Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen have tested positive for Covid-19.

They are doing fine and remain in isolation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They both were scheduled to leave for Niger this morning (Wednesday) to attend the 47th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).

The planned visit was cancelled as they got the Covid-19 test reports on Tuesday.

They went for Covid-19 test as per rules before travelling abroad.

They are now maintaining quarantine following health guidelines.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold the meeting on the theme “United against Terrorism for Peace and Development” on November 27-28.

The OIC will discuss ways to raise funds for supporting the Rohingya case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the meeting.

The OIC Secretariat in a media statement said the Council will discuss the situation of Muslim minorities and communities in non-member states, how to raise funds for the Rohingya case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as civilizational, cultural and religious dialogue promotion, and other matters that may come before the council.

Placed on the agenda of this year’s CFM session, Secretary General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen explains, is a list of topics and issues of concern to the Muslim world.

In addition to the Palestinian cause, the fight against violence, extremism and terrorism, Islamophobia and religious defamation will also be discussed.

The OIC foreign ministers will also discuss, over two days, political, humanitarian, economic, socio-cultural and other issues related to science and technology, the media and the implementation progress on the OIC plan of action 2025.

The other item on the agenda is a brainstorming session on “Security and Humanitarian Challenges Confronting African Sahel States Members of the OIC”.

Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar district.

The Gambia filed a more than 500-page Memorial, which also includes more than 5000 pages of supporting material, in its lawsuit against Myanmar at the ICJ in The Hague, making its case for how the Government of Myanmar is responsible for genocide against Rohingya.

In November 2019, The Gambia opened a case at the ICJ, also known as the World Court, against Myanmar for failing to prevent or punish genocide against Rohingya Muslims.

On January 23, 2020, the ICJ unanimously indicated legally binding provisional measures, requiring the Government of Myanmar to take all steps within its power to prevent the commission of all acts of genocide, such as killing, causing serious mental or bodily harm, and other acts listed in the Genocide Convention.

It also requires the government to preserve evidence of genocide and to report to the court every six months on its progress implementing the order, among other measures.

On September 22, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, presented satellite photographs of a Rohingya village–Khan Da Para, also known as Kan Kya, in Rakhine State—before and after it was attacked and destroyed in military-led “clearance operations” in August 2017.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all to redouble their efforts to eradicate gender-based violence forever.

"On this international day, let us redouble our efforts," he said in a message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Wednesday.

Guterres said violence against women and girls is a global human rights challenge.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed this issue as a global emergency requiring urgent action at all levels, in all spaces and by all people, said the UN chief.  

He said the social and economic fallout from the pandemic is disproportionately pushing women and girls into poverty, and the risk of violence against them is rising.

In April this year, the UN chief urged the international community to work to end the shadow pandemic of gender-based violence once and for all. "I reiterate and relaunch that appeal today."

He said the global community needs to hear the voices and experiences of women and girls and take into account their needs, especially survivors and those who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.  

"We must also prioritise women’s leadership in finding solutions and engage men in the struggle," Guterres said.

He said action must involve predictable and flexible funding for women’s rights organisations, who so often act as first responders during crises.  

"It is critical that services for survivors of violence remain open, with adequate resources and measures in place to support health, social and justice responses," said the UN chief.

These measures should not only focus on intervening once violence against women has occurred, he said.  

They should work to prevent violence occurring in the first place, including through addressing social norms and power imbalances, and police and judicial systems need to increase accountability for perpetrators and end impunity.

The US Department of State is sponsoring a free Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) for non-native English speakers interested in improving their English language skills, and knowledge of business and entrepreneurship at the same time as part of its Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2020 programmes.

From identifying an opportunity to planning a persuasive pitch, this course will guide participants step-by-step through the basic elements of starting up a new business, said the US Embassy.  

Through case studies, selected readings, and video lectures, participants will learn how to use market research to identify risks and opportunities.  

They will also learn how to read and develop a business plan and how to find investors and financial support.  

The MOOC is self-paced, meaning participants study independently, without facilitation from an instructor.

It is offered by the Online Professional English Network (OPEN), a US Department of State initiative, and is administered by FHI 360, a US-based nonprofit human development organisation.  

Participants can enroll (https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-for-media-literacy) in this six-module course until December 18, 2020.  

After enrolling, participants can log in at any time – day or night – to access the course.  

All six modules of coursework must be completed by December 28, 2020.  

Participants who complete the required activities with a score of 70 percent or higher will receive a digital badge and certificate.  

This “English for Business and Entrepreneurship Syllabus” MOOC is designed for non-native English-speaking entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of business and entrepreneurship.  

At the end of this course, participants will be able to identify and apply strategies to improve reading and listening comprehension in English and practice using key vocabulary in business and entrepreneurship contexts.  

They will be able to analyse the role of entrepreneurship in local economies, identify and compare business models, and evaluate key components of effective market research and elements of an effective business plan in differing contexts.  

They will also be able to identify and practice developing strategies to attract investors and obtain funding for a start-up.

Fifteen Bangladeshis, most of whom were working in the construction industry, have been repatriated from Singapore for social media postings in the wake of recent developments in France, the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs disclosed on Tuesday.

A Malaysian has also been repatriated who was found to be "radicalised" and harboured the intention to travel to Syria or Palestine to partake in armed violence.

The Bangladeshis, in response to the recent terror attacks and related incidents in France, had made social media postings "which incite violence or stoke communal unrest," said a statement.

Of some 23 foreigners, 16 of them have been repatriated following the completion of ISD’s investigations into them.

Investigations into the remaining seven foreigners are still ongoing.

Since the re-publication of caricatures depicting Prophet Muhammad by French magazine Charlie Hebdo on September 1, there has been a spate of terrorist attacks in France, including the beheading of French teacher Samuel Paty in a Paris suburb, noted the statement.

There have also been attacks against French/Western interests elsewhere, such as in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Vienna, Austria.

In addition, a palpable anti-France climate has developed in several countries, as seen in large protests and calls for boycotts, as well as an uptick in terrorist rhetoric online.

In view of the deteriorating security situation, the Home Team has been on heightened alert since early September, and had also stepped up its security activities to pre-empt copycat attacks in Singapore.

As part of the heightened security posture, the Internal Security Department (ISD) has ramped up counter-terrorism investigations into suspicious activity, suspected radicalised individuals and/or persons whose conduct could threaten Singapore’s communal harmony.

As of November 24, investigations into 37 individuals have been initiated, some jointly with SPF.

These individuals had attracted security attention for suspected radical inclinations, or for making comments which incite violence, or stoke communal unrest.

The majority had inter alia, supported the beheading of Samuel Paty, and the subsequent attacks in France and elsewhere, or incited violence against France or French President Emmanuel Macron for the French government’s defence of the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.

A few had made derogatory remarks against Muslims.

While a handful had commented on the same discussion threads on social media, the majority of the cases are not connected to each other.

To date, there is no indication that any of these individuals had been planning any attacks or protests in Singapore.

Of the 37 individuals, 14 are Singaporeans and 23 are foreigners.

The 14 Singaporeans comprise 10 males and four females, and are aged between 19 and 62 years old.

Most of them had, in response to the recent terror attacks in France, made social media postings which incited violence or stoked communal unrest. Investigations into the 14 Singaporeans are ongoing.

Md. Abu Zafar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has presented letter of credence to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai at Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi.

The ceremony was very brief due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Vice President accepted the credentials in person on behalf of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE,  in presence of 10 members of the Cabinet of  Ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Welcoming Zafar, the UAE Vice President assured him of all necessary cooperation in the discharge of his duties as Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE, said a press release.

Ambassador Zafar conveyed warmest greetings and best wishes from President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the UAE leadership while expressing his resolve to work for further strengthening the bilateral relations through meaningful engagement in all potential areas.

He also recalled the historic ties between the two brotherly countries that were established and consolidated by the founding fathers of the two nations Banglabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The Ambassador wished the UAE leadership good health and well-being, as well as progress and prosperity to the brotherly people of the UAE.

The credentials presentation ceremony was preceded by ceremonial hoisting of Bangladesh national flag to the accompaniment of Bangladesh national anthem played by the well-turned-out band drawn from three services of the UAE defense force in the palace courtyard.