News headlines · Global coronavirus infections surpass 750,000 confirmed cases, with almost 37,000 deaths · With 1 reported case in Cox’s Bazar, WHO reports no new ones in refugee camps · In Germany, a state finance minister dies of apparent suicide after ‘virus crisis worries’ · In US, Trump extends guidelines through April; Fauci warns pandemic could kill 200,000 Americans · In a single day, Spain records 838 deaths · India’s caseload tops 1,000 and death toll rises to 27 Shortwave, 31-meter band 9310 kHz 25-meter band, 11570 kHz, 12030 kHz Report: VOA News Topic: Bangladesh internet ban poses risks to Rohingyas, rights group says Summary: The Bangladesh government’s internet blackout and phone restrictions at Rohingya refugee camps are endangering the lives and health of more than a million people, including almost 900,000 forcibly displaced Rohingyas and other people in Cox’s Bazar host communities, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday. It said the communications ban impedes aid groups’ ability to supply emergency health services and other assistance. Web extra: The New Humanitarian website last week published an appeal by Mohammed Arfaat, a Rohingya activist living in Cox’s Bazar, to lift the communications ban. “If people get sick,” he wrote, “they will go to camp health clinics directly instead of following the World Health Organization’s precautions to call for advice first – all because they cannot make a simple phone call to a health NGO beforehand.” Telecom operators were told last September to greatly restrict their 3G and 4G services in Cox’s Bazar for security reasons, Reuters reported Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission spokesman Zakir Hossain Khan as saying at the time. Coronavirus PSA: Mohammad Rukon Uddin Report: Mohammed Idris Abdullah (Cox’s Bazar) Topic: A Kutupalong waste treatment facility holds promise for refugee camps. Translation summary: In early 2019, a new human waste treatment facility opened in Kutupalong Camp 4 Extension. The largest ever built in a refugee camp, it was designed to safely treat the waste of 150,000 people – and to improve sanitation. Otherwise, poor sanitation leaves people vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The project, funded by UNHCR, is overseen by the charity Oxfam. Mana Bala, Oxfam’s public health engineering officer, told VOA the facility breaks down waste through a biological process. It doesn’t use chemicals, so it’s both sustainable and affordable. Ultimately, Bala said, the facility is expected to produce biogas that can be used for cooking. It could serve 200,000 people in camp and host communities. If that’s successful, the project will be expanded to serve all 34 Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar district.