United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Thursday said the demand for electricity may rise to about 17,500 MW in the coming summer. He, however, said that the currently total power generation capacity is 29,727 MW including that from captive and off-grid renewable energy. Environment minister calls for optimal execution of 'BEST' project to combat air pollution  “And the grid-based production capacity is 26,504 MW. Among them, natural gas-based production capacity is 11,350 MW (43 percent), furnace oil-based 6,492 MW (24 percent), diesel-based 826 MW (3 percent), coal-based 4,491 MW (17 percent), hydro 230 MW (1 percent ), solar power(grid) 459 MW (two percent) and imported electricity is 2656 MW (10 percent),” he said. Home Minister visits pavilions at World Defence Show The state minister said these in Parliament while responding to a written question of AL lawmaker elected from Chattogram M Abdul Latif. In fiscal year 2022-23, he said against the demand of electricity during summer, the generation on April 19 was 15,648 MW in the peak hours. Inflation will ease by end of current fiscal year: Finance Minister Due to reduced demand of electricity in winter, the maximum production of electricity this year has come down to 10,000 to 12,000 MW.

Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) has recommended for an effective hike in tobacco products' prices and taxes to help the government tackle the fiscal shortfall and simultaneously, safeguard public health. The organization's latest push for such a hike came on Thursday in a pre-budget meeting for FY 2024-25 held at the conference room of the National Revenue Board (NBR), according to a press release. Sale of loose edible oil increases health risks: PROGGA Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, Chairman of NBR presided over the meeting, it said. In support of its demand, ATMA informed that budget proposals placed by anti-tobacco activists, if realized, can help the government raise Tk 9,400 crore in additional revenue, which will come in handy to deal with the ongoing economic crisis. Tobacco prices made lower than essential commodities: Progga The prices of tobacco products in Bangladesh are considerably low. Furthermore, compared to the prices of essential commodities, it is evident that these deadly products are getting even cheaper. Such growing affordability is particularly alluring for the youth and the poor which is undoubtedly an ominous sign for our public health. “We will increase the prices of tobacco products in the upcoming budget for FY 2024-25. We are also considering the replacement of the current ad valorem tobacco tax structure with a specific tax system,” said the NBR chairman. E-cigarettes being promoted as alternative to tobacco pose great concern: PROGGA Senior Journalist Sukanta Gupta Alok, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convenor, ATMA, Nadira Kiron and Mizan Chowdhury, co-convenors of ATMA, NBR officials participated in the event, among others. During the pre-budget meeting, ATMA urged policymakers to hike the retail price of low-tier cigarettes to 60 for 10 sticks, followed by a 63 percent supplementary duty (SD). The prices of 10 sticks should be set at Tk 75, 125 and Tk 165 for medium, high and premium tiers respectively. The prices should be followed by a 65 percent SD, the release also said. Regarding smokeless tobacco, the retail price for 10 grammess of jarda and gul should be Tk 55 and Tk 30, followed by 60 percent SD. The budget proposals also suggested retaining 15 percent VAT on the retail prices of tobacco products and continuing the existing 1 percent health development surcharge (HDS). It should be noted that 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco products (smoked and smokeless). Tobacco claims 161,000 lives every year in Bangladesh. In 2017-18, the toll of tobacco use in the national economy (due to medical expenses and loss of productivity) stood at Tk 30,560 crore.

Police recovered the body of a leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL) who allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her house at Baishakhipara area of Naria upazila in Shariatpur. The deceased was identified as Sheikh Sumaiya Sumu, 20, daughter of Abu Bakar Sheikh of Boishakhipara village and joint general secretary of Naria Government College Chhatra League. Read: 2 dead as bus collides with covered van in Cox’s Bazar According to police and locals, after celebrating her birthday with friends, she returned home at night and slept locking her door. Her family members woke up was Sumaiya’s mobile phone was ringing frequently in her room and started calling Sumaiya from outside the door. However, as she did not respond they broke the door open and found Sumaiya’s body hanging from the fan. Later, police reached the spot and recovered the body. Read: Autorickshaw driver stabbed to death in Sylhet  Naria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the death. The body was sent to the hospital for autopsy, said the OC. The matter will be investigated, if her family lodges complaint, he added. 

The government has decided to keep the government and private secondary schools open for 15 days during the month of Ramadan. The academic activities of secondary schools will continue from March 11 to 25, said a notification of the Education Ministry signed by public relations officer of the ministry Mohammad Abul Khayer. Read: Schools to remain open for 15 days during Ramadan As per the notification, the government has brought some changes the holiday list of the educational institutions in 2024.

The government has reduced VAT and duty on import of  rice, edible oil, sugar, and dates ahead of holy month of Ramadan. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued four gazette notifications reducing the customs duties on these essential items from a minimum of 5 percent to a maximum of 47 percent. According to the notifications, rice import duty and tax have been reduced by 47.25 percent. The duty has been reduced from 62.50 percent to 15.25 percent. Out of this, supplementary duty has been cut by 20 percent. Bangladesh seeks IFAD support to boost wheat and edible oil production This tax reduction will be applicablein the import of boiled and non-boiled rice. However, prior to importing rice at subsidized rates, written approval must be taken from an official of minimum joint secretary rank of the Ministry of Food for each shipment. The tax reduction facility will be valid till May 15, 2024. On the other hand, the Value Added Tax on refined and crude (non-refined) soybean and palm oil has been reduced to 10 percent from 15 percent, which will be in force till April 15. Govt to import 12,500 MT of sugar from US For sugar import, the fixed duty has been reduced from Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,000 per metric ton. This facility will be valid till March 31 as per NBR notification. Besides, the import duty on date has been reduced from 58 percent to 43 percent.. It will remain in force till March 30. One crore TCB card holder families to get 5 kg rice at Tk 30 from July In the cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's office on January 29, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered reduction of duty on edible oil, sugar, dates, and rice on the occasion of Ramadan. On January 22, the Ministry of Commerce wrote to National Board of Revenue (NBR) to exempt tax on rice, edible oil, sugar, and dates.

Mohammad Zahirul Islam alias Dalton Zahir has recently been selected as the co Chairman of the Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). Zahir, also a director of Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh (TDAB), was elected for the 2023-25 term, said a press release issued on Thursday. He is the founder and CEO of Traveller Key, Europe Key, Traveller Times, Welcome Bangladesh and World Vacation Club. Zahir worked as Head of Sales and Marketing of BRAC Services Ltd (BSL), the management of BSL said in a statement. Read more: Baklai Waterfall in Bandarban: How to Get to One of the Tallest Waterfalls in Bangladesh He also served at Rose View Hotel, Sylhet. He has 22 years of experience in hospitality, tourism, public relations, media communications, branding, sales, marketing, and operations. He also worked for Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf, Ocean Paradise, Lakeshore Hotel, Motorola Mobile, Apple Computer, Philips Mobile, and Fujifilm Digital Camera Distribution for Bangladesh (Jel Corp HQ in Singapore). Zahir, curious about the tourism and hospitality sector, has been working to explore tourism potentials focusing on beautiful Bangladesh for its different places, cultures, and cuisines. His thirst to devise tools and to draw a blueprint to attract tourists makes him dexterous in hospitality and tourism. A travel loving personality, Zahir visited the UK, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Poland , Denmark , Austria , Czech Republic ,Spain, France,  Switzerland,Portugal, Netherlands, Malaysia, India , Nepal , Myanmar , China and the UAE. He also participated in various esteemed events like India ’s largest event Travel Tourism Fair, ITB Berlin (World’s largest travel tourism fair in Germany), WTM London (Best World Travel Market, UK) and photo competitions of USA , Germany and France. Read more: Royal Enfield 350: Review of 350cc Motorbikes Coming in Bangladesh He has achieved the membership of the Photographic Society of America. Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh, Tour Operator Association of Bangladesh, World Travellers Club Ltd. European American Chamber of Commerce of Industry, Pacific Asia Travel Association, New York Chapter USA, member of SKAL Madrid Spain.

As the Ekushey Boi Mela (Book Fair) 2024 crossed its seventh day yesterday, publishers and book sellers are hopeful for increased sales and public engagement, despite not yet reaching their anticipated sales targets. The Dhaka Metro Rail has infused the fair with a new vibrancy, making it more accessible for visitors from distant areas like Uttara, Mirpur, and Motijheel. Ovi Islam, from Farmgate, shared his positive experience of using the metro rail to bypass traffic jams, despite the initial long wait for tickets. Go for digital book publication to globally promote Bengali literature:PM Hasina tells publishers at Ekushey Book Fair Although some visitors, like Ovi who visited the fair three times without purchasing books, contribute to the growing foot traffic, the overall sales have yet to see a significant boost. Another group of visitors from Uttara noted the ease of accessing the fair this year, thanks to the metro rail, which has offered a way to avoid the infamous Dhaka traffic congestion. Book sellers expressed mixed feelings about the fair's progress. While visitor numbers are on the rise, actual book purchases remain lower than expected. Nur Hossen Sarkar from Anupam Prokashoni observed that many attendees are more interested in browsing than buying. Similarly, Mohammad Jabed from Mowla Brothers noted a slight decrease in sales compared to the initial days but remains hopeful for an uptick in activity. PM opens Ekushey book fair Some exhibitors have faced challenges with their stall placements, leading to visibility and accessibility issues. Sumon Saj from Nongor Publication voiced concerns about being allocated a less favorable location and has reported the issue to Bangla Academy without seeing significant action. Some publishers also expressed dissatisfaction about the overall arrangement and environment. These issues suggest that while the metro rail has made the fair more accessible, improvements are still needed in its organization and visitor experience. With the fair still underway, publishers and sellers are optimistic about a surge in sales and visitor numbers, especially with the upcoming weekend. Tracing the Roots of Ekushey Boi Mela

Dhaka's air quality has been categorized as ‘unhealthy’ this morning. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 194 at 9:18 am, Dhaka ranked 5th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality. Ghana’s Accra, Iraq’s Baghdad, China’s Shenyang and India’s Mumbai occupied the first four spots on the list, with AQI scores of 275, 206, 204 and 202, respectively. Dhaka’s air quality 4th worst in the world this morning An AQI between 150 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. 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 in winter and improves during the monsoon. Dhaka’s air quality 3rd worst in the world this morning Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. 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.     END/UNB/MAS

The local administration has suspended the movement of tourist ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route from February 10 until further notice due to unrest along the Myanmar border. Cox's Bazar Additional District Magistrate Yamin Hossain confirmed the matter on Wednesday (February 07, 2024) night. 64 more members of Myanmar security forces enter Bangladesh on Wednesday: BGB Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury said all ships will be able to operate on the Teknaf-St Martin’s route til Friday (February 9). Although the movement of tourist ships from Teknaf will be closed, the movement of ships from Chattogram and Cox's Bazar will continue, he added. 327 Myanmar security forces taking shelter in Bangladesh: BGB Meanwhile, tension is increasing on the Naikhongchhari border in Bandarban as the violent bconflict in Myanmar has not stopped. Firing is still going on on the other side of the border. Locals are fleeing their homes in panic as gunfire has increased in the border areas of Ghumdhum and Tumbru over the last few days. In the last few days of conflict inside Myanmar, life on the other side has come to a standstill, and local residents are living in fear. What the BGB DG said during visit to Bangladesh-Myanmar border today After inspecting the border situation on February 6, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin urged locals to remain alert in the Ghumdhum border area of Naikhongchhari as well as to go to the shelter centres. BGB’s Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui also urged the border residents to go to safe shelters.

The government has reappointed Joynal Abedin as the president’s press secretary for one more year on a contractual basis. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday. According to the notification, according to Section 49 of the Government Service Act, 2018, the president's press secretary has been appointed on a contractual basis. Joynal Abedin has been reappointed as the press secretary to the president on a contractual basis for one year, starting on February 11, 2024, or from the date of joining. Other terms and conditions of this appointment will be determined by the approved agreement; the notification also said.