United News of Bangladesh

Just in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup excitement, youth-favourite smartphone brand realme launched the realme C63, featuring an unparalleled 45W fast charger that provides a one-hour cricket watch with only three minutes of charging. This remarkable feature is complemented by a 5000mAh battery which gets charged up to 20% in 10 minutes, 50% in 30 minutes and 100% in 79 minutes. A 60-second charge would give users a passage for a 60-minute call, said a press release issued on Monday. It is the only phone in its segment to receive the TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification, which guarantees that the charging system has undergone rigorous testing to meet the highest safety standards. Realme C63 also offers a vegan leather back cover which was previously preserved for flagship smartphones only. Alongside providing a luxurious texture, it also offers exceptional durability and resistance to stains. The coarse lychee pattern chosen for the vegan leather back shell enhances grip, ensuring both visual and tactile pleasure. Adding to its premium appeal, the realme C63 comes with the only metal lens deco in its price segment. The smartphone also brings several flagship-level AI features to its users. It introduces Air Gestures and Rainwater Smart Touch, previously available only in the realme numbers and GT series. These innovative features cater to everyday user needs, allowing seamless navigation without touching the screen. With Air Gestures, users can enjoy hands-free interactions while eating, exercising, or cooking, enabling them to watch videos and answer calls effortlessly. Rainwater Smart Touch ensures smooth operation even in rainy conditions or in the bathroom. The C63 also includes AI call noise reduction and the highly acclaimed Mini Capsule 2.0 function, enhancing the overall user experience. Powered by an advanced octa-core chip, the realme C63 delivers both performance and efficiency, making it a formidable contender in the mid-range smartphone market. Besides, the device also features the latest realme UI 14 version. The realme C63 will be available in two stunning colours, Leather Blue and Jade Green. The 6GB+128GB version is attractively priced at Tk 16,999, while the 8GB+128GB version costs Tk 18,999. Additionally, on Pickaboo's platform, there's a flash sale where the 6GB+128GB variant is available for TK 15,999 and the 8GB+128GB variant is priced at Tk 17,999. Realme is dedicated to maximizing quality and performance, ensuring that the realme C63 delivers a luxury-like experience to all its consumers. For further details on the realme C63 launch, users can visit the official realme Bangladesh Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/realmeBD/  

In a move aimed at preserving green spaces and enhancing the quality of life in Dhaka, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam announced that Anwara Park at Farmgate will remain a park and will not be subjected to any construction. "No construction will be allowed in Anwara Park at Farmgate, it will be kept open to the public as a park. It was once a park. Based on public demand, it must be returned as a park. I am with the people. No construction here, it will remain as a park," said the Mayor, emphasising his commitment to maintaining green spaces for public use. Drive against illegal occupiers to continue: Atiqul The announcement was made on Monday afternoon during a policy dialogue titled "Save Your Breath - Clean Air Imperatives," organised by the Shakti Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka.The dialogue highlighted the importance of data-driven solutions and effective implementation strategies to improve air quality. Mirpur's Paris canal will be revived : Mayor Atiqul Atiqul Islam also introduced five key measures to combat air pollution in Dhaka. The initiatives include: using covers at construction sites to prevent dust-borne air pollution, ensuring proper covering for vehicles transporting materials that disperse fine particles, banning unsuitable vehicles that emit black smoke, avoiding the unnecessary burning of leaves and waste and closing illegal sewerage lines in drains and canals. "Everyone needs to be aware to protect the city's environment. Various agencies need to work in coordination," the Mayor stated, underscoring the need for collective effort in tackling environmental issues. No cutting trees without permission in DNCC areas: Atiqul Islam He also highlighted the results of a survey conducted in the Gulshan and Baridhara areas, revealing that many buildings lack proper sanitation systems, leading to illegal sewage connections polluting the city's surface drains. "The water in Gulshan and Baridhara canals is polluted. Fish cannot be cultivated there. Mosquitoes are breeding instead," he noted, stressing the urgency of addressing these problems. The DNCC mayor also called for stricter measures to close illegal sewage connections, pointing out the irony of residents investing heavily in air conditioning while neglecting sewage management. "Indiscriminately connecting sewage to the city's canals and drains is polluting the water and air. This needs to stop," he asserted. The dialogue, moderated by Nahim Razzaq, lawmaker for Shariatpur-3 constituency, featured participants including RAJUK Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar; Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University DrAkter Mahmud, among others.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Monday said that multiple factors are contributing to the continuation of air pollution in the country, and combined efforts in the battle against air pollution are necessary. “Air pollution is a silent killer. The Ministry has formulated rules to identify and tackle indoor and outdoor air pollution, and an all-government approach with active engagement of all stakeholders is the way forward,” he said. To underscore the importance of enforcing evidence-based solutions to improve air quality, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Shakti Foundation jointly organized a policy dialogue titled "Save Your Breath: Policy Dialogue on Clean Air Imperatives" at Hotel Sheraton on Monday, where the Minister spoke as the chief guest.

 UNICEF and children representatives from the Bangladesh Generation Parliament initiative highlighted on Monday the critical need for enhanced allocation and effective utilization of the national budget in key child welfare sectors during a parliamentary pre-briefing held at the Bangladesh National Parliament. This year, the “Safeguarding Children’s Interest in the National Budget: Pre-Budget Briefing” is jointly organized by UNICEF with the members of the ParliamentaryCaucus on Child Rights, Standing Committees on the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health and the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum on Health & Wellbeing. This briefing follows the comprehensive analysis of the national budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 conducted by UNICEF and presented it to the parliamentarians,revealing concerning trends in budget allocation and utilization for key sectors, particularly education, health, and social protection. Tens of thousands of children in Afghanistan are affected by ongoing flash floods, UNICEF says The presentation also sheds light on the investment needs in the three key sectors for the upcoming budget and recommendations going forward. Children representing eight divisions of Bangladesh were present at the event and voiced their concerns and aspirations of their peers at the briefing. "If we can participate in budget discussions, it will help us express our opinions, the obstacles that we face in our everyday life and the needs related to our education, health and other areas”, said 11-year-old child journalist Owaiz Abtee from Kurigram. “Engaging children in pre-budget analysis is a powerful step towards fostering active citizenship and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping our nation's future. UNICEF's support in this initiative underscores our commitment to inclusive and participatory governance”, said the Chief Guest, Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Chief Whip in the Bangladesh National Parliament. Among other key issues, the briefing referred to the need of highlighting the underutilization of funds in critical sectors, which is complemented by the lackof allocation in other critical areas. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, despite an increase in the total budget size by 12.3 per cent compared to the previous year, the allocation for crucial sectors like health, education, and social protection has proportionally declined, posing a significant risk to the well-being of children and in achieving the country's development goals. UNICEF 'appalled' at Rohingya teacher's killing "Investing in our children is not just a moral obligation—it is a smart economic strategy that would bring high returns. Ensuring full utilization of the allocated budget for children is essential for sustaining the remarkable developmental strides Bangladesh has made," said Stanley Gwavuya, OIC Representative to UNICEF in Bangladesh, emphasising the importance of strategic investments in children. "It is our duty as policymakers to ensure that the allocation and execution of budgets reflect our commitment to the well-being and rights of every child in Bangladesh. Today’s discussion reiterates our collective responsibility to enhance the mechanisms of budget utilization,” said Shamsul Hoque Tuku, MP, the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament, and the Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights echoing the need for legislative support. In the Health sector, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality and under-five mortality. However, the upcoming national budget needs to ensure 2 per cent of GDP investment in health with a special focus on access to universal health services for all, increasing the health workforce, medicines and equipment in primary healthcare facilities and increasing immunization financing. In Education, Bangladesh has achievednearly 100% enrolment in primary education with gender parity. It is crucial to ensure 3 per cent of GDP investment in education and focus on increasing students’ competencies in the primary and secondary levels, curriculum reform, strengthening the student assessment system, training teachers, and making schools heatproof, said UNICEF. In social protection, Mother and Child Benefit Programme is a critical intervention to ensure children’s nutrition in their early years. Though Bangladesh invests reasonable resources in social protection, benefits need to reach those in need. Additionally, UNICEF conducted a U-report poll involving over 28,000 young voices, to incorporate broader youth opinions. Around 84 per cent of the participants responded that it is important for the Government to spend more on health, education and social protection directly impacting children. This initiative is a testament to UNICEF's commitment to incorporating children's voices in policy dialogues that affect their lives directly.  

Shahbagh police station will be relocated from its current location to facilitate the implementation of the Shadhinata Stambha project at Suhrawardy Udayan in Dhaka. The decision came from the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in the city. The Shahbagh Police Station Bhaban needs to be relocated due to the construction of Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) Project in the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, said Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain while briefing reporters after the meeting. “The Cabinet has taken the decision that the police station will be shifted to the opposite side of the Hotel InterContinental and behind Sakura,” he said.  The relocation issue of the police station was placed before the Cabinet as the Liberation War Affairs Ministry and the Home Ministry failed to reach a decision in this regard.    

The government on Monday fixed the price of cowhide at Tk 55-60 per square feet in the capital and Tk 50-55 outside of it. The decision was taken at a meeting on fixing the rawhide prices on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha  at the Secretariat. Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahim, chairman of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather goods and Footwear Exporters Association, announced the price of cowhide in presence of the State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Tito at the meeting. According to the new price, the price of per piece cowhide has been fixed at Tk 1200 in the capital while Tk 1000 outside the capital.        

The government on Monday rearranged the office-timing from 9am to 5pm for government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions of the country, which will be effective after the upcoming Eid-ul Azha. The decision for the new office hours was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in the city. Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain informed the decision while briefing reporters after the meeting. The current office-hour from 9am to 4pm was made effective from  November 15, 2022 in order to save power and energy changing the usual office time from 9am to 5pm.    

Price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has decreased by Tk 2.53 per kg to 113.55 from the previous price of Tk 116.08 for the month of June. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price, saying that a 12kg LPG cylinder’s price has been dropped by Tk 30. The new prices will be effective from 6 pm today (June 3, 2024). LPG gets cheaper by Tk 49 per 12-kg container  A retail consumer will get it now at Tk 1363 instead of Tk 1393 (including VAT). Prices of other sizes of LPG cylinders – from 5.5kg to 45kg – will go down rationally, the BERC, said at a press briefing on Monday at the BERC office in Dhaka. BERC officials said the LPG price witnessed a decline in the local market due to a decrease in the prices of Saudi CP (contract price). Regulatory guidelines in the works for safe use of LPG: BERC chairman Bangladeshi LPG operators normally import their products from the Middle East market on the basis of Saudi CP. As per the BERC decision, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also decreased to Tk 62.53 per litre (including VAT) from the previous Tk 63.92 per litre, down by Tk1.39 per litre. The price of LPG, marketed by state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 percent. LPG witnessed the highest price at Tk 1,498 (per 12kg cylinder) in the local market in February last year. LPG Cylinder Safety Precautions: Tips to Follow at Home  

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast rain or thundershowers in seven divisions including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Monday.“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” said a regular bulletin of Met office.Meanwhile, a mild heat wave is sweeping Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and Rangpur, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Chandpur, Noakhali, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore and Barishal districts and it may abate from some places. Intense heat wave, rains forecast in parts of IndiaDay and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country.Besides, a trough of low lies over West Bengal to Northwest Bay across southwestern part of Bangladesh. Southwest monsoon has advanced up to Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions. Rains likely in Dhaka, 4 others divisionsConditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest monsoon.

The Appellate Division on Monday upheld the High Court order restricting cattle market in the Aftabnagar area of the capital during Eid-ul-Azha. The four-member Appellate Division bench led by Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order after hearing a writ petition. Advocate Shah Manjurul Haque and Advocate SM Shamim Hossain stood for the petitioner while Barrister Azmalul Hossain KC represented  lessee Nurul Islam. Advocate Manjurul said Aftabnagar is a planned residential area and the SC upheld the High Court order considering the matter. On April 4, chief  estate officer  of Dhaka North and South City Corporations issued a notice for setting up cattle markets in the capital on lease on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Govt in tough stance against cattle smuggling through border: Fisheries and Livestock Minister The President of Zahurul Islam City Society, Md Alamgir Hossain Dhali, and its general secretary SM Kamal filed a writ petition challenging the notice of the city corporation. Secretary to the Local Government Ministry, Dhaka North and South City Corporations and other authorities concerned were made respondents to the writ petition. 4407 cattle markets to be set up in country: Home Minister On May 8, the High Court stayed all kinds of activities regarding the setting up of cattle market in Aftabnagar area. Later, Nurul Islam, a lessee filed an appeal petition challenging the High Court order. No shortage of cattle for Eid-ul-Azha: Livestock Minister