United News of Bangladesh

Eminent economist Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has said that the decision to provide expensive cars to deputy commissioners (DCs) and Upazila NIrbahi Officers (UNOs) is a waste of state money. He observed that some 80 percent of the rich are evading taxes. A large part of traders do not pay value added tax (VAT). In such a low revenue income situation, when the salary of the government employees cannot be paid, how will the development expenses be met? He made the remarks while addressing as chief guest at a shadow parliament debate competition at the Film Development Corporation (FDC) auditorium in the city on Saturday. Debate for Democracy, a debating organisation, organised the event on the strategy of the next budget in economic security with its Chairman of Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran in the chair. Debaters from Eden Women's College become the winners defeating the debaters of Barisal University in the Shadow Parliament on “Increasing revenue collection should be the main strategy of the next budget to protect the economy”. Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, also former caretaker government advisor, said that it will not yield good result in revenue collection if actions are not taken against corruption and weaknesses are not removed from the existing tax management.    He said that inequality and injustice must be removed as well from the existing tax management system. Seminar on sea-related promising professions held in Ctg “It must be ensured that the revenue collections are not impeded by the pressure from politicians or influential people,” he added. Wahiduddin Mahmud also observed that the dependence on debt is increasing alarmingly. He said that it’s a matter of great concern that the foreign exchange reserves are decreasing significantly. It’s really astonishing how we could have gone so far behind in financial good governance from a good position in this regard. He said that there is no reason to believe that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) knows better about Bangladesh's economy. “The advice of the IMF should be accepted considering the interest of the country. Some people of Bangladesh have written their names among the billionaires in different countries of the world including Dubai and Singapore”, he said. He also noted that it’s not clear which country they are citizens of. Bangladesh Bank is not being able to give correct information about how they laundered the money.

With the theme ‘Sea is the Future’ a seminar on seafaring and sea-related professions, as an aid to choose a suitable profession at the beginning of one’s life for a bright future, was held at the hall of Ethnological Museum, Agrabad, Chattogram on Saturday. Chartered Marine Engineer Dr. Sajid Hussain focused on 35 types of seafaring (navigation and marine engineering) and shipping professions in the programme. He said an assured future would be created for youngsters in vast oceans and shipping based work-streams by taking a timely and right decision. After HSC, A-Levels or equivalent qualifications, it is possible to try for a Bachelor of Maritime Science Honours course in Marine Academies and become Deck Officers (highest rank – Master Mariner [Captain]) and Marine Engineers (highest rank – Chief Engineer). Besides, after completing graduation and post-graduation degrees from university, there lays a wide open professional pathway in international shipping work streams, he said. Students from the leading educational institutions and universities of Chattogram attended the seminar. The seminar supplemented with a few short video clips appeared to be lively at the intelligent questions of the young boys and girls. Marine Engineer Atiqur Rahman Chowdhury, Engineer Instructor & Business Development Officer of Bangladesh Marine Academy assisted Marine Engineer Sajid Hussain. Courtesy speeches were delivered by Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman (Dy. Director cum Keeper, Ethnological Museum), Md. Nur Uddin Alamgir (Bureau Chief, Daily Sun, Chattogram) and Noman Ullah Bahar (President, SDG Youth Forum). At the end, the participating students visited various artifacts of the museum at the courtesy of the Dy. Director Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman. Sajid Hussain is a Chartered Marine Engineer of UK, a graduate (MSc Maritime Safety) and a Member of Board of Governors (2013-2024) of World Maritime University, Sweden, Ex-Commandant (2009-2023) of Bangladesh Marine Academy, Chattogram and a Maritime Ambassador of International Maritime Organization (IMO – a UN Specialized Agency). He has been holding the position of the spokesperson of IMO since 2016 and spontaneously highlighted the advantages of the seafaring and shipping professions among the youngsters through lectures, seminars, social media and face-to-face discussions.

No specific reason has been found yet behind the killing of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar, said Chief of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Harun-Or-Rashid on Saturday. “However, there might be many reasons including  business transactions   and establishing supremacy behind the killing of the lawmaker,” he said while speaking at a press briefing held at DB Conference room. Besides, a three-member team of Detective Branch (DB) police will leave for India by tonight or tomorrow morning, he said. Plot to kill MP Anar made 2-3 months ago: DB Chief Apart from Bangladesh police, Kolkata police are also investigating the murder of the MP and they also visited Bangladesh , he said. “The killers took MP Anar to the flat after abduction and then the killers took one of his phones and went to another place to dodge that he was in another place. Besides, the killers came to the Benapole bordering area with four mobile phone sets after killing him and then called to different political rivals to implicate them in the murder,” he said. Replying to a question why police termed it a murder whereas no body was found, Harun said there are so many cases where the body has not been found for years. MP Anar went to Kolkata on May 11 for medical treatment and he remained untraced since May 14. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on May 22 said the MP was brutally killed at a flat in New Town, near Kolkata. Bangladeshi criminals killed MP Anwarul Azim: DB Chief A case was filed on May 22 following the death of MP Anar. A Dhaka court on Friday granted an 8-day remand to three accused arrested in connection with the murder.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman on Saturday (May 25, 2024) said cyclonic storm 'Remal' is projected to make landfall in the coastal regions of Satkhira in Khulna and Cox’s Bazar in Chattogram by Sunday evening. Almost 4,000 shelter centres have been prepared in the coastal districts,  equipped with adequate dry food, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) may issue  great danger signal number 10 between 12 am Saturday to 1 am Sunday, said the minister. As Cyclone Remal approaches, tension grips Bagerhat’s coastal areas Currently, the maritime ports have been asked to maintain local cautionary signal no one and No 3 signal will be issued within a few hours, he said. 80,000 volunteers are ready to tackle the situation and all necessary preparations have been taken, said Mohibur Rahman. Cyclone Michaung: Tourist ship operations suspended on Teknaf-St Martin's Island route The State Minister also warned that parts of Satkhira and Cox’s Bazar could be significantly impacted by the cyclonic storm, with a potential 7-10 feet high tidal surge, heavy rainfall, and landslides in the hilly areas of Chattogram.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 10 hours from 10am to 8pm on Sunday at Subhaddya in Gazipur on Sunday. According to Titas Gas Transmission Company, gas supply to the areas from Elega to Kaliakoir in Subhaddya of Gazipur will remain off for all kinds of consumers during the period for repair and relocation of the gas pipeline. Gas supply to remain off for 10 hrs in parts of city ThursdayRegretting the inconvenience of its customers for the works, Titas Gas said the adjoining areas may experience low pressure in gas supply during the period.

All divisions including Dhaka are experiencing a mild to moderate heat wave, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).“A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and it may continue,” said the Met office. Heatwave affects Dhaka, other divisions; temperatures expected to riseMeanwhile, light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at most places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at many places over Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Southern part of the country. BMD issues fresh 48-hr heatwave alert for 5 divisions  

The Depression that lies over central Bay of Bengal may intensify into a ‘cyclonic storm’ by 25th May (Saturday) morning and intensify into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’ by night. Continuing to move nearly northwards, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around May 26 midnight as a severe cyclonic storm, said a special bulletin of India Meteorological Department (IMD). In a bulletin on Saturday morning, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the deep depression over East-central bay and adjoining West-central bay moved north-northeastwards over the same area. It was centred at 09 am today is about 565 kms Southwest of Chattogram port, 495 kms Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 540 kms South of Mongla port and 490 kms South of Payra port. It is likely to intensify and move northeastwards further. Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain rough near the deep depression centre. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signals no one. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

The depression over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay has moved slightly north-northeastwards and intensified into a deep depression. It was centered at 6 am on Saturday about 635 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 570 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 605 kms south of Mongla port and 565 kms south of Payra port. It is likely to intensify further and move northeastwards. Deep depression over bay intensifies into Cyclonic Storm ‘Midhili’ Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain rough near the deep depression centre. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal no. one (r) one. Depression over Bay intensifies into  cyclonic storm Michaung All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.  

Dhaka has ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI value of 132 at 8:56 am this morning. Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ today, according to the air quality index. India’s Delhi and Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa occupied the first and second spots on the list, with AQI scores of 176 and 170 respectively. Dhaka’s air quality 6th worst in the world this morning 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 uhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. 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’s air quality 2nd worst in the world this morning Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. 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.

UNICEF has announced Muhammed Aziz Khan as the incoming Chair of the UNICEF International Council, succeeding the inaugural Chair, Maria Ahlström-Bondestam. Khan will assume the position in November 2024, according to a media release from UNICEF issued on May 24. The UNICEF International Council is a distinguished community of approximately 150 private philanthropists and partners, many of whom are from the world’s leading business families and global influencers. The council aims to optimize philanthropic investments for children by pooling their funding, leadership, and expertise. Collectively, members have invested more than $552 million in UNICEF, supporting children worldwide. UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe Aziz Khan, founder chairman of the Bangladeshi conglomerate Summit Group, is also the founder and Trustee of the Anjuman and Aziz Charitable Trust (AACT), alongside his wife, Anjuman Khan. Since joining the UNICEF International Council in 2022, Khan and his family have been active contributors. Driven by a commitment to shaping a better future for children, Khan and his family have sponsored schools, built hospitals, and supported projects addressing drug addiction and violence against women and children in Bangladesh. “I am a believer in the power of education – not only for its ability to lift people out of poverty, but as a unifying force for good. I see education as the bedrock of modern civilization and builder of trust amongst humanity and that by enhancing understanding, education has the power to reduce social conflicts and bring more harmony into the world,” said Aziz Khan. Govt with UNICEF accelerates efforts in combating violence against children In response to the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Khan decided to focus AACT's efforts on education, prioritizing getting children back into classrooms and helping them catch up on lost schooling. “The UNICEF International Council has a proven record of delivering a high impact at scale. Having mobilized hundreds of millions of dollars to support UNICEF’s essential work around the world, our trusted philanthropic partners are committed to investing in solutions for children. I am pleased to welcome Aziz Khan as the next UNICEF International Council Chair, and I look forward to working with him to shape a better, fairer future for all children,” UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden said. Under Khan’s leadership, the UNICEF International Council aims to expand its membership by positioning itself as the natural home for philanthropists dedicated to children’s rights. The council will strengthen its role as a convening platform on key global issues, explore bespoke philanthropic journeys and strategies, and find ways to amplify its impact on children's lives through strategic investments in their futures. Council members are dedicated to enabling access to quality education and health systems, building climate resilience, amplifying the voices of youth, and driving action in emergencies. They aim to scale up strategic investments in children to secure the ultimate return: a future where all families and communities can prosper. The UNICEF International Council hosts an annual symposium, thematic working groups, and other engagement opportunities, allowing members to learn from each other, interact with the UNICEF leadership team, and identify areas for collaboration and joint investment. Working closely with UNICEF, Council members seek to address the most pressing challenges facing children worldwide and demonstrate how strategic philanthropy can catalyze solutions and create greater impact for children.