bangladesh
Bangladesh, US relations to reach new heights: Blinken to Momen
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the relations between Bangladesh and the United States will reach new heights in the next 50 years.
Secretary Blinken said this in his letter sent to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
He described the celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States as a milestone in the two countries’ growing partnership.
The close cooperation between the two countries in protecting people from the scourge of terrorism, human trafficking and illicit drug trafficking is commendable, Blinken said.
Highlighting key issues in the Biden administration's foreign policy, Blinken welcomed the continuation of the dialogue on labor rights, religious freedom, human rights and good governance, highlighting key issues in the Biden administration's foreign policy.
Also read: Biden sees stronger Dhaka-Washington ties in future
The United States and Bangladesh will continue to work closely on strengthening economic ties, investing in development, addressing the challenges of climate change, regional security, peacekeeping operations, and finding a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis, he mentioned in the letter.
Blinken said the United States stood by the people of Bangladesh by providing 61 million doses of Covid vaccine to make the 50th anniversary of the two countries' partnership meaningful.
“I look forward to seeing what our people will build together in the decades ahead as we continue to follow that star of freedom,” he said in a video message celebrating five decades of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam “for being the latest stewards of this crucial” relationship.
The United States recognized Bangladesh on April 4, 1972, in a press statement from Secretary of State William Rogers.
Also read: Ties between Bangladeshis, Americans deeper, more intertwined: Secretary Blinken
In addition, Herbert Spivack, the principal U.S. officer in Dhaka, delivered a message from President Richard Nixon to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman informing him that the United States government wished to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
2 prisoners die at Chattogram jail
Two under-trial prisoners died at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital within a span of an hour, said jail authorities on Monday.
The deceased were identified as Mohammad Rafique, 54 and Babul Mia, 38 of Chandanish upazila of the district.
Read: Housewife killed ‘for not paying extortion money’ in Barishal
With the two fresh deaths, four people have so far died at the jail this week.
Dewan Mohammad Tariqul Islam, jailer of the Chattogram Central Jail, said Rafique, an accused in a case related to clash, complained of chest pain around 5 am after having sehri.
Later, he was taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Read: Faridpur hospitals see spike in diarrhoea cases
Babu, an accused in a Narcotics case, fell sick in the jail within an hour and was taken to the same hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Govt plans to construct int’l airport nearby Dhaka: Mahbub Ali
There is a plan to construct a new international airport named ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport,’ in the vicinity of Dhaka ensuring the latest standards to make Bangladesh as an air connectivity hub between the East and the West, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali on Monday.
He said this in Parliament, replying to a starred question from treasury bench lawmaker Shahiduzzaman Sarker (Naogaon-2).
Read: Ensure proper use of water to conserve it: PM
The state minister said now eight airports remain in operation under Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority in the country. On the other hand, three STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) airports – Thakurgaon, Shamshernagar and Cumilla—and three domestic airports – Ishwardi, Lalmonirhat and Bogura—remain closed.
Govt plans to operate flight on Jashore-Ctg route
In reply to a starred question from Awami League MP Shafiqul Islam Shimul (Natore-2), Mahbub Ali said there is a plan to increase the weekly flights frequency on all existing domestic routes as well as to operate flights on some non-traditional routes like Jashore-Chattogram-Jashore route considering the demand of passengers.
The state minister said the flight operation started on Sylhet-Cox’s Bazar-Sylhet on November 12, 2020, Sylhet-Chattogram-Sylhet route on March 17, 2021 and Syedpur-Cox’s Bazar-Syedpur on October 07, 2021.
Noting that the weekly flight frequency was increased on different international routes, he said a process is on to operate non-stop commercial flight between Dhaka and Toronto from June 11, 2022.
Read: Expedite Shahjalal Airport's extension work, PM directs authorities
In reply to another starred question from ruling party MP Momotaz Begum, the state minister said Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) has a fleet of 21 aircraft including three leased ones.
Now a programme is underway to assess the feasibility over the inclusion of new generation passenger aircraft and cargo planes to the fleet in order to enhance the passenger transportation capacity and improve the services, said Mahbub Ali.
Biden sees stronger Dhaka-Washington ties in future
US President Joe Biden has expressed his optimism that Dhaka-Washington partnership would flourish in the next 50 years and beyond.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said Bangladeshis and Americans alike share the ideals of democracy, equality, and respect for human rights; and these elements are the foundation for healthy, secure, and prosperous societies.
Read:Ties between Bangladeshis, Americans deeper, more intertwined: Secretary Blinken
“I am confident our partnership will continue to flourish for the next 50 years and beyond,” he said in the letter marking 50-year milestone in the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the US.
The US president said the drive, resourcefulness, and innovation of Bangladeshis - rebuilding after the 1971 War of Liberation and now forging a path of economic growth and development – serve as a model for rest of the world.
“We are proud of our partnership on development, economic growth and counterterrorism,” Biden said, adding that the two countries work together to address the climate crisis, help the Rohingya survivors of genocide and support UN peace keeping worldwide.
He mentioned the two nations are connected through familial, academic and commercial ties since 1958, when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman participated in a 30-day exchange programme in the US.
Read:Bangladesh-US security dialogue in Washington Wednesday
“Our defense cooperation is stronger than ever,” the US president said, adding that the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Navy are invaluable partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, contributing to the regional effort to end the trafficking of people and illicit drugs.
Biden said the US and Bangladesh together met the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic while Washington has donated more than 61 million vaccine doses and provided over 131 million US dollars in assistance to Dhaka.
Ties between Bangladeshis, Americans deeper, more intertwined: Secretary Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the ties between Bangladeshis and Americans grow deeper and more intertwined with every generation as the two countries celebrate five decades of friendship.
“I look forward to seeing what our people will build together in the decades ahead as we continue to follow that star of freedom,” he said in a video message celebrating five decades of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, who is now in Washington to have a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart; and Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam “for being the latest stewards of this crucial” relationship.
For generations, Secretary Blinken said, Bangladeshis have made tremendous contributions to the United States.
He cited the example of the iconic Sears Tower to refer to what the Bangladeshis and Americans can achieve together.
In 1952, Fazlur Rahman Khan was the first Bangladeshi to receive the Fulbright Scholarship to study in the US, completed his PhD and two master's degrees in structural engineering and mechanics, the US Secretary of State mentioned.
Later, he joined an architecture firm in Chicago where he designed an office building for Sears Corporation.
“In 1973, just a year after our countries established diplomatic relations, the iconic Sears Tower was finished in downtown Chicago. Since then, the tower has defined a classic American skyline and it represents just one manifestation of what Americans and Bangladeshis can build together," Blinken said.
Read: Bangladesh, US relations to reach new heights: Blinken to Momen
50 years later, he said the two countries collaborate virtually on every issue that matters to their people.
Secretary Blinken said the two countries have forged partnership to improve public health, strengthening local health systems, bringing down maternal mortality in Bangladesh by two thirds over the last two decades and fighting Covid-19 with 61 million doses of safe, effective vaccines provided by the United States to Bangladeshis.
In 2021, Secretary Blinken said, the US bought more Bangladeshi products than any other country did, representing some US$ 8.3 billion. “We encourage Bangladesh to make progress on workers’ rights to deepen our robust economic partnership.”
He mentioned about joint efforts in tackling clime crisis, Bangladesh’s contributions to peacekeeping and Rohingya crisis noting that the Rohingyas have fled genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the military in Myanmar.
“We commend Bangladesh for hosting nearly 1 million refugees and for continuing to offer support for those efforts as we have since the crisis started,” Secretary Blinken said.
Read: Biden sees stronger Dhaka-Washington ties in future
He also said, "We are tackling the climate crisis together, strengthening the resilience of the communities that are already affected by the rising sea level and more severe storms, investing in clean energy and protecting wetlands and forests in Bangladesh for future generations.”
Blinken said the US and Bangladesh address humanitarian conflicts and crises together, from responding to natural disasters to supporting Bangladesh's role as one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations.
He recalled that in February 1972, Senator Ted Kennedy visited Bangladesh and spoke to the students at University of Dhaka and the values that tied the peoples of the two countries – the similar struggles for independence, love for liberty and journeys to follow the star of freedom.
The United States recognized Bangladesh on April 4, 1972, in a press statement from Secretary of State William Rogers.
In addition, Herbert Spivack, the principal U.S. officer in Dhaka, delivered a message from President Richard Nixon to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman informing him that the United States government wished to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
Cop who ‘harassed woman for wearing Teep’ identified
A police constable who allegedly harassed a college teacher for wearing ‘teep’ in the city’s Farmgate area on Saturday has been identified.
The suspected policeman was identified as Nazmul Taher, a constable (Protection division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said Biplab Sarkar, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon division, on Monday.
Read:5 cops stabbed by mugger in Dhaka
He told reporters that the female college teacher earlier filed a general diary (GD) at Sher-e-bangla Nagar police station.
“Following the GD, police identified the constable after two days of frantic effort,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Constable Taher confessed to his guilt.
Legal steps will be taken against the constable after an investigation, said Biplab Sarker.
Read:3 tourist cops shunted out for attack on Barishal hospital nurse
On Saturday, the lecturer of Tejgaon College was allegedly harassed and verbally assaulted by a policeman for wearing ‘teep’ on her forehead in Farmgate area while going to her workplace.
She also alleged that the policeman also threatened her and tried to hit her with his motorbike when she resisted.
Ensure proper use of water to conserve it: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that her government has taken plans for better use of surface water and reducing its extraction from the underground.
“Another name of water is life, this is important to preserve this resource. We have taken plans to increase the use of surface water," she said while addressing a programme on World Water Day 2022.
The Water Resources Ministry organised the programme at Pani Bhaban at Green Road in the city while the PM joined virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
This year's theme is 'Groundwater, making the invisible visible'.
Read: Make sure government services reach the common people, PM asks officials
The prime minister mentioned that two billion people in the world are lacking safe drinking water.
“If we can use this resource properly then there will be no suffering for people of our country. And we will be able to supply (safe) water to the world (market). We have to do our work keeping that in our mind,” she said.
JS passes ‘Mongla Port Authority Bill’ with harsher punishment for polluting environment
The ‘Mongla Port Authority Bill, 2022’ was passed in Parliament on Monday keeping provision of harsher punishment for polluting the environment.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The bill will abolish the Chalna Port Authority Ordinance 1976 as it was promulgated during a military regime.
As per the bill, the punishment for harming the environment by polluting water, land and coast has been raised to one year imprisonment or a fine of Tk 5 lakh or both. The fine is Tk 50,000 in the existing ordinance.
According to a new provision incorporated in the bill, the punishment for dodging toll, fee and other charges of the port will invite a one year jail term or a fine of Tk 1 lakh or both.
Read:JS passes bill to check boiler-related accidents, ensure safety in industries
If anyone defies the law, he will be sentenced to six months in jail or be fined Tk 2 lakh or by both. The punishment is only a six-month jail and a fine of Tk 50,000 in the existing ordinance.
Besides, some new terminologies like ‘inland water vessel’, ‘terminal’, ‘berth’, container freight station and ‘lease’ have been incorporated in the bill.
According to the bill, there will be a seven-member board to run the port. The number of the board members is four in the existing ordinance.
Read:JS passes Bangladesh Patents Bill, 2022
The port authority can declare the restricted port area through a special order.
A provision was kept in the bill to preserve the work done in good faith.
It states that no civil or criminal case may be instituted against the authority, or its chairman, any member, officer or employee, or any other legal action cannot be taken if any person is harmed or is likely to be harmed as a result of any act done in good faith under this Act.
Showers likely in parts of Bangladesh
Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at a few places over six divisions of the country in the next 24 hours commencing 9 am on Monday.
According to a Met office bulletin, “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.”
Read: Rains to drench six Bangladesh divisions
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it said.
Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Meanwhile, the trough of westerly low lies over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay, it added.
Housewife killed ‘for not paying extortion money’ in Barishal
A housewife was killed allegedly for refusing to pay extortion money in Barishal city on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Afia Khatun, 45, wife of former army member Gias Uddin and a resident of Khasipur Fishery Road area of Barishal city.
Deceased’s husband Gias Uddin said local terrorist Md. Monu had been demanding extortion from him for building a new house in the area.
Read:2 held for raping minor girl after kidnap in Barishal
As he did not pay the extortion money, Monu beat up Gias at first and later hit Afia Khatun with a brick, he said.
Seriously injured Afia was rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Barishal Airport Police Station officer-in-charge Kamolesh Halder said on information, a police team has been sent to the spot.