Sharp Rise in Visa Rejections Worsens Prospects for Bangladeshi Students

The situation is becoming increasingly difficult for Bangladeshi students interested in going to Australia for higher studies. The rate of obtaining student visas in the country has dropped sharply. At the same time, the rejection rate has also increased.

No Fertilizer Stock for Upcoming Season, Warns Secretary Obaidur Rahman

Due to a shortage of required gas, fertilizer factories across the country have been shutting down one after another. Even fertilizer imports from the Middle East are not possible. In such a situation, Industries Secretary Obaidur Rahman delivered more bad news. He clearly stated that the government does not have the required fertilizer for the upcoming season.

Consumers Pay Tk 2,200 for LPG Cylinder Despite Government Fixing Price at Tk 1,728

Even now, after the government increased the price, we are not getting gas at that price. A 12 kg cylinder is nowhere below 2100–2200 taka

12 lakh more people will remain below the poverty line in Bangladesh: World Bank

The World Bank has stated that due to the impact of the Iran and US-Israel conflict, 1.2 million people in Bangladesh will remain below the poverty line.

Due to the gas crisis, two fertilizer factories have shut down, and another is on the verge of closure

Due to the gas crisis, two of the country’s largest fertilizer factories located in Anwara, Chattogram Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) have already been shut down. Now, the DAP Fertilizer Company Limited (DAPFCL) is on the verge of closure due to an ammonia shortage. Managing Director Mohammad Moinul Haque stated that if CUFL and KAFCO cannot resume operations and supply ammonia by next week, DAPFCL will also be forced to shut down.

Load Shedding Increasing in Rural Areas Despite Stable Supply in Cities

Due to strain in fuel supply, while electricity supply in cities remains normal, load shedding is being increased in rural areas. On one hand, the summer heatwave is intensifying, and on the other, complaints are rising about increased load shedding. In some areas, electricity is unavailable for four to five hours a day. Although load shedding had decreased over the past few years, it is expected to increase this time, and people will have to adapt to the situation, according to those concerned.

The Government Continues to Increase Its Debt Burden

The government had planned to borrow a certain amount from the banking system in the current fiscal year, but within nine months it has already borrowed more than that.

This way savings won’t be effective; suggestion to increase weekly holidays

Questions have begun to arise about how effective the government’s decision to close offices and shops is in addressing the energy crisis. Several South Asian countries have increased full-day holidays to cope with the energy crisis. In contrast, Bangladesh has reduced working hours.

Commodity prices will rise, there is no doubt: Finance Minister

The global energy crisis has created a situation like “a blow on top of a dying person,” commented Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. He said that it is not only energy; its impact is being felt on all kinds of goods, food items, and the entire supply chain. As a result, there is no doubt that commodity prices will increase in the coming days.

Admissions of measles patients halted at Shishu Hospital and Azimpur Maternity due to space shortage

Due to the increasing number of measles patients, two hospitals in the capital are unable to admit children arriving with such symptoms because of a shortage of space.