United News of Bangladesh

Some 40 to 50 unidentified people were sued for vandalising Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) vehicles and obstructing them from performing duty at Dashmail in Kaharole upazila. Abdul Khaleque, leader of Kaharole fire station, filed the case against the unidentified accused on Friday. Indian man arrested along Kurigram border for trespassing According to the case statement, the fire broke out in Arif Filing Station in Dashmail area under the upazila around 8:19 pm last Thursday. Being informed, two firefighting units rushed to the spot but the locals accused the firefighters of delaying to reach the spot. At one stage, the filing station staff and others vandalised the FSCD vehicles with sticks, iron rods and bricks, it reads. Transport strike called off after 12 hrs in Ctg Moreover, the unruly people hit fire service’s warehouse inspector Md Rezaul Karim and driver Abdul Mottaleb. Later, the injured were sent to Dinajpur M Abdur Rahim Medical College Hospital.

A 25-year-old youth was crushed under the wheels of a train in Khilgaon rail gate area in Dhaka early Monday. The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately. 3 bikers killed in road accident in Sylhet Md Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) police outpost, said pedestrians brought a youth, whose two legs were severed, to the hospital and he breathed his last while undergoing treatment around 5:20am. The matter was informed to Dhaka Railway Police, he added.

A heatwave sweeping through Bangladesh has left importers at Dinajpur's Hili land port grappling with significant losses as scorching temperatures are causing imported potatoes from India to rot. This situation highlights a critical lack of infrastructure at the land port. Harun-ur-Rashid, president of the Hili Land Port Import-Export Group, expressed concerns over the lack of cold storage facilities, which has become a pressing issue with the current climate conditions.  "To meet local demand, traders imported potatoes after the government's green light. Typically, these potatoes are stored in warehouses for two to three days before distribution nationwide. However, the heat has accelerated spoilage, undermining our operations," Rashid explained. Read: 370 tonnes of imported potatoes still wait for unloading at Benapole The adverse effects of the heat are not only causing physical damage to the potatoes but also deterring wholesalers from purchasing the stock, further straining the importers. Rashid highlighted the need for governmental intervention. "If the affected importers are not compensated through incentives, it could deter future imports during crises, which the government needs to address," he added. At the wholesale market of the Hili land port area, imported Indian potatoes are currently selling for Tk 38-40 per kg, while locally sourced potatoes fetch around Tk 48 per kg. Despite the lower price, consumer preference leans towards local varieties. Siraj Hossain, a representative for the importers, noted that local potatoes are generally more expensive than those imported from India. However, the intense heat has led to substantial spoilage, with two to three kilograms of potatoes rotting per sack. "The recent price surge in Indian potatoes further complicates matters. A cold storage facility here could have mitigated these losses significantly," Hossain stated. Read: Govt to import 3 cargoes of LNG to raise gas supply Asadur Rahman, a local resident, reported that rotten potatoes are being dumped beside the Dangapara-Chhatni road, raising environmental and health concerns. Echoing Hossain's sentiments, Sohrab Hossain Mallik, public relations officer at the privately-owned Panama Hili Port Link Limited, emphasized the urgent need for cold storage facilities to preserve perishable imports like potatoes. This infrastructure would not only prevent spoilage but also ensure the viability of import operations during extreme weather conditions.

Grief has engulfed the Sylhet house Abu Saleh Md Yusuf Jhony who was gunned down in New York’s Buffalo city on April 27. Another Bangladeshi named Babul Uddin, hailed from Cumilla, was also shot dead by gunmen at the same time. Yusuf's family was shattered upon receiving the death news. Yusuf, son of Nurul Haque, a former member of Tinchati village under Kanaighat Jhingabari Union, moved to the US 10 months back with his wife and two daughters for permanent residency. He used to work for a painting company there and his family members have been living in Majortila area of Sylhet city. Read more: Tipu-Prity murder: AL leader Ashraf, 32 others indicted His parents got fainted several times after hearing the news of the tragic death of Yusuf, the eldest among three brothers and one sister. According to Bangladeshi expatriates living in Buffalo city of New York, Yusuf and Babul Uddin were working as painters in a house in 100 blocks on Jenner Street in Buffalo. At that time, some miscreants demanded extortion from Babul Uddin. Being rejected, when the terrorists attempt to attack Babul, Yusuf came forward to save him. At that time, the gunmen shot and killed the duo. Buffalo police spokesman Michael J. De George said they responded to a report of shots fired in the 100 Block on Jenner Street, according to reports of local media. The expatriates said that they will take various protest programmes demanding justice for the killing of two Bangladeshis. Read more: Momen slams Bangladeshi expat's killing in US, denounces hate crime

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has predicted rains or thunder showers in parts of the country including Dhaka and also decline in temperature from May 2. “Rains and thundershowers are expected in Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh divisions and some other parts of the country including Dhaka division from May 2,”Dr Abul Kalam Mollik, a meteorologist of BMD, told UNB on Monday.   Temperature will come down due to rainfall, he said. “Very severe heat wave is sweeping Jashore and Rajshahi districts and severe heat wave is prevailing in  parts of Khulna division, Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Naogaon, Pabna & Nilphamari districts. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi & Rangpur divisions, Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni & Bandarban districts, “said a BMD bulletin on Monday.     Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram & Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places, it said. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist, it said. Country’s highest temperature was recorded at 42.2 degree Celsius in Jashore district  on Sunday and 18 mm rains were recorded in Sunmaganj till 6 am on Monday.

The visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has advised Bangladesh Bank to disclose detailed and complete information regarding bad and risky loans fin the public interest. Meeting sources said that the visiting IMF delegation gave this suggestion in the meeting held with the BB officials on Sunday (April 28).  In the meeting, the IMF asked to make the financial health of the banks and the inspection report open to the customers. At the same time, it urged to increase the number of inspections to prevent irregularities-corruption and loan scams. Officials concerned in the meeting said that bad loans or risky assets are increasing in banks due to various irregularities including big loan scams. Several banks have weakened which also acknowledged by the BB Governor.  Therefore, the IMF believes that the deposits of those banks which are in trouble are also at risk. In such a situation, the global lender suggested that the banks should disclose the full report of risky assets to the customers.  Read more: DUJ, DRU, TIB condemn ban on journalists entering Bangladesh Bank According to the IMF Officials, “If these reports are published, the customers will be able to make informed decisions about keeping their deposits.” In the meeting, the IMF sought to know whether the central bank's inspection of banks' financial health is continuing or not. Clarification has also been sought as to whether inspection reports are disclosed to customers or not.  In addition, the IMF delegation suggested increasing the quality and number of inspections to prevent irregularities, corruption and loan scams, sources said. When asked about the meeting with the BB, the executive director and spokesperson of the BB Mesbaul Haque said that the meetings with the IMF are ongoing. This meeting will be held step by step till May 8. He did not agree to make any comment other than that and said the details will be given in future. Read more: Islamic Banking in Bangladesh: Commendable contribution to the country’s economic growth

Women are symbols of social solidarity as they bring more consideration and understanding to the table, and respect diversity for viewing the world through different backgrounds and experiences. Heo Eun-joo, Regional Director of the Global Region 3 of the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG), came up with the comment in an opening greeting at a ceremony online (ZOOM) on Saturday evening. "This diversity is essential for us to understand and empathize with each other. That is why we deserve to take on the role of mediators as well as victims of war and conflict. When women participate, solutions will be presented in a more diverse and inclusive way," she added. Global Region 3 of the IWPG organised the online (ZOOM) programme under the theme of "Women achieving peace that the world needs" to mark the 5th commemoration of April 26 as "International Women's Peace Day." Govt working to eliminate discrimination against women: State Minister Simeen More than 132 representatives under the Global Region 3, consisting 8 countries (the Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Sao Tome and Principe) joined the online (Zoom) programme. The event was declared as the "International Women's Peace Day" on April 26 in 2019 with the wish of realizing peace at the end of war, in which women around the world unite to protect precious lives from war and pass down peace as a legacy to future generations.  It is gaining support from numerous leaders and women, including the first lady, the queen, the ambassador, politicians, journalists, religious leaders. "Our goal is peace on the global stage, and let's pass on the world of peace as a legacy to future generations. Peace is a long-cherished dream of mankind and the most basic element for human life, so let's make a world of peace that must be achieved someday as one of us," Hyun-sook, IWPG Chairwoman said in her commemorative speech. In her speech, Jung Ju Won, Chairwoman of Association for Childhood Residents in Geoje of Korea said, "I believe that the IWPG's activities will turn into a wind of peace and bring peace to our country as soon as possible." Women should be made skilled in ICT sector: State Minister  "Women's power is essential for Korea's peaceful unification, and if women from all over the world become one with the IWPG at the center, it will blossom world peace along with the unification of the two Koreas. I promise to continue working hard for peaceful unification and world peace," she added. Daybatta Chavan Batil, gender activist & co-founder, DHUP Foundation in India and Jannatul Bakia Sweety, Sustainable Cities and Communities Researcher and founder    of Root & Label in Bangladesh were also spoke on the programme. Meanwhile, IWPG is an international Women’s Peace Group, an NGO registered both in UN DCG and UN ECOSOC and is working actively for various peace activities such as International Women Peace Network, Spreading Peace culture, etc and uniting with UN women organizations together for urging the legislation of DPCW.  

Amid the ongoing heat wave, educational activities of all educational institutions under secondary level and vocational educational institutions in Dhaka, Chuadanga, Jashore, Khulna and Rajshahi districts have been suspended for April 29 (Monday). In the wake of ongoing sweltering heat, the Education Ministry issued a notice in this regard after consulting with the Health Ministry and Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Sunday, said a handout signed by MA Khayer, public relation officer of the Education Ministry. Heat wave: Assembly at all govt primary schools suspended But the educational institutions which have air conditioner facilities can keep their institutions open. Further decision in this regard will be known on Monday. Classes at all primary, secondary schools and colleges resumed on Sunday after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays and its subsequent extension due to the heat wave sweeping the country since the first week of April. The educational institutions reopened today although there is no remarkable change in the heat wave condition, worrying the guardians, especially those of primary level students. Schools, colleges to remain closed till Apr 27 due to heat wave Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave may persist for 72 hours starting Sunday morning. Schools and colleges were scheduled to reopen on April 21 after the end of Eid holidays but the closure was extended till April 27 due to sweltering heat across the country caused by heat waves.  

  Sector Commanders Forum, Liberation 71, has deplored  what they described alarming spike in efforts by Jamaat-e-Islami and its student arm Islami Chhatra Shibir to glorify the war criminals and undermine the war crimes through social media targeting university students. “These lobbyists who spread propaganda in exchange of money also continuously spread false and fabricated campaigns to stop trials of war criminals and confuse the world's opinions,” said the organisation in a statement on Sunday. The statement came following media exposure on a sudden surge in promoting content targeting former BUET students from a Facebook page inaugurated by a British lawyer  who actively advocated for the impunity of a notorious war criminal from Jamaat. The page was accused of promoting contents that SCF found derogatory for war heroes and only amplified by social media assets of Shibir to aggravate the ongoing deadlock on the leading engineering university, according to campus sources.  Throughout 2013, Jamaat and Shibir reportedly carried out a grisly spell of firebombing of buses trains, targeted killing of law enforcers and bloggers who were vocal of war crimes trials. Moreover, the page reportedly described a war crimes trial driven by political vendetta and vilified former BUET students including former BUET student Tonmoy Ahmed, who had been stabbed reportedly by Shibir for his stance in demand of ending impunity of war criminals. In reference to the presence of Michael Polak, the UK advocate, who, was hired by infamous war criminal Mir Quasem Ali, at the inaugural of the Facebook page, the organisation of war heroes, mentioned a renewed push has been marked to glorify those who aided the Pakistan army in carrying out crimes against humanity including genocide, rape, loot and systematic persecution in 1971, even five decades after independence. In reference to targeted killing of free thinkers who were vocal for demanding war crimes trial including recent vilification anti-war crimes campaigner Tonmoy Ahmed, the statement also raised alarm over a systematic vilification of those students who joined anti-war crimes campaigners in demand of putting an end to the impunity of war criminals.  In the past, Polak, teamed up with other lobbyists including Toby Cadman and ran a campaign to deny justice to millions of family members of martyred heroes at the hands of Pakistan army and those local collaborators. Such activity testified to a simple fact that several fronts including Shibir, the student arm of Jamaat, are still waging a campaign to deny war crimes and project war criminals innocent before students, a clear advocacy to promote wrong history targeting students,” said the statement. Goes by the name Socchar, the page, operated from US, was inaugurated by Polak hired by family of Quasem Ali who earlier struck a million dollar deal with top lobbyists firms in US to shore up global support exploiting human rights ground to ensure impunity for war criminals. Actively took part in carrying out genocide in 1971, Shibir, renamed from Chhatara Sangha and reborn in 1977, began acting with the ultimate objective to establish Islamic society countering secular spirit of the country. Self-style killing missions and cutting tendons of students who they deem rivals are a reported trademark of Shibir. Pointing out errors on the posts, Tonmoy, who now acts as coordinator in Awami League web team and having 130 stitches all over his body, on a facebook post revealed “the flimsy allegations are levelled based on accounts of a former Shibir leader who was involved in plotting the assassination attempt against me”. In association with another Jamaat hired lawyear Cadman, Polak was found issuing joint statements undermining war crimes and went on an overdrive to present their clients—dreaded war criminals—as victims. US-based Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has recognised the killing of Bangladeshis during 1971 War of Independence as genocide. Though banned on the campus, the activities of Shibir came to the fore after 24 students were captured reportedly for plotting subversive activities in a remote haor area.    

The extent of loadshedding crossed 1860 MW on Sunday, a new high in power shortage in at least a decade, on the heels of a new record in power generation.  The recent highest power generation in the country was recorded at 16,233 MW at 9pm on Monday last (April 22). But despite that loadshedding continued across the country, as the prevailing heatwave increases the demand for electricity. The amount of loadshedding is the difference between the amount of electricity generated and its demand, when the former is in deficit. The official data of the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) at the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) shows that the loadshedding reached 1864 MW at 12 noon Sunday, the day’s peak for electricity demand  amid the sweltering heat. However, rural level officials of different power utilities believe the extent of load shedding is far more than the official figure shown by NLDC as local interruptions in power supply don’t always come to the book. “Power outages at the rural areas are so frequent that if any interruption takes place, consumers have to wait several hours to get electricity at both day and night,” an official of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), told UNB. “The extent of loadshedding might even be more than 2000 MW if local outages are taken into account,” he added, requesting anonymity to speak as the issue is considered sensitive.    According to official sources, the maximum burden of loadshedding 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 rural people amid the sweltering heat this summer. Shielding capital Dhaka from loadshedding masks reality of power cuts biting nation NLDC records also show loadshedding on Sunday started with 1,789 MW at 1am and then at one stage came down to 1319 MW at 7am. But again it took a U-turn upwards as the day wore one. Officials apprehend, the extent of load shedding may go up further in the evening peak hours when normally demand goes up.  Both the data from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and PGCB show that the country's day’s demand forecast was set at 16,900 MW and evening demand at 15,500 MW. Meanwhile, state-owned Petrobangla’s official data shows that the country’s gas production was 3,105 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) against a demand for about 4000 MMCFD. 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 1423 MMCFD gas against their demand for 2316.9 MMCFD, the data shows. Loadshedding hits 1000MW amid soaring demand spurred by heat