Bangladesh
Fair-weather fans unwelcome: Radwan Mujib
Coming down heavily on the fans who abuse the Tigers when they fail to perform, CRI Trustee Radwan Mujib Siddiq has said fair-weather fans are not welcome.
Ecstatic after the Bangladesh Cricket Team beat New Zealand, Radwan said: “It’s great everyone is celebrating the Tiger's win over World Test Champions New Zealand - congratulations!”
“But to those who like to attack these brilliant young Bangladeshis when they’re down -- this victory is not for you,” he said in a Facebook post from his verified account.
“Nothing justifies the vile personal abuse these players have to endure when they are on a bad run of form, or make a mistake, or lose a few games in a row. Let's support our athletes through thick and thin, fair-weather fans are not welcome!” added Radwan, who is also the editor-in-chief of WhiteBoard, the country’s first policy-based magazine covering a gamut of policy issues.
Read: Bangladesh shows how to be a ‘responsible player’ on global stage: Radwan Mujib
Radwan, a grandson of Bangabandhu, is widely followed by people, especially the youth, on social media due to his popularity.
He has struck a chord with young people through his creative projects that seek to promote the country's proud history.
The Joy Bangla Youth Award, Joy Bangla Concert, Mujib Graphic Novel, and Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale are some of his initiatives.
No one will be allowed to play with people’s fate: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday warned that no one will be allowed to play anymore with the fate of the people of Bangladesh.
“All, including Bangladesh Chhatra League and other associate bodies (of Awami League) have to remain alert so that the bunches of hyenas cannot play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of the country…this has to be kept in mind,” she said while addressing a function marking the 74th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh.
She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read:Maintain Covid precautions: PM Hasina
The country's largest student organisation having a glorious heritage of struggle and success, the BCL came into being on January 4 in 1948 as advised by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina hoped that the pace of development that the government gathered under her leadership in the last 12 years will always be maintained. “My concern is there… so we shouldn’t fall behind again,” she said.
The PM asked the BCL leaders and activists to make the organisation stronger in a well-organised way for facing challenges in the coming days. “The fourth industrial revolution is on. the BCL has to prepare its leaders and activists to cope with the situation and avail of the opportunity properly taking education and training.”
BCL president Al Nahian Khan Joy presided over the programme conducted by its acting general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharya.
At the beginning of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed in honour of all those martyrs who laid down their lives in the August 15 carnage, Language Movement, Liberation War in 1971 and all other democratic movements.
A documentary on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was screened at the programme.
She also inaugurated the Matribhumi Library set up at the BCL central office virtually.
Former BCL leader Abdur Rahman also spoke at the programme.
Hasina said the BCL leaders and activists who want to establish themselves as political leaders have to move forward with an ideology and honesty towards prosperity. “In this evolving world, you’ve to keep up the pace and have a specific goal with which you’ll be able to lead the country to fulfill the dream of the Father of the Nation.”She stressed the need for building BCL with the right values and ideals so that the country may get its future leaders from the organisation as it is closely related with the history and all achievements of the country.The Prime Minister said the nation responded to the call of the Father of the Nation and liberated the country by taking up arms.“When the leader was assassinated with his full family, why did they all come to a standstill? That’s a big question (to me), I never get any answer to that question, maybe I will get it,” she said.Hasina said the assassination of the Father of the Nation had not only taken away him alone, it also taken away and diminished the spirit and ideology of the Independence.“The defeated force along with the anti-Bangladesh nexus couldn’t accept the emergence of Bangladesh, they took their revenge of defeat by killing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said.The Prime Minister said the grassroots activists and leaders of Awami League and BCL were always vocal against the killing and they never took any wrong decision although some of the senior leaders got derailed.She asked the BCL activists to build themselves as ideologists keeping themselves away from all kinds of greed.“If you can adopt the ideology of the Father of the Nation once, then it’ll not be a tough job for you to become patriots,” she said.Sheikh Hasina, the chief of the ruling Awami League and the chief patron of BCL, said the government has given immense importance to education as this is the big tool to eradicate poverty.She asked each and every BCL leader and activist to give importance to education and educate the illiterate people, if any, surrounding them or in their villages.
Also read:Curb food adulteration with an iron hand: PM HasinaHasina also asked the youth to become entrepreneurs instead of looking for jobs. “Be the employer to give jobs to others… we’re here to provide you all kinds of assistance.”She asked BCL to take stance against terrorism, militancy and corruption. “No student should ever involve in terrorism, militancy and corruption.”Hasina appreciated the BCL’s role during the Covid-19 pandemic period and helping farmers harvest crops during this pandemic.The Prime Minister, however, expressed dissatisfaction as no BCL leader wore any mask during the rally that took place on Tuesday, marking its founding anniversary.“The rally was beautiful, but there’s a spot in there, no one wears a mask, I searched the pictures carefully, didn’t see any masks,” she said.Hasina asked all to follow the guidelines to fight off the spread of coronavirus as a new variant has been found, which is more dangerous than the previous ones.“Protect yourselves and help others stay safe,” she said.
All in govt to face ‘murder charge’ if anything happens to Khaleda: BNP
BNP on Wednesday warned that everyone in the current Awami League government will be charged with “murder” if any accident happens to its Chairperson Khaleda Zia for lack of advanced treatment abroad.
“They (govt) are hatching a plot knowingly as part of their premeditated plan to kill our leader Khaleda Zia. They want to kill her,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a human chain programme, he also said when people, irrespective of their party and opinion, want Khaleda to be sent abroad, the current government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are not allowing her to go there for treatment out of serious political 'vengeance'.
“We would like to clearly say if any accident happens to Khaleda Zia for lack of advanced treatment, then each of them (in the govt) will be tried making them accused of a murder case,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: Khaleda’s condition worsens again in hospital: Fakhrul
As part of their countrywide programme, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, registering their protest against the ‘unilateral’ 10th parliament election held on January 5, 2014.
Fakhrul said the Awami League government sent Khaleda to jail by convicting her in “false” cases as part of its “blueprint of depoliticisation and eliminating the BNP chief”.
He said Khaleda Zia is now fighting for life in a hospital in the capital with a very critical health issue.
Brand Bangladesh positively: FM tells officers of Bangladesh missions abroad
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the officers of the Bangladesh missions abroad to brand Bangladesh positively and help the government achieve two goals on economic diplomacy and public diplomacy fronts.
“You’re going abroad as Bangladesh representatives. You’re the face of Bangladesh abroad. Seeing you, people abroad will decide whether Bangladesh is a ‘bottomless basket’ or a land of opportunities. People abroad will make a judgment seeing your behaviour, work and services,” he said.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing a certificate awarding ceremony for the officers-designated to Labour and Economic wings at Bangladesh Mission abroad.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam spoke as special guest at the function held at Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday evening. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit (MAU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khurshed Alam were also present.
The Foreign Minister said he thought about two packages – economic diplomacy and public diplomacy -- when he was made a minister.
Read: Early repatriation of Rohingyas lead priority, FM tells UN expert
Mild cold wave besieges Bangladesh
Bangladesh on Wednesday recorded a low temperature of 8.7 degrees as a mild cold wave swept across several districts.
The mild cold wave across the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Panchagarh, Kurigram, Jashore and Chudanga may continue for the next two-three days, the Met office said.
Mohammad Omar Faruk, a meteorologist with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), said “Temperatures may rise in the next two or three days and there is a possibility of another spell of cold wave across the country after mid-January.”
According the daily Met bulletin, weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. “Moderate to thick fog may occur at many places over the country during midnight to morning and it may continue till noon at some places."
Read: Mild cold wave hits parts of Bangladesh
On Wednesday, the country’s minimum temperature was recorded at 8.7 degrees in Tetulia of Panchagarh district while the maximum temperature was recorded at 28.8 degrees in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district.
Read: Poor people suffer as mild cold wave sweeps Panchagarh
Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged and day temperature may rise slightly over the country. The ridge of sub-continental high extends up to Bihar and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over the South Bay, according to the bulletin.
Narayanganj trawler capsize: 4 held; Farhan-6 seized
Keraniganj Police Station held four people, including the driver and master of MV Farhan-6 launch, at night over trawler capsize in the River Dhaleshwari off the coast of Narayanganj Sadar upazila Wednesday morning.
Also, the launch was seized and brought to a dockyard in Kaliganj, Dhaka.
Also read: 17 drown as trawler sinks in Netrakona haor
Earlier in the day, a trawler, with nearly 70 people on board, overturned as Dhaka-bound passenger launch Farhan-6, hit it near Dharmaganj in Fatulla.
At least 10 passengers, including four of the same family, remained missing till the suspension of the rescue operation in the evening.
Police detained four people, including the driver and master of MV Farhan-6, Babu Lal Baidya, assistant director of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority in Narayanganj said.
Rashed Bin Khaled, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defense control room, said the trawler with 60-70 passengers on board sank in the river after being hit by the Dhaka-bound vessel at 9am.
While many passengers managed to swim to safety, "at least 10 people are missing," he said.
"Five divers from the local fire service conducted rescue operations till evening."
Meanwhile, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard and River Police also joined the operation.
Spl court frames charges against Pori Moni, 2 others in narcotics case
A Dhaka court on Wednesday indicted actress Pori Moni and two others in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act.
Dhaka Special Judge of Court-10, Md Nazrul Islam framed the charges against the trio, setting the ball rolling for commencement of trial in the case.
Pori Moni and the two other accused were present in the court, which fixed February 1 as the next date for hearing the testimonies of witnesses.
On January 2, the same court set January 5 for hearing arguments on whether to press charges against the trio in the case.
Also read: Two magistrates get another week to explain Pori Moni’s multiple remands
Pori Moni and two others are currently out on bail in the case.
On November 15 last year, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayesh took into cognizance the charges framed by police against the accused.
On October 4, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a chargesheet against Pori Moni and the two others in the case.
CID inspector and also the investigation officer in the case, Kazi Mostafa Kamal submitted the chargesheet to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.
Pori Moni was arrested on August 4, following a raid by RAB on her Banani residence. A case was filed against her under the Narcotics Control Act the following day.
Also read: Pori Moni granted permanent bail in narcotics case
On August 22, she was remanded in judicial custody again after inspector Kazi produced her in a court on the completion of a day's police remand, her third.
On August 31, 2021, a Dhaka court granted bail to Pori Moni in the narcotics case until the submission of the chargesheet. She had walked out of jail the following day.
Dhaka is world's second-most polluted city
The densely populated capital of Bangladesh continues to dominate the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
On Wednesday, Dhaka occupied the second position in the list. The city's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 213 at 10.48am, which is considered 'poor' or 'very unhealthy'.
India’s Delhi and Kolkata occupied the first and third spots, with AQI scores of 478 and 191, respectively, in the latest list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
Also read: Bangladeshis lose over 1.8 years of lifespan to air pollution: Scientists
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy during winter and improves during monsoon.
Commuter train derails in Dinajpur, loco master injured
A commuter train heading towards Dinajpur railway station derailed after crashing into a truck at a rail crossing in Parbatipur upazila amid heavy fog in the early hours of Wednesday.
The locomotive master of the train sustained minor injuries in the accident that disrupted regular railway services on the Dinajpur route.
Shahidul Islam, station master of Chirirbandar railway station, said that four bogies of Dolonchapa Express veered off the tracks after hitting the sand-laden truck at the Jashai rail gate at 4 am.
"A relief train from Parbatipur is conducting the salvage operation," he said.
Three inter-city trains and two commuter trains remained stranded at the Parbatipur rail station, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.
Authorities concerned said that train communication would be restored in the evening.
Read:Derailment: Dhaka-Chattogram rail link resumes after 7 hrs
Voting underway for fifth phase of UP polls
Voting for the fifth phase of the union parishad (UP) polls is underway in Bangladesh, with over 36,400 candidates in the fray for different posts.
Polling began in 708 UPs across 95 upazilas in 48 districts at 8am Wednesday and will continue till 4pm.
A total of 36,457 candidates, including 3,278 contenders for the post of chairman, are contesting in the countrywide fifth-phase UP election.
Some 48 chairman candidates have already been elected unopposed. Also, 33 member candidates for reserved seats and 112 for member posts have been elected unopposed in different UPs.
There are a total of 14.2 million under 7,137 polling stations in 708 UPs. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used in 40 UPs.
The Election Commission on November 27 last announced the 5th phase polls schedule for 707 UPs across 48 districts. Later, another UP was incorporated in the fifth-phase election.
Also read: UP-polls violence: 1 succumbs to injuries in Sirajganj, 1 arrested