bangladesh
President to return to Dhaka on Thursday from Kishoreganj
President Abdul Hamid will return to Dhaka on Thursday wrapping up a seven-day tour of his ancestral place,Mithamoin Upazila of Kishoreganj district.
A Bangladesh Air Force helicopter carrying President Hamid and his entourage will land at 4.30 pm at Tejgaon Helipad in Dhaka, his office said.
During the visit, first in nearly two years, the President inaugurated a government girls’ high school at Mithamain upazila, saw the progress of some developments projects, exchanged views with local public representatives, government officials and attended social functions.
READ: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
Later, he also laid the foundation stone of four-storey multi-purpose building of Tamiza Khatun Government Girls’ School.
Earlier on the day, the President also offered doa at the grave of his parents for eternal peace of the departed souls.
Hamid also attended a views-exchange programme in the evening with notable persons of the Kishoreganj district at circuit house the day before concluding his seven day tour.
READ: President Hamid calls for taking development benefits to people
He also attended a views-exchange meeting with the foreign students of President Abdul Hamid Medical College at Shilpakala Academy on the same day in the afternoon.
Lawmakers Rezwan Ahamnmad Taufiq and secretaries concerned to the President accompanied him during the tour.
Father’s extramarital affair led to killing of 5-yr old daughter: Rab
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have arrested a man and his four associates from the city for ‘killing’ his own daughter over his alleged extramarital affair in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla.
The arrestees are victim’s father Md Amir Hossain, 25, Laili Akter, 30, Md Rabiul Awal, 19, Md Rezaul Islam Emon, 22, and Md Sohel Rana, 27. All of them are from Cumilla’s Debidwar upazila.
Read: Fake vocational examinee arrested from exam center
According to a media release of Rab Headquarters, a team of Rab-11 arrested them conducting a drive in the capital’s Jatrabari area on Tuesday night.
Five-year-old Fahima went missing on November 7 and her father Amir filed a general diary (GD) in this regard on November 11, prompting detectives to launch an investigation, the release said.
Later, police recovered Fahima’s body packed in a sack from a waterbody in Debidwar upazila on Sunday. On the same day, a case was filed against unidentified people at Debidwar Police Station.
During primary investigation, all the arrestees confessed to their involvement in the murder, said Rab.
Read: Counter-terrorism police arrest online head of banned Ansar Al Islam
Amir and Laila stabbed Fahima to death and dumped the body with the help of three others when the girl came to about the illicit relationship between them, it said.
Legal process is underway in this regard, the release added.
Make country’s health sector more vibrant to tackle Covid-like crisis: President
President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday said Bangladesh has done better than even some developed countries in successfully tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. In spite of the success the country still needs to build a vibrant health sector in order to tackle similar crisis in future, he said while speaking to foreign students studying President Abdul Hamid Medical College at a programme at Shilpakala Academy in Kishorganj town.
Read: President Hamid calls for taking development benefits to people "Although we have achieved tremendous success in health sector, the Covid pandemic has also exposed some loopholes in the system. We are still in need of more skilled resources, especially specialist doctors, nursing staffs and medical technologists." he said. Hamid praised the health sector manpower, including doctors, nurses and technologists. He said Bangladesh ranked first in South Asia and 20th in the world in the 'COVID Resilience Ranking' compiled by Bloomberg news agency for successful handling of corona pandemic, economic revival and keeping the livelihoods running. "We have also managed to secure a steady supply of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination program is going on in a full swing and around 48 million people have already received at least first dose," he added. Urging both the medical institutions and the students not to choose the easiest path in taking medical education, the President said "Medical education is highly sensitive technical education and doctors are the people who are directly concerned with our health and lives.
Read: President's activities on day 2 of visit to home district Mentioning the overall standard of education in Bangladesh as very good and comparable to other developed countries, Hamid said that the students have the chance to get on hand training at the hospitals. "The cost of the complete course of MBBS in Bangladesh is also quite affordable as compared to other countries across the world," he added. He also said that the country is becoming one of the preferred destinations for medical students around the globe ensuring a great improvement in terms of medical education.
Consensus over climate finance a significant achievement: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the consensus of global leaders over accelerating the climate finance alongside releasing USD 100 billion keeping pace with the Paris deal implementation and SDGs was the significant achievement.
Hasina also said the adoption of Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration, which was formulated by 48 heads of the state and government of climate vulnerable countries, is the outcome of Bangladesh’s leadership in climate diplomacy.
The Prime Minister came up with the observation while delivering her written speech at the press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban on Wednesday.
The press conference was arranged to inform the outcome of her two-week visit to the United Kingdom and France.
In the UK, the Prime Minister attended the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) in Glasgow, Scotland and Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021 in London.
During her visit to France, she handed over the first Unesco-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy and joined the 75th founding anniversary event of Unesco and the Paris Peace Forum in Paris.
Hasina also had meetings with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, French Prime Minister Jean Castex, French Prime Minister Jean Castex, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other heads of state or government.
Besides, she had meetings with UK's Prince Charles, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, Bill Gates, as well as other important dignitaries from different organisations and business bodies.
Read:Focus on blue economy: PM to IORA states
The PM joined three civic receptions accorded to her by the Bangladeshi expatriates living in Scotland, London and Paris.
Hasina said her participation in the COP26 was very much important for protecting the interest of Bangladesh and other members of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) member countries.
Regarding her meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, she said both the leaders hoped that the friendly relations of the two countries will be extended and deepened.
“Apart from the climate issue, we also discussed trade and investment, vaccine diplomacy, Rohingya crisis and other bilateral issues,” Hasina said.
About the tete-e-tete with the French President, she said they discussed development of bilateral relations, celebrating of the Golden Jubilee of the diplomatic ties of the two countries, and Rohingya and other regional and international issues.
“I requested the French President to start a process for having regular diplomatic dialogues between the two countries and he accepted that warmly,” she said.
Hasina mentioned that President Macron has also agreed to work together for increasing activities in defence and economy and other sectors, and maintain regional peace and sustainability.
In the beginning, Hasina delivered a written speech highlighting the outcomes of her participation in the COP-26 world leaders summit and prize giving ceremony of the “UNESCO-Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy” and 75th anniversary of UNESCO.
Read:World-class vaccine institute to be set up in Bangladesh: PM
She said 141 countries, including Bangladesh, are committed to preventing deforestation by 2030.
The Prime Minister said she attended the meeting of the leaders titled “Action and solidarity-the Critical Decade” , a high-level penal on “Women and Climate change” and the closing ceremony of the “World Leaders Summit”.
The Prime Minister said she addressed another event on “A Bangladesh Vision for Global climate prosperity” at the Scottish Parliament.
Hasina said, during her stay in London, she attended some important events, including “Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021: Building Sustainable Growth Partnership”.
The Prime Minister said she attended a reception at the invitation of Rashnara Ali and Lord Jitesh Gadhiya members of the British Parliament in British Parliament in that programme. She presented a keynote speech titled “Bangladesh at 50: A Resilient Delta”.
Hasina also she had a bilateral meeting with French Prime Minister Jean Castex at the official residence.
During the visit to Paris, she said, a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation was signed between Bangladesh and France.
Through this both the countries have agreed on training as well as potential defense technology exchanges to enhance the capabilities of both the countries armed forces.
Besides, three agreements were signed to provide 200 million euros in Covid-19 management, 130 million euros in support for sustainable water supply management projects, and technical assistance and training in the aviation sector, she added.
The Prime Minister said she also attended some important events there including the prize giving ceremony of the “UNESCO-Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy” at UNESCO Headquarters and 75th anniversary of the UNESCO at the same venue.
Sheikh Hasina said the introduction of this award is the most appropriate honor for the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in world humanity and peace as part of Mujib Year celebrations.
The Prime Minister said in her speech in the 75th anniversary of the UNESCO Sheikh Hasina emphasized the need to increase investment in digital tools and services, Internet access, digital content and teacher capacity building to protect the education sector through the use of technology to counter the adverse effects of COVID 19.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin and Education Minister Dipu Moni were present beside her during the press conference.
Covid-19: 6 more die in Bangladesh, another 266 infected
Bangladesh recorded six more Covid-linked deaths and 266 fresh infections in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
The daily-case positivity rate increased to 1.35 per cent from Tuesday’s 1.03 per cent.
The fresh numbers took the total fatalities to 27,934 while the country’s caseload mounted to 15,73,214, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: Pfizer asks US officials to OK promising COVID-19 pill
Among the deceased, two were men and the remaining four women.
Dhaka division logged two Covid-related deaths, Sylhet division three while Rajshahi division one on Wednesday, said the DGHS.
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.78 per cent.
The fresh cases were detected after testing 19,648 samples, the DGHS added.
Besides, the recovery rate remained unchanged at 97.71 per cent with the recovery of 257 more patients during the 24-hour period.
Read: Pfizer agrees to let other companies make its COVID-19 pill
On the 45th epidemiological week of pandemic, of the 27 deaths recorded from November 08 to November 14, 11.1 per cent received Covid vaccines while 88.9 per cent did not, the DGHS mentioned.
Comorbidities among Covid patients and deceased declined 11.1 per cent this week compared to the previous one. Comorbidity means the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient.
So far, 3,37,35,763 people have fully been vaccinated in the country while 5,25,07,248 received the first dose as of Tuesday, according to the DGHS.
Jatrabari cylinder blast: Another victim dies at DMCH
Another man, who sustained injuries in a gas cylinder blast in the city’s Jatrabari area, died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday night, raising the death toll from the incident to four.
The deceased was identified as Shafiqul Islam, 50.
Read: Jatrabari gas cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 3
Shafiqul, who was undergoing treatment at the hospital with 88 percent burn injuries, breathed his last at night, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police outpost.
On Saturday afternoon, six people received burn injuries when a gas cylinder exploded in a shop in Sayedabad area of Jatrabari in the capital. They were all rushed to DMCH.
Read: 6 suffer burns in Jatrabari gas cylinder explosion
Of the injured victim, Bishwanath Dutta, 48, died at the hospital on Sunday while MD Ripon and Abdul Kalam succumbed to their injuries on Tuesday.
Besides, the condition of another victim, Kabir Hossain, 35, who received 85 percent burn injuries, is stated to be critical.
Lawmaker Akabbar’s death a huge loss for country: Sheikh Hasina
Describing Tangail-7 lawmaker Akabbar Hossain as an honest and sincere politician, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that his demise is a huge loss for the party as well as for the country.
“Akabbar was one of those who had political wisdom, farsightedness, honesty, sincerity and ideology to lead the country particularly Awami League after our generation,” she said speaking on a condolence motion over the death of the sitting Awami League lawmaker.
Read: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
The PM said it is really very tough to accept the loss of an honest and sincere politician like him.
“But it is unfortunate for us we lost such an activist……..as it is essential to have sincerity and patriotism (among the political leaders) to make development of the country,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Akabbar had a very deep-rooted relation with the people and his constituency saw significant development during his tenures. “When he spoke, he did so politely. He was very calm and polite,” she said.
Recalling his contribution to every movement and struggle of the party, the AL president said his contribution to the party can never be forgotten.
She prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
The prime minister said it is very unfortunate that some 20 MPs from the current parliament passed away since 2019. He remembered the lawmakers by name.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Deputy Opposition Leader Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Opposition chief whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga, Awami League MPs Matia Chowdhury (Sherpur-2), Abdus Sobhan Miah (Madaripur-3), Benjir Ahmed (Dhaka-20), Choto Monir (Tangail-2) and Anwarul Abedin Khan (Mymensingh-9) also joined the the discussion.
Read:Hasina slams Tarique for conspiring against Bangladesh
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the day’s business.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul.
Parliament unanimously adopted the condolence motion expressing profound shock at the death of the four-time lawmaker.
The day’s business of Parliament was adjourned after the adoption of the condolence motion.
Akabbar Hossain, 65, died at a city hospital on Tuesday. He was the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.
Akabbar was born on July 12, 1956 at Postkamuri village in Mirzapur under Tangail district. He completed BSS and MSS degrees from Social Sciences in Dhaka University.
Youngone to provide 10 lakh pieces of safety masks
Youngone Corporation will provide the government with 1,000,000 (1 million) pieces of safety masks on an emergency basis on Thursday.
Kihak Sung, Chairman and CEO of Youngone Corporation, has decided to provide the masks for the use of doctors, nurses and other health service providers and essential workers.
Read: Korea promotes young entrepreneurs’ development through business curriculum at universities
A handover ceremony in this regard will be held at the office of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on the day.
DG Health Services Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam will be receiving the safety masks from Shaikh Shahinur Rahman, Managing Director, Youngone Corporation and Md. Shahjahan, Managing Director, Korean EPZ.
Karnaphuli Polyester Products Company Ltd (KPP), a concern of Youngone Corporation, located at Korean EPZ (KEPZ), Anowara, Chattogram has manufactured these safety masks complying with all required procedures and formalities of the DGDA, said an official.
In the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh is facing a challenge of unprecedented scale, said the Youngone Corporation, mentioning that they deeply appreciate the measures and actions taken by the government of Bangladesh to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19.
Since the pandemic started in 2020 to support the government’s initiatives, Kihak Sung came forward with needful medical support for the affected people.
In April 2020, at the very outset of the pandemic, Youngone donated 75,000 pcs of Standard PPE (Hazmat Suit, Face Mask and Face Shield) for the use of frontline service providers, including doctors, nurses as well as other health service providers and members of the related government agencies engaged in the field.
Read:S Korean envoy Lee for diversifying collaboration with Bangladesh
In July 2021, Korean EPZ, a concern of Youngone Corporation, distributed food-aid among 2,000 Covid-affected families and a good quantity of masks to neighbouring villages and other government agencies.
During the dire need of extension of medical facilities, Youngone donated medical beds to Bangladesh Institute of Tropical & Infectious Diseases (BITID), Fouzderhat, Chattogram, said the South Korea-based conglomerate.
Focus on blue economy: PM to IORA states
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon the member countries of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to put in all-out efforts to develop and promote the blue economy.
"IORA member countries should put in all-out efforts to develop the blue economy," she said.Sheikh Hasina made the call when a delegation of 12 IORA member states held a meeting with her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
Read: World-class vaccine institute to be set up in Bangladesh: PMHe said the delegation members also stressed the need for making collective efforts for the development of the blue economy.Hasina put emphasis on strengthening relations among the IORA countries as there is ample scope of expanding bilateral trade and investment. “Despite having enormous potential, our intra-region investments are modest. There is ample scope for expanding trade and investment relations among the IORA member countries."The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation to Bangladesh and said Bangladesh gives importance to bilateral relations with the IORA member states.Hasina said the delegations are in Bangladesh at a time when the country is celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.“Your presence has added a new dimension to the birth centenary celebrations,” she said.The Prime Minister also described the various steps Bangladesh has taken in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic situation. “We’re also making efforts to produce coronavirus vaccines in Bangladesh,” she said.Hasina mentioned that the pharmaceutical companies of Bangladesh are very efficient and producing quality medicines as the country is exporting pharmaceutical items to over 100 countries. “We’ve been working tirelessly to make Bangladesh a developed country by 2041,” she said.The IORA delegation highly appreciated the Prime Minister's leadership for putting Bangladesh on the development trajectory.
Read: PM to meet press over UK-France visit WednesdayForeign Minister AK Abdul Momen conducted the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Comoros Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of South Africa Dr Pandor, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Prof G.L Peiris, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries of Tanzania Mashimba Mashuri Ndaki, Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Tanzania, Abdullah Hussein Kombo, Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth of FCDO, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Chief Administrative Secretary of Kenya, Ababu Namwamba, Permanent Secretary of Madagascar, Ratsimandau Tahirimiakadaza, State Minister of Foreigh Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Belal Mohamed Cusman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of USA Ambassador Kelly Keiderling and Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshed Alam, were present.
Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit of Foreign Ministry) Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam also attended the meeting.
UNCLOS can be a pathway to ocean of opportunity for LDCs: Bangladesh
The vast and unexplored resource frontiers of the oceans have the potentials to bring transformative changes to the lives and livelihoods of more than one billion people in the LDCs, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Rabab Fatima has said.
"And the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) can indeed be the pathway to an ocean of opportunity for them," she said.
Ambassador Rabab Fatima was speaking at a high-level event of the International Seabed Authority on the opportunities offered by UNCLOS to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
Read: Bangladesh deeply committed to human rights, fundamental freedoms: Rabab Fatima
The event held on Tuesday was moderated by Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority Michael W. Lodge.
A significant number of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives including the LDC Chair also attended the event.
As LDCs are among the world’s most resource-constraint economies in the world, the Permanent Representative urged the International Seabed Authority to ensure the fair share of various benefits and opportunities for LDCs in the deep-sea particularly in the areas of marine scientific research, capacity building and access to marine technologies for exploration of resources in the high sea.
Ambassador Fatima is co-chairing the Preparatory Committee for the LDC5 Conference to be held in Doha in January 2022.
Read:AIBTRI holds development programme on Bangladesh's LDC graduation
Referring to the dedicated focus of the Draft Doha Program of Action on the devastating impacts of climate change on oceans, she stated that various forms of pollution are seriously disrupting the balance of marine food webs and ecosystems.
She emphasized the importance of scaling up global efforts to combat marine pollution and uncontrolled activities in the deep sea.
The Ambassador concluded her remarks with a call to create more space for the women and youth of the LDCs to have enhanced access to the new and emerging opportunities that the ocean can offer.