prime minister
Pori Moni files sexual assault complaint against Uttara Club’s ex-president Nasiruddin, 5 others
Dhallywood star Pori Moni on Monday filed a sexual assault complaint against six people, including former president of Uttara Club Ltd Nasiruddin Mahmud.
Pori Moni lodged the complaint with Savar Model Police Station, said its officer-in-charge Kazi Mainul Islam.
Earlier, Pori Moni in her verified Facebook page, uploaded a status seeking justice from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claiming that the six people attempted to rape and kill her.
Read: Pori Moni's plea for justice from PM causes sensation
The popular actress, whose real name is Shamsun Nahar Smriti, addressed the post to the Prime Minister, stating that she is seeking justice as a loyal citizen of the country.
"I’ve been physically assaulted and they even attempted to rape and kill me. I want justice. I’ve asked for help from so many people. However, they just listened to me and commented that they'll 'look into it' while the fact is that no one has helped me yet," Pori Moni stated in her post.
She has mentioned that she tried to contact the local police station and even IGP Benazir Ahmed, but she was yet to receive any formal help regarding her complaint.
"I haven't found justice in the last three or four days. Where can I find justice? I’m a woman and actress, but first of all I’m a human being. I can’t remain silent over what happened to me today," she added.
In her post, Pori Moni then addressed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as her "mother", writing: "I was about 2 and a half years old when my mother died. Today, I need a mother more than anytime else. I’ve never seen you, accepting any injustice quietly. I need you; I need your help to stay alive. Please save me, mother."
Pori Moni’s press conference
Pori Moni revealed the name and details of her assaulters via a press conference on Sunday night, at her residence in Gulshan in the capital.
Read:Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars features Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni
The press conference took place after the actress surprised the nation through a status from her verified Facebook page on Sunday evening.
Bursting into tears at the press conference, Pori Moni described what exactly happened to her, sharing the graphic details of the incident and revealed who tried to rape her.
Sitting beside noted director Chayanika Chowdhury, Pori Moni said at the press conference that Nasir Uddin Mahmud, a businessman and currently appointed entertainment and cultural affairs secretary of Dhaka Boat Club, assaulted her at the club in Birulia, Uttara in the capital on Wednesday night.
The actress said that she went to the boat club with her costume designer Jimmy and Jimmy’s friend Omi for a professional meeting regarding a movie, where Nasir and another man offered them drinks at that time. She refused the offer stating that she was feeling unwell.
At one point, Nasir ganged up on her at the club and forced her to drink by putting the neck of a bottle into her mouth, beat her up and tried to rape her at the same time, Pori Moni said at the press briefing.
Read: Pori Moni: A Dazzling Star in Bangladeshi Cinema
During the assault, Nasir addressed himself as a “friend” of Benazir Ahmed, Inspector General of Bangladesh Police and president of the Dhaka Boat Club.
The actress went on saying that when she was able to get out after two and a half hours, she went straight to the Banani Police Station but the officials refused to hear her words. She stated that she has also contacted Zayed Khan, general secretary of Film Artists Association, and other leaders of the film industry, however, did not get any legal or logistic support.
Nasir U Mahmud's Facebook profile shows that he is currently the chairman of Kunj Developers, former president of Uttara Club, former district chairman of Lions Clubs International, a former footballer who played in the Dhaka first division and former elected general secretary of SM Hall of Dhaka University.
Pori Moni's plea for justice from PM causes sensation
Dhallywood star Pori Moni has addressed a plea seeking justice to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through a status on her verified Facebook page on Sunday evening, claiming she was assaulted and alleging attempted rape and murder.
The popular actress addressed the post to Prime Minister, stating that she is asking for justice as a loyal citizen of the country.
"I have been physically assaulted and even resulted to attempted rape and murder. I want justice. I have asked for help from so many people, however, they just listened and commented that they'll 'look into it' while the truth is that no one has helped me yet," Pori Moni stated through that post.
Also read: Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars features Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni
In her post, she has mentioned that she tried to contact Police Station and even IGP Benazir Ahmed, yet to receive any formal help regarding her complaints.
"I haven't found justice in the last three or four days. Where I can find justice? I am a woman and actress but firstly, I am a human being. I cannot remain quiet regarding what happened with me today," she added.
In her post, she then addressed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as her "mother", writing, "I was about 2 and a half years old when my mother died. Today I need a mother more than anytime else. I have never seen you quietly accepting any injustice. I need you, I need your help to stay alive. Please save me, mother."
Also read: Pori Moni: A Dazzling Star in Bangladeshi Cinema
Although she did not clarify the identity of her assaulters in the post only stating that she has been seeking help from law enforcement authorities for the last four days, she has informed media since that she lodged her complaint at Banani Police Station.
However, when contacted from UNB, officer-in-charge of Banani Police Station Noor- e-Alam Miah said that they still did not receive any complaint from actress Pori Moni or Shamsunnahar Smriti (her real name), however, trying to contact the actress for details.
President, PM greet British Queen on her birthday
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted British Queen Elizabeth II on her 95th birthday which falls on the second Saturday in June.
In separate messages sent on June 12, both the President and the Prime Minister wished her good health, happiness, and long life, and the continued peace, progress and prosperity to the friendly people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London.
President Hamid, in his message, said: “I take this opportunity to renew my pledge to work closely with Your Majesty to further strengthen and broaden the existing bonds of friendship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom particularly as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations through 2021-22.”
READ: Another cyclone coming, alerts PM Hasina
Prime Minister Hasina, in her message, said: “On this momentous occasion, I pay a special tribute to Your Majesty for the exemplary grace, duty, and service with which you have served your nation and the Commonwealth for the past seven decades.
As the longest-serving Monarch of the world, you continue to inspire us and remain a symbol of unity and solidarity, especially as the Head of our Commonwealth family. Like always, the people of Bangladesh continue to hold Your Majesty in their hearts with the highest of affection and admiration.”
READ: PM Hasina greets Assam’s new CM Dr Sarma
6-points anniversary: Bangladesh to keep advancing with dignity, says PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh will continue advancing as a nation with dignity and will be established as a developed and prosperous country in the global arena.
“We had lost the ideology of the Liberation War after 1975 but it has come back today. Bangladesh will continue to march forward with dignity raising its head in the world and Bangladesh will be established as a developed and prosperous Sonar Bangla (golden Bangla),” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a special discussion marking the historic Six-Point Demand Day on June 7.
READ: PM calls for massive tree plantation to save environment
On this day in 1966, Bangabandhu put forward a set of six demands widely acknowledged as the "charter of freedom" for Bengalis and a key milestone on the road to independence in 1971.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee arranged the discussion titled "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Charter of Freedom for Bengalese" on the virtual platform.
“Bangladesh will go ahead. It is proven true that blood (sacrificing lives) never goes in vain. Though the Father of the Nation is no more among us today, his ideology is there,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh gained independence on the basis of the Six Points Demand as it had been actually a one-point demand for independence.
“We won the (1970) election, the war and finally the independence on the basis of the Six Points Demand since this formula had been written with blood on June 07 to materialize the demand,” she said.
Hasina, also eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said there had been one-point demand inside the Six Points Demand. “We, the family members, at least knew it. He (Bangabandhu) used to always say that the Six Point Demand means the one point that means independence. Now we are an independent nation,” she said.
She said the date is very significant for the Bengali nation and the day was inscribed as a red letter one as 11 people including Monu Mia, Abul Hossain and Shamsul Haque sacrificed their lives going to enforce a nationwide hartal demanding the realisation of the six-point demand and release of the Father of the Nation from the jail.
She also recalled the role of her mother in enforcing the 7th June hartal successfully.
Referring to several speeches Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered in the rallies in different places to drum up support in favour of the Six Point Demand, she said that the Father of the Nation knew well before that Bangladesh would be an independent country.
READ: Bangladesh always with Palestinians, reaffirms PM
The Prime Minister said the announcement of Six Point Demand was a reflection of the thoughts Bangabandhu had cherished since the birth of Pakistan to change the fate of Bengali nation.
She said Bangabandhu had finally got a ground to place the Six Point Demand after the 1965 India-Pakistan war when the people of Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) remained totally unprotected.
Immediately after its announcement, Pakistani rulers considered the demand as a move to separate Bangladesh completely from Pakistan, she noted.
Seasoned politicians Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, and Professor of Dhaka University Dr Nazma Shaheen also spoke at the discussion moderated by Dr Nuzhat Chowdhury.
Bangladesh always with Palestinians, reaffirms PM
Denouncing the recent Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that Bangladesh is always with the Palestinian people and will continue to extend all sorts of assistance to them.
"We’re always with Palestinian people. We did extend all sorts of assistance to them in the past, and are doing so today and will surely do that in the future," Hasina said.
The Prime Minister said this when she took part in the discussion on a condolence motion in the House.
Also read: Hasina a household name in Palestine: Envoy
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the Budget Session of the 11th Parliament, aiming to express profound grief at the death of two sitting MPs Abdul Matin Khasru and Aslamul Haque, one former minister, 11 ex-MPs, some noted dignitaries and those who lost lives to Coronavirus both at home and abroad, and in two recent waterway accidents in the country, and the latest Israelis attacks on Palestine and the cyclone Yaas.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned the cruel attacks carried out by Israel. "What happened in Palestine is extremely inhumane. Children were crying and roaming around there, losing their parents. It can't be tolerated," she said.
It is truly sad that the young children were injured and subjected to torture while they lost their parents, Hasina said adding that Israel carried out the attacks on Palestine.
Also read: Bangladesh urges UN to take decisive action against Israel’s violation of Palestinian rights
Coming down heavily on international organisations, Hasina said those who always talk about humanity they are now silent.
The Prime Minister sought the salvation of departed souls of those who were killed in the Israeli attacks.
Ecnec rejects Tk 17,290-cr primary school meal project
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday turned down a Tk 17,290.23-crore project designed to provide ‘Khichuri’ or other food items as midday meals to primary school students.
“The project hasn’t been approved as the Prime Minister is concerned about its structure (modus operandi). She said cooking Khichuri in schools might hamper the study of students,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan.
The minister was briefing reporters after an Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room in the city.
Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read: All above 14 to get smart NIDs; Ecnec clears project
The meeting, however, cleared nine other projects involving an estimated total cost of Tk 5,239.62 crore, the minister added.
Of the cost, he said, some Tk 250 crore will come as loan from foreign sources.
Among the nine projects, six are fresh and three others revised ones.
About the midday meal project, Mannan said the project will not be placed for approval anymore, but new projects over the midday meal may come in different formats.
Netanyahu could lose PM job as rivals attempt to join forces
A former ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he would seek to form a coalition government with the Israeli leader’s opponents, taking a major step toward ending the rule of the longtime premier.
The dramatic announcement by Naftali Bennett, leader of the small hardline Yamina party, set the stage for a series of steps that could push Netanyahu and his dominant Likud party into the opposition in the coming week.
While Bennett and his new partners, headed by opposition leader Yair Lapid, still face some obstacles, the sides appeared to be serious about reaching a deal and ending the deadlock that has plunged the country into four elections in the past two years.
“It’s my intention to do my utmost in order to form a national unity government along with my friend Yair Lapid, so that, God willing, together we can save the country from a tailspin and return Israel to its course,” Bennett said.
READ: Israel, Egypt talk truce with Hamas, rebuilding Gaza Strip
The pair have until Wednesday to complete a deal in which each is expected to serve two years as prime minister in a rotation deal, with Bennett holding the job first. Lapid’s Yesh Atid party said negotiating teams were to meet later Sunday.
Bennett, a former top aide to Netanyahu who has held senior Cabinet posts, shares the prime minister’s hard-line ideology. He is a former leader of the West Bank settlement movement and heads a small party whose base includes religious and nationalist Jews. Yet he has had a strained and complicated relationship with his one-time mentor due to personal differences.
Bennett said there was no feasible way after the deadlocked March 23 election to form a right-wing government favored by Netanyahu. He said another election would yield the same results and said it was time to end the cycle.
“A government like this will succeed only if we work together as a group,” he said. He said everyone “will need to postpone fulfilling part of their dreams. We will focus on what can be done, instead of fighting all day on what’s impossible.”
If Bennett and Lapid and their other partners can wrap up a deal, it would end, at least for the time being, the record-setting tenure of Netanyahu, the most dominant figure in Israeli politics over the past three decades. Netanyahu has served as prime minister for the past 12 years and also held an earlier term in the late 1990s.
In his own televised statement, Netanyahu accused Bennett of betraying the Israeli right wing and urged nationalist politicians not to join what he called a “leftist government.”
“A government like this is a danger to the security of Israel, and is also a danger to the future of the state,” he said.
Despite his electoral dominance, Netanyahu has become a polarizing figure since he was indicted on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in late 2019. Each of the past four elections was seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s fitness to rule, and each ended in deadlock.
Netanyahu is desperate to stay in power while he is on trial. He has used his office as a stage to rally his base and lash out against police, prosecutors and the media.
In order to form a government, a party leader must secure the support of a 61-seat majority in parliament. Because no single party controls a majority on its own, coalitions are usually built with smaller partners. Thirteen parties of various sizes are in the current parliament.
As leader of the largest party, Netanyahu was given the first opportunity by the country’s figurehead president to form a coalition. But he was unable to secure a majority with his traditional religious and nationalist allies.
Netanyahu even attempted to court a small Islamist Arab party but was thwarted by a small ultranationalist party with a racist anti-Arab agenda. Although Arabs make up some 20% of Israel’s population, an Arab party has never before sat in an Israeli coalition government.
After Netanyahu’s failure to form a government, Lapid was then given four weeks to cobble together a coalition. He has until Wednesday to complete the task.
While Bennett’s Yamina party controls just seven seats in parliament, he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts by providing the necessary support to secure a majority. If he is successful, he would represent the smallest party ever to lead an Israeli government.
Lapid already faced a difficult challenge, given the broad range of parties in the anti-Netanyahu bloc that have little in common. They include dovish left-wing parties, a pair of right-wing nationalist parties, including Bennett’s Yamina, and most likely the Islamist United Arab List.
Lapid’s task was made even more difficult after war broke out with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip on May 10. His coalition talks were put on hold during the 11 days of fighting.
But with Wednesday’s deadline looming, negotiations have kicked into high gear. Lapid has reached coalition deals with three other parties so far. If he finalizes a deal with Bennett, the remaining partners are expected to quickly fall into place.
They would then have roughly one week to present their coalition to parliament for a formal vote of confidence allowing it to take office.
Yohanan Plessner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said Netanyahu will try to undermine those efforts until the end.
READ: Bangladesh urges UN to take decisive action against Israel’s violation of Palestinian rights
Netanyahu’s main strategy, he said, would be to try to appeal to hard-liners in both Bennett’s party and New Hope, another hard-line party led by a former Netanyahu confidant, to withdraw their support for the new coalition. A defection of just one or two lawmakers could prevent Lapid from mustering a majority and force another election.
“Anything might happen,” Plessner said. “I would wait for the final vote to go through.”
Even if Lapid and Bennett manage to put together a government, Netanyahu is unlikely to disappear, Plessner said.
Netanyahu could remain as opposition leader, working to exploit the deep ideological differences among his opponents to cause the coalition to fracture.
“History teaches us it would be unwise to write him off,” he said.
Dhaka to host World Peace Conference in November
Bangladesh will host a two-day world peace conference in November this year, marking the ongoing birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as part of promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.
Bangabandhu Peace Award will be introduced and conferred during the conference.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said this while addressing a discussion at Foreign Service Academy, marking the anniversary of Bangabandhu's Joliot Curie Peace Prize given in recognition of his contributions to world peace.
Also read: New Delhi mission observes Bangabandhu's Joliot-Curie award anniversary
The Father of the Nation, who was a proponent of peace and addressing problems with dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts, was awarded the medal on May 23, 1973. It was the first international award to the newly-independent Bangladesh.
PM greets cricketers for winning 1st match against Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday congratulated the national cricket team on winning the first match in the three-match ODI home series against Sri Lanka by 33 runs.
Also read: Tigers beat Lions despite Hasaranga scare
In a message, the Prime Minister greeted all the players, the coach and the officials of the national cricket team as well as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials concerned for beating Sri Lanka in the match.
PM to inaugurate 140 cyclone and flood centres on Sunday, says minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate virtually 140 cyclone and flood shelters besides laying foundation of 50 Mujib Killas across the country on Sunday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Mohammad Enamur Rahman has said.
Also on Sunday 30 district relief and disaster management information centres and five Mujib Killas will also be inaugurated by the prime minister, Dr. Enamur told a press briefing on Saturday.
Besides, construction, renovation, and development activities of 550 Mujib Killas’ are underway in 148 coastal and flood-hit Upazilas, according to the minister.
Also read: Take up fish farming as livelihood, Prime Minister tells youths