Bangladesh
Gold trading: Shakib's companies' explanations satisfy BSEC
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is satisfied with the explanations from the two gold companies owned by cricketer Shakib Al Hasan.
The regulator of the capital market said this in a letter sent to the managing directors (MDs) of the two companies of Shakib Wednesday.
On May 18, the BSEC sent letters to the MDs of Reliable Commodity Exchange Company and Burak Commodity Exchange Company asking for clarification.
The companies sent written replies to the commission on May 22.
The BSEC said the responses were "satisfactory," clearing the way for the companies to trade gold.
Rains likely to drench eight divisions
Amid sweltering summer heat, the weather department has predicted showers in the eight divisions of Bangladesh in the next 24 hours.
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said Wednesday.
The highest temperature today was recorded at 37.2 degrees Celsius in Khulna, while the minimum temperature was 23.5 degrees in Chattogram and Kutubdia.
The maximum rainfall was recorded at 78mm in Noakhali's Maijdee Court in the last 24 hours till 6pm Wednesday.
READ: Rains likely to lash Bangladesh
Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may fall slightly over the country, the BMD said.
President Sayem's life was under threat until he signed: Joy
Former president Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem's life was hanging in the balance until he was obliged to sign, Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy said in a Facebook post.
Following the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sayem was made president of the country on November 6, 1975, and continued till April 21, 1977.
President Sayem, who was succeeded by Ziaur Rahman, secretly bore the pain of not being able to hand over power to people's representatives through an election, Joy said.
Also Read: Be vigilant against conspiracies by extremists, peddlers of religion: Joy
"Zia promised Sayem that he would arrange an election. But, staying in the position of the military chief, he organised a 'yes-no' vote, which means that he was the sole candidate and people could vote only in favour of or against him," he added.
Joy called this a "dark chapter in history" that the "BNP kept locked for long."
Engineer’s body found in Hotel Intercontinental: Police
The body of an engineer of Hotel Intercontinental was found inside the hotel in the city on Wednesday, police said.
The dead had been identified as Subrata Saha, 52. He had been serving in the hotel for last 20 years. He was residing at Hatirpol along with his wife and daughter.
The cause of his death could not be ascertained.
Inspector (investigation) of Ramna Police Station Nur Mohammad told reporters that Subrata entered the hotel around 9:30 am on Wednesday. He went up to 11th floor by elevator and after then his presence was not found anywhere. Later at around 11:30 am, the cleaners of the hotel saw his body lying on the roof of the extended part of the entrance of the hotel, he said.
READ: Unidentified man’s body found inside plastic drum in city
He was wearing a white striped shirt and blue pants. Being informed, Ramna thana police went to the spot and recovered the body. Later, CID's crime scene unit went and collected various samples from the spot.
His body was found lying on the roof two-storey annex of the hotel building.
Another officer of Ramna police station said primarily it seems that engineer Subrata fell from the roof of the 11th floor and died. However, the police are investigating whether he jumped on his own or was pushed by someone, the police officer said requesting anonymity. He said that Police have seized CCTV footage of the hotel.
Several employees of the hotel have already been questioned by police. The body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Morgue for autopsy.
New budget to focus on agro investment
The upcoming national budget of FY2022-23 will focus on growth of agricultural production to reducing import dependency, NBR sources said on Wednesday.
The government has recently given a guideline to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to keep a 10-years tax holiday for the investment in agriculture related 6-sectors including crops production, food processing plant, dairy, fisheries, fertilizer plant and agro-machinery and tech sector.
In other words, those who will invest in this sector by June 30, 2030, will get the benefit of this income tax exemption, said the officials of NBR.
READ: NBR slaps additional duty on 135 luxury items to discourage import
To avail the tax exemption facility, minimum investment of Tk 1.0 crore is needed with required registration with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). The entire raw material must be collected from the domestic sources.
Bangladesh has immense potential in the domestic agro-based industry. Development and employment of agro-based industries is possible by creating import alternatives for agricultural products, a study on agriculture said.
The government has taken such initiatives to make the economy dynamic as well as create new job opportunities. Analysts say the aim is to create new ventures, especially in the rural economy, and to include more young people.
In the upcoming budget, Tk 15,000 crore would be given for agro sector incentives, up from Tk 9,500 crore in the current fiscal year.
Survey of Ctg Metro Rail is underway: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that the survey work of Chattogram Metro Rail is underway.
"Six lane road on Dhaka-Chattagram highway is also being planned and it will be implemented," said the minister at the inauguration ceremony of Chattogram Metropolitan Awami League's member renewal and new member recruitment at Kazir Dewri in Chattogram.
Besides, talks have been held with Japan on constructing a four lane Chattogram-Cox's Bazar road, he added joining the programme virtually from Dhaka.
He urged the AL leaders and the activists to behave properly in dealing with people. "If the leaders and activists behave badly, these developments of Sheikh Hasina will fade away."
Quader said the prime minister has fulfilled her promise to build the Padma Bridge at own expense. "People all over the country are happy after the inaugural date was announced, except for the BNP."
Also Read: Quader: BNP misinterprets PM’s Padma Bridge remarks about Khaleda
Because BNP has no contribution in the development of the country, he added. "They have only Hawa Bhaban and the scandal of being champion five times in corruption."
Regarding Chattogram Metropolitan Awami League, he asked them to organise conferences.
"Conferences are being held in the hill tracts, conferences should also be organised in Chattogram too."
The 73rd founding anniversary of Awami League will have to be celebrated in a festive atmosphere on June 23, he added.
US Embassy announces resumption of Fulbright Program
The US Embassy in Dhaka Wednesday announced the resumption of its Fulbright Program in Bangladesh after six years.
It also jointly launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) with Brac University (BracU) in Dhaka's Mohakhali.
Fulbright Program, which "strengthens and expands people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the US and other countries," returned as US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas announced its resumption.
The exchange programme was suspended in Bangladesh following the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack.
Ambassador Haas also announced the AWE-(BracU) initiative at the event to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and foster local women entrepreneurs, especially from underprivileged backgrounds.
Through the initiative, 50 women entrepreneurs will have access to mentorship opportunities with successful business owners as trainees to understand the practical challenges on the ground.
The US envoy said both the decisions were made to celebrate the 50 years of ties between the US and Bangladesh.
READ: Washington in touch with Dhaka on newly launched IPEF: US embassy spokesperson
"Bangladesh is going to become a middle-income country in a couple of years and the role of women in economic empowerment is very important. So, it makes it all the more special to resume the Fulbright Program," he added.
Under the Fulbright Program, Dr Sharon Hart, the first US Fulbright specialist, will work with the Women Empowerment Center of the Brac Business School for six weeks to help develop a curriculum for women's entrepreneurship and leadership training.
Led by the US in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programmes for "passionate and accomplished" students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach or pursue important research and professional projects.
Throughout its 75-year history, the Fulbright Program has awarded nearly 8,000 students and scholars from 160 nations around the world and the US.
With more than 4,000 State Department Exchange Program alumni, including 650 Bangladeshis who travelled to the US under the Fulbright exchange programs and more than 250 Americans who have conducted research and/or taught in Bangladesh, the US Embassy in Dhaka continues to offer academic and professional development opportunities for students, teachers, and scholars.
DIFE DIG caught red-handed by ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday caught a high official of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) red-handed while taking bribe from a company in Dinajpur.
The detainee is Mostafizur Rahman, deputy inspector general of the DIFE Dinajpur region.
Also read:HC directs ACC to identify those involved in money laundering through e-commerce
Deputy Director of ACC Public Relations Office Muhammad Arif Sadeq told UNB that Mostafizur demanded Tk 80,000 as bribe from Ishan Agro Food of the district for the renewal of its license.
Being informed through ACC hotline 106, a team of the anti-graft body, led by Mohammad Moazzem Hossain and Ahsanul Kabir Palash, deputy directors, ACC, Dinajpur, caught him red-handed at noon while taking the bribe at his office, added Arif Sadeq.
RMG workers stage demonstrations for arrears in Gazipur
Workers of a garment factory in Konabari area of Gazipur staged demonstrations blocking Dhaka-Tangail Highway demanding arrears on Wednesday.
According to locals, some workers of NTKC garment took position in front of the factory and blocked the highway in the morning.
On information, police reached the spot and requested them to leave the highway. As the workers denied leaving the place, police fired tear gas shells and charged batons to disperse the workers.
Agitated workers said they were staging a protest demanding the arrears of April and Eid bonus as the authorities of NTKC garment closed the factory just before Eid.
READ: 10 workers injured in Gazipur factory fire
At one stage of the protest, police obstructed them and removed them from the highway.
Abu Bakar Siddique, officer-in-charge of Konabari police station, said, police removed the workers from the spot and a discussion will be held between the owners and workers to settle the issue.
NTKC garment factory general manager Bulbul Ahmed said all the arrears and bonuses of the workers will be paid on June 5.
Bangladesh, Serbia keen to further strengthen bilateral partnership
To mark the historic occasion of celebrating fifty years of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Bangladesh and Serbia have decided to take up a number of initiatives to further strengthen bilateral partnership.
Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic and his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen had a meeting at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues.
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