NEWS ON DATE - 27-04-2024
‘Victory Dictation’ at Dhaka’s Russian House commemorates 79th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War.
Yesterday, the Russian House in Dhaka hosted the "Victory Dictation," an educational event marking the 79th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
Pavel Dvoychenkov, the Director of Russian House, expressed in his opening remarks that the event was designed to engage the public in learning about the history of the Great Patriotic War and to enhance historical literacy.
Bangladesh Embassy donates books to National Library of Myanmar
The event attracted 40 participants, including school students and journalists. It was conducted as a 45-minute test where participants answered 25 questions related to the war.
After completing the dictation, participants received memorial certificates in recognition of their involvement and effort to deepen their understanding of this significant historical period.
Severe heatwave in Khulna: Day labourers forced to work in dangerous conditions
A severe heatwave has been impacting Khulna for several days, causing significant hardship, particularly for day labourers who must continue to work in extreme temperatures to support their families.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a 72-hour heat alert starting Thursday, as temperatures soared. On Thursday, the Met Office recorded a temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Jashore districts, with Chuadanga hitting a record 42.7 degrees Celsius on Friday.
According to the BMD, this intense heatwave is expected to persist for a few more days. In Khulna, the extreme heat has confined many to their homes. However, those who rely on daily wages, such as construction workers and rickshaw pullers, have no choice but to face the brutal temperatures to earn a living.
Bangladesh Poultry Association: 1 lakh birds dying every day due to heatwave
Nazrul Islam Hawladar, a 55-year-old road construction worker in the Mujgunni area of Khulna city, expressed the dire necessity of working despite the risk. "I am the sole provider for my nine-member family. Staying at home means not feeding my family," he stated.
Similarly, Abdul Quader, a 55-year-old day labourer who lives in a slum with his family, shared his struggle, "After working for a while, I get exhausted, but I still have to work to manage food for my family."
Bilkis Begum, another day labourer, succinctly captured the sentiment of many, saying, "What will I eat if I don't work? So I am forced to work in this heat."
The elderly also suffer disproportionately. Abdul Quader, a 65-year-old rickshaw puller, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the heat. "I have never felt so hot in my life. I can't stay in the sun for a long time," he said, noting his earnings have plummeted to between Tk 200-300 per day due to the heat.
Secondary schools, colleges to reopen April 28 amid heat wave
Mezbah, a construction worker, echoed these hardships, "Working amid sweltering heat is not easy, but there is no alternative. If I do not work, what would I eat?"
According to the BMD on Friday, a very severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Chuadanga and Pabna and a severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Tangail, Bogura, Bagerhat, Jashore and Kushtia.
Mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the divisions of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal and the districts of Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and Bandarban and it may continue, the BMD said.
Read more: How to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Stroke
Man detained with 90,000 Dirham at Ctg airport
Security and customs officials have detained a man carrying undeclared currency of approximately 90,000 Dirham (Tk 27 lakh) at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram this Friday.
The man, identified as Kaisar Hamid from Boalkhali upazila, was apprehended while attempting to board an Air Arabia flight bound for Sharjah.
According to Taslim Ahmed, Director of Chattogram Airport, a tip-off led a joint team from the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Customs Intelligence to intercept Hamid at the airport. Upon inspection, they discovered the Dirham concealed on his person.
Man held with 28 gold bars at Shah Amanat Airport
The confiscated currency has since been deposited at the customs house of the airport.
Authorities have filed a case against Hamid at Patenga Police Station under the Money Laundering Act, highlighting the ongoing efforts to clamp down on financial crimes at national borders.
MV Shah Amanat: Salvage operation suspended again
Columbia University students vow to continue anti-war protest amid standoff with administrators.
Columbia University students who inspired pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country said Friday that they reached an impasse with administrators and intend to continue their encampment until their demands are met.
The announcement after two days of exhaustive negotiations came as Columbia’s president faced harsh criticism from faculty — something that has been seen at several other universities where professors and staff similarly condemned leadership over the use of police against demonstrators, leading to fierce clashes, injuries and hundreds of arrests.
Pro-Palestinian protests sweep US college campuses following mass arrests at Columbia
The tensions add pressure on school officials from California to Massachusetts who are scrambling to resolve the protests as May graduation ceremonies near.
As the death toll mounts in the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis worsens, protesters at universities all over the U.S. are demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict.
Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus, and safety concerns have prompted some of the heavier-handed approaches.
In one crackdown, in Denver, police swept through an encampment Friday at the Auraria Campus, which hosts three universities and colleges. Forty protesters who set up there the day before were arrested on what the campus said were trespassing charges for violating a camping ban.
At Columbia, student negotiators representing the encampment said that after meetings Thursday and Friday, the university had not met their primary demand for divestment, although there was progress on a push for more transparent financial disclosures.
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“We will not rest until Columbia divests,” said Jonathan Ben-Menachem, a fourth-year doctoral student.
Columbia officials had said earlier that talks were showing progress.
“We have our demands; they have theirs,” university spokesperson Ben Chang said, adding that if the talks fail, Columbia will have to consider other options.
Meanwhile, Columbia's president, Minouche Shafik, faced a significant — but largely symbolic — rebuke from faculty Friday but retained the support of trustees, who have the power to hire or fire the president.
A report by the university senate’s executive committee, which represents faculty, found Shafik and her administration took “many actions and decisions that have harmed Columbia University.” Those included calling in police and letting students be arrested without consulting faculty, failing to defend the institution in the face of external pressures, misrepresenting and suspending student protest groups and hiring private investigators.
“The faculty have completely lost confidence in President Shafik’s ability to lead this organization,” said Ege Yumusak, a philosophy lecturer who is part of a faculty team protecting the encampment.
In response, Chang said in the evening that “we are committed to an ongoing dialogue and appreciate the Senate’s constructive engagement in finding a pathway forward.”
Also Friday, student protester Khymani James walked back comments made in an online video in January that recently received new attention. James said in the video that “Zionists don’t deserve to live” and people should be grateful James wasn’t killing them.
“What I said was wrong,” James said in a statement. “Every member of our community deserves to feel safe without qualification.”
James, who served as a spokesperson for the pro-Palestinian encampment as a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, was banned from campus Friday, according to a Columbia spokesperson.
Protest organizers said James' comments didn’t reflect their values. They declined to describe James’ level of involvement with the demonstration.
On the opposite coast, protesters at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, barricaded themselves inside a building for the fifth day Friday. The administration gave them until 5 p.m. to leave and “not be immediately arrested,” a deadline that came and went.
University officials did not immediately respond to a request for an update or provide information on what they planned to do, and the campus has been closed for the remainder of the semester.
At Arizona State University, protesters pitched tents, including some that police dismantled, and at least one person was handcuffed and taken away Friday.
Police previously clashed with protesters Thursday at Indiana University, Bloomington, where 34 were arrested. There were about 36 arrests at Ohio State, and one at the University of Connecticut.
The president of Portland State University took a different approach Friday, announcing a forum to discuss protesters’ concerns and a pause on further gifts and grants from Boeing, after students asked that the school cut ties with the aerospace company.
The University of Southern California canceled its May 10 graduation ceremony Thursday, a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested on campus. The university said it will still host dozens of commencement events, including all the traditional individual school ceremonies.
Elsewhere in New York, about a dozen protesters spent the night in tents and sleeping bags inside a building at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Protesters also stayed overnight at the encampment at George Washington University. Officials said in a statement that those who remained were trespassing on private property and disciplinary actions would be pursued against students involved in the unauthorized demonstrations.
At Emory University in Atlanta, video that circulated widely on social media showed two women who identified themselves as professors being detained, with one of them slammed to the ground by an officer as a second one pushed her chest and face onto a concrete sidewalk.
University President Gregory Fenves said via email that some videos of clashes were “shocking” and he was “horrified that members of our community had to experience and witness such interactions.”
Fenves blamed the campus unrest on “highly organized, outside protesters” who he said arrived in vans, put up tents and took over the quad. But in an earlier statement, school officials said that 20 of the 28 people arrested were members of the university community.
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, the U.S. Education Department has launched civil rights investigations into dozens of universities and schools in response to complaints of antisemitism or Islamophobia. Among those under investigation are many colleges facing protests, including Harvard and Columbia.
No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air quality has been identified as ‘unhealthy’ this morning. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 143 at 09:05am, Dhaka ranked 6th on the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
Nepal’s Kathmandu, Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Vietnam’s Hanoi occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 188, 162 and 160, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 151 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', and a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka’s air quality again ‘unhealthy’ this morning
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in the winter and improves during the monsoon.
Amid heat wave, Dhaka's air quality is still "unhealthy"
7 Best Smartphones Being Released in May 2024
Like every month, in May 2024, a wide range of smartphones are set to hit the shelves. From long-lasting batteries to powerful processors and impressive camera capabilities, smartphone lovers should get ready to be impressed by the innovation coming their way this May.
7 Most Hyped Smartphones Coming in May 2024
vivo V30e
vivo has officially teased the upcoming launch of the V30e, set to hit the Indian market on May 2nd. This fresh addition to their lineup promises exciting features, including a hefty 5,500 mAh battery and an impressive 50 MP main camera, accompanied by vivo's signature Aura Light design.
The V30e marks a significant milestone for vivo's V series, boasting a sleek design despite its substantial battery capacity, measuring just 7.69 mm thin. It sports a Sony IMX882 sensor for its main shooter and a 50 MP sensor for the front-facing camera with autofocus capabilities.
Read more: Motorola Moto G54 Review: Can It Hold the Legacy?
Additionally, the V30e is geared for longevity with its "4-year battery health" promise, retaining 80% of its capacity even after 1,600 full charging cycles.
Google Pixel 8a
The upcoming Google Pixel 8a boasts impressive features and is rumored to be announced on 14th May. It will have a 6.1-inch OLED display with HDR support and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. Powered by the cutting-edge Google Tensor G3 chipset, comprising a nona-core CPU and Immortalis-G715s MC10 GPU, it promises swift performance for multitasking and gaming.
The dual rear camera setup, featuring a 64MP main shooter and a 13MP ultrawide lens is to capture above-standard level photos and videos in various conditions. And, the 13MP front camera ensures crisp selfies.
Read more: Honor X7b Review: Budget-friendly Phone with Powerful Battery
With a spacious 256GB internal storage and 8GB RAM, users can store plenty of data and enjoy smooth app operations. Despite its premium features, the Google Pixel 8a aims to be accessible with an anticipated reasonable price tag.
OnePlus Ace 3V
In May 2024, the rebranded OnePlus Ace 3V comes with cutting-edge features. It will have sleek dimensions of 162.7 mm by 75.2 mm by 8.5 mm and a durable build of glass front, glass back, and plastic frame.
Its 6.74-inch AMOLED display, with 1 billion colors and a 120Hz refresh rate, will deliver good visuals even in bright environments, reaching a peak brightness of 2150 nits.
Read more: vivo iQOO 12 Review: Flagship Killer or a Flagship Itself?
Powered by Android 14 and ColorOS 14 on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, it promises smooth performance. A versatile camera setup, waterproof and dustproof IP65 rating, and lightning-fast 100W wired charging for the 5500mAh battery ensure an unparalleled user experience.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
Get ready for the launch of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra in May 2024, boasting a stunning 144 Hz refresh rate on its 6.70-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2712 by 1220 pixels, delivering crisp visuals with a pixel density of 446 ppi. It bears a dimension of 161.1 mm by 72.4 mm by 8.6 mm.
This phone runs on Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset. With a hefty 12GB RAM and Android 14, it ensures seamless performance, while its 4500mAh battery supports lightning-fast 100W Fast Charging. It sports a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main lens, another 50MP lens, and a 64MP periscope telephoto camera. Selfies are equally impressive with the 50 MP front camera.
Read more: Nokia C32: Reliable Budget Smartphone for Everyday Use Under BDT 14,000
With a generous 512GB storage, dual-SIM capability, and IP68 rating for dust and water protection, the Edge 50 Ultra is set to offer a premium experience in Forest Grey, Nordic Wood, and Peach Fuzz colors.
vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo
The iQOO Z9 Turbo is an upcoming smartphone waiting to be announced anytime soon. Boasting a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 144 Hz refresh rate and HDR support, the phone promises a premium display experience.
Its octa-core CPU should provide seamless performance, powered by Android 14 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 4nm chipset. With up to 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 256GB, there will be ample space for all your apps and files.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy A35 Review: Does It Offer Value for Money?
The phone aims to capture life's moments in stunning detail with its dual 50 MP main camera setup, while the 16MP selfie camera ensures you always look your best.
Plus, with a massive 6000mAh battery and 66W wired charging, the device can stay powered up a whole day. With IP54 dust-splash resistance and Dragontrail Star 2 Plus protection, the iQOO Z9 Turbo is ready to amuse users.
Samsung Galaxy M44
The Samsung Galaxy M44 is a new Samsung phone that is soon to be released. It's rumored to have a big 6.58-inch screen with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and a sharp display resolution. Inside, it's said to have 6GB of RAM and a powerful 5000mAh battery that charges up quickly.
Read more: Infinix Note 40 Pro Review: A Mid-Range Phone with 108P sensor, MagSafe Charging
For photos, it might have three cameras on the back, including a 50-megapixel sensor, and two 2-megapixel cameras. And for selfies, there could be a 13-megapixel camera on the front. The device will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset.
Storage-wise, it's expected to come with 128GB built-in, and you can add even more with a microSD card. It's likely to be available in black and white colors, and it's said to be a single SIM phone. It's supposed to be on the bigger side and weigh around 216 grams.
Honor X50 Pro
Scheduled for an imminent release in May 2024, the Honor X50 Pro epitomizes cutting-edge technology. The phone will come in dimensions of 163.6 mm by 75.5 mm by 8 mm and a weight of 192g. Its 6.78-inch AMOLED display boasts 1 billion colors and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Read more: itel P55 Plus Review: Budget-friendly Phone with Interesting Design Elements, Fast Charging
Powered by Android 14 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4nm chipset, its Octa-core CPU is expected to deliver good performance. The device offers ample internal storage of 256 GB supported by 12GB RAM.
Its photography prowess is highlighted by a remarkable 108MP dual main camera setup, and a 2MP depth sensor, delivering quality photos and videos in 4K resolution. It will have an 8MP selfie camera.
With a massive 5800mAh battery and 35W wired charging capability, the Honor X50 Pro ensures long-lasting usage and quick recharge times.
Read more: Nothing Phone 2a Review: What’s New?
Conclusion
May 2024 promises a bunch of new smartphones ranging from budget-friendly to flagship levels. From camera powerhouses like the Honor X50 Pro to long-lasting options like the vivo V30e, there's a phone ready to impress. Whether you prioritize lightning-fast performance or a stunning display, stay tuned as these exciting devices hit the market this May.
US announces new Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of new $6 billion aid package
The U.S. will provide Ukraine additional Patriot missiles for its air defense systems as part of a massive $6 billion additional aid package, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Friday.
The missiles will be used to replenish previously supplied Patriot systems. The package also includes more munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and additional gear to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles and radars into Ukraine's existing weaponry, much of which still dates back to the Soviet era.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the need for Patriots early Friday with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries gathering virtually in a Pentagon-led meeting. The meeting fell on the second anniversary of the group, which Austin said has “moved heaven and earth” since April 2022 to source millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket systems, armored vehicles and even jets to help Ukraine rebuff Russia's invasion.
Zelenskyy said at least seven Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities. “We urgently need Patriot systems and missiles for them,” Zelenskyy said. “This is what can and should save lives right now.”
Biden says the US is rushing weaponry to Ukraine as he signs a $95 billion war aid measure into law
At a Pentagon press conference following the meeting, Austin said the U.S. was working with allies to resource additional Patriot systems but did not commit to sending more U.S. versions. He said he has been speaking one-on-one with a number of his European counterparts in recent days to hash out this issue and others.
“It's not just Patriots that they need, they need other types of systems and interceptors as well,” Austin said. “I would caution us all in terms of making Patriot the silver bullet.”
Austin said he is asking allied nations to “accept a little bit more risk” as they consider what weapons to send to Ukraine. A number of nations have expressed some reluctance to send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine because most don’t have very many and they belieive they need them for their own defense.
U.S. officials said the aid package will be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which pays for longer-term contracts with the defense industry and means that it could take many months or years for the weapons to arrive. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.
The new funding — the largest tranche of USAI aid sent to date — also includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, as well as Switchblade and Puma drones, counter drone systems and artillery.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group has been meeting about monthly for the past two years and is the primary forum for weapons contributions to Kyiv for the war.
German leader says Europe must keep increasing aid to Ukraine after US approves new military help
Friday's meeting follows the White House decision earlier this week to approve the delivery of $1 billion in weapons and equipment to Ukraine. Those weapons include a variety of ammunition, such as air defense munitions and large amounts of artillery rounds that are much in demand by Ukrainian forces, as well as armored vehicles and other weapons.
That aid, however, will get to Ukraine quickly because it is being pulled off Pentagon shelves, including in warehouses in Europe.
Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the $1 billion weapons package will have a key benefit.
“There's some near-term effects,” said Brown, who stood alongside Austin at the Pentagon briefing. “Now the Ukrainians don't necessarily have to ration what they have because they know things are coming out of this package and there will be follow-on packages.”
The large back-to-back aid approvals are the result of a new infusion of about $61 billion in funding for Ukraine that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Wednesday. And they provide weapons Kyiv desperately needs to stall gains being made by Russian forces in the war.
Bitterly divided members of Congress deadlocked over the funding for months, forcing House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to cobble together a bipartisan coalition to pass the bill. The $95 billion foreign aid package, which also included billions of dollars for Israel and Taiwan, passed the House on Saturday, and the Senate approved it Tuesday.
Senior U.S. officials have described dire battlefield conditions in Ukraine, as troops run low on munitions and Russian forces make gains.
Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, the U.S. has sent more than $44 billion worth of weapons, maintenance, training and spare parts to Ukraine.
Among the weapons provided to Ukraine were Abrams M1A1 battle tanks. But Ukraine has now sidelined them in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.
1 killed, 5 injured in knife fight over football match in Brahmanbaria
A man was killed and five others were injured in a knife attack during a football match in Brahmanbaria's Sadar upazila .
The deceased, Yakub, 30, was a resident of Narshingshar village.
This incident occurred at the field of Narsinghsar High School on Friday evening.
According to locals and police sources, in the final match of the football tournament, the team from the west side of Narsinghsar defeated the team from the north side, becoming the champions.
After the match, members of the west side team celebrated by bursting firecrackers. At that time, some members of the north side team got into an altercation with them, which escalated into a knife fight.
Six people including Yakub, Juel, Kamal, Arman, were injured in the knife attack. When they were taken to the district hospital, the duty doctor declared Yakub dead.
Mohammad Aslam Hossain, duty officer at Sadar Police Station, said that upon receiving the news of the murder, police were dispatched to the area.
An operation is underway to arrest those involved in the incident. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area, he added.
Sajid Hussain reappointed as IMO Maritime Ambassador
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reappointed Chartered Marine Engineer Dr. Sajid Hussain, the immediate past commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy, as their Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for two further years (2024 and 2025).
As nominated by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST London), he has been appointed to the post among 29 Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors around the world.
IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez awarded him the IMOGMA Certificate formally on April 23 this year at IMO HQ in London. Mentionable, Dr. Sajid has been performing as an IMOGMA, a spokesperson or advocate for maritime and seafaring professions, since 2016.
He is engaged in fostering possible and prospective sea/shore-based professions among young students of schools, colleges, and universities through lectures, seminars, radio/TV/newspapers, and direct discussions.
He has served at Bangladesh Marine Academy (Chattogram) for 30 years, including as commandant, on ocean-going ships up to Chief Engineer, and at World Maritime University (WMU), Sweden, as a Member of the Board of Governors earlier.
His publications include a thesis, 26 books, 40 research papers, and 250 features.