Category: Bangladesh

The government of Oman has announced granting visas to Bangladeshi nationals in 12 categories, including family, visit, doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants, investors, and official visas. This comes after Oman banned the issuance of visas for Bangladeshis across all categories on October 31, 2023, leading to a over 50% drop in their arrivals. The Bangladesh embassy had earlier stated that the visa ban would be temporary. Photo: Collected

An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt in Bangladesh at 7:13 pm on Wednesday.The epicenter of the earthquake was at 31 km East-southeast (ESE) of Mawlaik, Myanmar, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the earthquake.

The Bangladesh government has cancelled the contractual appointments of Hasan Jahid Tusher as deputy press secretary and Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku as assistant personal secretary (APS-2) to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The public administration ministry issued separate notifications today, citing clause-8 of their contracts for the cancellations effective from June 1, 2024. No specific reasons were provided for terminating their appointments attached to the Prime Minister’s office.

The UN independent experts have raised concerns over the recruitment process of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, alleging that it begins with bribery within Malaysian ministries and the Bangladesh High Commission. Workers are reportedly charged exorbitant fees of $4,500 to $6,000, violating the agreed cap of $720 under a bilateral agreement. The experts urged both governments to investigate the exploitation, ensure ethical recruitment, and prevent retaliation against workers for claiming their rights, citing potential debt bondage and humanitarian crisis. Representational photo: Star/File

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina will visit areas hit by cyclonic storm Remal in Patuakhali on Thursday.AL general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader disclosed the information in a press conference at AL president Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka today.

Cyclone Remal battered Pirojpur district, leaving a trail of destruction. It inundated villages, uprooted trees, and damaged houses, stranding thousands. The storm washed away croplands, fish farms, and disrupted utilities. Locals described unprecedented high water levels, with most houses flooded. At least 13 people died, over 35,000 homes were destroyed, and 37 lakh people were severely affected across 19 districts. Photo: Habibur Rahman

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) cut electricity generation by more than half due to Cyclone Remal, leaving hundreds of thousands without power across the country. Many power plants in coastal areas were shut down as a precautionary measure. Electricity poles were damaged, mainly in Khulna and Barisal regions. PDB’s current production is around 5,000MW, down from over 12,000MW the previous day. Power cuts began last midnight in many areas including parts of Dhaka.

Child abuse is rampant in Bangladesh with reports becoming increasingly common. Between January-April 2024, 226 children were subjected to violence and 176 killed, according to Ain O Salish Kendra. In 2023, over 1,000 children faced abuse. Major issues include lack of legal recourse, social stigma, perpetrators’ influence, and delays in justice delivery. The trauma leaves lasting psychological scars on victims. Urgent systemic reforms and societal change are needed to protect children’s rights and dignity. VISUAL: SHAIKH SULTANA JAHAN BADHON

The High Court has directed the government to immediately halt all activities of the “Silicon City” housing project in Savar, including earth-filling, plot selling, and registration. The court ordered this after the project was allegedly established by filling flood zones, reservoirs, and agricultural land illegally. The authorities have been asked to assess the environmental damage caused and submit a report within three months.

At a BIPSS policy circle, experts highlighted that influence operation threats are rapidly evolving, especially with advancements like AI. They discussed how influence operations undermine democracy, divide societies, and spread disinformation. The panelists emphasized the need for efficient fact-checking mechanisms, forensic labs, and increased awareness to cope with these emerging threats in Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of properties held by former IGP Benazir Ahmed, his wife and children from 133 deeds, including 4 flats in Gulshan, and freezing of their shares in private firms. The orders came after the Anti-Corruption Commission appealed to attach more assets traced against the former police chief, who was earlier sanctioned by the US over human rights abuse allegations. The photo is taken from Benazir Ahmed’s Facebook page

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Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a great danger signal no. 10 for Mongla and Payra ports as cyclonic storm Remal over the northwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It is expected to cross the Sagar Island and Khepupara coasts of West Bengal near Mongla by evening or midnight, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Cyclone “Remal” in the Bay of Bengal has triggered panic among coastal residents of Bagerhat. The district administration has prepared 3,505 volunteers, 88 medical teams, and 359 shelters. Local authorities have urged people to evacuate and take shelter, with police assistance if needed. The Mongla Port Authority has issued an alert, instructing ships to seek safe haven and clearing the jetty. The district, upazila, and various agencies have made extensive preparations to tackle the impending cyclone.

The Maldives has closed its labor market for Bangladeshi workers again after fulfilling the quota of 100,000 foreign workers from a single country allowed by law. Though the market reopened in December 2023 after a 4-year gap, over 6,400 Bangladeshi workers who obtained clearances could not go as visas were not issued since April. Negotiations are ongoing to raise the quota and resume recruitment. UNB file photo

Mango harvesting commenced in Natore today with the Gopalbhog variety. Abdul Wadud, deputy director of Natore DAE, officially inaugurated the harvest season. The district targets to produce 80,000 metric tonnes of mangoes from 5,718 hectares of orchards. However, due to drought, production may be reduced to 74,000 metric tonnes, as per the DAE. Photo: UNB

A 24-year-old man, Farid Ahmed, was shot dead in a clash between two rival groups in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila last night. The incident occurred during a conflict over establishing supremacy in the village. Farid was caught in the crossfire when one group tried to attack their cousin. The perpetrators, identified as Shakib, Maruf, and Mahfuz, fled the scene after the incident. Police are investigating the case. Star Online Graphics

At least 44 people, mostly battery-run rickshaw and easy bike drivers, were arrested in four cases filed after clashes erupted in Dhaka’s Mirpur area on Sunday. The drivers protested a ban on their vehicles, leading to clashes with police, vandalism, and arson. The cases accuse the drivers of attacks on law enforcers, unlawful gatherings, and vandalism. At least 20 people were injured in the clashes. Photo: Prabir Das

A 65-day nationwide ban on fishing at sea commenced from last midnight due to the breeding season of various fish species. During the ban until July 23, over 1 lakh fishing vessels will be barred from entering the sea. The government will provide 56kg of rice to each of the 3.11 lakh affected fishermen under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme. Fishermen and trawler owners have urged the authorities to be vigilant and take further steps to support them during this period. Photo: Rajib Raihan

Babar Ali, a 33-year-old physician from Chattogram, has conquered Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. He reached the summit at 8:30 am (Nepal time) on Sunday, raising the Bangladeshi flag. Babar undertook the Everest expedition with his mountaineering club Vertical Dreamers. An avid traveler and adventurer, he has previously cycled across India and walked across all 64 districts of Bangladesh to promote environmental awareness. Collected

The commercial generation of electricity from Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur has been deferred due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. While the first unit was originally scheduled to start production in December 2023, it may now begin operations by the end of 2025, with the second unit following in 2025. The project’s deadline has been extended by two years to December 2027.

A recruitment company in Malaysia faces Industrial Court proceedings for failing to pay RM1,035,557.50 in salary arrears to 733 Bangladeshi workers as directed by the Human Resources Ministry. The company had 45 days to settle the amount but did not comply. If convicted, it could be fined RM50,000 per offence besides paying the arrears. The workers were legally brought in but did not get jobs initially. However, 692 have since found employment through a special process. The ministry vowed strict action against labour law violations to protect workers’ welfare.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 22nd biennial conference of the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) in Dhaka. She urged economists to design policies and programs considering local realities instead of relying on foreign advice. Hasina said her goal is to make Bangladesh developed by improving people’s lives. Despite obstacles, she expressed confidence in overcoming challenges and continuing the country’s progress. BEA President Prof Abul Barkat presided over the opening session of the two-day conference.

Three students from BRAC University secured the top positions at the 14th National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad. Atonu Roy Chowdhury, Soumitra Das, and Nian Ibne Nazrul secured the first, second, and fourth positions respectively. Students from BUET, IUT, and SUST also secured positions in the top 10. The olympiad, jointly organized by Bangladesh Mathematics Society and AF Mujibur Rahman Foundation, was held at Dhaka University on May 10, showcasing the mathematical prowess of undergraduate students nationwide.

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