Bangladesh in world media this week

Bangladesh was featured on many news outlets in the third week of January (January 22 to 28). The Friendship Hospital in Satkhira being named the world's best new building was heavily highlighted on many prominent news outlets. There were also a few light-hearted news that took international attention in the week.

Here is a pick of five stories on Bangladesh that made headlines on international media:

Bangladesh hospital named world's best new building

A remote hospital in an area of Bangladesh vulnerable to rising sea levels has been named the world's best new building, CNN reported on January 6.

The Friendship Hospital in Satkhira, a cyclone-prone district in the country's south, was announced the winner of 2021's prestigious RIBA International Prize on Tuesday, with its architects praised for putting "care and humanity at the heart of its design."

Constructed from locally-made bricks, the 80-bed hospital was built around a series of courtyards lined with tranquil, shaded walkways. An angular canal cuts through the centre of the site to separate inpatient and outpatient wings.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which organizes the award, commended the hospital's design for blending in with the surrounding countryside and creating an "uplifting and inviting experience for visitors, patients and healthcare professionals."

Designed by architect Kashef Chowdhury and his Dhaka-based firm, Urbana, the hospital was commissioned by sustainable development NGO, Friendship. Chowdhury described the jury's decision to honor a project from the "global periphery" as a "sublimely important moment."

Held every two years, the prize honors buildings or structures that "demonstrate design excellence and social impact." In a press release announcing the winner, RIBA noted that the Friendship Hospital was built in a "fragile and dynamic environment," where grain fields have been converted into shrimp farms due to rising sea levels.

As such, the hospital incorporates several sustainable design features. The way the courtyards are arranged encourages natural ventilation and eliminates the need for air conditioning. The architects also created a drainage system that channels rainwater from around the complex into a storage tank for future use and to prevent waterlogging.

At least seven Bangladeshi migrants on boat to Italy’s Lampedusa die of hypothermia

Seven Bangladeshi migrants who were on a boat from Libya heading for the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa have died of hypothermia, Reuters reported on January 25.

The coastguard saw the boat overnight some 18 miles (29 kilometers) off the coast of Lampione, an uninhabited island near Lampedusa, and rescue operations were conducted, the prosecutor said. His office has opened an inquiry into alleged abetting of illegal migration and manslaughter, he added.

Lampedusa Mayor Salvatore Martello confirmed the death toll, adding the vessel was carrying 280 migrants, mainly from Bangladesh and Egypt.

Italy, a major route into Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and other migrants, has seen an increase in migrant boats in recent months.

As of January 24, 1,751 migrants have disembarked in Italy's ports so far this year, according to government data.

Bangladesh approves projects for sustainable growth

Bangladesh's economic policy-making body Tuesday approved 10 development projects worth over $535 million, Xinhua reported on January 25.

The projects were approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After the meeting, the country's Planning Minister MA Mannan told reporters that 10 projects were approved at the meeting.

According to the minister, the projects include the establishment of Urea Formaldehyde-85 (UF-85) plant, road infrastructure development, construction of office buildings of Passport Department and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and Development of Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management System.

Of the total cost of the development projects, he said 30.55 billion taka will be financed from the government funds, while the rest amount from the respective project assistance.

Russia, Bangladesh mark 50 years of diplomatic relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mohammad Abdul Hamid and the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Russian news agency TASS reported on January 25.

"For half a century now, ties between Moscow and Dhaka have been steadily developing in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect. I am confident that through joint efforts we will ensure that the constructive bilateral cooperation in various fields will continue to be augmented," the message reads.

Putin noted that these actions are fully in the interests of the peoples of Russia and Bangladesh and also contribute to strengthening regional stability and security. The president wished the head of Bangladesh and the prime minister health and success and peace and prosperity for their fellow citizens.

Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Bangladesh were established on January 25, 1972. On December 29, 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR.

9 zebras die mysteriously at safari park in Bangladesh

Nine zebras have died over the past 22 days at a safari park in Bangladesh, prompting the government to investigate whether there is any negligence, Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency reported on January 26.

The deaths of the animals occurred between January 2 and 24, with the number of zebras in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park now reduced to 22. Most of the zebras were born in the park, officials from the Environment Ministry said Tuesday.

Inaugurated in 2013, the park is spread over 3,810 acres (1,542 hectares) of Sal forest in the central city of Gazipur and is the largest safari park in Asia and one of the largest in the world.

The zebras got sick for almost the same short period of time and the symptoms were common among them, said officials of the ministry.

Speaking to the Anadolu Agency, Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, former chief conservator of forests, said he came to know that bacterial infection was the primary cause of the deaths.

Other animals including a tiger, a lion, a giraffe, a kangaroo and some rare birds have died in the safari park since its inauguration, according to media reports.