Dhaka
Fire at Gulshan high-rise brought under control
A fire broke out at a high-rise building in the Gulshan-2 area of Dhaka on Friday around 9pm.
On information, five firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after 20 minutes. The fire had broken out on the third floor of the 14-storied building.
Sources said that fire originated around 9pm.
Read: Fire breaks out at glass factory in Keraniganj
However, the source of the fire could not be known immediately.
No casualties were reported, said Md. Raihan, Station Officer of Media Cell, Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters. "The fire was doused at 10:40pm."
Dhaka is world's third-most polluted city
Air pollution continues to be one of the top most challenges for Bangladesh -- its capital has been ranked the third-most polluted city in the world.
The capital's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 182 around 11am. The air was classified as ‘unhealthy’.
Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the first and second spots in the list with AQI scores of 407 and 311, 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.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
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 during winter and improves during monsoon.
A report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank in March 2019 pointed out that the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka "are brick kilns, fumes from vehicles and dust from construction sites".
READ: Dhaka is world's second-most polluted city
With the advent of winter, the city’s air quality starts deteriorating sharply due to the massive discharge of pollutant particles from construction works, rundown roads, brick kilns and other sources.
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 heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
READ: Dhaka is world's most polluted city
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.
S Africa urged to open diplomatic Mission in Dhaka as ties broadening
Bangladesh has urged the South African government to establish a diplomatic representation in Dhaka in order to facilitate consular and other cooperation as the two countries seek greater cooperation in broader areas.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the request during a meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor at State Guest House Padma on Thursday.
Dr Momen sought continued cooperation of South Africa in Rohingya repatriation issue.
He sought support of the government of South Africa at IMO and other Bangladesh candidature.
Dr Pandor paid a bilateral visit to Bangladesh after her engagements at IORA 21st Council of Ministers meetings in Dhaka.
She was accompanied by high officials of South African Foreign Ministry and the South African High Commissioner in India.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr Momen informed the South African Foreign Minister about the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of independence in Bangladesh.
Dr Momen briefed her about the development march of Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the huge socio-economic progress achieved by Bangladesh during the last decade.
During the meeting, both sides discussed important issues of mutual interest and cooperation.
Dr Momen proposed that there may be cooperation between both sides in different areas of mutual interest, including agriculture and blue economy.
He underlined the importance of high-level visits and exchange of business delegations between the two countries.
READ: Diplomatic Missions deeply concerned over reports of operations clearance by Myanmar Military
Dr Pandor expressed satisfaction on the warm welcome extended to her and the visiting South African delegation.
While apprising about the economic development of South Africa and its comparative advantage on many areas, the South African Foreign Minister underlined the importance of continuing cooperation between the two countries in trade, economic and other identified areas.
Both sides agreed that there would be visits by a business delegation from Bangladesh to South Africa and vice versa.
The Bangladesh and South African sides also discussed celebrating the Silver Jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two countries in a befitting manner.
It was decided that the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with the South African Foreign Ministry would organise seminars and trade shows demonstrating the deep bilateral relations between the two countries.
Dr Pandor joined a programme "Bangladesh-South Africa Bilateral Relations: Exploring the Potentials for Future Engagement and Cooperation" organised at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Thursday where she delivered the keynote speech on the subject.
Dr Momen spoke as the chief guest and highlighted the potential of future engagements and cooperation between Bangladesh and South Africa.
An official lunch was hosted by Foreign Minister Dr Momen at the State Guest House Padma in honour of Dr Pandor on Thursday.
READ: Algeria to reopen diplomatic mission in Bangladesh
It was attended by Ministers, Advisers to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high officials of the government, business leaders, academics and political personalities.
Police launch a search after three sisters go missing from their city home
Police were looking for three sisters, two of them SSC examinees, on Friday, a day after they went missing from their house in the capital’s Adabar area.
Sajia Nawrin, maternal aunt of the three girls, lodged a general diary (GD) with the Adabar police on Thursday afternoon.
The missing sisters have been identified as Rokeya Ara, 18, who passed SSC last year and Jaynab Ara, 17, and Khadija Ara, 16, examinees of ongoing SSC exam.
Read: Five missing as bulkhead ship sinks near Mongla port
Investigation officer of the case Adabar Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdul Momin said that police went to the house at Shekertek Pisciculture road and checked the CCTV footage.
It was seen that at around 11.04 am, first the younger sister, then the middle one and finally the eldest sister came out of the house carrying bags, police said.
They said since the girls do not use mobile phones, it has been difficult to track them.
But police are trying their best to locate them.
Aunt Sajia said the girls have been living with her and another aunt since their mother died of cancer in 2003.
She claimed that their father left their mother after she gave birth to three successive daughters. He married another woman and never looked after his daughters.
Read: 4 Health Ministry employees suspended over missing of 17 files
“Since my sister died, the three sisters have lived with me and my younger sister. They used to study from our houses in Adabar and Khilgaon,” Sajia said.
She said, the eldest of three sisters passed SSC last year. And two younger sisters have been taking SSC exams this year.
According to her, they have their next exams on November 22 but they left the house on Thursday morning without telling anyone. On that morning Sajia got back home to pick a file she forgot to take with her and found that the house was locked with the keys kept in a basket in front of the door. The girls have not been seen since then, she said.
However, Sajia thought that some TikTok user might have persuaded them to leave the house. The girls, she said started to use TikTok when they were confined home during Covid-induced lockdowns.
They took along with them their books, admit cards and registration cards, she added.
Dhaka breathes “unhealthy” air in the morning, says a global monitor
The air quality in the capital city Dhaka was reported “unhealthy” on Thursday morning as the AQI index hovered between 189 and 106 until around 11 am, according to a global air monitoring agency.
At 09:05 am Dhaka city was ranked the fourth worst among the world’s major cities with an AQI score of 189, said AQAIR, a Swiss company that constantly monitors air quality of the world’s major cities. But at 10:52 the air quality of Dhaka came down to 106, but still considered “unhealthy”
People, especially the sensitive sections, are advised to avoid going outdoors when AQI score remains between 100 and 200, according to AQAIR.
Read: Dhaka's air quality continues to be 'unhealthy'
Pakistan’s Lahore (425), India’s Delhi (310) and China’s Wuhan (191) occupied the top three positions in the list of cities with worst air quality on Thursday morning.
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.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
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 during winter and improves during monsoon.
A report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank in March 2019 pointed out that the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka "are brick kilns, fumes from vehicles and dust from construction sites".
With the advent of winter, the city’s air quality starts deteriorating sharply due to the massive discharge of pollutant particles from construction works, rundown roads, brick kilns and other sources.
Read: Bangladesh assumes IORA chairmanship; eyes inclusive development
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.
President to return to Dhaka on Thursday from Kishoreganj
President Abdul Hamid will return to Dhaka on Thursday wrapping up a seven-day tour of his ancestral place,Mithamoin Upazila of Kishoreganj district.
A Bangladesh Air Force helicopter carrying President Hamid and his entourage will land at 4.30 pm at Tejgaon Helipad in Dhaka, his office said.
During the visit, first in nearly two years, the President inaugurated a government girls’ high school at Mithamain upazila, saw the progress of some developments projects, exchanged views with local public representatives, government officials and attended social functions.
READ: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
Later, he also laid the foundation stone of four-storey multi-purpose building of Tamiza Khatun Government Girls’ School.
Earlier on the day, the President also offered doa at the grave of his parents for eternal peace of the departed souls.
Hamid also attended a views-exchange programme in the evening with notable persons of the Kishoreganj district at circuit house the day before concluding his seven day tour.
READ: President Hamid calls for taking development benefits to people
He also attended a views-exchange meeting with the foreign students of President Abdul Hamid Medical College at Shilpakala Academy on the same day in the afternoon.
Lawmakers Rezwan Ahamnmad Taufiq and secretaries concerned to the President accompanied him during the tour.
Dhaka urges London to repatriate convicted war criminals
Bangladesh has urged the United Kingdom to repatriate the convicted war criminals currently living there to implement the court verdict as Bangladesh believes in the rule of law.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the request when visiting UK’s Minister for South Asia Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon met him on Monday.
Dr Momen also asked them to facilitate visas for those working in the curry industry, which will create an opportunity for skilled manpower to work in the UK.
He urged the UK to continue to remain engaged in the questions of Rohingya repatriation. Lord Ahmad assured the Minister of standing by the Rohingyas to help find a durable solution.
Also read: Pakistani war criminals should be brought under trial: Envoy
The UK Minister expressed satisfaction at the recent understanding reached between the government of Bangladesh and UN for the latter’s work on Bhasan Char.
The two ministers exchanged views on cyber security issues and the challenges for religious tolerance and communal harmony.
They talked about further accelerating the UN’s work on promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace by involving the concerned private sector.
During the meeting, the UK Minister discussed his aspirations for the ever closer Bangladesh-UK friendship with opportunities for increased trade and investment, closer security cooperation, cyber security and UK support to critical climate projects and quality education for girls.
Lord Ahmad congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association and recognized Bangladesh’s efforts in managing the Covid-19 pandemic.
Foreign Minister Momen thanked the UK government for removing Bangladesh from the travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the Delta variant.
He commended the role of the UK presidency for COP26 on climate change held in Glasgow this month.
Lord Ahmad acknowledged Bangladesh’s proactive role as the chair of the Climate Vulnerability Forum and recalled his conversations with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Glasgow.
Also read: Bangladeshi war criminal Mueen Uddin sues British Home Secretary
The UK minister informed the Bangladesh Minister about the UK’s funding support of 120 million GBP for climate action in Bangladesh, with focus on addressing the vulnerability of women and girls.
Lord Ahmad also stressed the UK Government’s priority in girl’s education and announced a new funding support of 54 million GBP targeting female students and disadvantaged children affected by the pandemic.
Earlier, Lord Ahmad delivered a speech on “Bangladesh – UK: Partners for Progress” at the Foreign Service Academy.
Lord Ahmad is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh to attend the 21st IORA Council of Ministers’ meetings.
Dhaka, Colombo look for quick conclusion of PTA
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Monday emphasized the importance of expeditious conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries. The two countries also underscored the need for further strengthening air and maritime connectivity for the greater benefits of the two nations. The issues were discussed when Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof Gamini Lakshman Peiris met his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen at State Guest House Padma. The two sides stressed further cooperation in the sectors like trade and commerce, investment, tourism, connectivity, agriculture, fisheries, education, and people-to-people contact.
Read: Border killings unfortunate for Bangladesh; shameful for India: FM Dr Momen congratulated the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and thanked him for attending the 21st meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers’ (COM) physically despite the global Covid-19 related health concerns. He also stated that Bangladesh attaches high importance to its relations with Sri Lanka which, he termed excellent, based on the historical linkages, friendship, and commonalities of views and shared vision of prosperity. Recalling the state visit of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to Dhaka on 19–20 March 2021 on the occasion of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, he noted that it contributed towards strengthening the ties of the two countries. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister expressed his happiness for meeting the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. He recalled the recent meeting of Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the World Leaders’ Summit of CoP-26 and said the leadership of Sri Lanka highly appreciated the recent economic development of Bangladesh. He reiterated the importance of close relations between the two neighbours. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister sought collaboration on the area of e-commerce, involvement in the digital sector through sharing of Bangladesh’s expertise. Dr Momen particularly mentioned Bangladesh’s success in the pharmaceutical sector and urged his Sri Lankan counterpart to import pharmaceuticals products from Bangladesh. Both the ministers noted the ongoing cooperation under IORA, maritime cooperation, maritime security, blue economy, climate change and prevention of over exploitation of marine resources.
Read: France firmly with Bangladesh over Rohingya issue: FM Momen They also pledged to explore the possible collaboration between Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University of Bangladesh and National Institute of Oceanographic Marine Sciences of Sri Lanka. The meeting ended with a positive note in a cordial atmosphere. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh and will attend the 21st meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers’ (COM) which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
3 members of fraud question leak gang held in city
Detectives have arrested three members of a fraud gang on charge of cheating people in the name of providing leaked Secondary School Certificate (SSC) question paper.
The arrestees are Karimullah, a second year student of Tongi Government College, Al Rafi Tutul, a second year student of Mohanganj Government College and Abdullah Al Maruf, a third year student of Habibullah Bahar College.
Read: DB arrest 5 for leaking bank recruitment test questions
According to a media release of DMP Headquarters, a team of DB police arrested them after conducting several drives in Dhaka’s Uttara, Gazipur’s Pubail and Netrokona’s Mohanganj area on Sunday morning.
The ring used to give advertisement from fake accounts on messengers and Facebook to provide questions of various education boards .
The number of followers of different pages and groups of this fraud gang is 4700, it said.
Read: DB questioning: The eccentric businessman and the fake addl secretary
The arrestees assured the examinees and their guardians that they would provide question paper in exchange of Tk 500-2000 and they received the money in advance through Nagad, Bkash, Rocket with this assurance.
Legal process is underway in this regard, said the release.
School girl ‘kills self’ jumping off high-rise building in Dhaka
A school student allegedly committed suicide jumping off a high-rise building at Gulshan in the city early Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Sana Rezwan Selim ,14, a 6th grader of Sanbeams School of Uttara.
She used to live with her parents in an apartment on the 10th floor of the 12 storey building on Road No 41 of Gulshan-2. Her father Rezwan Selim is a businessman.
Read: ‘Need some rest now,’ BGB man says in suicide note
Quoting family members, Sub-Inspector (SI) Shilpy Akhtar of Gulshan Police Station said the incident took place around 2.30 am . On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Dhaka Medical College Morgue for autopsy.
She jumped from the tenth floor following an altercation with her parents, said the SI.
Read: Schoolboy commits suicide over motorcycle
An unnatural death case was registered at the police station.
She was the younger of two sisters. Her elder sister lives abroad.