Civil Aviation Authority Demonstrates ‘Capability’ in Passenger Safety Drill

 

On Thursday, May 29, 2025, a security drill was conducted at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, showcasing the preparedness and efficiency of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). 

The exercise simulated a scenario where the airport’s control room received a message about a ‘bomb-like’ object on an aircraft. Law enforcement agencies promptly responded, safely evacuating passengers and identifying and neutralizing the suspicious object.

Organized by CAAB, the security drill saw participation from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Fire Service and Civil Defence, other law enforcement agencies, and representatives from various hospitals. The exercise demonstrated the roles and responsibilities of each agency in handling an unforeseen incident and their level of preparedness. An aircraft and a helicopter from the Air Force also participated in the drill.

Speaking as the chief guest, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Manzur Kabir Bhuiya stated, “Our Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel have been diligently following the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) while performing their duties and conducting regular drills. Today’s exercise successfully completed the necessary actions in the shortest possible time, which is highly encouraging.” He praised the coordinated efforts of the participating agencies, adding, “The performance of all involved was highly satisfactory.”

According to CAAB, such drills are conducted every two years as per ICAO guidelines to assess the capability to handle risks such as hijacking, fire safety, and bomb threats. The primary objective of Thursday’s drill was to practice the safe evacuation of passengers and the neutralization or recovery of a bomb-like object on an aircraft.

The event was attended by airport authorities, officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and senior representatives from the participating agencies.

AI/MR

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Six Districts at Risk of Flooding in Next 2-3 Days, Warns Water Development Board

29 May, 2025 : The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has issued a warning that six districts may face flooding within the next 2-3 days due to heavy rainfall. The board indicated that river water levels in these areas could exceed the danger mark, posing a risk of flooding in low-lying regions. This information was shared in a press release by the BWDB’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

According to the press release, water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, and Feni rivers in the Chattogram division are expected to rise over the next two days. The Muhuri River, in particular, may surpass the danger level, potentially causing flooding in the low-lying areas of Feni district. However, water levels in these rivers are likely to decrease after the following day.

Additionally, rivers such as Sarigowain, Yadukata, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, and Someshwari in the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions may see rising water levels over the next three days, potentially exceeding the danger mark. This could lead to flooding in the low-lying areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona districts.

In the Rangpur division, water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers are also expected to rise over the next three days, with the Teesta River likely to flow at the warning level. Coastal rivers in Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions may experience higher-than-normal tides for the next two days.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are currently decreasing but may rise again over the next three days, though they are expected to remain below the danger level.

Sardar Uday Raihan, Executive Engineer of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, stated that low-lying areas in the six districts are at risk of being inundated. However, he added that the water levels are likely to recede if rainfall decreases.

AI/MR

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Deep Depression Crosses Coast, Storm Surge Threatens 16 Districts

 

Weather, 29, 2025, : A deep depression originating in the Bay of Bengal has begun crossing the Bangladesh coast with wind speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour, triggering rainfall and gusty winds across coastal areas and other parts of the country.  

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the system, located over the northwest Bay of Bengal, is moving northward and has started crossing the coast near Sagar Island in West Bengal, India, and Khepupara in Bangladesh. It is expected to complete its coastal crossing by this evening and may gradually weaken thereafter. The depression is causing gusty winds over the northern Bay of Bengal, coastal areas, and seaports.

Due to the combined effect of the deep depression and the new moon phase, 16 coastal districts—Chattogram, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Hatiya, Sandwip, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, and Satkhira—along with nearby islands and chars, face the risk of a storm surge with water levels 2 to 4 feet above normal. These areas may also experience gusty winds.

The deep depression is currently sustaining winds of 50 kilometers per hour within 48 kilometers of its center, with gusts reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour. The sea near the depression remains rough.

The Meteorological Department has instructed the seaports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist local cautionary signal number three.

AI/MR

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Aamir Khan Faces Controversy Again, ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ to Release on YouTube!

 

Entertainment, 29 May, 2025 : Bollywood’s ‘Mr. Perfectionist’ Aamir Khan is once again in the eye of a storm with his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, even before its release. Following the box-office failure of Laal Singh Chaddha, the actor is facing fresh criticism. A photo from Aamir’s past Turkey visit has gone viral amid India-Pakistan tensions, sparking calls for a boycott. However, actor Suniel Shetty has come out in support of Aamir.

The controversy doesn’t end there. Reports suggest that after its theatrical release, Sitaare Zameen Par will not stream on any OTT platform but will instead be released exclusively on YouTube, leaving many fans unhappy.

In Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir plays Gulshan, a basketball coach training a team of specially-abled individuals for the Paralympics. Unlike the cheerful Nikumbh from Taare Zameen Par, Gulshan is stern and has a tough demeanor, with his political ideologies also raising questions. The film explores how a group of specially-abled people help transform him into a better person.

Directed by RS Prasanna, the film features Genelia D’Souza, Darsheel Safary, Sonali Kulkarni, Brijendra Kala, Suresh Menon, and others in key roles.

AI/MR

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Major Sinha Murder Case: High Court Verdict on June 2

 

Dhaka, May 29, 2025 : The much-discussed murder case of retired army Major Sinha Md. Rashed Khan has concluded its death reference and appeals hearing. The High Court is set to deliver its verdict on June 2. On Thursday (May 29), the High Court bench of Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md. Sagir Hossain fixed the date for the verdict.  

The state was represented by Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney General Shamima Dipti, assisted by Deputy Attorney General Jasim Sarker, Assistant Attorney Generals Barrister Sumaiya Aziz, and Laboni Akter. The hearing for the death reference and appeals began on April 23.

On April 21, Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed decided to prioritize the disposal of this case, and the case documents were sent to the bench of Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md. Sagir Hossain.

On July 31, 2020, Major Sinha was killed by gunfire from Inspector Liakat Ali, the then officer-in-charge of Baharchhara Investigation Center, at the Shamlapur checkpoint on the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive road. Five days later, on August 5, 2020, Sinha’s sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed a case. On December 13, 2020, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) submitted a charge sheet accusing 15 individuals, describing the incident as a “planned murder.”

On January 31, 2022, Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Ismail delivered the verdict, sentencing OC Pradeep Kumar Das and Inspector Md. Liakat Ali to death. SI Nandadulal Rakshit, Constables Rubel Sharma, Sagar Deb, Md. Nurul Amin, Mohammad Ayaz, and Md. Nizam Uddin were sentenced to life imprisonment. The remaining seven accused were acquitted. Subsequently, the death reference for confirmation and the appeals of the convicted were brought before the High Court.

AI/MR

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