United News of Bangladesh

Speakers at a seminar laid emphasis on effective mass response against osteoporosis. “Osteoporosis is a silent killer, and we need to build strong public awareness to prevent this," said Prof. Dr. Abul Khair Mohammad Salek, Chairman of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of BSMMU. The scientific seminar was held on Monday in the capital’s Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to mark the relaunch of the country’s very first calcium supplement brand containing calcium carbonate. Sandocal, the calcium supplement brand from Novartis, is once again available in the Bangladesh market, it was informed. BGMEA calls for policy support to maintain RMG industry’s competitiveness Multiple eminent healthcare professionals from the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department of BSMMU graced the event with their presence. Prof. Md. Moniruzzaman Khan, Pro VC of BSMMU, and Prof. Dr. Abul Khair Mohammad Salek, Chairman of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department of BSMMU, joined the event, along with Fahmid Wasik Ali, Managing Director of Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited. The role of calcium supplements in the management of osteoporosis was majorly highlighted during the scientific discussions at the event. Industry experts also appraised the success of Sandocal in this regard.   Sandocal was the first-ever calcium supplement introduced in Bangladesh by Novartis in 1997. The Swiss pharmaceutical company’s heritage dates back to 1927, when it pioneered the foundation of modern calcium therapy by introducing the first-ever human calcium supplement in the world, setting a precedent for nearly 100 years. Prof. Dr. Salek underlined the need for an effective mass response against osteoporosis. Novartis representatives also emphasized their commitment to ensuring access to quality medicines, including Sandocal, for patients in Bangladesh.    

Amid drivers’ protest against ban on battery-run three-wheelers, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said these vehicles will be allowed to ply Dhaka roads only. Considering the suffering of the low-income people, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has permitted the movement of battery-run three-wheelers only on the Dhaka city roads, Quader said at a programme at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. Drivers stage demonstration for day 2 against ban on battery-run three-wheelers However, the battery-run rickshaws will not ply the 22 highways as per the earlier decision, he added. Earlier on May 15, the minister instructed the authorities concerned to take steps to stop the movement of battery-run three-wheelers on the roads in Dhaka city. The ban on the three-wheelers sparked violent protests by drivers in different areas of the capital including Mirpur, Pallabi, Rampura and Demra on Sunday and Monday.  Half-day road, waterway blockade called by UPDF underway in Rangamati Demanding the withdrawal of the ban, the drivers staged demonstrations blocking roads in different areas, vandalised some vehicles and set fire to a police box at Kalshi in Mirpur.

Drivers of battery-run three wheelers staged demonstration blocking roads in Dhaka’s Rampura and Demra Staff Quarter areas for the second consecutive day on Monday demanding withdrawal of a ban on the movement of the vehicle in the capital. Vehicular movement remained suspended for around one hour in the areas, causing immense suffering to commuters. Ariful Islam, assistant commissioner (traffic-north) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said three-wheeler drivers took to the Rampur road and started chanting slogans against the government decision around 10:30am. Paltan and Sayedabad-bound buses from Rampur remained could not move due to the demonstrations, he said, adding that later the protesters headed towards Malibagh’s Abul Hotel. Vehicular movement returned to normal around 11:30pm, he added. He informed that hundreds of vehicles got stuck on Khilgaon and Malibagh flyovers due to the demonstration. Moreover, three-wheeler drivers took to Hajjinagar Road in the Demra Staff Quarter area and blocked it by putting barricades around 10am. The drivers also tried to vandalise vehicles but failed, said Mostain Billah Ferdous, assistant commissioner of Demra Traffic under the DMP. On Sunday, several hundred three-wheeler drivers gathered in the Mirpur-10 intersection to press home their demand. They staged demonstration in Mirpur, Pallabi, Agargaon, Taltola, Kalshi and Mirpur-13 areas. Earlier on Wednesday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader instructed the authorities concerned to take steps to stop the movement of battery-run three wheelers on the roads in Dhaka city.

A 56-year-old woman was killed by a wild elephant in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram last night. The incident occurred at 9 pm in Hanif's Para, near the western side of the Putibila Poharchanda Ashrayan Project in Lohagara Upazila. The deceased, Hamida Akter, was the wife of late Nazir Hossain from the area. Local Union Parishad member Abdul Mannan said that the woman was walking to a shop after Esha prayers when she encountered the wild elephant on the road. The elephant struck her with its trunk, causing severe injuries. Local residents attempted to rescue her, but she died on the way to the hospital, he said. Lohagara Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Rashedul Alam, confirmed the incident saying that a police team was sent to the scene upon receiving the news of the attack.

Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Sunday said that Bangladesh police has been working as 'Smart Police'. "We are working towards making Bangladesh Police a smart police," the IGP said while talking to local journalists in Sylhet on Sunday. The police chief said the police recruitment process has been modernized; Curriculum of various training institutes has been modernized. The use of information technology in the investigation of cases is increasing, he added, saying, "We are working to ensure the high quality of professionalism of Bangladesh Police as a whole." The top officer of the police force also said that a stable law and order situation is a prerequisite for the development of a country. The members of the police force are striving to maintain law and order in the country by fulfilling their duties with devotion. Earlier, the IGP inaugurated the Operations Control Room of Sylhet Range as well as the 'Bangabandhu Corner' at Sylhet District Superintendent of Police. Later he participated in a special welfare meeting as the chief guest along with officers and forces of all units working in Sylhet division. DIG (Sylhet Range)  Shah Mizan Shafiur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan Police' Commissioner Md Zakir Hossain Khan, Sylhet District SP Md Abdullah Al Mamun and other senior officials were present.

The second phase of the country’s sixth Upazila Parishad election will be held withthe balloting in 156 different districts in the country on Tuesday. The votes will be cast from 8:00am to 4:00pm without any recess. Some 1,824 candidates, including 603 chairman contenders are in the electoral race in the 156 upazila parishads, against a total of 468 posts –-chairman post, vice chairman and women vice chairman posts in each upazila. More than 3.52 crore voters – 1,79,05,464 males, 1,72,99,047 females and 237 transgender persons -- are registeredunder 13,016 polling stations in the 156  upazilas, according to the factsheet provided by the Election Commission on Sunday. Among them, the electronic voting machines will be used at 24 upazilas in nine districts, while the traditional ballot papers in the rest upazilas. On April 02, the Election Commission announced the election schedule for 161 upazila parishads in the second phase. But all the candidates in two upazilas –  Cumilla Adarsha Sadar and Raozan in Chattogram– have already been elected uncontested, finding no rival contestant for their respective posts. Besides, the elections to five other upazilas were postponed on different grounds, but two upazilas were included afresh for the second phase. The polls to Babuganj, Wazirpur and Banaripara upazilas in Barishal district were deferred to the 4th phase, but Muladi and Hizla upazilas in Barishal were incorporated in the second phase. The elections to Moulvibazar Sadar upazila and Ruma upazila in Bandarban were postponed due to administrative reasons and legal complexities respectively. A security team of 17-19 members would guard each polling station in the plain districts, while a security team of 19-21 members would protect a polling station in the Chittagong hill tracts and very remote areas. This time, the Election Commission is arranging the sixth Upazila Parishad election in four phases.  The commission has already declared the election schedule to hold polls in some 480 upazilas out of the country’s 495 Upazilas. The first phase election was held in 139 upazila parishads of 59 districts on May 08 last. The third phase election will be held in some 110 Upazilas on May 29 and 4th phase polls more than 50 upazilas on June 05.

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said government efforts are underway to improve the E-waste management system in Bangladesh. E-waste management rules have been formulated and an e-waste management plant will be built under the BEST project, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with Manisha Dogra, Senior Vice President of Telenor Asia, at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday. He also said the government is strongly committed to implementing a sustainable agenda that includes increasing energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy, and reducing single-use plastics. Leather industry must embrace eco-friendliness to thrive: Saber Saber also said the government is working to build Bangladesh a Climate resilient country. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets will be revised soon, he said adding “The drafting of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines will be finalized by June.” He urged Telenor to continue collaboration to foster a greener Bangladesh. Manisha Dogra said Telenor Asia is committed to environmental sustainability and climate action in the region and is dedicated to supporting the Bangladesh government in its journey towards a sustainable future. Want to deepen ties with US to combat climate change: Saber During the meeting, discussions centered around efforts to address pressing environmental challenges to enhance sustainable development. Both parties expressed a shared vision for a greener, more resilient future.  

Appreciating the role of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun emphasized the importance of strengthening economic and trade ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia. The minister also requested the BMCCI leader to actively attract investment from Malaysian investors in the Special Economic Zone in Bangladesh. The minister came up with the remark while Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) President Shabbir A Khan paid a courtesy call on to appraise various promotional activities of BMCCI related to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and explores prospects of investment opportunities from Malaysia. 1st BMCCI Biztalk on “Achievement Through People in Digital Era” He also expressed his satisfaction with BMCCI's initiatives and stated that the ministry would provide the necessary support to empower Bangladeshi SMEs through various programs to promote products produced by the SMEs. Besides, Shabbir A Khan informed the minister that BMCCI recently engaged in fruitful dialogues with the SME Corporation of Malaysia in a recent visit of the BMCCI delegation to Kuala Lumpur, exploring possibilities for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and capacity-building initiatives between the SME sectors of Bangladesh.Shabbir Khan elected BMCCI president, Motaher Khan secretary general   

Anwarul Azim Anar, the lawmaker from Jhenaidah-4 constituency, has been missing since at least May 14, having gone on a medical trip to India on May 11. “His whereabouts are still unknown. Family members and party activists could not reach him after May 14 (Tuesday),” the MP Anar's personal assistant, Abdur Rauf said. He also said “Anar went to India for medical treatment on May 11. He maintained contact with his family members till May 14. Since then, all communication with him has been lost. His WhatsApp number is also unreachable.” 25 days after going missing, body of BCL leader retrieved from Kishoreganj’s Narsunda River MP Anar's wife and daughters went to the DB office in Dhaka on Sunday (May 19) at noon. The Prime Minister has also been informed about the matter, Abdur Rauf told the media. Meanwhile, Anar’s nephew Simon and three others went to India to try and find him. But they could not give any good news till Sunday afternoon. According to party insiders, moments before his last known activity, He asked his manager for Rs 4.2 lakh. At that time, he was in a private car with some Indian friends after attending a wedding ceremony. There is no trace of MP Anar since taking this money, they claimed. Kaliganj Municipal Mayor Ashraful Alam said on Sunday afternoon that he spoke with the MP the day after he left for India. He did not know anything since then. Pubali Bank manager goes missing with more than Tk 2.5 crore in Chandpur Saidul Karim Mintu, general secretary of the Jhenaidah district unit Awami League, said that he came to know about the matter from the MP's family and upazila Awami League leaders. “We have informed the party high command in this regard,” he added. Jhenaidah Superintendent of Police Azim ul-Ahsan said, Awami League leaders and public representatives of Kaliganj verbally informed us about MP Anar's disappearance. “Since the incident is from a different state, we have informed it to the higher authorities,” added the SP. Regarding Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar's reported missing, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi and Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata are in touch with the relevant authorities to try to know what exactly happened, a diplomatic source told UNB. The Ministry of External Affairs has also been informed, the source said.

After captivating innumerable smartphone users in different markets across the world, TECNO, a premium smartphone brand, is all set to bring in smartphones from its CAMON 30 series. CAMON 30 series is anticipated to hit the local market with an aspiration to enhance smartphone experience, said a press release issued on Sunday. There are hints that devices from this series will be facilitated with formidable camera systems that will redefine the idea of camera phone in the local market. Technology crushing human creativity? Apple's new iPad ad has struck a nerve online Global releases states that smartphone enthusiasts may get the taste of AI-powered imaging technology. At least, this is what tech experts are assuming because of TECNO's collaboration with SONY. TECNO has already earned repute for its handy features among the users and with these latest offerings from CAMON series, they aim to add new dimension to the overall experience. TikTok to start labeling AI-generated content as technology becomes more universal This series is teased to live up to the expectations of smartphone aficionados with power-packed features. For such a thing coming into shape, smartphone lovers have to wait a bit longer as the brand gears up to launch new phones from the CAMON series.