Dhaka
Dhaka's air in 'very unhealthy' zone with AQI score of 209
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the ‘very unhealthy' zone on Friday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 209 at 9:20 am, the metropolis ranked third in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘very unhealthy’, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
China’s Wuhan and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first two spots with an AQI of 256 and 246, respectively.
Meanwhile, an AQI between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Bangladesh reports 31 more dengue cases
Thirty-one more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Thursday morning.
However, no fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also, the DGHS has not reported any dengue death in the first five days of this year. The country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019.
Read more:Two more dengue patients die, new cases 462
A total of 214 dengue patients, including 101 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The DGHS has recorded 207 dengue cases and seven recoveries so far this year. It recorded 62,423 cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
Dhaka's air 'very unhealthy' this morning
Dhaka's air quality backed to the ‘very unhealthy' zone on Thursday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 201 at 8:20 am, the metropolis ranked second in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘very unhealthy’, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Ghana’s Accra occupied the first spot with an AQI of 202 and India’s Delhi and Mumbai ranked the third and fourth position respectively.
Meanwhile, an AQI between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka, New Delhi to overcome disruptive forces to further deepen ties: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said killings in a number of points along the long Bangladesh-India border came down to zero level in recent years though problems remain in some points like Lalmonirhat.
"We hope it will come down to zero level (in all points)," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, acknowledging that border killing remains an irritant to Bangladesh-India relations.
The state minister said there is no lack of willingness on both sides and Bangladesh raised the recent border issues with India through diplomatic channels yesterday (Tuesday).
“There is no doubt that this is an irritant to our bilateral ties,” said the State Minister, adding that these incidents embarrassed them and undermine the growing relationship between the countries.
The government has conveyed the recent killing of three Bangladeshis by the BSF in separate incidents to the Indian government through diplomatic channels.
Read more: Border killings not expected: Shahriar Alam
“We did never step back in raising issues in the interest of Bangladesh and its people,” said the State Minister.
The State Minister said they see a deviation when it comes to Lalmonirhat and they are trying to understand it. “We will always remain vocal on the issue (border killing).”
Even during the recent home minister-level meeting between the two countries in Delhi, both the ministers agreed to take all our efforts to bring down the border killing to zero level, and to stop the use of lethal weapons, he mentioned.
“This is also our question: if really there was a situation, which required shooting then why were legs or hands not targeted?” the State Minister questioned.
He said there are many achievements brought about by the two countries.
Shahriar said there are disruptive forces driven by vested quarters but the two countries will work together to further deepen the relations.
Read more: Cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF’ along Lalmonirhat border
He also talked about the role of the media in fighting the misinformation.
Earlier, leaders of Bangladesh emphasized the importance of effective border management for ensuring a peaceful, stable and crime-free border.
Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such deaths of civilians to zero.
Surjobarta Media and Communication hosted the seminar titled “Indo-Bangla Unique Friendship in Hasina-Modi Regimes: Role of Media” where bilateral issues including water sharing, border killing, trade and investment and role of media in strengthening the ties were discussed.
President of South Asian Forum Against Religious Fundamentalism Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, acting Editor of Daily Samakal Mozammel Hossain Monju, Joint Editor of Daily Prothom Alo Sohrab Hassan, BSS Chief News Editor Samir Kanti Baarua, journalist Dr Ayanjit Sen, Chief Reporter of Daily Desh Rupantar Ummul Wara and Surjobarta Editor Sumi Khan also spoke at the seminar chaired by Prof Omer Selim Sher.
Dengue: 49 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Forty-nine more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
Of the new patients, 19 were admitted to the hospitals in Dhaka and 30 outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
A total of 212 dengue patients, including 102 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country
So far, DGHS recorded 176 dengue cases and 36 recoveries this year with zero death.
Read more: Dengue: 29 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
The country reported 281 deaths from the mosquito-borne disease last year, the highest ever dengue fatalities recorded in a single year in Bangladesh. The previous record of 179 deaths was reported in 2019.
The DGHS has recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries in the past year.
Life insurance official cushed under train in Khilgaon
An officer of a life insurance company got crushed under a speeding train in the city’s Khilgaon bagicha area on Tuesday.
The victim was identified as Md Saidul Alam, 57, a junior officer of Jiban Bima Corporation. He was the son of ABM Shafiullah of Keraniganj Teghuria area of Dhaka.
Read more: 2 deaf men crushed under train in Faridpur
The incident took place at around 1:15 pm.
He was rescued and brought to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the doctor on duty pronounced him dead at 2:30 PM.
Confirming the matter,15eqqgr the in-charge of DMCH police camp Inspector Md. Bachchu Mia said that the body has been kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy. The incident has been reported to the railway police station.
Two pedestrians named Shahidul Islam and Siam, who brought him, said that while walking between two railway lines at that place, they fell between a train bound for Kamalapur and another train leaving from Kamalapur.
Read more: University student crushed under train wheels in Natore
Son Asiful Alam said his father was working as a junior officer in Jiban Bima Corporation. In the morning, he left his home in Keraniganj for work. Later we got news on mobile phone and came to Dhaka Medical College Hospital to know that he died after being hit by a train.
Dhaka-Tokyo relations to reach new heights; hopes Shahriar Alam
Highlighting Japan's cooperation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday hoped that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan would reach new heights.
During the meeting with newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister thanked the government of Japan for providing technical and financial support for the implementation of the Metrorail project.
Ambassador Iwama sought the cooperation of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in fulfilling his duties.
Welcoming the new Ambassador of Japan, the State Minister said that Japan is Bangladesh's single largest bilateral development partner and an important country for trade and investment.
Also Read: New Japanese envoy exchanges views on bilateral interests with foreign secretary
During the meeting, both sides cordially exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, including Japanese development assistance, human resources development, Rohingya repatriation, cooperation in different multilateral fora etc.
The State Minister appreciated Japan’s continued support for repatriation of Rohingyas and expressed hope that Japan would continue to extend its support towards the early repatriation of the Rohingyas for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
State Minister Alam wished Ambassador Iwama successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharging his duties.
Dhaka's air quality still ‘very unhealthy'
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'very unhealthy' zone on Monday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 208 at 8 am, the metropolis ranked fifth in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
Read more: AQI: Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy’ this morning
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘very unhealthy’, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Pakistan’s Lahore, China’s Wuhan and Ghana’s Accra occupied the first three spots with an AQI of 288, 242 and 241, respectively.
Meanwhile, an AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Read more: Dhaka again tops list of cities with most polluted air
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Fire incidents reported from different areas in Dhaka during New Year celebrations
Fire incidents were reported from Lalbagh, Tejgaon, Sadarghat and Mohammadpur areas in Dhaka in the early hours of Sunday due to use of sky lanterns for New Year celebrations, according to Fire Service.
Besides, Adabar area of the city faced blackout as lanterns fell on electrical lines and fire spread on the wires around 12am, said Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room Duty Officer Ershad Hossain.
However, no injuries or causalities were reported.
In Sadarghat, a fire broke out at the hawkers market from a sky lantern fell from a nearby building. Later, two units of fire fighters rushed to the spot, but it was doused by locals.
Fire broke out in a building at Lalbagh and another building at Tajgaon which were also doused soon.
However, the fire that broke out in a multi-storied building at Mohammadpur was massive and fire fighters doused the fire after a frantic effort, said the duty officer.
Read more: No outdoor celebrations on 31st night: DMP Commissioner
Meanwhile, a fire broke out in Adabar area as a lantern fell on an electric line, causing blackout in the entire area, he added. “It is not known whether electricity supply was restored there or not.”
Last year, around 10 fire incidents were reported on the 31st Night.
Dhaka dwellers used firecrackers and flew sky lanterns (fanush) on the 31st night despite Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) restrictions.
Read more: People remain indoors as fireworks light the sky to usher in New Year
AQI: Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy’ this morning
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone on Sunday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 195 at 9 am Sunday, the metropolis ranked sixth in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
Read more: AQI: Dhaka’s air still ‘unhealthy’ this morning
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Ghana’s Accra, Pakistan’s Karachi and China’s Wuhan occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 291, 247 and 243, respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Read more: AQI: Dhaka ranks as most polluted city again
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.