United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm alert for multiple districts, warning of gusty or squally winds and lightning accompanied by rain.  The advisory, released on Monday (21 April) morning, forecasts temporary gusts reaching 45–60 kilometres per hour or more across several parts of the country. Rains likely in Dhaka, other divisions According to the warning, between 8:00 am and the next two to four hours, districts including Rangpur, Dinajpur, Bogura, Tangail, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Faridpur, Madaripur, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram may experience sudden thunderstorms, lightning, and rainfall accompanied by gusty or squally winds. To reduce the risk during lightning, the Met Office has issued several precautionary guidelines.  People are advised to remain indoors during lightning activity and to keep doors and windows securely shut.  Travel should be avoided where possible during this period. The warning also urges citizens not to seek shelter under trees and to avoid lying on concrete floors or leaning against concrete walls during thunderstorms.  Besides, it is recommended to unplug all electrical and electronic devices during such weather conditions. Those in or near waterbodies are advised to move to safety immediately.  The department also warned the public to maintain distance from all conductive materials and to remain indoors during any hailstorms. The Met Office continues to monitor the situation and advises the public to stay alert and follow safety instructions to minimise risks during these adverse weather conditions.    

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thunder showers in all divisions including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Monday. Trump's executive order to boost U.S. commercial fishing draws mixed reactions “Rain or thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely at a few places over Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna & Barishal divisions,” said a Met office bulletin. The country’s highest temperature 36.7  degrees Celsius was recorded in Khulna on Sunday while the lowest temperature at 20 degrees Celsius in Nikli of Kishoreganj district. Trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay. Day and night temperature may rise slightly over the country.    

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing the U.S. commercial fishing industry by easing federal regulations and opening up new areas for fishing. The move was welcomed by fishing industry groups but drew strong criticism from environmental organizations. Trump called the decision “an easy one,” claiming it would strengthen the U.S. fishing economy and reduce the country’s seafood trade deficit, which exceeds $20 billion. “The United States should be the world’s dominant seafood leader,” he said during the announcement. The order marks a significant shift in federal policy, prioritizing economic interests over conservation efforts that have long sought to protect vulnerable fish populations. Environmental groups warn that loosening regulations could further strain already declining species. “Rather than cutting red tape, this order pulls apart the very protections that safeguard our oceans and seafood supply,” said Beth Lowell, vice president of Oceana, a marine conservation group. She emphasized the importance of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the cornerstone of U.S. fishery management for nearly five decades. Dhaka’s worst air quality persists Environmentalists point to rising numbers of overfished species, which grew from 40 in 2013 to 47 in 2023, as a sign that existing protections need to be strengthened, not weakened. They also highlight depleted stocks in regions like the Northeast, where Maine shrimp and Atlantic cod have collapsed, and on the West Coast, where salmon numbers have dwindled. Despite these concerns, many in the fishing industry see the executive order as a lifeline. Lisa Wallenda Picard, head of the National Fisheries Institute, praised the order for reducing what she called “unnecessary regulatory burdens” and supporting every part of the seafood supply chain. The same day, Trump also rolled back protections on a vast marine sanctuary in the central Pacific Ocean — the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument — allowing commercial fishing in the area. The monument, created in 2009 by President George W. Bush, covers over 495,000 square miles. The debate continues between those who believe easing restrictions will help revive struggling fishing communities, and those who argue that long-term sustainability must remain the priority.      

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked first on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 176 at 9:30am this morning (April 20, 2025). Today’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy,’ referring to a severe health threat, according to the AQI index. The city’s air quality was also marked as worst with AQI score of 173 yesterday. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Pakistan’s Karachi and Lahore, and Nepal’s Kathmandu cities respectively occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 168, 159 and 158 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘unhealthy’ The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per 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, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has topped the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 173 at 09:05am on Saturday. The air was classified as 'unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. India’s Delhi, Vietnam’s Hanoi and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the second, third and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 149, 147 and 125, respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘unhealthy’ Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per 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 world’s worst this morning  

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked third on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 161 at 9:25am this morning (April 18, 2025). Today’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy,’ referring to a severe health threat, according to the AQI index. The city’s air quality was defined as the world’s worst with an AQI score of 183 on Thursday, last working day of the week.    When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Senegal’s Dakar, Pakistan’s Lahore, and India’s Delhi cities respectively occupied the first, second, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 275, 164 and 160 respectively. Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘unhealthy’ The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per 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, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked first on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 183 at 9:25am this morning (April 17, 2025). Today’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy,’ referring to a severe health threat, according to the AQI index. Yesterday’s (April 16) air quality marked unhealthy for sensitive groups with an AQI score of 133. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘unhealthy’ Nepal’s Kathmandu, Senegal’s Dakar, and Vietnam’s Hanoi cities respectively occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 170, 167 and 160 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per 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.

Rachel Dancyg never thought she would see her dog again after it disappeared in the Hamas attack that sparked the ongoing war with Israel. Her ex-husband and brother were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel and killed. She thought her beloved pet had suffered the same fate. So when a soldier called the family on Tuesday night, telling them that Billie had been found alive in Gaza, it was hard to believe. “It's a miracle,” Dancyg told The Associated Press on Wednesday, hours after being reunited with her now 3 1/2-year old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. “It doesn’t make sense ... People didn’t survive. How did she?" The reunion brought a rare touch of joy in Israel after 18 months of devastating war. The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack killed some 1,200 people and resulted in more than 250 others being kidnapped. Nearly 60 hostages remain in Gaza, more than half of whom are believed to be dead. An Israeli offensive launched after the attack has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to local health authorities, and reduced large parts of Gaza to rubble. U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire and bring home remaining hostages appear to be at a standstill. Nir Oz was one of the hardest hit communities, with nearly a quarter of the approximately 400 residents killed or captured in the 2023 attack. For Israelis, it stands out as the embodiment of their country’s vulnerability that day. Soldiers took hours to respond. Some families have said they saw Hamas militants killing or kidnapping animals. It's unclear how Billie ended up in Gaza. When Hamas entered Dancyg's home, she hid in the safe room with her family for eight hours, holding the door shut. But she fled so quickly there was no time to find the dog. For months, the community looked everywhere for Billie, but there was no trace of her. Nepalese national Bir Bahadur Rai reunites with family after 45 years The family later moved to northern Israel. Then, on Tuesday night, Dancyg’s daughter received a phone call from a soldier who had just returned from Gaza. He said he had their dog. “I couldn’t believe it. I asked for a photo. I was really confused,” said her daughter, Lee Maor. The soldier said he found Billie in Gaza's southern city of Rafah — about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the Kibbutz — days earlier, and she immediately gravitated toward his troops, not leaving their side. It might have been because Billie heard them speaking Hebrew, he told them. Speaking to Israeli television, reserve soldier Aviad Shapira said he found Billie among the rubble and called out to her. “I said ‘shalom’ and she jumped on me,” he said. He had a feeling that she didn't belong in Gaza and that there was a story behind her, Shapira said. He brought the dog to a veterinarian and found the family’s contact information on a chip inside the animal. Stroking Billie on her lap, Dancyg says it will take time to see how the odyssey has affected her. Billie appears happy to be home, but she seems disoriented and has lost weight, Dancyg said. While Israeli media happily reported Billie's return, the Nir Oz community reminded people not to forget what the family went through. In a Facebook post, the kibbutz called the reunion a "little light in a lot of sorrow.” The body of Dancyg's ex-husband, Alex, 76, was recovered by the army and returned in August. The body of her brother Itzhak Elgarat, 68, was returned earlier this year as part of a ceasefire. Sunamganj court reunites 45 estranged couples For Dancyg, Billie's return gives her some sense of closure. Yet she said it is bittersweet knowing there are hostages still in Gaza. “I can’t get out of this trauma as long as they are there," she said.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 10th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 133 at 9:40am this morning (April 16, 2025). Today’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ referring to a health threat, according to the AQI index. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. United Arab Emirates’ Dubai, India’s Delhi and China’s Wuhan cities respectively occupied the first, second, and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 686, 191 and 172 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘unhealthy’ The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per 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.

Rains may lash parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Sunday. “Rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning and temporary gusty wind are likely to in a few places in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions, and at one or two places in Mymensingh, Khulna, and Dhaka divisions today,” said a Met Office bulletin. Elsewhere in the country, the weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies. Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘unhealthy’ Meanwhile, a mild heat wave is sweeping Chattogram, Rangamati, Feni, Bandarban, and Bagerhat and it may continue, the forecast said. In Dhaka, the wind will blow from the west or northwest at a speed of 8–12 kph, and the relative humidity at 6pm on Saturday was recorded at 60 per cent.