Bangladesh
Killing of Bangladeshi in US: Family in grief, shock in Sylhet
Grief has engulfed the Sylhet house Abu Saleh Md Yusuf Jhony who was gunned down in New York’s Buffalo city on April 27.
Another Bangladeshi named Babul Uddin, hailed from Cumilla, was also shot dead by gunmen at the same time.
Yusuf's family was shattered upon receiving the death news.
Yusuf, son of Nurul Haque, a former member of Tinchati village under Kanaighat Jhingabari Union, moved to the US 10 months back with his wife and two daughters for permanent residency.
He used to work for a painting company there and his family members have been living in Majortila area of Sylhet city.
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His parents got fainted several times after hearing the news of the tragic death of Yusuf, the eldest among three brothers and one sister.
According to Bangladeshi expatriates living in Buffalo city of New York, Yusuf and Babul Uddin were working as painters in a house in 100 blocks on Jenner Street in Buffalo. At that time, some miscreants demanded extortion from Babul Uddin.
Being rejected, when the terrorists attempt to attack Babul, Yusuf came forward to save him. At that time, the gunmen shot and killed the duo.
Buffalo police spokesman Michael J. De George said they responded to a report of shots fired in the 100 Block on Jenner Street, according to reports of local media.
The expatriates said that they will take various protest programmes demanding justice for the killing of two Bangladeshis.
Read more: Momen slams Bangladeshi expat's killing in US, denounces hate crime
IMF advises Bangladesh Bank to disclose full report on banks’ financial health
The visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has advised Bangladesh Bank to disclose detailed and complete information regarding bad and risky loans fin the public interest.
Meeting sources said that the visiting IMF delegation gave this suggestion in the meeting held with the BB officials on Sunday (April 28).
In the meeting, the IMF asked to make the financial health of the banks and the inspection report open to the customers. At the same time, it urged to increase the number of inspections to prevent irregularities-corruption and loan scams.
Officials concerned in the meeting said that bad loans or risky assets are increasing in banks due to various irregularities including big loan scams. Several banks have weakened which also acknowledged by the BB Governor.
Therefore, the IMF believes that the deposits of those banks which are in trouble are also at risk. In such a situation, the global lender suggested that the banks should disclose the full report of risky assets to the customers.
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According to the IMF Officials, “If these reports are published, the customers will be able to make informed decisions about keeping their deposits.”
In the meeting, the IMF sought to know whether the central bank's inspection of banks' financial health is continuing or not. Clarification has also been sought as to whether inspection reports are disclosed to customers or not.
In addition, the IMF delegation suggested increasing the quality and number of inspections to prevent irregularities, corruption and loan scams, sources said.
When asked about the meeting with the BB, the executive director and spokesperson of the BB Mesbaul Haque said that the meetings with the IMF are ongoing. This meeting will be held step by step till May 8. He did not agree to make any comment other than that and said the details will be given in future.
Read more: Islamic Banking in Bangladesh: Commendable contribution to the country’s economic growth
Two teachers die from ‘heat stroke’ amid ongoing countrywide heat wave
Two teachers died possibly from ‘heat stroke’ in Chattogram and Jashore districts on Sunday (April 28, 2024) morning when sever heat wave is scorching the country.
In Chattogram, madasha teacher Maulana Md. Mostak Ahmed Kutubi Alkaderi, 55, fell unconscious while going to his workplacefrom his home in the Mohra area of Chandgaon.
Kutubi Alkaderi, son of late Khalilur Rahman of Kutubdia Lemshikhali in Cox's Bazar district and father of two sons and one daughter, used to work at Khitapchar Azizia Mabudia Alim Madrasha in Boalkhali upazila of Chattogram.
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Witnesses said when the madrasha teacher boarded the ferry at Kalurghat around 9am suddenly he collapsed.
Later, he was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) where doctors declared him dead.
In Jashore, Ahsan Habib, an assistant teacher of Ahmedabad High School, died from apparent heat stroke on Sunday in sadar upazila.
AZM Parvez Masud, headmaster of the school, said Habib fell sick around 9 am when he went to school after working in a field.
Two children drown in Rajshahi pond
Later, he was taken to Jashore General Hospital, where a doctor declared him dead.
The body was kept at Jashore General Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Abdur Razzak, officer-in-charge of Jashore Kotwali Police Station.
The reason behind the death will be known after autopsy, he said.
Tk 8,300 crore Single Point Mooring with double pipeline failing to utilise full capacity
The Tk 8,300 crore Single Point Mooring (SPM) with double pipeline project is failing to utilise its full capacity due to non-expansion of the country's refinery capacity.
According to official sources, the newly installed SPM can now hardly utilise 60 percent of its capacity while around 40 percent remains unutilised.
The SPM project took about nine years to implement and now the project has been operational recently through execution of a test-run. But formally the project will be completed in June this year, said an official of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
Officials informed that after recent commissioning of the SPM project, now it takes only 48 hours to transfer the imported petroleum from the mother vessel to storage tanks.
Before setting up the SMP, it took 11 to 12 days to bring the imported fuel to the oil tanker of Eastern Refinery Limited at Petenga area through lighterage ships, which is very time-consuming, expensive, and risky.
Currently, no lighterage is required to carry fuel from the mother vessel, which is now moored at the outer quay, after the implementation of the project, said the officials.
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The SPM was built on over 90 acres of land under a G2G project of Bangladesh and China at a cost of Tk 8341 crore at Maheshkhali Upazila in Cox's Bazar.
Officials said that there are three tanks having a storage capacity of 1.80 lakh kilolitre crude oils and three tanks with 1.08 lakh kilolitre furnished oil.
Project director of the SPM Sharif Hasanat admitted that the project's 30-40 percent capacity remained unutilised because of the limitations in refining more crude oils.
He informed that Bangladesh annually imports about 4.5 million metric tons of refined oils and another 1.5 million metric tons of crude oil from abroad.
"Through handling the imported oils, the SPM project now utilises 60 percent of its capacity," he said, adding, if more crude oils are imported SPM can be used for transportation purpose.
Officials said the government has undertaken a project to expand the capacity of the country's only refinery --the Eastern Refinery at Patenga with the title ERL-2 to increase the existing capacity by 3 million metric tons.
But that project has not been implemented in the last 14 years since the project was conceived by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
According to official sources, BPC was considering a technical offer of Technip, a French engineering company, which was engaged through an unsolicited process for creating Front End Engineering Design (FEED) involving Tk 371.81 crore for the proposed ERL unit-2 through a contract signed in January, 2017.
But Technip has left and a local company is trying to persuade the government to implement the ERL-2 project through public-private partnership (PPP) although that private company has no experience in implementing such a project, said a top official of the BPC.
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The Unit-2 project was taken by BPC in 2010 to enhance the company’s capacity to 4.5 million metric tons by adding 3 million metric tons from the new one.
The Unit-1 of the ERL, was installed in 1968 by the same French company, has an annual production capacity of 1.5 million metric tons.
Recently, an Indian firm claimed that it will be involved in the project to implement it at a cost of US 1.7 billion dollars over a period of next three years.
Officials said when BPC conceived the idea of ERL Unit-2 in 2010, the project cost was estimated at Tk 13,000 crore. Then, the project’s cost was raised to Tk16,739 crore in a revised proposal.
But now, the cost may cross Tk 18,000 crore, he said adding that BPC has sent a new development project proforma (DPP) to the Planning Commission through the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) seeking another revision to the cost.
The country consumes about 6-6.5 million metric tons (MTS) of petroleum of which 4.8-5 million MTS is imported as refined one while the remaining 1.2-15 million MTS as crude oil to refine those at ERL.
Read more: Bangladesh to import 1.5mn metric tons of crude oil from Saudi Aramco, UAE’s Adnoc
Commuters bear the brunt as 48hr transport strike in Ctg underway in response to buses burnt by CUET students
A 48-hour transport strike initiated by the Brihattor Chattogram Ganaparibahan Malik Sramik Oikkyo Parishad began this morning (April 28, 2024), significantly disrupting daily life in the port city amidst a severe heatwave. The strike, which affects buses, minibuses, human haulers, autorickshaws, and other three-wheelers, has led to considerable difficulties for commuters across the city.
Impact on Commuters
From early in the morning, commuters, including office workers, students, and senior citizens, were seen waiting for long periods at several points in the port city due to the scarcity of mass transportation. The streets showed a markedly decreased traffic flow, with most vehicles off the roads in response to the strike call.
Transport workers confirmed that no long-distance buses departed from Chattogram today. Md Musa, the member secretary of the transport body, stated that movement of buses and three-wheeler vehicles has been suspended since 6 am. Buses from other parts of the country are also prohibited from entering Chattogram during the strike period.
MV Abdullah leaving UAE for Bangladesh today
Background of the Strike
The strike was called following an incident where students of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) reportedly set buses on fire in protest after two of their peers were killed in a road accident. The students, Shanto Saha and Tawfiq Hasan, both from the Civil Engineering department, died when a bus hit their motorbike on the Chattogram-Kaptai road on April 22.
In retaliation, some CUET students vandalized three buses and set another on fire. The protests escalated over the following days, leading to the university's closure and the postponement of academic activities.
Demands and Protests
The transport workers' strike is a protest against the damage inflicted on their vehicles and calls for compensation for the burnt buses, along with the arrest of the accused students. The strike encompasses Chattogram city, district, Cox’s Bazar, and three hilly districts. It aims to press home a four-point demand, emphasizing the need for justice and reparations from the damages incurred during the student protests.
Emergency Services Exempt
Despite the widespread disruption, the strike organizers say that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, will not be affected by the strike. The transport strike is scheduled to conclude at 6 am on Tuesday.
Water crisis adds to woes of Khulna residents amid extreme heat
University Response and Continued Tensions
The CUET administration attempted to quell the unrest by meeting with the protesting students, who assured they would halt their demonstrations and return to academic activities. However, following an emergency syndicate committee meeting on April 26, CUET authorities decided to keep the campus closed until May 9.
MV Abdullah leaving UAE for Bangladesh today
The Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, recently liberated from Somali pirates, is scheduled to depart Al-Hamriya Port in the United Arab Emirates for Bangladesh today (April 28, 2024) at noon, officials confirmed.
The vessel, which had been hijacked for 33 days, successfully unloaded 55,000 metric tonnes of coal at Al-Hamriya Port yesterday. The owner, KSRM Group, announced that the vessel and its crew of 23 sailors are expected to arrive at Chattogram Port by mid-May.
Mizanul Islam, a spokesperson for the Chattogram-based KSRM Group, reported that the loading operations were completed yesterday, and the vessel is now ready to embark on its journey back to Bangladesh.
MV Abdullah reaches Dubai’s Al Hamriya Port
MV Abdullah initially anchored at the UAE port on the evening of April 22, following its release from pirate captivity. Distinguished guests including Mohammad Abu Jafar, the Bangladesh Ambassador, and officials from SR Shipping, the vessel's operating company, were present to welcome the crew upon their arrival.
The ship first arrived at the outer anchorage of the port on April 21, following its ordeal which began on March 12 when it was seized by Somali pirates about 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast en route from Mozambique to Dubai.
The pirates took control of the vessel and its crew, holding them until a ransom of Tk 55 crore facilitated their release on the night of April 13.
Family counting days for safe return of MV Abdullah's chief engineer
Following the release, MV Abdullah headed to Al-Hamriya Port under the escort of an EU NAVFOR warship, navigating through approximately 480 nautical miles of high-risk areas along the Somali coast and the Red Sea before reaching the safety of the United Arab Emirates.
This voyage marks a significant step towards recovery after the harrowing pirate attack, with the crew looking forward to a safe return to their homeland.
Previous experience used to rescue MV Abdullah, crew: KSRM
Prolonged heat wave, drought threaten litchi production in Pabna
The ongoing heat wave condition and drought have posed a serious threat to the production of litchi, a mouth-watering summer fruit, in Pabna district.
Pabna’s Iswardi upazila is known as one of the leading litchi production zones in the country. But this year, farmers and traders are fearing losses as small litchi pods are falling from the trees due to the prevailing heat wave.
At the beginning of this season, litchi farmers had expected a bumper production of litchi but 50% of buds had fallen due to the heavy rains with hails in the middle of Chaitra (Bangla) month.
On the other hand, due to the extreme heat at the beginning of summer, a large part of the litchi pods are now falling.
If summer heat continues, the litchi farmers have to count a huge loss this year.
High temperature, lack of rain threaten lucrative litchi production in Magura
Besides, the wholesale traders who had bought the orchards with the sprouting of trees have become worried over possible losses this season.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), this year, a total of 4,721 hectares of land have been brought under litchi cultivation and among these, 3,150 hectares are in Ishwardi upazila of the district.
They also set a target to produce 48,801 metric tonnes of litchi this year.
During a recent visit to some litchi orchards, the UNB correspondent found that at the beginning of the month of Falgun, there were enough buds coming in each litchi tree. Seeing a lot of buds on trees, the traders bought the orchards at a higher price in advance.
But due to the ongoing drought and untimely rains with hailstorm at the end of Chaitra, most of the buds have been damaged.
Mirajul Sheikh, a litchi grower of Ishwardi upazila, said about 40-50 percent litchi buds were destroyed during hailstorm but now a large portion of litchi pods are dropping due to the prevailing heat wave.
Sonargaon litchi growers expecting bumper yield
Manirul, a trader, said he had bought a litchi orchard at a cost of Tk 25 lakh but he is too frustrated. He is now doubtful whether he will be able to sell litchi worth Tk 10 lakh.Though the DAE officials suggested the farmers to spray water and continue irrigation but farmers said it is not possible to spray water in vast tract of land that was brought under litchi cultivation.However, the DAE officials are still expecting bumper production this year.Sheikh Mehedi, a litchi grower and trader, said the biggest economic activity of the farmers of Ishwardi upazila depends on litchi production. Farmers of the upazila will be severely affected if they don’t get expected output .
Jamal Uddin, deputy director of Pabna DAE, said this year, litchi trees saw profuse flowering and if litchi comes from half of those it will be huge.
However, some litchi are being damaged due to drought and the current heat wave.
Farmers are being suggested to spray water on the upper side of the litchi trees and irrigate the lands, he added.Read more: Severe heatwave in Khulna: Day labourers forced to work in dangerous conditions
Guidelines issued for primary schools reopening tomorrow amid heatwave
As the country grapples with an intense heatwave, the government has announced the reopening of primary school academic activities starting Sunday, April 28.
The Primary and Mass Education Ministry, through a notification signed by Senior Information Officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, outlined the operational adjustments to accommodate the sweltering conditions.
School hours will be limited to the cooler morning hours, from 8:00 am to 11:30 am. For schools operating in two shifts, the first shift will run from 8:00 am to 9:30 am and the second from 9:45 am to 11:30 am.
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Despite these changes, pre-primary level classes will remain closed until further notice, and daily school assemblies will be suspended to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat.
The decision follows a similar action taken for secondary level schools and colleges, which are set to reopen on the same day, April 28.
The resumption comes after an extended closure initially planned until April 27 due to the prolonged hot weather following the Eid holidays. Outdoor activities and those requiring sun exposure at these institutions will continue to be limited.
To make up for educational disruptions caused by the heatwave and other interruptions, classes will also be conducted on Saturdays until further notice, according to the ministry's notification.
Secondary schools, colleges to reopen April 28 amid heat wave
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecasted that the current heatwave conditions, which recorded a high of 42.7 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga on Friday, may persist for another 72 hours starting Thursday morning. The government's proactive measures aim to balance educational needs with health and safety concerns during this challenging climate period.
Severe heatwave in Khulna: Day labourers forced to work in dangerous conditions
A severe heatwave has been impacting Khulna for several days, causing significant hardship, particularly for day labourers who must continue to work in extreme temperatures to support their families.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a 72-hour heat alert starting Thursday, as temperatures soared. On Thursday, the Met Office recorded a temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Jashore districts, with Chuadanga hitting a record 42.7 degrees Celsius on Friday.
According to the BMD, this intense heatwave is expected to persist for a few more days. In Khulna, the extreme heat has confined many to their homes. However, those who rely on daily wages, such as construction workers and rickshaw pullers, have no choice but to face the brutal temperatures to earn a living.
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Nazrul Islam Hawladar, a 55-year-old road construction worker in the Mujgunni area of Khulna city, expressed the dire necessity of working despite the risk. "I am the sole provider for my nine-member family. Staying at home means not feeding my family," he stated.
Similarly, Abdul Quader, a 55-year-old day labourer who lives in a slum with his family, shared his struggle, "After working for a while, I get exhausted, but I still have to work to manage food for my family."
Bilkis Begum, another day labourer, succinctly captured the sentiment of many, saying, "What will I eat if I don't work? So I am forced to work in this heat."
The elderly also suffer disproportionately. Abdul Quader, a 65-year-old rickshaw puller, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the heat. "I have never felt so hot in my life. I can't stay in the sun for a long time," he said, noting his earnings have plummeted to between Tk 200-300 per day due to the heat.
Secondary schools, colleges to reopen April 28 amid heat wave
Mezbah, a construction worker, echoed these hardships, "Working amid sweltering heat is not easy, but there is no alternative. If I do not work, what would I eat?"
According to the BMD on Friday, a very severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Chuadanga and Pabna and a severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Tangail, Bogura, Bagerhat, Jashore and Kushtia.
Mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the divisions of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal and the districts of Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and Bandarban and it may continue, the BMD said.
Read more: How to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Stroke
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.
25-year-old dies of heatstroke in Ctg