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DU Admission Tests Begin January 4
Rtv News
21 Oct 2024, 19:33
Photo: Collected
The admission tests for the new academic year at Dhaka University (DU) will commence on January 4.
The decision was announced on Monday (October 21) following a meeting of the university's general admissions committee. As per the schedule, the Fine Arts unit exam will take place on January 4, followed by the Arts, Law, and Social Sciences unit on January 25. The Science unit test is set for February 1, and the Business Studies unit exam will be held on February 8.
Additionally, the IBA unit's admission test is scheduled for January 3.
Applications for the admission tests will open on November 4 at 12 PM and close on November 25 at 11:59 PM. This year's application fee is set at 1,050 BDT.
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Babu Kamruzzaman Honored as ERF Journalist of the Year
Babu Kamruzzaman, a Special Correspondent at News24 Television, has been awarded the prestigious ERF-Nagad Best Reporting Award 2023 for his exemplary journalism focused on the private sector. His investigative report, "Grey Workers Life in Green Factories," sheds light on significant industry challenges, earning him this top accolade.
The award ceremony was held on November 5 at Dhaka's Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, where Md. Kamruzzaman received his award and honorary check from distinguished figures Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic and Commerce Adviser, and Dr. Ahsan H Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
This year, the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) reviewed 168 submissions spanning print, online, and television media, with Kamruzzaman’s report selected as one of 17 noteworthy pieces. His impactful reporting continues to drive critical conversations within Bangladesh's economic landscape.
Originally from Pathorer Char, Jamalpur, Kamruzzaman has gained widespread recognition as the host of prominent talk shows on News24 TV. Over his career, he has been honored with several awards, including the ActionAid Youth Journalism Award, the AmCham Frontline Journalism Award, and the ERF-BCCCI Award.
Expressing his gratitude, Kamruzzaman remarked, “This award is a powerful acknowledgment of the dedication of economic journalists. It encourages me to further push boundaries in this field.”
The Happiest and Unhappiest Countries in The World
The residents of Finland are officially the world's happiest people in 2024, according to a report from the United Nations and Oxford University.
The Scandinavian country topped the World Happiness Report, which includes 143 countries, for the seventh year in a row.
Famed for saunas and reindeer, the country has a population of approximately 5.6 million.
At the other end of the scale, Afghanistan came last in the ranking.
Meanwhile, happiness levels in the UK appear to be dropping as the country fell to 20th place – down from 19th in 2023. The United States has fallen out of the top 20 for the first time, a decline largely due to dissatisfaction among younger Americans.
Methodology
For the report, researchers surveyed over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries between 2021 and 2023 through the Gallup World Poll. Participants were asked to evaluate their happiness on a scale from 0–10, with 10 representing "the best possible life for them."
Researchers also evaluated six factors that could explain different levels of happiness in each country:
Social support
GDP per capita
A healthy life expectancy
Freedom to make life choices
Generosity
Perception of corruption
The happiest countries in the world
This year, the 10 happiest countries in the world were:
1. Finland (Score: 7.741)
2. Denmark (Score: 7.583)
3. Iceland (Score: 7.525)
4. Sweden (Score: 7.344)
5. Israel (Score: 7.341)
6. Netherlands (Score: 7.319)
7. Norway (Score: 7.302)
8. Luxembourg (Score: 7.122)
9. Switzerland (Score: 7.060)
10. Australia (Score: 7.057)
According to USA Today, the top 10 countries in the happiness ranking have largely remained the same over time, with Nordic countries near the top. Finland has also ranked first in happiness for seven years in a row.
The least happy places to live, the majority from Africa
Unsurprisingly, many countries impacted by war or political turmoil reported low – or falling – happiness levels.
Ukraine came 105th in the ranking, down from 92nd in 2023. Meanwhile, Russia was placed 72nd, down two places from the previous year.
Across all regions, negative emotions were more prevalent in female respondents.
The unhappiest countries in the world
This year, the 10 unhappiest countries in the world were:
1. Afghanistan (Score: 1.721)
2. Lebanon (Score 2.707)
3. Lesotho (Score: 3.186)
4. Sierra Leone (Score: 3.245)
5. Congo (Kinshasa) (Score: 3.295)
6. Zimbabwe (Score: 3.341)
7. Botswana (Score: 3.383)
8. Malawi (Score: 3.421)
9. Eswatini (Score: 3.502)
10. Zambia (Score: 3.502)
When conducting the research, scientists asked tens of thousands of participants about various factors contributing to a person’s overall well-being.
These included earnings, health, kindness, freedom to do as they pleased, and perceived levels of government corruption.
Based on these answers over three years, each country was given a happiness score from zero to 10 – with Finland scoring 7.74 and Afghanistan receiving 1.72.
For context, the UK’s score came in at 6.72.
The research also reported an increase in what it described as ‘benevolence’ following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rolls-Royce Enters EV Market with High-End Electric “Spectre”
Rolls-Royce has launched its first all-electric vehicle, the “Spectre,” marking its entry into the electric car industry with a luxurious $420,000 price tag, placing it among the elite in EVs.
The Spectre is powered by two high-performance electric motors, delivering 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Despite its size and weight, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, providing impressive power for a luxury EV.
It offers a range of around 266 miles per charge, with a particularly quiet ride—a unique touch compared to typical EV sounds under acceleration.
Engineered for smooth handling, the Spectre features cutting-edge steering and braking systems, rear-wheel steering, and a 360-degree camera for easy maneuvering.
Inside, it includes a top-tier infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 16-speaker audio setup for an immersive experience.
World Pneumonia Day Today
Today is World Pneumonia Day, observed across the country on Tuesday, November 12. This year’s theme is “Let’s Become Active Partners in the Fight to End Pneumonia.” Various government and non-government organizations have planned activities to mark the day.
According to statistics from the Directorate General of Health Services, 216,426 children have been diagnosed with pneumonia in Bangladesh over the first ten months of this year, averaging 709 cases per day. Last year, 204,412 children were affected by this disease, nearly all of whom had reportedly received government vaccinations for pneumonia prevention.
Pneumonia is a severe inflammatory disease of the lungs, especially affecting children and the elderly during colder months. Doctors indicate that factors like malnutrition, air pollution, lack of vaccination, and insufficient antibiotics make children more susceptible to pneumonia. However, it can also affect healthy young adults.
Pneumonia usually occurs when bacteria such as Streptococcus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infect the lungs, causing them to swell and fill with pus or fluid, reducing oxygen intake and making breathing difficult, leading to inflammation.
To prevent pneumonia, it’s important to wash hands regularly, take personal care, eat balanced meals, avoid smoking, and refrain from sneezing or coughing in front of others. Covering the mouth with a hand or tissue while sneezing or coughing is also recommended.
One major complication among pneumonia patients is low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia), which is a preventable cause of death, particularly among children. Experts advise that ensuring sufficient oxygen supplies in district and sub-district hospitals could reduce mortality by addressing this deficiency among children with pneumonia.
New AI Tool Uses Microorganisms to Track Recent Locations
Researchers have unveiled an innovative AI tool that can pinpoint recent locations by examining microorganisms collected from a person’s body. Published in Genome Biology and Evolution, the study shows that each environment hosts unique microbial communities, which act like "microscopic fingerprints" with distinct geographical signatures.
By analyzing these microbes, the tool can determine if someone has recently visited places like beaches, train stations, or parks.
Developed at Lund University in Sweden, this tool—unlike traditional GPS—relies on the Microbiome Geographic Population Structure (mGPS) model. It leverages AI to examine microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, which differ by location and leave clues about where a person has been.
According to researcher Eran Elhaik, “By tracing where your microorganisms have been, we can track disease spread, identify infection sources, and even aid criminal investigations.”
To train the AI, scientists gathered extensive microbiome data from diverse environments, including urban and soil samples across 18 countries and marine samples from nine water bodies.
Remarkably, the mGPS tool accurately identified the city source for 92% of urban samples. It even distinguished samples from two Hong Kong subway stations only 564 feet apart, though accuracy was lower in London, potentially due to the Underground’s less maintained stations.
This advancement opens doors to applications in medicine, epidemiology, and forensics, with accuracy expected to improve as more data is gathered.
Legendary Writer Humayun Ahmed's Birthday Today
Today, November 13, marks the 76th birth anniversary of the legendary novelist, short story writer, playwright, lyricist, and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed. He was born on this day in 1948 in Mohanganj, Netrokona.
Humayun, who succumbed to cancer on July 19, 2012, was the eldest son of police officer Faizur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Faiz, with three brothers and two sisters.
He is regarded as one of the most popular Bangladeshi authors of the 20th century, considered one of the greatest and most beloved writers of post-independence Bangladesh. Known for his unique dialogue-driven style, he introduced a new narrative approach in Bengali literature and pioneered modern Bengali science fiction.
His characters remain memorable even a decade after his passing, and he masterfully portrayed middle-class life with an enchanting prose style. At the Ekushey Book Fair organized by Bangla Academy, his books are still bestsellers among individual authors.
After completing higher secondary education at Dhaka College, he studied chemistry at Dhaka University and polymer chemistry at North Dakota State University. After his studies abroad, he returned to Bangladesh and served as a professor in the Chemistry Department at Dhaka University for many years before leaving academia to focus on writing and filmmaking.
His first novel, Nondito Noroke, was published in 1972, followed by Shonkhonil Karagar in 1974. These novels earned him acclaim from literary critics of the time.
Throughout his nearly 50-year career, he rose to the pinnacle of popularity in Bengali literature. Due to his exceptional storytelling style, he is often called the “Magician of Stories.” His works are known for their candid portrayal of middle-class life.
Humayun Ahmed authored over 200 novels, including Jochna O Jononir Golpo, Deyal, Badshah Namdar, Kobi, Shrabon Megher Din, Lilaboti, Gauripur Junction, Nripoti, Bohubrihi, Madhyanha, Eishob Dinratri, Daruchini Dip, and Nokkhotrer Raat. His characters "Himu" and "Misir Ali" gained immense popularity. He also gained fame for his science fiction and children’s stories, while his television dramas and films, such as Aaj Robibar, Eishob Dinratri, Bohubrihi, Ayomoy, Kothao Keu Nei, Nokkhotrer Raat, Aguner Poroshmoni, Shonkhonil Karagar, Shyamol Chhaya, Shrabon Megher Din, Daruchini Dip, and Ghetuputra Kamola, enjoyed widespread acclaim.
In recognition of his contributions to literature, Humayun Ahmed received numerous awards, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Michael Madhusudan Award, and multiple National Film Awards.
To mark his birth anniversary, Bangla Academy is organizing a seminar at the Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall today at 4 PM. Dr. Sarker Amin, Director of the Department of Culture, Periodicals, and Auditorium, will deliver the welcome address. The seminar will feature a paper presentation by writer Salahuddin Shubho, with discussions by Professor Ahmed Maula and Professor Sumon Rahman. The event will be presided over by Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam.
New Textbooks for Sixth and Seventh Graders to Arrive in January
Dr. Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Economic Advisor, announced that students in sixth and seventh grades in the Secondary and Higher Education Division (both Bangla and English versions), as well as in Dakhil (religious) and technical tracks, will receive new textbooks by January next year.
He shared this information with the media on Wednesday, November 13, following a meeting of the Government Procurement Advisory Council Committee held at the Secretariat.
The Economic Advisor stated that the Government Procurement Advisory Council Committee has approved the printing of textbooks for sixth and seventh grades in both Bangla and English versions, along with the technical board textbooks for the 2025 academic year. Students in these classes and in the technical board will have their textbooks in hand by early January of the upcoming year.
Sources from the meeting indicated that the approval covers printing, binding, and supplying textbooks for grades six and seven in both Bangla and English versions, along with Dakhil and technical tracks, and grades one, two, and three in Ebtedayi (primary religious education). This project will include the printing of 126,461,646 textbooks at a total cost of 5.27 billion Bangladeshi Taka.
Additionally, the Government Procurement Committee approved the proposal for printing, binding, and supplying 73,129,859 free textbooks for Ebtedayi grades one, two, and three, as well as for secondary (Bangla and English versions), Dakhil, and technical classes. These books will be acquired from 79 institutions through 107 lots, with a total budget of 2.87 billion Bangladeshi Taka.
In response to another proposal from the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the Advisory Council Committee approved the procurement of 53,331,787 free textbooks for seventh-grade students in secondary (Bangla and English versions), Dakhil, and technical classes. These textbooks will be sourced from 69 institutions through 99 lots, at a total cost of 2.40 billion Bangladeshi Taka.
