Barishal, Oct 17 (UNB) – Police on Thursday arrested a man along with 520 Yaba pills from a dormitory of interns at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC) in the district.

Rifat Khan Ronti, a drug dealer, was arrested from room no 303 of F M Noor-Ur-Rafi Interns Hostel during a drive in the afternoon.

Law enforcers also seized two knives and a motorcycle from the room.

Dr Rakib Hossain, director of the SBMC, said during a regular visit to the dormitory he saw an outsider in the room and informed police.

Deputy Commissioner of Barishal Police Moazzem Hossain said they are investigating the matter.  

Dhaka, Oct 17(UNB) –Newly appointed Japanese envoy to Bangladesh Naoki Ito on Thursday said Japan is interested to strengthen the existing relations between Japan and Bangladesh.

The envoy said this when he presented his credentials to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here this evening.

“The development potential of Bangladesh is very bright .Japan is keen to expand the existing bilateral relations as a part of key development partner of Bangladesh," the Japanese envoy said.

President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.

Welcoming the new Japanese ambassador in Dhaka, the President said Japan is a development partner of Bangladesh which has been providing its all-out support for the country's socio-economic development.

The metro-rail project is being implemented with the support of Japanese government, the President added.

Referring to the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan and her counterpart Shinzo Abe’s visit to Dhaka, the President said it helped the bilateral ties reach a new height.

"It is helping to expand business and investment between the two countries gradually," President Hamid added.

 Hamid hoped that this trend would continue in the days ahead.

Secretaries concerned to the President and high officials of the foreign ministry were present.

Earlier, on his arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of  President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoy guard of honour.

Dhaka, Oct 17 (UNB) – Managing Director of United Commercial Bank Limited (UCB) Mohammed Shawkat Jamil met Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam Dhaka at his office on Thursday.

ATM Tahmiduzzaman, SEVP and Head of Mobile Financial Services of UCB along with other senior officials were also present during the meeting, said a press release.

During the meeting, the DMP commissioner gave some suggestions to strengthen the service of UCash, mobile financial services of UCB.

Managing Director of UCB also assured that UCB is always coming up with innovative ideas and initiatives to accelerate the digital services.   

Dhaka, Oct 17 (UNB) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said local or foreign illegal direct-to-home (DTH) downlink services must be stopped by 15 December to avoid actions by mobile courts.

Hasan Mahmud came up with the announcement during a meeting at the Secretariat on digitalisation of cable television channels in Bangladesh.

“Only two companies have been given DTH licenses but the government has not given any approval for using foreign DTH technology,” the minister said.

He went on saying, “Foreign DTH services are being used in many areas which is completely illegal. All the illegal DTH connections must be removed by 15 December. If not, we’ll then take action.”

The minister said one will have serve a prison term, not more than 2 years, if he or she is found guilty, and pay a maximum fine of Tk 1 lakh while minimum Tk. 50,000. If the offence is committed for the second time, the penalty will be three years’ rigorous imprisonment, not more than Tk 2 lakh fine and minimum Tk 1 lakh.

He said it is not prudent to telecast uncensored foreign serials since any movie must go through the censor board after it is produced.

Channels that are showing dubbed foreign serials have applied for approval and a committee will be formed to ensure the foreign serials are cleared by the censor board.

During the meeting, the minister said additional tax must be given if a foreign artiste is cast in any local advertisement adding that rules on making advertisements with foreign artistes will be introduced soon.

Dhaka, Oct 17 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday unveiled the cover of a commemorative book on Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Prime Minister uncovered the book titled ‘Hridoyer Majhe Sheikh Russel’ (Sheikh Russel in the hearts) at a ceremony at her office.

Advisory Editor of the book and State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, Editor of the book and Chairman of Canadian University of Bangladesh Chowdhury Nafiz Sarafat and Publisher Yeasin Kabir Joy were present on the occasion.

PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam were present on the occasion.

Joyeeta Prokashoni has published the book paying tributes to the memory of Sheikh Russel on the occasion of his 56th birthday on Friday.

The 92-page book, contains some 100 photographs  Nearly 100 photographs, mostly rare ones, have been placed in.