NEWS ON DATE - 25-04-2024
Shakib Gets Dhaka League Green Light, While Mustafizur Pulled from IPL for National Duty
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made seemingly contradictory decisions regarding two of its star players.
Mustafizur Rahman has been recalled from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for national duty, while Shakib Al Hasan has been granted permission to prioritize Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League matches during a T20I series of Bangladesh against Zimbabwe.
While justifying the recall of Mustafizur due to workload concerns, BCB's Jalal Yunus, the cricket operation chief, surprisingly stated that “Mustafizur has nothing to learn from IPL.”
The BCB recently announced a 17-member preliminary squad for a training camp in Chattogram, excluding both Shakib and Mustafizur.
Initially, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain indicated Shakib's unavailability, leaving his participation in the Zimbabwe series uncertain.
“We will announce the team on 28th April,” Gazi Ashraf said. “That is when you will find out exactly how many matches Shakib will be available for.”
However, Shakib himself clarified the situation during a public interaction in the USA, where he currently resides.
“I will definitely play in the Zimbabwe series,” Shakib affirmed. He explained that the decision to miss the initial two or three matches was made after discussions with the coach and captain, with the coach suggesting that playing two matches would suffice.
Shakib dismissed the speculation surrounding his prioritization of the Dhaka League as “irrelevant.”
While Shakib remains a crucial member of the Bangladesh team across all formats, his regular participation in national team matches has been a subject of debate over the last few years. This latest decision further fuels the discussion surrounding the balance between club and country commitments for star players.
16th Bangladesh Denim Expo on May 6-7
The 16th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo will once again open its doors in the international Convention City, Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka on May 6 and 7.
“Reimagine” is the theme of the 16th edition. "Reimagine" lies Expo’s commitment to re-envisioning the future of the denim world and reshaping the landscape of denim through relentless innovation and seamless integration of digitalization.
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By harnessing the power of technology and embracing forward thinking approaches, the organisers said they are revolutionizing every aspect of denim production, design, and consumption.
“We have chosen "Reimagine" as the theme of Bangladesh Denim Expo because it is about more than just transforming denim; it's about redefining the very essence of the denim trend. We are breaking free from conventional norms and exploring uncharted territories to create a denim experience that is both visionary and transformative. From sustainable practices to cutting-edge design techniques, we are redefining what denim means in the modern era," said Mostafiz Uddin, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE)
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Over 60 exhibitors from 11 countries such as Bangladesh, India, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Vietnam, Japan etc are set to attend the event.
Participant categories includes Fabric Mills Denim and Non-Denim, Garment Manufacturer, Washing Laundry, Accessories & Trims, Chemicals, Machineries or Technology, & Logistic etc.
An inaugural program, a series of panel discussions, a trend seminar & a trend zone planned for a two-day event. Worlds renowned speakers will share their insights in the discussions. Seminar topics will be focused on the theme “Reimagine”.
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A unique innovative & upcoming trends product will be showcased in the trend zone. Visitors can get the opportunity to look up & gain knowledge on future denim trends in the trend zone.
US wants Bangladesh to become a ‘net security provider’ in Indo Pacific region: Expert
The United States wants Bangladesh to become a “net security provider” in the region in a “responsible way”, and wants Bangladesh to be able to respond to natural disasters and other issues positively with its growing capabilities.
“Bangladesh has made a lot of progress over the years, and we are proud to be part of that effort. We would hope that the Bangladesh government sees the Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS) as an opportunity to cooperate with us and our partners to help address some of Bangladesh's security concerns,” said Maxwell Martin, an IPS expert at the US Embassy in Dhaka, on Thursday.
While briefing a select group of journalists at the embassy on “Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and its implications for Bangladesh”, he said Bangladesh-US cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific is just one aspect of their wide-ranging bilateral relationship.
“The US-Bangladesh relationship is driven by our nations’ shared history, common values, and future potential. It is not defined by India, China, Russia or any third country,” Martin said.
Responding to a question, he said, they look at their relationship with countries in the South Asia region and Indo Pacific in general, on a bilateral basis.
Bangladesh criticises US Human Rights Report for systematic use of ‘unfounded’ allegations
“We don't look at our relationship with other countries through the lens of another country. This is something that we hear sometimes in Bangladesh, in the media and kind of just in the commentary, that the United States looks at Bangladesh through the lens of India. And I don't think that's true,” said the IPS expert.
He said they look at their relationship with Bangladesh in terms of a set of shared interests and bilateral priorities.
Traditional Jabbarer Boli Khela kicks off in Ctg amid scorching heat
The 115th edition of traditional ‘Jabbarer Boli Khela’ (wrestling competition) kicked off at historic Laldighi ground in the port city of Chattogram on Thursday afternoon amid the countrywide scorching heat.
Like every year, interested competitors submitted their names to the organising committee to participate in this year's Boli Khela. Their names were taken till 11 am on Thursday.
For the competition, the stage of 'Boli-Khela' was built on 165 poles at Laldighi ground, said organisers.
Though the main event started today, a ‘Baishakhi Mela’ centring the competition started Tuesday. The crowd at the fair venue started to increase from Wednesday noon.
On the other hand, organising the Boli Khela amid the prevailing heat wave sparked criticism on social media. Although some are in favour of continuing the game others are suggesting its postponement.
Bangladesh criticises US Human Rights Report for systematic use of ‘unfounded’ allegations
Bangladesh has criticised the recently released US State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report, noting that the report “fails to appreciate, rather undermines” a number of valued State institutions, including the independent judiciary and certain statutory bodies, which is detrimental to the morale and functioning of such institutions.
“Regrettably, many of the improvements and achievements of the government have not been acknowledged in the report. On the other hand, isolated and unfounded allegations continue to be flagged as part of a systematic trend,” Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seheli Sabrin, told reporters on Thursday.
While briefing reporters, she said a thorough reading of the report would make it evident that it is replete with references to individually reported or alleged incidents that were used to draw broad, generalised inferences.
The government of Bangladesh reiterated its concerns about the continued trampling of human rights in Gaza by the Israeli occupation force and hopes that the US will play a leadership role in the ongoing efforts of the international community to stop serious human rights violations, killing of innocent women and children, and crimes against humanity in Palestine.
One of the grossly missing items in the report is the systematic campaign launched last year by the anti-state and anti-government elements in the lead up to the 12th National Election in order to create unrest, violence and anarchy under different pretexts and using diverse interest groups, said the foreign ministry spokesperson.
Sabrin said it is also apparent that the report mostly relies on assumptions and unsubstantiated allegations drawn from local and international non-government organisations (including anonymous sources), many of which are supported by the US government or related entities.
“As such, some of the inherent biases in the reporting pattern are quite evident,” she said
The government of Bangladesh, however, appreciated the continued interest of the US administration in the Human Rights situation across the globe.
“No matter how much we aspire, the human rights situation is not perfect anywhere in the world. Though human rights are non-hierarchical, fulfillment of them can be incremental as socio-economic constraints often put limits to the pace of realising those rights,” said the spokesperson.
She said the government of Bangladesh has been doing its best to uphold human rights of its citizens. “Indeed, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the human rights situation has significantly improved in Bangladesh.”
Mindful of the areas that need further improvement, the current government, during its consecutive terms in office since 2009, continued to invest in realising meaningful advancement in the human rights situation.
“Any discerning observer would notice that such efforts resulted in significant improvement in women’s empowerment, gender parity, children’s rights, rights of elderly persons, workers’ rights, grievance redressal, access to justice, religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly and so on and so forth,” the spokesperson observed.
While the report alleges the law enforcement for use of excessive force in some cases, it fails to reflect the violence and vandalism perpetrated by BNP and its political allies, which often disrupted lives of general people and resulted in damage of public and private property.
“It is ironic that when the State was engaged in protecting public life, order and property against such orchestrated campaign, it has been held responsible in the report for even taking recourse to some lawful actions and remedies,” she said.
The spokesperson said it must be registered that the law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh exercised utmost restraints and dealt with any law-and-order situation with full professionalism.
“Coupled with government’s sincere support and professional conduct of elections by the Election Commission, 28 of 44 registered parties participated in the 12th National Election with 42% people exercising their voting rights despite boycotts from BNP and some other parties,” she said.
It is unfortunate that despite having a series of dialogues with the US authorities on human rights and labour rights issues, a number of recurrent complaints or allegations have been flagged in the report discounting the state/ government perspective on those matters, Seheli Sabrin said.
For instance, she said, the Rohingya people continue to be termed as ‘refugees’ or ‘stateless persons’, thus undermining their legitimate claims to be recognised as the citizens or residents of Myanmar.
In another instance, certain ethnic minority groups continue to be labelled as ‘indigenous peoples’ contrary to the constitutional provisions of the country, which often amounts to attempts to incite unwarranted tension and divisions, she said.
Again, in certain cases, the report tends to omit or neglect substantive evidence or information shared with the US authorities on individual cases.
For instance, in the alleged killing of Messers Shaheen Miah and Mohammad Raju, information had been shared on the judicial proceedings that found the incidents to be within the purview of law.
Yet again, she said, the judicial processes undertaken in the case of Jesmin Sultana were not adequately reflected in the report, especially the issue of ongoing due process.
“Along similar lines, a number of cases have been flagged in the report concerning labour rights issues, especially on trade union registration and activities, that have been discussed with the relevant US officials on a number of bilateral or plurilateral platforms,” said the spokesperson.
As usual, she said, the report wrongfully characterises lawful actions taken by the law enforcement authorities in case of unwarranted obstructions or vandalism carried out in the name of workers against factories, establishments, public properties, or management staff.
The report continues to maintain the trend of projecting incidents committed by private individuals or entities as part of systemic abuse of human rights, without often elaborating on the subsequent administrative and judicial measures taken to ensure redress and accountability, she noted.
In general, the government of Bangladesh takes note of the overall report and looks forward to remaining engaged with the UN Human Rights mechanisms, the US and other international partners, and stakeholders towards upholding its commitment to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by all citizens under any circumstances.
Bangladesh reports 16 COVID-19 cases in 24hrs
Bangladesh reported 16 more COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 2,049,931, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,494 as no new fatalities were reported during this period.
The daily case test positivity rate was 4.09 percent as 391 samples were tested, said the DGHS.
The recovery and death rates stood at 98.41 percent and 1.44 per cent, respectively.
Decision on extending closure of schools, colleges Saturday: State Minister
Decision on extending the existing closure of schools and colleges prompted by heat wave will be taken on Saturday, said state minister for education Shamsun Nahar.
“We are not certain about the temperature. It may go up or down. We have two days off (Friday and Saturday) and after observing the situation we will decide,” she said while talking to reporters at her office on Thursday.
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Replying to a question, the state minister said, “Our minister will return home on Friday and then we’ll take a decision in this regard.”
Replying to a question whether there is any alternative plan about taking classes, she said taking classes online could be an alternative way but students in rural areas are can’t afford it and decision will be taken considering all these things.
Earlier on April 20, due to the ongoing heat wave condition, the authorities concerned extended closure of schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical education institution across the country until April 27 (Saturday) which were scheduled to open after Eid holidays on April 21.
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Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave persist for 72 hours starting Thursday morning.
Severe heat wave persist in parts of country; rainfall may increase in northeastern districts next week
The severe heat wave sweeping parts of Bangladesh continued unabated and rain may increase in northeastern part of the country on Sunday or Monday, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
“Severe heat wave is sweeping Khulna division , Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Pabna, Faridpur and Gopalgonj distircts. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi & Dhaka divisions and Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noahkali, Feni & Bandarban and it may continue,”said a Met office bulletin.
It also issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave may persist for 72 hours starting Thursday morning.
Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Thursday.
Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist.
The highest temperature of the country was recoded at 41.6 degree Celsius at Mongla in Khulna on Wednesday.
At China’s largest auto show, shift to digital and new-energy vehicles grab spotlight
Global automakers and EV startups unveiled new models and concept cars at China’s largest auto show on Thursday, with a focus on the nation’s transformation into a major market and production base for digitally connected, new-energy vehicles.
Toyota and Nissan both announced tie-ups with major Chinese technology companies as they strive to meet customer demand for AI-enabled online connectivity in cars, from social media apps to autonomous driving features.
Electric vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all auto sales in China last year. Hybrids, which have trailed EVs, are expected to be a growing segment going forward.
China’s largest EV maker, BYD, showed off two “dual-mode” plug-in cars that can run either solely on electricity or as hybrids. The other is a hybrid off-road SUV from its luxury Yangwang brand in the 1 million yuan-plus ($140,000) range.
“China’s EVs, represented by (BYD’s) Qin and Han series, have successfully realized the large-scale replacement of traditional fuel cars, and this trend is irreversible,” said Lu Tian, the head of sales for BYD’s Dynasty models. The cars are named after former imperial dynasties.
An executive from Chery, a more traditional Chinese maker, offered a more moderate perspective. Li Xueyong, a deputy general manager, said they envision a future of 40% fuel vehicles, 30% hybrids and 30% electric. The company plans to develop both fuel-powered and new-energy cars.
BYD has been expanding rapidly into overseas markets, launching its low-priced Dolphin Mini, sold as the Seagull in China, in Latin American markets this year.
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It’s building a factory in Brazil on the site of a former Ford plant that closed when the U.S. maker left the country. Two other Chinese automakers including Chery already have factories in Brazil.
BYD accounted for 41% of EV sales in Brazil in the first three months of this year, though the overall number is still relatively low.
In Mexico, Chinese vehicles went from about 2.6% of the market in 2021 to 19.2% in the first quarter of this year. Most of those were gasoline-powered vehicles, as there are few charging stations and the cost of electricity makes it expensive to do so at home.
Chinese makers are making inroads in Europe too, raising concern in some countries that they pose a potential threat to European automakers and jobs. The EU is weighing whether to impose tariffs on China-made EVs because of government subsidies that drove the industry’s growth.
A proliferation of EV makers, encouraged by tax breaks as well as green-energy subsides, has prompted a fierce price war that is expected to lead to a shakeout and consolidation of the industry in the coming years.
For foreign players aside from American EV maker Tesla, it has challenged them to accelerate the development of new electric car models to stay competitive in the world’s largest auto market.
“No other region of the world has a transformation of the automotive industry that is as fast-paced as in China,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said Wednesday at an event previewing its appearance at the auto show.
“This market has become something of a fitness center for us,” he said. “We have to work harder and faster to keep.”
Other automakers expressed similar sentiments. Japan’s Nissan sent many top executives to the Beijing auto show to feel first-hand the pace of change in China, company President Makoto Uchida said.
Nissan was going to sign a memorandum or understanding with Baidu, a Chinese search engine and AI company, later Thursday. Uchida said Nissan needs to meet the needs of Chinese customers and the speed at which the market is changing.
“If we cannot do these two aspects, it will very difficult to keep our business in China,” he said.
Toyota announced a tie-up with Tencent, the maker of the widely-used WeChat messaging and e-payment app.
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Volvo, the Swedish brand bought by China’s Geely group, stressed a simpler approach to the digitalization of its cars.
Likely aiming at a somewhat older audience, the company said its new EX30 electric SUV has an audio system and tablet screen that are easy to operate and uses sustainable fabrics in its interior.
“We believe that technology should be measured by its utility, not just its novelty,” said Xiaolin Yuan, Volvo’s Asia-Pacific head.
The EX30 will sell for 210,000 to 260,000 yuan ($29,000 - $36,000) in China, the company announced.
American brands at the show included Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet. Ford presented a muscular look tied to its history, telling the story of the Mustang and Bronco - which it described as a “sports utility vehicle” when it was launched in 1966 — and showing the latest versions of those models.
Severe Heatwave: Patient overload, insufficient facilities exacerbate health crisis in Khulna
Hospitals across Khulna are struggling to accommodate an influx of patients as a severe heatwave continues to affect the region. Key healthcare facilities, including Khulna Medical College Hospital, Khulna Sadar Hospital, Khulna Children's Hospital, and Khulna Infectious Disease Hospital, have reached full capacity, forcing patients to occupy floors, corridors, and even stairways due to a lack of available beds.
The situation is particularly dire at the government-run Khulna Infectious Disease Hospital located in Mirerdanga, where the number of diarrheal patients has alarmingly increased. With no pediatric specialists or consultants available, children suffering from diarrhea are being deprived of adequate medical care, putting significant strain on their families.
Heatwave alert extended in Bangladesh for 72 hours
Despite sufficient supplies of medicine and saline, the hospital faces a critical shortage of medical staff, nurses, and ward boys, compounded by its deteriorating infrastructure.
From the beginning of the month, a sharp rise in cases of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea has been reported. As of April 24, the hospital has admitted over 350 diarrheal patients, with an additional 10 to 15 patients seeking outpatient care daily. The hospital, designed with only 20 beds, has 10 allocated for diarrheal patients. The number of beds for diarrheal patients has been increased to 14 through the efforts of the acting officer. However, there are no separate wards for males and females, nor any cabins.
At Khulna Children's Hospital, the situation has worsened further. Al-Amin Rakib, an administrative officer at the hospital, reported that while the outpatient department previously handled around 400 patients daily, the figure has surged to 700 to 800 children over the last week. Despite having 275 beds, the hospital is currently accommodating twice as many patients suffering from fever, colds, and diarrhea.
Severe heatwave hits Khulna division and multiple districts across the country
A distressed father, Rahim Sheikh, from Botiaghata, shared his ordeal of his three-year-old daughter Anika suffering from diarrhea due to the heat. Having arrived at the hospital at 8 am, he had yet to see a doctor by late morning. The director of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Dr. Husain Shafayat, echoed the severity of the situation, stating the hospital was operating at three times its capacity with no space left to admit new patients.
As the heatwave shows no signs of relenting, the healthcare crisis in Khulna continues to escalate, with medical facilities urgently requiring additional resources and support to manage the overwhelming patient load.