United News of Bangladesh

President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Major General ANM Muniruzzaman (Retd) has underscored the challenges posed by the seamless transition from physical to virtual existence of people that can complicate democratic practices. Speaking at a discussion on Tuesday, he also highlighted the necessity of safeguarding personal information as social media is being used for microtargeting and creating micro-profiles as well. Additionally, he depicted the creation of a generational gap by social media, noting the distinction between the analog era of his generation and the digital era of the current one. He also voiced concerns about the surveillance over individuals' personal data, emphasizing the need for attention to this issue. Muniruzzaman highlighted the growing significance of social media's impact on democracy, especially amid multiple upcoming elections worldwide. Head of English Web, Prothom Alo Ayesha Kabir, Research Analyst, United Nations Development Programme Faisal Bin Majid and Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Engage Media Rezwan Islam were the speakers who elevated the discourse by sharing their insights on the topic under discussion. Senior Research Fellow, BIPSS Shafqat Munir while delivering his opening remarks said social media has some positive aspects such as it can give people a voice, provide people access to many information and can empower people so that they can become better democratic citizens. On the other hand, he added, social media can spread disinformation, it can create biasness and divide the society. Shafqat also mentioned to call attention to the vulnerability of the people of Bangladesh in the realm of social media that Bangladesh has a massive population and its entire internet user population is even higher than the population of many large countries. Ayesha Kabir presented the event known as “Arab Spring” as an example of a totally social media-oriented movement. In her opinion, when the discussion is about social media on democracy, we have to be proactive rather than reactive. “What we lack in our country is a strong fact-checking network”, she said. Faisal Bin Majid stressed on how politicians are relying on social media to have the attention of the target audience. He noted the historical influence of newspapers in past elections of Bangladesh, specifically in 1996 and 2001, and the current spread of disinformation via WhatsApp groups in India. According to Rezwan Islam, roles of individual users, fact-checkers, journalists and others will be pivotal for safeguarding democracy. He also pointed out the role of social media influencers in making things viral that can be both positive and negative. In his opinion, the quality of journalism has degraded and people are also not aware enough regarding identifying disinformation. During the interactive session, issues like having control over expression of opinions via social media, data localization, trolling through social media, information being released on dark web, filtering eastern and western propaganda etc. were discussed. Journalists, academicians and students joined the event.

The historic May Day will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe on Wednesday with due respect. May Day, also known as the International Workers' Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of working people in Chicago, USA at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday. The day is a public holiday. On May 1, 1886, 10 workers were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration in the US city of Chicago near Hay Market demanding an eight-hour working day instead of a 12-hour shift. On the height of agitation, the authorities had to accept the workers' demand and the eight-hour day has been introduced universally. Sramik Dal to hold rally in city Wednesday to mark May Day On July 14, 1889, an international workers' rally in Paris declared May 1 as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers' sacrifice and achievement and since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day. The government, different trade unions and workers’ organisations will observe the day with elaborate programmes, including discussions, rallies and processions. This year, due to the ongoing heat wave, the program of the Labor and Employment Ministry will be very short. The Labour and Employment Ministry have chalked out elaborate programmes in the city marking the day. It will organise a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 11 am on the occasion. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will present as a chief guest, said state minister for Labor and Employment Ministry, Nazrul Islam Chowdhury while briefing to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday. A documentary film of the ministry will be displaced at the programme. Cheque will be distributed to the destitute workers from the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation at the programme. A cultural function will be held there. Besides, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the labour wing of BNP, is set to hold a rally in the city on Wednesday to mark the historic May Day. The rally is scheduled to begin at 3pm in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office, said party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Newspapers will publish supplements while radio and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. May Day: World’s workers rally, France sees pension anger Meanwhile, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the working-class people of the country and wishing for their overall welfare. In his message, the President said “To build a sustainable industrial and trade sector, investment-friendly environment, concentration of workers and cordial relations between workers and owners will have to be ensured. I hope that the stability and productivity of the labour sector will be increased gradually through the positive and progressive participation of the workers and owners. The inherent significance of May Day is closely related to the rights, interests and welfare of the working people. I hope that all will work sincerely in their respective fields to improve their living standard and protect their just rights.” In her message, the Prime Minister said “I believe, inspired by the ideals of the May Day, the workers and owners will be dedicated to increase national production by maintaining good relations with each other. In the spirit of May Day, we will build a developed and prosperous smart Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation through the welfare of the working people and overall development of the country by strengthening the unity of the workers and owners of the country.”  

The Editors' Council and Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) on Tuesday demanded resumption of unhindered entry for journalists to Bangladesh Bank at the earliest. The demand was placed in a joint statement as the central bank has recently slapped unwritten restrictions on journalists' entry into its headquarters. The statement says journalists from different media outlets have not been able to enter Bangladesh Bank for more than a month to perform their professional duties. The Noab and the Editors’ Council think that this unwritten ban on journalists' access to the central bank goes against free press, democracy and fundamental and constitutional rights, it reads. In this regard, the statement given by BB spokesperson Mezbaul Haque to the media has come to the notice of Noab and Editors’ Council as he said, “From now on, journalists can only go to the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank with specific permission (entry pass). If an official gives a pass to journalists, then only that official can be met. But journalists will not be able to freely enter any department of the central bank as they did in the past.” Noting that his statement is the manifestation of an undeclared ban on the entry of journalists, the Noab and Editors’ Council said this decision is tantamount to snatching the freedom of media. As a result of this ban, the people will be deprived of the right to know the actual condition of the bank and financial sector as well as the country's economy. On the other hand, it will increase public mistrust regarding the sector, said the statement made by Noab and Editors’ Council. At the same time, it will further encourage irregularities and corruption in the banking and financial sector, it said. In this situation, the Noab and Editors’ Council are demanding to ensure the unhindered entry of journalists immediately.

Like the previous years, the government is going to impose a 65-day ban beginning from May 20 on fishing in the country's all marine waters to ensure smooth breeding, production, conservation and sustainable collection of fish. The ban will continue till July 23 this year. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Abdur Rahman said this after a meeting held at the conference room of the ministry in Dhaka Tuesday morning. Underscoring the need for awareness among the fishermen about the ban, he said during the ban period, not only will the law be enforced but also assistance will be provided through VGF cards for the fishermen to earn their livelihood for the conservation and sustainable collection of marine fisheries resources. The minister called upon the division, district and upazila administrations and all the agencies engaged in maintaining law and order and all stakeholders involved in fishing and marketing business to implement the fishing ban program for the ban period to ensure proper breeding, production, conservation of marine fisheries resources and sustainable fish collection. Officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Armed Forces Division, Public Security Division, Shipping Ministry, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, Navy, Coast Guard, River Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Headquarters, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, Divisional Commissioners of Chattogram, Khulna and Barishal, among others were present at the meeting conducted by Fisheries Ministry Secretary Md Selim Uddin.

Although the extent of loadshedding was lower compared with the previous day on Monday, the country was reeling from over 2000 MW of shortage in electricity generation on Tuesday. The data of the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) at the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) shows that the country experienced loadshedding in excess of 2100 MW at 3pm in the day peak hours, when the generation was 14,273 MW against a demand for 16,400 MW. At any given time, the amount of loadshedding is the difference between the amount of electricity generated and its demand, when the former is in deficit. There is a forecast that the demand will go up to 17,300 MW in the evening peak hours and the extent of load shedding may exceed 2,200 MW amid what is already the hottest as well as longest heatwave on record in the country. The NLDC data also shows that the country’s on-grid installed generation capacity is 27,057 MW, but almost 7000 MW of that is currently out of the equation due to fuel shortage and plant maintenance programme. “Some 4,761 MW of power remains out of generation only because of gas shortage,” a top official of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) told UNB, referring to the NLDC data.Another 2196 MW remains out of commission due to scheduled maintenance work. Loadshedding hits 1000MW amid soaring demand spurred by heat The BPDB official, who was granted anonymity to speak on matters considered sensitive, said they have been receiving 1,293 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas against a demand for more than 2,317 MMCFD. Officials also noted that consumers at the rural areas are the principal victims of the power outages this time as many areas have to experience several hours of loadshedding at different times. According to an official from the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), "Power outages in rural areas are so frequent that any interruption means consumers have to wait several hours to get electricity back." Shielding capital Dhaka from loadshedding masks reality of power cuts biting nation The data shows on Monday the areas under Dhaka region experienced 360 MW of load shedding while Chattagram 165 MW, Khulna 132 MW, Rajshahi 182 MW, Comilla 245 MW, Mymensingh 275 MW, Sylhet 44 MW and Rangpur 130 MW while there was no load shedding in Barisal on the day.    

Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah on Tuesday told the foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka that the delay in Rohingya repatriation would pose a threat to regional security. “Due to the delay in the repatriation process, the existing frustration among the Rohingyas may lead them to engage in illegal activities, which will pose a threat to regional security,” he said. The principal secretary said this when a group of foreign diplomats and representatives from different countries and international agencies, who are stationed in Dhaka, attended a meeting over the Rohingya issue at the Prime Minister’s Office. HC wants to know the number of Rohingya voters in Cox’s Bazar In the meeting, they discussed the solution to the Rohingya crisis, the repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar Rohingyas who took shelter in Bangladesh on a temporary basis, the negative impact on the local community (Host Community) and their employment generation, the humanitarian assistance from international community for the Rohingya people, and their skills-enhancement, said a press release. The principal secretary said the main goal of the Bangladesh government is to repatriate the Rohingyas to their own country. He attached a special importance to the role of the international community, including the United Nations, in the quick and permanent solution to this issue. Alongside providing humanitarian aid, the education and training programmes which are carried out here in Bangladesh to increase skills of Rohingya people will be helpful in sustainable coexistence in Rakhine after their repatriation, Tofazzel added. Dhaka, Bangkok to work together to deal with Rohingya issue: FM During the meeting, the ambassadors and high commissioners pledged to continue their government's efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis. They mentioned the Bangladesh government's support for the self-reliance of the Rohingyas and the employment generation for the local community. The principal secretary thanked the foreign ambassadors, high commissioners and the representatives of various international organizations for their significant role and interest in solving the Rohingya crisis. High Commissioner of Canada Lilly Nicholls, Ambassador of Japan Iwama Kiminori, Acting High Commissioner of United Kingdom Matt Cannell, Acting High Commissioner of Australia Nardia Simpson, UNHCR Country Representative Sumbul Rizvi, BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh and Head of Organisation at UNRC Office Louise Barber were among the participant foreign diplomats and representatives. Besides, senior Secretary of Public Security Division Md Mustafizur Rahman, Secretary of Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Md Kamrul Hasan, Secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Farhina Ahmed, Acting Foreign Secretary & Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Rear Admíral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam, ERD Secretary-in-charge Md. Mostafizur Rahman, among the government high officials were present at the meeting.  

Heat records continue to fall amid the mild to very severe heatwave sweeping across the country, with Jashore recording its highest temperature in 52 years on Tuesday, at 43.8 degrees Celsius. Dr Md Abul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the country’s highest temperature was recorded at 43.8 degrees Celsius in Jashore today. It is also the highest temperature recorded in the country this year. Capital Dhaka experienced 40.5 degrees Celsius temperature on Monday. UNB Chuadanga correspondent reports: Chuadanga recorded Tuesday’s temperature at 43.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in 36 years in the district. Jaminur Rahman, in-charge of Chuadanga weather observatory, said it is the highest temperature recorded in Chuadanga since the official opening of the weather observatory in the district on December 12, 1988. “There is no possibility of rainfall activities in the next two days and the temperature may rise or remain unchanged further in Chuadanga, " he said. In 2005, Chuadanga experienced 43 degrees Celsius temperature while in 2014, it saw 43.2 degrees Celsius temperature. On Monday, Chuandanga experienced the hottest day in the country with a record of 43 degrees Celsius temperature. In 1972, Bangladesh recorded its highest temperature at 45.1 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi. UNB Jashore correspondent reports the authorities concerned were seen spraying water on roads. The farmers and workers are passing a busy time harvesting paddy. Meanwhile, at least 10 people died from heatstroke amid the countrywide heat wave situation in eight days till Monday that has been prevailing for over 15 days. The Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room (HEOC & CR) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed the deaths. Besides, five people died from heat strokes in Nilphamari and Natore districts on Tuesday. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Tuesday said Jashore, Chuadanga, Pabna and Rajshahi have been experiencing extreme hot weather with a ‘very severe’ heat wave sweeping the districts. According to the regular bulletin of the Met office, “Very severe heat waves are sweeping Jashore, Chuadanga, Pabna and Rajshahi and severe heat waves are scorching Dhaka division and parts of Khulna and Rajshahi divisions.” Besides, a mild to moderate heat wave is lashing Barishal, Rangpur and Chattogram divisions and Mymensingh district and it may continue.

Fishermen are set to resume Hilsa fishing from Tuesday midnight as a two-month ban on catching, selling and transportation of the national fish will end today. With a view to boost the production of hilsa, the government imposed the two-month ban on hilsa catching, selling, hoarding and transporting from March 1 till April 30. The ban covers hilsa sanctuaries in six districts -- Barishal, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Patuakhali. The sanctuaries are 100km in the Meghna River from Chandpur’s Shatnol to Laxmipur’s Char Alexander, 90km in Shahbazpur Channel in Bhola, 100km in Tentulia River in Bhola, 20km in Naria and Bhederganj upazilas in Chandpur district and 82km in Hizla, Mehendiganj and Barishal Sadar upazilas, Gazaria and the Meghna river. The prohibition, enforced by the district and upazila task forces, aims to preserve the aquatic ecosystem and boost hilsa production. UNB Chandpur correspondent reports: the fishermen are passing a busy time fixing their nets and trawlers. Some fishermen including Bahria, Harina, Hanarchar, Raj Rajeshwar, Laxmipur, Malek Sheikh, Saiful Islam, Shafique, Sakib Majhi, Omar Ali, Rahim Gazi and Saddam Hossain said they all are now repairing their nets and boats. Golam Hasan Mehedi, district fisheries officer, said “Every year, the government imposes a two-month ban from March 1 to April 30 to increase the production of hilsa. He also expected production of 6 lakh metric tonnes of hilsa this year. A total of 300 fishermen were sentenced to several term of  jail during this period for violating the order of the government while 50 lakh metre current nets, three metric tonnes of jatka fish and 60 fishing boats were seized during the ban, said Golam Mehedi. Besides, Tk 10 lakh were realised in fine from the fishermen during this period. The government also provided 40 kgs of rice to each fishermen under a food assistance programme during the ban period, he said. Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur river police, said,  the river police was also active to enforce the ban.

No fresh death due to dengue was reported in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, 24 patients were hospitalised with viral fever during this period, according to the DGHS. Of them, six were admitted in Dhaka hospitals, while the rest were outside the capital. A total of 60 patients are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. So far, 2,209 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.

PRAN Group and Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) have jointly introduced the first ever 'ERF-PRAN Media Award’ to recognise the journalists for their valuable reports on the agro-processing sector in the country. The announcement was made at a press conference held at ERF auditorium at Palatan in the capital on Tuesday. In the press conference, Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director of PRAN-RFL Group said, "Agro-processing sector is a potential sector contributing to the economic development of the country. “With proper guidance, the sector could become a major player in exports following the success of the ready-made garments industry. Journalists, who are making reports regularly on the agro-processing sector are playing an important role to move forward this sector. We are very happy to be part of the initiative,” he said. The award committee has urged reporters to submit reports focusing on various aspects of the agriculture sector, such as modern farming systems, agriculture product marketing, good agriculture practices and integrated farming, the expansion of the sector for the benefit of agriculture and farmers. ERF-PRAN Media Award-2024 will be presented in three categories- Print, Online and Television. Seven journalists will be honored for their reports submitted from May 1st to July 31, following a thorough evaluation by a five-member jury board. Refayet Ullah Mirdha and Abul Kashem, president and general secretary of ERF, Touhiduzzaman, Assistant General Manager (Public Relations) of PRAN-RFL Group and high officials of the group were also present at the program.