bangladesh
Bus driver that killed 2 Cuet students arrested; fellow students continue demo
Police arrested the driver of the bus involved in a road crash that cost the lives of two Cuet students on Monday.
Driver Md Tazul Islam was arrested from the Kotwali area of Chattogram city on Wednesday afternoon, Chattogram district additional superintendent of (district special branch) Abu Tayeb Mohammad Arif Hossain said.
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The driver hails from Uttar Ghatchek area of Rangunia municipality of Chattogram, police said.
Meanwhile, the students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) blocked the road protesting the death of two fellows for the 3rd consecutive day on Wednesday
Around 9 am, they took position on the road in front of Chuet placing tree trunks on the road and setting fire to the tyres to press home their demand for a safe road.
Two Cuet students—Shanto Saha, a 3rd year student and Tawfiq Hasan, a 2nd year student of Civil engineering department, died when a bus of ‘Shah Amanat’ paribahan hit a motorbike on Chattogram-Kaptai road at Zianagar in Rangunia upazila on Monday.
As soon as the news spread, some Cuet students vandalised three buses and set one more on fire on that day.
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A 7-member committee has been formed headed by Additional District Magistrate AKM Golam Morshed Khan of Chittagong district administration to investigate the accident.
Besides, the district administration assured to give Tk10 lakh to the families of the two students.
Two farmers die from heat stroke in Nilphamari
Two farmers died from heat stroke in separate upazilas of Nilphamari on Wednesday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Anarul Ahmen, 52, and Abu Taleb, 54.
In Domar Upazila, Anarul fell ill while working on a field under the open sky around 1:30pm. Later, locals rescued him and took him to the Domar Health Upazila Complex, where a doctor declared him dead.
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Domar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohsin Ali confirmed the matter.
In Dimla upazila, Abu Taleb felt sick while working on farmland. Later, locals took him to the health complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Supply Chain Law: EU Council vote still needed
The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the proposed European law to require large companies to prevent and remedy human rights and environmental abuses in their global supply chains as a step forward for corporate accountability, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday.
Following the European Parliament’s vote, the law now needs final approval by ministers of EU member states. The EU ministerial vote is expected to take place in late May, according to the HRW.
The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks to introduce legal obligations for large corporations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their global supply chains.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
The Parliament’s vote in Strasbourg was on the 11th anniversary of the tragic collapse on April 24, 2013, of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 garment workers and injured over 2,000 others.
The proposed law requires large companies to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their own operations and in their global value chains. It considers large companies to be those with more than 1,000 employees on average and more than €450 million in net worldwide in the previous financial year.
It empowers regulators to take action against companies failing to conduct such due diligence and, in some situations, allows the victims of corporate abuses to approach European courts to seek justice.
“The 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster is a somber reminder of why a due diligence law is long overdue,” said Aruna Kashyap, associate director on corporate accountability at Human Rights Watch. “The European Parliament’s vote sends a strong message that the EU should no longer let large corporations get away with human rights and environmental abuses.”
The Rana Plaza disaster, alongside a range of other corporate abuses of human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards in global supply chains, have prompted rights groups, trade unions, and even some businesses to call for binding legislation to hold corporations accountable for abuses in their global supply chains.
Rights groups and social movements from around the world have campaigned for the European Union to adopt such legislation.These efforts have been critical to push back against corporate lobbying seeking to derail the proposed law.
The legislative process, which began in 2020, has been protracted and difficult, Human Rights Watch said.The governments of France, Italy, and Germany vastly curtailed the scope of the legislation, limiting its application to very large corporations, excluding certain sectors, and extending the time it would take before the directive comes into force.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
On March 15, a majority of ambassadors of EU member states approved the draft law, but only after significantly weakening a text that had been previously approved.
On March 18, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee approved the text.“The European Commission pledged to adopt a law to hold corporations accountable when they took office five years ago,” said Kashyap. “Ministers from EU member states should give a final nod to the text and pave the way for a new chapter on corporate accountability in global supply chains.”
Women should be made skilled in ICT sector: State Minister
Women should be made skilled in the ICT sector for the progress of the society and the country, State Minister for Education Begum Shamsun Nahar Chapa said on Wednesday.
"The demand for freelancing is increasing in a significant way but it is unfortunate that the participation of women in this sector in our country is very low," she said.
The state minister was speaking at the discussion titled "Empowering girls with ICT skills and employment: challenges and opportunities" organised by Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Center for Gender and Development Studies of the University at Muzaffar Ahmed Auditorium of Dhaka University.
Keeping in mind the future employment opportunities and needs, a vocational education system is being developed for women,she said.
The state minister also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has adopted a plan to further develop Bangladesh in technology. According to this plan digital technology is included in both public and private sectors.
Dr. Monjur Hossain, research director of Bangladesh Development Research Institute, presented an article at the meeting while professor Tanya Haque, director of Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatun Nescha Center for Gender and Development Studies, gave the welcome speech.
UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction initiatives in Bangladesh.
The MOU was signed on Wednesday by Md Mijanur Rahman, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh in the presence of the representatives from DDM and UNOPS.
The DG of the Disaster Management Department presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the shared commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering an empowered and Smart Bangladesh.
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With its infrastructure and procurement expertise, UNOPS will support DDM in rehabilitating critical infrastructure, providing emergency supplies and establishing robust field operations.
Additionally, specialized assistance will be extended in areas such as gender integration, stakeholder engagement and human-centered design.
Mijanur Rahman emphasized that this partnership, which aligns with Bangladesh's goal of reducing disaster risks, comes at a crucial time.
“With Bangladesh being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing an average of 7-10 tropical cyclones annually, and with over 60% of its land vulnerable to flooding, the collaboration with UNOPS is essential. This collaboration will enhance institutional capacity, implement innovative solutions, and facilitate knowledge sharing, fortifying Bangladesh's resilience against disasters and safeguarding vulnerable communities. Together, we can create a safer and more resilient future for all.”
Sudhir Muralidharan expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Today marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to build resilience and strengthen disaster preparedness in Bangladesh.
"This MOU between UNOPS and the Department of Disaster Management reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding communities across the country from the increasing impacts of climate change and natural hazards.”
"Through this partnership, we aim to leverage UNOPS' expertise in infrastructure, procurement and project management to support the Department in developing resilient infrastructure, fortifying emergency response capacities and rolling out innovative technologies. Our complementary strengths can pave the way for a more proactive, coordinated and holistic approach to disaster management.”
The MoU establishes a framework of cooperation and collaboration between UNOPS and DDM in various areas of common interest.
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Areas of Cooperation:
The cooperation aims to develop and implement plans aligning with government DRR policies, priorities and the Sendai Framework for DRR, enhance institutional capacity for disaster preparedness, coordinate efforts for pre and post-disaster situations, craft guidelines in line with international standards, explore innovative DRR solutions, and foster knowledge sharing to implement best practices, ensuring comprehensive disaster resilience in Bangladesh.
The partnership upholds the core principles of the Sendai Framework, prioritizing localized, inclusive and whole-of-society approaches to reduce disaster risks, minimize losses and safeguard human well-being.
By uniting DDM's mandate and UNOPS' technical strengths, the collaboration will ensure Bangladesh is well-equipped to anticipate, respond to, and recover effectively from cyclones, floods, and other hazards exacerbated by climate change.
This strategic alliance represents a significant milestone in fostering a partnership that aligns with the global 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Japanese envoy visits Japan-funded UNFPA project sites in Noakhali
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has visited the Horni Union Health & Family Welfare Center, the women-led community center in Chanondi Union, and Islamganj Janata High School.
He attended the inauguration of the renovated labor room and Rohingya refugee ward at the Noakhali district Sadar hospital.
During the two-day visit (April 22-23), the ambassador also discussed with the Divisional Director of Health, the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, the Hospital Superintendent, the Deputy Director of Family Planning, UNFPA, and its NGO partners.
Since the large influx of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar in August 2017, Japan has contributed over USD 220 million to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organizations and NGOs.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
These assistance included food assistance, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming, said the Embassy of Japan on Wednesday.
Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field, Ambassador Iwama said, “This is my first visit to the Noakhali dostrict, and I extend my appreciation to UNFPA for its unwavering commitment to promoting maternal health as well as addressing gender-based violence (GBV), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and the people of Japan.”
He said this is a unique contribution to bridging humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. “I hope this project will contribute to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled”.
“We are grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their generous support for the health, protection, and dignity of women, adolescent girls, and young people here in Noakhali,” said Masaki Watabe, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Bangladesh.
“The Japanese timely support to the health facilities is vital for ensuring that Rohingya refugees hosted in Bhasan Char have full access to life-saving emergency obstetric care through referral systems. With the Japanese support, we are also promoting life skill education in schools that help prevent child marriage and ensuring that community-based survivor-centred GBV services are made available and accessible.”
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More than six years have already passed since the onset of the crisis, it is essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world. Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue.
370 tonnes of imported potatoes still wait for unloading at Benapole
Around 370 tonnes of potatoes, which are waiting to be unloaded four days after being imported from India have started to rot, due to severe heat sweeping across the country.
According to the port authorities the consignments arrived at Benapole from India’s Petrapole by 16 trucks on the night of April 21.
But still no initiative has been taken to unload the goods. Due to a long delay, the potatoes have started to rot.
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Rangpur Integrated Food and Beverage imported the potatoes from the export-oriented institution PepsiCo India Holdings.
Masum Billah, representative of Transmarine Logistic Limited, said the potatoes have not been uploaded yet due to lack of necessary documents.
Shahadat Hossain, a truck driver said they will take the potatoes to Rangpur after unloading and if the authorities concerned do not take steps immediately, the potatoes will get rotten.
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Kamal Uddin Shimul, vice-president of Benapole C&F Agent Association, said the importer will face a financial loss if the authorities concerned do not take any measures to unload the goods.
Rezaul Karim, director of Benapole port, said necessary assistance is being provided to unload the goods.
HC wants to know the number of Rohingya voters in Cox’s Bazar
The High Court on Wednesday wanted to know the number of Rohingya voters in Cox’s Bazar district and submit a report after investigation on it by June 6.
The HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
The HC also asked the authorities concerned to remove 38 Rohingyas under Eidgaon union from the voter list.
It issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the Rohingya voters should not be declared illegal.
Advocate Siddique Ullah Mia stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Amit Das Gupta represented the state.
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Mohammad Hamid, a resident of Eidgaon union of Cox’s Bazar district filed the writ petition challenging the declaration of the schedule of Eidgaon Union Parishad election.
The writ petition also sought to remove the names of Rohingya voters from voter list after scrutiny and cancellation of all documents related to providing citizenship to the Rohingya voters and necessary steps against those involved in providing citizenship to the 38 Rohingyas.
Secretary to the Local Government, Secretary to the Election Commission, Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner and superintendent of Cox’s Bazar police have been made respondents.
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Advocate Siddique, said 38 Rohingyas took National ID cards and inserted them in the voter list of Eidgaon union of Sadar upazila. Besides, allegations were also found that some 350 Rohingyas were also made voters under the union.
The writ also sought a stay order on the election of the Union Parishad.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Sheldon Yett has said UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the health and safety of children across the country due to sweltering temperatures with an oppressive heatwave persisting throughout Bangladesh.
“Look out for your neighbors: Vulnerable families, children with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly face a higher risk of illness or death during heatwaves. Take the time to check on your neighbors, especially those who live alone,” Yett said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to UNICEF’s 2021 Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI), children in Bangladesh are at 'extremely high risk' of the impacts of climate change.
The unusual rise in temperatures poses grave risks, particularly to newborns, infants, and young children who are considered to be an especially vulnerable population to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and diarrhea caused by dehydration.
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“Moreover, as the Primary and Mass Education Ministry has ordered the closure of all government primary schools in the country till 27 April due to concerns with the impact of rising temperatures on children, UNICEF is urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe,” Yett said.
The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change.
With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, we must prioritize the well-being of children and the most vulnerable populations.
To protect children from this heatwave, UNICEF urged frontline workers, parents, families, caregivers and local authorities to protect children and pregnant women by taking the following steps:
Prevention: Wherever children are staying, create cooler places for children to sit or play. Avoid being outdoors during the hot midday and afternoon hours. Make sure that children wear light, breathable clothes, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
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First aid: If a child or a pregnant woman shows symptoms of heat stress (eg dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, mild fever, nosebleeds, muscle cramps, heath rashes in diaper area), place the person in a cool, shaded area with good ventilation and apply wet towels or cool water to the body.
Administer water or Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). Severe symptoms of heat stress (such as confusion or inability to respond, fainting, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, seizures and loss of consciousness) require urgent hospital care.
Security relationship between Dhaka-Washington, and in region important: Peter Haas
Bangladesh and the United States Navies have started Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh commemorating the 30th year of the CARAT exercise series.
CARAT Bangladesh is a week-long exercise that seeks to enhance collaboration focused on shared maritime security challenges in the region.
"CARAT remains one of our most important annual exercises. The security relationship between our two countries and in the region is an important one," said U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas.
“Our militaries are finding more ways to expand their ability to work together to counter security threats and alleviate the impact of natural disasters," he said.
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With nearly a half century of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bangladesh, this year’s exercise focuses on innovative naval capabilities and featured cooperative evolutions highlighting the ability of Bangladesh and the U.S. to work together on common goals that ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and rules based international order.
“We are committed to partnering with Bangladesh on our shared regional priorities and maintaining consistent collaboration ashore, in the air, and at sea,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore, DESRON 7.
“Bangladesh joined the CARAT exercise series in 2010 and have been dedicated partners in continued bilateral opportunities for training. Our coordination and integration are even stronger today and it shows in the highly professional in-depth training that we have planned this year.”
Other focus areas include surface warfare, search and rescue, exchanges between explosive ordnance disposal technicians, and subject matter expert exchange events featuring a variety of joint training opportunities, to include maritime aviation, maritime domain awareness, Women, Peace & Security symposium, and mine countermeasures.
U.S. assets participating in CARAT Bangladesh 2024 include staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 73, CTF 75, CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and U.S. Embassy Bangladesh.
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CARAT exercises are designed to address shared maritime security concerns and strengthen partnerships between regional navies, according to the US Embassy.
The exercises feature complex training to demonstrate the bilateral force’s ability to work together through numerous events including divisional tactics designed to practice maneuvering as ships sail together in complex formations.
As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to military engagements.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.