Bangladesh
BRTC bus launched at Bangabandhu Industrial Park in Mirsarai on trial basis
The authorities concerned have launched BRTC bus service at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Park in Chattogram’s Mirsarai upazila on trial basis to ease their movement workers of the industrial park and general passengers.
Two double-decker buses of state-owned BRTC will be operating on a 34 kilometer road spanning from Sitakunda upazila to Mirsarai’ Bariarhat municipality.
Md Omar Faruk Mehedi, manager (operations) of the BRTC Depot in Noakhalia’s Sonapur, said they have decided to operate the BRTC bus on the route to ease movement of the industrial park workers.
He also said that general passengers can use the BRTC bus by paying the fare fixed by the government.
Gazipur gas cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 10
Terming the BRTC bus service on the route a time befitting initiative, Mirsarai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahfuza Jerin said the transport crisis for carrying over 10, 000 staff and workers of the industrial park has been aggravating day by day.
This bus service will play a role in reducing the suffering of the workers, she hoped.
Man held with gold powder, bar at Chattogram airport
Mirsarai Express Managing Director Mohammad Selim said they are planning to resume bus service ‘Zone Express’ for smooth movement of the workers of the industrial park.
JnU student Abontika’s death: classmate, teacher remanded
A Cumilla court on Monday placed Jagannath University’s suspended student Raihan Siddique Amman and teacher Deen Islam on a two and one- day remand respectively in a case filed over the death of JnU student Fairuz Abontika.
Cumilla Judicial Magistrate Court-2 Judge Abu Bakar Siddique passed the order after the accused were produced before the court with prayers for a five and two-day remand respectively, said Kotwali Model police station Officer-in-Charge Md Firoz Hossain.
The court also ordered the investigation officer of the case filed to submit a report within seven days, he said.
Abantika’s death: JnU students place 6-point demand
Abontika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of the JnU Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate Amman and teacher Deen Islam , who was relieved from the post of assistant proctor of the university, in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday.
In the Facebook post before committing suicide, Abantika said that her classmate Amman Siddique and assistant proctor Deen Islam would be responsible for her suicide.
'If I ever die by suicide, my classmate Amman Siddiqui and assistant proctor Deen Islam, who supported him, will be solely responsible for my death. I complained to the Proctor's office that Amman was threatening me offline and also online but I did not get any benefit. Deen Islam scares me in many ways for the sake of Amman. He said that expelling me is very easy for him. I know I won't get any justice here,” she wrote.
Hours after death of Abontika by suicide, massive protest broke out and continued till Saturday morning, demanding justice for the student.
In the face of student movement, the university authorities were compelled to relieve the assistant proctor and suspend the student to assuage the movement.
Besides, the university administration formed a four-member probe committee with Masum Billah, dean of the Faculty of Law, as the convener and Law Officer Ranjan Kumar Das as the member secretary.
Accused teacher in JnU student Fairuz's suicide note releases statement
On Saturday, the protesting students announced to besiege the Vice Chancellor’s office on Monday to press home their six-point demand.
Members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested the teacher and student from Dhaka on Saturday night.
The DMP handed over the duo to Kotwali police station to take next action in this connection on Sunday.
DMP Additional Commissioner Dr Kha Mahid Uddin at a press conference on Sunday said they found partial authenticity of their involvement with the death of Abontika during the preliminary investigation.
Bangladeshi American data scientist Dr. Rumman Chowdhury among US Science Envoys for 2024
The US Department of State has selected four distinguished scientists to serve as Science Envoys for 2024.
They are Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Dr. Stephanie “Steffi” Diem, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Dr. Dawn Wright.
Through the US Science Envoy Program, eminent American scientists and engineers leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation to advance solutions to shared challenges, champion innovation, and demonstrate America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.
The scientists selected to participate in 2024 make up the first all-female cohort in the history of the US Science Envoy Program, said the US Department of State.
The US Science Envoy program was established by the Secretary of State in 2010.
Read: Irish Minister Simon Coveney pays homage to Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi-32
Like their 30 predecessors, the 2024 Cohort will travel as private US citizens to engage internationally with civil society as well as government interlocutors.
Science Envoys help inform the Department of State, other US government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.
The State Department selected the 2024 cohort to take advantage of their expertise in key issues facing the world today: Artificial Intelligence, Fusion Energy, Civil Use of Space, and Ocean Sustainability.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhury is a data scientist and social scientist. She is the CEO of Humane Intelligence, a technology nonprofit that builds a community of practice around evaluations of artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Dr. Chowdhury is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.
Previously, Dr. Chowdhury served as Director of the Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability team at Twitter, as well as the Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence.
Read: UN envoy: Finding that some hostages were victims of sexual violence doesn’t justify Israeli attacks
She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People in AI, BBC’s 100 Women, Worthy Magazine’s top 100, the Bay Area’s top 40 under 40, and Forbes’ labeled her one of Five Who are Shaping AI.
Dr. Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from MIT, a M.S. in Quantitative Methods of the Social Sciences from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, San Diego.
Former ‘member of outlawed party’ shot dead in Pabna
A man, said to be a former activist of outlawed Purbo Banglar Sarbohara Party, was shot dead by some unidentified miscreants at Maniknagar Bazar in Gayeshpur of Pabna sadar upazila on Sunday night.
The deceased was identified as Abdur Razzak Sheikh, 38, son of late Azizul Sheikh of Harinarayanpur village of the upazila.
Prisoner dies at Naogaon general hospital after falling sick in jail
Witnesses said Abdur Razzak went to Maniknagar bazar to have tea after Taraweeh prayers on Sunday. When he was sitting in a tea shop some 5-6 unknown miscreants appeared there on two motorcycles and fled after shooting him three times in a row.
Later, locals took him to Pabna General Hospital where the duty doctor declared him dead, said Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police Masud Alam.
Train operation resumes 14 hours after Bijoy Express derailed in Cumilla
Abdur Razzak, who was a member of the banned outlawed outfit Purba Banglar Sarbohara Party, surrendered to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at Pabna district stadium in 2019.
The body was sent to Pabna General Hospital morgue for autopsy, said the SP.
Prisoner dies at Naogaon general hospital after falling sick in jail
A prisoner of Naogaon district jail who fell sick in the jail died at 250-bed General Hospital on Monday.
The deceased was Samirul Sardar,23, son of late Abed Ali of Temukh Sapurapara village in Singra upazila.
Naogaon Jail Super Md Nazrul Islam said Samirul Sardar was sent to the jail on February 27 this year in a narcotics case filed with Santahar Railway Police Station.
Gazipur gas cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 10
He was taken to Naogaon General Hospital when he suddenly fell sick in the early morning and breathed his last there in the morning.
The body of the prisoner was kept at the hospital and it will handed over to family after autopsy and legal process, said the jail superintendent.
Train operation resumes 14 hours after Bijoy Express derailed in Cumilla
A case was filed with Naogaon Sadar Model Police Station in this connection.
Gazipur gas cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 10
Four more people including a child, who suffered burn injuries in the gas cylinder blast in Gazipur’s Kaliakair upazila, have died , raising the death toll from the incident to ten.
The deceased were identified as Golam Rabbi, 11, Solaiman, 9, Jahirul Islam, 40, and Motaleb, 40.
Dr. Partha Shankar Pal, a resident physician at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery said victims breathed their last at the ICU of the burn institute from Sunday night to Monday morning.
With 3 more demises today, death toll from Gazipur gas cylinder blast rises to 6
The bodies were kept at the hospital morgue, he added.
Rabbi suffered 90 percent burns, Solaiman 80 percent, Zahirul 65 percent and Motaleb 95 percent, he said.
At least 35 people, including women and children, sustained burn injuries after a gas cylinder exploded in Kaliakair on Wednesday evening.
One patient was admitted with 100 percent burns while three were hospitalised with 95 percent burns, and 16 were hospitalised with over 50 percent burns, according to sources at the hospital.
RMG worker injured in Gazipur gas cylinder blast dies
Locals said a fire broke out from a gas cylinder at a house in Telir Chala area of Mouchak in Kaliakair around 6 pm on Wednesday. When the residents of the house threw it out on the road, the explosion occurred.
Irish Minister Simon Coveney pays homage to Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi-32
Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney has paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi-32.
He placed a floral wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait on Monday morning.
Irish Minister Simon Coveney to meet PM Hasina Monday
The Irish Minister observed a minute of silence in memory of all those martyred on August 15, 1975.
He also had a tour of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and signed the Visitor's Book.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Swedish Minister Johan Forssell to visit Bangladesh March 18-21
The Irish Minister, who is on a two-day official visit, also met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden to visit Koyra upazila Tuesday
UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will visit Khulna’s Koyra upazila, adjacent to the Sudnarbans on Tuesday.
Koyra upazila administration is taking extensive preparations including necessary security measures for the arrival of Crown Princess Victoria.
Bangabandhu’s life and Bangladesh’s history are tied to same stint: Ambassador Imran
Swedish Crown Princess Victoria will stay in Bangladesh from March 18 to 21 as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and she will visit Koyra upazila on Tuesday, said Khulna Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Yasir Arefin.
Princess Victoria will see the standard of life of the people in the coastal areas, their adaptation to climate change, gender equality, digitalisation of Maharajpur and Maheshwaripur Union Parishads, inauguration of Madinabad Smart Post Centre, progress in implementation of SDGs focusing on the role of business sector and ongoing challenges in disaster-prone Koyra.
Chairman of Maharajpur Union Parishad (UP) Abdullah Al Mahdood said, “It is a matter of great pride for us that Crown Victoria, Princess of Sweden, will visit the union parisad.”
Koyra Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC)Mizanur Rahman said that all preparations have already been completed for the arrival of the state guest. In addition to police, all security measures involving RAB, BGB, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and intelligence surveillance have been taken.
UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, together with the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and UNDP Assistant Secretary General Ulrika Modéer, will visit Bangladesh on March 18-21.
Irish Minister Simon Coveney to meet PM Hasina Monday
The purpose is to learn about the development journey of Bangladesh and study the progress and challenges in the implementation of the SDGs, focusing on climate, gender equality, the green and digital transition and the role of the business sector, said the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday.
The Crown Princess and the delegation will hold talks with representatives of the Government of Bangladesh, entrepreneurs, organisations, development partners and youth.
Bangabandhu’s life and Bangladesh’s history are tied to same stint: Ambassador Imran
The 104th birth anniversary of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Children’s Day-2024 were celebrated at theBangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Sunday with due respect and festivity.
To celebrate the day, the Embassy organised elaborate programs which included hoisting of the National Flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu, discussion meeting, essay and painting competitions for children and screening of documentaries on Bangabandhu.
The day’s programs at the Embassy began in the morning with the ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag in front of the Chancery Building by Ambassador Muhammad Imran.
Officials and employees of the Mission were present at that time.
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Later, the Ambassador placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Corner in the presence of the officials and employees of the Mission.
Messages issued on the occasion by the President, Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister were read out by Minister (Consular) Md Habibur Rahman, Minister (Commerce) Md Salim Reza and Minister (Economic) Dr. Md Fazle Rabbi.
Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Imran paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation and recalled his long struggle from the great Language Movement to the War of Liberation to achieve the much-anticipated independence of the nation.
Describing Bangabandhu as an uncompromising and fearless leader, he said the life of the great leader and the history of Bangladesh are tied to the same stint.
While talking about the National Children’s Day, the Ambassador said the government led by Bangabandhu’s able daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various programs to make the country a safe abode for the future generations.
He hoped that the new generation would be the main driving force to lead the nation and put it in a more dignified position in the world in future. Ambassador Imran requested the guardians to let the children know about Bangabandhu’s great sacrifice for independence and rebuilding the war-ravaged nation alongside Bangladesh’s rich history, culture and heritage.
He also called upon all to work unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by embracing the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideology of the Father of the Nation.
Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain also took part in the discussion highlighting Bangabandhu’s long struggle for independence and huge contribution to rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.
The morning part of the program ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.
Irish Minister Simon Coveney to meet PM Hasina Monday
Later in the evening, the Ambassador cut a cake with the participation of the children and distributed prizes among the winners of the essay and painting competitions. First Secretary (Passport & Visa Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton and First Secretary Ataur Rahman conducted the programs.
Train operation resumes 14 hours after Bijoy Express derailed in Cumilla
Train operation on the down line resumed 14 hours after the derailment of Bijoy Express at Nangalkot in Cumilla early Monday.
The railway authorities declared the down line suitable for train movement around 5 am this morning.
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Chattogram Eastern Railway Manager Saiful Islam said, the up line was completely crushed after the derailment of the Bijoy Express train. Most of the bogies were knocked down on the down line.
The rescue operation of two relief trains started at 7 pm last night. After 9 hours, around 4 am, the bogies on the down line were pulled away, he added.
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Nangalkot Station Master Md Jamal said the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar-bound Parjatan Express crossed the spot after train service resumed.
After the derailment of Bijoy Express, about 500 meters of railway tracks were damaged.