5 Stories to Know Today
Dear readers, if you have missed out on all the latest updates of the day, worry not! We have you all covered. Find out the gist of the top 5 stories of The Daily Star today (January 7, 2023).
Lowest temperature in Dhaka
A mild cold wave is sweeping over the country and Chuadanga district recorded the lowest temperature this morning at 8.4°C. Omar Faruk, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), said temperatures in most parts of the country decreased over the past few days. "Dhaka recorded 11.5°C -- lowest this season -- this morning," he said.
The shivering cold is causing immense sufferings for low-income people, forcing them to stay indoors.
The situation may continue for the next two-three days in the country, he predicted, saying that the situation will improve from January 11-12. Temperature between 8 and 10°C is considered a mild cold wave, 6 and 8°C a moderate cold wave and less than 6°C a severe cold wave.
"Moderate to thick fog is expected over the country from midnight to tomorrow morning and it may continue till noon," said a BMD bulletin. Mild cold wave is also sweeping over Rajshahi division and over Faridpur, Madaripur, Kishoregonj, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Jashore, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Satkhira and Barishal and it may abate from some places, it said.
Misery for the little ones
As winter peaks, childhood pneumonia cases and deaths have increased around the country as reflected in the number of patients in the two major hospitals of Dhaka.
In December last year, a total of 437 children with pneumonia were admitted to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute (BSHI) in Dhaka -- around a 25 percent increase compared to the previous month. In November, the number was 315.
To avoid death, physicians urge parents to take extra caution if any child shows symptoms including cough, cold or high fever, and breathing problem.
Delayed hospital admission is the main reason behind the deaths of such patients, Dr Jahangir Alam, director of BSHI, told The Daily Star. "If any child has a cold, parents should stay connected with physicians. If the child has a problem breathing, parents should take them to the nearby hospital."
As pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, its most common symptoms are coughing, breathing problems and fever, explained Dr Iffat Ara Shamsad.
McCarthy elected US House speaker
Republican favorite Kevin McCarthy was named speaker of the US House of Representatives on Saturday as he finally quelled a fierce rebellion among his party's ranks that had paralysed the lower chamber of Congress for days.
McCarthy was always the frontrunner to lead the Republican-led House, but his victory in the small hours of the morning was almost derailed by a right-wing revolt in his party that extended the contest to a historic 15 rounds of voting.
The speaker wields huge influence in Washington by presiding over House business and is second in line to the presidency, after the vice president.
There were more rounds of voting in the fractious 2023 contest than in any speaker election since the Civil War.
Joyous homecoming turns into tragedy
At least five persons died and several others were injured in three-way collision in Habiganj early today.
All the dead were passengers of a microbus that was carrying an expat and his relatives to Moulvibazar from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, said police.
Jasim Uddin, an inspector of Sherpur Highway Police Station, said the collision involving the microbus, a human-haulier and truck took place in Shayestaganj area on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway around 3:30am.
Who will be the next IGP?
The tenure of the incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun will end on January 11.
It has become a major discussion among the top tier of police, who will be the next police chief to lead the force of around 2.20 lakh members.
But sources in the home ministry and police headquarters (PHQ) said there will be no new faces.
The incumbent police chief will get at least a year extension and be appointed contractually to lead the crucial year ahead as the national election is scheduled to be held early next year, they said.