‘Dhaka Calling’ project starts
The waste management of four slums of Dhaka North and South City Corporation starts under the ‘Dhaka Calling’ Project. The project was inaugurated by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam on Wednesday (7 April).
The Dhaka Calling project will be implemented under the overall collaboration and supervision of Counterpart International & funded by USAID.
The project will work with the poor and marginalized between January 2021 and December 2023 to ensure integrated waste management in Dhaka North City Corporation’s Mollar Slum, Korail Slum, and South City Corporation’s Balur Math Slum and Boubazar Slum.
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2cr Passengers to Use Shahjalal International Airport
The 3rd terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be fully operational only after 2 percent of the work is completed. It is expected to launch early next year. Through this, the number of passengers will be doubled. That is, about 2 million passengers can use this airport annually.
This information was obtained from a source of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
According to airport sources, the number of passengers in Shahjalal like other airports in the world decreases during the Corona period. But the picture started to change after the epidemic came under control. The number of passengers continues to increase.
In 2020, the number of passengers was a little more than 3 million, in 2021 it was 38, in 2022 it was a little more than 7 million and in 2023 it increased to 9 million. As a result, the number of passengers traveling since the beginning of this year will exceed one million by the end of the year. And when the third terminal of the airport opens early next year, the number of passengers will increase twice.
At present, 160 to 170 aircraft carry passengers daily on domestic and international routes. Around 300 to 350 cargo aircraft are using Shahjalal Airport.
In this regard, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam told the media that a record number of passengers are using this country's largest airport. Our range of services is also expanding. The third terminal is in the process of handover. Shahjalal International Airport will become the largest airport in the world if it is launched.
He said that at present around one million passengers are using this airport every year. That means people's trust towards the airport is increasing day by day. We are paying special attention to those expatriates who are outside the country, whom we call 'remittance warriors'. Care is being taken to ensure that they are not harassed in any way.
Kamrul Islam also said that the whole image of Shahjalal Airport will change in the next two years. This airport will become the hub of aviation. As now there are crores of passengers, in the future more than two crore passengers of different airlines will walk around this airport.
Aviation analysts say that Shahjalal Airport will become a hub once the third terminal opens. In that case, as the number of passengers will increase, so will the revenue of the government.
They also say that the inconvenience that passengers sometimes have to face now, will no longer exist once the third terminal is opened. This will increase the confidence of passengers.
Incidentally, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan visited the third terminal of the airport on August 24. He then told reporters that the construction of the third terminal has been completed 98 percent. This terminal has special importance as a gateway for economic growth and global communication in the country. Therefore, the remaining works need to be completed on time.
Dengue Fever Takes a Deadly Turn: 25 Deaths in Just 7 Days
Dengue is taking a terrible form throughout the country. The number of affected patients is increasing every day. Along with that, the death list is also getting longer. If effective measures are not taken to prevent the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, experts believe dengue will take a more serious form in the coming months.
Dengue patients are being admitted to Dhaka's different hospitals every day with high fever and body pain. Due to this, patient pressure is increasing in the country's various hospitals, including Dhaka. So far this year, 28,565 people have been admitted to hospital due to dengue. Among them, 150 have died. Out of this, 25 have died in the last seven days (September 22-28).
Doctors said, this time some new symptoms are appearing. Many people's platelets drop quickly. The situation has become complicated due to not coming to the hospital in time. Prevention is more important than cure.
Patients complain that mosquito repellents are not being given properly in many areas of the capital. Soon after spraying, the mosquito infestation started.
Director of Mohakhali DNCC Dengue Specialized Hospital said that dengue patients are increasing day by day from 10th of this month. Everyone has to be more responsible in dealing with the situation.
DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mir Khairul Alam said that they are working according to the plans that were made earlier regarding dengue. He admitted that there is a little problem due to the lack of councilors.
Experts say that if the situation is not controlled soon, the outbreak of dengue will take a more serious form in October. Especially Dhaka and several districts outside Dhaka are at high risk. Especially in Cox's Bazar, the overcrowding and unhealthy environment caused by the Rohingya camp is drawing red eyes towards Cox's Bazar and Chattogram.
Atiqur Rahman, a specialized doctor at DMCH said that in addition to the use of anti-mosquito drugs for the prevention of dengue, the City Corporation should conduct campaigns everywhere. At the same time, everyone should be aware.
Entomologist Dr. Manjur Chowdhury said that appropriate measures should be taken with proper manpower by carrying out the survey properly.
It should be noted that 3,21,179 patients were affected by dengue and 1,705 people died in the history of the country in 2023.
HSC result 2024: Likely to be Published by Mid-October
The Ministry of Education has directed the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee to publish the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations soon. The result may be published in the middle of next month.
Professor Tapan Kumar Sarker, coordinator of the Inter-Education Board, said that the examination results are expected to be published by mid-October.
He said, "The results of this year's HSC and equivalent examinations may be published in the middle of next month. The proposal for the possible date has already been sent to the Ministry of Education. The final date will be announced after getting approval from the ministry."
Earlier, on Wednesday, a directive signed by Yanuar Rahman, senior assistant secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was sent to various education boards outlining the process for result preparation.
According to the directive, the results for the HSC and equivalent examinations of 2024 will be prepared based on the subjects for which exams were held. This is called the subject mapping method.
It should be noted that 14,50,790 candidates participated in this year's HSC and equivalent exams. The exam started last June 30. After 8 days of examination, all examinations were postponed on July 18 due to the situation surrounding the quota reform movement. After that, the government suspended the examination in three phases.
Malaysia's Prime Minister to Visit Bangladesh
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to visit Bangladesh. If all goes as planned, he will arrive in Bangladesh on October 4. Prior to this, he will visit Pakistan and then travel to Bangladesh from there.
An official from the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuala Lumpur informed the media about this.
He stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the Malaysian Prime Minister's visit to Dhaka. The visit is expected to take place on October 4, with the final date expected to be confirmed today.
It is known that during his visit to Bangladesh, Anwar Ibrahim will meet with the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and President Mohammad Shahabuddin.
It is hoped that this visit will strengthen mutual cooperation, which will have a positive impact on Bangladeshi workers residing in Malaysia.
Earlier, following the change in Bangladesh's political scenario, on August 14, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his wish to visit Bangladesh promptly. At that time, he personally called interim government Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus to congratulate him and convey his intention to visit.
Bangladesh Bank Server Error, Cheque Clearing Shut
A technical error has occurred in Bangladesh Bank's server. Due to this, problems have arisen in the settlement of inter-bank transactions. As a result, the settlement of all clearing cheques settled on Monday (September 30) has been canceled.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Hosne Ara Shikha confirmed this information on Tuesday (October 1).
She said, yesterday there was a problem in cheque clearance due to a technical error in the server of the central bank. As a result, it was not possible to clear the cheques that arrived on Monday.
Hosne Ara Shikha said the central bank's technical team is working to resolve the server issue. The problem will be solved very soon.
An official of the central bank said that an error was detected in the server at 9 pm on Monday. The settlement of all cheques settled on Monday was canceled as the resolution was not resolved till 2 am.
Fakhrul Opposes Banning Awami League, Warns of Democratic Risks
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has opposed the idea of banning the Awami League from participating in the upcoming national election, despite describing the party as "politically bankrupt" and out of touch with the public, especially the youth. In an interview with UNB, Fakhrul argued that labeling the Awami League as a fascist party or barring it from elections would be detrimental to democratic norms.
He voiced concerns about the Awami League’s political future, pointing to its growing reliance on bureaucracy and state forces, which he claims has isolated the party from the public. Fakhrul emphasized that, while the party has been accused of undemocratic practices, banning any political organization, including the Awami League, would not solve the problem. He cited past failures, such as the banning of Jamaat-e-Islami, to support his point that such actions often lead to political re-emergence rather than resolution.
Referring to the proposal to amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which could ban political parties for up to a decade for crimes against humanity, Fakhrul warned against using legal measures to eliminate political actors. Instead, he advocated for allowing democratic processes to determine a party's fate.
Fakhrul also raised concerns over potential depoliticization efforts, drawing parallels to the events of 1/11, when local and international actors attempted to disrupt political stability in Bangladesh. He urged all political parties to remain vigilant and avoid actions that could undermine democracy, warning that similar plots might be underway once again.
In the wake of a student-led movement that played a significant role in toppling the Awami League, Fakhrul believes the party's growing disconnection from the people, especially the younger generation, will make it difficult to regain public trust. He stressed that the only path forward for any political party should be through fair competition and democratic practice, not through exclusion.
(Source: UNB)
All Pakistani Goods Removed from Red List: NBR
Following a request from Pakistan, goods imported from the country have been removed from the "Red List." On September 29, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) had categorized most goods imported from Pakistan as "Red Listed."
This information was revealed through an NBR order on Wednesday (October 2).
The order, signed by NBR's Second Secretary Md. Abdul Kaiyum, stated that all goods arriving from Pakistan have been removed from the "Red Lane" of the ASYCUDA World system. Previously, only goods from Pakistan were subject to the "Red Lane." The decision to remove them came after these goods passed the National Selectivity Criteria test.
The order further mentioned that while maintaining strict control over prohibited items like narcotics, the NBR is simplifying the import and clearance process for essential goods. This aims to ensure that there are no complications in importing raw materials for production-oriented goods. All consignments from Pakistan were being selected for 100% physical inspection under the National Selectivity Criteria, leading to delays for assistant or deputy commissioner-level officials. Since no significant issues were found during physical inspections, the order instructed Dhaka Customs House to exclude these consignments from the National Criteria.
It has been decided that all consignments from Pakistan will no longer be subject to the National Criteria. However, customs houses will still implement risk management for specific goods from Pakistan based on local criteria and risk considerations.
Earlier, on September 10, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, met with Finance and Commerce Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed. The High Commissioner called for strengthening the weakened bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Salehuddin Ahmed noted that trade between the two nations had declined for various reasons over a long period, but Pakistan now seeks to resume trade.
It is noteworthy that after the Awami League came to power in 2009, trade activities between Pakistan and Bangladesh were limited. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, due to public discontent, relations between the two countries began to normalize once again.