Bangladesh
Acting Chief Justice Enayetur Rahim’s mother passes away
Nazma Rahim, mother of acting chief justice M. Enayetur Rahim, died of old-age complications at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday. She was 80.
She breathed her last around 3pm while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
She will be buried next to her husband, former MP Advocate M Abdur Rahim, in the family graveyard after the third Namaz-e-Janaza at Panchkur High School grounds in Jalalpur village of the district on Thursday.
Nazma Rahim is the wife of the late M Abdur Rahim, one of the members of the draft constitution formulation committee and organisers of the Liberation War in 1971.
Attack on Hasina’s motorcade: Absconding convict held from Jashore
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested a man who had been on the run since he was given a 7-year jail term for an attack on the motorcade of the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in Satkhira district.
RAB arrested Yasin Ali, 57, son of late Yusuf Ali of Tulshidanga village under Kalaroa police station of Satkhira district, from Bejpara area of Jashore town on Tuesday (March 26) night, Major Mohammad Saqib Hossain, captain of RAB-6 CPC-3 Jashore Camp, said on Wednesday.
Drive against illegal VoIP to continue: Palak
Tipped off, a team of RAB-6, conducted a drive in the area and arrested Yasin.
Three more cases are under trial against him, added the RAB officer.
Later, he was handed over to Kalaroa police station of Satkhira district.
RAB arrests 8 teen gang members in Pabna
Yasin was one of the masterminds of the attack on Aug. 30, 2002, at Kalaroa in Satkhira district. Sheikh Hasina was returning to Dhaka after attending a meeting in Kalaroa when the attack took place.
Following the attack, three separate cases were lodged at Kalaroa police station in Satkhira.
On April 18, 2023, the Special Tribunal-3 of Satkhira, sentenced 44 defendants including Yasin to various terms.
Bhutanese King visits Padma Bridge, Special Economic Zone in Araihazar
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Wednesday visited the Padma Bridge today, an infrastructural feat constructed entirely through self-financing efforts of the Bangladesh government.
This remarkable infrastructure project stands as a testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing connectivity and fostering economic growth.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad A Arafat accompanied the King.
After visiting the Padma Bridge, King Jigme visited a Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj, in the afternoon and witnessed firsthand the infrastructure and facilities there.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori and Executive Chairman of BEZA Shaikh Yusuf Harun received the King.
After a video presentation and brief discussion, he visited the Singer Bangladesh Limited construction site there.
On Thursday afternoon, the King will visit Kurigram Special Economic Zone.
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.
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.
After visiting the Economic Zone in Kurigram, the King will go to Sonahat Land Port, where he will be given guard of honour by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The Bhutanese King is scheduled to leave Bangladesh territory at 3:30 pm on Thursday for Golakganj, Assam via Sonahat Land Port.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury will see him off there.
The state visit of the King to Bangladesh has further strengthened the traditional ties of friendship, cooperation, and goodwill between the two countries, according to a joint statement.
Both sides expressed happiness that Bhutan and Bangladesh signed the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and its Protocol in March 2023, which will usher in new horizons for bilateral trade and connectivity.
The Agreement and its Protocol will not only be phenomenal for bilateral trade but will also work as a platform for paving the way for an interconnected South Asia.
Both countries expressed satisfaction on the recent initiatives between the two for facilitating trade such as Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) — the first of its kind for the two countries — and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for seamless use of the inland waterways of Bangladesh.
1 dead, 2 injured while making hand bombs in Madaripur
A man died and two other sustained injuries while making hand bombs in Kalkini upazila of Madaripur on Wednesday.
The deceased, Modasser Shikder, 50, was a resident of Barishal’s Muladi upazila.
The incident happened at Natun Chardaula Khan village of the upazila this afternoon.
The injured, Harun Dhali and Dadon Dhali, were admitted to a hospital in Barishal.
According to locals and police sources, three to four people, including Modasser, were making hand bombs at the house of a man named Yunus Sardar in the morning.
One of the bombs exploded at noon and three people were seriously injured. Later, Modasser died on the way to hospital.
5 JMB men jailed for bomb attack on police in Bagerhat
“Nothing can be said about the matter yet,” said Madaripur Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Kamrul Hasan.
2 cops among 3 hurt in crude bomb blast in Barishal
Police visited the spot after the incident.
Four crude bombs recovered from under Benapole’s culvert
Bangladesh keen for global digital system without discrimination: FS Momen
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday said the government is giving utmost importance to the Global Digital Compact.
Bangladesh wants a global digital system without discrimination, he said.
The Foreign Secretary also said there is an opportunity to control the digital system in the light of work, culture, history, and life system to protect the rights of a country.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of "Bangladesh Consultation on Global Digital Compact & Summit of the Future 2024."
In September 2020, on the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN, member states adopted a political declaration, guided by the charter, on how they are going to ensure the future they want and the UN they need.
Consequently, in September 2021 the UN Secretary General published his report—“Our Common Agenda” which proposes a Global Digital Compact.
Australian Assistant Defence Minister expresses willingness to continue to work with Bangladesh govt
The proposed Global Digital Compact is set to be agreed upon at the Summit of the Future in September 2024 at the UN headquarters.
The Bangladesh Initiative for Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact & Summit of the Future 2024 under the auspices of the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) & BNNRC have been trying to engage all multi-stakeholders in this process, like as Parliamentarians, Government, UN system, Private sector, Technical Communities, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Academia, and Youth communities since 2022.
BIGF & BNNRC organized the "National Consultation on Global Digital Compact: An Open, Free and Secure Digital Future for All and the UN Summit of the Future 2024: Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow with the support of the UNDP Bangladesh and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh attended the consultation as the guest of honour.
Former minister Hasanul Haque Inu said that the whole world is going through the tremors of climate change and digital transformation.
Bangladesh also has to adapt to it, he said, urging all to ensure easy availability and access to technology.
He said that digital transformation needs to be properly managed to secure it, which requires a framework. "It is necessary to determine what are the problems, possibilities and challenges of Bangladesh in creating that structure and coming inside the structure."
Bangladesh’s story is one of extraordinary strength, perseverance and determination: UNGA President
AHM. Bazlur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of Bangladesh Initiative for Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact and UN Summit for the Future 2024 also spoke.
Anir Chowdhury, Policy Adviser of a2i, ICT Division, who delivered the keynote speech in the concluding session, said that there is no alternative to a dirt divide or non-discriminatory digital system, which requires a lot of investment.
The 'Summit of the Future 2024' is going to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 22-23.
Bangladeshi teenager shot dead by BSF along Lalmonirhat border
A Bangladeshi teenager was shot dead by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Durgapur border in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district on Tuesday night.
The deceased was identified as Liton Mia, 19, son of Mokchedul Islam of Dighaltari area of Durgapur union of the upazila.
BSF kills 1 in Noagaon, injures another in Lalmonirhat border regions
Liton died around 11 pm while undergoing treatment at a hospital in India's Cooch Behar, said Lt. Col. Mofazzal Hossain Akand, captain of the 15th Battalion of the BGB in Lalmonirhat.
A flag meeting was held between the BGB and the BSF near main pillar number 923 of Durgapur border of the upazila at 11:30 am on Wednesday, he said.
The process of bringing back the body of the Bangladeshi is underway, added the officer.
Earlier, the BSF troops opened fire on a group of Bangladeshis while they were trying to bring cattle through the main pillar number 923 of the border area, leaving Yusuf seriously injured.
Body of BSF member recovered in Satkhira
Later, the BSF personnel took him to MJN Medical College & Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Bangladesh’s Independence Day celebrated in Netherlands
The Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands celebrated the 53rd anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh with due dignity in a festive atmosphere (26 March 2024, the Hague).
The celebration started with hoisting the national flag at the Embassy premises in the early morning.
In the evening, the Embassy hosted a reception at the prestigious Marriott Hotel in the heart of the Hague. Bangladesh Ambassador M Riaz Hamidullah, his spouse Sazia Ahmed, officials of the Embassy welcomed the guests at the reception.
The former Dutch Prime minister and the present Minister of State, Jan Peter Balkenende graced the reception as the guest of honour. Dutch politicians, academics, entrepreneurs, NGO representatives, business persons, high government officials, ambassadors of different countries, expatriate Bangladeshi professionals joined the event.
The programme started with the national anthems of Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Bangladesh Ambassador recalled the contribution of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of our independence. He said that in the five decades since, defying many odds, Bangladesh made notable strides. Today, Bangladesh stands as the second-largest economy in South Asia, and 35th largest globally. Much of that is credited to political and social stability aside sustained and equitable economic growth thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In positioning Bangladesh with her value-driven policies, we firmly hold on to democracy, pluralism and secularism. He further said that Bangladesh – Netherlands ties as also a vision of global well-being premised on shared prosperity - be it sustainable development, tackling climate change or advancing circularity.
The former prime minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende apprised Bangladesh’s remarkable development. He acclaimed how Bangladesh is getting prosperous under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A microcosm of Bangladesh was presented through traditional decorations including miniature of traditional boats of Bangladesh which attracted many guests. Audio-visuals on Bangladesh’s history, culture, tourism, tradition, development and potential were screened. Two prominent, contemporary dancers from Bangladesh Alif and Maati, showcased traditional Bangladeshi dance through their rendition. The guests were served authentic Bangladeshi cuisine during the dinner.
Jatri Kalyan Samitiy demands extension of Eid holidays by 2 days
Passenger welfare platform 'Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samitiy' (BJKS) on Wednesday demanded extension of the Eid holidays by two days to reduce the suffering of passengers on the roads and prevent road accidents during the upcoming Eid.
In a press conference organised at Dhaka Reporters Unity Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury made the demand to make the Eid trip safe and hassle-free.
According to the observation of the platform, 16 million people, including one crore people from Dhaka, 40 lakh from Gazipur district, 12 lakh from Narayanganj district, and other surrounding districts will travel to different districts of the country during this Eid.
In the four days before Eid, 3 million passengers can travel by bus-minibus, 0.4 million by train, 3.5 million by private car, jeep and microbus, 1.2 million by motorcycle, 6.0 million by launch, and about 1 million by air.
Due to the inadequate public transport and the anarchy of overcharging, 1.8 lakh passengers may travel on the roofs of buses, trains and open trucks and freight transport, said the leaders of BJKS.
Also, about 4 to 5 crore passengers will travel inter-district. For this, from April 5 to April 14, there may be an additional 60 million trip passengers in different types of transport in the country due to various reasons including travel to Eid Bazar, village home.
For this reason, it is feared that if proper use of public transport is not ensured, there may be hellish situation in this year's Eid journey.
They said on April 9 and 10, 60 to 70 lakh people will leave the capital every day but public transport has the capacity to carry 22 to 25 lakh people.
In such a situation, if the holiday is not extended before Eid, the traffic situation on all the roads of the country may get worse. Therefore, if the Eid holidays are extended by 2 days on 8 and 9 April, everyone will get a chance to go home in phases from 05 April.
In the written statement, Mozammel said that there might be traffic jams in 714 spots in the country this Eid. Out of which 140 spots need close monitoring, he said.
Police and various intelligence agencies have alerted the government about 218 high-risk accident spots on 10 national and regional highways.
Dr Yunus got no UNESCO Award: Mohibul
Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury on Wednesday said the UNESCO did not confer “The Tree of Peace” award to Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Mohibul, who is also the Chairman of the Bangladesh UNESCO Commission, made the statement to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
He said "Dr Yunus was conferred the 'Tree of Peace' award by an Israeli sculptor, upon invitation from the Ganjavi Foundation in Azerbaijan."
The minister said that Dr Yunus’ claim that he received the award from UNESCO is untrue.
"The information propagated by the Yunus Centre regarding the UNESCO award is inaccurate and misleading," said the minister. "It is imperative that we set the record straight and ensure that such misinformation does not tarnish the reputation of our country. An explanation will be sent to the UNESCO headquarters regarding this matter as it is humiliating for Bangladesh."
The minister also warned of legal repercussions if the Yunus Centre persisted in spreading false claims about the UNESCO award. He emphasised the need for immediate cessation of such misleading information to prevent further damage to the reputation of both Dr Yunus and Bangladesh on the international stage.
However, comments from the Yunus Centre were not immediately available.
UAE buildings decorated with Bangladesh flag
United Arab Emirates (UAE) has celebrated Bangladesh's Independence Day by decorating its landmarks buildings with Bangladesh flag.
On the occasion of Bangladesh's Independence Day 2024, iconic landmarks in the United Arab Emirates, including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world in Dubai and the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, were adorned in the vibrant red and green shades of the Bangladeshi national flag on March 26, 2024 (Tuesday).
This symbolic gesture of solidarity serves to foster bilateral harmony and commemorate significant moments with Bangladesh.
UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh, Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi emphasized the enduring friendship between the two nations and expressed optimism about further expanding their excellent relations across various dimensions in the future.
With more than a million Bangladeshi expatriates residing in the UAE, it stands as the second-largest community of non-resident Bangladeshis worldwide.
Bangladeshis represent the third-largest expatriate group in the UAE. Among these expatriates are workers, along with professionals such as doctors, engineers, professors, accountants, and IT experts.
Moreover, the UAE currently ranks as the top source of remittances to Bangladesh.