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

A devastating wildfire swept through a remote expatriate community in southern Spain overnight, killing at least 12 people, injuring eight others and leaving 23 missing, regional authorities said Friday. The fire erupted late Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres in Almeria province amid extreme heat and dry conditions, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain in recent years. According to Andalusia’s emergency services chief Antonio Sanz, many of the victims died after ignoring official advice to remain indoors. Several people attempted to escape by car or on foot, while others entered a dry riverbed that became trapped by the advancing flames. Authorities believe four of the victims may have been British nationals after discovering a burned vehicle with a right-hand steering wheel. Most of those who died are thought to be foreign residents, and officials warned the death toll could rise as search operations continue. One local resident, Dean Taylor, who splits his time between Spain and the United Kingdom, said he narrowly escaped using back roads, describing the experience as frightening and heartbreaking. More than 150 firefighters, supported by 220 military emergency personnel, are battling the blaze, which has already destroyed over 3,200 hectares of forest and farmland. Officials said steep terrain, strong winds, dry vegetation and prolonged heat have made the fire extremely difficult to contain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, calling the disaster deeply tragic. The wildfire comes as Spain and much of Europe endure another period of extreme heat. Spain has experienced repeated heat waves in recent years, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Experts say hot, dry and windy conditions have increased the risk of fast-moving wildfires. Elsewhere, France is also facing severe wildfire threats as another heat wave grips the country. Large fires have already burned thousands of hectares, forced evacuations and disrupted the Tour de France. Authorities say one major blaze near the Spanish border has eased but has already scorched around 5,000 hectares and temporarily displaced more than 10,000 residents. Scientists continue to warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves and droughts, creating conditions that make wildfires more destructive across southern Europe. Spain and neighboring Portugal have experienced several deadly wildfire disasters in the past. Spain's worst wildfire claimed 21 lives in 1979, while Portugal suffered one of Europe's deadliest fires in 2017 when 66 people were killed, many while trying to escape in their vehicles.  

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Friday said Bangladesh must pursue development in harmony with nature, ensuring that economic growth, environmental protection and human well-being advance together. Speaking as the chief guest at the Dwijen Sharma Environment Award-2025 ceremony at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy, the minister said protecting nature was no longer an option but a national responsibility. The award ceremony was jointly organised by BRAC Bank and Tarupallab. "The award recipients have demonstrated that the dedication and initiative of even a single individual can bring about long-term positive environmental change and inspire others," he said, urging society to expand such efforts to safeguard nature. The minister said Bangladesh should be built on a model where development coexists with nature, making environmental conservation an integral part of the country's progress. Referring to the government's environmental agenda, Mintoo said the National Green Mission had been launched as part of the implementation of the government's election pledges under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Under the initiative, the government has set a target of planting 250 million saplings across the country over the next five years, aiming to turn environmental conservation into a nationwide social movement, he said. Describing the award recipients as "builders of a greener future" and "silent environmental warriors", the minister said their commitment and initiatives would play a vital role in inspiring others and promoting long-term environmental protection. This year's award recipients are Prof Dr Md Ashrafulzzaman for biodiversity research (Nisarga Award), Pran Baichitrya Khamar for sustainable agriculture (Biodiversity Award), Md Badsha Mia for grassroots tree plantation (Brikkhoshokha Award), Umme Kulsum Popy for promoting environmental awareness through digital platforms (Green Sarathi Award), Sumaiya Mariam for technology-based plant census (Nabin Nisargi Award), and Prof Dr Kazi Ahsan Habib for marine biodiversity conservation (Environment Achievement Award). Financial Institutions Division Secretary Najma Mobarek, senior officials of BRAC Bank and Tarupallab, environmentalists, researchers and journalists attended the event.

Monsoon showers brought much-needed relief to Dhaka residents on Friday, significantly improving the capital's air quality as rainfall washed away dust and airborne pollutants, pushing its Air Quality Index (AQI) into the "good" category. Dhaka ranked 93rd among the world's most polluted cities, recording an AQI score of 33 at 9:40am. On Thursday morning, the city's air quality was classified as "moderate", with an AQI score of 66. Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 206, followed by Kampala in Uganda with 156 and Jakarta in Indonesia with 142. According to AQI standards, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered "good", while 51 to 100 is "moderate." A reading between 101 and 150 is regarded as "unhealthy for sensitive groups", 151 to 200 as "unhealthy", 201 to 300 as "very unhealthy", and above 301 as "hazardous", posing serious health risks. The AQI, updated daily, measures how clean or polluted the air is and indicates the potential health effects associated with current air quality. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality usually deteriorating during the dry winter months and improving during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

China has announced millions of dollars in additional disaster relief funding after severe storms and a landslide killed dozens of people, damaged homes and forced thousands to flee. The central government allocated 50 million yuan (about $7.4 million) to repair roads, schools and other public facilities in central China's Hubei province. Another 20 million yuan will be used to rebuild homes and help displaced residents return to normal life, according to state media. Violent thunderstorms and rare tornadoes struck Hubei on Monday night, killing 11 people and injuring hundreds. The government also approved 30 million yuan (about $4.4 million) for northwestern Gansu province, where a landslide killed 21 forestry workers. The latest funding comes after an earlier allocation of 100 million yuan (about $14.7 million) for rebuilding schools, hospitals, transport networks and other infrastructure in the southern Guangxi region, where severe flooding caused by a tropical storm submerged towns and cities. Lu Xiaofei, who works in the southern technology hub of Shenzhen, said her brother and his family remained trapped inside their home in Lu village in Guangxi's Qintang district. Speaking to The Associated Press by phone, Lu said her brother, his wife, their nine-month-old baby, parents and grandfather had taken shelter on the second floor after floodwaters rose above the height of an adult. Electricity had been cut since Tuesday morning, and they were also without running water. She said her brother warned that their supply of drinking water was running low and that rescue teams had not yet reached them. Many neighbouring families were facing similar conditions. People in other flooded areas also appealed for help on social media, posting videos showing rising floodwaters and shortages of food and other essential supplies. Flooding worsened after Tropical Storm Maysak hit Guangxi, causing reservoirs to overflow or collapse and sending large volumes of water into nearby communities. Authorities said six people had died and around 130,000 residents had been evacuated. More than 8,000 rescue workers and about 5,700 boats have been deployed for relief operations, according to the Guangxi regional propaganda office. Local media, citing unconfirmed reports, said hundreds of snakes escaped from breeding farms after floodwaters swept through the area. Beijing News also reported that a woman in Yunbiao town died after being bitten by a snake. The Associated Press could not independently verify those reports. However, Guangxi authorities said on Wednesday that snakes had been seen in floodwaters after several villages in the Hengzhou area were submerged. Officials did not say where the snakes had come from. Authorities also said a local hospital had increased its supply of snake antivenom to meet expected treatment needs. China's National Meteorological Center said parts of Guangxi had received between 10 and 40 centimetres of rain since last Saturday, while the hardest-hit areas recorded more than 90 centimetres. Forecasters warned that another storm, Typhoon Bavi, is expected to hit southeastern China over the weekend. In Taiwan, some farmers have started harvesting rice early to reduce possible crop losses before the typhoon arrives. Elsewhere in Asia, severe weather also claimed lives. In southeastern Bangladesh, landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains killed several Rohingya refugees, including five children. In neighbouring India, heavy rainfall has left more than a dozen people dead over the past few days.

Dhaka ranked 32nd among the world's most polluted cities on Thursday morning amid rainfall, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 66 at 9:40 am. According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as 'Moderate', meaning the air is generally acceptable for most people, although a very small number of unusually sensitive individuals may experience moderate health concerns. Kinshasa topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 171, followed by Lahore in Pakistan with 167 and Krasnoyarsk in Russia with 155. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151 to 200 ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 ‘very unhealthy’, while levels above 301 are deemed ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI, which provides daily updates on air quality, indicates how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health impacts.In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka ranked 22nd among the world's most polluted cities on Wednesday morning amid rainfall, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 77 at 9:15 am. According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as 'Moderate', meaning the air is generally acceptable for most people, although a very small number of unusually sensitive individuals may experience moderate health concerns. Kinshasa topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 188, followed by Kuwait City with 156 and Dubai with 134. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151 to 200 ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 ‘very unhealthy’, while levels above 301 are deemed ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI, which provides daily updates on air quality, indicates how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health impacts.In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka’s air quality was in the ‘moderate’ category on Tuesday morning, ranking 19th among cities with the worst air quality. At 9:10am, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 84, according to air monitoring data. Meanwhile, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, topped the list with an AQI score of 177, making it the world’s most polluted city at the time. India’s Delhi ranked second with an AQI score of 163, followed by Pakistan’s Lahore with 161. An AQI score between 51 and 100 is considered moderate, indicating acceptable air quality. However, people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience minor health effects. An AQI score between 51 and 100 is considered "moderate," indicating acceptable air quality, although some pollutants may pose a moderate health concern for a small number of unusually sensitive individuals. An AQI reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, while 151–200 is categorised as ‘unhealthy’. Readings between 201 and 300 are regarded as ‘very unhealthy’, and levels above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to the population. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone. Dhaka frequently experiences deteriorating air quality, particularly during the dry winter months, while conditions generally improve during the monsoon season. Experts say prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases and other health complications, particularly among children, older adults and people with existing health conditions.

Dhaka's air quality remained in the 'moderate' category on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 68. At 9:10am, the capital ranked 30th among the world's most polluted cities, according to the AQI. Pakistan's Lahore topped the list with an AQI score of 168, followed by South Africa's Johannesburg at 153 and Indonesia's Jakarta at 149. An AQI value between 50 and 100 is considered 'moderate', indicating acceptable air quality. A reading between 101 and 150 is deemed 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while 151–200 is classified as 'unhealthy'. AQI levels between 201 and 300 are considered 'very unhealthy', and readings above 300 are categorised as 'hazardous', posing serious health risks. The AQI is a daily index that indicates how clean or polluted the air is and the potential health effects associated with it. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality typically deteriorates during the dry winter months and improves with the arrival of the monsoon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million premature deaths worldwide each year, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.