Bangladesh
PM condoles death of actor Masum Aziz
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak winning actor and screenplay writer Masum Aziz.
In a condolence message, the prime minister said the talented actor will be remembered for his work.
She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Masum Aziz died on Monday afternoon at a private hospital in the capital where he was under treatment for heart-related ailment.
He was admitted to the hospital with cardiac problem on October 3 and was put on life support as his condition deteriorated on Thursday morning.
Read: PM condoles death of Enamul Haque
His body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar on Tuesday morning for the public to pay tributes.
His body will later be taken to his ancestral home in Pabna where he will be buried at his family graveyard.
The actor was awarded the country's second highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year for his remarkable contribution in acting.
Stay united to face any threats: Army Chief
Chief of Bangladesh Army General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed said on Monday that all members of the Bangladesh Army need to stay united to safeguard the country and its constitution from any internal and external threats.
He made the statement at a flag hoisting event of four units under the 7 Infantry Division at the Sheikh Hasina Cantonment in Barishal.
The Army Chief said the military is being modernised to enhance its strength and skills in line with the force’s Goal-2030.
“We have already earned the trust of the United Nations and global community by deploying modern machinery at the UN Peacekeeping Mission. Continuing the modernisation the Bangladesh Army will become one of the top forces across the world,” he added.
The newly formed units of the Bangladesh Army are 52 Independent MLRS Battery Artillery, 35 Beer, 163 Field Workshop Company and 85 Field Ambulance.
A parade team led by parade Commander Major Rezwanul Hafiz Chandan saluted the Army Chief.
Girls must enjoy right to decide for themselves: Speakers
Girls must enjoy the right to decide for themselves to inspire and empower young women and girls’ leadership enabling them to become active citizens, said speakers on Monday at Girls Summit 2022-Dhaka, in Gazipur.
International development organisation Plan International Bangladesh organised a three-day girls' summit in Gazipur at a residential space.
The objective is to train young girls in leadership and knowledge management and educate them about their body rights, civic rights, and capacitate them in planning effective campaigns in their communities.
Meher Afroz Chumki, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, virtually inaugurated the summit.
She shared that girls and young women are reaching new heights every day with their creativity and resilience.
“Thanks to our Prime Minister’s dynamic leadership, we have successfully reduced child marriage and increased women’s participation in various economic activities,” Chumki said.
She also appreciated Plan International Bangladesh and Youth Engagement for Sustainability, Bangladesh for organizing this summit.
Md Azharul Islam Khan, Director General of Ministry of Youth and Sports, addressed the opening session as the chief guest.
“I am here today because it is my responsibility to empower girls and young women like you. Leadership does not have any gender, and anyone with skill and experience deserves to be a leader,” he said, adding that he is committed to supporting similar youth-led initiatives for gender equality.
Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh said leaders of tomorrow should adopt an eagle’s eye view of future challenges.
Being confined to a limited worldview will curb your potential as leaders. This is why, we at Plan International Bangladesh, want you to explore the vast world of opportunities available and live up to your full potential”.
She also mentioned that the Girls’ Summit is a flagship event that is celebrated in more than 80 countries worldwide by Plan International, with the aim of enhancing girls’ leadership skills.
Wahida Banu, Executive Director of Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Farha Farin, Project Officer of Bandhu Social Welfare Society, and Aparna Barma, Director of HR & OD of Plan International Bangladesh also spoke at the event.
Around 70 girls and young women within 15 to 24 years from all over Dhaka have come together in this event to build leadership skills through equal power and become active citizens of this ever-changing world.
Dengue death toll rises to 96 as two more die in 24 hrs
Two more dengue patients died in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 96.
During this period, 857 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever as cases keep rising, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the latest deaths, one was reported from Dhaka division and another from Khulna division.
The dengue death toll in Dhaka division stands at 54, in Chattogram division it remained static at 34, in Barishal division at five and in Mymensingh division at 1.
Of the new patients, 523 were admitted to different hospitals in Dhaka and 334 outside it.
A total of 3,004 dengue patients, including 2,015 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The Directorate has recorded 26,038 dengue cases and 22,938 recoveries so far this year.
TCB starts selling essential items for 1 crore low-income families
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has started sale of essential items at a subsidized rate among one crore families.
The sale programme was formally launched at an event organized by TCB at Lalmatia in the capital on Monday.
Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, senior secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office inaugurated the sale programme while Tapan Kanti Ghosh, senior secretary to the Commerce Ministry was present.
AHM Shafiquzzaman, director general (Additional Secretary), Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, Brigadier General Md. Ariful Hassan, chairman of TCB, Syed Hasan Nur Islam, councilor ward-32, Dhaka North City Corporation, Md. Rafiqul Islam, proprietor of Anu Enterprise, were,among others, present at the function.
The cardholder families will be able to buy one kg sugar at Tk 55, two kg lentils at Tk 65 per kg, two litres of soybean oil at Tk 110 a litre and two kg onions at Tk 20 per kg during the sales period.
Initially four items - lentil, sugar, soybean oil and onion -will be sold across the country including in the capital through the designated dealers of the TCB, said a press release.
Never met Tarique Rahman, says Info Secretary sent on early retirement
Md Mokbul Hossain, who was sent on early retirement yesterday from the post of Secretary to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, today said that he has never met BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
“I have never compromised my morality and I’m not prepared for this situation,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat today.
He came up with the remarks a day after he was sent on early retirement. A gazette notification was issued yesterday in this regard.
Replying to a question regarding his visit to London, earlier this year, Mokbul said, “We went there (London) in March as a team. Why are you raising this question now? Ashiqunnabi was in charge of press duties and if you (journalists) ask him, it would be clear.”
He also said, “If it is proven that I was in contact with BNP, please put me on the dock. It is impossible for a person who holds Bangabandhu’s ideals close to his heart, to have any connection with BNP.”
“I have no idea why I have been sent on early retirement but the government has the right to do it.”
Mokbul further said, “As a journalist you can investigate it. I have no involvement with any anti-government activities and if there is any, you (journalists) can publish it. I have no objections.”
Asked whether he has developed any distance with the information minister, Mokbul said that there will be a lot of talk and it will be better to not rely on those words alone. “We worked together and I respect him,” he said.
‘NO IDEA ABOUT THIS, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MINISTRY CAN EXPLAIN’
Meanwhile, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, “I have seen the gazette notification yesterday but I have no idea about it. Public Administration Ministry can explain this.”
Hasan was talking to reporters after a views-exchange meeting with television artists, directors and producers at his office.
“Such incidents have occurred before and the government can send any secretary on compulsory retirement and the Public Administration Ministry can explain it properly,” Hasan said.
According to the notification issued on Sunday, Mokbul has been sent on retirement from government service in the “public interest in accordance with Section 45 of the Government Employment Act, 2018”.
Mokbul joined as the secretary of the Information Ministry on May 31, 2021. Before joining as the Secretary to the Information Ministry, he was a registrar at the Directorate of Joint Capital Companies and Firms. He also served as additional secretary of the Jute and Textile Ministry.
He joined Bangladesh Civil Service as a 10th batch officer of the BCS (Administration) cadre in 1991.
Polls at 57 Zila Parishads end peacefully
Elections at 57 Zila Parishads ended peacefully by using electronic voting machines (EVMs) Monday noon.
The voting began at 9:00 am and continued till 2 pm without any break under the supervision of the deputy commissioners who are acting as the returning officers, according to the Election Commission.
Voting in the Zila Parishads was held at 925 booths in 462 centres across the country .
UNB Khulna correspondent reports, the elections were held peacefully in 10 polling centres in nine upazilas. Only 55 voters among 978 ones cast their votes here.
In Cumilla, voting started at 9 am in 12 wards and five reserved wards.
In Chattogram, voting was held in 15 upazilas in the district.
Elected representatives of other local government bodies such as Union Parishads, municipalities and Upazila Parishads cast their votes in the election.
Inflation: UN expert for increasing benefits, wages or lives will be lost
As global inflation continues to sky-rocket, and prices of the most basic necessities become too high for millions to afford, the UN’s poverty expert has urged governments to index social benefits and wages to inflation.
“It is not hyperbole to say that unless governments increase benefits and wages in line with inflation lives will be lost,” said Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.
Read:August inflation data finally released, with September
Whether in Europe, where inflation has hit a record high of 10 per cent, or sub-Saharan Africa where food prices have surged by nearly 24 per cent, household budgets across the world are being stretched beyond breaking point, meaning even more people in poverty will starve or freeze this winter unless immediate action is taken to increase their income.
“As with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is once again the most vulnerable that are paying the price of world events. The combined crises are expected to throw an additional 75 to 95 million people into extreme poverty this year alone.”
Ahead of a Council of Europe event today in Strasbourg on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Special Rapporteur also urged governments to act quickly to insulate homes before winter in the Northern Hemisphere, according to a message received here from Geneva on Monday.
“Insulating people’s homes to keep them warm and safe is not rocket science, and failure to act in this area is simply down to a lack of political will. Not only will doing so reduce the energy bills of low-income households, it will also considerably reduce carbon emissions.”
The Special Rapporteur called on governments to involve people in poverty in the design of policies to tackle the soaring cost-of-living, pointing to the Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, adopted a decade ago, as a roadmap to follow.
Read: How the cuts announced by OPEC+ will affect oil prices, inflation
“For far too long misguided poverty-reduction policies have completely failed to reach those in need, meaning poverty simply passes from one generation to the next. As policymakers attempt to shield low-income households from the current crisis, I implore them to call on the real experts – people with lived experience of poverty,” De Schutter said.
“The Guiding Principles are a secret weapon in the fight against poverty. They should be on the desk of every decision-maker as they navigate the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.”
Finance in Common Summit: Investment in small-scale farmers, rural women, youth to get focus
The President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario, will attend the Finance in Common Summit co-organized by the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank on October 19 and 20, 2022.
With the world facing tremendous challenges such as increasing hunger and poverty, as well as devastating climate change impacts, the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the summit comes at a crucial time.
The confluence of crises has had devastating economic and social consequences, exposing weaknesses in global food systems and sparking a food crisis, according to a media release received from Rome on Monday.
As a UN agency and international financial institution, IFAD recognizes the investment power public development banks (PDBs) can bring to bear on these problems. Massive targeted investment to benefit the world’s poorest people could make a huge difference.
At the Summit, President Lario will make a plea to agricultural PDBs for a major increase in funding desperately needed to help small-scale producers adapt to climate change, increase agricultural production and develop value chains for local markets.
In partnership with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti d'Italia and Agence Française de Développement, IFAD and other PDBs launched the Platform for Sustainable and Inclusive Food Systems in 2021.
This was a significant step to help PDBs to provide financial services that meet the needs of small-scale agricultural producers.
The platform also serves to stimulate private sector investments in rural small and medium enterprises that are essential for the transformation of food systems.
Small-scale farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, and in Africa as a whole, often hold the key to the successful solutions needed to meet global challenges. Increased investments in commodity value chains, climate resilience and employment opportunities in rural areas help rural people increase their incomes and improve their food and nutrition security, and create jobs for young people, strengthening communities.
Lario will also meet with high-ranking government officials to discuss the importance of investing in climate change resilience to achieve zero hunger and poverty targets in the country by 2030.
He will then travel to Korhogo in northern Côte d’Ivoire to visit the IFAD-supported Agricultural Value Chains Development Programme (PADFA) where he will see first-hand how programme participants, in particular women and young people, have improved their lives, and discuss with them what further challenges they face.
PADFA provides small-scale farmers with drought-resistant seeds, inputs and training that have led to crop yield increases, and seeks to improve post-harvest activities – packaging, storage, processing and marketing – for rice, vegetable and mango value chains.
“I used to harvest 19 bags of rice. Thanks to the rice seeds and inputs I received from PADFA, now, I can harvest nearly 30 bags,” said Brahima Silué, PADFA beneficiary from Nahoualakala village.
“My household consumes part of the rice I produce and I sell the surplus. With the income, I can afford to cover all my family’s needs, which was not the case before,” he added.
Since 1984, IFAD has financed 12 rural development programmes and projects in Côte d'Ivoire for a total investment of US$436 million, of which US$214 million came from IFAD's own resources.
These investments, IFAD says, have benefited nearly 640,000 households in Côte d’Ivoire.
Dry weather likely in 24hrs
Weather may remain mainly dry in most parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Monday.
“Light rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram division and weather may remain mainly dry with partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country,” said a Met Office bulletin.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Meanwhile, a low pressure area may form over the Andaman Sea and adjoining area in next three days, it added.
Read: Dry weather likely in most parts of country
The mercury reached 35.1 degrees Celsius – the highest – in Sylhet while the minimum temperature was recorded at 20.9 degrees in Tetulia of Rangpur division, in 24 hours till 6am on Monday.
Monsoon is weak over North Bay, said the bulletin.