United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked first among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning. At 9:20 am, Dhaka recorded an air quality index (AQI) score of 257 and classified it as ‘very unhealthy’ as reported by IQAir. Cairo in Egypt, Kolkata in India, Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, and Hanoi in Vietnam occupied the second, third, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 223, 222, and 199 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. Read More: HC orders implementation of 9-point directive within 3 weeks to curb air pollution The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked first among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 305 at 8:13 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Cairo in Egypt, Kolkata in India and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia occupied the second, third and fourth position on the list, with AQI scores of 267, 226, and 214 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. Dhaka tops global air pollution list with ‘very unhealthy’ AQI The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 225 at 9:03 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Delhi in India, Cairo in Egypt, and Hanoi in Vietnam occupied the first, second, and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 314, 258, and 216 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka tops global air pollution list with ‘very unhealthy’ AQI Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked first among the world’s most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 262 at 9:20 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Kolkata in India, Wuhan in China, and Hanoi in Vietnam occupied the second, third, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 198, 189, and 186 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Japan’s last two pandas, twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are leaving Ueno Zoo for China on Tuesday, ending a half-century tradition and leaving the country without pandas for the first time in 50 years. The departure comes amid worsening diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, reducing the likelihood of replacement pandas. China first sent pandas to Japan in 1972 as a symbol of normalized relations. The current twins, born at Ueno Zoo in 2021, have drawn huge crowds despite one-minute viewing limits. Visitors have been taking photos and waving panda-themed items, celebrating the animals’ presence. Dedicated panda fan Takahiro Takauji has followed the twins since birth, taking millions of photos and publishing books on them. “I never imagined there would come a day when pandas would be gone from Japan,” he said. Read More: Meet Jia Jia and De De, Hong Kong's first locally born giant pandas Giant pandas have long been part of Chinese diplomacy, gifted or leased to countries worldwide as symbols of goodwill and conservation. Japan’s strained relations with China, fueled by disputes over Taiwan and the East China Sea, have cast doubt on future panda arrivals. The absence of pandas is expected to cost Japan roughly 20 billion yen ($128 million) annually in tourism and commerce, highlighting their cultural and economic importance.

Freezing rain hit parts of Texas on Friday as a powerful, multi-day winter storm began moving across the country, threatening roughly half of the U.S. population with snow, sleet, ice, dangerously cold temperatures, and widespread power outages. Forecasters warned that damage—particularly from heavy ice—could be severe, potentially rivaling the destruction caused by hurricanes. The storm disrupted daily life across large parts of the country. Schools in Chicago and other Midwestern cities canceled classes, airlines grounded thousands of flights, churches shifted services online, and major events such as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville proceeded without audiences. Mardi Gras-related parades in Louisiana were postponed or called off. Weather alerts were widespread, with about 182 million people under ice and snow warnings and more than 210 million facing cold weather advisories, often overlapping. Power companies prepared for outages, as ice-laden trees and power lines can collapse even after storms subside. In Dallas, residents stocked up on essentials as conditions worsened. “We’re staying in and keeping out of the way,” said one shopper as freezing rain made roads slick in cities like Lubbock. After sweeping through the South, the storm was forecast to move northeast, potentially dropping up to a foot of snow from Washington, D.C., to New York and Boston. The first phase of the storm involved an influx of Arctic air from Canada, bringing dangerous wind chills to the Midwest. In some areas, temperatures felt as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius), prompting school closures and making prolonged outdoor exposure hazardous. Despite the extreme cold, thousands gathered in Minneapolis for a planned protest, while elsewhere travel disruptions mounted. Nearly 5,000 flights were delayed or canceled nationwide on Friday, with thousands more canceled for the weekend. Read More: Weather likely to remain unchanged: BMD State and federal agencies prepared emergency responses. Road crews treated highways, National Guard units were deployed to assist motorists, and nearly 30 federal search-and-rescue teams were placed on standby. FEMA pre-positioned millions of meals, hundreds of thousands of blankets, and generators along the storm’s path. President Donald Trump said his administration was coordinating closely with state and local officials. Officials warned that ice accumulation could bring down power lines and burst pipes, and that recovery would be slow even after the storm passes. In many Southern states, most homes rely on electric heating, increasing the risk during outages. Remembering the deadly Texas power grid failure five years ago, state leaders pledged improved preparedness. Utility companies brought in extra crews to help maintain service. In the Northeast, cities braced for potentially their heaviest snowfall in years. Boston declared a cold emergency, while Connecticut and neighboring states prepared for possible travel restrictions. Philadelphia announced school closures, encouraging students to stay safe and enjoy the snow responsibly. As temperatures plunged, shelters opened for vulnerable populations. In Detroit, emergency cots were set up for those without housing, while elsewhere residents chose to ride out the storm at home or on campus with friends. Universities across the South canceled classes or urged students to leave dorms amid power concerns. Some students, however, opted to stay together and face the storm collectively.

Dhaka ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Friday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 251 at 9:10 am. The city’s air quality was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, posing a serious health risk, according to the AQI report. Weather likely to remain unchanged: BMD Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sarajevo topped the list with an AQI score of 404, while India’s Delhi ranked third with an AQI score of 192. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, while 101–150 is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’. Levels between 151 and 200 are termed ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which measures daily air quality, indicates how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the index is calculated based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone. Unnecessary honking must stop to curb noise pollution: Environment Adviser Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution, which typically worsens during the winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning (January 22, 2026), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 240 at 9:23 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Read more: Bicycling could cut emissions in Global South with policy support: Study Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina occupied the first, second, and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 368, 317, and 265 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning (January 21, 2026), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 at 9:40 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh? Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Kolkata in India occupied the first, third, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 324, 293, and 232 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities on tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 at 9:02 am. Today (January 20, 2026), the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Read more: Weather likely to remain unchanged: BMD Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Kolkata in India occupied the first, second, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 558, 450, and 284 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. Read more: Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.