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People suffer as load shedding hits 1,500 MW
Though power generation set a new record, there is no sign of decrease in power outages across the country.
Rather, the extent of load shedding increased by almost 50 percent compared with the previous day.
The records at the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) in the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) show that the country experienced about 1,500 MW of load shedding on Wednesday while it was 1049 M on Tuesday.
The NLDC data also show that Wednesday started with 1,468 MW at 1 am. However, the level of power shortage decreased in the day time and it came down to 542 MW in the morning at 7 am.
But again the extent of load shedding took negative turn and increased to 821 MW at 3 pm on Wednesday.
Lynching of 2 youths: 4 platoons BGB deployed in two Faridpur upazilas
Both the data of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and PGCB show that the country's evening peak generation was recorded at 14,473 at 5 pm against demand for 15,200 MW leaving a shortage of 694 MW.
On the other hand, the demand forecast for Wednesday evening was 16,800 MW and supply forecast was 16,530 MW.
According to official sources, maximum burden of the load shedding was diverted to rural areas, as part of a policy to avert power outages in capital Dhaka and other large cities.
Reports from different areas said the extent of load shedding is aggravating the plight of the rural people amid the sweltering heat this summer.
Meanwhile, state-owned Petrobangla’s official data shows that the country’s gas production was 3,056 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) against a demand for 3,760 MW.
Gas supply situation slightly improves, load shedding continues
It shows that a good number of power plants, specifically those using gas as their primary fuel, remained off generation due to gas shortage.
The power plants received a supply of 1330 MMCFD gas against their demand for 2316.9 MMCFD, the data shows.
4 arrested with Tk 60 crore worth of fake snake venom: RAB
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) have arrested four people with Tk 60 crore worth of fake cobra snake venom, foreign firearms, and various tools used for fraud.
They were arrested during a raid in Dhaka’s Hatirjhil area on Tuesday night.
The arrestees are Enamul Haque (54), Safiqul Islam (54), Ershad Ali (36) and Syed Mohammad Ibrahim Khalilullah (34).
During the raid, a private car was seized, along with a foreign pistol, a magazine, 6 rounds of ammunition, a toy pistol, 10 kg of fake snake venom, an album, 2 CDs Tk 36,235 in cash and 360 Indian rupees.
Global Immunization Efforts: At least 154 million lives saved over past 50 years
RAB claimed that the gang was involved with a international smuggler.
MJ Sohel, Assistant Director (Media) of RAB-4, said on Wednesday afternoon that the fraudsters used a special type of glass container to store the fake snake venom. The labels on these containers have the names and codes of different countries. They collected the venom from different parts of the country and then smuggled it into Bangladesh from different foreign countries.
They were cheating people and extorting millions of taka by selling it to various domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies as well as smuggling it to neighbouring countries through fraud and smuggling.
Various domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies buy this snake venom for millions of taka. Because it costs many times more to legally bring this snake venom from outside the country. Buyers easily fall into the trap of fraudsters due to the low price, added the RAB official.
RAB-10 initially confirmed through forensic experts at RAB headquarters that the snake venom kept in glass bottles is fake and does not have any characteristics of snake venom.
Women should be made skilled in ICT sector: State Minister
During interrogation, the arrestees told RAB that they collected the fake snake venom from different parts of the country. They then sold it fraudulently to people at Hatirjheel and other parts of the capital. In this way, the gang was embezzling money from various people. They have been handed over to the concerned police station for regular cases, the RAB official also said.
Lynching of 2 youths: 4 platoons BGB deployed in two Faridpur upazilas
Four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to maintain law and order in Faridpur sadar and Madhukhali upazilas amid tension over lynching of two youths following a fire in a temple in Dumain union.
The authorities deployed four platoons of BGB at Baliakandi and Baghate Bazar under Faridpur Sadar and Madhukhali upazilas around 9 am, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of the BGB.
Along with the BGB, village police are stationed to avoid further trouble, he said, adding that the situation in the area is normal now.
UK wants to help develop Bangladesh's aviation industry
On Thursday afternoon, a fire broke out in the Barwari temple in Hindu-dominated Panchpalli village in Dumain union of Madhukhali upazila.
Hindu residents became angry over the incident and they locked seven construction workers on suspicion of their involvement in the desecration of the idols.
The workers were constructing a wash block at Panchapalli Government Primary School, 20 yards off the temple.
On information, Madhukhali police and upazila administration officials rushed to the spot but the mob also confined them.
Later with the help of Faridpur District Sadar and Rajbari District Police, the besieged people were rescued after a few hours.
Seven workers were rescued with injuries and taken to Madhukhali Upazila Health Complex and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur. Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
The deceased were identified as Ashraful, 21, and his younger brother Ashadul, 15, sons of Shahjahan Khan of Ghoperghat village under Naowarpara union of the upazila. They were both construction workers.
The death of the youths sparked huge protests in the area, leading to a clash with police on Tuesday.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
Some members of the law enforcing agencies and villagers were injured in the clash that lasted for around three hours on Dhaka-Khulna highway but the exact number of the injured could not be ascertained.
Global Immunization Efforts: At least 154 million lives saved over past 50 years
A major landmark study by The Lancet reveals that global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives – or the equivalent of 6 lives every minute of every year – over the past 50 years. The vast majority of lives saved – 101 million – were those of infants.
The study, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), shows that immunization is the single greatest contribution of any health intervention to ensuring babies not only see their first birthdays but continue leading healthy lives into adulthood.
Of the vaccines included in the study, the measles vaccination had the most significant impact on reducing infant mortality, accounting for 60% of the lives saved due to immunization.
This vaccine will likely remain the top contributor to preventing deaths in the future, according to WHO.
Over the past 50 years, vaccination against 14 diseases (diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, measles, meningitis A, pertussis, invasive pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, and yellow fever) has directly contributed to reducing infant deaths by 40% globally, and by more than 50% in the African Region.
"Vaccines are among the most powerful inventions in history, making once-feared diseases preventable,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
UK wants to help develop Bangladesh's aviation industry
“Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated, polio is on the brink and with the more recent development of vaccines against diseases like malaria and cervical cancer, we are pushing back the frontiers of disease. With continued research, investment and collaboration, we can save millions more lives today and in the next 50 years.”
The study found that for each life saved through immunization, an average of 66 years of full health were gained – with a total of 10.2 billion full health years gained over the five decades.
As the result of vaccination against polio, more than 20 million people are able to walk today who would otherwise have been paralysed, and the world is on the verge of eradicating polio, once and for all.
These gains in childhood survival highlight the importance of protecting immunization progress in every country of the world and accelerating efforts to reach the 67 million children who missed out on one or more vaccines during the pandemic years.
Monumental efforts to increase access to vaccination over five decades
Released ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to take place in May 2024, the study is the most comprehensive analysis of the programme’s global and regional health impact over the past five decades.
Founded in 1974 by the World Health Assembly, EPI's original goal was to vaccinate all children against diphtheria, measles, pertussis, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis, as well as smallpox, the only human disease ever eradicated.
Today, the programme, now referred to as the Essential Programme on Immunization, includes universal recommendations to vaccinate against 13 diseases, and context-specific recommendations for another 17 diseases, extending the reach of immunization beyond children, to adolescents and adults.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
The study highlights that fewer than 5% of infants globally had access to routine immunization when EPI was launched.
Today, 84% of infants are protected with three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) – the global marker for immunization coverage.
Nearly 94 million of the estimated 154 million lives saved since 1974, were a result of protection by measles vaccines.
Yet, there were still 33 million children who missed a measles vaccine dose in 2022: nearly 22 million missed their first dose and an additional 11 million missed their second dose.
Coverage of 95% or greater with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine is needed to protect communities from outbreaks. Currently, the global coverage rate of the first dose of measles vaccine is 83% and the second dose is 74%, contributing to a very high number of outbreaks across the world.
To increase immunization coverage, UNICEF, as one of the largest buyers of vaccines in the world, procures more than 2 billion doses every year on behalf of countries and partners for reaching almost half of the world’s children.
It also works to distribute vaccines to the last mile, ensuring that even remote and underserved communities have access to immunization services.
“Thanks to vaccinations, more children now survive and thrive past their fifth birthday than at any other point in history,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“This massive achievement is a credit to the collective efforts of governments, partners, scientists, healthcare workers, civil society, volunteers and parents themselves, all pulling in the same direction of keeping children safe from deadly diseases. We must build on the momentum and ensure that every child, everywhere, has access to life-saving immunizations.”
In 2000, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which includes WHO, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) as core founding members, was created to expand the impact of EPI and help the poorest countries in the world increase coverage, benefit from new, life-saving vaccines and expand the breadth of protection against an increasing number of vaccine-preventable diseases.
This intensified effort in the most vulnerable parts of the world has helped to save more lives and further promote vaccine equity.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
Today, Gavi has helped protect a whole generation of children and now provides vaccines against 20 infectious diseases, including the HPV vaccine and vaccines for outbreaks of measles, cholera, yellow fever, Ebola and meningitis.
“Gavi was established to build on the partnership and progress made possible by EPI, intensifying focus on protecting the most vulnerable around the world,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
“In a little over two decades we have seen incredible progress – protecting more than a billion children, helping halve childhood mortality in these countries, and providing billions in economic benefits. Vaccines are truly the best investment we can make in ensuring everyone, no matter where they are born, has an equal right to a healthy future: we must ensure these efforts are fully funded to protect the progress made and help countries address current challenges of their immunization programmes.”
Immunization programmes have become the bedrock of primary health services in communities and countries due to their far reach and wide coverage.
They provide not only an opportunity for vaccination but also enable other life-saving care to be provided, including nutritional support, maternal tetanus prevention, illness screenings and bed net distribution to protect families from diseases like malaria.
Since the study only covers the health impact of vaccination against 14 diseases, the number of lives saved due to vaccination is a conservative estimate and not a full account of the life-saving impact of vaccines.
Societal, economic or educational impacts to health and well-being over the 50 years have also contributed to further reductions in mortality. Today, there are vaccines to protect against more than 30 life-threatening diseases.
While the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer in adults, was not included in the study, it is expected to prevent a high number of future deaths as countries work towards increasing immunization targets aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
New vaccine introductions, such as those for malaria, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and meningitis, as well as cholera and Ebola vaccines used during outbreaks, will further save lives in the next 50 years.
Saving millions more is “Humanly Possible”
Global immunization programmes have shown what is humanly possible when many stakeholders, including heads of state, regional and global health agencies, scientists, charities, aid agencies, businesses, and communities work together.
Today, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and BMGF are unveiling “Humanly Possible”, a joint campaign, marking the annual World Immunization Week, 24-30 April 2024.
The worldwide communication campaign calls on world leaders to advocate, support and fund vaccines and the immunization programmes that deliver these lifesaving products – reaffirming their commitment to public health, while celebrating one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
The next 50 years of EPI will require not only reaching the children missing out on vaccines, but protecting grandparents from influenza, mothers from tetanus, adolescents from HPV and everyone from TB, and many other infectious diseases.
“It's inspiring to see what vaccines have made possible over the last 50 years, thanks to the tireless efforts of governments, global partners and health workers to make them more accessible to more people,” said Dr Chris Elias, president of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“We cannot let this incredible progress falter. By continuing to invest in immunization, we can ensure that every child – and every person – has the chance to live a healthy and productive life.”
3-day expo on medical equipment, health tourism, and food to begin May 9
A 3-day exhibition on medical equipment, health tourism, food and agriculture sector is going to take place in the city from May 9.
CEMS Bangladesh, in association with CEMS Global USA, is organising the expo at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder will inaugurate the expo on May 9.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
Addressing a press conference at National Press Club on Thursday Meherun N. Islam, President and Group Managing Director of CEMS-Global USA and Asia Pacific, said the healthcare exhibitions will feature new medical and surgical equipments, rescue facilities, hospital supplies and analytical instruments from across 112 companies representing over 15 countries.
The countries include Bangladesh, India, China, Singapore, Germany, Turkiye, Thailand, South Korea and more.
The food and agro expo will show up food, beverage, agriculture, horticulture, poultry, livestock, fishing and aquaculture related packaging and processing machinery and equipment from more than 15 countries presenting more than 100 companies.
The countries in the exhibitions include India, China, Germany, Turkiye, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Srilanka and more.
The participants in Food and Agro Expo will display packaging equipment and packaging materials, food processing equipment, processed food, organic agriculture products, agricultural machinery and equipment related to food and agriculture attracting visitors such associations, food technologists, clubs and resorts.
Meherin said manufacturers and suppliers will have a fantastic opportunity to highlight their goods and services.
Security relationship between Dhaka-Washington, and in region important: Peter Haas
“They will have the chance to showcase their advanced technology in the health tourism industry, as well as innovative and advanced technologies, products, and services in the food, agriculture, and plastic industries," she added.
Besides, Tanveer Qamrul Islam, Executive Director of CEMS Global, Mahmud Riyad Hassan, DGM – Marketing & Sales of CEMS Bangladesh and Asraful Islam, AGM – Business Development and Strategic Planning were also present at the media briefing.
Bangladesh‘s Hajj management to be smarter: Minister
The Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s Hajj management will be one of the smartest systems in the world in the future.
The government has introduced information technology in Hajj management as part of building a developed and prosperous smart Bangladesh as per the Vision-2021 and 2041 announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.
Govt employees sent to Saudi to during hajj to serve country's pilgrims: Religious Affairs Minister
“Hajj management has been digitized. We are adding new features to the portal related to hajj,” he said while inaugurating Hajj Training 2024 at the conference room of Dhaka Hajj Office as the chief guest.
Md Faridul Haque Khan said, the aim of today’s training program is helping people to perform hajj properly and skilled trainers have been selected.”
Many people in the country prefer to perform Hajj at the end of life, making it difficult for those without physical ability to follow the formalities, he said.
Bangladesh's hajj quota remains unchanged at 1.27 lakh
Additional Secretary of Hajj Division Md Matiul Islam, Joint Secretary Dr Md Manjurul Haque and Director of Dhaka Hajj Office Muhammad Kamruzzaman, among others, addressed the function with Religious Affairs Secretary Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar in the chair.
Woman dies as train hits her in Lalmonirhat
A woman died after being hit by a train in the Khanpara Harishova Bazar area at Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Wednesday afternoon.
Two farmers die from heat stroke in Nilphamari
The deceased was identified as Mamta Begum (40) of Dhabalsuti village of the upazila.
DGHS issues directives to reduce risk of heat stroke
Abu Saeed Chowdhury, officer-in-charge (OC) of Patgram Police Station, confirmed the matter.
How to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Stroke
According to locals, Mamata, who was deaf, was walking along the railway line. At that time, the Burimari-bound local train leaving from Parbatipur hit her, killing her on the spot.
Women should be made skilled in ICT sector: State Minister
Women should be made skilled in the ICT sector for the progress of the society and the country, State Minister for Education Begum Shamsun Nahar Chapa said on Wednesday.
"The demand for freelancing is increasing in a significant way but it is unfortunate that the participation of women in this sector in our country is very low," she said.
The state minister was speaking at the discussion titled "Empowering girls with ICT skills and employment: challenges and opportunities" organised by Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Center for Gender and Development Studies of the University at Muzaffar Ahmed Auditorium of Dhaka University.
Keeping in mind the future employment opportunities and needs, a vocational education system is being developed for women,she said.
The state minister also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has adopted a plan to further develop Bangladesh in technology. According to this plan digital technology is included in both public and private sectors.
Dr. Monjur Hossain, research director of Bangladesh Development Research Institute, presented an article at the meeting while professor Tanya Haque, director of Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatun Nescha Center for Gender and Development Studies, gave the welcome speech.
370 tonnes of imported potatoes still wait for unloading at Benapole
Around 370 tonnes of potatoes, which are waiting to be unloaded four days after being imported from India have started to rot, due to severe heat sweeping across the country.
According to the port authorities the consignments arrived at Benapole from India’s Petrapole by 16 trucks on the night of April 21.
But still no initiative has been taken to unload the goods. Due to a long delay, the potatoes have started to rot.
Victims of Rana Plaza tragedy being remembered on Wednesday
Rangpur Integrated Food and Beverage imported the potatoes from the export-oriented institution PepsiCo India Holdings.
Masum Billah, representative of Transmarine Logistic Limited, said the potatoes have not been uploaded yet due to lack of necessary documents.
Shahadat Hossain, a truck driver said they will take the potatoes to Rangpur after unloading and if the authorities concerned do not take steps immediately, the potatoes will get rotten.
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Kamal Uddin Shimul, vice-president of Benapole C&F Agent Association, said the importer will face a financial loss if the authorities concerned do not take any measures to unload the goods.
Rezaul Karim, director of Benapole port, said necessary assistance is being provided to unload the goods.
Next budget will focus on controlling inflation, raising remittance and exports: State Minister for Finance
Waseqa Ayesha Khan, state minister for finance, has said in the next national budget the government will emphasise controlling inflation and boosting remittance and exports.
She said this while speaking as the chief guest at a pre-budget roundtable discussion, organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB), to recommend its proposals for the FY2024-25 national budget. The event was held in a hotel in the capital on Tuesday.
The government is also working to create an investment-friendly environment ensuring uninterrupted electricity and power supply, she said.
ICMAB delegation takes part in pre-budget discussion with NBR
She also assured that the government will continue to focus on infrastructural, ICT and human resource development, and short- and long-term revenue strategy for sustainable economic growth.
Other speakers at the event also highlighted the need for nuanced adjustments in fiscal and monetary policies to address issues such as exchange rate stability, currency policy, and balancing export-import dynamics.
The importance of encouraging household savings, broadening the tax base, enhancing reserve buffers, and controlling the prices of daily commodities were also focused.
Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI) Mahbubul Alam, president of FBCCI, participated in the discussion as the special guests.
ICMAB delegation meets Finance Secretary
The discussion was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Md. Salim Uddin FCMA, President of ICMAB, and moderated by Arif Khan FCMA, past president and current council member of the institute.