United News of Bangladesh

At least eleven people were killed and four others injured in road accidents in Faridpur, Cumilla, Gazipur, Dinajpur, Narsingdi, Chattogram and Sylhet districts on Friday night and Saturday morning. Among the deceased, two each died in Faridpur, Gazipur, Narshingdi and Dinajpur districts while one each in Cumilla, Chattogram and Sylhet districts. In Faridpur, two people died in separate road accidents in Bhanga upazila’s Hamirdi and Sadardi areas. An unidentified man was killed in a clash involving a truck and a motorcycle around 11:30 am. He was taken to the upazila health complex where duty doctor declared him dead. In another accident, an unidentified woman was killed as a car hit an easybike at Sadardi area around 8:30 am. She was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College (BSMMC) where duty doctor declared her dead. Khairul Anam, officer-in-charge of Bhanga Highway Police Station, confirmed the incidents. In Cumilla, a truck driver died after his truck hit another car from behind at Chauddagram upazila early Saturday. The accident occurred around 3 am at the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, said SM Lokman Hossain, officer-in-charge of Miabazar Highway Police Station. The deceased, Sagar, 35, died on the spot. His body was recovered and will be handed over to his family after legal procedures, added the oc. In Dinajpur, A tank lorry ploughed into a roadside shop at Kauga intersection in Sadar upazila of Dinajpur district early Saturday, leaving two people dead. The deceased were identified as Azhar Ali, 60, a security guard of Biswanathpur village and Rana, 25, of Kauga village in the upazila. The accident occurred around 5:15 am when the tank lorry ploughed into a tea shop, leaving one dead on the spot and another injured, said Farid Hossain, in-charge of Kotwali Police Station. The injured was taken to M Abdur Rahim Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police also arrested the driver of the tank lorry and his helper. In Narsingdi, two people died and three others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and microbus in front of Dream Holiday Park in Choitab of Panchdona upazila of Narsingdi district on Saturday. The deceased were identified as Abdus Salam, 43, a microbus driver, Piyal, 26. The accident occurred around 5 am when the bus of Hanif Paribahan crashed into the Sylhet-bound microbus, leaving two people dead on the spot and three others injured, said Ilias Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Itakhola Highway Police Station. The injured were taken to Narsingdi district hospital. In Gazipur, Two people died as a pick-up van hit a motorbike on Dhaka-Tangail highway at Kodda Bymile in Gazipur intersection on Friday night. AKm Ashraf Uddin, officer-in-charge of Konabari Police Station, said the deceased were Monjur Hossain, 41, a Jhut trader and Hasan, 40 of Konabari area. In Chattogram, a motorcyclist was killed and another injured when a covered van hit the motorbike at Nimtala Biswa Road in Port upazila on Friday night. The deceased was Rahul Saha, 28 of Sitakunda upazila, said Manjurul Quader, officer-in-charge of Port Police Station. Injured Arpita Saha was taken to a local hospital. In Sylhet, a Qatar returnee was killed in a head-on collision between a motorbike and CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Jointapur upazila of Sylhet district on Friday night. The accident occurred around 11 pm when the CNG auto-rickshaw hit his motorbike, leaving Yeasir Arafat, 18, son of Abdus Shukkur of the upazila, injured, said Tajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Jointapur Model Police Station. He died while undergoing treatment at Osmani Medical College Hospital.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has inaugurated a weeklong “Waste Exhibition” at its Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan-2. The event, which started today, aims to educate residents about the importance of proper waste disposal and its impact on the city's drainage system. DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam opened the exhibition, emphasizing the critical nature of disposing of waste responsibly to prevent blockages in the city's drainage channels, which can cause severe waterlogging following rain. The exhibition is part of a broader initiative to illustrate the types of waste that contribute to environmental pollution when dumped in drains and canals. The DNCC mayor highlighted the unfavourable comparisons between Dhaka and cities in developed countries, where such practices are less common. He noted that improper waste disposal not only leads to pollution and waterlogging but also contributes to the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, increasing the risk of dengue fever outbreaks. "It is our moral responsibility to protect our canals and reservoirs," Mayor Atiqul stated, describing the act of polluting the environment through improper waste disposal as a “crime”. In response to questions about the city's readiness for the monsoon season, Mayor Atiqul revealed that DNCC has formed ten quick-response teams across different areas to address waterlogging issues promptly. He encouraged residents to report any instances of water accumulation by calling the dedicated helpline at 1606, assuring that the teams would respond swiftly to complaints. The exhibition opening was attended by DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mir Khairul Alam, Secretary Mohammed Masud Alam Siddique, Chief Engineer Brig Gen Md Moin Uddin, Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Imrul Quais, Chief Waste Management Officer Captain Mohammad Fida Hasan, various ward councillors, and other city corporation officials and employees.

Bangladesh reported nine more COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 2,050,143, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,494 as no new fatalities were reported during this period. The daily case test positivity rate was 4.11 percent as 219 samples were tested, said the DGHS. The recovery and death rates stood at 98.41 percent and 1.44 per cent, respectively.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday hailed the engineers as the driving force for transforming the country into a smart Bangladesh. “For building smart Bangladesh the main driving force is the engineers of the country,” she said. The prime minister was speaking at the 61st convention of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at its premises in the city. She referred to her government's goal of building a smart Bangladesh by 2041. This will mean having smart population, smart government, smart economy and smart society. “We will build Bangladesh this way. And for that I will ask the engineers to make plans using their merit and creativity,” she said. PM pays tributes to Bangabandhu in Tungipara She requested the engineers to find ways on how the country would be advanced and which sectors would be given priority for that purpose. “I want your advice which will be beneficial for us. And I hope that you will give that,” she said. Hasina also urged the engineers to discuss strategies by which the country would be developed quickly. She put emphasis on the engineering sector in their universities and staff colleges. She mentioned that the government is mechanising the agricultural sector to enhance production. None can isolate me from people: PM Hasina tells JS “If we want to increase our agricultural production three to four folds then we have to mechanise this sector,” she said. She said that due to the industrialisation and increase of per capita income sometimes it becomes difficult to find agricultural workers.The cost of production has also increased. “For that we are introducing mechanisation in the agricultural sector, and as a result the production has been increased,” she said. The prime minister requested the engineers to get involved more in research works to utilise their talents for the purpose. “I want that you would give special attention to this purpose,” she said. The Prime Minister also handed over awards including gold medals and certificates to different levels of engineers, centre, sub-centre, engineering division and graduates of AMIE examination. An audio-visual presentation on the contribution of the engineers to country's development as well protecting its environment alongside the theme song marking the IEB's 61st was played at the function. Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) chairman of Dhaka Centre Engineer Mohammad Hossain delivered the welcome address. IEB President Engineer Md Abdus Sabur and IEB General Secretary SM Monjurul Haque Monju also spoke. IEB Dhaka Center General Secretary Engineer Nazrul Islam gave vote of thanks.  

 A former chairman of Mallikpur Union Parishad was shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Mangal Hata in Lohagara in Narail district on Friday night.The deceased was identified as Shikdar Mostafa Kamal, a local leader of Awami League.Kanchan Kumar, officer-in-charge of Lohagara Police Station, said Mostafa and former UP member Akram Hossain Lipu had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. Two Bangladeshi youths shot dead by BSF near Tetulia borderA group of miscreants opened fire on Kamal while he was sitting near his house on Friday evening, leaving him injured.Later, he died on the way to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital around 10:30 pm.Additional police have been deployed in the area to avert further trouble.Father, son shot dead by robbers in Cox’s Bazar

Residents of Dhaka woke up to waterlogged streets on Saturday morning after showers lashed the city. The rains coupled with gusty wind started around 7:15 am and continued till 8:30 am.The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has recorded 87 mm of rainfall in two hours from 7:15 am, said meteorologist Md Omar Faruk. The city dwellers experienced waterlogging in many areas before the monsoon that again exposed the poor drainage system of the capital. Many low-lying areas in the capital including Mirpur, Mouchak, Rampur, Badda, Moghbazar, Rampur and Khilkhet went under rainwater, causing immense sufferings to its residents. Many people were seen wading through ankle-deep water in these areas to reach their destination.Though today is a government holiday, many schools were kept open to recover the leaning losses caused by the closure due to heat wave across the country last month.Rains likely to drench Dhaka, six other divisions in 24 hours  

Former ambassador to France Tozammel Tony Huq passed away in Birmingham, UK. He was 84.He breathed his last on May 9.Tony is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter and a host of relatives.He also worked as the head teacher of a secondary school in Birmingham. DCAB mourns death of journalist Hassib's mother-in-lawIn 1971, he played a significant role as one of the organizers of the Liberation War in Britain.He was contractually appointed as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to France during the government of HM Ershad. He also served as the principal officer of the Asia Pacific region of UNESCO. Gazipur college student stabbed to deathHailing from Naogaon district, Tony had been living in Birmingham with his family for a long.

After rain, Dhaka’s air quality has improved. The capital city ranked 17th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 89 at 09:06 am this morning. Dhaka’s air was classified as 'moderate' today, according to the air quality index. Egypt’s Cairo, Iraq’s Baghdad and India’s Delhi occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 212, 208 and 193 respectively. Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, 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 unhealthy', 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 ‘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.  

An Air Arabia flight with 168 passengers and seven crew members  made an emergency landing at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on Friday morning following a hydraulic glitch at brakes, airport officials said. The incident happened at the runway of the airport but flight operations were normal.  Airport officials concerned said that some faults related to hydraulic pressure were detected during landing and it was stuck in the middle of the runway for 12 minutes. Later the plane was removed from the runway and taken to a safer place. Mentally-handicapped husband murders wife in Meherpur: Police  Group Captain Tanvir Ahmed, director at the airport, said there was a hydraulic problem in the brakes of the aircraft that flew from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates in the morning. As a result the normal landing became uncertain, he said, adding that finally they were able to make a safe landing by alternative arrangements. Clash over trifling matter leaves 3 dead in Habiganj Later, the aircraft was removed from the runway with the help of a tow tractor, he said. The hydraulic problem was being investigated, the group captain added.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday stressed the need for cooperatives in every area throughout the country in order to boost agricultural production, alleviate poverty and create scope for micro-savings. “Our (political) leaders should be sincere to enhance production, alleviate poverty and make arrangements for micro-savings through cooperatives in every area,” she said. The premier said this while exchanging views with the members of Dariarkul Gram Unnayan Samity, a village-level cooperative society, at Tungipara Upazila Awami League Office in Gopalganj District. She said her government has been implementing multifaceted programmes to make each of the countrymen economically solvent. "We have been working to make each of the people financially solvent by taking up multi-dimensional programmes," she said. The premier briefly highlighted her government’s different programmes including "My House, My Farm", Start-up programme, universal pension scheme and collateral-free bank loans for self-employment. "We have taken many initiatives to improve the living standard of the people by stamping out poverty," she said. The PM said if the programmes taken by her government are implemented properly none will remain poor in the country. Sheikh Hasina, who is the adviser of the Dariarkul Gram Unnayan Samity appreciated the initiative of reviving the cooperatives system. She asked the authorities concerned to spread the idea of forming cooperatives across Bangladesh to increase food production and thus make Bangladesh self-reliant. The Dariarkul cooperative society has been built on 9.05 acre of land donated by Sheikh Hasina. In the cooperatives system, the ownership of the land will not be changed, while the profit from the crops production on the land will be divided into three parts, she said. Two shares of the profit will be given for the land owners and the farmers who give labour. The remaining share will be given to the fund of the cooperatives, she added. The prime minister reiterated her call to bring every inch of land under cultivation to increase food production to cut dependency on others. About the pension scheme, she said her government took the universal pension schemes for secured future life of the countrymen. "We are not only working for the present but also for the future. The Universal Pension Scheme will secure future life of its beneficiaries," she said. Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, urged her party members to join the universal pension scheme for betterment of their old-age life. Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana was present at the event. Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam moderated the view-exchange meeting. Later, the prime minister distributed agricultural equipment and educational materials as well as financial grants among the poor and students. The PM arrived at her ancestral home in Tungipara by road after crossing the Padma Bridge on Friday morning. She paid tributes and offered prayers at the Mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The prime minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka this afternoon.