Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought strong partnership with the United Nations as he fears that COVID-19 may impede the progresses in the area of SDG achievements and the country’s graduation trajectory.
Month: July 2020
BD reports 4,019 more virus cases in 24hrs, 38 deaths
Dhaka, July 2: Bangladesh reported 4,019 more coronavirus positive cases in last 24 hours till Thursday afternoon, taking the total infection cases to 1,53,277.
Oscars Academy boosts female minority membership
Young actresses Awkwafina, Zendaya and Constance Wu were among those invited to join Hollywood’s Academy on Tuesday, as the Oscars-awarding club opened its prestigious doors to a diverse crop of new members.
Global NGOs rap Google’s Fitbit buyout
An international group of consumer advocates and NGOs denounced Google’s bid for sports smartwatch-maker Fitbit Thursday, saying it would threaten privacy and grant Google unfair access to a new market.
WHO says Mideast at ‘critical threshold’ in virus numbers
The World Health Organization warned Wednesday the Middle East was at a decisive moment in the fight against the novel coronavirus, with cases surging as countries ease lockdown measures.
Home-developed breast cancer drug first prescribed in China
Chinese doctors have given their patients the first sheets of prescriptions of a new, home-developed breast cancer drug, 12 days after the drug was approved for clinical use.
Photo competition in support of #UN75
The United Nations has invited all to join unique photography competition promoting the UN’s universal values.
Saved by the Pandemic?
by Mark Lynas HAY-ON-WYE – COVID-19 has killed more than 500,000 people worldwide, made millions more ill, and continues to wreak havoc. But as the saying goes – and without wishing to downplay this human tragedy in any way –…
Why Disaster Preparedness Cannot Wait
By Jagan Chapagain and Andrew Steer GENEVA/WASHINGTON, DC – The world has been planning for the future in the mistaken belief that it will resemble the past. But as COVID-19 coincides with cyclones in South Asia and the Pacific and…
The Plastic Pandemic
By Jacob Duer SINGAPORE – There is no denying that single-use plastic has been a lifesaver in the fight against COVID-19, especially for frontline health workers. It has also facilitated adherence to social-distancing rules, by enabling home delivery of basic…
Hong Kong: US passes sanctions as nations criticise new law
The US House of Representatives has approved new Hong Kong-related sanctions after Beijing imposed a security law that was condemned by countries around the world. The measure, which was passed unanimously, penalises banks that do business with Chinese officials.
Hong Kong celebrates 23rd anniversary of return to motherland
HONG KONG, July 1 (Xinhua) — China’s Hong Kong celebrated Wednesday the 23rd anniversary of its return to the motherland, after a law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong came into force Tuesday night.
BNP slams govt for imposing fee on corona testing
Dhaka, July 02 – BNP on Wednesday alleged that though most countries are conducting free corona tests across the world, the government has fixed test fee in Bangladesh as it has become a ‘mass enemy’.
Global virus death tally 515,542; infected cases 10.6 mn
Dhaka, July 02 – The global death toll from coronavirus infections stood at 515,542 on Thursday morning while the confirmed cases crossed 10,664,433, according to the Centre for System Science and Engineering of Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
WHO Warns Global Coronavirus Pandemic is Accelerating
The World Health Organization says 60 percent of the world’s 10 million coronavirus cases since December came in the month of June – a sign that the pandemic is getting worse and not slowing down.
Putin wins referendum on constitutional reforms
Russians have strongly supported constitutional reforms that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036, partial results indicate. With about 87% of ballots counted, more than 77% of voters backed the measures, the electoral commission said.
Mushfiqur finds a way for skill training in Covid-19 time
DHAKA -Wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim found a way to keep practicing his batting and wicket-keeping when it was tough to do anything apart from gym at home during the Covid-19 time. The senior national cricketer didn’t get any big ground…
Workers won’t accept closure of Jute mills: Zonayed Saki
Chief Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Zonayed Saki on Wednesday said that the workers of state-owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) will not accept its closure as it is an arrangement to “loot the state wealth and smuggling them abroad”.
Recruiting Agencies’ Assoc BAIRA for Tk 20 bn stimulus deal
Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) on Wednesday demanded stimulus package of Tk 2,000 crore arguing that the manpower export sector is the greatest sufferer of damage during Covid-19 pandemic.
Drop plan to enact political party registration law: BNP
BNP on Wednesday demanded the Election Commission postpone its move to formulate a new law over political party registration until the Covid-19 pandemic is over.
NGOS want emergency Rohingya response fund terms revised
CCNF, a network of more than 50 local and national NGOs working in Cox’s Bazar, urged the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) to revise the allocation application’s conditions of $4 million CERF/emergency coronavirus fund so that local NGOs can participate in…
BNP MPs reject budget; say it’ll widen scope for plundering
BNP MPs on Wednesday turned down the national budget passed in Parliament on Tuesday as they think it will only create further scopes for those who plunder public money instead of helping the nation overcome the coronavirus fallouts.
‘Imported coal, LNG-based power to deepen financial stress’
Bangladesh’s current masterplan to increase power-generating capacity, that accommodates increasing dependence on expensive, imported coal and LNG, puts it on course for even deeper financial stress emanating from the power sector and percolating through the entire economy, similar to the…
Russian cosmonaut votes on Putin’s reforms from ISS
Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin became the first person to vote online from the International Space Station on Tuesday, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos announced.
Ozil’s wages won’t influence selection, says Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists unhappy Mesut Ozil will not be selected just because he has a huge salary.
Lightning, thunderstorm kills 11 people in India’s Bihar
At least 11 people were killed due to lightning and thunderstorm in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials said Wednesday.
Number of cattle markets to be reduced if needed: Quader
Apprehending further rise in coronavirus cases due to cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps in this regard and reduce the number of cattle markets if…
Transcom Group chairman Latifur Rahman dies
Latifur Rahman, chairman and CEO of Transcom Group, passed away at his village home on Wednesday afternoon. He was 75. He had been suffering from old-age complications and breathed his last around 1 pm, said Jahidul Islam, caretaker of his…
Virus death toll in BD climbs to 1,888 with 41 more deaths
Dhaka, July 1: Bangladesh’s COVID-19 death toll climbed to 1,888 on Wednesday as 41 people died in last 24 hours.
China adopts law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong
Beijing, Xinhua/UNB, July 01 – China’s legislative body has adopted the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).