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The Bangladesh government has decided to update the Population Policy 2012, aiming to transform the public into a skilled human resource through vocational education, emphasizing the demographic dividend from 2041 to 2061. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a global dialogue on demographic diversity, highlighting initiatives like increasing life expectancy, expanding social safety nets, and introducing a universal pension scheme to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.

A local influential syndicate has been illegally extracting sand from the New Dhaleswari river in Tangail’s Kaihati upazila, putting riverside villages and the grave of a freedom fighter, Abdul Barek, at risk of erosion during the upcoming monsoon. Despite locals’ requests to save the grave, the syndicate members, Yakub Ali and Gulzar Shamim, have continued their illegal activities. The authorities have taken action by conducting mobile court drives and fining the sand extractors, but the situation remains concerning for the local community and the preservation of the freedom fighter’s grave. Photo: STAR

Two students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) were allegedly assaulted by a contractor, Nayeem Khan, and his associates on the campus for taking pictures of felled trees. The students, Shovon Lal Sarkar and Sammaul Islam, filed a complaint against the contractor, accusing him of verbal abuse and physical assault when they tried to photograph the trees cut down for a laboratory building construction. The university authorities have received the complaint and promised to investigate and take action if the allegation is proven true. Photo: Collected

Despite a slight dip in general inflation to 9.74% in April, food inflation rose to 10.22%, higher than February’s 9.44%. Rural areas faced 9.92% inflation, while urban inflation eased to 9.46%. Addressing persistently high inflation, Bangladesh Bank raised the policy rate to 8.5% to tighten money supply. The IMF projects inflation to remain elevated at around 9.4% in FY24 but decline to 7.2% in FY25, aided by tighter policies and lower global food and commodity prices. However, global financial tightening and domestic vulnerabilities pose risks of prolonged high inflation. source: bdnews24

The prolonged delays at every stage of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) recruitment process, from publishing circulars to final gazette notifications, have been a longstanding issue. Despite a roadmap to complete the process within a year, it can take over four years, significantly affecting the career prospects of jobseekers. The convoluted processes, limited workforce, reliance on external experts, and lengthy irrelevant verifications contribute to the delays. Authorities must overhaul and streamline the recruitment process to prevent candidates from sacrificing crucial years unnecessarily. source: the daily star

Potato prices have surged to Tk 50-55 per kg, 57% higher than last year, despite the government’s estimate that a fair price should be around Tk 28.55 based on production costs. Prices of other essentials like vegetables, eggs, chicken, beef, edible oil, and spices have also skyrocketed. The new government’s efforts to control inflation through measures like duty exemptions have fallen short. Economists warn the rising dollar rate will further increase costs, exacerbating the crisis for low-income people grappling with diminished purchasing power amid high food inflation. source: prothom alo

Dengue situation in Bangladesh is getting complex with rising cases and alarmingly high fatality rate, higher than anywhere globally. Experts cite lack of preventive measures, lack of campaigns, and delayed treatment seeking as concerns. Many suffering from repeat dengue infections face severe complications contributing to high mortality. Authorities yet to complete a death review to identify causes behind high fatalities. source: prothom alo

According to Road Safety Foundation, 124 students were killed in road accidents across Bangladesh in April, averaging 4 daily. In the first four months of 2023, 349 students died in road crashes, with reckless motorcycling causing many fatalities among teenagers outside cities with higher vehicle speeds despite a 2018 student movement demanding safer roads. source: prothom alo

A 53-year-old patient, Mamtaz Begum, died after being trapped for 45 minutes in a lift at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur on Sunday. Relatives alleged they informed liftmen but faced negligence. After calling emergency services, fire fighters rescued them, but Mamtaz had passed away. Her daughter accused the liftmen’s gross negligence for her mother’s death. Hospital authorities said Mamtaz was ill and a probe would be conducted into any negligence by staff. source:prothomalo

A 17-year-old college student, Noor Hossain, was stabbed to death allegedly over a football match in Jashore town last night. After an altercation between two groups during the match, the accused forcibly took Noor to a house and stabbed him. Locals rushed him to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way. A case has been filed against several named and unnamed accused. The body was sent for autopsy as police investigate the murder over the football match dispute. source:thedailystar

A study found Dhaka’s air has nearly double the WHO-approved limit of carcinogenic elements like arsenic and lead from industries, brick kilns and unfit vehicles. Despite the severe cancer risk, especially to children, the government has done little to enforce environmental laws. Urgent action like closing polluting kilns near homes, proper e-waste management and strict vehicle emission standards is needed. source:thedailystar

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have dropped below $19 billion for the first time this fiscal year, hitting $18.26 billion after the central bank settled $1.63 billion in import bills through the Asian Clearing Union. The country’s gross forex reserves stood at $19.82 billion on May 8 as per IMF calculation, while Bangladesh Bank’s method puts the current reserves at $23.71 billion, down from $25.27 billion on May 8. source:thedailystar

The U.S. is providing an additional $30.5 million in assistance for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bhasan Char, and the region. The funding includes support for healthcare, nutrition, water, shelter, and self-reliance initiatives. The announcement was made by U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott during his visit to Bangladesh. With this, the total U.S. funding for the Rohingya crisis since 2017 has reached nearly $2.4 billion, of which over $1.9 billion has been provided for refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. Representational image:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Islam as a religion of peace while inaugurating the Hajj 2024 program. She urged people to avoid acts like alcohol, gambling, corruption, terrorism, and militancy that hurt religious sentiments. Islam ensures rights for all, she said, condemning how a few tarnish its image through militancy. She assured equal religious freedom and asked pilgrims to pray for Bangladesh during Hajj. This year, 85,257 Bangladeshis, including 4,562 under government management, will perform Hajj expected on June 15. Photo: Prabir Das

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to raise more funds from newer sources to assist the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. During a courtesy call by IOM Director General Amy Pope, Hasina said the decreased funding for Rohingya assistance requires the IOM to find new partners for raising more funds. The PM also called on the IOM to help relocate Rohingyas to Bhasan Char, where around 30,000 Rohingyas have already been shifted out of the 100,000 capacity built with facilities like education and healthcare. Photo: BSS

Ahead of the first phase of upazila parishad polls tomorrow, 418 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to maintain peace and assist the local administration until May 10. Additionally, 1,59,874 Ansar members will help law enforcers ensure security at voting centers. In the first phase, 1,588 candidates will contest 150 upazila polls for chairman, vice chairman, and reserved vice chairman posts. Already, 25 candidates have been elected unopposed in this phase. Photo: Border Guard Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s successful family planning initiatives led to a decline in fertility rates, but the progress has stagnated. The country now faces challenges like a high rate of unintended pregnancies and a potential expiration of the demographic dividend by 2035-36. Experts stress the need to refocus on family planning services, especially for disadvantaged groups, to address these issues and achieve maternal and child health targets under the Sustainable Development Goals. PHOTO: REUTERS

Rail connectivity between Dhaka and Tangail, Narsingdi, and Mymensingh was disrupted for a day after a derailment at Joydebpur Junction. Seven coaches of an empty Dhaka-Tangail commuter train rammed into a stationary oil tanker train, injuring three staffers. Rescue operations continued for two days, and a probe committee was formed. Train services on the western routes faced delays due to single-line operations. Photo: Collected

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mohammad Ali Arafat, said the central bank must provide all information the public has a right to know, while protecting sensitive data. He acknowledged the need for a system that allows access to journalists while safeguarding confidential strategies. This comes after the Bangladesh Bank imposed restrictions on journalists’ entry into its headquarters, prompting condemnation from media bodies demanding free access. Photo: Amran Hossain