Category: Bangladesh

Today marks the 26th anniversary of the Magurchhara gas field disaster in Moulvibazar, where a massive blowout in 1997 caused severe ecological damage. The US company Occidental, conducting drilling then, was blamed for negligence. Though demands were made for billions in compensation for loss of gas, forest and biodiversity, locals allege proper compensations are still awaited. Protests are planned demanding compensation from the company currently operating the gas fields, Chevron.

Trade activities with India, Nepal, and Bhutan through the Banglabandha land port will remain suspended for seven days from June 15 to June 21, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. The decision was taken jointly by the importer and exporter groups, truck owners associations and other stakeholders. However, movement of travelers through the immigration checkpost will continue as usual. Export-import operations will resume on June 22.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged United Arab Emirates (UAE) investors to invest in Bangladesh’s special economic zones during a meeting with UAE’s Ambassador Abdulla ALi Abdulla Khaseif Alhmoudi. The UAE envoy assured issuing visas for Bangladeshi manpower and said UAE ministers will visit Bangladesh soon to explore deepening relations. Both sides agreed to prevent illegal migration and expedite UAE’s investments, including a container terminal and an Advanced Passenger Information System. Photo: BSS

Export and import activities through Burimari Land Port in Lalmonirhat will remain suspended for seven days from tomorrow due to Eid-ul-Azha celebrations. The movement of passport-holding travellers will continue as usual, but trade activities will resume on June 22, as announced by Mehedi Hasan, assistant director of the Bangladesh Land Port Authorities at Burimari.

Two Bangladeshi architectural projects, the Green Field Factory in Rangpur by Nakshabid Architects and the Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan Mausoleum in Manikganj by Sthapotik, have won prestigious RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2024. The rug factory embraces natural environments for employee wellbeing, while the mausoleum uses dappled light and curved brick walls to create a contemplative space. Photo: Collected

Coca-Cola Bangladesh faced backlash over an ad addressing the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement against Israel. The ad, featuring a pro-“humanity” stance, was temporarily hidden, then reinstated amid controversy. The incident highlights the effectiveness of the BDS movement in Bangladesh and the challenges brands face in navigating such sensitive issues. Visual: Fatima Jahan Ena

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) in Bangladesh approved proposals including the import of 40MW hydroelectricity from Nepal for 5 years through India at Tk 8.17 per unit. It also approved importing fertilizers like TSP, MOP, DAP, and urea from countries like Tunisia, Canada, Morocco, and Qatar under state-level agreements. Additionally, the TCB will procure lentils and soybean oil domestically through tenders. UNB

Boat services on the Teknaf-St Martin’s sea route in Bangladesh have been suspended for six days due to repeated incidents of firing from Myanmar’s side. On Tuesday, bullets were fired at a speedboat carrying tourists, although no casualties occurred. The firing is suspected to be from an armed group in Myanmar, creating panic and a food crisis on St Martin’s Island as goods transportation has been disrupted.

Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been promoted to General and appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army for three years from June 23, 2024. He will replace the current army chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed. An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, Gen Waker has an illustrious 35-year career holding key command, staff and instructional positions including Chief of General Staff. He is an alumnus of defence colleges in Bangladesh and UK with masters degrees in Defence Studies.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over 18,566 more houses to homeless and landless families across Bangladesh as an Eid gift under the government’s Ashrayan-2 project. She also declared 12 more districts and 123 upazilas free of homelessness, raising the totals to 58 districts and 464 upazilas. Each beneficiary family receives a semi-pucca house on 2 decimals of land co-owned by husband and wife. Since 1997, over 771,000 families have been rehabilitated through the Ashrayan project.photo: Collected

A recent study in Dhaka has revealed the presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio in popular street foods such as chotpoti, chola-muri, sandwiches, juices, and salads. Researchers found alarmingly high levels of these bacteria, which can cause stomach diseases. The contamination is attributed to factors like unclean water, utensils, hands, and environments used by the vendors. The study highlights the urgent need for training vendors and strict monitoring to ensure food safety standards.

Nearly 100 hectares of arable land in Jamalpur municipality have been waterlogged for over a decade due to the gradual disappearance of Goba and Baniabazar canals caused by encroachment and unplanned construction. The waterlogging has rendered the once fertile lands unsuitable for cultivation, leaving farmers with barren fields and lost income. Authorities are working on plans to excavate the canals and address the long-standing issue, which has severely impacted agriculture in the area.

Bangladesh has risen to the second position globally in freshwater fish production, surpassing China, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture” report. The country produced 13.22 lakh tonnes of freshwater fish in 2022, accounting for 11.7% of the global total, trailing only India. Conservation efforts and advanced farming techniques have contributed to Bangladesh’s impressive performance in the fisheries sector.

A 7-year-old boy, Saidul Islam, tragically died after falling into an uncovered drain in Chattogram on Saturday. His body was recovered from a canal on Sunday. Despite multiple reports highlighting the dangers of open drains and canals in the city, at least 11 people have died in similar incidents in the past four years, yet authorities lack funds to install protective measures. PHOTO COLLECTED

During her ongoing three-day official visit to India, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call on veteran BJP leader and former Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani at his residence in New Delhi. Indian media released photos of the meeting, though details were not provided. Hasina arrived in Delhi yesterday to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony after his party’s election victory. She is scheduled to return to Dhaka tomorrow.

The “Amrai Kindbadanti Foundation,” formed by alumni of SSC 2000 and HSC 2002 batches, provided 3 tons of essential commodities and food to over 300 families affected by Cyclone Remal in Patuakhali’s Chalitabunia Union. The non-profit organization, registered in 2019 and with 51,000 members on Facebook, aims to assist disaster victims. It has undertaken various social responsibility initiatives, including free oxygen banks during COVID-19, support for special needs children, free health camps, and aid for the underprivileged.

Bangladeshi skydiver Ashik Chowdhury, who recently completed a record-breaking jump from 41,000 feet, said his inspiration was the resilient people of Bangladesh. He hopes his achievement will inspire others to explore new horizons. Holding the national flag during the jump was an honor for him. United Commercial Bank PLC sponsored his daring attempt, which unofficially set a new world record pending Guinness certification. Photo: STAR

In a protest against the High Court’s order to restore the 56 percent quota system, including 30 percent for freedom fighters’ children, in government jobs, thousands of Dhaka University students and alumni took out a procession demanding the cancellation of all quotas. They submitted a memorandum to the Attorney General and vowed to intensify their movement if the government resumes the quota system. Photo: Palash Khan

The proposed budget for FY2024-25 introduces changes to curb misuse of duty-free baggage allowances. Key changes include defining gold jewelry as designed 22-carat ornaments, allowing two used mobiles duty-free but taxing one new phone, revoking permission for under-12s to bring gold/cigarettes. Passengers aged 12+ can bring 65kg baggage duty-free with specified duty-paid items like gold bars, TVs, appliances and duty-free items like gold jewelry, cigarettes, and electronics within limits. Prothom Alo file photo

Police have cordoned off a two-storied building in Netrokona’s Bhasapara area suspecting it to be a militant den. They recovered arms, bullets, jihadi books, and other materials during a raid. The house belongs to a DUET teacher but was rented out two years ago. Locals said boundary walls were raised and CCTVs installed after it was rented. Police suspect explosives might be stored there and have called in counter-terrorism and SWAT teams to investigate further. Prothom Alo

Thousands of residents in five unions of Khulna’s Koyra upazila face displacement fear as breached embankments, inundated homes, and submerged croplands become a recurring scene during monsoon. This year’s situation worsened after Cyclone Remal battered the already dilapidated embankments. Despite being a perennial issue, the coastal embankments continue to have vulnerabilities, exposing around 1.94 lakh people to tidal surges. Locals allege the embankments were in poor condition even before the cyclone hit, putting their properties at risk of being devoured by rivers. Photo: Habibur Rahman

Obaidul Quader, the road transport minister and Awami League general secretary, dismissed criticism from the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) over the proposed budget, stating the government does not care about their reactions as they “play the tune of the opposition.” He defended the provision for whitening black money, saying it would enhance money flow into the banking system, and challenged critics to provide names of corrupt Awami League leaders for action.Prothom Alo file photo

The Gopalganj district administration has taken control of the Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park owned by former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, who faces allegations of illegally amassing wealth. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) assisted in the takeover, which was announced through a PA system on Friday night. Locals, who claim their lands were forcibly acquired for the resort, cheered the move, hoping to regain access to their properties. The district administration will now manage the resort’s operations as per court order. Photo:prothomalo

Forty-five Bangladeshi nationals are expected to reach Cox’s Bazar from Myanmar early tomorrow by the Myanmar Naval Ship UMS Chin Dwin. They are scheduled to leave Sittwe in Myanmar’s Rakhine State today. Most of the returnees are from Cox’s Bazar, Narshingdi, and Narayanganj districts of Bangladesh. This is part of the coordinated efforts by the Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar to facilitate the return of Bangladeshi nationals, with 247 already repatriated in the last year.Photo: UNB

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam announced plans to designate specific roads for cycling two days per month to promote the environment-friendly mode of transport. He made this announcement at the “Pedal for Planet” cycling rally organized to raise awareness about carbon emissions and environmental protection. The mayor emphasized the importance of cycling and physical activities for a healthy society. Photo: UNB

Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 214 illegal immigrants, including 123 Bangladeshis, in raids on workers’ settlements near Kampung Belokok and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam in Johor Baru. The raids also led to the arrest of two locals for harboring illegal immigrants. The detainees, aged 20-40, were found working at a nearby construction site. Authorities reminded employers to ensure hiring workers through legal channels. Photo: Collected

At a discussion marking the first death anniversary of Serajul Alam Khan, speakers highlighted the need for his leadership in today’s times of criminalised politics. They praised his pivotal role in the six-point movement and the Liberation War. Attendees, including politicians and activists, recalled his uncompromising approach and contributions that were integral to Bangladesh’s independence. They expressed concerns about capitalism’s criminalised form in Bangladesh today and stated overcoming it would require even greater efforts than in the past, noting the void left by Serajul’s absence in this struggle.