Cry for a Dhaka with clean air
For the last two years, Dhaka has been frequently ranking highest — with a score of over 300 — in the World Air Quality Index. However, the draft of Clean Air Act, 2020 does have provisions for the formation of an advisory board that would be able to decide on whether to announce an emergency or not due to bad air quality." As of 5pm on Thursday , the average AQI value was reported at 207 for the whole of Dhaka city. On Sunday, Environment Minister M Shahab Uddin said the air quality of Dhaka city turned worse between 2016 and 2019 due to construction of many mega infrastructure projects. Brick kilns, vehicles, construction of different infrastructures and road digging, civic waste, biomass and trans-boundary influence are also responsible for the worsening air quality of the capital, he added.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 18:22 UTC
US election watch: Knives out
In an extraordinary Democratic debate in Nevada the gloves were firmly off as Elizabeth Warren savaged her opponents and left the stage as the undisputed winner. She came out swinging and within the first few minutes called out Mike Bloomberg “a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians”. His debate performances continue to be erratic, meandering, long on history and short on policy. While Bloomberg never stood a chance against the former Harvard Professor, Buttigieg and Klobuchar are more evenly matched. His main line of attack was against Bloomberg for trying to buy the election but was generally softer on everyone else.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 18:22 UTC
Bangladesh remembers Language Movement heroes
Hasina placed another wreath along with other leaders of the ruling Awami League after Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury paid respects to the heroes. The Language Movement began the intense alienation of the Bengalees and finally led to the Liberation War in 1971. The UNESCO in November 1999 had declared Feb 21 as the International Mother Language Day. “The International Mother Language Day is now a source of inspiration to all people of the world in establishing the truth and justice,” she said. She said by upholding the spirit of Ekushey and War of Liberation, Bangladesh has now emerged as a role model for development in the world.
Source:bd News24
February 20, 2020 18:11 UTC
IMLI survey publication uncertain
Last year, a high official of the institute told Dhaka Tribune that IMLI have already printed one of the ten volumes of the survey and two were in progress. The committee submitted a report in 2016 and in 2018, of which IMLI printed the first survey report that was made available for the public in 2019. Languages with at least 3,000 active speakers included in surveyIMLI Director General Prof Jinnat Imtiaz Ali said only the languages having at least 3,000 active speakers were taken into consideration. The publication was delayed as IMLI wanted to make it more accurate in terms of its written form, pronunciation and spelling. Meanwhile, according to Unesco’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, published in 2010, there are currently 3,000 languages at risk of disappearance.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 18:11 UTC
Railway staff reportedly rapes minor boy
BigstockIn a separate incident in Gazipur, an RMG worker was raped and the reported perpetrator arrestedA 12-year-old boy – who left his home and rode on a train without informing his family – was raped at the Comilla's Laksam Railway Junction area allegedly by a railway staff on Wednesday. The suspect, Abul Kalam, a railway employee, lured the hungry child to his room offering him food and then reportedly raped him, the rape survivor said. Hearing his screams, local youths rushed to the spot and rescued the child while Kalam fled the scene, local sources said. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Laksam Railway police OC Md Nazim Uddin said: "We heard about the incident but did not receive any complaints yet." RMG worker raped in Gazipur, man heldRapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Thursday apprehended a man from Joydebpur's Kainjanul village for reportedly raping a ready-made garment worker.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 18:11 UTC
Liver transplant now in Bangladesh at comparatively low cost
Bigstock'We have a dedicated unit now and we can do liver transplant surgery'Two organs of Bangladesh Diabetic Samiti (BADAS) -- Birdem and Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital -- have jointly started liver transplant surgeries at a relatively low cost in the country. On Thursday, in a press conference at Birdem hospital in Dhaka, doctors said liver transplant is now possible in Bangladesh at a lower cost than abroad while the country sees a large number of patients going abroad to have the surgery. A 30-member medical team, led by Prof Dr Mohammad Ali, the pioneer of hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery, has already been formed in this regard. When asked about the cost of a liver transplant, the doctors said that worldwide liver transplants are complex and expensive, but it will cost around Tk40 lakh in the country. They said they had no dedicated team or unit, and had a lack of equipment when they conducted the first liver transplant operation in 2010 which cost around Tk45 lakh.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 17:48 UTC
Delivering SDGs: Country lags behind climate action, inequality, peace and justice
Discussants at a dialogue, titled, ‘Delivering SDGs in Bangladesh: Role of Non-State Actors’ at a local hotel in the capital on Thursday, February 20, 2020. They were speaking at a dialogue titled, ‘Delivering SDGs in Bangladesh: Role of Non-State Actors’. The event was organized in association with the Asia Foundation- Bangladesh, Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at a city hotel. Rehman Sobhan suggested for holding two dedicated sessions of parliament a year to discuss the issues involving SDGs. Secondly, presence of inequality and third is the peace and justice,” said Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at CPD.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 17:15 UTC
Delhi in the market for arms sales
Representatives from twelve different Indian firms participated in the event, according to an Indian High Commission press release. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla also talked about defence cooperation recently during a meeting with Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi Muhammad Imran. Contacted, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told Dhaka Tribune that Dhaka will only buy arms from India when it will feel necessary. “Yes, they (India) have been asking us to buy arms from them utilising the line of defence credit. It is not mandatory to buy arms from India under the MoU rather it is an option to buy arms if Bangladesh military feels the necessity, said the officials.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 17:15 UTC
Chinese garlic, ginger out of stock
Visiting several retail markets, it was found that the Chinese spices were found in very limited quantity and they were selling at exorbitant prices. A kg of Chinese garlic was retailing at Tk200-230 a kg, which was earlier Tk130-140 in the city’s kitchen markets. Al Amin Miya, a retailer at Shukrabad kitchen market said; “There is a supply shortage of garlic for the last one month. Manik, however, hoped that the shortage of ginger might go within the next few days; despite that the local spice market was overwhelemly depended on Chinese supply. "Since February 17, we started official process to import garlic and ginger from China again," said Mazed.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 17:15 UTC
Warner calls for respect from SA fans
Australia opening batsman David Warner has called on South African supporters to show respect ahead of the three-match Twenty20 International series starting in Johannesburg on Friday. He was handed a one-year suspension by Cricket Australia, but the incident followed goading from South African fans that Warner felt crossed the line of decency. "I’m not concerned about it, but at the end of the day you have to have some form of respect as well," Warner told reporters on Thursday. I am sure they don't want teams leaving here and criticising the way their fans are acting. Opening batsman Warner says he is easily able to switch off while playing, especially with the hurly-burly nature of T20.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 17:03 UTC
History created by laying sackcloth under a mango tree
From then till date the book fair is being organized every year, centring the Shaheed Dibos, February 21. The innovative idea and his sincere effort drew the attention of other publishers and later these actions turned into Amar Ekushey book fair. "The fair was organised without any announcement, and it laid down the foundation of the Amar Ekushey book fair." Chittaranjan Saha: The pioneerAfter Chittaranjan Saha’s death in 2007, his wife Bizli Prova Saha published a book titled "Chittaranjan Saha memorial book". The first book published under this house was Roktakto Bangla which included writings of noted writers like Zahir Raihan and Ahmed Sofa and was edited by Prof Anisuzzaman.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 17:03 UTC
Zimbabwe ready for Bangladesh spin threat, says Raza
“The way we are preparing ourselves for the Test match, I think there will be not that much pressure. We are a stronger team now,” said Raza to the media Thursday after their practice session. The Test we had won against Bangladesh (in 2018 in Sylhet) was the primary example,” said Raza. “We had a very good series against Sri Lanka. We are taking positive notes from the Sri Lanka series.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 16:52 UTC
Sk Russel, Rahmatganj fire blanks
Action from the BPL match between Sheikh Russel and Rahmatganj in Dhaka Thursday BFFAlison Udoka returned to defence from injury, sending Christopher Herd to defensive midfield, but Sheikh Russel’s forward-line in the absence of Raphael Odoyin couldn’t convert their chances, mostly in the second half, against the compact defence of the Old Dhaka outfitSheikh Russel Krira Chakra were held to their second consecutive draw as the former treble winner played out a stalemate against Federation Cup runners-up Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the day’s second Bangladesh Premier League encounter at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Thursday. Alison Udoka returned to defence from injury, sending Christopher Herd to defensive midfield, but Sheikh Russel’s forward-line in the absence of Raphael Odoyin couldn’t convert their chances, mostly in the second half, against the compact defence of the Old Dhaka outfit. RESULTSk Russel 0 0 Rahmatganj
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 16:52 UTC
BNP activist stabbed dead in broad daylight
Map of Bogra Dhaka TribuneAccording to local and police sources, the brothers were called to Chandihara Kholagachi by an alleged domestic animal traderA BNP activist was stabbed dead and his brother severely injured in an intraparty attack in Chandihara Kholagachi intersection under Shibganj upazila of Bogra on Thursday. They were both active members of BNP’s Gokul union unit. According to local and police sources, the brothers were called to Chandihara Kholagachi by an alleged domestic animal trader around 8am. Apel was one of the key suspects in the murder case.”Soni died on the spot and Mizan was severely injured. Since then, an internal feud broke out between the two groups led by Apel and Mizan, Bipul added.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 16:52 UTC
Most educational institutions lack Shaheed Minar in Jessore, Meherpur
Among the educational institutions that do have Shaheed Minar, the conditions of some are dilapidatedMost educational institutions in Jessore and Meherpur districts do not have Shaheed Minar, depriving the students from paying respect to the Language Movement martyrs. Among the educational institutions that do have Shaheed Minar, the conditions of some are dilapidated. Sadar Upazila Education Officer Kamruzzaman Jahangir said 77 educational institutions in the Sadar upazila lack Shaheed Minar. “Teachers and students from schools lacking Shaheed Minar pay respect at Shaheed Minar of nearby educational institutions,” she said. “We’ll take necessary steps to have Shaheed Minar constructed at all educational institutions.”
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 20, 2020 16:52 UTC