NEWS ON DATE - 25-04-2024
Severe heat wave persist in parts of country; rainfall may increase in northeastern districts next week
The severe heat wave sweeping parts of Bangladesh continued unabated and rain may increase in northeastern part of the country on Sunday or Monday, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
“Severe heat wave is sweeping Khulna division , Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Pabna, Faridpur and Gopalgonj distircts. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi & Dhaka divisions and Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noahkali, Feni & Bandarban and it may continue,”said a Met office bulletin.
It also issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave may persist for 72 hours starting Thursday morning.
Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Thursday.
Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist.
The highest temperature of the country was recoded at 41.6 degree Celsius at Mongla in Khulna on Wednesday.
At China’s largest auto show, shift to digital and new-energy vehicles grab spotlight
Global automakers and EV startups unveiled new models and concept cars at China’s largest auto show on Thursday, with a focus on the nation’s transformation into a major market and production base for digitally connected, new-energy vehicles.
Toyota and Nissan both announced tie-ups with major Chinese technology companies as they strive to meet customer demand for AI-enabled online connectivity in cars, from social media apps to autonomous driving features.
Electric vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all auto sales in China last year. Hybrids, which have trailed EVs, are expected to be a growing segment going forward.
China’s largest EV maker, BYD, showed off two “dual-mode” plug-in cars that can run either solely on electricity or as hybrids. The other is a hybrid off-road SUV from its luxury Yangwang brand in the 1 million yuan-plus ($140,000) range.
“China’s EVs, represented by (BYD’s) Qin and Han series, have successfully realized the large-scale replacement of traditional fuel cars, and this trend is irreversible,” said Lu Tian, the head of sales for BYD’s Dynasty models. The cars are named after former imperial dynasties.
An executive from Chery, a more traditional Chinese maker, offered a more moderate perspective. Li Xueyong, a deputy general manager, said they envision a future of 40% fuel vehicles, 30% hybrids and 30% electric. The company plans to develop both fuel-powered and new-energy cars.
BYD has been expanding rapidly into overseas markets, launching its low-priced Dolphin Mini, sold as the Seagull in China, in Latin American markets this year.
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It’s building a factory in Brazil on the site of a former Ford plant that closed when the U.S. maker left the country. Two other Chinese automakers including Chery already have factories in Brazil.
BYD accounted for 41% of EV sales in Brazil in the first three months of this year, though the overall number is still relatively low.
In Mexico, Chinese vehicles went from about 2.6% of the market in 2021 to 19.2% in the first quarter of this year. Most of those were gasoline-powered vehicles, as there are few charging stations and the cost of electricity makes it expensive to do so at home.
Chinese makers are making inroads in Europe too, raising concern in some countries that they pose a potential threat to European automakers and jobs. The EU is weighing whether to impose tariffs on China-made EVs because of government subsidies that drove the industry’s growth.
A proliferation of EV makers, encouraged by tax breaks as well as green-energy subsides, has prompted a fierce price war that is expected to lead to a shakeout and consolidation of the industry in the coming years.
For foreign players aside from American EV maker Tesla, it has challenged them to accelerate the development of new electric car models to stay competitive in the world’s largest auto market.
“No other region of the world has a transformation of the automotive industry that is as fast-paced as in China,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said Wednesday at an event previewing its appearance at the auto show.
“This market has become something of a fitness center for us,” he said. “We have to work harder and faster to keep.”
Other automakers expressed similar sentiments. Japan’s Nissan sent many top executives to the Beijing auto show to feel first-hand the pace of change in China, company President Makoto Uchida said.
Nissan was going to sign a memorandum or understanding with Baidu, a Chinese search engine and AI company, later Thursday. Uchida said Nissan needs to meet the needs of Chinese customers and the speed at which the market is changing.
“If we cannot do these two aspects, it will very difficult to keep our business in China,” he said.
Toyota announced a tie-up with Tencent, the maker of the widely-used WeChat messaging and e-payment app.
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Volvo, the Swedish brand bought by China’s Geely group, stressed a simpler approach to the digitalization of its cars.
Likely aiming at a somewhat older audience, the company said its new EX30 electric SUV has an audio system and tablet screen that are easy to operate and uses sustainable fabrics in its interior.
“We believe that technology should be measured by its utility, not just its novelty,” said Xiaolin Yuan, Volvo’s Asia-Pacific head.
The EX30 will sell for 210,000 to 260,000 yuan ($29,000 - $36,000) in China, the company announced.
American brands at the show included Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet. Ford presented a muscular look tied to its history, telling the story of the Mustang and Bronco - which it described as a “sports utility vehicle” when it was launched in 1966 — and showing the latest versions of those models.
Severe Heatwave: Patient overload, insufficient facilities exacerbate health crisis in Khulna
Hospitals across Khulna are struggling to accommodate an influx of patients as a severe heatwave continues to affect the region. Key healthcare facilities, including Khulna Medical College Hospital, Khulna Sadar Hospital, Khulna Children's Hospital, and Khulna Infectious Disease Hospital, have reached full capacity, forcing patients to occupy floors, corridors, and even stairways due to a lack of available beds.
The situation is particularly dire at the government-run Khulna Infectious Disease Hospital located in Mirerdanga, where the number of diarrheal patients has alarmingly increased. With no pediatric specialists or consultants available, children suffering from diarrhea are being deprived of adequate medical care, putting significant strain on their families.
Heatwave alert extended in Bangladesh for 72 hours
Despite sufficient supplies of medicine and saline, the hospital faces a critical shortage of medical staff, nurses, and ward boys, compounded by its deteriorating infrastructure.
From the beginning of the month, a sharp rise in cases of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea has been reported. As of April 24, the hospital has admitted over 350 diarrheal patients, with an additional 10 to 15 patients seeking outpatient care daily. The hospital, designed with only 20 beds, has 10 allocated for diarrheal patients. The number of beds for diarrheal patients has been increased to 14 through the efforts of the acting officer. However, there are no separate wards for males and females, nor any cabins.
At Khulna Children's Hospital, the situation has worsened further. Al-Amin Rakib, an administrative officer at the hospital, reported that while the outpatient department previously handled around 400 patients daily, the figure has surged to 700 to 800 children over the last week. Despite having 275 beds, the hospital is currently accommodating twice as many patients suffering from fever, colds, and diarrhea.
Severe heatwave hits Khulna division and multiple districts across the country
A distressed father, Rahim Sheikh, from Botiaghata, shared his ordeal of his three-year-old daughter Anika suffering from diarrhea due to the heat. Having arrived at the hospital at 8 am, he had yet to see a doctor by late morning. The director of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Dr. Husain Shafayat, echoed the severity of the situation, stating the hospital was operating at three times its capacity with no space left to admit new patients.
As the heatwave shows no signs of relenting, the healthcare crisis in Khulna continues to escalate, with medical facilities urgently requiring additional resources and support to manage the overwhelming patient load.
Sajek road accident: Death toll rises to 9
The death toll from a devastating road accident on Wednesday in the Sajek area of Rangamati has risen to nine.
Abdul Awal Chowdhury, Senior Assistant Superintendent at Sajek Police Station, reported that five victims died at the scene, three others succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital, and one more died while receiving treatment.
The victims identified so far include Abdul Mohon, 16, and Babu, 20, both from Kishoreganj, along with Sagar, 22, and Waliullah from Gazipur district.
6 die in road accidents in 3 districts
The incident occurred when a dump truck carrying workers lost control and plunged into a 100 ft ditch in the Udaipur ninety-degree area of Sajek, in Baghaichhari upazila. The truck was returning from construction work on a border road when the accident happened, according to Abdul Awal.
Shirin Akhtar, Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, noted that the accident took place in the evening. Of the injured, three are currently receiving care at Khagrachhari Modern Hospital, while two have been transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
BALTWF urges govt to find out actual reasons for frequent road accidents
Severe heatwave hits Khulna division and multiple districts across the country
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has announced that a severe heatwave is sweeping over the Khulna division and several districts including Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Pabna, Faridpur, and Gopalganj, starting at 9 am on Thursday.
Severe heat wave continues to batter parts of Bangladesh; rains likely in Sylhet
Additionally, a mild to moderate heat wave is affecting the Barishal division and parts of the Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Dhaka divisions, as well as the districts of Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, and Bandarban. These conditions are expected to persist.
The forecast also includes rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, likely to occur at one or two places over the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, with isolated hailstorms.
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Elsewhere in the country, the weather is expected to remain mainly dry, with temporary partly cloudy skies. Day and night temperatures are anticipated to stay nearly unchanged nationwide. Increased moisture incursion is likely to sustain the discomfort caused by the heat.
A trough of low pressure currently lies over West Bengal and its adjoining areas, influencing the regional weather patterns.
3 new Appellate Division judges take oath
Three newly appointed judges to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court took oath of office on Thursday.
Those who took oath are Justice Muhammad Abdul Hafiz, Justice Md. Shahinur Islam and Justice Kashefa Hussain.
288 Myanmar security personnel sent back from Bangladesh
Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan administered the oath at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge around 10:30 am.
On Wednesday, the three judges of the High Court were appointed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard.
Mohammad Yunus appointed as new CDA chairman
Currently, there are five judges in the Appellate Division: Obaidul Hassan (now Chief Justice), Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Md Abu Zafor Siddique, and Justice Jahangir Hossain.
Hamas official says group would lay down its weapons if a two-state solution is implemented
A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders.
The comments by Khalil al-Hayya in an interview Wednesday came amid a stalemate in months of cease-fire talks. The suggestion that Hamas would disarm appeared to be a significant concession by the militant group officially committed to Israel’s destruction.
But it's unlikely Israel would consider such a scenario. It has vowed to crush Hamas following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks that triggered the war, and its current leadership is adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.
Al-Hayya, a high-ranking Hamas official who has represented the Palestinian militants in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange, struck a sometimes defiant and other times conciliatory tone.
Speaking to the AP in Istanbul, Al-Hayya said Hamas wants to join the Palestine Liberation Organization, headed by the rival Fatah faction, to form a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank. He said Hamas would accept “a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions,” along Israel’s pre-1967 borders.
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If that happens, he said, the group's military wing would dissolve.
“All the experiences of people who fought against occupiers, when they became independent and obtained their rights and their state, what have these forces done? They have turned into political parties and their defending fighting forces have turned into the national army,” he said.
Over the years, Hamas has sometimes moderated its public position with respect to the possibility of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. But its political program still officially “rejects any alternative to the full liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea" — referring to the area reaching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, which includes lands that now make up Israel.
Al-Hayya did not say whether his apparent embrace of a two-state solution would amount to an end to the Palestinian conflict with Israel or an interim step toward the group’s stated goal of destroying Israel.
There was no immediate reaction from Israel or the Palestinian Authority, the internationally recognized self-ruled government that Hamas drove out when it seized Gaza in 2007, a year after winning Palestinian parliamentary elections. After the Hamas takeover of Gaza, the Palestinian Authority was left with administering semi-autonomous pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Authority hopes to establish an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza — areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the international community overwhelmingly supports such a two-state solution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-line government rejects it.
The war in Gaza has dragged on for nearly seven months and cease-fire negotiations have stalled. The war began with the deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel in which Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Militants dragged some 250 hostages into the enclave. The ensuing Israeli bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local health authorities, and displaced some 80% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million.
Israel is now preparing for an offensive in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians have fled to.
Israel says it has dismantled most of the initial two dozen Hamas battalions since the start of the war, but that the four remaining ones are holed up in Rafah. Israel argues that a Rafah offensive is necessary to achieve victory over Hamas.
Al-Hayya said such an offensive would not succeed in destroying Hamas. He said contacts between the political leadership outside and military leadership inside Gaza are “uninterrupted” by the war and “contacts, decisions and directions are made in consultation" between the two groups.
Israeli forces "have not destroyed more than 20% of (Hamas’) capabilities, neither human nor in the field,” he asserted. “If they can’t finish (Hamas) off, what is the solution? The solution is to go to consensus.”
In November, a weeklong cease-fire saw the release of more than 100 hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. But talks for a longer-term truce and release of the remaining hostages are now frozen, with each side accusing the other of intransigence. Key interlocutor Qatar has said in recent days that it is undertaking a “reassessment” of its role as mediator.
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Most of Hamas’ top political officials, previously based in Qatar, have left the Gulf country in the past week and traveled to Turkey, where Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday. Al-Hayya denied a permanent move of the group’s main political office is in the works and said Hamas wants to see Qatar continue in its capacity as mediator in the talks.
Israeli and U.S. officials have accused Hamas of not being serious about a deal.
Al-Hayya denied this, saying Hamas has made concessions regarding the number of Palestinian prisoners it wants released in exchange for the remaining Israeli hostages. He said the group does not know exactly how many hostages remain in Gaza and are still alive.
But he said Hamas will not back down from its demands for a permanent cease-fire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops, both of which Israel has balked at. Israel says it will continue military operations until Hamas is definitively defeated and will retain a security presence in Gaza afterwards.
“If we are not assured the war will end, why would I hand over the prisoners?” the Hamas leader said of the remaining hostages.
Al-Hayya also implicitly threatened that Hamas would attack Israeli or other forces who might be stationed around a floating pier the U.S. is scrambling to build along Gaza's coastline to deliver aid by sea.
“We categorically reject any non-Palestinian presence in Gaza, whether at sea or on land, and we will deal with any military force present in these places, Israeli or otherwise … as an occupying power,” he said.
Al-Hayya said Hamas does not regret the Oct. 7 attacks, despite the destruction it has brought down on Gaza and its people. He denied that Hamas militants had targeted civilians during the attacks — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary — and said the operation succeeded in its goal of bringing the Palestinian issue back to the world’s attention.
And, he said, Israeli attempts to eradicate Hamas would ultimately fail to prevent future Palestinian armed uprisings.
"Let’s say that they have destroyed Hamas. Are the Palestinian people gone?” he asked.
Heatwave alert extended in Bangladesh for 72 hours
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a warning that the ongoing heatwave is likely to persist for 72 hours starting Thursday (April 25, 2024) morning.
The BMD cites increased moisture incursion as a factor contributing to the sustained uncomfortable conditions.
Met office issues heat alert for another 72 hours
This announcement follows earlier alerts issued on April 19 and April 22, as the BMD continues to monitor and respond to the challenging weather patterns affecting the region.
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Mist Fan Buyer Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh for 2024
Bangladesh is currently going through mild to severe heat waves. Due to the scorching sun and heat, many people are experiencing heat-related illnesses like dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, etc. Not to mention, the extremely hot weather has accelerated the sales of air conditioners. However, not everyone can afford AC due to its initial and operational costs. Nowadays, mist fans are gaining popularity as cost-effective cooling gadgets to beat the heat. It can be an affordable solution to stay cool without breaking the bank.
What’s the Difference Between a Mist Fan and an Air Conditioner?
There’s a common marketing trope that mist fans are mini air conditioners. But the truth is that mist fans and air conditioners are different things and they work on different principles.
Mist fans atomize the water and disperse in the air. The dispersed water particles quickly evaporate by absorbing the heat from the surroundings. This rapid evaporation causes a cooling effect, lowering the ambient temperature in the surrounding area.
On the other hand, air conditioners cool an area by removing the heat and humidity from the air. It uses the refrigeration principle to replace the hot air inside in a cyclic manner.
Mist fans can reduce the temperature by 3-4 degrees Celcius in a semi-open or open environment. On the other hand, air conditioners can drastically reduce the temperature as they work best in an enclosed environment.
Though mist fans are not alternatives to ACs, these cooling gadgets can give comfort by cooling the room temperature spreading mists and air.
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What to Consider Before Buying a Mist Fan?
There are several things to consider while buying the perfect mist fan. With tons of options available in the market, here’s a list of things you should check before buying one.
Portability and Size
One of the key things to consider is the need for portability of your mist fan. Do you need to move it around or will it remain stationary at one place? Depending on portability, mist fans come in several sizes. It is recommended to choose one that best fits your use case.
Misting Level
The misting capacity is another thing to consider while getting a mist fan. If you plan to use the fan outdoors, it is recommended to buy a fan with a high water reserve and high misting capacity.
Mist Fan Coverage
The size and misting capacity of a mist fan greatly determines the coverage area. If you want to cover a small area, then portable type mist fans can be a great choice. When you want to cover a large area from a stationary position, consider getting a pedestal-type mist fan.
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Fan Speed and Functions
Mist fans come with different functions at different price points. A basic mist fan may provide different fan speeds but an advanced and more expensive fan may have different wind modes and mist control.
Noise Level
Large mist fans (pedestal type) make a lot of noise which can be problematic for indoor use. If you’re planning to buy a mist fan for your home, it would be wise to go for a portable or a smaller one as they tend to make less noise compared to the large pedestal ones.
Power Source
The power source is another thing to consider while buying a mist fan. For example, if you want to use the mist fan outdoors, it needs to have a battery charge feature. Many indoor mist fans also come with a dual power feature.
Rechargeability
Rechargeable mist fans can work for several hours without electricity. Depending on the specifications, these kinds of mist fans need to be connected to power lines for hours to get recharged. During power cuts and load sheddings, a charged mist fan can spread cool air and mists to keep you cool.
Read more: Summer Heatwave: Here’s How to Keep Children Safe
Durability
The durability of the fan plays an important role, especially if you are planning to use it outdoors. As a rule of thumb, sturdy, metal-built mist fans would be better for outdoor use whereas plastic ones would suffice for indoor conditions.
Additional Features
Many mist fans these days come with additional features like insect repellant, air purification, and even LED lights. You can assess each feature based on your usage.
Price and Warranty
And last but not least, it is recommended to double-check the price and warranty. Additional things to check include user reviews and brand reputation to make sure you’re getting the bang for your buck.
288 Myanmar security personnel sent back from Bangladesh
In a coordinated early morning operation on Thursday, Bangladesh repatriated 288 members of Myanmar's security forces who had sought refuge across the border. This group included members from the Border Guard Police (BGP), army, and immigration units.
According to Shariful Islam, a public relations officer for the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the operation commenced at 6 am at a site managed by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The repatriation involved a carefully staged handover of the individuals to the Myanmar BGP.
173 Bangladeshis repatriated from Myanmar
The decision followed detailed discussions between representatives of BGB and BGP, culminating in the formal handover at the BIWTA ghat. Prior to the handover, Myanmar officials confirmed the identities and checked the documentation of all returnees.
This incident marks the second recent repatriation of Myanmar personnel to their homeland, following the February 16 return of 330 officials, including BGP members, army personnel, and customs officials, under stringent security measures.
Another 13 Myanmar border guards take shelter in Bangladesh