Rajshahi, Nov 18 (UNB) – A man sustained burn injuries in an acid attack allegedly by his wife at Darikharbona in the city on Saturday.

The injured man was identified as Babul Islam.

Babul’s wife told police that she threw one kind of cleaning material on her husband’s face  to save herself from his torture, said Masud Rana, sub-inspector of Upasahar police camp.  

Later, Babul was taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
 

Dhaka, Nov 18 (UNB) – The government will procure 6 lakh tonnes of Aman rice at Tk 36 per kg from the domestic market during the current season.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee held at the Food Ministry on Sunday with Food Minister Qamrul Islam in the chair, said a PID handout.
The rice procurement drive will begin at December 1 and continue till February 28.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said the government is likely to buy 2-3 lakh tonnes of more rice if the procurement drive sees a success.

There is a stock of 12.18 lakh tonnes of food grains – 9.68 lakh tonnes of rice and 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat – in silos, the handout said.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, among others, attended the meeting.

Dhaka, Nov 18 (UNB) – A book on the political life and works of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now in jail, was launched here on Sunday.   

Some professionals unveiled the cover of the book titled ‘Khaleda Zia Her Life, Her Story’ published by the Universal Academy at a city hotel.

Senior journalist Mahfuz Ullah authored the 718-page book.

Former diplomat M Anwar Hashim, daily New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Dhaka University teachers Prof Laila N Islam, Prof Asif Nazrul, Prof AFM Yusuf Haider and Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury were, among others, present.

In the book, the author narrated various incidents Khaleda faced in her long political career and contributions to different movements, politics and the country.

The writer also described some incidents taken place during the 1/11 regime after the political changeover in 2007. 

The author also shed light on the situation which forced a housewife Khaleda to step into the bumpy road of politics.

Earlier, Mahfuz Ullah wrote another book ‘President Zia of Bangladesh: A Political Biography.

Khaleda Zia has been staying in jail since she was convicted in a graft case on February 8 last.

Dhaka, Nov 18 (UNB) – Mentioning that Bimstec will not be much visible to the people of the member countries unless a free trade agreement (FTA)) is implemented, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has urged the bloc to find ways to increase the intra-region trade.

“Bimstec would not be much visible to people to the member countries unless and until an FTA is implemented,” he said while inaugurating the Bimstec 21st trade negotiation committee (TNC) meeting at Sonargaon Hotel in the city on Sunday. 

Nineteen officials of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) member countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand – participated in the meeting.

The function was also addressed by Commerce Secretary Shubhashish Bose.

Bimstec officials believe if the free trade agreement is implemented, it will help the intra-Bimste trade grow up to US$ 240 billion from the current US$ 40 billion.

Tofail Ahmed said although the framework agreement of the Bimstec was signed long ago in 2004, the countries have failed to end the deal process through signing several required constituent agreements.

“If the Asean FTA can run very well and successful, why the Bimstec won’t be successful? We need to just put our sincere efforts in running the negotiation with utmost sincerity, devotion and consideration of others’ interest in order to make it a win-win for all partner countries,” he said. 

The minister said globalisation and regional integration have been a reality of today’s politico-economic scenario across the globe. 

He mentioned that the Asian countries are actually the front-runners in the regional economic integration initiatives.

Tofail said the Bimstec member countries need to prepare and put hands together to harness the full potentials of the region.

He said Bangladesh has been very much interested about sub-regional and bilateral FTA with different countries as it will graduate from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2024 and there will be no existing market facilities for Bangladesh after its graduation.
 

Dhaka, Nov 18 (UNB) – Speakers at a conference here on Sunday laid emphasis on giving voice to youths in global platforms to ensure international fund and climate justice to fight climate change as well as strengthening the national policy.

While climate change is affecting everyone, especially the vulnerable communities, they said, engaging youth voice in bringing changes in this regard is urgently needed.

The experts came up with the remarks while speaking during a panel discussion on ‘Taking Youth Voice to Global Platforms: Role of Government, Development Partners and Media’ at Stamford University, Bangladesh.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohsin said youths are the key change-makers, said a press release.

While the government is working on raising voice in global platform about climate change, youths must bring their demands on this issue to the government, he said.

Project Manager, IBFCR Project, UNDP Ranjit Kumar Chakraborty said resource and proper implementation of policies and strategies are needed to fight climate change. “For this, youth participation is a must.”

Programme Director, Oxfam in Bangladesh MB Akhter said climate change is increasing the challenge of reducing hunger and poverty for Bangladesh to a greater extent. The youth need to be more aware about the climate change issues in this regard.  
 
Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir said youths have the opportunity to raise their voice through social networks as their voice is needed to move regarding national policies forward. 

Youths can also work for sustainable consumption, she added.

The panel discussion was part of a daylong conference ‘Dhaka Climate Talk 2018’ where youth activists, policymakers, NGOs, academicians, media and civil society came together to exchange experiences, showcase best practices, raise awareness and foster cooperation.