Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said that the recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic and illusory”. “Foreigners' knowledge on Bangladesh is very limited,” he said, adding that people of the country are well aware of this. Read more: People will have better standard of living if current development trend continues: Momen The foreign minister was talking to reporters after a meeting at the community clinic of Civil Surgeon‘s office in Sylhet. Thirty lakh people sacrificed their lives to establish human rights and justice when this country was formed, Momen said. The minister said about 70-80 percent people cast their votes in elections in this country, adding that not even 25-30 percent people in many countries vote. “Candidates cannot be found in the election. But in this country, a large number of candidates compete for each post.” Read more: Govt to honour expats through National Expatriate Day: Momen Under the circumstance, Momen urged the media not to focus on foreigners’ statements. “If the media does not go to them (foreigners), they will sit idle,” he said, adding that no country has such media freedom as in Bangladesh. “Many opposition parties are spreading misinformation abroad as they do not want the country to develop,” Momen added.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Health and Family Planning has recommended quick construction of a vaccine manufacturing and research plant in Gopalganj. The recommendation was made at the committee’s 16th meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Thursday. Besides, the committee discussed on the “National Diarrhoea Research Center Bangladesh Bill 2022” for making it time-befitting through corrections and additions. The committee suggested for engaging teachers of government and private medical colleges in various medical research projects.   Read: JS body recommends raising ETP capacity to 20,000 kiloliter at tannery estate The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, chairman of the committee. Secretary and Additional Secretaries of the Health Ministry, Director Generals of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) along with other members of the committee were present at the meeting. 

The National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 has placed five recommendations to contain Covid-19 in Bangladesh. The committee issued the recommendations following its 59th meeting held on Saturday. The committee recommended the government to take initiatives to reduce the cost of Covid-19 tests at the private level, according to a press release. It also urged people to follow hygiene rules, including ensuring wearing of masks and hand washing or use of sanitizers in all places, including social gatherings and meetings. Read: First dose of Covid-19 vaccine won’t be administered after Oct 3: Health Minister It has suggested all to avoid holding meetings in confined spaces and to conduct office meetings virtually as much as possible. Besides, those who are not vaccinated with three doses against Covid-19 were urged to take the jabs as soon as possible. Covid-19 in Bangladesh Bangladesh reported 141 more Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning. Read: Covid deaths lowest since pandemic began: WHO With no new deaths reported, the country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,339 while with the new infection, caseload rose to 2,017,087, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The daily case test positivity rate declined to 9.66 per cent from Friday’s 10.87 per cent as 1,460 samples were tested. The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent while the recovery rate increased to 97.18 per cent.