United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Narayanganj River Port Authority on Thursday jointly conducted a drive and demolished 35 structures erected illegally on the banks of the Dhaleshwari River in Narayanganj. A mobile court led by BIWTA’s Executive Magistrate Hasan Maruf also fined two boats for not having necessary documents. The drive was conducted from Fatullah’s Boktaballi to Dicreechar stretching several kilometres. During the drive, a total of 35 illegal structures, including guide walls of brick kilns, bamboo pilings, sand mattresses and temporary houses built on the banks of the river were demolished. After the drive, Magistrate Hasan Maruf said the river banks were occupied by constructing guide walls of brick kilns and bamboo pilings. The drive will continue until the river is freed from illegal grabbing following a High Court order, he said. The river port authority’s Joint Director Shahid Ullah and Deputy Director Mobarak Hossain Majumder, other officials and members of thana police, river police and Ansar were present during the eviction drive.

No fresh death due to dengue was reported in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Thursday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, 18 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever during this period, according to the DGHS. Dengue: Bangladesh reports zero death with 20 new cases in 24 hrs Of them, five were admitted in Dhaka hospitals, while the rest were outside the capital. A total of 133 dengue patients, including 50 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. Dengue claims two more lives So far, 945 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, a total of 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. 1 more dengue patient dies; 32 hospitalised in 24hrs The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3,18,749 recoveries last year. Last year’s September was the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak, with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) and icddr,b have joined forces in a pioneering initiative to advance healthcare waste management through sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. The partnership was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at EBL's head office in Dhaka on Wednesday. Gas crisis grips Narayanganj; residents being forced to adapt to alternative options for cooking The new partnership with Eastern Bank PLC will enable icddr,b to establish a state-of-the-art solid biohazardous waste treatment facility. This facility will be equipped with advanced waste sterilizers and shredders, allowing for the complete decontamination and destruction of biohazardous polymer products, said a press release. This initiative paves the way for recycling polymer materials, thereby converting waste into an asset and significantly reducing environmental impact of waste management. Workshop on vitamin-fortified safe edible oil held in Dhaka Dr Shams El Arifeen, Acting Executive Director and Senior Director, Maternal & Child Health Division at icddr,b, said, "This collaboration with Eastern Bank PLC is a testament to the importance of corporate responsibility in fostering sustainable healthcare practices. It marks a crucial step towards a more eco-friendly approach in healthcare waste management." Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director and CEO of EBL said, ‘Solid biohazardous medical waste poses a significant challenge for Bangladesh and the management of medical waste is still in its early stages. We are very happy to partner with icddr,b in this timely initiative. “ Koko’s 9th death anniversary observed The project aims to promote similar initiatives across Bangladesh, with icddr,b hosting workshops and seminars to share its expertise in sustainable waste management with healthcare leaders and government officials.

Six people were burned in a fire at a house in the Baghpara area of Siddhirganj upazila of Narayanganj on Wednesday night. The injured were identified as Sukhi Akhtar (32), her daughter Sadiya (10), sister Jannati Akhtar (18), brother Arif Haoladar (21), Rahima, and her daughter Ritu (13). All of them are currently receiving treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn & Plastic Surgery. Read: 2 injured in Sylhet CNG pump fire sent to Dhaka  Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost in-charge Inspector Bachchu Mia confirmed the matter. Among the injured, Rahima has sustained burns over 45% on her body and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the institute, said resident physician Dr Tarikul Islam. Sukhi lives with her husband, Nur Mohammad, in the Baghpara area, according to Rony Haoladar, a relative. Sukhi gave birth to a new baby seventeen days ago, and family members paid her a visit on Wednesday. A fire broke out in the residence that night. Read: Fire in building at Dhaka’s Topkhana under control  Upon receiving the news, the family was rescued and taken to the hospital immediately. However, no one could provide clear information on how the fire started. It is speculated that the fire might have originated from gas or mosquito coils. Sukhi has 17% of her body burned, and Jannati Akhtar has 15% burns. Both are receiving treatment in the general ward, said Tarikul.

Residents in Narayanganj are grappling with increased hardships due to acute shortage in gas supply. Due to a lack of gas supply through pipelines, residential consumers are being compelled to resort to using LPG cylinders, electric stoves (induction), and stoves. Despite chilly weather, load-shedding persists amid severe gas crisis  Capitalising the situation, businessmen are raising the prices of gas cylinders and electric stoves. Locals said the price of a 12-kg gas cylinder of an unidentified company has surged to Tk 1,500. Gas supply to Ctg, elsewhere starts improving as LNG terminal resumes productionLocal shopkeepers are charging up to Tk 1,550 for cylinders from reputable companies, they alleged.Ameena Begum, a resident of Choudhury Bari in the port area, said , "Due to the unavailability of gas, I am now using an electric stove." Energy Division regrets inconvenience from gas crisis in Chattagram, elsewhereThis shift has resulted in an additional burden for households, as the monthly electricity bills for electric stoves range from Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500, said some local people. Maksuda Begum, a housewife in the Masdair area, said, "Despite having gas, I resort to electric stoves because they are more reliable."The gas crisis is not limited to Narayanganj Sadar; various areas, including Paikpara, Baburail, Deobhog, Nimtala, Nitai Gonj, Tamakpatti, Amlapara, and Kaliar Bazar, are experiencing gas crisis. Residents from these areas are contacting the gas company's complaint center and expressing their frustration over the situation.The struggle of residents is especially intense in areas like Kashipur, Masdair, and Baraibhoga.A local organization "We, the Residents of Narayanganj" has initiated efforts and submitted a memorandum to the regional office of Titas Gas. The organization's president, Noor Uddin Ahmed, emphasized the need to end the malpractices of Titas Gas employees, which, according to him, are the root cause of the ongoing gas crisis. End/UNB/Corr/MB/FH

Australian artist Malcolm Keith Arnold, who famously moved to Khulna for love, has passed away at 76. His demise occurred at his Sonadanga residence around 6 pm on Wednesday, following a prolonged illness. Amirul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Investigations at Sonadanga Model Police Station, shared the procedural details: "Upon receiving news of Malcolm's death, we immediately notified our seniors and contacted the Australian High Commission. They have authorized the burial." "Malcolm's family has been informed, following senior officials' guidance. He will be laid to rest in the Basupara graveyard, with paperwork from the local councilor," he added. Halima Begum, Malcolm's wife, recounted his last moments: "After dinner and taking his medicine on Tuesday night, Malcolm fell asleep. The next morning, he struggled to breathe and soon after asking for his mouth spray, he passed away. Despite rushing him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, his death was officially confirmed there." She continued, "The doctors attributed his death to a stroke, exacerbated by heart disease and diabetes. Malcolm was a kind soul, converting to Islam for me. Despite having family in Australia, he chose to stay in Bangladesh, expressing a wish to be buried here."

A 60-year-old unidentified man was found dead near the No. 1 gate of Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital’s Gulistan on Wednesday. Local people spotted the man in an unconscious state around 10:20 am and informed Paltan police station, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) police outpost. On information, police rescued the man and took him to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared the man dead around 10:50 am. The body was kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy, Inspector Bachchu added.

Speakers emphasised on Wednesday that ensuring the access to vitamin-fortified safe edible oil for all is a must to safeguard public health. Panelists shared these views on the second day of a two-day workshop for journalists titled “Safe Vitamin-fortified Edible Oil for All: Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward”, held at the BMA Bhaban in Dhaka on 23-24 January 2024. The workshop was jointly organised by the research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. A total of 26 journalists from print, television, and online media houses joined the workshop. According to the National Micronutrient Survey 2011-12, one in five preschool aged children suffers from Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency while every two out of five children suffer from Vitamin ‘D’ deficiency. In order to deal with the precarious situation, the government has already formulated and implemented the Vitamin ‘A’ Fortification in Edible Oil Act. However, bulk edible oil marketed in drums is still working as a hindrance to ensuring the proper implementation of the law, they added. Reazul Haque, Deputy Director (CM), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI); Ashek Mahfuz, Portfolio Lead for Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) and Value Chain, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN); Md. Shafiqul Islam, Business In-charge, Bangla Tribune and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA were present at the event as discussants. The key presentations were delivered by Abu Ahmed Shamim, Associate Scientist, James P Grant School of Public Health; Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar (former Additional Secretary), Consultant, Dr. Rina Rani Paul, Programme Manager, Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) Country Advocacy Bangladesh, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute and Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programmes, PROGGA.  

The ninth death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was observed on Wednesday. BNP and its associate bodies observed the day with due respect and remembrance amid various programmes. Koko’s 9th death anniversary Wednesday  On January 24, 2015, Koko died of cardiac arrest at the age of 45 at a rented house in Malaysia. His body was brought back home on January 27 and buried at Banani Graveyard. In observance of the day, party leaders and activists, led by standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, placed wreaths at Koko’s grave and offered fateha there around 10:30am. Koko’s 8th death anniversary observed BNP arranged a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office at 11am seeking eternal peace for Koko’s departed soul. BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan attended the programme as the chief guest. Another doa mahfil was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office in the afternoon with the participation of party standing committee members and the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies. Koko was the main hero in developing Bangladeshi cricket: Fakhrul Different associate and professional bodies of BNP and its city and district also observed the day by holding various programmes, including discussions and prayer sessions.

Historic Dhaka Gate, also known as Mir Jumla Gate or Ramna Gate, was opened to the public on Wednesday (January 24, 2024). Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh re-inaugurated the gate by unveiling the cover of the main stone. Read more: How to Identify an Authentic Bangladeshi Jamdani Saree? Lime, betel nut, khoir, molasses, and Maddhapara granite stone chips are the materials used in the reconstruction of the Dhaka Gate The Dhaka Gate is located at the intersection of the Curzon Hall of Dhaka University, the Suhrawardy Uddyan and the Science Library.