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Dhaka's Air Quality Marks 'Very Unhealthy' Today
Rtv News
19 Nov 2024, 13:30
Photo: UNB
Dhaka's air quality was identified as 'very unhealthy' this morning (November 19, 2024).
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 246 at 08:20 am, Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh ranked 2nd on the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
India's Delhi, Pakistan's Lahore, and India's Kolkata occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 491, 232, and 226, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', between 151 and 200 is 'unhealthy', between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', and a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's 'unhealthy' air quality persists
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in the winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka's air is harmful to any person. Today, the three areas in and around Dhaka where the pollution situation is relatively worse are ICDDRB, Becharam Deuri, and Hemayetpur in Savar.
The main component of Dhaka's air pollution is the presence of very fine particulate matter or PM 2.5 in the air. Today, its presence in Dhaka's air is 31 percent higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.
Source: UNB
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Students' Protest Inside Dhaka Board, Several Injured
A group of students protested inside the Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on Sunday, demanding the results of the HSC-equivalent examination without discrimination. They say that they were attacked during the program. A few students were injured in the attack.
The results of the HSC, equivalent examination were published on October 15. Aggrieved students say that the results that have already been published are discriminatory. For this, they are demanding to 'map' all the issues and publish the results anew.
After 12:30 pm today, a group of students under the banner of 'HSC Batch 2024' took a procession from Central Shaheed Minar and left for Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. The procession reached the boarding gate around 1 pm.
At one stage, the students entered the board. Angry students said that they were attacked inside the board. Some students were injured in this attack. They want justice for this attack.
On the other hand, board officials say that suddenly some students entered and vandalized. They even ransacked the board chairman's room.
The students were protesting at the board's inner square till writing this report at around 3 pm. Police and army personnel are on the spot. They are trying to convince the students.
Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Chairman Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar told the media that the results of this examination have already been published in light of the instructions of the Ministry of Education.
Rezaul Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chowkbazar Police Station said that there has been discrimination in the results - this is the complaint of the students. They were standing in front of the board in protest. At one point they entered the board. The board employees stopped the students to protect their documents and other belongings. Then he heard that some students were injured in the stampede. Students are still protesting. The situation is now under control.
Confined Dhaka Board Chairman at Night: Calls for Auto-Pass Intensify
A group of failed HSC students stormed the Dhaka Education Board, demanding the cancellation of results and automatic pass for all. After protesting throughout the day, they continued their sit-in through the night, confining the chairman, exam controller, and other officials inside the office.
By 7 PM on Sunday (October 20), the officials were still unable to leave. Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar, Chairman of the Education Board said, “We have been here all day and now we can't leave the office. The students even vandalized parts of the building. The Education Ministry has been informed, and we are awaiting their decision.”
In a late-night address, Sarkar urged the protesting students to return home, assuring them that the government would look into their demands. However, the students chanted slogans, insisting on an immediate cancellation of the results and an auto-pass for all.
The situation escalated earlier in the day when students gathered at the board’s gate, locking it before breaking in and allegedly vandalizing the chairman’s office. Several students were injured in clashes, with 11 confirmed injured, including five identified students receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Police and military personnel arrived at the scene to maintain order and urged the students to protest peacefully and return home, but the students refused, vowing to stay until their demands are met.
The HSC results, published on October 15, showed a 77.78% pass rate across 11 education boards, with 145,911 students achieving GPA-5. While many successful students are preparing for university admission exams, others are protesting for the annulment of the results.
Three of a Family Shot Dead in Ukhiya Camp
Three members of a family were gunned down by unidentified terrorists at a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar early Monday (October 21).
The incident happened around 5 am.
The deceased were Ahammad Hossain (65), his son Syedul Amin (28), and his daughter Asma Begum (15). They were residents of camp No-17 of X-block.
Confirming the matter, Ukhiya police station's Officer-in-Charge Arif said they are investigating to identify the killers.
He said that with the help of APBN police, the body was recovered and sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy after this incident. Legal action is pending.
According to the camp sources, the campaign has been associated with the terrorist activities of the deceased Rohingya Syedul Amin Arsa for a long time. Because of this, unknown terrorists attacked him brutally and killed him along with his parents.
After the attack, unidentified terrorists escaped through S-4, and B-7 blocks of Lal Pahar.
National Finance Ltd. Appoints New Board Members
National Finance Ltd. (NFL), a leading financial institution in Bangladesh, has announced key appointments to its Board of Directors today. Ms. Fahima Mannan has been named Chairman, while Ms. Arifa Kabir takes over as Vice Chairman. Abu Samsul Kabir and Ridwan Zahir Khan have also joined as new directors.
Ms. Mannan, who has been with NFL’s board since 2016, holds an MBA in Finance from Hofstra University, USA, and serves on the board of OMC Group. Ms. Kabir, a graduate of North South University, previously held a directorial role at Bengal Windsor Thermoplastics Ltd.
Abu Samsul Kabir brings 15 years of experience from KABCO Pharmaceuticals in New York, specializing in supply chain management. Ridwan Zahir Khan, currently a director at Ananta Garments Ltd., holds a Master’s in Global Management from Royal Roads University, Canada.
National Finance Ltd. looks forward to benefiting from the extensive expertise and strategic vision of its newly appointed board members as it continues to drive its mission of delivering innovative financial solutions and achieving new milestones in Bangladesh’s financial sector.
National Finance Ltd. (NFL) is one of Bangladesh's premier financial institutions, committed to providing comprehensive financial services and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers. With a strong foundation in the financial sector, NFL continues to contribute to the growth and development of Bangladesh's economy.
Eight Tankers Derailed in Chuadanga, Khulna Rail Link Cut
Eight tankers of an oil-carrying train derailed in Chuadanga, causing a complete suspension of rail communication between Khulna and the rest of the country.
The incident occurred around 12:45 AM on Tuesday night (October 22) at the Uthli Railway Station in Jibannagar Upazila.
As a result of the derailment, two Khulna-bound trains—Chitra Express and Simanta Express—were halted, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and facing difficulties.
Mintu Kumar Roy, the station master of Uthli Railway Station, told the media that the oil train was heading towards Khulna when it derailed near the station's down-signal point.
He added that a rescue train is on its way to the site to begin recovery operations soon.
Border Killing: Bangladeshi Shot, Body Taken by BSF
A Bangladeshi named Rezaul Karim (26) was killed in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Dhobaura border in Mymensingh. Deceased body was taken across the border by BSF personnel, according to a report.
The incident took place near 1139/9 S Pillar in Munshipara BGB camp, Digalbag border area of South Maizpara Union at around 9 pm on Thursday (October 24). The deceased Rezaul Karim is the son of Abdus Sattar of Narayanpur village of Sherpur district.
Nayek Subedar Hazrat Ali of Munsapara BGB Camp confirmed the matter on Friday (October 25) night.
Talking to some locals, it is known that Rezaul Karim was a drug dealer. Go to India to get medicines at low cost. Locals heard loud gunshots on the border at 9 pm on Thursday. Later that night, Rezaul Karim did not return.
Subedar Hazrat Ali said that Rezaul Karim entered India illegally. He died there. We have received a letter from BSF. However, the letter did not mention the cause of death or why he entered India.
He further said, we will send a letter on Saturday. However, we are not allowed to bring dead bodies through our camp area. Senior officers will decide on this.
Train Schedule Disruption Persists
Although the derailed Panchagarh Express coach has been recovered, the situation remains unmanageable due to damage to the signaling system. As a result, each train is departing three to three and a half hours late.
On Saturday (October 26), not only the journey was delayed, but the railway authorities also canceled the journey of the inter-city Jayantika Express on the Dhaka-Sylhet route and the Agnibina Express on the Dhaka-Tarakandi route.
Meanwhile, passengers returning to Dhaka after a long time are also expressing their anger, blaming the authorities for the prolonged situation.
Railway authorities said that efforts are underway to normalize the schedule. They say the train is still running with the manual signal. Work is underway to fix the signal issue.
Although the carriage of the derailed Panchagarh Express has been recovered, the situation is still beyond control due to the damage to the signal system.
Meanwhile, the railway authorities have formed an inquiry committee into the derailment of the coach. Action will be taken subject to the report of the committee.
It is to be noted that the Panchagarh Express train met with an accident at the Kamalapur railway station area on Thursday (October 24). In this, 3 coaches of the train fell off the line. However, no one was injured.
