#bangladesh flood 2024

[dzthenerd490]

News Post

Palestine

Palestine is a glimpse of the dystopic future that awaits us | Israel-Palestine conflict | Al Jazeera

IDF operates in central Gaza Strip - Palestinian report - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

Ussama Makdisi, Overwriting Palestine — Sidecar (newleftreview.org)

Iran’s response to Israel looms. What are the possible scenarios? | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

Ukraine

Russia asked US to convince Ukraine not to attack it on Russia's Navy Day – media – photo | Ukrainska Pravda

Ukraine Was Poised to Destroy Russia’s Best Warplanes, but White House Restrictions Shut Their Window of Opportunity (kyivpost.com)

Russia suspected Ukrainian attack on Navy Day parade, state TV says (yahoo.com)

Ukraine's defence forces shoot down Russian helicopter over Sumy Oblast | Ukrainska Pravda

Sudan

Sudan mandates sorghum planting to avert famine as conflict disrupts agriculture - Sudan Tribune

UN Appeals for Security Council Help to Combat Famine in Sudan (usnews.com)

Why are Sudan’s warring sides blocking humanitarian aid? | Humanitarian Crises | Al Jazeera

At least 32 killed, 107 wounded due to heavy rains, floods in Sudan-Xinhua (news.cn)

Other

Biden speaks to leaders of Qatar, Egypt on regional tensions, ceasefire (yahoo.com)

Congolese police officers flee to Uganda as fighting intensifies - The East African

Africa is heading toward another deadly war - The Japan Times

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and now Bangladesh: What's going on in India's neighbourhood? - Times of India (indiatimes.com)

The Taliban says people in Afghanistan on previous government's visas can stay for now | AP News

At least 13 killed and 300 evacuated after deadly landslide in southern Ethiopia (voanews.com)

Min Aung Hlaing admits pressure after Myanmar anti-coup forces claim base | Conflict News | Al Jazeera

Pentagon Hands Over Last Base in Niger as Extremism Spreads in the Sahel - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Arson Attacks on Schools in the Sahel: Addressing the Issue through Prevention, Mitigation and Effective Response, July 2024 - Niger | ReliefWeb

[stele3]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/several-people-dead-stabbing-incident-western-germany-bild-reports-2024-08-23/

[nanobreaker]

My sister's friend sent her this photo following a storm in Sylhet, Bangladesh:

[Image description: Hands holding hailstones which are roughly the size of golf balls.]

The caption reads:

This is the first time in my life I've seen such huge, huge hailstones.  Allah is Great.

The hailstones pictured were so immense that they tore through tin roofs — tin is a common material used in the construction of huts. The Dhaka Tribune reported that 'at least five people were reported injured due to the storm' in Sunamganj (a Bangladeshi district in the north-east) and that 'there is also a fear of loss of life' (Dhaka Tribune, 1 April 2024, link).

With a population of 174 million people living in a space that is 147,570 km² (World Population Review, accessed 2 April 2024, link), Bangladesh is 'the most densely populated country in the world' — not counting city states and countries with populations numbering less than 10 million — there are approximately '1,141 people per square kilometre' (The World Counts, accessed 2 April 2024, link). That number is expected to grow over the coming decades.

Please remember Bangladesh when you think of climate disaster. Bangladesh is already vulnerable due to frequent natural disasters; however, these hailstones are a powerful reminder of how rapidly the world is changing around us and just how many people are at risk.

The BBC reported:

Frequent natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and storm surges, as well as drought, river bank erosion, and deadly heatwaves have made Bangladesh one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. The government estimates that by 2050, one in every seven Bangladeshis will be displaced due to climate change – that's 13.3 million people.

(BBC, 7 December 2023, link)

These estimates are horrifying. 13.3 million people could become refugees due to climate crises within 26 years.

Please pray for Bangladesh.

[tearsinthemist]

I guess the U.S. corporate media missed this.

Severe cyclonic storm Remal made landfall near the Mongla and Khepupara coasts in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India on 26 May 2024. The highest recorded wind speed was 111 km/h on 27 May 2024, and the storm surge, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall, caused flooding of 5-8 feet in the coastal districts.

[sazzadhosin]

🌟 Top 5 Best Bluetooth Mouse in BD for 2024! 🌟

In today's fast-paced digital world, having the right tools can make a significant difference in productivity and comfort. A Bluetooth mouse offers the convenience of wireless connectivity, making it an excellent choice for both professional and personal use. In Bangladesh, the market is flooded with various options, making it challenging to choose the best one. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the Top 5 Best Bluetooth Mouse in BD.

1️⃣ Logitech MX Master 3

Ergonomic Design 🖐️

High Precision Sensor 🎯

Customizable Buttons 🛠️

Multi-Device Connectivity 🔄

Long Battery Life 🔋

2️⃣ Razer Atheris

High DPI Sensor ⚡

Dual Connectivity 🔗

Compact Design 🌐

Extended Battery Life ⏳

Ambidextrous Design ✋

3️⃣ Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

Ergonomic Design 🖱️

High-Resolution Sensor 📐

Customizable Buttons 🕹️

Smooth Scrolling 🌀

Multi-Device Support 📱💻

4️⃣ Apple Magic Mouse 2

Multi-Touch Surface ✋

Rechargeable Battery 🔄

Sleek Design 🍏

Seamless Integration 🔗

Smooth Bottom Surface 🌟

5️⃣ HP Z5000 Bluetooth Mouse

Ambidextrous Design 🙌

1600 DPI Sensor 📏

Long Battery Life 🔋

Compact and Lightweight 🌐

Stylish Design 🖼️

Choosing the best Bluetooth mouse in BD involves considering factors such as ergonomics, sensitivity, connectivity, battery life, and additional features. The Logitech MX Master 3, Razer Atheris, Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse, Apple Magic Mouse 2, and HP Z5000 Bluetooth Mouse are all excellent choices that cater to different needs and preferences. Evaluate your specific requirements and select the mouse that best fits your lifestyle and work habits. 🚀 #Productivity #TechGadgets #Bangladesh #BluetoothMouse #Top5Tech

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with these mice! 🖱️✨

[g4ljw-amateur-radio]

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2445 for Friday September 6th, 2024

- INFORMAL RADIO NETWORK AIDS BANGLADESH FLOOD RESCUE - RASPBERRY PI SEEN AS KEY IN UNDERWATER TRANSMISSION - SILENT KEY: RICHARD RYBA, WQ3Q, ADVOCATE FOR CANCER RESEARCH, PATIENT ASSISTANCE - SILENT KEY: PAUL GRAVELINE, K1YUB, AMSAT JOURNAL ASSISTANT EDITOR - ACMA BEGINS FEE COLLECTION FOR CALLSIGNS WITH 12-MONTH ASSIGNMENT - ROUTE 66 AND 9/11 SPECIAL EVENTS ON THE AIR - DIGITAL RADIO INTRODUCED FOR NEW ZEALAND EMERGENCY RESPONSE - FREE ONLINE STUDY GUIDES AVAILABLE FOR US TECH, GENERAL LICENSE - WORLD OF DX - KICKER: AN ELECTRIFYING DISCOVERY ABOUT BEES SCRIPT AUDIO http://dlvr.it/TCtYMT

[warningsine]

Since the fall of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, changes have been visible in every sector. These have included both positive and negative changes, such as the collapse of the Bangladesh Police, the rise of vigilante justice, and accusations against former Awami League (AL) leaders and activists with fabricated charges, reminiscent of tactics from previous autocratic regimes. 

Among the changes, anti-Indian sentiment among the people has snowballed due to India’s support for Hasina, which helped her stay in power for 15 years. Bangladeshis have also decried some Indian media’s exaggerated reporting on attacks on minorities, especially on Hindus, after Hasina’s flight. The recent massive flooding, where many experts and the public accused India of failing to notify Bangladesh before opening the floodgates of the Dumbur Hydroelectric Plant in Tripura, has further fueled this sentiment.

On August 23, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ministry, criticized India for its failure to notify Bangladesh before opening the gates of the Dumbur dam. While visiting a flooded area in Bangladesh, she told journalists that India is supposed to provide advance notice before releasing water, but the protocol was not followed.

Amid the tumultuous situation, the Bangladesh-India border – one of the deadliest in the world – has become a focal point as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has taken a newly strong stance. 

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, recruited as an advisor to the Home Affairs Ministry in the interim government, has instructed the BGB to adopt a firm stance on border defense. According to Hossain, the former AL government “told the BGB, who are supposed to protect the border, to turn their backs… That will not happen anymore.”

The adviser made these remarks during a briefing held after his visit to the BGB headquarters in Dhaka on August 13.

Members of the BGB recently stopped an attempt by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members to erect a barbed wire fence along the border in Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat. According to BGB members and local residents, on a Wednesday afternoon, some BSF members started constructing a barbed wire fence along a section of the border in Dahagram Union, Bangladesh. Members of the BSF brought a large amount of barbed wire and construction materials to the site. 

When locals and the BGB members noticed, they protested, leading the BSF to halt the work. 

Lt. Col. Selim Al Din, commander of the BGB battalion involved, stated, “We strongly protested and obstructed the work. In the evening, a flag meeting was held between the battalions of both countries near the incident site. For now, the fence construction work is halted.”

However, a BSF top official had a different story. He told to The Hindustan Times that BSF personnel were supervising the construction of the cattle fence, claiming it was not a border fence. 

“The fence was being built to ensure that cattle from one country don’t stray into another, which often causes disputes between village residents on either side,” added the official. The BGB personnel came over and objected, he said.

Another BSF official said on condition of anonymity that the cattle fence was being built as per a 2012 agreement between the two countries.

The run-in over the fence was not the only incident along the Bangladesh-India border since Hasina’s ouster.

On August 25, the BGB engaged in a confrontation with Indian smugglers near Satkhira, a southern district bordered by West Bengal, India. The BGB fired five rounds of blank bullets to disperse the smugglers, who then fled into the dense forest on the Indian side. During the operation, the BGB arrested several individuals and recovered a significant haul of contraband, including 252 bottles of Indian Phensedyl, 51 bottles of liquor, and two sharp weapons.

Three days later, on August 28, the BGB and local villagers stopped BSF members from cutting the Ballamukha dam along the Feni border. The BSF attempted to cut through the dam at the border near Kalikapur in Mirzanagar Union of Parashuram upazila, which could have led to severe flooding in the area. Reportedly, the BSF was working with Indian locals, who hoped to relieve flooding on their side of the border by damaging the dam in Bangladesh. The BGB, along with local residents, intervened and prevented the BSF from proceeding.

The border between India and Bangladesh has a long history of violence and illegal activities. According to Ain o Salish Kendra, a human rights organization in Bangladesh, 332 people were killed by the BSF at the Indo-Bangladesh border between 2013 and 2023, which translates to about 30 people per year. Most of these incidents involved Bangladeshi citizens trying to cross over for some reasons such as cattle smuggling and illegal migration. Also, locals report that the BSF has abducted or shot innocent farmers and minors near the border several times.

The recent assertive actions of the BGB are quite a change from what it did during Hasina’s pro-India regime. During Hasina’s rule, the BGB was frequently criticized for being ineffective in border issues. To many Bangladeshis, the killing of BGB member Mohammad Rais Uddin at the hands of the BSF in January 2024 was a sign of how weak and unsteady the BGB was.

Hossain referenced such episodes in his remarks on August 13: “Our men were killed on the border, and the BGB was forced to hold a flag meeting… and it was declared that everything is okay… Enough is enough.”

The recent actions of the BGB demonstrate a significant shift toward a more assertive and proactive approach. This newfound strength in the BGB’s stance could lead to a more secure and controlled border, potentially reducing illegal activities and enhancing national security. The future may see the BGB continuing to assert its authority, ensuring that Bangladesh’s borders are respected and protected.

The BGB’s proactive measures in preventing illegal activities and protecting the border have been welcomed by many Bangladeshis as a commitment to national security and sovereignty. Nonetheless, the growing strain at the border also gives rise to fears of possible exacerbation. 

For many years, the BSF’s long disputed “shoot-on-sight” strategy has been a primary source of conflict, resulting in several deaths of innocent civilians. Human rights groups have repeatedly requested that this practice be abolished since it contravenes global norms on human rights.

The future of Bangladesh-India border relations now hinges on both countries’ capacity for constructive dialogue and cooperation. While the BGB’s heightened posture may deter illegal activities, it is important that both countries address the underlying problems causing border tensions. Improved communication, joint efforts at border management, and respect for human rights should form the basis for a more peaceful and secure border environment.

The changed border policy in Bangladesh is indicative of the changed political outlook in the wake of Hasina’s exit. As much as the BGB’s hard stance may be appreciated by Bangladeshis, the underlying causes of tension along the border can only be systematically resolved through mutual understanding between Bangladesh and India. Increased communication and joint efforts between the two nations could bring into being a far more peaceful and secure border environment than either side could achieve on its own.

[mizanmnr]

ও বিপদ কি আশে একা😭😭বন্যা ২০২৪🤲🤲#viral #foreyou #2024 #flood #ramgarh #Bangladesh

[earthleave]

মেয়েটির জন্য তাজা তরুণদের আপ্রাণ লড়াই

বাংলাদেশের বন্যা ২০২৪ একটি ভয়াবহ প্রাকৃতিক দুর্যোগ। আপনারা এই ভিডিওতে দেখতে পাচ্ছেন মেয়েটির জন্য তাজা তরুণদের আপ্রাণ লড়াই। কারণ দেশের বিভিন্ন অঞ্চলে বন্যার স্রোত প্রবাহিত হচ্ছে এবং অনেক মানুষ, বিশেষ করে মেয়ে শিশুরা, এই বিপদের মধ্যে পড়েছে। বিশেষ করে তরুণদের মধ্যে যারা আপ্রাণ লড়াই করছে, তাদের সাহসিকতা প্রশংসনীয়। বন্যার প্রচন্ড স্রোতে অসংখ্য প্রাণ চলে গেছে।

বন্যার খবর প্রতিদিন নতুন নতুন তথ্য নিয়ে আসছে। পানি বাড়ছে এবং নদ-নদীর জলস্তর অস্বাভাবিকভাবে বৃদ্ধি পাচ্ছে। বাংলাদেশের বন্যা ২০২৪ তে পানির স্রোত এতটাই ভয়াবহ যে, অনেক এলাকা তলিয়ে গেছে এবং অনেক মানুষ ভেসে যাচ্ছে। এসবের মধ্যে মেয়েটি, যিনি একদম নিরুপায় অবস্থায়, তার জন্য তাজা তরুণরা অক্লান্তভাবে লড়াই করছে।

মেয়ে #বন্যার স্রোত #পানির স্রোত #ভেসে যাওয়া #তাজা তরুণ #আপ্রাণ লড়াই #flood in bangladesh #flood Update #flood news #latest bangladeshi news #bonna news today #flood #bangladesh flood news #flood news in bangladesh #bangladesh flood news today #flood in bd #bangladesh news today #flood situation in bangladesh #bangla tv news #bangladesh flood 2024 #jamuna news

মেয়েটি যখন বন্যার স্রোতে আটকে পড়ে, তখন তাজা তরুণদের আপ্রাণ লড়াই তাকে উদ্ধার করার জন্যই হয়ে ওঠে। এসব তরুণেরা ঝুঁকি নিয়েও মেয়েটিকে উদ্ধার করার চেষ্টা করছে। তাদের সাহসিকতা ও মানবিকতা সত্যিই মুগ্ধকর। তারা কেবলমাত্র নিজের জীবন নিয়ে ভাবছে না, বরং তাদের সততা ও সাহসিকতা দিয়ে এই কষ্টসাধ্য পরিস্থিতিতে অন্যদের সাহায্য করছে।

সবশেষ খবর অনুযায়ী, বন্যার কারণে অনেক জায়গায় যোগাযোগ ব্যবস্থা বন্ধ হয়ে গেছে এবং উদ্ধারকারীদের কাজ কঠিন হয়ে পড়েছে। তবুও, তরুণরা তাদের শক্তি ও সম্পদ দিয়ে মেয়েটি এবং অন্যান্য ক্ষতিগ্রস্তদের উদ্ধার করতে লড়াই করে যাচ্ছে। তাদের এই লড়াই প্রকৃতপক্ষে মানবতার জন্য এক মহান দৃষ্টান্ত।

feni flood news #flood update #weather news #news #বন্যা #বাংলাদেশের বন্যা #বন্যা পরিস্থিতি #ডুম্বুর গেট #bangla news #latest bangla news #latest news #news today #breaking news #world news #bd news #current news #top news #daily news #bangladeshi news #bd newspaper #latest news today #bangla news today #সর্বশেষ সংবাদ #সবশেষ খবর #Bangla TV Channel

বাংলাদেশের বন্যা ২০২৪ এর এই দুঃসময়ে তাজা তরুণদের এই আপ্রাণ লড়াই মানবিকতা ও সহানুভূতির এক চমৎকার উদাহরণ। তাদের সাহসিকতা ও নিষ্ঠা আমাদের সবাইকে অনুপ্রাণিত করছে। মেয়েটির জন্য এই তরুণদের লড়াই কেবলমাত্র একটি উদ্ধার অভিযান নয়, বরং এটি মানবতার জয়গানের একটি প্রমাণ। আশা করা যায়, তাদের এই প্রচেষ্টা ও ত্যাগ দেশের সকল বিপদগ্রস্ত মানুষের জন্য এক নতুন আশার আলো হিসেবে কাজ করবে।

bangladesh news #আজকের খবর #flood in bd 2024 #বন্যা ২০২৪ #bonnar khobor ajker #bonna #bonnar khobor 2024 #bonna 2024 #dumur gate Tripura #tbs #Khulna Flood News #রাতের খবর #সকালের খবর #দুপুরের খবর

বাংলাদেশের বন্যা ২০২৪ একটি মারাত্মক প্রাকৃতিক দুর্যোগ হিসেবে উন্মোচিত হয়েছে। চলমান বৃষ্টিপাত এবং উঁচু জোয়ারের কারণে নদ-নদীর পানি বৃদ্ধি পেয়ে বিস্তৃত এলাকা প্লাবিত হয়েছে। বহু অঞ্চল তলিয়ে গেছে এবং লাখ লাখ মানুষ ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হয়েছে। বন্যার স্রোতে ঘরবাড়ি, কৃষি জমি এবং যোগাযোগ ব্যবস্থা ব্যাপকভাবে ধ্বংস হয়েছে। উদ্ধারকর্মীরা এবং তাজা তরুণরা আপ্রাণ লড়াই করে যাচ্ছে পরিস্থিতি মোকাবিলার জন্য, কিন্তু পরিস্থিতি ক্রমেই কঠিন হয়ে উঠছে। সবশেষ খবর অনুযায়ী, সংকটময় এই মুহূর্তে মানবিক সহায়তা ও উদ্ধারের কাজ অত্যন্ত জরুরি।

Flood in Bangladesh 2024, Bangladesh has faced devastating floods due to unprecedented monsoon rains and rising river levels, exacerbated by climate change. Vast swathes of the country are submerged, displacing millions and causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. The floods have disrupted agriculture, leading to food shortages and economic hardship. Efforts to provide aid are hampered by the scale of the disaster, with many communities cut off from essential services. The crisis underscores the urgent need for improved flood management strategies and international support to bolster resilience against future climate-related events in the region. We should go for mitigation and adaptation in this deadly crisis. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xNcVy-EUJls

Deadly floods leave millions stranded in Bangladesh. প্রাণঘাতী বন্যায় বাংলাদেশে লাখ লাখ মানুষ আটকা পড়েছে। Flood in Bangladesh August, 2024. 😭 বৃষ্টি বন্যার অভিশাপ বাংলাদেশের উপর পড়েছে। বাংলাদেশের তরুণরা স্বৈরাচারী সরকারের পতন থেকে শুরু করে মোদির বন্যার মোকাবেলা পর্যন্ত খাটতে খাটতে, বিসর্জন দিতে দিতে ক্লান্ত। মহান আল্লাহ্ আমাদেরকে ক্ষমা করুন। @TRAVELMARVEL_71 -YouTube Channel @TravelandMarvel - pinterest ID

[darkmaga-retard]

Andrew Korybko

Aug 24, 2024

It serves as the cover for once again hosting anti-Indian separatists, which could in turn provoke the implied threats from India that the post-coup authorities initially hoped to generate via mob violence against the Hindu minority and thus create the pretext for giving a base to the US.   

An advisor to the interim Bangladeshi government that took power after early August’s US-backed regime change against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused India of being responsible for the latest floods due to it allegedly opening up a dam amid heavy rains in the region. This followed some student protests in support of what they described as a fairer water-sharing deal with India and coincided with the interim Environment Minister declaring readiness to “forcefully” advocate for this.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs denied Bangladesh’s claim that the latest floods were due to anything that it did, but it’s clear that this won’t make any difference since Dhaka’s new political setup has already made up its mind to once again politicize this issue. It’s highly emotive in this riparian country of an estimated 170 million people, the eighth most populous in the world, and can thus be leveraged to mobilize continued support for the post-coup authorities.

The narrative was already spun by US Government-funded pundit Derek Grossman, who’s a senior defense analyst on the Indo-Pacific at the RAND Corporation, that India might have opened the dam without telling Bangladesh “in political retaliation” against the new government. The US has an interest in dividing-and-ruling India and Bangladesh because the resultant perception among the latter of newfound security threats from its much larger neighbor can lead to it finally giving a base to the US.

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Whether it’s Harris or Trump, populist policies could affect your wallet (CSM) Kamala Harris used her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night to draw a sharp contrast with her Republican rival in the presidential race. Yet Ms. Harris and Donald Trump have something important in common: a populist streak on economic policy. Both major candidates have made populist appeals in recent days, arguing that to protect average Americans, powerful interests must be confronted. Former President Trump’s solution includes higher tariffs on trading partners that take advantage of the United States. Democratic nominee Ms. Harris’ solution is specific steps to address middle-class living costs through a higher child tax credit, down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and a “first-ever federal ban” on grocery price gouging. It’s that ban that’s caused the most uproar in recent days. Of course, on the campaign trail politicians of all stripes use populist us-vs.-them language to paint themselves as champions of the everyday American against entrenched forces—and offer superficial solutions to complex economic problems. What worries many business leaders and economists is that Mr. Trump or Ms. Harris might follow through with proposals that harm the very workers and consumers they claim to stand for.

The megadonors pumping millions into the 2024 election (Washington Post) Money can't buy you love. But it can buy you gov. The 50 biggest donors this cycle have collectively pumped $1.5 billion into political committees and other groups competing in the election, according to a Washington Post analysis of Federal Election Commission data. The vast majority of money from top donors has gone to super PACs, which can accept unlimited sums from individuals and often work closely with campaigns despite rules against coordinating their advertising.

Scores of detainees in Maduro’s post-election roundup are children (Washington Post) It was about 1 a.m. when 17 military counterintelligence officers knocked down the door of a family home and barged in. Officers pointed rifles at a 40-year-old woman and her 5-year-old son, she told The Washington Post. They pushed her 15-year-old against the wall, handcuffed him and slapped his face until he revealed the name of a friend. Then they dragged him into a van. The woman and her 5-year-old were detained overnight, but the 15-year-old was held for 20 days. He was unable to see his family for a week. The boy is one of at least 120 minors to have been imprisoned by the security forces of President Nicolás Maduro since the autocratic socialist claimed reelection last month, according to multiple human rights organizations. The children are among more than 1,600 people to have been arrested—rounded up at or near protests or taken from their homes in the night—in many cases without warrants. Their lawyers also have been targeted. “Security forces are detaining people at a speed we had not seen in Venezuela’s recent history, even during the brutal repression in 2014 and 2017,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director for Human Rights Watch. “This is not just a clampdown on demonstrators. It’s a full witch hunt against anyone who dares criticize the government.”

Russia attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure (NYT) Russian forces today launched more than 200 missiles and drones across a broad swath of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, condemned the assault as “one of the largest strikes” of the 30-month-old war. The barrage damaged energy facilities across the country and caused residents of Kyiv to seek shelter in basements and subways. Multiple cities reported blackouts, and officials said that four people had been killed and more than 30 injured.

Bangladesh floods leave 23 dead, 5.7 million people affected (Reuters) The death toll from devastating floods caused by relentless monsoon rain and overflowing rivers in Bangladesh has risen to 23, with around 1.24 million families stranded across 11 districts, officials said on Monday. As floodwaters recede slowly, many of the 5.7 million affected people remain isolated and in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine and dry clothes, above all in remote areas where blocked roads have hindered rescue and relief efforts. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said that flood conditions could persist if the monsoon rains continued, as water levels were receding very slowly.

China is conducting military patrols near the Myanmar border as civil war rages on the other side (AP) China’s military is carrying out armed patrols near the Myanmar border this week, where the government is concerned about potential fallout from fierce fighting in a civil war on the other side. Troops were deployed to Yunnan province in southwestern China on Monday to test their ability to maintain security in border areas, the military’s Southern Theater Command said. An alliance of ethnic militias has dealt a series of setbacks to Myanmar's military in the country's northeast, which is near China. Five people were injured on the Chinese side in January by a stray artillery shell.

South Koreans once chipped in for fighter jets. Now, they make their own. (Washington Post) South Korea, an industrial and tech powerhouse, was once so poor that its citizens donated money so the government could buy five American fighter jets in case of a North Korean invasion. Now, South Korea is a global weapons producer and seller. It is the third-largest arms supplier to NATO countries, with affordable weapons for nations seeking to refill their stockpiles of K2 battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and other items. Soon, it will be one of the few nations to develop its own supersonic jet. The country hopes its KF-21 Boramae will be a cheaper alternative to the U.S.-made F-35, and mass production is set to begin in 2026.

What if China Invades? For Taiwan, a TV Show Raises Tough Questions. (NYT) On the boulevard in front of the presidential palace in Taipei this weekend, Taiwan’s worst nightmare was unfolding in front of film crews. A crowd of actors and extras portrayed one kind of chaos that might come with a Chinese invasion: a protest descending into violence and bloodshed. The scene being shot was for “Zero Day,” a new Taiwanese television drama series that depicts an effort by China to take over the democratically governed island. “Zero Day” will not air until next year, but it has already set off heated debates in Taiwan, after the release of a trailer. Supporters of the series say it could encourage a much-needed conversation about the threat that China poses. Critics have denounced it as scaremongering. Cheng Hsin-mei, the producer of “Zero Day,” said she wanted to jolt Taiwanese people out of what she sees as widespread complacency and reticence about the possibility of war. “How everyone would really face up to a war, how you would confront that possibility—nobody’s actually talking about that,” Ms. Cheng said in an interview. “I want to talk about it, because I think it’s the biggest fear in each Taiwanese person’s heart.”

Why do Australians live so long? (Economist) If your native language is English, you may wish you spoke with an Australian accent. A report on longevity in Anglophone countries shows that the average Australian lives two years longer than the average Briton and four years longer than the average American. A paper published on August 13th in BMJ Open, a journal, found that since the early 1990s, Australian life expectancy has overtaken that of Canada, and is now higher than that of America, Britain, Ireland and New Zealand. The study suggests that Australians are healthier than a lot of their peers. Younger cohorts generally suffer fewer complications from pregnancies and births than other English-speaking countries, and are less likely to die from drug overdoses. Older age groups are also less likely to die from chronic diseases such as circulatory problems and heart disease. Cancer mortality rates are lower in Australia than they are in all other Anglophone countries, except among American men aged over 65. And Australians are also less likely to die in road accidents than other countries with high driving rates, such as America and New Zealand. Beyond the English-speaking world, however, Australia’s longevity is somewhat less impressive. Compared with 14 other high-income countries it ranks fourth for men and sixth for women. Japan, Switzerland and Spain, all longtime longevity leaders, top the list. America has moved from a middling position in 1990 to dead last.

Australia offers U.S. a vast new military launchpad in China conflict (Washington Post) Deep in the outback, a flurry of construction by Australia and the United States is transforming a once quiet military installation into a potential launchpad in case of conflict with China. Runways are being expanded and strengthened to accommodate the allies’ biggest airplanes, including American B-52 bombers. A pair of massive fuel depots is rising side by side to supply U.S. and Australian fighter jets. And two earth-covered bunkers have been built for U.S. munitions. But the activity at RAAF Tindal, less than 2,000 miles from the emerging flash points of the South China Sea, isn’t unique. Across Australia, decades-old facilities—many built by the United States during World War II—are now being dusted off or upgraded amid growing fears of another global conflict.

Israel’s economy is struggling. Economists say ending the war would help (AP) In Jerusalem’s Old City, nearly all souvenir shops are closed. In Haifa’s flea market, forlorn merchants polish their wares on empty streets. Airlines are canceling flights, businesses are failing and luxury hotels are half empty. Nearly 11 months into the war with Hamas, Israel’s economy is struggling as the country’s leaders grind ahead with an offensive in Gaza that shows no signs of ending and threatens to escalate into a wider conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to allay concerns by saying the economic damage is only temporary. But the bloodiest, most destructive war ever between Israel and Hamas has hurt thousands of small businesses and compromised international trust in an economy once thought of as an entrepreneurial dynamo. The war has inflicted a far heavier toll on Gaza’s already broken economy, displacing 90% of the population and leaving the vast majority of the workforce unemployed. All banks in the territory have shut. The fighting has killed more than 40,000 people.

‘Barcelona or die.’ For Senegalese dreaming of Europe, the deadly Atlantic route is not a deterrent (AP) Salamba Ndiaye was 22 when she first tried to get to Spain, dreaming of a career as a real estate agent. Without her parents’ knowledge, she made it onto a small fishing boat known as a pirogue, but the Senegalese police intercepted the vessel before it could leave. A year later Ndiaye tried again, successfully making it off the coast but this time a violent storm forced the boat to stop in Morocco, where Ndiaye and the other passengers were sent back to Senegal. Despite her two failed attempts, the 28-year-old is determined to try again. “Right now, if they told me there was a boat going to Spain, I would leave this interview and get on it,” she said. Ndiaye is one of thousands of young Senegalese who try to leave the West African country each year to head to Spain, fleeing poverty and the lack of job opportunities. Most head to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of West Africa, which is used as a stepping stone to continental Europe. Since the beginning of the year, more than 22,300 people have landed on the Canary Islands, 126% more than the same period last year, according to statistics released by Spain’s Interior Ministry. The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest in the world. But the danger of the route is not a deterrent for those like Ndiaye, who are desperate to make a better living for themselves and their families in Europe. “Barsa wala Barsakh,” or “Barcelona or die” in Wolof, one of Senegal’s national languages, is a common motto of those who brave the deadly route.

[edcbd]

Environmental Days

https://bieorg.blogspot.com/2024/08/blog-post_19.html Help for Flood in Bangladesh

[xnewsinfo]

Individuals stroll via flood waters in Feni, Bangladesh, August 24, 2024. | Photograph credit score: Reuters Practically 300,000 Bangladeshis took refuge in emergency shelters on Saturday as floods inundated huge areas of the South Asian nation, catastrophe officers stated.The floods had been triggered by heavy monsoon rains and have killed a minimum of 42 individuals in Bangladesh and India because the begin of the week, lots of them in landslides."My home is totally flooded," Lufton Nahar, 60, advised AFP from a shelter in Feni, one of many worst-affected districts close to the border with the Indian state of Tripura."The water is coming over our roof. My brother introduced us right here by boat. If he hadn't, we might have died."The nation of 170 million individuals is crisscrossed by a whole lot of rivers and has suffered frequent flooding in current many years.Monsoon rains trigger widespread destruction yearly, however local weather change is altering climate patterns and rising the variety of excessive climate occasions.Roads and rail strains had been broken between the capital Dhaka and the principle port metropolis of Chittagong, hampering entry to severely flooded districts and disrupting industrial exercise.The floods additionally come simply weeks after a student-led revolution toppled Bangladesh's authorities.Among the many worst-affected areas is Cox's Bazar, a district that's residence to round 1,000,000 Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar. Sarat Kumad Das, an official with Tripura state's catastrophe company, advised AFP that 24 individuals had died on the Indian facet of the border since Monday.One other 18 individuals died in Bangladesh, in line with Md Kamrul Hasan, secretary of the Ministry of Catastrophe Administration."285,000 persons are residing in emergency shelters," he stated, including that a complete of 4.5 million individuals have been affected.Recovering from the riotsWhen the floods struck, Bangladesh was recovering from weeks of civil unrest that culminated within the ouster of former autocratic chief Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Whereas an interim authorities led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus continues to be discovering its ft, extraordinary Bangladeshis have been collectively elevating funds to assist.They had been organised by the identical college students who led the protests that led to the ouster of Hasina, who stays in India after fleeing Dhaka. A crowd descended on Dhaka College on Friday to supply money donations as college students loaded sacks of rice and containers of bottled water onto automobiles for areas hit by the deluge.A lot of Bangladesh is made up of deltas the place the nice Himalayan rivers, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, meander in the direction of the ocean after passing via India.A number of tributaries of the 2 transnational rivers remained overflowing. Nonetheless, forecasts indicated that the rains had been prone to lower within the coming days. 'Making a flood'India was Hasina's principal backer and benefactor and plenty of Bangladeshis have since overtly criticised their bigger and extra highly effective neighbour for backing her 15-year rule.Asif Mahmud, a scholar protest chief who now sits in Yunus's interim cupboard, accused India on Wednesday of "making a flood" by intentionally releasing water from dams.Lots of of individuals additionally gathered at Dhaka College on Friday to protest in opposition to India's "water aggression," displaying a banner displaying Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi supposedly taking delight within the sight of individuals drowning.India's exterior affairs ministry rejected the allegation, saying its personal catchment space had this week skilled the "heaviest rainfall this yr" and that the circulate of water downstream was resulting from "computerized releases". The affect of the floods stays extreme within the Indian state of Tripura, with round 65,000 individuals sheltering in 450 aid camps, in line with native media reviews.

[businesspr]

Deadly Floods Strike Troubled Bangladesh

Disaster has hit just weeks after mass protests led to a lethal crackdown and then prompted the abrupt flight of the long-serving prime minister. source https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/world/asia/bangladesh-deadly-floods.html