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Foreign Minister for taking robust action to ensure safe drinking water
BSS
25 Mar 2023, 22:21
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has underlined the need for taking more robust action than ever to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for all in the healthcare facilities.
He said while speaking at the high-level event entitled: "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities: Lesson Learned and the Way Forward" jointly organised by Hungary and Philippines at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, said a press release here.
In his remarks, he highlighted the major achievements of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in ensuring safe
drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene for all people of the country.
Referring to the National Strategy for Water supply and Sanitation 2021, he said that in Bangladesh around 98 percent of our people have access to drinking water, more than 80 percent to improved sanitation facilities, nearly 75 percent to hand-washing facilities.
Bangladesh pioneered the community led total sanitation approach for promoting sanitation which is now recognized and replicated in many developing countries, he added.
In light of Bangladesh's successful experiences, Momen offered specific recommendations to check the lack of progress in water, sanitation, and hygiene service worldwide.
Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó, Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Republic of the Philippines Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga and Georgian Regional Development and Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze also spoke at the event.
Numbers of diplomats, high officials of the UN and its various organisations, international NGOs working in the water sector and private stakeholders were present at the event.
Foreign Minister also attended a high-level side event entitled: "Revitalizing Social Protection Policies for Creating More Accessibility to Drinking Water" jointly organised by Bangladesh Social Scientists Foundation together with BRAC, AOSED, BWOT, Jago Nari, GRAUS and SDA at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York.
He also held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and discussed issues of mutual interest.
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GST Admission test starts today, special measures around heatwave
In this 2023-24 academic year, twenty-four universities, including GST institutions, are set to conduct the first-year admission test for the fourth time in a cluster system.
Admission test for 'A' unit will be held on Saturday (April 27) from 12 noon to 1 pm. On the same day Architecture Practical (Drawing) will be taken from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Besides, the examination of 'B' unit under the Humanities group will be held on Friday, May 3 and the examination of 'C' unit under the Business Management will be held on Friday May 10. The admission test of these two units will be held from 11am to 12 pm.
On the occasion of the admission test, the overall preparation has already been completed. Meanwhile, special attention is being paid for the safety of the students during the ongoing heatwave.
The Vice Chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain said that all the Universities have been requested to take proper precautions during the heatwave. At the same time he is calling upon the Vice-Chancellors of the concerned Universities under the cluster to provide sufficient fresh water and first aid in the examination centers for the protection of the admission candidates.
This year, 3 lakh 5 thousand and 346 applications have been submitted against a total of 21 thousand seats under cluster system. Accordingly, 15 aspirants will fight for each seat.
In this year, cluster admission test application was open from 12-27 February. During this period, 1 lakh 70 thousand 599 applications have been submitted in 'A' unit of science group, 94 thousand 631 in 'B' unit of humanities group and 40 thousand 116 applications in 'C' unit of business management.
Private sectors of Thailand to invest in Bangladesh: Foreign Minister
On the occasion of the official visit of PM Sheikh Hasina to Thailand, a business meeting was organized on 26 April 2024 by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok. Minister of finance Mr. Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, MP, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud and many more attended the event.
Foreign Minister called upon the private sectors of Thailand to take full advantage of various government incentives for business, investment, and partnership that will ultimately contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Bangladesh's economy.
FM Hasan Mahmud has emphasized the potential for trade and investment between Bangladesh and Thailand. He called upon the private sectors of Thailand to take full advantage of various government incentives for business, investment, and partnership which will ultimately contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Bangladesh's economy.
He said this during a business meeting with PM Hasina on her six-day official tour to Thailand.
The Foreign Minister also enlightened Thailand's significance as a key trade partner for Bangladesh within the ASEAN region.
FM was pleased to mention the signing of the Letter of Intent (LoI) to commence the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries earlier on the day and emphasized the importance of early commencement of FTA for enhancing bilateral trade and balancing trade deficit between the two countries.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of fostering increased people-to-people contact as a means to strengthen the bonds between Bangladesh and Thailand.
He said that the Bangladesh Government might benefit from Technology Transfer from the Thai Government and invited Thai investment in the Tourism sector of Bangladesh. He further added that as a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia, Bangladesh could be considered for investment as a regional hub and for its reasonable size of market. He urged the private sectors of Bangladesh and Thailand to explore all opportunities while assuring the required facilitation from the Government. He highlighted agricultural business, digital economy, logistics and light manufacturing sectors which Thai investors may consider for investment.
The event was attended by prominent business personnel from the Thai business community.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Abdul Hye thanked all the dignitaries and guests for their presence at the event.
Fear of Rohingya infiltration
For the past several months, the country's ruling Junta party has been in fierce conflict with armed groups for seeking independence. The ongoing civil war in the country may worsen soon. In this situation, there is a fear of more Rohingya infiltration from Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar. Besides, the tension may spread in the hill tracts of Bangladesh.
A report of the Public Security Department highlighted such fears. It has been said that the attempt of Rohingya to cross the Myanmar border in Teknaf may increase in May. Besides, infiltration by Myanmar's BGP member may also increase.
According to the report of the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs, due to the situation on the Myanmar border, firearms are available there. In this case, terrorist groups can collect firearms and use those inside Bangladesh. Apart from Myanmar, the Arakan Army can also arise tension in the hilly regions of Bangladesh. Along with this, the supply of drugs and smuggled goods may also increase in the border area of Myanmar. Many more risks have mentioned in the report.
10 die from heat stroke in a week
10 people have died across the country in the past week due to intense heat wave. Among them, 8 men and two women. Five more people are admitted in different hospitals of the country due to heat stroke.
The Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room of the Department of Health reported this information at 9 am on Tuesday.
According to the Department of Health, Two of the three new heat stroke deaths were reported from Madaripur district. Another from Chittagong district.
The data collected till 9:00am today showed 10 deaths and five hospitalisations due to heat stroke across the country. Among the 10 people who died of heat stroke across the country, eight were men and two were women.
Apart from the two in Madaripur, one heat stroke death each was reported in Chuadanga, Khulna, Habiganj, Rajbari, Jhenaidah, Lalmonirhat, Bandarban and Chittagong districts.
Their age ranged from 32 to 79 years. All of their homes are in the countryside.
Public health experts believe that the number of heat stroke victims is likely to be higher than the official estimate. First of all, the Health Department now only taking account of government hospitals not the private hospitals. Second, the notion that heat stroke would be detected by a patient's symptoms was also unclear among doctors, nurses and other health workers.
Recently, officials of DGHS said that they prepared a guideline titled 'Guideline on Management of Heat Related Illness' for the treatment of heat-related illnesses. Doctors across the country are being trained in the light of this guideline through online, they added.
Meteorological Department informed about temperature and rain
The temperature of the country will start decreasing from tomorrow (Wednesday) night, said the Meteorological department. It is also predicted that the awaited relief rains may occur from May 4-5 across the country.
According to the Meteorological Department, The eastern part of the country is likely to receive rain the next day, which may continue till May 10.
Meanwhile, the capital recorded a maximum temperature of 37°C on Tuesday morning, which is felt to be higher.
Regarding the heatwave, it is said that very intense heatwave is passing over Jashore, Chuadanga, Pabna and Rajshahi districts. Intense heatwave is passing over Khulna, Dhaka and some parts of Rajshahi division. Mild to moderate heatwave is prevailing over Barishal, Rangpur and Chattogram divisions including Mymensingh district.
Besides, day temperature may increase slightly and night temperature may remain almost unchanged across the country. Excess water vapor may cause discomfort.
Bangladesh sizzles in highest temperature since 1972
The country is burning in intense heat. The temperature is rising day by day. At the beginning of summer, public life is disrupted by such intense heat. Meanwhile, the highest temperature in the country is recorded at 43.8 degrees Celsius in Jessore on Tuesday (April 30), which is the second highest temperature in the history of Bangladesh. In Chuadanga, the mercury rose to 43.7 degrees Celsius on the same day.
Earlier, 43.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in Chuadanga in 1995. The highest temperature in the country's history was recorded on May 18, 1972, at 45.1 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi.
The maximum temperature in Dhaka is recorded at 38.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The highest temperature in Dhaka was 42 degrees Celsius in 1965. Earlier, the highest temperature in Dhaka was 42.3 degrees Celsius in 1960.
Gold prices slash again
The price of gold has been reduced eight times in a row in the local market. From Friday (May 3), good quality gold (22-carat) will be sold at Tk 1,09,163 per bhori. 1,878 Tk. will be reduced per bhori.
Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced this reduction in the price of gold on Thursday (May 2).
Earlier, on April 30, the price of good quality gold was reduced by Tk. 420. Before that, on 29 April 1,115 Tk., 28 April 315 Tk., 27 April 630 Tk., 25 April 630 Tk., 24 April 2,099 Tk. and 23 April 3,138 Tk. were reduced per bhori.
