Bangladesh
Weather update: More rain likely across the country over 72 hours, says BMD
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted that there may be more rain across the country, including in Dhaka, over 72 hours starting from 9 am today.
“Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions, and at a few places in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls in places over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions,” said the Met Office bulletin.
Also read: How to be Safe During and After Heavy Rains
Highest rainfall in the country, 179 mm, was recorded in Nilphamari’s Saidpur in 24 hours till 6 am Sunday.
The highest temperature was recorded at 34.8 degrees Celsius in Chattogram’s Sitakunda while the lowest temperature was recorded at 23.2 degrees Celsius in Panchagarh’s Tetulia.
Also read: Rain paralyses life in capital, causes fatalities
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country, said the bulletin.
Meanwhile, monsoon is active over the northern part and fairly active elsewhere over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay.
Also read: Rains likely to continue till September 25
Many renowned Saudi companies interested to invest in Bangladesh: Ambassador
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh, Essa bin Yousef Al Duhailan, has said Bangladesh is an emerging economic power in Southeast Asia, and Saudi Arabia is keen to invest in various sectors of Bangladesh.
“Many renowned Saudi companies and investors have shown keen interest in investing in different sectors,” he said in a message marking the 93rd Saudi National Day.
The Saudi Embassy will celebrate the day in Dhaka on September 26. The Saudi National Day, however, falls on September 23.
The ambassador said the Kingdom has also provided financial assistance for different projects, like building houses, schools, mosques, orphanages, and shelters for protection from natural disasters, as well as establishing hospitals, bridges, and power plants.
Read: Japan wants to increase investment in Bangladesh: Japanese envoy told FBCCI
He said the Saudi-Bangladesh relations were strengthened after the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Kingdom in 2016 and meeting with the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, as well as visits by a number of Saudi ministers who accompanied high-level officials from the Kingdom to Bangladesh.
The Saudi ambassador also said relationship between the two countries is deep-rooted and outstanding, based on a strong foundation of religious and cultural ties.
“Saudi Arabia is accustomed to standing beside Bangladesh and helping it, especially in times of hardship. The Bangladeshi nation loves Islam and the Kingdom wholeheartedly, which gives great importance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Read: PM Hasina seeks Dutch investment in Bangladesh shipbuilding sector
The envoy mentioned that millions of Bangladeshis are working in different sectors in the Kingdom, which is recognized as the “greatest labor market in the world.”
“The Kingdom has made a great contribution to the betterment of the living standards of this country, as migrant workers are sending remittances to their beloved family members constantly,” he said. The Saudi ambassador said the Kingdom is leading in always extending its hand for cooperation and helps Bangladesh whenever it is affected by disasters.
Read more: US investment in Bangladesh's tech market to pave the way for the development of digital economy of two countries: Palak
Chander Hat elects new executive committee
Writer Mujtoba Ahmmed Murshed, Dainik Anandabazar Editor Mufdi Ahmed and Dainik Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam have been elected president, general secretary and presidium chairman respectively of the executive committee of Chander Hat, a children and juvenile organisation.
The 33-member executive body of the organisation was elected in its sixth national council at Jatiya Press Club on Friday, said a press release.
Read: Editors’ Council gets new committee
The other office bearers are: Vice Presidents Shaila Rahman Lipi, Advocate Masud Hussayen, Sajjad Alam Tapu, Joint General Secretaries Md Masud Parvez, Md Nurul Amin, Organizing Secretary Kamaruddin Ahmed, Finance Secretary Khandakar Reaz Hossain, Publicity and Communication Secretary Badsha Gazi and Education and Culture Secretary Maloy Dastidar, among others.
Over 300 members and councillors from units of the organisation across the country joined the council.
Read more: Film Artistes Association: New committee led by Kanchan-Nipun takes oath
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury joined the event as the chief guest.
Denial of Bangladesh genocide weakens claims for justice and redress
Speakers at a seminar in Canada have observed that the events of 1971 in Bangladesh constitute genocide and that the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the appropriate venue to exhibit the history, emphasizing the need to prevent such atrocities from happening again in the future.
The Bangabandhu Center for Bangladesh Studies in Canada (BCBS), in collaboration with the Bangladesh High Commission in Canada, Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh, Centre for Genocide Studies at the University of Dhaka, and the Conflict and Resilience Research Institute Canada (CRRIC), organized the international seminar titled 'Denial and Recognize: The Case of Bangladesh Genocide' on September 22.
The primary focus of the seminar was to review the progress made towards seeking recognition of the genocide perpetrated by Pakistani occupation forces in 1971.
Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, was the chief guest of the seminar while Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada, addressed the seminar as chief patron of the BCBS.
Prof. Dr. Adam Muller, Professor and Director of Peace & Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba; Dr. Jeremy Maron, Acting Head of Curation at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights; Mofidul Hoque, Trustee, Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh; Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, Director of the Centre for Genocide Studies at the University of Dhaka; Gary Senft of Rotary Peacedays; Dr Tawheed Reza Noor, Visiting Scholar at the State University of New York in Binghamton; Dr Helal Mohiuddin, Professor at North South University and Director of CRRIC; were present, among others.
Read: Speakers at a seminar focus on human dignity for sustainable development
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen highlighted the lasting impact of the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 and the importance of greater recognition given the enormity and scale of violence aimed at exterminating a nation.
“The trauma of 1971 is still vivid in our nation's collective memory, and its repercussions have traumatized a generation,” he said.
He thanked those who have tirelessly worked to highlight this dark chapter in history, including the Bangladesh Liberation War Museum, and Genocide Studies at Dhaka University, and requested the CMHR to finalize the formalities for the exhibition of the genocide.
Professor Dr. Adam Muller delivered the keynote speech, highlighting the importance of recognition in shaping identities and empowering victims. He stressed that denial of the Bangladesh genocide robs victims of their victimhood and weakens claims for post-conflict justice and redress.
Read: Russian House in Dhaka organises seminar on study opportunities in Russia
PM Hasina reaches Washington DC
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday evening (local time) reached Washington DC, capital of the US.
She left the Place of Residence, Lotte New York at 11:40 am Saturday (local time) and arrived in Washington DC by road at 6 pm.
The Prime Minister will leave Washington DC for London, United Kingdom, on September 29.
She will stay in London till October 3.
Read: PM reaches Doha for Qatar Economic Forum 2023
After wrapping up her visit, the Prime Minister will leave London for home and is scheduled to reach Dhaka on October 4.
The Prime Minister arrived in New York on September 17 to attend the UNGA.
Read more: PM reaches Finland route to New York to attend UNGA
Vietnam, Bangladesh boost economic, trade and investment cooperation
Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the Vietnam National Assembly, has attended an event in Dhaka titled 'Forum on Policies and Laws to Promote Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation between Vietnam and Bangladesh.'
It was jointly organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh in collaboration with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and the Vietnamese Business Association in Bangladesh.
The Forum was attended by the members of the visiting high-level delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly, leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and a large number of businesses from both sides as well as representatives from different ministries of the two countries.
During the Forum three b2b MoUs were signed between BMH Vietnam Company and Doreen Group Bangladesh on investment cooperation, technology transfer and development of pre-engineered steel production; between Bangladesh Vietnam Development Assistance Company and Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Association on pharmaceutical exchange; and, between Huong Giang Aviation Services and the Bangladesh Tourism Association to establish a tourism alliance.
As part of his three-day official tour, Vuong Dinh Hue paid a visit to the state-of-the-art facilities of the Beximco Pharma at Tongi on Saturday, where he was given a detailed presentation and tour of the manufacturing facility.
Bangladesh fully committed to nuclear disarmament: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh's commitment to general and complete disarmament is a fundamental aspect of its foreign policy under the guidance of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh, since becoming a member of the United Nations, has consistently played an active role in United Nations disarmament diplomacy.
Read: Govt can't guarantee violence-free election without support from all: FM Momen
The Foreign Minister met with CTBTO (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization) Executive Secretary Dr. Robert Floyd on the sidelines of the 78th UNGA at CTBTO liaison office in the UNGA building recently, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
The CTBTO Executive Secretary requested Bangladesh's assistance in encouraging other countries that haven't yet signed the CTBT to agree to the treaty.
Read: US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom meets Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in New York
Bangladesh, as the first South Asian country, signed and ratified the CTBT in 2000.
Tagore a visionary whose influence transcends borders, generations: Indian envoy
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has said that Rabindranath Tagore was a visionary whose influence transcends borders and generations.
"His profound thoughts, poetic brilliance, and artistic endeavours continue to inspire and enrich humanity. His contributions to literature, music, and philosophy have left an indelible mark on the world," said the High Commissioner.
The High Commission of India in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh organised the screening of the documentary film “Chinnapotra: Padma Pare Rabindranath” directed by Dr. Chanchal Khan at Rabindra Kuthibari in Kushtia on Saturday.
Read: Yoga a gift of India to world: Pranay Verma
The documentary film is a part of Tagore's extensive body of works and includes the collection of letters that he wrote to his niece Indira Devi during his stay in Kuthibari.
The High Commissioner also appreciated the artists from both India and Bangladesh who participated in the making of the film.
The joint effort reflects the shared cultural heritage of our two countries.
"It is also a reflection of the cultural bonding and the strong people-to-people exchanges which are the hallmark of our partnership," said the envoy.
Read: Multimodal connectivity to shape future links between Bangladesh, India: Pranay Verma
The event also saw the performance of Rabindra Sangeet by famous Rabindra Sangeet singer and composer Sadi Mohammad.
Selim Altaf George, Member of Parliament from Kushtia was also present on the occasion.
3 children crushed under wheels of train in Mohakhali
Three children were crushed under the wheels of a train in the capital's Mohakhali area early Saturday, Government Railway Police (GRP) said.
Though the identities of the victims could not be known immediately, they were aged between 12 to 13 years.
Read: Decapitated body in luggage: Police unveil mystery in Ctg
Ferdous Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dhaka Railway police station, said they suspected that the children were killed after being hit by Jamalpur-bound Dewanganj Express train.
He also said that the accident might have occurred around 6 am when the train was going to the airport from Kamalapur station.
Read: Clashes at CU: 5 ‘outsiders’ arrested with arms
On information, railway police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies.
“We are trying to find the identities of the children," said the officer.
PM leaves New York for Washington
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday morning left New York for Washington DC, the US capital, after joining the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and other high-level side and bilateral events.
She left the Place of Residence, The Lotte New York at 11:40am by road, and is expected to reach Washington DC in the afternoon.
The Prime Minister on September 29 will leave Washington DC for London, the capital city of United Kingdom. She will stay in London till October 3.
After wrapping up her visit, the Prime Minister will leave London for home and is scheduled to reach Dhaka on October 4.
The Prime Minister arrived in New York on September 17.