Information Summary of Local Daily News Reports

Date: 20 November. 2020

Part I: China-related reports

Topic: Guards behind killing of Chinese businessman in

Bangladesh: DB.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily New Age BD.

Summary: The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has completed

their investigation into the killing and burying Chinese businessman Gao Jianhui at
his rented house in the capital’s Banani in December 2019. In the charge sheet
submitted to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on November 15, DB
Gulshan division concluded that the house watchmen Abdur Rouf, 22, of Jhenaidah
and Enamul Hoque, 25, of Narail killed the Gao, 47, for cash and other valuables.
The investigators said that the suspects looted Tk 3,49,000 from the victim and later
transferred the amount to their relatives.Both Rouf and Enamul plotted the murder on
December 6, 2019 as they knew Gao used to keep cash in his apartment, they
added.The victim lived alone in the house as his family members are resident in
Fujian of China. He used to supply stones and construction materials to the Padma
Bridge and Payra Sea Port projects.The charge sheet said that on December 10,
2019, Gao came under attack by the watchmen who entered the house under the
ruse of seeking drinking water from him.

https://www.newagebd.net/article/122077/guards-behind-killing-of-chinese-
businessman-in-bangladesh-db

Part II: Politics-related reports of Bangladesh

Topic: Covid-19 claims 17 more lives, 2,275 new cases

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily TBS BD.

Summary: Bangladesh logged 17 more deaths from the novel coronavirus in the
last 24 hours till Friday 8am. The country's death toll from the virus now stands at
6,322, according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health
Services (DGHS).In the meantime, 2,275 people tested positive for Covid-19. The
number of novel coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 443,434.The latest
day's infection rate was 14.58 % of the total tests, though the overall rate in the
country till date was 16.91 %. The death rate stands at 1.43 %.Among the latest
day's victims, 11 were men and six were women. All the deceased died in different
hospitals across the country.Moreover, 12 of them hailed from Dhaka, one from
Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet and two from Rangpur division.Meanwhile, 15,607
samples were tested in 117 labs across the country in the past 24 hours. A total of
2,622,559 samples have been tested in the country so far. Also, 1,709 patients were
declared free of Covid-19 during the same period, raising the total number of
recoveries to 358,431 with an 80.83% recovery rate.
https://tbsnews.net/coronavirus-chronicle/covid-19-bangladesh/covid-19-claims-17-
more-lives-2275-new-cases-160471

Topic: Arson attacks are BNP’s planned game: PM.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Bangladesh Post BD.

Summary: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that the recent ‘arson
attacks’ are BNP's planned game. While attending a meeting of ruling Awami
League’s secretary level through a video conference, the Prime Minister also
criticized the BNP and other beneficiary groups for tarnishing the country's image by
spreading propaganda at home and abroad in the name of criticizing the
government. The meeting was held at the party’s central office in capital’s
Bangabandhu Avenue. At the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also said,
“BNP is taking parts in different elections only to create hue and cries. It is their
planned game. We know what they will do. Their purpose is to question the election.
She said that during the election to Dhaka-18 constituency on November 12, they
(BNP men) set fire on many buses. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of
Awami League, at the meeting directed to form all central sub-committees and
district committees of the party within a short period of time. She made the
instructions to her party members to gear up the party’s activities amid Covid-19
pandemic. Sheikh Hasina said she will soon meet party’s grassroots leaders across
the country virtually through several divisional representative conferences.

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/arson-attacks-are-bnp-s-planned-game-pm-47379

Topic: Govt allocates Tk 1,000cr for vaccines: PM

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Observer BD.

Summary: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again called upon the people
to strictly follow the precautionary health protocols against coronavirus to fight off the
second wave of the pandemic. Hasina spoke about collectively combating the virus
in a video conference with the secretaries of ruling Awami League at the party
central office on Thursday. Everybody has to follow the health directives to combat
the second wave of coronavirus. I'm alone at home at the moment, so I'm not
wearing a mask. But I always do it as soon as someone arrives," the ruling party
president said. Bringing up the measures taken by the government, she said, "The
government has pre-ordered vaccines at the expense of Tk 10 billion. Food must be
produced in excess to address any crisis which may occur and everybody needs to
remain vigilant. We had an idea right from the beginning. We've tried to ensure
health services in the farthest regions. There was a time when people travelled
overseas for treatment to get checked even for sneezing. But coronavirus has taught
us that it is possible [to be treated] in the country.

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=285494

Topic: Country sees rise in Covid deaths again

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Star BD.

Summary: The daily number of Covid-19 deaths has increased again as the
health directorate reported 30 deaths in the last 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday. This
was the second highest single-day casualty in the past 37 days, while the highest --
39 -- during this period was reported on Tuesday. During the same 37-day period,
the number was limited to 20 with a sudden rise to 25 or below for several days,
according to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Over the
last week, a rising trend was observed in daily deaths and the number of new cases.
With the latest figure, the Covid-19 death toll rose to 6,306. In the same 24 hours,
another 2,364 people tested positive for the virus, taking the total number of
infections to 4,41,159. Against a total of 17,531 tests in the same period, the
positivity rate was 13.48 percent, which is more than the previous day's 12.82
percent. With this, the overall positivity rate was 16.92 percent.According to experts,
the daily positivity rate is one of the important parameters to measure the
transmission level of the virus.

https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/country-sees-rise-covid-deaths-again-
1997877

Part III: Diplomacy related News.

Topic: US provides PPE to Gulshan Crime Division

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Independent BD.

Summary: The US Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday provided essential personal

protective equipment (PPE) to the Gulshan Crime Division of Dhaka Metropolitan
Police (DMP) as part of continued US support for Bangladesh’s Covid-19 response
efforts. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller and Embassy representatives of
the Diplomatic Security Service handed over the PPE to Shudip Kumar Chakraborty,
Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Gulshan Crime Division of Dhaka Metropolitan
Police (DMP). The United States said it remains committed to working in partnership
alongside Bangladesh to fight this pandemic and to further strengthen the two
countries’ already deep ties. The Gulshan Crime Division is on the frontline of
defence against Covid-19. It plays a key role in Bangladesh’s Covid-19 response as
it implements the government initiatives and safety measures to prevent the spread
of Covid-19. The PPE donation helps protect police in their role as first responders,
safeguarding communities and people living in Bangladesh, said the Embassy.

http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/256266

Topic: PM initiates global culture of peace following

Bangabandhu’s principles: Momen.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Independent BD.
Summary: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina initiated ‘culture of peace’ following the principles of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the world that has been adopted by 193
countries. Bangabandhu was very peace loving personality while the core feature of
‘culture of peace’ (initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) is to increase respect
among people to people,” he said. The foreign minister was speaking as the chief
guest at a virtual meeting titled ‘Political Philosophy of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”, organised by philosophy department of
Barishal University. Dr Momen said Bangladesh has secured the top position among
troops sending countries to the UN peace keeping missions for many years following
the principles of Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu had set the cardinal principle of our
foreign policy –friendship to all and malice to none – and we are still pursuing it,” he
said. Noting that during Bangabandhu’s time the world was divided into two blocks
— Western and Soviet — Momen said, “After our independence, Bangabandhu did
not join any block rather he had joined the non-aligned platform”.

http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/256278

Topic: Our defence goods suitable for Bangladesh: India

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily New Age BD.

Summary: The Indian government has expressed keenness on engaging

Bangladesh in exporting and coproducing heavy defence equipment, including
missiles, radars and artillery guns, according to an online discussion held on
Thursday. We are keen to work with Bangladesh for platforms like Akash [missiles],
radars, mortars, artillery guns, ammunitions, etc,’ Indian defence ministry’s secretary
on defence production Raj Kumar said at the discussion. The defence equipment
produced by India is compatible with the need for modernising the Bangladesh
defence forces under the Forces Goal 2030, he said. Mentioning the memorandum
of understanding signed between the two countries during a visit of prime minister
Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in 2017 for a US$500 credit line for defence
procurements, Raj Kumar said that the defence line of credit ‘is already operational.’
Defence cooperation and partnership between India and Bangladesh has made
significant gains in the last few years, he said, adding that there were potentials for
the two countries to engage in long-term strategic partnership in the areas of
shipbuilding for both commercial and defence requirements.

https://www.newagebd.net/article/122068/our-defence-goods-suitable-for-
bangladesh-india

Topic: Bangladesh to host 3rd Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda

Cluster Week.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Star BD.

Summary: The Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the Government of

Bangladesh, will host a high-level dialogue on November 23, kicking off the 3rd
Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda Cluster Week. The event will bring together
commerce ministers from different Commonwealth member states, alongside
leaders of regional and Commonwealth-wide private sector networks, to share
experiences and hone strategies for enhancing trade in the rapidly expanding digital
economy. It will also be an opportunity to look at how businesses can transition to
more resilient and sustainable models, supported by the governments, for a greener
post-Covid-19 future. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said, "The
disruptions triggered by Covid-19 have greatly accelerated the shift towards digital
trade, which was already unfolding before the pandemic struck. We now stand at a
pivotal crossroads where entire countries, sectors and companies are at risk of being
left behind. This calls for coordinated action that can help build resilience, while
catalysing a digitally-driven economic recovery across the Commonwealth that is
both inclusive and sustainable.

https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/bangladesh-host-3rd-commonwealth-
connectivity-agenda-cluster-week-1997765

Part: Economy-related Reports of Bangladesh

1) Macro economy

Topic: Bangladesh Bridge Authority rejects proposed toll hikes

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily New Age BD.

Summary: The board members of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority on Thursday

rejected recommendations for a 45 per cent increase in toll fees on an average for
using Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge. Bridges Division secretary
Mohammed Belayet Hossain told New Age that the recommendations were not
approved at a board meeting of BBA considering the COVID-19 situation. The
meeting recommended that the proposed toll rates be reduced,’ he said and added
that a revised proposal would again be presented at the next board meeting for
primary approval. Earlier a committee formed by the authority proposed a 38 per
cent to 60 per cent increase in toll rates for Bangabandhu Bridge on the river
Jamuna and a 20 per cent to 100 per cent increase for Muktarpur Bridge on the river
Dhaleswari. The committee also proposed separate toll fees for trailers for the first
time and 5 per cent increase in toll fees every three years. The recommendations
were discussed on Thursday at the board meeting while the road transport and
bridges minister Obaidul Quader joined the meeting virtually along with other
members, including officials from the ministries of home affairs, finance and land.

https://www.newagebd.net/article/122080/bangladesh-bridge-authority-rejects-
proposed-toll-hikes

2) Business

Topic: Biman flights on 5 int’l routes suspended till Dec 31

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Observer BD.

Summary: Biman Bangladesh Airlines has extended suspension of regular flight

operations on five international routes till December 31 due to the global Covid-19
pandemic. The five destinations are Manchester, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Madina and
Kuwait, the national flag carrier announced in its website on Thursday. On November
2, the national airliner had announced to suspend its flights on these five routes till
November 30 on the same ground. Biman suspended flight operations on all routes
in March following the global Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown. After
resuming international flight operations since the middle of July, the national flag
carrier restarted flights to London, Singapore, Malaysia, Delhi, Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Doha, Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh and Muscat.

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=285503

3) Financial:

Topic: Govt inks $100mn grant deal with WB to support Rohingya,

host communities
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Observer BD.

Summary: The Bangladesh government has signed a $100 million grant

financing agreement with the World Bank to scale up access to energy, water,
sanitation services and disaster-resilient infrastructures for the Rohingya and the
surrounding host communities, reports UNB. Md. Shahabuddin Patwary, Additional
Secretary, Economic Relations Division and Mercy Tembon signed the deal on
behalf of the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank respectively on
Wednesday, said the global lending agency on Thursday.The additional financing to
the ongoing Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project will benefit
about 7,80,800 people, including 1,40,800 local people with better public
infrastructure.This will help about 3,65,800 people access to improved water sources
and 1,71,800 people access better sanitation.This will be achieved through installing
mini-piped water supply schemes, point water sources, and rainwater harvesting
systems, along with household toilets and community toilets in the Cox's Bazar
district. Since the very beginning of the crisis, the World Bank has been supporting
Bangladesh respond to the needs of Rohingya people as well as the host
communities," said Mercy Miyang Tembon, World Bank Country Director for
Bangladesh and Bhutan.

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=285390

Topic: Huge Japanese investment expected by 2030.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Bangladesh Post BD.
Summary: Japan is framing a 10-year strategy plan of investment for Bangladesh
as it considers the latter the most lucrative investment destination in both the
manufacturing and the non-manufacturing sectors. As per the government's (BD)
investment friendly plan, besides the existing companies, a good number of new
Japanese companies are interested to increase and make investments in
Bangladesh. According to a survey, it was learned that 70 per cent Japanese
companies want to expand their investment in Bangladesh, which is the highest
among other countries. On the other hand, around 50 Japanese companies are
expected to arrive in the country every year with investment. To this end, a plan is
chalked out from 2021 to 2030 to increase investment from Japan. Soon, a strategy
will be announced on how much and in which sectors they are going to invest
gradually by 2030. More investment will come in the infrastructure and services
sector. Japan External Trade Organization’s(JETRO) Yuji Ando confirmed this
recently. JETRO has also written to the commerce minister and the secretary.
According to sources, how much investment will come during this tenure from Japan
is yet to be known.

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/huge-japanese-investment-expected-by-2030-
47374

4) Banking

Topic: BB relaxes regulations for outward remittances.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Financial Express BD.

Summary: The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has relaxed regulations allowing industrial
enterprises to remit their 1.0 per cent of sales revenue for different legitimate current
payments without prior approval from the central bank.Under the relaxations,
legitimate current payments like audit fee, certification fee, commissioning fee,
testing fee, valuation fee, etc. will be remittable within the purview of the 1.0 per cent
limit, according to a notification, issued by the BB on Thursday.The industrial
entrepreneurs earlier were allowed to remit such payments through their nominated
authorised dealer (AD) banks only for training and consultancy fees without prior
approval from the BB, officials said. The central bank, however, restricts payments
which require permission from competent authorities including permission from
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) for remittances of royalty,
technical knowledge or technical assistance and franchise fees.

https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/bb-relaxes-
regulations-for-outward-remittances-1605796414

5) Foreign Trade

Topic: Finnish cos keen to raise trade with BD.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Financial Express BD.
Summary: Finnish entrepreneurs are highly interested to increase bilateral trade
and investment with Bangladesh for mutual benefits of the two countries, said a top
leader of the Finland Chamber of Commerce (FCC) at a cloud conference on
Thursday. "Many Finnish companies are bringing technology to Bangladesh through
investments. We are more than happy to present them with opportunities in the fields
of circular economy, energy, forest, logistic, and digital services industry - where we
have the most opportunities for bilateral trade," said FCC president and chief
executive officer Juho Romakkaniemi. We have to agree on some principal ideas
and agendas together in our coming engagements. The FCC president added that
the trade-body is eagerly waiting to get more engaged with the FBCCI alongside
trade ministries in the upcoming bilateral business event on 9th December. He was
speaking at the cloud conference of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), titled 'Bilateral Trade and Investment Opportunities
in the Ongoing Global Pandemic and Beyond'. FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim
said, "Although Bangladeshi products enjoy duty-free, quota-free (DFQF) facility in
Finland under the EU GSP (EBA), our bilateral trade with Finland remains far below
potential."

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/finnish-cos-keen-to-raise-
trade-with-bd-1605803175

6) Infrastructure (road, railway, bridge, port, airport, water

treatment, power, etc.)

Topic: Padma Bridge main structure’s work progress 91pc: Quader.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Independent BD.

Summary: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the
construction of the 6.15-kilometre Padma Bridge is progressing fast as around 91
per cent work of the main structure of the bridge has been completed. Thirty seven
spans out of total 41 of the Padma multipurpose bridge have already been installed
making the 5.55 kilometer of the bridge visible,” he said after unveiling the annual
report for 2019-20 fiscal of the Bridges Division. The minister unveiled the report at
the 109th board meeting of Bangladesh Bridge Authority joining it though a
videoconferencing. He said if the current of river remains at the expected level, it will
be possible to install the rest of four spans by mid December. The minister said the
progress of river treatment is now around 75 percent while the overall progress of
the project 82 percent. Quader said a 2.50-kilometer tube ring of the Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (Karnaphuli river tunnel) has been installed while
boring work of second tunnel tube will begin by second week of December. The
physical progress of the project is now around 60 percent. Bridge Division Secretary
Mohammad Belayet Hossain, other board members and senior officials of the Bridge
Division joined the meeting through videoconferencing.

http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/256263

Topic: 129 more fire service stations by 2021: Kamal.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Independent BD.

Summary: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said 129 more fire
service stations will be set up across the country by 2021 as part of the
government’s plan to ensure one fire station for every upazila. With the new 129 fire
service stations, the total number of the stations will be 565 in the country,” he said
while inaugurating ‘Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020’ through video
conference at Fire Service and Civil Defense Training Center at Mirpur-10 in the
capital. The minister, “So far, 436 fire stations have been set up across the country.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared to set up fire service stations at every
upazila across the country,” he added. He said the government has also approved to
set up modern model fire service stations in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur industrial
area and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant area. The government also will set up 155
more fire service stations. With the new stations the total number will be 720 in
future,” Kamal said. The minister said some 204 fire service stations were in the
country in 2008 and the government has set up 232 new fire stations, adding,
“Before assuming power, the total manpower in the fire service was 6,175. But now
the number of manpower rose to 13,100.”

http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/256264

Topic: Excelerate Energy to be LNG partner for 1200MW power

project in Payra.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Sun BD.

Summary: US energy giant Excelerate has shown interest to become a partner

with state-owned North-West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) for
setting up 1,200MW LNG-fired power plant at Payra in Patuakhali.The power project
is a part of one of the three units of a LNG-fired plant having a combined capacity to
generate 3600MW electricity with German company Siemens. We are planning to
include the Excelerate as our LNG partner to implement the 1200MW LNG-fired
power project here,” NWPGCL managing director M Khorshedul Alam told the Daily
Sun.He said NWPGCL was evaluating the expression of interest (EOI) submitted by
Excelerate to include the firm as a joint development (JD) partner.Excelerate Energy
LP, USA vice president Ramon Wangdi, in a letter last month, said Excelerate has
extensive experience in LNG trading with over 6.5 million tonnes of LNG sold
through over 80MSPAs and worked with QatarGas as its fuel supply partner. He
informed Qatar is the largest LNG producer in the world with production expected to
reach levels in excess of 110 MTPA, accounting for over 25 per cent of total global
LNG production.

https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/518739/Excelerate-Energy-to-be-
LNG-partner-for-1200MW-power-project-in-Payra

7) Industry
Topic: PM to seal fate of coal power plant
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Financial Express BD.

Summary: The Power Division will soon seek suggestions from the Prime
Minister about the fate of under-construction and proposed coal-fired power plant
projects. The division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, or
MPEMR, is now preparing a detailed document on the latest status of the country's
all the 23 coal-fired power plant projects. The document will be placed soon to the
Prime Minister's Office to get advice from the Prime Minister," a senior official at the
Power Division told the FE on Thursday. Sources said the widening gap between the
country's overall electricity generation capacity and demand has prompted the
government to review the status of such plants and take necessary decision in this
regard. According to statistics of state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board,
or BPDB, the countrywide electricity generation during the day peak hours on
November 18, 2020 was around 7,952 MW and in the evening peak it was around
9,429 MW, which are less than half of the country's overall electricity generation
capacity of around 20,383 MW.

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/pm-to-seal-fate-of-coal-power-
plants-1605808929

Topic: IFAD Group to set up Tk 433cr industrial complex at

Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Star BD.

Summary: IFAD Group is keen to invest Tk 433.5 crore to set up an industrial

complex at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) as it looks to
make a foray into the growing motorbike and automotive component segments. The
group placed its investment plan to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority
(Beza) on Monday, seeking 30 acres land at the sprawling industrial city in Mirsarai,
Chattogram. IFAD intends to set up three factories in the proposed industrial
complex: a manufacturing and assembly plant for motorcycles, a factory for
automotive components, and a blending plant for machine lubricants. There is a
huge business opportunity in Bangladesh for automotive components as there are
more than 10 lakh commercial cars and 16 lakh passenger cars and they need spare
parts," said Taskeen Ahmed, managing director of Ifad Autos. The demand for auto
components is growing. Now, the demand is met through imports. Thirty per cent of
the project cost, or Tk 130 crore, would come from the company's retained earnings
and the remaining 70 per cent, or Tk 303.5 crore, would be borrowed from banks.

https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/ifad-group-set-tk-433cr-industrial-
complex-bangabandhu-shilpa-nagar-1998021

Part V: Safety-related Reports of Bangladesh

Topic: Mask, face shield must to fight C-19: Health experts.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Observer BD.

Summary: Amid the fear of second wave of Covid-19 transmission in the country,
health experts underscored the need for wearing face mask and face shield to avoid
the novel coronavirus infection. The experts also said the deadly virus is more
aggressive and stronger this time as winter season is prevailing in the country.
However, the death and infection tally of Covid-19 infected has increased in the
country in the last couple of days. The deaths and infections have also increased in
the world. Experts are constantly underlining the importance of wearing face
coverings while stepping out in public. "When any go out from home must wear the
face shield. it is strongly recommended to wear a face shield along with your face
covering for the additional protection especially anyone planning to stay outdoors for
a long period," medicine specialist and physician of a private hospital Dr ZM Kabir
Chowdhury told the Daily Observer on Thursday. The face shield is not a
replacement for face mask, but rather should be worn along with it for additional
protection, he added.

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=285485

Topic: BNP MP Zahidur, Dulu test positive for Covid-19.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Observer BD.

Summary: Two BNP leaders have tested positive for coronavirus in Thakurgaon
and Lalmonirhat district. BNP MP Zahidur Rahman Zahid of Thakurgaon-3
constituency has been infected with Covid-19. He has been suffering from fever and
cold for the last few days, said Pirganj Upazila Health officer Dr Abdul Zabbar. MP
Zahidur gave his samples for Covid-19 test at Thakurgaon Chest Disease Clinic on
Wednesday and the report came out positive. In Lalmonirhat, former lawmaker of
BNP Asadul Habib Dulu tested positive for coronavirus. Hafizur Rahman Babla,
secretary of district unit BNP, said as BNP leader Dulu was feeing unwell he was
taken to a clinic on Wednesday morning where the doctors collected his samples for
Covid-19 test. On Wednesday evening, Dulu's report came out positive and he was
taken to Azgarh Ali Hospital in Dhaka for better treatment. Bangladesh on
Wednesday announced 2,111 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, pushing up the total tally
to 438,795. Bangladesh's health authorities also announced the death of 21 more
deaths from the virus during the period that took the total casualties to 6,275.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the death rate from
the virus now stands at 1.43 percent.

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=285492

Topic: 87 people sued in Dhaka for not using mask

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily New Age BD.
Summary: Dhaka district administration for the third consecutive day on Thursday
conducted mobile courts at its five upazilas and different locations in the capital in a
bid to check the possible second wave of coronavirus infections.The mobile courts
filed 85 cases against 87 people and fined them Tk 21,500 for not using mask in
public places. The executive magistrates also distributed 1,600 masks free of cost as
part of their public awareness activities, said a press release.Dhaka district additional
deputy commissioner (general) Md Momin Uddin said that to ensure the use of mask
the district administration would continue its drive.A total of 15 mobile courts
operated in areas around the court and the secretariat, Matijheel, Jigatola, Press
Club, Jatrabari and Khilkhet Thursday.Executive magistrates said that they intended
to make people aware of the importance of mask use but when someone was found
unwilling to use mask knowingly they fined the individual.

https://www.newagebd.net/article/122039/87-people-sued-in-dhaka-for-not-using-
mask

Topic: 65 fined for not wearing masks at Chittagong.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Sun BD.

Summary: Separate mobile courts fined 65 people Tk 6,700 for not wearing face
masks as a protective measure to prevent infection by deadly coronavirus in the port
city on Thursday. Executive Magistrates Md Omar Faruk, SM Alamgir and Ali Hasan
led the mobile courts in the city’s EPZ, Muradpur, Bahoddarhat and Bayezi Bostami
areas.

https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/518780/65-fined-for-not-wearing-
masks

Topic: Dengue cases spike steeply.

Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Sun BD.

Summary: Dengue cases continue to spread with another 32 more patients

hospitalised in 24 hours till Thursday morning, according to the Directorate General
of Health Services (DGHS). The DGHS said the 26 patients have been admitted to
different hospitals in Dhaka and six was hospitalised outside the capital on the same
day. Currently, 92 dengue patients are undergoing treatment in different hospitals
across the country. Of them, eighty-five patients are receiving treatment in 41
government and private hospitals in the capital while seven are taking treatment in
hospitals outside the capital. However, no new death from the disease was reported
in the last 24 hours, the health directorate said. A total of 954 people have been
diagnosed with dengue since the beginning of this year.

https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/518781/Dengue-cases-spike-steeply
Topic: Bhanga prepares for second wave of COVID-19.
Date: 20 November.
Source: The Daily Asian Age BD.

Summary: Bhanga upazila is currently preparing to face the second wave of

COVID-19. Newly built 50 bed upazila hospital with new accommodation building is
being prepared to withstand the pressure of patients. Faridpur-4 MP Mujibur
Rahman Chowdhury Nixon urge hospital authorities to supervise all healthcare
facilities related to COVID-19 treatment. A views-exchange meeting between doctors
and medical officers took place regarding this issue. Upazila health and Family
Planning Officer Dr Mohsin Fakir presided the views-exchange meeting in the
upazila on Wednesday morning. He said MP Nixon already has made Bhanga
Upazila Health Complex corruption and broker-free. As the gynaecology department
has seen upgrades and experienced doctors have been appointed, patients now
prefer this establishment more than the clinics in the area. This is a true achievement
in government healthcare sector. When the new building will be ready for the
patients, this hospital will be viewed as a modern healthcare facility thus patients of
the area will get most of the treatments for which they had to go to the capital earlier.
Contacted, MP Nixon informed that the hospital was infamous for being a utopia for
brokers and fake health certificate makers. Patients often lost their valuable goods
while being treated.

https://dailyasianage.com/news/247572/bhanga-prepares-for-second-wave-of-covid-
19