Bangladesh
US-Bangla to train student pilots free of charge
US-Bangla Airlines has taken the initiative to train student pilots free of charge.
Merit students who have passed SSC and HSC with minimum Grade A+ in science with GPA 5 in English, Physics, General and Higher Mathematics or Grade A in minimum five subjects including Mathematics and Physics in “O” Level and Grade A in Mathematics and Physics in “A” Level and the students who have obtained B will be eligible to apply, according to a press release.
Apprentices graduate students and appearing in HSC examination this year will be considered as eligible, it said.
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Applicants should be Bangladeshi, and must be proficient in English, with ages between 17 to 25-year-old with minimum 5 feet 4 inches height for girls and 5 feet 6 inches height for boys. They should be physically fit and Eyesight 6/6. Also the applicants must be non-smoker and non-alcoholic. Involvement in any type of crime will be considered disqualification.
The selection process for cadet pilots includes IQ test, written test (English, mathematics and physics), pilot eligibility test, psychometric, medical and oral examination and the selected candidates will be sent to Epic Flying Academy in Florida, US or Scheduled Flying School for flight training under the management of US-Bangla Airlines.
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The monthly salary of the first officer of ATR 72-600 aircraft in US-Bangla Airlines will start at Tk 1,60,000 (Tk 1.6 lakh) and other facilities of the company.
The cadet pilot programme can be applied online at the following address “studentpilot.usbair.com”. The last date for application is June 17, 2023.
Any form of lobbying would be considered in disqualification of the candidate.
ACC files case against DNCC ward councilor
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday filed a case against Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Ward No. 44 Councilor Md. Shafiqul Islam (Shafiq) for earning more than TK 2.50 crore illegally.
Deputy Director of ACC's Dhaka Integrated District Office-1, Jahangir Alam filed the case, ACC deputy director (Public Relations) Muhammad Arif Sadek told UNB.
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According to the statement of the case, Councilor Shafiqul Islam, in the statement of assets submitted to the ACC on March 15, 2021, hid the information of assets of Tk 11.13 lakh out of the assets of Tk 11.97 crore in his name. Besides, evidence of illegal wealth of Tk 2.59 crore 58 lakh has also been found.
The accused Shafiqul Islam submitted the details to the Commission mentioning his immovable assets of Tk 4.7 crore and movable assets of Tk 7.27 crore in various banks.
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But during the investigation of ACC, there is evidence that the information of immovable assets of Tk 7. 49 crore and movable assets of Tk 3.63 lakh has been concealed there.
On the other hand, excluding the search expenses, his net worth is found to be 10.92 crore. Out of which he could not demonstrate the source of legitimate income against the acquisition of assets of Tk 2. 58 crore which is inconsistent with his income and proved to be assets outside known sources of income.
The case has been charged under Section 26(2) and 27(1) of the ACC Act 2004.
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Durga puja: 2175 puja mandaps to be set up in Chattogram
This year, a total of 2,175 puja mandaps will be set up in 15 upazilas of Chattogram district, said district Puja Udjapon Parishad.
Sugrib Majumdar, general secretary of Chattogram district unit of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad , came up with the information at a press briefing held at Chattogram Press Club on Tuesday.
Burimari port to remain shut for 5 days for Durga puja
During the press briefing, he made eight-point demand including building one model temple in each upazilas, renovating Chanditirtho Medhos Asram and roads, transforming Hindu Religion Kalyan Trust into foundation, declaring four-day holiday on the occasion of Durga Puja, formation of commission for minorities and enact law for their security.
Durga Puja: PHQ issues advisory to ensure smooth puja celebration
He also urged all to refrain from immersing idols in the Halda River to save fish.
There will be three observation teams and the Zila parishad will open a control room for monitoring the puja celebration round the clock.
IGP assures Hindu community of security as Durga Puja approaches; points to harmony between communities
River police takes measures to ensure safe immersion of idols, says its chief
River police have taken measures in the ghat areas to ensure safety during immersion of idols during Durga Puja across the country, said river police chief Additional Inspector General Shafiqul Islam.
He also urged the Puja committees to ensure presence of adequate volunteers as no untoward incident can happen during immersion of idols, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting over the security of Durga Puja, held at River Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
Durga Puja: PHQ issues advisory to ensure smooth puja celebration
Those who know how to swim must be chosen for immersion of idols, he said.
CCTV will be installed in puja mandaps to check eve-teasing, he said.
IGP assures Hindu community of security as Durga Puja approaches; points to harmony between communities
Due to stringent measures of the river police people are now not afraid of robbers on waterways, he said adding that river police will be able to keep all rivers safe.
CCTV cameras must be installed at every Puja Mandap in Faridpur: DC
Throat-slit bodies of mother, 2 sons recovered in Brahmanbaria
The throat-slit bodies a women and her two children were recovered from their home at Char Chaishani in Brahmanbaria’s Bancharampur upazila on Tuesday.
The victims were identified as Zeki Akhter,35, wife of expatriate Shah Alam from Char Chayani, and their two sons- Mahin,14, and Mohin,7.
Ajiha, the 9-month old daughter of the couple, was found unharmed in the midst of the tragic scene, lying on the bed.
Youth’s throat-slit body recovered in Naogaon
Additional Superintendent of Police (Nabinagar Circle) Sirajul Islam said that Zeki Akhter used to live in their home with her two sons and the daughter, as her husband Shah Alam worked in Saudi Arabia.
Jasmin Akhtar, 35, their domestic help, found their door locked around 9 am, he said.
As no one responded despite repeated call local people broke open the door and found the bodies of Zeki and Mahin on the floor, Mohin's body in a bathroom.
Ajiha remained unharmed on the bed, said the police officer.
Locals quickly rescued Ajiha and placed her in the care of her aunts.
Throat-slit body of Rohingya boy recovered from drain in Ukhiya camp
Multiple police teams initiated investigations at the crime scene to debunk the mystery behind the murder, he said.
“Primarily, the matter appears to be a planned murder. We do not believe this incident occurred during a robbery. Taking all factors into account, our investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Woman’s throat-slit body recovered in Sylhet
President Shahabuddin to undergo surgery in Singapore Wednesday
President Mohammed Shahabuddin will undergo open heart surgery at the National University Hospital in Singapore on Wednesday.
The president was admitted to the hospital after the necessary health check-up on Tuesday morning, president’s press secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB.
Also read: President off to Singapore for treatment
The surgery will be performed under the supervision of eminent cardiac surgeon Prof. Dr. Kofidis Theodoros.
President Shahabuddin also sought doa from all for his speedy recovery.
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He went to Singapore on Monday for treatment.
The president is expected to return home on October 30.
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Over Tk 45,000cr invested in agriculture sector, another Tk 10,000cr needed: Agriculture Minister
Agriculture Minister and Awami League Presidium Member Dr Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday said the National Agriculture Policy 2018 is being implemented to make Bangladesh’s agricultural production sustainable and transform the agriculture sector.
“As of July 2023, more than Tk 45,000 crore has been invested in this sector. Of this, government investment is Tk 30,200 crore while the rest is from development partners. Besides, the World Bank and IFAD have recently invested Tk 5,760 crore in partner projects. However, at present, about Tk 10,000 crore is required to be invested in agriculture on priority basis,” he said.
Read: Nasrul stresses establishing smart grid system to ensure safety of electricity network
The minister said this while inaugurating the “Investment Conference” of the World Food Forum of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy on Tuesday morning.
The minister urged developed countries, international banks, donors and private entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh's agriculture sector.
The AL leader highlighted the investment plans, requirements and prospects of Bangladesh in the country's agriculture sector in the scheduled session on presenting investment in agriculture.
He said Bangladesh's investment plan has given priority to six sectors such as cold storage installation and post-storage management, agro-processing and marketing, climate smart agriculture, irrigation and water management, skilled human resource generation and use of technology of the fourth industrial revolution.
These sectors need to invest Tk 20,000 crore in the next few years, he also said.
Giving details of investment infrastructure and government facilities in Bangladesh, the minister said there is a good investment environment in the country. The agriculture sector is very promising for investment in agriculture in Bangladesh and it will be profitable.
FAO is working to increase investment in the transformation of the agricultural sector. That is why FAO has organised the four-day 'Investment Conference' from October 17-20.
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The conference is being attended by 32 countries from different parts of the world, which need more foreign investment in agriculture.
FAO Director General Qu Dongyu, Chief Economist Maximo Torero and representatives of various international banks, donors and private entrepreneurs spoke on the occasion.
Nasrul stresses establishing smart grid system to ensure safety of electricity network
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said that establishing a smart grid system will play a vital role in ensuring safety and security of the electricity network.
“With the help of modern technology, we need to establish a safe and secured grid system,” he said while addressing a workshop on the occasion of “Smart Grid Experience Day” at Bidyut Bhaban in the city on Tuesday.
The Boston Consultant Group (BCG) organised the workshop with the financial support of the United States Trade and Development Agency as part of implementation of a feasibility study titled: “Smart Grid Roadmap in Bangladesh Phase-2.”
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Nasrul said now the country’s electricity is generated from different sources which requires a smart grid to synchronise them properly.
“Smart grid will be the backbone of all systems. Smart grid will make a significant contribution to ensure power system reliability, efficiency, security and make it a sustainable and real-time power supply system,”he observed.
Md. Habibur Rahman, senior secretary of Power Department, Mohammad Hossain, director general of power cell, Mehnaz Ansari, senior regional representative of South Asia of USTDA, Zarif Munir, managing director and senior partner of BCG spoke on the occasion.
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The State Minister said that it is very difficult to deal with the challenges in the present global context in conventional ways.
“There should be planning in accordance with the forecast in coordination with modern system and technology. A sustainable system cannot be developed without setting up a smart system along with quick decisions and positive attitude,” he added.
He said the overall system of power and energy must be modernized and integrated to get the maximum benefits and also face the challenges of the 21st century.
General Electric (GE), Microsoft, IBM and Oracle made separate presentations on smart grid Innovation demo lab at the workshop.
Also read: Govt to supply uninterrupted electricity at an affordable cost: Nasrul
Dengue claims 9 more lives in 24 hours
Nine more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 1,190 this year.
During the period, 2,609 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the DGHS.
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Of the new patients, 561 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital--indicating a worsening situation across the country, DGHS said.
A total of 8,224 dengue patients, including 2,410 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
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So far, the DGHS has recorded 244,698 dengue cases and 235,284 recoveries this year.
September has so far been the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak this year with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.
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Free, fair, peaceful elections incredibly important: Afreen Akhter
US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter on Tuesday said she stressed the importance of "free and fair" elections in Bangladesh during her discussion with Bangladesh government officials.
Talking to reporters, she highlighted that the elections need to be held in a peaceful manner.
"We believe it is incredibly important that elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner to support Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stated commitment," said the US official.
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Afreen, who did not make any comment after her meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Monday in Dhaka, said they also discussed about allowing space for the civil society, media and all other actors to engage in democratic process freely.
"We have discussed wide range of issues including on broad multifaceted relationship with Bangladesh which includes economic growth, trade and investment, our longstanding development partnership, women's economic empowerment and whole host of other issues," she said.
"Bangladesh and the United States want free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner," said the US Embassy in Dhaka after Akhter’s meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.
Also read: Bangladeshis will decide how election will be held in the country: India
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present.
They discussed the "strong multifaceted" bilateral relationship between the two countries and its many aspects.
The US direct investment and trade, longstanding development partnership, the Middle East, the recent visit of the independent and nonpartisan election survey team, and supporting Rohingya refugees came up for discussion.
Also read: ‘UN not in the business of observing elections unless it receives a mandate’: Spokesman Dujarric
Referring to her meeting with RRRC Mizanur Rahman on Tuesday, Akhter said any repatriation of the Rohingyas should be "voluntary, dignified and safe."
She said there should not be any forcibly done efforts at repatriation as the conditions in Myanmar are not conducive for repatriation at the moment.
"We will continue to work closely with the government of Bangladesh and the international community to find a lasting solution that includes their safe repatriation," Afkhter said.
She appreciated Bangladesh’s efforts and its "incredible generosity" in hosting the Rohingyas. "We really appreciate the generosity."
Also read: US has ‘kind of alignment’ with recommendations made by IRI-NDI mission: Foreign Secretary
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas who fled their homes in Myanmar to escape a 2017 crackdown.