United News of Bangladesh

Two Bangladeshi nationals suffered serious injuries in a landmine explosion near border pillar No 47-48 on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Saturday evening. The injured were identified as Nurul Absar,18, son of late Mohammad of Jaruliachhari village of Naikhangchhari Sadar union and Md Babu,17, son of Ali Ahmed of Kambonia village of Naikhongchhari Sadar union. Arakan Army releases 12 Bangladeshi fishermen According to locals, the youths might have gone to the area to smuggle into cattle or yaba pills. The injured were given first aid at Naikhongchhari Upazila Health Complex. As their condition deteriorated, the doctors referred them to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for better treatment, said Naikhangchhari Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Nurul Absar Emon. One of the injured, one was from his area, and the other is a resident of Moulvir Kata village in Kachchhpia union, he added.

Rain or thunder showers are likely in some places of Dhaka and six other divisions in 24 hours commencing 9am on Sunday, said Bangladesh Metrological Department. “Rains or thunder showers accompanied by gusty or squally wind is likely at a few places over Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Barishal & Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places,” said a Met office bulletin. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Dhaka’s air quality 7th worst in the world this morning Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna & Barishal divisions and it may abate from some places, it added. Day and night temperature may fall slightly over Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.

No fresh death due to dengue was reported in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Saturday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, 13 patients were hospitalised with viral fever during this period, according to the DGHS. Of them, eight were admitted in Dhaka hospitals, while the rest were outside the capital. A total of 114 patients are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. So far, 2,261 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, a total of 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year. Last year’s September was the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak, with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.

Two students of class-nine drowned while bathing in a lake in Diabari area of Dhaka’s Uttara on Saturday afternoon, said Fire Service officials. The deceased identified as Asharfaul, 16 and Jihad, 15, were students of Mirpur Shahid Smrity High School at Mirpur-11 of the capital. Md Alam Hossain, senior station officer of Uttara Fire Station, said five friends including the duo went to the lake to bathe in the Diabari area near Bridge No-10 in the afternoon. Two of them went missing in the lake while bathing, he said. Being informed, divers from the station rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies around 3:36pm, the officials said.  

Renowned economist and Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Dr. Atiur Rahman, will be awarded an honorary doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. This prestigious accolade, confirmed through a formal letter by Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib on April 30, 2024, recognizes Dr. Rahman's extensive contributions to economics and poverty alleviation. Scheduled for early September 2024, during the annual graduation ceremony, Dr. Rahman will receive the Doctor of Science (Economics) degree. His recognition stems not only from his academic contributions but also from his practical applications in economic development. Dr. Rahman is celebrated for his role as the former Governor of Bangladesh Bank where he was instrumental in initiatives aimed at pro-poor public expenditure, environmental and climate policies, sustainable development, financial inclusion, and social innovation. Dr. Rahman also founded Unnayan Shamannay, a globally recognized research and advocacy organization committed to socio-economic development. His work with the organization has been pivotal in advancing discussions and actions around poverty alleviation. SOAS University of London has a history of honoring distinguished individuals who have made significant global impacts. In 2023, the university awarded honorary degrees to several international figures including eminent Indian screenwriter Javed Akhtar (Doctor of Literature), London-based culinary artist Asma Khan (Doctor of Science in Social Science), UK-based public health expert Professor Kevin Fenton (Doctor of Literature), and renowned Buddhist scholar Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche (Fellow). The university anticipates that Dr. Rahman’s illustrious career and achievements will inspire both its students and the wider community during the graduation ceremonies. As an alumnus of SOAS, Dr. Rahman's accolades extend beyond this honorary degree, including multiple national and international awards that underscore his influence and legacy in the field of economics and beyond.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Abdur Rahman said on Saturday necessary measures will be taken to bring back the lost beauty of Kaptai Lake in Rangamati. He said this at a programme for fish fries release and VGF (rice) cards distribution among fishermen on Kaptai Lake bank. The minister said, “Kaptai Lake isn’t in its previous beauty and form. But we want to bring back the previous beauty of the lake with joint efforts of all. To restore the beauty cooperation from common people is also needed alongside that from fishermen.” He urged the fishermen to refrain from fishing during the three-month ban period in the lake and not to use the banned nets to catch fish in the water body. He said initiatives will be taken in this regard after communicating with the Ministry of Water Resources while the existing Fish Landing Centre will be renovated. Ban on fishing in the lake began on April 25 and it will continue till July 24 this year.

Bangladesh reported 11 more COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 2,050,049, 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 3.78 percent as 291 samples were tested, said the DGHS. The recovery and death rates stood at 98.41 percent and 1.44 per cent, respectively.

Vehicular movement on Airport road remained suspended for half an hour as the workers of a garment factory blocked the road demanding payment of salary and dues. 3 of a family killed in Munshiganj road crash Abu Saleh Md Raihan, joint commissioner (traffic north) of DMP, said hundreds of workers of the factory put up barricade on Mohakhali to Airport-bound road near Sainik Club around 8:35 am, demanding payment of dues. The workers left the road around 9:15 am after police intervention.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicted rains or thunder showers in parts of the country including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9am on Saturday. “Rains or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind are likely at a few places over Sylhet division and at one or two places over Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places, said a Met office bulletin. Besides, mild to moderate heat wave may continue in Dhaka and five other divisions commencing at 9 am on Saturday. Rains likely in parts Dhaka,  other places from May 2: BMD“A severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Pabna, Jashore, Chuadanga and Bagerhat districts while a mild to moderate heat wave is scorching Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal divisions and parts of Khulna division and Moulvibazar and Chandpur distircts and it may continue,” said the bulletin.Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Rain expected in Chattogram and Sylhet within 24 hoursA trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal to the North-east Bay across southwestern part of Bangladesh. Country’s highest temperature was recoded in Jashore at 41.8 degree Celsius on Sunday.

Dhaka's air quality was categorised as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 118 at 8:56 am, Dhaka ranked 11th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality. India’s Delhi, Nepal’s Kathmandu and Thailand’s Chiang Mai occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 329, 210 and 180 respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Dhaka’s air quality 5th worst in the world this morning The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five 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. Amid ongoing heatwave, Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’ As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.