Staff Correspondent A fire, which broke out in Sunderbans East Zone in Bagerhat on Saturday afternoon, is still uncertain how far the fire has spread, but local representatives reported that it had already spread across 2km. Md Abu Taher Mia, a member of the 8th ward in Nishanbaria union of Morelganj upazila in Bagerhat, said: “The fire occurred near the Amurbunia outpost and has spread to at least 2km. Everyone is attempting to control it, but it is challenging to contain.” Sundarbans East Divisional Forest Officer Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim said: “Upon receiving news of the fire, forest workers, along with locals, started efforts to extinguish it. The fire service personnel have been deployed, and he is also on his way to the site.” However, this officer could not provide details on the cause of the fire or the exact area affected. Two units from the Fire Service have reached the scene to control the fire, working alongside forest department personnel and locals. Forest Officer Anisur Rahman said: “Two units from the Bagerhat Fire Service, along with forest guards from four forest department outposts, are working to control the fire. Additionally, forest officers from the East Sundarbans are present at the site overseeing the firefighting efforts.” Md Saiful Alam Chowdhury, Assistant Director of Bagerhat Fire Service and Civil Defence, reported that upon receiving news of the fire, two units from the Morelganj Fire Service have already reached the site and started controlling the fire.

Staff Correspondent Class ten student Azmaine Inquiad Inan from Residential Model School and College has watched over a thousand animation movies to date. At the onset of Covid-19, he became increasingly addicted to watching these movies due to having ample free time alongside his studies. With digital devices readily available, he indulged in his passion for animation daily, also delving into the history and production of anime films. However, he acknowledges that his fondness for animation is not a talent. Inan told Dhaka Tribune, "For the first time, I feel that my knowledge of animation movies can be put to use at this literature festival." He participated in the "Under-Anime Mind Quest" category of Group D, competing against students from various schools in Dhaka. The competition consisted of three stages, including a question aimed at identifying the anime character with the most acute sense of smell, a challenge only true anime aficionados could tackle. Inan`s preference leans towards comedic action anime films, which inspired him to cultivate a habit of writing stories in the anime genre, sharing them with his parents. Not only Inan, but nearly 600 students from grades 3 to 12, representing 30-35 schools in Dhaka, participated in the Annual Inter School Literature Festival hosted by St Joseph International School from May 2-4. The festival served as a platform for students to showcase their literary talents and creativity through a variety of engaging competitions. It celebrated literature, the arts, and the exchange of knowledge. The three-day Lit Festival commenced at St. Joseph`s International School in the capital. The first and second days featured competitions at different levels, along with various activities and workshops. Zubayer Chowdhury, a 7th grader, has a passion for movies. As there was no cable connection in his home until last year, his movie-watching opportunities were limited. Every Eid, he visits the cinema to watch his favorite movie, supplemented by a weekly movie session. Zubair remarked, "I`ve watched a single movie 300 times because it`s saved in our home player. I never tire of watching it since I love movies." The Annual Inter-school Literature Festival was a unique and thrilling event providing students with a platform to showcase their literary talents, connect with peers, and learn from industry experts. It celebrated the written and spoken word, highlighting the power of literature and the arts. Nafiza Anjum Prova, a ninth-grade student at Summerfield International School, expressed her lifelong love for art. Amidst increasing academic pressure, she found solace in modern art, which has since become an integral part of her life. Prova participated in the festival, competing in the modern art and story writing categories. 180 students receive awards Prizes were awarded to the winners on the last day of the festival yesterday. Guests from the Russian Cultural Center graced the closing ceremony with their presence. Over 180 students were honoured with awards, having participated in 16 events spanning across four categories. First, second, and third place awards were bestowed upon three students from each category. The festival comprised four groups: Group A for grades 3 and 4, Group B for grades 5 and 6, Group C for grades 7, 8, and 9, and Group D for grades 10, 11, and 12. Each group engaged in a variety of competitions designed to showcase their literary prowess in both English and Bangla. The competitions encompassed a wide range of activities including short film production, YouTube content creation, modern art, extemporaneous speech, storytelling and writing, theatrical drama, cinematic quizzical quest, English Olympiad, masquerade, anime mind quest, spelling bee, poem recitation, poster design and presentation in English, as well as literature-based quizzes in English. Joseph The image shows a glimpse of St Joseph International School literary festival on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Ahadul Karim Khan/Dhaka Tribune Festival Director Shariful Anwar said: “Through participation in the festival, students have the opportunity to develop their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving techniques, all while broadening their understanding of the world.” Shegufta Islam, chief convener of the SJIS literary club, said: “This is the largest school-level literature festival in the country, where students can nurture their literary sensibilities and expand their knowledge of literature. The festival provides students with a platform to showcase their talents, interact with peers from other schools, and explore new ideas and cultures.” She added that the festival also serves as an avenue for students to express their love for reading, writing, and the spoken word, and to share their passion for literature. Principal Brother Chandan B Gomes expressed his belief that this event will play a significant role in enhancing students` skills and fostering the development of new ideas. Engaging in literary activities will complement the students` academic pursuits. On March 19, 1954, Brother Jude Costello, an American Missionary member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, operating under the Catholic Archdiocese of Dhaka, founded the school as the "St. Joseph English Medium School" on Monir Hossain Lane, Narinda, in the old part of Dhaka. In July 1965, all classes were relocated from Narinda to the Mohammadpur campus. Over the past 70 years, this educational institution has served as a launching pad for numerous academics, corporate leaders, sports personalities, politicians, scientists, engineers, architects, medical professionals, musicians, artists, debaters, quizzers, filmmakers, journalists, and policymakers of local and global renown. The institution celebrated its Golden Jubilee on campus in 2004, and on March 19, 2024, it marked its 70th anniversary. Throughout the latter part of the 21st century, St. Joseph has continued to expand its student body and faculty size, establishing several research centers and programs. Josephites, alumni of St Joseph, have spread worldwide, forming one of the most esteemed alumni bases in the country. Their sense of achievement finds its roots in the school. Josephites maintain relationships with peers from other colleges by participating in inter-college competitions and college festivals. The Extra-Curricular Credits Committee (ECC) oversees students` performance and organizes contingents for events at other colleges. Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities include the Scintilla Science Club, Josephite Debating Club, Josephite Language and Reading Club, Josephite Business Club, Josephite Chess Club, Josephite Eco Earth Club, Josephite Interact Club, Josephite Cultural Forum, Josephite Wall Magazine Club, Josephite Film & Drama Club, Josephite IT Club-JITC, Josephite International Understanding Club, and the newly formed Josephite Wellbeing Club.

International Desk Scores of Democrats in the US House on Friday urged President Joe Biden to consider halting arms sales to Israel if it does not alter the conduct of its war against Hamas. A letter signed by 86 Democratic members of Congress and delivered to the White House ratchets up pressure on Biden to take a firmer stance toward Israel, a staunch ally. The lawmakers voiced "serious concerns regarding the Israeli government`s conduct of the war in Gaza as it pertains to the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid." Israel`s restrictions on US-backed humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza "have contributed to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," the letter said, citing the US Agency for International Development. The lawmakers urged Biden to make clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that any impediment to aid delivery to Gaza was "risking its eligibility for further offensive security assistance from the United States." The letter said any US funding halt should not include missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome. "We continue to strongly support providing such lifesaving defensive funding to Israel," the letter said. Those signing the letter included Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Since the start of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by the unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, Biden has faced criticism for his unconditional support for Israel. But pressure on him has mounted as rowdy protests by students have shaken US university campuses and garnered headlines, months before Biden seeks re-election.

Staff Correspondent With heat-related deaths mounting, the tarmac on roads melting and desperate people gathering in mosques to pray for an end to the deadly heatwave ravaging Bangladesh, the call went out from cyberspace: Plant more trees. The worst heatwave in seven decades is particularly unbearable in the capital Dhaka with temperatures reaching as high as 43°C in a crowded city that has been steadily stripped of the trees, lakes and ponds that once offered its residents relief and shelter. Now social media influencers are urging their followers to plant trees in a bid to make the city, and country, more liveable during heatwaves, which scientists say are becoming more frequent, more severe and longer because of climate change. In late April, Peya Jannatul, a model, actor and lawyer, asked her 1.6 million followers on Facebook to go out and plant 10 trees each. The undated image shows a pplant nursery. Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune The undated image shows a pplant nursery. Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune A student group launched a campaign on April 21 to plant 500,000 trees in just 10 days, while a popular cleric urged his 4.3 million Facebook followers to donate money to plant 300,000 trees. Green Savers, which allows people to sponsor tree planting across 22 districts, is helping translate the calls for tree planting into action. "We are seeing a surge of interest in our tree sponsorship program," said Ahsan Rony, the CEO of Green Savers, which also trains gardeners. A sponsor donates less than $2 to plant a tree at a poor family`s home and can then digitally track the tree and see how the host family is benefitting. Since 2012, 66,000 trees have been planted across the country under the program, Rony said. Photographer Mahmud Rahman has harnessed social media to encourage others to help him turn a rubbish-filled space near his home beside Dhaka`s Gulshan Lake into a verdant oasis bright with colourful flowers. Through his Facebook page, Rahman encourages other residents and visitors to volunteer to help plant 50-60 varieties of plants and herbs along the kilometre-long Gulshan-2 lakeside. Treena Bishop, a US citizen living in the neighbourhood, was one of the volunteers. "This is a great example of how the community is contributing to tree plantation in Dhaka... and I hope everybody should know how it works so that they can follow it," she said. The right tree at the right time The heatwave scorching Bangladesh is taking a heavy toll across the region -- tens of people have died in several countries, schools have been closed and authorities are warning of forest fires, heat stroke and dehydration. The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said this month that Asia is warming faster than the global average and was the most disaster-hit region by climate-related hazards last year. Trees can help mitigate heatwaves by cooling cities but Dhaka is ill-prepared. Rapid, unplanned growth as migrants flocked to the city, sometimes to escape the effects of climate change along the coast and rivers, saw trees being cut down to make space for concrete buildings and other development. And environmental activists warn that planting new trees, especially in the searing heat of summer, is not always the best answer in this mega-city of 23 million people. "It does not make sense to plant new saplings every year if we cannot protect mature trees with large canopy that give shade and shelter to not only heat-stricken people but also to the city`s birds, beasts, and insects," said Amirul Rajiv, a photographer and activist who organized a movement last year to protect hundreds of trees in the city`s Dhanmondi neighbourhood. It is also important to choose the right trees, said Mohammad Zashim Uddin, professor of botany at the University of Dhaka, noting that non-native trees like eucalyptus or acacia can harm local biodiversity. "We need to have clear annual goals (saying) by what percentage we can increase green space in Dhaka, and with what trees," he said. City authorities have put forward plans governing land use through to 2035, including proposals for 55 new parks around water bodies and 14 eco-parks to protect biodiversity. Environmental experts say the authorities should tap the knowledge of specialists to draw up a coordinated approach. Md Imran Hosen, a postdoctoral researcher at University of New South Wales, Australia, said the government should use water management to cool the city, while people could also play their part by creating rooftop gardens or installing vertical greening on tall buildings. "Planting trees to cool cities is common sense, but you need to combine that with many other factors - and we need deeper studies to plan out optimal actions," he said.

Staff Correspondent Bangladesh and the Gambia today expressed hope to witness a speedy resolution of the case filed against Myanmar on the charge of Rohingya genocide with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The optimism was reflected at a meeting between Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Hasna Mahmud and Gambian Justice minister and Attorney General Dawda A. Jallow on the sideline of the preparatory meeting of the foreign ministers ahead of 15th summit of Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia, a foreign ministry press release said. During the meeting, Gambian minister expressed sincere thanks to the Bangladesh government for providing humanitarian shelter to forcefully displaced Rohingya people. He also expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh government for providing financial assistance to the Gambia for handling the Rohingya Genocide case. Hasan discussed about the Bangladesh`s government`s steps to provide humanitarian shelter to Rohingyas as well as the future obstacles regarding the crisis. He emphasized on the repatriation of the Rohingyas, staying in Bangladesh, to their homeland Myanmar in order to find a sustainable solution to the crisis. Gambia`s Minister of Justice and Attorney General described the current scenario of the Rohingya Genocide case and expressed his confidence to prove the allegations of genocide against Myanmar. However, he also raised the issue of insufficient funds to run the case with ICJ. Hasan assured to provide necessary legal assistance and evidence from Bangladesh side to Gambia to continue the case. In 2019, the Gambia filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging genocide following a consensus of the OIC member states.