Earthquake and the risk to Dhaka residents
Earthquakes seldom announce themselves before they strike yet their consequences reflect years of choices made about how cities grow and how safety is enforced. The tremor that rippled through Dhaka and nearby districts on Friday morning was a moderate event by global standards, but even so it made buildings sway...
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The Rohingya's path to self determination
During last Ramadan, standing beside UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in a refugee camp, Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his hope that the Rohingya community would be able to offer their next Eid prayers in their homeland of Arakan. His words kindled a fragile expectation among a persecuted people driven from...
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Toilet success, sewer failure
Last Wednesday, countries observed the World Toilet Day with three key messages: we'll always need the toilet, toilets are under pressure and we need toilets fit for the future. The significance of these messages cannot be overstated. UN-Water, the UN's coordination mechanism on water and sanitation, set 'sanitation in a...
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Back to books again, please!
When I was growing up, going to the Ekushey Boi Mela felt like a full-day festival. It was not only a book fair; it was an event the whole family looked forward to. I remember clutching my parents' hands as we walked past colourful stalls, the smell of fresh paper...
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Does age matter to a rapist?
Many in society still blame a woman's clothes, behaviour, or character for rape. Some question how she walks or talks, others focus on her dress. But if these were the reasons, why are infants in their mothers' arms victimised? Why are elderly women not spared? Do rapists consider age before...
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