Bangladesh
PM opens news office for officers of Sangsad Secretariat
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated a new office for officers of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.
She opened the office at the North Plaza of the parliament bhaban by cutting a ribbon.
Also read: PM to attend BIMSTEC summit later this year
The Prime Minister later went around different sections of the office.
Earlier on her arrival at the venue, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhary received the Prime Minister with a bouquet.
Also read: PM to visit Rome later this month to attend UN Food Systems Summit; bilateral deals on energy, migration likely
Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury, cabinet members, deputy speaker, chief whip, whips, lawmakers and officials were present on the occasion.
The new office was opened to meet the accommodation crisis of the JS officers.
Also read: PM Hasina to Armed Forces: Uphold the dignity earned through service to the nation
PM to attend BIMSTEC Summit later this year in Thailand
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the next BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand later this year.
The sixth BIMSTEC Summit will be held in November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, in which Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of the regional grouping.
Before the BIMSTEC Summit, foreign ministers’ retreat will be held in Bangkok on July 17 to exchange views on regional issues as well as ways to move the 25-year old organisation forward.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen confirmed it after his meeting with Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India Saurabh Kumar.
The foreign secretary said Bangladesh will be the next chair of the BIMSTEC while the next secretary general of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will be from India.
India has an interest in knowing the priorities of the next chair, Masud said.
Read: DCCI business delegation leaves Dhaka to join BIMSTEC Business Conclave’ in Kolkata
Foreign Secretary Masud held discussions on BIMSTEC issues with Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar at the state guest house Padma.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma was also present during the meeting.
Foreign Secretary Masud noted that as a founding member of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh is committed to deepening relations with the member states of BIMSTEC in all aspects and moving forward in materializing the objectives of this regional organization.
He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an ardent proponent of the BIMSTEC process, which is manifested in hosting the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka.
Masud reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening the BIMSTEC Secretariat by all possible means.
Secretary (East) of MEA thanked the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh for receiving him and generous hospitality extended to the Indian delegation by the government of Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh, other BIMSTEC members must work together to address post-LDC challenges: Shahriar Alam
He expressed India’s willingness to work together with Bangladesh to make BIMSTEC a most effective and dynamic organization.
Both sides agreed to intensify their efforts in achieving tangible progress in the field of trade and investment, connectivity, energy security, and climate change for ensuring shared peace and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region.
Both sides also discussed the ways and means of moving forward the BIMSTEC Process and making it a vibrant and successful organization.
After the meeting, the Foreign Secretary hosted a luncheon in honour of the Indian MEA’s Secretary (East). He will leave Dhaka Friday morning.
Kumar arrived in Dhaka on Thursday to discuss BIMSTEC issues with FS Momen.
Secretary Director General (South Asia) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs A.T.M. Rokebul Haque received Kumar upon his arrival in Dhaka.
Read more: Dhaka seeks Member States' greater commitments to implement BIMSTEC FTA soon
Meeting between President Shahabuddin and his Pakistan counterpart was unscheduled: Foreign Ministry
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said the recent meeting between Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his Pakistan counterpart Dr Arif Alvi in Saudi Arabia was "unscheduled" one.
Also read: Salman F Rahman asks Pakistan president to apologise for 1971 atrocities
President Shahabuddin was performing Holy Hajj at the time, it said.
In a weekly media briefing at the Ministry, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, Director General (Additional Charge) of Public Diplomacy Wing, said they exchanged pleasantries during the unscheduled meeting.
Two children drown in Dinajpur
Two children of a family have drowned in Rajapara ghat of Punarbhaba River in Dinajpur.
The incident happened around 12pm on Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Sifat, 4, and his cousin Siam, 4.
Also read: 5 children drown in Noakhali
Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tanvirul Islam Tanvir said the children followed a family member who went fishing in the Punarbhaba River.
After seeing the two children on the bank of the river, the member took and left them in the house and went back to fishing again.
Later, the two children went back to the river and drowned in deep water at Rajapara Ghat.
Meanwhile, the family members and their neighbours started searching for them when they could not find the two children in the house.
Also read: Child dies after falling into under-construction drain in Chuadanga
At one stage, they found the two floating in the river and took them to M Abdur Rahim Medical College Hospital in Dinajpur where the doctors declared them dead, the OC said quoting family members.
Kotwali police reached the spot and were preparing the report of the incident during the filing of this report.
Also read: Two youths drown in Kishoreganj
Australian High Commission opens new Australia Awards office
The Australian High Commission in Dhaka has penned the new Australia Awards office in Dhaka.
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer formally opened the new office on Wednesday evening, reflecting their commitment to provide world-class facilities to assist alumni, maintain links with Australian experts and institutions and contribute to Bangladesh’s development.
In inaugurating the office, High Commissioner Jeremy Bruer highlighted the strong relationship between Bangladesh and Australia over the last 50 years.
He emphasised that the Australia Awards is committed to support the contribution of alumni to the development of Bangladesh.
Representatives of the Bangladesh government, business, civil society and media attended the opening ceremony.
The new office space will help alumni maintain linkages and build networks of leaders, changemakers and ambassadors for Australian education.
Also read: Australia keen to boost political, economic ties with Bangladesh: Assistant Minister
Since the early 1950s, Australia has supported the capacity development needs of Bangladesh through its various funded scholarships and training programs, starting with the Colombo Plan.
To date, more than 3,000 Bangladeshis have completed technical training, short courses and tertiary qualifications from world-class Australian Universities, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [DFAT] Australia, according to the High Commission.
Also read: New program by Australia, IFC to mobilise $50 million to support post-COVID inclusive growth in Bangladesh
Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian government to the next generation of global leaders in developing countries.
Australia Awards Scholarships offer the opportunity to undertake full-time postgraduate study in Australia in priority fields relating to Bangladesh’s development.
The Australia Awards application process is transparent and competitive, providing equal opportunity to all eligible applicants, regardless of gender, ethnicity or disability.
Also read: Bangladesh, Australia want meaningful partnership
Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum demands technical committee to ensure fire safety system in vessels
The Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum on Thursday demanded the formation of a high-powered independent technical expert committee to examine the adequacy of fuel tanks, fire prevention and extinguishing systems of all types of inland vessels, including launches and oil tankers.
Besides, the organisation of Dhaka based media workers called to ensure proper survey (fitness test) of all water vessels to avoid any kind of accidents.
Also read: 11 injured as another explosion rocks oil tanker in Jhalakathi’s Sugandha River
SCRF President Ashis Kumar Dey and General Secretary Md Jahangir Alam made the call to the government in a statement on Thursday.
Two explosions and fires on oil tanker Sagarnandini-2 in Sugandha River in Jhalokathi, fire on passenger launch Mayur-7 on Buriganga in Dhaka, and cracked bottom part of passenger launch Farhan-3 in Meghna river near Tamuruddin ghat in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali have raised concerns about whether these vessels were fit for navigation.
Citing expert opinions published in the media at various times, SCRF said the concerned engineers and ship surveyors also give fitness certificates to many defective ships by doing surveys in a short time.
Also read: 4 workers burned, 5 others missing as oil vessel explodes in Jhalakathi’s Sugandha River
Although the boats have certified masters and drivers, many of them have no necessary training and skills. Ship surveyors also avoid this important point during the survey, read the statement.
Due to these reasons, repeated accidents are happening on waterways, the statement added.
Flood situation improves in Sunamganj; water levels of rivers fall
The water levels of various rivers in Sunamgan have started to fall due to lack of rains.
The water levels of different rivers in the north-eastern part of the country will continue to decrease in the next 48 hours, according to the Water Development Board.
Also read: Flood submerges 10 villages in Sunamganj, rain continues
Water Development Board sources said on Thursday that Surma River was flowing 30 cm below the danger level at Sunamganj point.
Madhyanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (Additional In-charge) Sheetesh Chandra Sarkar said, "The decrease in water is a matter of relief for us.”
“If there is a flood situation, we have all kinds of preparations to deal with it,” said Mamun Hawlader, executive engineer of Sunamganj Water Development Board. “There is no threat of flooding in Sunamganj now.”
Also read: Heavy rains may trigger short-term flood in Sylhet, Sunamganj
“In the last 24 hours, Sunamganj and Meghalaya’s Cherrapunji saw very little rainfall. If there is no rain, the situation will improve further,” he said.
Abul Kalam, a resident of Nishchantpur village of Bansikunda South Union said, "In the last few days, I was in trouble with my cattle and paddy. The water started receding on Tuesday.”
Aslo read: Sunamganj: Thousands affected by second round of flooding
“If it doesn't rain, the water level will decrease.” ABM Jewel Talukder, a trader of Bansikunda Bajar, said, “Although the flood water did not enter the market, there was fear among the traders. However, during the rainy season, such condition is common here.But we have dredge our rivers to protect us from floods.”
Rohingya leader stabbed to death in Ukhiya
A Rohingya leader was stabbed to death by some miscreants at Ukhiya Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar on Thursday.
The deceased was Mohammad Ebadullah, 35.
Also read: Rohingya leader shot to death in Cox’s Bazar
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali said he came under attack around 10:30 am at A/9 block of Camp-1-West of Kutupalong in Ukhia.
The miscreants stabbed Ebadullah to death and fled, he said.
Also read: Rohingya youth shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
The body was sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
Also read: Rohingya teen killed during clash between ARSA and RSO
The motive behind the killing is yet to be known, added the OC.
3 get 10 years jail for killing woman in Natore
A Natore court sentenced three people to 10 years in jail for killing a woman in Singra upazila of the district on Thursday.
Judge Muhammad Abdur Rahim of Natore Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal announced the judgement.
The convicts are victim’s husband Saniul, mother-in-law Sabina and sister-in-law Riva.
The convicts were fined Tk 20,000 each.
Special Public Prosecutor Anisur Rahman said Khadija Kabri Lima, a housewife of Gutia village in Singra upazila, was regularly tortured by her in-laws for Tk 2.5 lakh as dowry.
On October 2, 2011, Lima was found dead at the balcony of the house. Later, Lima's father filed a case in this regard.
PM to visit Rome later this month to attend UN Food Systems Summit; bilateral deals on energy, migration likely
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit Rome, Italy later this month to discuss bilateral issues and attend the UN Food Systems Summit.
The 2023 UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment will be held in Rome, Italy on July 24-26 at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
It will be hosted by Italy in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, and the wider UN system.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to be in Rome from July 23, said a diplomatic source.
Also read: PM Hasina to visit Japan on April 25-28
She is likely to have a bilateral meeting with her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni during the visit.
PM Hasina will speak at the Food System Summit in Rome while her Italy visit is likely to see the signing of half a dozen bilateral documents in the areas of energy, migration, ICT and cyber security.
Bangladesh and Italy have been discussing a possible memorandum of understanding (MoU ) on mobility and migration — to encourage regular migration and prevent irregular ones.
“We want to go further in our cooperation on migration issues. In particular, creating and enlarging the existing legal channels or legal pathways for migration while stemming the irregular one,”
Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata told UNB in an interview recently.
Also read: PM leaves Geneva for home ending 3-day visit
The envoy said the two countries have to deepen cooperation for preventing irregular migration, trafficking and so on.
Ambassador Nunziata recalled one of the deliverables during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Italy in 2020 — reinsertion of Bangladesh in the list of countries whose nationals can benefit from a quota for work.
Talking about collaboration in the defence sector, he said there is possibility of collaboration and transfer of know-how as well on a win-win basis. “So this is another important sector.”
The ambassador said a memorandum of understanding in the cultural sphere for programmes of cultural exchanges is also in the pipeline.
Also read: PM to brief media on the outcome of her Switzerland visit on Wednesday
The Italian ambassador also said they want to collaborate in the shipbuilding industry for the Navy or Coast Guard by sharing know-how and technologies with Bangladesh. “I mean that level of know-how that Bangladesh has not reached in shipbuilding yet. Together we can do more on that in shipbuilding as well as in other sectors.”
The 2023 UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment will build on the momentum of the 2021 Food Systems Summit and will create a conducive space for countries to review commitments to action that were made during the Summit, share stories of success and early signs of transformation, maintain the momentum for bold acceleration and bold action to further the resilience of food systems, advocate for their adaptation to climate change, ensure they contribute to communities’ resilience to further shocks and crises, and boost the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read more: PM Hasina leaves for Geneva to attend World of Work Summit