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Bangladeshi journalist to collect Developing Asia Journalism Award in Tokyo
International desk
02 Jul 2024, 21:34
Among the five winners of this year's Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA) is Bangladeshi environment journalist Abu Siddique, a contributing editor for the 25-year-old global environment news site Mongabay.com. His winning entry, 'Amid changing climate, Bangladesh farming groups conserve indigenous rice seeds,' published by Mongabay, tells the story of a man from Shyamnagar Upazila in Satkhira who has been collecting and preserving seeds of indigenous, salinity-tolerant paddy breeds to help farmers adapt to the changing climate.
Hosted by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), the DAJA program rewards top journalism that accurately reports on global efforts advancing sustainable development amid intensifying climate risks, according to its news release. Chosen from more than 160 entries from across Asia and the Pacific, the five winning journalists published articles that illustrate the diverse impacts of climate change on people's lives and livelihoods, it says.
Siddique worked for some of the nation's leading news outlets, including Dhaka Tribune, Daily Sun and The Business Standard for a decade, as well as influential global outlets The Third Pole and Climate Home News, before becoming an editor for Mongabay. He has explored the remotest corners of the country in search of stories that have often made headlines and hit the talking points.
This award is only his latest: In 2018, his investigation for Dhaka Tribune 'The hungry children of Mother Ganges' won a South Asian Digital Media Award, and also that year, his feature 'Solar street lamps light up rural Bangladesh village' won a UN-OHRLLS's Voices of Brighter Future Award.
Siddique will collect this latest award during a ceremony in Tokyo on July 8th. During the event, he and his fellow award winners will discuss how journalism and research can complement each other to inform climate risks, adaptation and mitigation efforts with ADBI staff, the DAJA judges and advisory panel.
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New price determination of gold
Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) set the price of 22 carat solid gold at Tk 1 lakh 15 thousand 882 after reducing the price by Tk 1 thousand 295 in the market. It will be effective from Sunday (June 9).
This information was given in a press release signed by Masudur Rahman, Chairman of the Price Determination and Price Monitoring Standing Committee of Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) on Saturday (June 8).
Diarrhea germs found in 6 street foods including Chatpati-Cholamuri
Excessive Escherichia coli (E-coli), Salmonella spp and Vibrio spp bacteria were found in 6 street foods of the capital, including Chatapti, Cholamuri. These bacteria can cause various problems in human stomach including diarrhea.
This information came out at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) research results notification seminar on Sunday (June 9) morning.
The results of this study were presented in the training room of BFSA. The head of the Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Research Laboratory of Dhaka University and the head of the research team Dr. Md. Latiful Bari and his team conducted this research.
The research team conducted this study on chatpatti, cholamuri, sandwich, sugarcane juice, aloe vera syrup and mixed salad. 450 samples of these street foods were collected from 37 zones of Dhaka North and South City Corporation and tested.
The results of the study showed that on average, 72 million E-coli, 750 Salmonella and 750 Vibrio bacteria were found in each plate. In other words, 7 crore 2 lakh 1 thousand 500 bacteria were found in one plate. 7.5 lakh 40 thousand E-coli, 2 thousand Salmonella and 3 million Vibrio were found in Cholamuri. 2 thousand E-coli, 2 thousand Salmonella and 160 thousand Vibrio were found in the sandwich. 65,000 E-coli, 17,000 salmonella and 13,000 Vibrio were found in sugarcane juice. 56,000 E-coli, 18,000 salmonella and 14,000 Vibrio were found in aloe vera extract. E-coli 1,800, Salmonella 510 and Vibrio 300 were found in the mixed salad.
For every 10,000 people eating these street foods, 2 people get sick due to E-coli bacteria, 4 people get sick due to Salmonella bacteria and 1 person gets sick due to Vibrio bacteria.
In the seminar, Latiful Bari said, due to contaminated water, dirty towels, unclean hands, dusty environment, such germs are mixing in food. Due to lack of knowledge and awareness of vendors about health and sanitation, germs are getting into food and juice. People are getting infected with bacteria like E-coli, Salmonella and Vibrio by eating various street foods. But not getting sick. It is not known why people are not getting sick. However, to make street food safe, emphasis should be placed on training and daily monitoring of vendors.
At that time, Director General of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate AHM Shafiquzzaman said that the number of food licenses in each district and who is selling food outside the scope of this license should be brought under scrutiny.
Announcement of new schedule of Bank transactions
Bangladesh Bank announced the new schedule of bank transactions.
In a circular issued by Bangladesh Bank on Sunday (June 9), it is said that from June 19, bank transactions will continue from 10 am to 4 pm.
Apart from this, the offices of the banks will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be weekend on Friday and Saturday.
Bangladesh Bank issued this directive under the authority of Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991.
Meanwhile, currently bank transactions are open from 10 am to 3:30 pm and bank offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Results of postponed 19 Upazila Polls
Due to Cyclone Remal, the election of 19 upazilas out of 20 postponed in the sixth Upazila Parishad general election. It was held yesterday. Polling started on time in 181 centers on Sunday (June 9), which continued till 4 pm. Out of this, only EVM votes were taken in Mathbaria of Pirojpur. Upazila Parishad elections have been completed by voting in these 19 upazilas.
While there were complaints of various irregularities during the polling, no major untoward incident was reported.
The list of elected chairmans in 19 Upazilas:
Jhalakathi: Emadul Haque Monir has been elected as Chairman for the second time in a row in Kathalia Upazila Parishad elections. Meanwhile, Milon Mahmud Bachchu was elected privately in the Rajapur Upazila Parishad elections. Emadul Haque Monir got 20 thousand 375 votes in Kanthalia. His closest rival Golam Kibria Sikder got 12,681 votes. Milon Mahmud Bachchu got 21 thousand 50 votes in the Rajapur Upazila Parishad elections. His nearest rival Afroza Akhtar Laizu got 16 thousand 820 votes.
Barishal: Municipal Awami League president Monir Hossain Mia has been elected as the Chairman of Upazila Parishad in Gournadi of the district. He received 40 thousand 443 votes. His nearest rival Upzilla Awami League general secretary Harichur Rahman got 36 thousand 924 votes.
Upazila Awami League general secretary Jatindra Nath Mistry has been elected Chairman in Agailjhara upazila. He got 26 thousand 758 votes. His nearest rival Agailjhara Upazila Awami League Vice President Abdur Roich Sherniabat got 25 thousand 869 votes.
Bagerhat: Senior Vice President of Upazila Awami League Abu Taher Howladar has been elected as Chairman of Mongla Upazila Parishad of the district. He got 27 thousand 902 votes. His closest rival is General Secretary of Upazila Jubo League. Iqbal Hossain got 18 thousand 417 votes.
Upazila Freedom Fighter Commander, Morrelganj Awami League Vice President Md. Liakot Ali Khan was elected as Morrelganj Upazila Parishad Chairman. He received 38 thousand 399 votes. His closest rival is the convener of the Upazila Awami Jubo League Md. Mozammel Haque received 26 thousand 729 votes.
Upazila Awami League vice president, current chairman Raihan Uddin Akon Shanto has been re-elected as Chairman of Sharankhola Upazila Parishad. He received 30 thousand 192 votes. His closest rival is General Secretary of Upazila Awami League Asaduzzaman Milon got 18 thousand 815 votes.
Patuakhali: The current chairman of Mirzaganj Upazila Parishad, district Awami League relief and social welfare affairs secretary Khan Md. Abu Bakar Siddiqui wins again. He got 24 thousand 850 votes. His closest rival is the current vice chairman of the council and the former president of Upazila Chhatra League Zahirul Islam got 20 thousand 892 votes.
Former member of District Jubo League at the Patuakhali district Rezaul Karim was elected privately.
Expatriate Awami League leader Kawsar Amin Howladar has been privately elected as Chairman of Dumki Upazila Parishad.
Netrokona: Former General Secretary of Khaliajuri Upazila Jubo League of the district Shamchuzzaman Talukder has won the post of Chairman. He got 20 thousand 603 votes. His nearest rival former upazila chairman Kibria Jobbar got 18 thousand 15 votes.
Barguna: Enamul Hossain has won in Patharghata Upazila Parishad elections of the district. He is the former General Secretary of Patharghata Upazila Chhatra League. Upazila Awami League organizational secretary Md. Mizanur Rahman.
has been elected as Chairman of Bamna upazila.
Pirojpur: Md Bayezid won in Mathbaria upazila of the district. He is the former president of Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra League.
Khulna: Upazila Awami League Joint General Secretary Anando Mohon Biswas has won the post of Chairman in Paikgacha Upazila Parishad elections.
District Awami League member Gazi Ejaz Ahmed has been re-elected as Chairman in Dumuria.
GM Mohsin Reza was elected in Koira upazila. He is the president of Upazila Awami League.
Bhola: BNP leader Akhtaruzzaman has won the Lalmohan Upazila Parishad election in the district. BNP has two committees in Lalmohan. Akhtaruzzaman is the general secretary of one of these committees.
On the other hand, upazila Awami League general secretary Fazlul Haque Dewan was elected as Chairman in Tazumuddin, Bhola.
New army chief Waker-uz-Zaman
Lieutenant General Waker-uz-Zaman has been appointed as the Chief of Army.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) informed this information in a circular on Tuesday (June 11).
Zaman was born in Sherpur District on 16 September 1966.
Zaman graduated from Defence Services Command and Staff College. He studied at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom. He holds a master's degree in defence studies from Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in defence studies from King's College, University of London.
Waker-uz-Zaman OSP, SGP, PSC assumed the duties of Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army on 01 January 2024. An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, the General was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on 20 December 1985. Having an illustrious and colourful career of more than three and half decades, Lieutenant General Waker brings with him an enormous amount of experience of holding key command, staff and instructional appointments.
In his distinguished military career, Lieutenant General Waker Commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of BD Army and an Infantry Division. His key staff appointments include staff officer at an Infantry Brigade, School of Infantry and Tactics and Army Headquarters. He was a distinguished instructor at 'School of Infantry and Tactics', 'Non-commissioned Officers' Academy' and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training'. Lieutenant General Waker served as the Military Secretary in Army Headquarters. Prior to joining as the CGS of BD Arrny, he performed as Principal Staff Officer of Honourable Prime Minister at Armed Forces Division under Prime Minister's Office.
As the head of the Armed Forces Division, he was directly involved with the UN Peacekeeping Affairs of Bangladesh Armed Forces. He was also nominated as a Gender Champion and Gender Advocate of Bangladesh for UN Peacekeeping Affairs. By virtue of his appointment as Principal Staff Officer, he also headed the 'Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention' as Chairman. Under the Blue Helmet, Lieutenant General Waker completed two tours of duty as observer and staff in UNAVEM (Angola) and UNMIL (Liberia) respectively. As the CGS of the BD Army, he is responsible for the military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, budget, and many other affairs of the BD Army.
Lieutenant General Waker had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade for three consecutive times. He was awarded the coveted 'Army Medal of Glory (SGP) and Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP) for his remarkable contributions in the modernization of the army. He frequents as a keynote speaker in different seminars and symposiums both at home and abroad. He enjoys games and sports. He is happily married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman and blessed with two daughters: Samiha Raisa Zaman and Shayeera Ibnat Zaman.
From June 23 BA-2902 Lieutenant General Waqar-uz-Zaman (OSP, SGP, PSC, Chief of General Staff-CGS) has been promoted to the rank of General and appointed as Army Chief for the next three years from that day.
According to the notification, he will receive emoluments as per the Chiefs of Defense (Recruitment, Pay, Allowances and Other Benefits) Act, 2018.
Russell's Viper is the new panic, expanding rapidly
Russell's Viper. Of all the poisonous snakes in the country, it is the most dangerous venom. Pour the maximum during the bite. Although it was originally known as the snake of the Barind region, the panic of the snake has now spread all over the country. However, just a decade ago, the name of Russell's Viper was not heard much. It was thought to be extinct. Experts say that the snake has not only expanded in the last few years; The ability to adapt has also increased. As a result, the snake is now frequently seen in areas where people have not heard the name Russell's Viper. The lack of suitable anti-venom has increased the level of panic several times.
The antivenom available in the country is used only after the bite of four types of snakes. It doesn't work as well on Russell's viper bite. Research has begun to create Russell's Viper Venom, but success has not yet come. No private pharmaceutical company in the country has made anti-venom. Only Incepta imports a limited quantity of anti-venom from India as per the order. In this situation, Russell's Viper bite is being bitten and has to die due to lack of treatment. Even if they survive in some way, long-term damage is being done to the lungs and kidneys.
Experts say that now the breeding period of snakes is going on, so it is seen more. However, Russell's Viper has a lot of adaptability. Professor Farid Ahsan of the Zoology Department of Chittagong University is researching 'Russell's Viper Reappearance and Human Risk'. He says, 'Russell's viper doesn't have a specific breeding period; They can breed at any time of the year. However, the snake's breeding rate is the highest for the next three months from May. Moreover, the snake gives birth without laying eggs. As a result, breeding is also rapid. The terrible poisonous snake can move comfortably through both land and water. So in the rainy season, it can float far with water hyacinth and transfer itself.'
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that antivenom made from local snakes is most effective for the treatment of snake bite patients. Because, the nature of snakes in different countries, types are different. Only 20 percent of the snakes from which venom is collected in India matches the snakes of Bangladesh. But for years, snake bite victims are being treated in Bangladesh with antivenom made in India.
Researcher of Venom Research Center, Abdullah Abu Sayeed said, 'The main goal of our Venom Research Center is to collect venomous snakes. Then nurture them and collect poison. Snake venom collection is currently underway. The venom of 11 varieties of snakes in our country has been collected. However, it is not possible to make anti-venom quickly. The process is very long. Now many types of Venom experiments are going on. Again, many tests of this step are not done in our country. Recently, some venom has been sent to a lab in Spain in collaboration with the WHO. We need to identify the nature of Venom.'
Sought loan from China to implement Teesta master plan: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the government is working to implement the Teesta master plan. In this context, the 51st meeting of the Foreign Aid Search Committee of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) decided to request the Chinese government to get an easy loan for the implementation of the project.
She said this in reply to a question from MP Hamidul Haque Khandaker from Kurigram-2 constituency in parliament on Wednesday (June 12).
The Prime Minister assured the parliament that the government has taken initiatives to implement the Teesta Master Plan to mitigate the sufferings of the people on the banks of the Teesta River in North Bengal. In order to implement the Teesta Master Plan, the PDPP of about Tk 8,210 crore was given to the ERD in August 2020 after completing the survey with the financial assistance of the Chinese government.
In addition, the PDPP sent an evaluation report of the Chinese government to the ERD on March 5 last year. The report mentions the lack of further analysis of large-scale land development and use and the development of navigation systems and large-scale investments.
