Dhaka, April 22 – Earth Day was observed in Bangladesh, as across the globe, on Wednesday. Each year, Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It aims to draw attention…
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WHO had been warning on COVID-19 from day one, says DG
Geneva, 21 Apr (Kanaga Raja) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has been warning about the novel coronavirus (and the disease it causes in humans) from day one, and nothing had been hidden from the United States, the WHO Director-General…
Keys behind World Press Freedom Index rankings
The latest world press freedom index, as before, puts the Nordic countries at the top of the table. Norway is number one among the first seven best achievers in the index. Finland, Denmark and Sweden occupy the second, third and…
Mother sells hair for Taka 180 ($2) to buy milk for baby
Savar (Dhaka), April 22 – The nationwide shutdown aimed at curbing coronavirus has left her day-labourer husband jobless, leading their family, including her toddler, to starvation. As the family is new in the locality, no-one gave them any relief either.
SF: COVID-19 Pandemic Amplifies Threats to Media
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating threats to press freedom globally, potentially undermining access to freely reported and reliable information for years to come, an international press freedom watchdog said Tuesday.
US State Missouri sues China over virus pandemic
The US state of Missouri is suing the Chinese government and the ruling Communist Party over what it calls deliberate deception leading to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Keep food supply chains on; Save lives during COVID-19
21 April 2020 – A new study on food insecurity by an alliance of UN, governmental, and non-governmental agencies analyzes what is fueling global food crises and examines how, among other emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic is perpetuating downward cycle for…
Earth Day on Wednesday
Earth Day will be observed in Bangladesh, as across the globe, on Wednesday. Each year, Earth Day—April 22—marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.
Stay industrial activity: Indigenous peoples across Amazon
225 international organizations announce their solidarity with indigenous demands during the coronavirus pandemic, including an Amazon-wide moratorium on all industrial activity.
No space for social distancing in Rohingya Refugee camps
By Rafiqul Islam Nine-year-old Mohammad Rafique used to collect vegetables from Kutupalong Bazaar and sell them at a market inside Kutupalong camp, a camp of some 600,000 Rohingyas, in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar.
Europe’s social safety nets were not ready for the corona shock
by Sarah Marchal and Ive Marx on 21st April 2020 @IveMarx The coronavirus crisis has punched a hole in Europe’s safety nets. But they were already frayed and urgent repairs are needed.
Oil price below zero as coronavirus turmoil persists
The price of a barrel of Brent Crude – the UK benchmark for oil – has slipped below $20, its lowest level since 2002. The close to 20% slump follows negative prices being recorded for a barrel of West Texas…
BCG Vaccine Fighting Coronavirus in South Asia?
By Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Apr 20 2020 (IPS) – Numerous studies in many parts of the world have linked the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccination, widely used in the developing world with fewer Coronavirus cases. This is good news…
Trump temporarily suspending immigration for virus threat
Washington, AP/UNB, April 21 – President Donald Trump on Monday said he would temporarily suspend immigration into the US because of the coronavirus outbreak. “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect…
Can the Covid-19 lockdown spark a clean air movement?
When India shut down last month and suspended all transport to contain the spread of coronavirus, the skies over its polluted cities quickly turned an azure blue, and the air, unusually fresh.
Seoul looking into reports about Kim Jong Un’s health
Seoul, AP/UNB, April 21 – South Korea is looking into US media reports claiming that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was in serious condition after surgery.
Covid-19: IFAD fund to help check rural food crisis launched
Rome, 20 April 2020 – With the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown threatening the lives and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable people, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today committed US$40 million, and launched an urgent appeal…
Govt spending must target inequalities, not bail out riches
Geneva, 17 Apr (Kanaga Raja) – States need to invest massively in decreasing inequalities and poverty arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and not just bail out large corporations, banks and investors with no human rights or social conditions attached.
China’s political system and the coronavirus
by Branko Milanovic on 20th April 2020 @BrankoMilan Branko Milanovic explores how the pandemic has highlighted China’s international responsibility and how such global ‘externalities’ are to be rendered accountable.
More than dozen people killed in Canada shooting rampage
A gunman in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia has killed at least 16 people, including one police officer, during a 12-hour shooting rampage. The suspect was later shot dead by police.
2.1 million MT food grains to be procured this season: PM
Dhaka, April 20 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the government will procure 2.1 million metric tons (MT) of food grains in the current season to ensure food security in the country and fair prices of farmers’ produce.
Sydney beaches re-open: ‘The mood is quite happy now’
Frances Mao, Sydney I’ve just spoken with a local cafe owner very pleased about the news. Tony Burrows owns the Coogee Bite Cafe perched at the north end of Coogee Beach. He was down on the sand this morning at…
Global Coronavirus death toll 165,058, cases 2,406,905 now
Dhaka, April 20 – The global death toll from coronavirus reached 165,058 on Monday morning. So far, 2,406,905 cases have been confirmed around the world after the highly contagious disease was first reported in China in December last year, according…
Former band vocalist ‘kills himself’ in Chattagong
Chittagong, April 20 – A former vocalist of a band and executive member of Chattogram Krira Sangstha allegedly took his own life at Badar Aulia Mazar area early Monday.
Hospitals in hotspot Narayanganj not ready for corona battle
Dhaka, April 20 – Although Narayanganj has been declared a hotspot of coronavirus infection in Bangladesh, no hospital has yet been prepared in the city to treat Covid-19 patients.
কওমী ও প্রাইভেট মাদ্রাসা শিক্ষক মসজিদ ইমামদের বিশেষ ভাতা দাবী
কওমী ও প্রাইভেট মাদ্রাসা শিক্ষক-কর্মচারী এবং মসজিদের খতীব, ইমাম, মুয়াজ্জিন, খাদেম সাহেবদের দাবি নিয়ে জাতীয় ওয়ায়েজীন পরিষদ বাংলাদেশ এর পক্ষ থেকে মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার নিকট খোলা চিঠি
Addressing the effects of COVID-19 on Bangladesh agriculture
Prof. Dr. Md. Sekender Ali The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a crisis of a completely different magnitude and it requires a response of unprecedented scale. Public and private Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) of Bangladesh should come…
People not in safety net count need to be seen and supported
Mostafa Kamal Majumder As the duration of the coronavirus lockdown is in the fourth week in Bangladesh beginning on March 26, new categories of people vulnerable to hunger are emerging. They are normally not the people to ask for support…
Problems facing persons with disabilities and way forward
Amrita Rejina RozarioWith current Covid-19 pandemic flaring up across 210 countries in the world, millions of poor people are already affected and more so in the developing world.
Global Coronavirus death toll now 160,757, infected 2,330,986
The global death toll from coronavirus reached 160,757 on Sunday morning. There have been 2,330,986 confirmed cases around the world after the highly contagious disease was first reported in China in December last year, according to worldometer.