Bangladesh
47 BNP-Jamaat activists sent to jail in Chuadanga
A Chuadanga court on Thursday sentenced 47 leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat to jail in a case filed for arson.
Chuadanga District and Sessions Judge Md Zia Haider sent the accused to jail after they appeared before the court with a bail plea on Thursday.
Public Prosecutor Advocate Belal Hossain confirmed the information.
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BNP lawyer Adv Shahjahan Mukul said the BNP leaders and activists were on anticipatory bail for six weeks from the High Court in the sabotage case. The anticipatory bail period will end on Sunday, and on Thursday, 107 leaders and activists appeared before the Chuadanga District Judge's Court and appealed for bail again.
Chuadanga District and Sessions Judge Md Zia Haider granted bail to seven of them and sent 47 to jail, he added.
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Fifty-three leaders and activists left the court without appearing, and they were deprived of justice, said the lawyer.
DU admission test results for 2023-24 session published
Dhaka University authorities published the results of undergraduate admission test for 2023-24 session on Thursday afternoon.
DU Vice Chancellor prof. ASM Maksud Kamal unveiled the results from Prof. Abdul Motin Chowdhury virtual classroom of the university.
A total of 109,363 students took part in science unit admission test of the university of which 9,723 students passed against 1851 available seats.
Pratik Rasul, a student of Notre Dame College, secured the 1st position in the test obtaining 111.25 score out of 120.
In Arts, Law and Social Science unit, 102,000 students took part in the admission test against 2934 seats. Only 10, 275 students passed the test.
DU admission test results of all units to be published tomorrow
A female student from Khulna Govt M M City College named Priyoti Mondol, topped the merit list in this unit securing a total of 105.25 marks out of 120.
In Business Studies unit, a student of Chittagong Commerce College secured position in the test scoring 105.50 out of 120..
A total of 4,582 students passed the test and there are only 1050 seats under this unit.
For Fine Arts unit, 530 students passed the test of which only 130 students will be able to take admission.
Badhan Talukder of Bir Shreshtha Munsi Abdur Rauf college secured the 1st position in this unit obtaining total 98.15 score in the test.
The students who passed the tests were asked to fill up subject choice forms from University’s official website in between April 3 to April 25.
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Students can also download subject choice forms from April 1 for analysing subject and taking appropriate decision.
However, the DU VC also hinted that the classes of the new batches may start from July 1.
JICA, BFDC join hands to modernise fish landing centre in Cox’s Bazar
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement of JPY 2,294 million (approx. BDT 165 crore) to implement a project for the improvement of Fish Landing Center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) in Cox’s Bazar District
The signing ceremony held on Thursday at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
Under this project, JICA and BFDC will work together for infrastructural upgradations within the center, and improve management skills among the BFDC officials.
The Grant Agreement was signed by Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Iwama Kiminori, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh; Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, Chairman of BFDC; and relevant officials from JICA, ERD, BFDC and the Embassy of Japan were present to witness the signing.
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Bangladesh’s fishery sector, the second-largest earner after textiles, employs 11.8 percent of the population, with 40 percent of artisanal fishers in Cox’s Bazar District.
Yet, natural disasters and aging facilities hinder efficient landing, contributing to a high poverty rate of over 32 percent, surpassing the national average of 24 percent.
The influx of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) and COVID-19 have driven up demand for livelihood improvement and poverty reduction.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Fish Landing Center in Sadar Upazila handles over 85 percent of Cox’s Bazar’s fish catch.
However, damage from a 2012 cyclone has left parts of the quay, jetties and landing facilities in disrepair, making restoration challenging both financially and technically.
Additionally, fishers face income challenges due to declining prices and post-harvest losses from inefficient landing processes and poor handling, impacting the quality and freshness of fish.
Against such a backdrop, the aims to improve the efficiency of landing, handling and quality of fish catch through upgrading landing facilities and related equipment at the (BFDC) fish landing center in Cox’s Bazar District; thereby contributing to the improvement of productivity of fishermen and decrease of post-harvest loss rate in the distribution system.
JICA has already conducted a survey to assess the feasibility of improving the BFDC Fish Landing Center in Cox’s Bazar.
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The survey results indicate that improving the fish landing center will lead to enhanced capacity in the fisheries value chain.
The project will contribute to the achievement of SDG 1(No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 13(Climate Action), and 14(Life below Water).
BAT Bangladesh holds 51st AGM
British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited (BAT Bangladesh) has approved a 100 per cent cash dividend per share for the year 2023.
The approval was given at the 51st annual general meeting (AGM) of the company, which was held online and attended by a significant number of shareholders on Thursday (March 28, 2024).
The shareholders unanimously approved the company’s financial statement for 2023, 100 percent (Tk 10 per share) cash dividend for the year 2023, the election of its Board of Directors, the appointment of statutory auditors, and the appointment of corporate governance auditors.
BAT Bangladesh Chairman Mr. Golam Mainuddin presided over the meeting. Shareholders of the company from home and abroad joined the AGM virtually via BAT Bangladesh’s AGM portal.
In 2023, BAT Bangladesh contributed Tk 32,802 crore as value-added tax, supplementary duty, and other taxes to the national exchequer, making the company one of the highest taxpayers in the country.
The company’s Independent Directors Mr. AKM Aftab UL Islam, Mr. KH Masud Siddiqui and Dr. M Harunur Rashid; Non-Executive Directors Ms. Zakia Sultana, Mr. Shirajun Noor Chowdhury, Mr. Md. Abul Hossain, Ms. Monisha Abraham, Mr. Wael Sabra, Mr. Gary Tarrant, Mr. Stuart Kidd, and Mr. Francisco Toso Canepa; Managing Director Mr. Shehzad Munim, Finance Director Ms. Nirala Singh and Company Secretary Mr. Md. Azizur Rahman joined the AGM.
Bangladeshi teen shot dead by NYPD officers; brother contradicts law enforcers’ account
In a tragic incident in Queens, New York, 19-year-old Win Rozario, a Bangladeshi immigrant, lost his life at the hands of the police on Wednesday (local time).
The confrontation occurred in his family's apartment in Ozone Park, leaving the community shaken, reports The Now York Times.
According to police officials, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a person in mental distress. Upon arrival, they encountered Win, who allegedly brandished a pair of scissors. Despite attempts to subdue him with tasers, the situation escalated when his mother intervened inadvertently, leading to the fatal shooting, it said.
However, the deceased’s brother, Ushto Rozario, who witnessed the incident, disputed the police account, stating that their mother was holding Win when the officers opened fire. He insisted that lethal force was unnecessary, emphasising that Win posed no serious threat, especially considering the presence of two armed officers.
Francis Rozario, Ushto and Win’s father, said that the family had immigrated to New York from Bangladesh 10 years ago and that Win’s dream was to join the US military. His plans had been held up, however, by a delay in the family’s obtaining their green cards, which the elder Rozario said had been approved last year, according to media reports.
The tragedy underscores broader issues surrounding police responses to mental health crises. Critics argue that the current approach lacks sufficient sensitivity and often leads to deadly outcomes. In New York City, initiatives have been implemented to address this, including a pilot program where mental health professionals respond alongside law enforcement. However, these efforts have yet to be fully adopted citywide, leaving gaps in crisis intervention, as evidenced by Win’s death in a precinct without such services, said the NYT report.
Community members and officials have called for urgent action in response to this tragedy. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards stressed the importance of expanding mental health services, echoing broader calls for systemic change in how society addresses mental health crises, the report also said.
Bangladesh, China exchange survey report to sign FTA agreement
Bangladesh and China exchanged a draft feasibility study report with a view to initially signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries to increase trade and investment.
The two countries exchanged the survey report in a ceremony in the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, and senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce and related ministries and divisions were present.
Speaking on the occasion, senior secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Ghosh said that Bangladesh's transition from a LDC to a developing country is a significant achievement in the economic sector.
Ecnec clears 11 projects involving Tk 8,425 crore
“This achievement will create a positive image of Bangladesh in the world and new opportunities in investment and trade, but it will also create challenges,” he said.
Among the challenges, LDCs lose duty-free quota-free access to developed and developing countries after 2026 and rate of value addition, he pointed out.
As a result, the export products of Bangladesh will have to face the generally imposed duties when entering the market of those countries, said Ghoshy.
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There is a possibility of shrinking the export market of Bangladesh in those countries,he said adding FTA will help to promote the export of Bangladesh products.
During the visit of the President of China to Bangladesh on October 14-15, 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the joint feasibility study of the signing of the FTA between Bangladesh and China.
Bhutanese king visits Special Economic Zone in Kurigram
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Thursday visited the proposed Special Economic Zone for Bhutan in Madhabram area under Bhogdanga union in Kurigram.
He arrived here with his entourage in the morning and visited the SEZ around 1:30 pm.
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State minister for Information M A Arafat, state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, member of parliament Dr Hamidul Haq Khandaker, among others, were present.
Later the King left for Bhutan through Sonahat Land Port in Bhurungumari upazila via India.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury saw him off there.
Bhutan has already conveyed its appreciation to Bangladesh for offering the Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, which is 190 km from the southern city of Gelephu, Bhutan.
Ecnec clears 11 projects involving Tk 8,425 crore
An MoU has been signed in this regard by the authorities of Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The Economic Zone will add a "new horizon" in the area of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and also for achieving greater prosperity in the South Asia region, the two South Asian countries hope.
The King arrived here on Monday on a four-day state visit to Bangladesh to attend a series of programmes including Independence Day celebrations.
5 people burnt as fishing trawler caught fire in Karnaphuli River
Five people sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out in a fishing trawler at Ghat-15 of the Karnaphuli River in Patenga upazila of Chattogram on Thursday.
The fire broke out after the engine of the trawler exploded on Thursday afternoon.
After being informed, a ship from the Bangladesh Coast Guard went to the spot to douse the fire.
Man goes missing as ball gate sinks in Pasur River in Khulna
Four of the injured were identified as Jamal Uddin (55), Mahmudul Karim (45), Mofizur Rahman (45), and Emram (28). They have been admitted to the burn unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Nurul Alam Ashik, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the CMCH Police Outpost, confirmed the matter.
Man goes missing as ball gate sinks in Pasur River in Khulna
A man went missing after a brick-laden ball gate sank in the Pasur River on the way from Khulna to Barishal during a storm on Wednesday.
The missing person is Moksed. Two others, Md Haseeb Bepari and Md Siddique, swam to the shore.
The ball gate named MV Mokamiya Darbar sank near the Mongla port in the area adjacent to Digraj Vidyarbahan Canal around 7:30 pm on Wednesday.
Ardesh Ali, fire service officer of Mongla EPZ, said a rescue operation has been underway since Thursday morning with the help of the Khulna diving team to recover the ball gate and rescue the missing person.
However, the operation is being hampered due to the heavy current in the river, he said.
Ecnec clears 11 projects involving Tk 8,425 crore
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Thursday approved a total of 11 development projects including Tk 3,059-crore one to construct 674 Union Parishad complex bhabans in 322 upazilas.
The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Prime Minister and Ecnec chairperson Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar area.
Planning Minister Maj Gen (Retd) Abdus Salam briefed reporters after the meeting.
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The total estimated cost of 11 projects is Tk 8,425.52 crore (only additional cost of revised projects is incorporated here). Of the cost, Tk 7,939.87 crore will be drawn from the government’s fund, while Tk 485.65 crore from foreign sources.
Of the projects, seven are new while three are revised schemes. Besides, one project got the Ecnec’s nod to extend time, not cost.
According to the project factsheet, Union Parishad Complex Bhaban Construction (Phase-III) will be implemented at 674 unions of 322 upazilas in 62 districts by December, 2028.
Among the fresh projects, the rural infrastructure development in the districts of greater Rangpur region will be implemented at the cost of Tk 2,500 crore in 35 upazilas of five districts by June 2028.
The other new five projects include Bangladesh Chancellery Bhaban and Residential Bhaban Construction at Cairo in Egypt involving TK 165.97 crore, upgrading and widening Kashinathpur-Dashuria-Natore-Rajshahi-Nababganj-Kansat-Sonamajjid-Baliadighi Border (N-06) National Highways (Nababganj Part) with Tk 481.89 crore, development of Infrastructures to enhancing capacity and fish production in the existing government fish farms with Tk 371.32 crore, improvement of Fish Landing Centre of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox’s Bazar with Tk 232.83 crore; and Establishment of Bangladesh Handloom Board Complex at Mirpur in Dhaka with Tk 115 crore.
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The three revised projects are Collection of 20 Meter Gauge Diesel Electric Locomotives and 150 Meter Gauge Passenger Carriages for Bangladesh Railways (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 288.07 crore (now cost Tk 2,157.68 crore), Promoting Resilience for Vulnerable through Access to Infrastructure, Improved Skills and Information (Provati) (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 166.83 crore (now cost Tk 924.51 crore); and establishment of full-fledged Cancer, Cardiac and Kidney Treatment Centres in 8 divisional cities (1st revised) with extra cost of Tk 1,044.61 crore (now cost Tk 3,433 crore).
Besides, the meeting cleared Relocation of Bangladesh Betar Shahbagh Complex to Agargaon in Dhaka, and its construction and modernization (3rd revised) project, just extending time not cost.