Bangladesh
224 more Dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Another 224 people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning.
The total fatalities remained unchanged at 266 as no death was reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
READ: Lack of awareness fuels dengue menace: Army Chief
Of the new patients, 119 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 105 outside it, said DGHS.
A total of 980 dengue patients, including 523 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The DGHS has recorded 60,522 dengue cases and 59,276 recoveries so far this year.
Quiz competition on 50 years of Bangladesh-Japan friendship held
The Embassy of Japan and Youth Opportunities on Monday jointly organized the prize giving ceremony of “50 years of Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Quiz Competition” in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh.
The competition aimed at building better awareness among the Bangladeshi youth regarding the beneficial friendship between these two friendly nations with a fun learning activity.
The week-long online quiz competition was held between November 27 and December 3, 2022, and seven winners among more than seven thousand participants were selected.
Read: EWU wins cultural competition at ULAB's 8th Inter-University Student Conference
Outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki and other guests handed prizes to the winners.
Ambassador Naoki congratulated the winners and emphasized the significance of this initiative by reiterating the strong multifaceted bilateral ties between Japan and Bangladesh.
Co-founder of Youth Opportunities Osama Bin Noor mentioned that this competition has engaged thousands of Bangladeshi youth and enhanced their knowledge of Japan-Bangladesh relations, and he was glad that it was a great success.
Read: National rounds of 13th Henry Dunant Moot Court Competition on international humanitarian law ends
In the future, he hoped that the youth of Bangladesh and Japan will work together to take our friendship to a different height.
Representatives of Grameen Euglena, Grameen Uniqlo, Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (JCIAD) attended the ceremony.
The Daily Star and Dainik Bangla were the media partners of this competition. Their representatives also joined the event.
Verdict on ban on GM Quader’s party activities tomorrow
The Appellate Division on Monday fixed December 13 (Tuesday) for delivering its judgment on the temporary embargo on the political activities of Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader.
A three-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order after hearing today.
So it will be known tomorrow (Tuesday) whether GM Quader will be allowed to perform his duties as Jatiya Party chairman as per the constitution or not.
Barrister Sayed Ahmed Raja appeared for Jatiya Party's suspended leader and former lawmaker Ziaul Haque Mridha who filed the case against GM Quader while Advocate Sheikh Sirajul Islam for GM Quader.
Read more: GM Quader cannot perform duties as JaPa Chairman, Chamber Judge stays HC order
On November 30, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division M Enayetur Rahim stayed the High Court order allowing Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader to perform the duties of his post.
On November 29, HC cleared the way for GM Quader to perform his duties as Jatiya Party Chairman by staying the lower court embargo till January 3 following a revision petition.
Ziaul Haque Mridha filed the case against GM Quader on October 4.
On October 30, Dhaka Joint District Sessions Judge court-1 issued a temporary embargo on the political activities of GM Quader.
On October 6, several lawyers including Sheikh Sirajul Islam and Kalim Ullah Majumdar stood for GM Quader with a petition to withdraw the ban on his political activities at the court.
In the petition, the lawyers also urged the court to lift the embargo to play his role as Chairman as per the constitution of the party that was dismissed by the same court on November 16.
Later, Quader filed a revision petition with the HC challenging the lower court order.
Read more: GM Quader can perform party activities: HC
According to the case statement, the party’s founder HM Ershad died on September 14, 2019.
Quader declared himself as chairman of the party through forgery at a council on December 28, 2019 when a writ petition case was pending at the High Court.
Later, Quader as party chairman fired several leaders including Ranga, Gazipur metropolitan unit’s advisor Ataur Rahman Sarkar and Organising Secretary Sabur Sikdar, among others, by exercising his power as per the constitution of the party.
Besides, Ranga was also removed from the post of presidium member of the party on September 14 and Advocate Ziaul Hoque Mridha from the party on September 17.
In the case, orders were sought to declare all removals from December 28, 2019, to September 17, 2022 and council as illegal while the next council of the party to keep stayed unless the HC writ petition is disposed of.
UAE keen to scale up engagements with Bangladesh
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sought cooperation from the Bangladesh government for operation of Abu Dhabi-based Wizz Air flights between Abu Dhabi and Dhaka/Chittagong as a low-cost airline.
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Bangladesh Abdullah Ali Al Hamoudi met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Foreign Minister Momen has said the relationship between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is becoming stronger day by day.
He listened to the envoy and assured of full cooperation. Momen further stressed to strengthen cooperation on food security, energy security and climate change issues between Bangladesh and the UAE.
The UAE envoy expressed his country’s interests to scale up the bilateral engagements between the two countries.
He underlined the need to enhance cooperation on trade and investment, air and shipping connection, agriculture, food security, floating based solar energy, pharmaceuticals, IT, afforestation, alliance for mangrove forest etc.
Also read: FM lauds FOSA initiatives
The Ambassador requested the Foreign Minister for support of Bangladesh during COP 28 to be held in Dubai in 2023.
The Foreign Minister congratulated the Ambassador for his new assignment and assured him all possible cooperation from the Ministry.
The Ambassador highly appreciated the development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Momen said during the tenure of the Ambassador, the bilateral relations would further expand for mutual benefits.
He deeply appreciated the UAE leadership for transforming the UAE as the role model for development and prosperity.
The Foreign Minister particularly thanked the leadership for hosting the spectacular arrangement of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Cop withdrawn after misbehavior with journalist while covering BNP MPs’ resignation
Police constable Md Shahinur Rahman has been withdrawn from duty for his misbehavior with a television reporter while covering the resignation of the Members of Parliament (MPs) of BNP in Parliament area on Sunday.
He has been attached to police lines and departmental action will be taken against him, said deputy commissioner (Media) of DMP Faruq Hossain on Monday.
Read more: 5 BNP MPs’ resignation: Election to vacant seats within 90 days, EC says
Sayed Arman, journalist of Nagorik TV and a member of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), was broadcasting live the resignation of BNP’s Members of Parliament (MPs) in from of the parliament when constable Md Shahinur Rahman took away the journalist's boom (microphone) and obstructed him during performing his duties.
Read more: 5 BNP MPs submit resignation to JS Speaker
In a statement on Sunday, DRU President Mursalin Nomani and General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel condemned the incident on behalf of the DRU Executive Committee.
The DRU leaders demanded the authorities to investigate the matter and take action against the cop. They called upon the police authority to cooperate with journalists while they perform their duties.
6 hurt in Awami League infighting during the party’s council in Chuadanga
Six leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) were injured in a clash between two factions of district Awami League during its triennial council in Chuadanga on Monday.
The injured are Chuadanga district BCL’s former president Mohaimen Hasan Joardar, former general secretary Tarek Hasan, BCL leaders Feroz Joardar, Raju Ahmed, Hirak and Swapan.
A group of leaders and activists of Awami League took seats in the first row of the pandal at the council venue at Chuadanga Town Football ground this morning.
The clash broke out when some other leaders and workers led by former BCL president Mohaimen were barred from sitting in the first row.
Read: 15 injured in BCL factional clash at CU
At one stage, a group BCL activists attacked the other group including Mohaimen with chairs at the venue, leaving six people injured, said injured Hirak.
Later, the injured were sent to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital where they are undergoing treatment.
Police brought the situation under control by charging batons.
Chuadanga Police Superintendent Abdullah Al Mamun said, “I’ve come to know the matter through a video footage. I don't know who was beaten, where and when or who was admitted to the hospital. We will look into the matter.”
Read: One killed, two injured in Khulna clash
After seven years, the triennial conference of Chuadanga District Awami League is being held today (Monday) at the town football ground of the district with more than 50,000 people joining it.
Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafar Ullah will announce the opening of the council while Awami League General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader will speak as chief guest joining the event virtually.
Public universities lagged behind pvt ones in adopting online classes during pandemic: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (December 12, 2022) said that public universities in Bangladesh lagged behind in adapting to virtual or online class when the government tried to introduce it during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let me share something regrettable. Our public universities were a bit slow in using the digital system in education during the pandemic period. They were far behind (compared to private universities),” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while attending the inaugural programme of Digital Bangladesh Day 2022.
ICT Division organised the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) with the theme ‘Advanced Technology Inclusive Development’.
Read more: From ‘Digital Bangladesh’ to ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, PM announces
Sheikh Hasina said that during the pandemic, public universities expressed reluctance to go for online classes.
“Private universities started that (online classes) quickly. But our public universities (did not), even Dhaka University (did not start promptly),” she said.
She said that after repeated requests, public universities of the country introduced online classes.
“That was the reality. When a system is beneficial to us, why should we not adopt that?” – she questioned.
Read more: $230bn needed: PM seeks support from global partners to implement climate adaptation plan
If there were no ‘Digital Bangladesh’, what would have happened during the Covid-19 pandemic, she wondered. “Everything would come to a standstill.”
The Prime Minister also elaborated on her government’s ICT-friendly initiatives and Vision 2041 to establish Smart Bangladesh.
She mentioned that successful implementation of Digital Bangladesh made it possible for the government to keep the economy, education and other activities running properly during the pandemic.
Regarding the economic situation worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter-sanctions, Sheikh Hasina said that prices of essentials have increased globally.
Read More: Huawei ICT Incubator announces top 6 startups from Bangladesh
“Developed countries are facing a volatile situation. Even developed countries like Great Britain have declared recession. By the grace of Allah, we are still able to run our economic wheel,” she said.
From ‘Digital Bangladesh’ to ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, PM announces
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (December 12, 2022) announced the “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 goal.
“We will make Bangladesh a developed country by 2041, and that Bangladesh will be Smart Bangladesh,” she said.
The PM made the announcement while attending the inaugural programme of ‘Digital Bangladesh Day 2022’ – giving away prizes among winners of an online quiz competition.
The ICT Division arranged the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) with the theme ‘Advanced Technology Inclusive Development’.
Read more: We are promoting grassroots arts and culture: PM Hasina
Sheikh Hasina said that from Digital Bangladesh, the country will be transformed into Smart Bangladesh.
She also said that the government has set four bases to realise the Smart Bangladesh goal. These are: Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government and Smart Society.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government also formulated the Delta Plan 2100 to outline the development path of the country apart from Vision 2041.
The Prime Minister hoped that the youths will take the country forward and will groom themselves as smart citizens to become soldiers for the 2041 goal.
Read more: Next general election to be held first week of 2024: PM Hasina announces at Cox’s Bazar rally
State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Post, Telecommunication and ICT Ministry Chairman AKM RahmatUllah, and ICT Division Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam also spoke at the programme.
Argentina’s foreign minister says will open embassy in Dhaka: Media report
Argentina’s Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero has announced that the South American country will open an embassy in Bangladesh.
The decision follows Bangladesh’s overwhelming support for Lionel Messi and the Argentina team playing in the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, reports MercoPress, a south Atlantic news agency, on Sunday (December 11, 2022).
Bangladesh has always had a die-hard Argentina fanbase, but during this Qatar World Cup, they grabbed global attention by displaying their immense passion. It all began when a video of ecstatic Bangladeshi supporters cheering Messi’s goal against Mexico was posted by the official FIFA Twitter account.
Read more: Kushtia divided by Argentina, Brazil as World Cup fever grips Bangladesh
The tale of Bangladesh and Argentina quickly went viral, and started trending on the internet. The Argentine media also covered it. Later, the official Twitter account of Argentina’s national football team tweeted about Bangladesh with the following message: “Thank you for supporting our team!! They are crazy like us!”
Argentines joined the media and journalists in expressing their gratitude for Bangladesh on social media. As a reciprocation for Bangladesh’s undying love for the Argentine football team, an Argentine fan group for the Bangladesh national cricket team was created on social media.
The MercoPress report quoted Argentine Foreign Minister Cafiero saying he will visit Bangladesh next year to finalise the proposal after participating in the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in India.
Read more: Argentina keen to exporting soybean, fertilizer to Bangladesh
In August this year, Cafiero met with his Bangladeshi counterpart, AK Abdul Momen, to promote bilateral cooperation and agreed to “widen potential for trade growth.”
The Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement that they seek to explore bilateral relations, mainly in the commercial aspect, and to diversify trade through opening an embassy in Bangladesh, as per the media report.
Last year, Argentina exported products – mostly wheat, corn, and by-products of soybeans – worth USD 876 million to Bangladesh, a record high that resulted in a USD 862 million trade surplus for the South American nation.
Read More: Anti-Corruption Award: US Embassy in Dhaka congratulates journalist Rozina Islam
In July, Argentina informed Bangladesh that the South American country is open to exporting soybean, beef and fertilizer to Bangladesh.
Dinajpur biker killed as two-wheeler crashes into tree
A motorcyclist was killed and his pillion rider critically injured after their two-wheeler hit a tree on the Hili-Mollabazar road in Hakimpur's Hili Sunday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Ekhlas, 26, from Baigram village of Hakimpur upazila, and the injured is Rubel, 28, of the same area.
Read: 3 die as bus hits pickup van in DInajpur
The accident occurred around 6:30pm in the Chhoto Dangapara area.
"Ekhlas and Rubel were returning home from Hili Bazar when one of them driving the motorcycle lost control of it which ran into a roadside tree, leaving them seriously injured," Abu Sayem Mia, officer-in-charge of Hakimpur Police Station, said.
Read: 2 Rohingyas shot dead during 'gunfight' at Ukhia camp, police say
Locals rushed them to Hakimpur Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared Ekhlas dead.
Critically injured Rubel was later referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Dr Sabrina Jahan Mou of the health complex said.