United News of Bangladesh

A mild heat wave is sweeping Tangail, Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore, Nilphamari, Rangamati and Feni districts and it may continue. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, said a regular bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Tuesday. Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country. Country’s maximum temperature was recorded at 37.0 degrees Celsius in Iswardi upazila of Pabna on Monday while the minimum temperature was recorded at 23.8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia today.

Haripur 360 MW combined cycle power plant (CCPP), which generates electricity at lowest cost, is unlikely to get extension after completion of its 22-year initial contract period. According to official sources, the power plant, established by leading US company AES Corporation in 2001, completed its successful operational period in November 2023. Since then, the government has not taken electricity from the plant.    The AES Corporation developed two large base-load power plants—Haripur 360 MW CCPP in 2001 and Meghbaghat 450 MW CCPP in 2002—with the highest efficiency, but lowest cost.   As per the power purchase agreement (PPA), state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) had been purchasing electricity from the two first generation independent power producer (IPP) plants. BPDB officials said that initially, Haripur's power tariff was Tk.1.56 per unit, which is the lowest not only in Bangladesh, but also in the world. According to a World Bank document publicly disclosed on June 24, 2014 which compared the power generation cost of different IPPS, shows that when the Khulna Power Company Limited was selling electricity to the BPDB at Tk 16.03 per unit in 1998, NEPC at Tk 20.20 per unit in 1999, Haripur was selling it at Tk 1.56 per unit and Meghbaghat was selling power at Tk 2.33 per unit. Read more: Bangladesh to provide 190 acres of land in Kurigram for Bhutanese investors; discussion to import hydropower underway Currently, the average generation cost is over Tk 10 per unit. Through a gazette notification issued on March 1, the government set the retail tariff of electricity at Tk 8.95. Officials said, until last year BPDB was buying electricity from the plant at Tk 3.32 per unit which was the lowest among all other private power plants. But in November 2023, the PPA expired and BPDB suspended purchasing electricity from the plant. The BPDB’s such move surprised many as it was unlikely on the part of the government that it unilaterally stopped buying electricity from the most efficient and lowest cost power when it continued purchase of electricity from high cost plants belonging to Summit Group and other plants. “Actually, there was no strong lobby on behalf of the Haripur plant to pursue the government to renew its contract with the BPDB. That’s why the country will be deprived of the low cost electricity,” a top official of the BPDB told UNB requesting anonymity. He, however, said the government can offer the owner-company of the Haripur plant to buy it and operate under the BPDB management. Read more: Power cuts plague Sylhet: Frustration growing among residents and businesses Sources said the USA-based AES Corporation developed the Haripur and Meghnaghat power plants, after a number of changes into their ownership. Now Malaysian Pendekar Energy Limited owns and operates the two plants.          In 2003, AES sold the plants to the UK company CDC Globeleq, which sold the plants to Malaysia-based Pendekar Group in 2007. Official sources said the government had to pay Tk 50-55 crore a month to purchase electricity from the Haripur power plant for its 360 MW electricity. “But from November 2022, the operator of the plant has not been receiving any bills from the BPDB for which it lost interest to continue its operation”, said another source. He also mentioned that BPDB is also not interested to extend its operation as it has  contractual obligation to buy electricity from newly established plants like Summit Group’s Meghnaghat Plant, Unique Group’s Meghnaghat plant and also some coal –fired power plants which electricity cost is between Tk 6.50 to Tk 30 per unit. Read more: First private sector solar project in Bangladesh secures $121.55 million funding from ADB

Detectives have arrested three more members of militant group Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya including its coordinator of greater Faridpur region from different parts of the capital. With these, 49 members of the militant group have been arrested so far. The arrestees were Rana Sheikh Amir Hossain, Mashiur Rahman alias Milon Talukdar and Habibur Rahman. Of them,  Mashiur and Amir are leading the group while Habibur is a new member. Tipped off, a team of DB police arrested them from Kalyanpur and Gabtoli areas of the city on Monday, said DB Chief and Additional Commissioner Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid on Tuesday. Police also seized three smartphones, two button phones and some video clips of training from their possession. Briefing reporters, the DB chief said those who were arrested used to take training from the Bawm community and sent money from Dhaka. Out of 53 members of the new militant groups, 49 members have been arrested so far, he claimed. The group is now collecting their new members, said the DB chief. The arrestees will be interrogated,  he said.    

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has started its first hajj flight from the port city of Chattogram carrying 398 hajj pilgrims on Tuesday. The flight left Shah Amanat International Airport at 3:45 am, said Biman’s Chattogram Manager Shahadat Hossain. Earlier, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury inaugurated the Hajj flight from Chattogram to Medinah at Shah Amanat International Airport. Saudi Ambassador pledges visa assistance for Hajj pilgrims following PM Hasina’s request He exchanged greetings with the hajj pilgrims and greeted them with flowers. This year, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate 22 hajj flights from Chattogram . Of these, 20 flights will go directly to Jeddah and two flights to Madinah. These flights will carry 8,000 pilgrims. Shahadat Hossain said that the first flight was supposed to carry 419 pilgrims, but  398 of them came. Over 11,000 Hajj aspirants face visa uncertainty as deadline expires Some passengers could not reach on time due to various reasons and they can take the next flight, he said. This time all the hajj pilgrims from Chattogram will be transported by Biman. If any hajj pilgrim wants to use other airlines, he will have to go to Jeddah or Madinah via Dhaka, he added.

An 18-year-old student died after a train hit him at the railway line in Dhaka’s Gulbagh on Monday. The deceased was identified as Md Sifat (18) of Zajira upazila of Shariatpur. He lived at Jatrabari Nobinagar’s Mirhajhirbagh area and Passed SSC from a school there. According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened around 8:00 pm while he was crossing the railway line. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Inspector Md Bacchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH Police Post confirmed the matter. The body has been kept in the morgue of the hospital for autopsy, he said.

Six Members of Parliament and Members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 12th National Parliament led by Chairman of the Committee Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen visited the Economic Zone - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar, Mirsarai, Chattogram on Monday. Chairman and other Officials of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) briefed them about the facilities of this special economic zone. The delegation visited two industrial units and other facilities of the Economic zone. Later, they visited the first ever underwater expressway tunnel of Bangladesh - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli river, Chattogram. Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Parliament joined the visit. The delegation returned Dhaka this evening after their engagements in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram.

The Digital Media Forum (DMF) is going to organise the 'Digital Media Excellence Award 2024' in the first week of June. Md Delowar Hossain, the DMF president and the Deputy Manager of Kalbela Online, made the announcement at a press conference at the organization’s office in the capital on Sunday. In the press conference, the DMF also announced the names of three jury members of Digital Media Excellence Award 2024, including UNB Special Correspondent Muhammed Abdur Rahman Jahangir and Chief Correspondent of Daily Sobuj Nishan Mohammad Moksedur Rahman Wali. DMF president Delowar said the names of ‘Digital Media Excellence Award 2024' recipients will be announced in first week of June, and the venue will be announced later. He also said some successful individuals and organizations in journalism and various sectors will be awarded in seven categories. Delowar said they will invite the journalists to submit the links of their reports and video contents from May 14 to May 24. He said the DMF will award prizes in seven categories, including five for journalism and two special categories, this year. The DMF president said the jury board members will select the top five journalists from the submitted reports, and they will be honored. Binge original ‘Baba Someone Is Following Me’ wins best web film at BFDA Awards Journalists from television, newspapers, or any registered online media can participate in the 'Digital Media Excellence Award-2024'. The application categories include investigative journalism, technology journalism, business journalism, sports journalism, and entertainment journalism. Journalists can submit their reports and digital video content using the link https://forms.gle/aeauTTBuX7P6aWq79 from May 14 to May 24. DMF hopes that this award will further advance the country's digital media industry and help it reach international standards. DMF general secretary and assistant manager of Channel 24 Raihan Ullah Rabin, senior vice-president and head of marketing of Arthasangbad Mainuddin Sohag, vice-president and deputy manager of Barta24 Nasir Uddin, vice-president and chief reporter of crime Jagat Online News Portal Hakim Mahi and Vice- President and Deputy Manager of RTV Mohammad Arif, along with other officials and members of DMF were present. A mother can sacrifice everything for her child without hesitation: Simeen  

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in a drive arrested four suspected muggers from Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Sunday. The arrestees were identified as Sajal, 30, Shanta Hossain, 22, Shakil Hossain, 24 and Washim, 24. Tipped off, a team of Rab-10 conducted a drive in the area around 8:30 pm and arrested for muggers, said assistant superintendent of police MJ Sohel on Monday. Hurting religious sentiment: ex-JnU student gets 5 years’ jail The elite force also seized four knives from their possession. The arrestees had long been involved in snatching valuables from pedestrians in the area. Later, they were handed over to local police

A mother can sacrifice everything for the development of her child without hesitation, said Minister of State for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi). "‘Mother’ is not just a word, it's an emotion, our last refuge," she said. The state minister was speaking at an award ceremony on the occasion of International Mother's Day in the conference room of the Directorate of Women Affairs at Eskaton Garden in the capital on Monday. BGMEA highlights Bangladesh's commitment to sustainable practices and ethical manufacturing The award “Shopnojoyi Ma” was conferred on 11 mothers in the country by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. "The one who constantly raises us with love and affection without any exchange to keep society and civilisation alive is the mother. The main mantra of celebrating Mother's Day is to understand the sacrifices and hard work of the mother throughout her life to establish the child," said Simeen. The aim of celebrating Mother's Day is to respect and empathise with all the sacrifices and labours of the mother for the sake of establishing the children, she added.

Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today said autism is a specialised issue, and proper campaign should be conducted to generate public awareness. “Children with special needs should be included in mainstream society,” she said. She said this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Blue Sky School for children with special needs, run by Bangladesh Air Force. The Speaker said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has preserved the rights of children in the constitution. “Bangabandhu enacted various laws for the welfare of children.” She said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working to build a promising Bangladesh for children and she has taken various initiatives for the welfare of children with special needs. The Speaker said that every child with special needs should be given importance and work should be done for their development. “They should be given the opportunity to develop their talents.” She said that everyone in society should stand by the children with special needs and their families. She thanked Saima Wazed for working for autistic children and the Air Force for opening Blue Sky School for children with special needs. Later, the Speaker unveiled the book covers of “Kabita-e Mujib” and “Bangamata” and enjoyed a cultural program featuring performances by the students of Blue Sky School. Senior officials of Bangladesh Air Force, teachers, students and their families, invited guests, dignitaries and media personnel were present on the occasion. Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan and Dhaka Mercantile Cooperative Bank Limited Chairman Abu Zafar Chowdhury also spoke as special guests on the occasion. President of BAFWA Central Council Tahmida Hannan was also present on the occasion.