The crisis of pure drinking water is deepening in Khulna division as the underground water level has also gone down in five previously unaffected districts, say experts.

India has ordered tighter surveillance of a rare fungal disease hitting Covid-19 patients, officials said yesterday, piling pressure on hospitals struggling with the world’s highest number of daily infections of the novel coronavirus.

A Hefajat-e-Islam activist died at a hospital in the capital yesterday while undergoing treatment in judicial custody.

The number of new Covid-19 cases dropped slightly as the health directorate yesterday reported 1,457 cases, including three Indian returnees in Jashore.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday described Gaza as “hell on earth” for children, appealing to Israel for rapid and unhindered aid access and telling the 193-member General Assembly he would launch an appeal for humanitarian funding.

A giant slab of ice bigger than the Spanish island of Majorca has sheared off from the frozen edge of Antarctica into the Weddell Sea, becoming the largest iceberg afloat in the world, the European Space Agency said on Wednesday.

Pakistan today conceded that there had been violations of human rights in East Pakistan and that “as in all conflicts innocent people had suffered”.

Bangladesh will purchase Covid-19 vaccines from China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

Bangladesh yesterday witnessed 37 more Covid-19 related deaths in 24 hours ending at 8:00am yesterday.

China yesterday accused the United States of threatening the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait after a US warship again sailed through the sensitive waterway that separates Taiwan from its giant neighbour.

US President Joe Biden yesterday told Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he expects “significant de-escalation” in the military confrontation with the Palestinians, amid intense efforts to reach a ceasefire.

In a new turn to the Narada sting operation case relating to alleged corruption, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Law Minister Moloy Ghatak have been made parties in a petition by the Central Bureau of Investigation before the Calcutta High Court seeking transfer of trial outside the state.

Eleven people were killed and 10 injured in five road accidents in Tangail, Gazipur, Feni and Gopalganj yesterday amid the Covid-19 “lockdown”.

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi wants to use funds for the Rohingyas judiciously and create livelihood options for them.

The Pakistan military junta has failed to restore civil administration in areas under its control in Bangladesh despite desperate efforts and it would never be able to do so, Bangladesh Home Minister AHM Kamaruzzaman told UNI in an interview published in the Hindustan Times today.

More than seven years ago, in April 2014, the government had decided to build a new bridge at Kalurghat in Chattogram through a bilateral cooperation with South Korea.

A Roads and Highways Department project, which set a rare example being complete on time and saving around Tk 1,400 crore from its budget, has received a prestigious Japanese award.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday urged journalists to be patient and play a “responsible role” in dealing with the issue of Rozina Islam.

UN Secretary General U Thant appealed today to all governments and private sources to send relief assistance for the Bangladesh refugees who had crossed over to India.

Amid the risks of a delayed Rohingya repatriation over coronavirus and unrest in Myanmar, donors yesterday pledged $340m for the Rohingyas and host community in Cox’s Bazar for 2021.