United News of Bangladesh

A six-member military delegation, led by Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan, visited Pakistan from January 13 to 18. During the visit, the delegation paid courtesy calls and exchanged views with the chiefs of the three armed forces of Pakistan as well as other high-ranking military officials, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release on Monday. Army operation uncovers two UPDF camps in Rangamati: ISPR In the meetings, the delegates discussed issues related to the professional and training aspects of the armed forces of both countries and expressed the hope for continuing mutual friendly relations, the release added. Army warns against using its name in jhut business: ISPR

Financial assistance amounting to nearly Tk 5 lakh has been provided to 12 Dhaka University (DU) students injured during the anti-discrimination student movement. DU Treasurer Professor Dr M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury handed over financial assistance cheques to the students at his office on Monday. Professor Dr Md Mostak Ahmed, DU dean of Faculty of Medicine; Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, chairman of Provost Standing Committee, were present at the time, among others. Professor Jahangir paid respects to the memories of the martyrs of the July uprising and said that a committee was formed to ensure proper medical treatment for DU students injured during the movement. This committee reached out to each department and institution, requesting a list of injured students. Consequently, financial assistance for medical treatment was extended to those who responded to the committee’s outreach, he added.

Voicing concern over the extent of extortion, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said extortionists must be brought to book no matter who they are. “Steps will be taken to intensify police patrols especially in the early morning hours and vehicles such as microbuses or private cars loitering unnecessarily should be thoroughly searched,” he said. The DMP Commissioner came up with the information while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the officer-in-charges of 50 police stations at DMP headquarters on Monday. He also urged the Officers-in-Charge (OCs) to ensure their presence in every alley and lane under their jurisdiction to address any emerging issues promptly. DMP files 2,073 cases for traffic rules violation “You must treat victims and those seeking police services with respect. Regular briefings with subordinates at the police station are essential,” said the DMP Commissioner. The more connections you build with people, the more information you will gather, he said. He also instructed the OCs to register all cases requiring legal action on time and to conduct proper and prompt investigations of General Diaries (GDs).

Bangladesh on Monday welcomed US President-elect Donald Trump and reiterated that the two countries will work together to open new areas of cooperation as he begins a new term. Referring to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus's congratulatory message to Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday evening said the chief adviser expressed his strong belief that the two countries will work to open up new areas of cooperation between the two countries. "We reiterate that belief and wish Donald Trump all the best as he begins his new term," he said. Donald Trump, who overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House, will be sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, taking charge as Republicans assume unified control of Washington and set out to reshape the country’s institutions. ‘Will lead consensus-building commission’, Dr Yunus tells Australian envoy Trump will act swiftly after the ceremony, with executive orders already prepared for his signature to jumpstart deportations, increase fossil fuel development and reduce civil service protections for government workers, promising that his term will bring about “a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride.” He plans to try to strike a hopeful tone and call for unity, according to excerpts of his prepared speech provided by a Trump official, who insisted on anonymity to preview the speech, reports AP. On November 6, congratulating Trump, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said he looks forward to working together with the new US administration to further strengthen the Dhaka-Washington partnership and foster sustainable development. Ground is ready to take ties to greater fields: Dr Yunus tells Argentine Ambassador “I firmly believe that the possibilities are endless as our two friendly nations work towards exploring newer avenues of partnership,” said the Nobel Peace Laureate in his message conveying his heartfelt felicitations to Trump. Prof Yunus said electing Trump as the US President for a second term reflects that his leadership and vision have resonated with the people of the United States of America. “I am confident that under your stewardship, the United States will thrive and continue to inspire others around the world. Bangladesh and the United States share a long history of friendship and collaboration across numerous areas of mutual interest,” said the chief adviser. He said the relationship continued to grow in depth and breadth during Trump’s previous term in the office. Both US and India want democracy, elections in Bangladesh: Eric Garcetti “Aligning with our commitment to a peaceful and inclusive society, the government and the peace-loving people of Bangladesh look forward to partnering and collaborating in your efforts in addressing the global challenges in the pursuit of peace, harmony, stability and prosperity for all,” Prof Yunus said. He conveyed his best wishes for Trump’s success as he embarks on this momentous journey of leading his great nation. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh's ties with major powers like the United States are not government-specific, indicating no major change in relations during Donald Trump's presidency. "We have nothing to speculate," he earlier said, expressing optimism things will move on smoothly in terms of relations with the United States. "Our relations with India, China and the US are very important. We will surely maintain balanced relations with these three countries protecting our own interests," Hossain said, adding that Bangladesh is not to be dissatisfied with any country.

The Traffic Department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 2,073 cases for traffic rule violations during a special drive conducted across the capital. During the drive 81 vehicles were dumped and 47 others were towed, said Deputy Commissioner (media) of DMP Talebur Rahman on Monday. The drive was conducted on Sunday by eight traffic divisions of the DMP to ensure traffic discipline, he said. 1,617 cases registered for violating traffic rules: DMP The operations of DMP will continue to ensure traffic discipline.  

Major General (retd) Anup Kumar Chakma has been appointed as the chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board. A notification in this regard was issued by Ministry of Public Administration on Monday. Nurul Amin appointed public division secretary of President’s Office The appointment will take effect from the date of his joining, as mentioned in the notification. Meanwhile, OSD Additional Secretary Shah Abdul Alim Khan has been posted to the Ministry of Food. He was previously set to be transferred as Additional Secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division.

Health Services Division Additional Secretary Khan Mohammad Nurul Amin has been appointed as the Public Division secretary to the President’s Office. Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Monday. Morshed Ullah appointed SCB’s Legal Affairs head On December 22, Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani of the Public Division of the President’s Office was transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In another order, Senior Secretary Mohammad Ehsanul Haque of the Road Transport and Highways Division has also been given the additional responsibility of Senior Secretary of the Bridges Division.

A local leader of Jubo Dal was killed by miscreants at Railway Station Road in Khulna city on Monday. The deceased was identified as Manik Hawladar, 35, vice-president of No 21 Ward unit Jubo Dal and son of Mansur Hawladar of the area. Witnesses said a group of miscreants including Sazzad, Mehedi and Lalu stabbed Manik indiscriminately around 11 am, leaving him critically injured, said additional deputy commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police, Mohamamd Ahsan Habib. Later, he was taken to Khulna Medical College and Hospital where the doctors referred him to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Two killed as dump truck hits auto-rickshaw in Laxmipur Manik died on the way to Dhaka around 5:30 pm. Soon after the news spread, the supporters of Manik carried out vandalism and arson attacks in the area. On information, police brought the situation under control. Police arrested two people in this connection.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday afternoon left Dhaka for China to discuss a wide range of issues and ways to strengthen Dhaka's economic partnership with Beijing. China has already invited Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to pay an official visit to Beijing in March this year with Dhaka seeing it positively, said a diplomatic source. Bangladesh and China are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025. Adviser Hossain is paying the visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in what is  described as “very important first bilateral visit” after the formation of the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus in August last year. He will have engagements with Chinese officials on January 21-23. He is scheduled to return home on January 24. Bangladesh is likely to request China to lower loan interest rates, extend repayment terms by 30 years and waive commitment fees to bolster economic cooperation. Deeper ties with Russia sought in meeting with new ambassador The issues along with budget support will come up in a big way during Hossain's visit. "...all economic issues will come up for discussion. Some issues are very important. Bangladesh's trade and economic relations with China are very important," the adviser said while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week. He said they will discuss budgetary support, explore China's assistance, expedite loan disbursement for Bangladeshi projects, and seek a full withdrawal of the commitment fee. A commitment fee in China is a charge made by a lender to a borrower for keeping a line of credit available. Bangladesh sees Hossain’s maiden bilateral visit to China as a “great opportunity” to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations with Beijing giving an outline for the future cooperation. Asked about the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the adviser said there are some issues that will continue to be discussed with a positive approach and noted that Bangladesh’s relationship with China is not just government-specific. The GDI is a multilateral development initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2021.

A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the president's power to pardon convicted offenders. Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan filed the petition on Monday. The petitioner has informed that a High Court bench, comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury, will hear the petition next week. The Cabinet Secretary, the Law Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Parliament Secretary, and the Secretary of the President's Office have been named as respondents in the petition. 2 men sentenced to 10 years for harassing minor, inciting suicide The petition requests the High Court to issue a rule asking why the president's power to pardon convicted offenders without a policy should not be declared unconstitutional. Additionally, the petition seeks directions to formulate a policy for the remission, suspension, or reduction of sentences under Article 49 of the Constitution. The petition also asks the court to rule on why the respondents' failure to formulate a policy for the implementation of this provision of the Constitution should not be declared illegal, unconstitutional, and contradictory to Articles 7, 27, and 31 of the Constitution. Article 49 of the Constitution states: "The president shall have the power to grant pardon, delay or suspend the execution of any sentence, and remit, suspend or reduce any sentence awarded by any court, tribunal, or other authority." The petition points out that under Article 49, the president’s power to grant pardons is unrestricted and lacks any formal policy. There is no clear policy governing who can be granted a pardon and on what basis, which the petition argues contradicts Articles 7, 27, 31, and 32 of the Constitution. Appellate Division defers 13th Amendment review hearing to Feb 9 The petition also highlights the misuse of this power, citing examples such as the pardons granted to individuals like the brother of the former army chief, Joseph, and Aslam Fakir. It has become common for sentences to be remitted for political reasons, which the petition claims constitutes an abuse of power. “For years, the president's power to grant pardons has been widely misused. During the previous government’s tenure, convicted murderers were pardoned through the improper use of this power. This has led to growing public concerns about the fairness of justice, with many feeling disillusioned with the notion of receiving fair legal treatment. To prevent the ongoing misuse of this power, the petition asserts that it is essential to formulate a clear policy,” said petitioner Ishrat Hasan.