A fire has broken out in a super-board manufacturing factory of City Group in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj. At least, 10 units of fire service are working to control the fire. The fire broke out on Sunday (March 24) at noon. No casualties have been reported so far. Fire Service Control Room Duty Officer Faruk confirmed the matter. Gazaria Upazila Fire Service Station Officer Rifat Mallik said that the factory produces various variants of hardboards. On receiving the news of the fire, we reached the spot immediately and started the work of controlling the fire. At present, 10 units of fire service are working.

Initial reports suggest there were no survivors after the Ilyushin Il-76 military cargo plane crashed in Russia's Ivanovo region. Russia said one of its Il-76 military cargo planes crashed shortly after takeoff from an airfield northeast of Moscow on Tuesday. "An Il-76 military transport aviation plane crashed in the Ivanovo region while taking off to perform a scheduled flight. On board were eight crew members and seven passengers," the defense ministry said. It added an engine fire during takeoff was the likely cause of the crash in the the Ivanovo region, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Moscow. According to online reports, there were no survivors. Multiple unverified videos and photographs of a falling aircraft circulated on Russian social networks. Air traffic increased due to war in Ukraine  The Defense Ministry reported dozens of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia when the crash occurred. Ukrainian drones hit some targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow.  Russia has significantly increased the transport of troops and military equipment by air and land across its territory during its two-year war in Ukraine. In January, Russia said Ukraine had downed an Il-76 in the Belgorod region near the countries' shared border.  The four-engine Il-76 is a heavy-lift transport plane that has been in service with the Soviet and then Russian air forces since the 1970s.  

The Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS 2024 concluded its First Regular Session (Feb 5, 2024) with the Presidency of the Bangladesh Government held on 2 February at UNHQ in New York.  While chairing the closing of the Session, the President of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith said that UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS have been navigating and responding to the multiple and overlapping crises from the past few years, and their commitment to strengthen support, especially for the most vulnerable and the people at risk, is reassuring.  During the week-long session held from 29 January to 2 February 2024, the Board engaged in interactive discussions covering substantive, operational and management issues, including impacts of the work of the UN agencies at the country level. The session addressed vital aspects pertinent to the key oversight functions of the Board, encompassing the policy evaluation, scrutiny of auditors' reports, and other pertinent governance issues. During the session the heads of these three vital UN agencies - UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem and UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva exchanged dialogue with the members of the Board. They expressed their strong commitment to remain on the ground and continue delivering for the people, irrespective of the complex economic, political and security challenges. Ambassador Muhith expressed his commitment to supporting the work of these three UN agencies through technical and strategic guidance and remaining engaged with members of the Board to ensure that the work of the UN produces the most effective results for the people. Apart from chairing the Executive Board sessions, Ambassador Muhith held meetings and interactions with the heads of the agencies at the bilateral and regional setup.  Ambassador Muhith assumed the responsibilities of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board as the President on 10 January 2024,. He is the first Bangladeshi Ambassador to be elected as the President of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board. Previously, he served as the vice president of the same Board and the President of the UN Women Executive Board. 

Sam Altman, the highly popular face of OpenAI, the parent company behind AI chatbot ChatGPT, has been fired after a "deliberate review process" by the board of directors. Altman said "he loved his time" at the company. Sam Altman, the founder and CEO of OpenAI, has departed the company, its board of directors said Friday. OpenAI is behind the pioneering AI chatbot ChatGPT. OpenAI's board wrote in a statement that Altman will step down as CEO and will be replaced temporarily by Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati. The search for a permanent CEO continues, the statement read. Altman's departure follows 'deliberate review process' "Mr. Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board," the company said, "which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities." Altman acknowledged he was leaving OpenAI in a post on X, formerly Twitter, but did not say anything about his interaction with the board. "i loved my time at openai. it was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. most of all i loved working with such talented people. will have more to say about what’s next later," he wrote. The board also said that OpenAI President Greg Brockman will be stepping down as chairman of the board but "will remain in his role at the company, reporting to the CEO." The company said its board consists of OpenAI's chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, and three non-employees: Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner of the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Altman: a well-known face of AI Altman helped start OpenAI as a nonprofit research laboratory in 2015 and his profile grew as the popularity of ChatGPT grew over the last few years. He became a well-known face in the halls of government in debates over AI regulation and on a world tour earlier this year, he was mobbed by a crowd of adoring fans at an event in London. OpenAI’s key business partner, Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars into the startup and helped provide the computing power to run its AI systems, said the transition won’t affect its relationship. 

Flight services of the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) were disrupted after five three Boing 777 aircraft were grounded as they had no engines, ARY News reported on Saturday, adding that the fleet included two permanently grounded aircraft. According to the ARY News, a total total of 7 aircraft out of 12 are currently operational while another is lying dysfunctional in Jeddah. The national airline needs $60 million for the maintenance of its aircraft. Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul haq Kakar has asked his minister for Privatisation, Fawad Hasan Fawad, to fast-track the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), ARY News reported. Chairing a meeting to review the process of PIA's privatisation in Islamabad, he urged the stakeholders concerned to expedite the process keeping in view raising standards of the national flag carrier as per international standards. Kakar directed all relevant stakeholders to find an immediate solution to the matters related to this privatisation. During the meeting, the acting PM was briefed on the progress of the privatisation process of PIA. He also welcomed Fawad Hasan Fawad to his team. Earlier, amid a major financial crisis, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled several domestic and international flights, ARY News reported on Thursday. The flights scheduled to take off from/to the Karachi airport were cancelled after the national airline failed to pay Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for fuel supply. The Pakistan-based media outlet reported that the cancelled flights include Karachi-Turbat, Karachi-Gwadar, Karachi-Quetta, Karachi-Sukkur and Karachi-Multan. Earlier, the PIA grounded five out of its 13 leased aircraft with further prospect of grounding four additional planes due to the pending dues. However, the PIA asked for an emergency bailout of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 22.9 billion which was then rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Moreover, the ECC also rejected the request made by PIA for deferment of the payments of Rs 1.3 billion per month, which the national carrier pays to FBR against FED and Rs 0.7 billion per month which PIA pays against the rising charges, Geo News reported. Further, the PIA also warned that Boeing and Airbus might suspend the supply of spare parts by mid-September. In July the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) froze the national carrier's account on the basis of non-payment of more than Rs 2 billion in taxes, according to ARY News. In January last year, the FBR froze 53 bank accounts of the PIA after it was found to have defaulted to taxes worth PKR 26 billion. However, those bank accounts were restored after PIA assured them of early clearance of the taxes. (ANI)

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan opted to bat first after winning the toss in their first game of the Asia Cup against co-host Sri Lanka at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy today. "Looks to me a dry wicket, hopefully we can put the runs on the board," Shakib said, explaining his decision to bat first. "We know Sri Lanka are a very good team, we have to be at our best in batting, bowling and fielding. We have got three seamers and three spinners in our squad." As it was expected, Tanzid Hasan Tamim made his debut as Liton Das was ruled out with viral fever. Tanzid, popular known as junior Tamim, will open the innings with Naim Sheikh who played only four ODIs so far. Bangladesh also brought back off-spinning allrounder Mahedi Hasan who played his last of three ODIs in December 2021.

Two strong teams from South Asia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, are getting ready to face each other.  High Voltage match will take place on August 31 at 3:30 pm at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Look Probable XI of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. Sri Lanka’s Probable XI Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha.    

Bangladesh opener Liton Das is uncertain for Asia Cup-2023 due to fever.  Media manager of Bangladesh Cricket Board, Rabid Imam confirmed the information on Sunday. He said, "He can't go with the team for the illness. He has a mild fever, if he feels better, then he will join the team." However, the 16th edition of the tournament will be started on August 30. On August 31, Bangladesh will be played with Sri Lanka.

Water level of Teesta river is flowing 20 cm above the danger limit on Monday, August 14.  The Information confirmed by Dalia Water Development Board Executive Engineer Asfauddin Daula. Local people are afraid that the areas might go again under water. Surveyor of Water Development Board, Nurul Islam said, water level of Teesta had flown under the danger level on Sunday, but it has been flowing above the danger level since the morning. Another officials of Teesta’s Dalia point, BWDB, Executive Engineer Asfauddaula said, all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened to control the flow of water.

Water of 12 rivers at Barishal Division in Bangladesh have risen above danger level. Deputy Assistant Engineer of Barisal Water Development Board Tajul Islam confirmed the matter on Wednesday, August 2. He said, "Although the water level of the river has increased, but there is no chances for flooding. It is a normal conditions for the season." Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said, The water of Kirtankhola river is flowing 10.15 cm above danger level. The water of Dharmaganj river is above 10.36 cm. Bishkhali river in Jhalkathi is above of 10 cm, Bishkhali river is above 10.31 cm. 0.64 cm above of Surma and Meghna rivers of Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola. Tajul Islam said that the water flow of 19 rivers of the division monitored during the monsoon season. According to Wednesday's report, water from 12 rivers is flowing over the boundary in 24 hours.