Bangladesh
Desperate journey to Europe: 8 Bangladeshis among those who drowned in the Mediterranean
In a somber announcement on Tuesday (February 20, 2024), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) revealed the identities of eight Bangladeshis who met a tragic fate while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The individuals, embarking on an unauthorized voyage from Libya to Europe, drowned in a devastating incident that underscores the perilous journey faced by many seeking a better life abroad.
The victims, identified as Sajal, Nayan Biswas, Mamun Seikh, Kazi Sajeeb, Kaisar, Rifat, Russell, and Imrul Kayes Apon, hailed from the Madaripur and Gopalganj districts of Bangladesh. Specifically, the first five victims originated from various villages within the Rajoir upazila of Madaripur, while the remaining were from Muksudpur upazila in Gopalganj.
Read more: Out of options, Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat despite soaring death toll
The details were shared in a press release distributed by MoFA, which aimed to shed light on the tragic event and its impact on the victims’ communities.
The ill-fated journey began on February 13, when a boat carrying individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and Syria set sail from a Libyan coastal area with hopes of reaching Europe. The group comprised 27 Bangladeshis, 8 Pakistanis, 3 Egyptians, 5 Syrians, and an Egyptian individual who navigated the boat. However, their aspirations were cut short when the vessel capsized off the Tunisian coast in the early hours of February 14.
Rescue operations later recovered the bodies of the eight Bangladeshis and one Pakistani, which were subsequently transferred to local hospitals. The foreign ministry's report further highlighted that among the Bangladeshi victims, seven were traveling without passports, indicating the desperate measures taken by individuals in pursuit of better opportunities.
Read more: Bangladesh wants to boost cooperation with Libya to curb illegal migration
India allows onion export to Bangladesh, 5 other countries
The Indian government has decided to give an exemption for Bangladesh, as well as five other countries, from its ban export of onions, up to a certain amount.
This permission has been given on the recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs of the country.
Read more: Onion, sugar likely to be imported from India before Ramadan: State Minister
Along with Bangladesh, India has also allowed the export of onions to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bahrain, and Mauritius. However, New Delhi has not yet taken any decision on the complete withdrawal of the ban imposed on onion exports.
On Monday (February 19), the Indian newspaper Economic Times reported that India officially allowed the export of onions to Bangladesh and some other countries.
An Indian official related to this issue said that the export of onions in limited quantities to these countries has been allowed for bilateral purposes. However, the official could not tell the exact amount of onion that has been allowed to be exported.
Read more: Onion price steeper by Tk50 per kg in 3 weeks
Mirpur’s Jhilpar slum catches fire
A fire broke out in Jhilpar slum of Mirpur-12 in Dhaka on Monday (February 19, 2024) afternoon.
Lima Khanam, duty officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell, said the fire started from one of the shanties of the slum around 12:57 pm.
Fire damages foam factory on Char Patharghata
On information, four fighting units rushed to the spot and were trying to bring the flame under control and then four more units joined them.
The origin of the blaze is yet to be known, the duty officer said, adding that there is no report of casualties till 1:30 pm.
Read more: 50 shanties gutted in Begunbari slum fire
Mother, daughter hacked to death in Gopalganj
A woman and her SSC examinee daughter were hacked to death over land dispute in Durgapur village under Gopalganj sadar upazila on Sunday (February 18, 2024) night.
The deceased were identified as Beauty Begum, 40, and her daughter Lamia, 16, of Durgapur village under Jalalabad union of the upazila. The daughter was an SSC examinee from Khalia United Academy.
Police and locals there had been a long dispute between Lamia’s father Tuku and her uncle Harun over ancestral land in the village.
Around 7:30 am on Sunday, as Lamia entered uncle Harun’s yard while talking on her mobile phone he asked her to leave the yard and hurled abusive words, leading to an altercation between Lamia’s mother Beauty and her uncle.
Read more: Man killed ‘by daughter’ in Chuadanga, wife, daughter held
At one stage of the altercation over the matter, Harun, equipped with sharp weapons, hacked Beauty and Lamia, leaving them critically injured.
Hearing their screams, locals rushed in and took them to 250-bed Adhunik Hospital in Sadar upazila where physicians declared them dead upon arrival.
Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge (investigation) Harun-Or-Rashid though the accused and his family went into hiding shortly after the murders police managed to arrest Harun.
The bodies were sent to the Sadar hospital morgue for autopsy, the police officer added.
Read more: Man hacked to death over extramarital affair in Rangpur
3 dead as truck hits autorickshaw in Gazipur’s Kaliakair
Three people were killed and two others injured as a speeding truck crashed into a battery-run autorickshaw on Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur’s Kaliakair upazila on Monday (February 19, 2024) morning.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.
Naojhor Highway police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahdat Hossain said the Tangail–bound truck hit the autorickshaw in Sutrapur area, leaving five people including the autorickshaw driver injured.
Read: Bus-auto rickshaw collision leaves 7 people dead in Mymensingh
Members of fire service and police rescued the injured and took them to Kaliakair upazila health complex where physicians declared three of them dead upon arrival.
The rest were undergoing treatment at the hospital, he said, adding that all the victims were passengers of the autorickshaw.
Read more: Bus-motorcycle collision leaves one dead in Faridpur
Bangladesh Economic Association proposes 70 percent tax on cigarettes, tobacco
The Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) has proposed a 70 percent tax on all types of cigarettes and tobacco in the next budget.
The association reckons that doing so will reduce smoking by about 66 percent, alongside generating revenue of Tk1,700 crore for state coffers.
The proposal was submitted to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) during the pre-budget discussion held at the NBR Building on Sunday (February 18).
The General Secretary of the BEA Professor Dr. Md. Aynul Islam presented the budget proposal. Vice President of the association Professor Hannana Begum was present.
Read more: Govt cut VAT, duty on import of 4 essential items ahead of Ramadan
According to the BEA's proposal, imposing a single supplementary duty of 70 percent on all types of cigarettes would increase the price of cigarettes by an average of 130 percent.
Smoking will be reduced by 66 percent. About 70 lakh smokers will quit smoking, and about 71 lakh young people will stop habituating to smoking. Also, the additional tax revenue of the government will be earned at least Tk1700 crores, the proposal stated.
Similarly, the BEA demanded to impose a tax of 70 percent on all types of tobacco products including smokeless tobacco such as jorda, gul, sadapata, etc.
On the other hand, in the case of bidi, if the tax is imposed at the rate of Tk 4.90 on the retail price of every 25 shalak (piece) packet, the government will be able to collect additional revenue of Tk 800 crore.
Read more: ICMAB delegation takes part in pre-budget discussion with NBR
The BEA thinks with such a tax increase; revenue earning will be raised and it would help to revive the economy from the ongoing economic crisis. The BEA has a total of 27 new sources of revenue income.
At this time, Prof Aynul said, as a method of gathering resources for the upcoming budget, no pressure can be applied on the general population, such as the poor, lower class, lower middle class, and middle class.
Due to various reasons, this class of people is now in a severe economic crisis. It would be unfair at this moment to rely completely on them as in the past for tax collection.
In that case, the imposition of additional income tax on these three groups – the super-rich, the rich, and the upper-middle class – can be considered, said Prof Aynul.
Read more: PROGGA, ATMA for imposing specific taxes on tobacco products
Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur, N'ganj still reeling from acute gas crisis despite Titas claims of improvement
Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj continue to be afflicted by an acute gas crisis, even though Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, the state-owned distributor of natural gas, claims the situation has improved.
As reported in the media previously, garments and textiles firms in the industrial belt of these central districts have been suffering from an acute gas crisis for the last few months.
“The factories are in dire straits,” a top top-level manager of a group of textile factories in Gazipur told UNB.
Most of the industries in Gazipur do not get adequate supply of gas during their operational periods, the most crucial hours during which their machines need to be running. Inadequate supply manifests in the form of low pressure gas flow, he added.
FBCCI urges for strengthening oil, gas exploration to ensure uninterrupted supply to industries
Low pressure gas flow is akin to low voltage electricity - many appliances won't run, even though an electric charge is present.
The textiles group official said that due to the lack of gas supply, production in various factories is being disrupted and they are on the verge of shutting down.
In the ongoing gas crisis, important machines like generators and broilers in the dyeing section of the factories are not being run. This has been posing a great risk for the industries to continue their production and pushing them towards huge financial losses.
“Many industries would not be able to pay the salaries and festival bonuses during the coming Eid if the situation does not improve,” said an industry owner.
Industry insiders said there are more than 300 factories in Kaliakoir and other areas in Gazipur.
All these industries have been suffering from the nagging gas crisis and some of them have already suspended their productions.
100% percent prepaid gas meters within four years: Nasrul Hamid
Each of the industries has more than 1000 workers. But following the gas crisis, they have to reduce their production target while some of them use CNG at a higher cost to continue their operations.
A similar situation is prevailing in the Mirpur, Tongi and Narayanganj areas, said Mohammad Hatem, Executive President, of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
He said that despite increasing the price, the government is not able to provide adequate gas.
“Production in garment factories has come down to half due to non-availability of gas. Many buyers meanwhile are pushing for air shipments as the normal schedule for shipments has failed in keeping the commitment,” he said adding, some buyers are asking for discounts on the rates.
More gas likely to be found in Sylhet’s Kailashtila field: Nasrul
“Some customers are upset and cancel the order in such a situation,” he noted.
Recently the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) has also alleged that no industry in the country is able to run at its full potential due to the gas crisis.
A Bangladesh Chamber Of Industries delegation, led by its president Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), raised the allegation when it met Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun at his ministry office.
The lone chamber for industries said the prices of electricity and gas were increased on the pretext of increasing prices on the international market in the hope that the government would ensure their continuous supply.
“But despite the declining trend of energy prices in the international market, it is being heard that the prices of electricity and gas will be increased again,” BCI said in a statement.
Read more: Govt okays import of LNG cargo from Singaporean firm to meet gas demand
It demands for a sustainable solution to the problem. “If a long term plan is given to the industrial sector in terms of power and gas supply, it can move forward accordingly."
Titas Gas general manager Arpana Islam admitted the gas crisis. But she claimed that the situation has improved to some extent recently following measures to increase the gas supply.
She advised to talk to Petrobangla when asked whether there is any possibility in near future to further improve the gas supply situation.
Petrobangla official statistics reveal that in the last one month the total gas supply across the country has increased by just 100 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) or so, leaving a deficit between production and supply of about 1500 mmcfd.
The Petrobangla data shows that on February 16 it produced 2671 mmcfd gas including its import from abroad against a demand for more than 4000 mmcfd.
The TItas Gas data also shows that about 30 power plants now remained out of operation due to gas shortage.
Read more: BNP denounces move to double monthly rent for prepaid gas meters
From yogurt seller to beacon of hope
At 91, a yogurt seller from Chapainawabganj’s Bholahat upazila, Ziaul Haque, may have missed out on formal education himself, but he has been a beacon of learning for hundreds in his community.
Living in Chamamusribhuja village, Ziaul has dedicated his life to social welfare, significantly impacting the lives of those around him through education and various community services.
In recognition of his lifelong commitment to bettering the lives of others, Ziaul was awarded the ‘Ekushey Padak,’ the country’s second-highest civilian honor, this year in the social service category.
A testament to his dedication, Ziaul has been a familiar face in his community, selling yogurt for over six decades.
Read: BSCIC officials’ training on salt iodization underway in Cox’s Bazar
The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the award on February 13, placing Ziaul in the esteemed company of other notable awardees. His contributions have previously earned him accolades, including the ‘Shada Moner Manush’ award in 2006.
Upon receiving the news, an elated Ziaul expressed his joy and humility, seeing the recognition as a motivation to continue his social work. Despite the challenges of poverty that cut his own educational journey short after class five, Ziaul turned his circumstances into a mission to support the educational aspirations of others in his community.
He has been particularly supportive of financially disadvantaged but talented students, offering books and academic materials funded by his yogurt sales. In 1969, Ziaul established a home library now boasting around 14,000 books, from novels to educational texts, which he offers free to local students. His generosity extends beyond education; he has provided housing for the homeless, dug wells for clean drinking water, and donated winter clothing and Qurans to madrasa students.
Reflecting on his contributions, Ziaul finds deep satisfaction in the educational opportunities he has been able to provide, valuing the progress of local children over his own educational setbacks. His efforts have kept many children in school, a legacy he is proud to leave behind.
Read: Scholastic student wins global coding competition
Ziaul's family, along with the entire district, celebrates this well-deserved recognition. Local journalist Rubel Ahmed and many others in Bholahat commend Ziaul’s spirit and integrity, acknowledging the profound impact of his library and philanthropy on the community’s youth and educators alike. Ziaul Haque’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference one individual can make in the lives of many.
BSCIC officials’ training on salt iodization underway in Cox’s Bazar
Training on 'Quality control, quality assurance system and lab test procedures for salt iodization' for the officials of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) is going at Cox`s Bazar.
The training started on Friday (February 16, 2024) will end on Tuesday in two phrases.
Read more: Industries Minister invites SMEs to invest in BSCIC facilities
This training was jointly organized by Salt cell, BSCIC and Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR).
Chairman of Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik inaugurated the training.
Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan director of IFST, BCSIR presided over this training while Akil Ranjan Tarofder, GM of Extension division in BSCIC, Sarawor Hossain AGM of Extension division and Head of Salt Cell, BSCIC and , officials of IFST, BCSIR and Nutrition International were present.
Read more: 12 types of salt used in cooking, baking and seasoning
Mustafizur injured in BPL practice session mishap
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman sustained a head injury after being struck by a ball during practice.
The incident occurred while Mustafizur, representing Comilla Victorians in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), was participating in a practice session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday (February 18, 2024).
While returning to his run-up area during a net session, Mustafizur was hit directly on the left side of his head. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Chattogram.
Read: BPL 2024: Chattogram, Barishal inch closer to playoffs
Following a CT scan, the medical team from the Comilla Victorians confirmed that Mustafizur did not sustain an internal head injury. However, he will remain under observation as a precautionary measure.
“After (the) CT scan we are satisfied that he had only external injury. There was no intracranial bleeding,” stated S M Zahidul Islam Sazal, the physio of the Victorians.
Read: BPL 2024: West Indies stars Narine, Russell join Comilla Victorians
Sazal further mentioned that Mustafizur received stitches for the open wound.
Mustafizur's performance in the BPL has been consistent. In nine matches, he has secured 11 wickets for the reigning BPL champions.