United News of Bangladesh

The bodies of four Italian divers who died during a deep cave dive in the Maldives earlier this month were sent back to Italy early Saturday, a Maldivian government spokesperson said. The four divers went missing on May 14 while exploring an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll, about 50 meters below sea level. Their diving instructor’s body was recovered outside the cave shortly after the incident and was previously returned to Italy. Authorities said recovering the remaining bodies was extremely difficult and dangerous. The operation was temporarily halted after a Maldivian military diver, Mohamed Mahudhee, who was part of the rescue mission, died during the effort. Later, three expert cave divers from Finland joined the operation and located the four bodies last week in the deepest section of the cave, around 60 meters underwater. The Maldives normally allows recreational diving only up to 30 meters. Maldives President’s spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef said two separate investigations have been launched — one into the deaths of the five Italian divers and another into the death of military diver Mahudhee. He also said Italian authorities agreed to share the findings if autopsies are carried out on the bodies after their return home. The victims were identified as Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. Government spokesperson Ahmed Shaam said the four bodies were found close together inside the cave. Authorities said the divers had obtained permission for the expedition, but officials were not fully informed about the exact cave location they planned to explore. They also said at least two of the victims were not included in the list of researchers submitted to authorities before the dive.

President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday met newly elected Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to work closely with Bangladesh to further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries. The meeting was held at The Jatiya Sangsad following the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister and the new government of Bangladesh. During the meeting, the President congratulated the Prime Minister and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on their victory in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12. Dhaka, Delhi can work for each other's security, prosperity: Modi tells Tarique The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the President for attending the oath-taking ceremony. The two leaders discussed a broad range of areas to enhance cooperation, including trade and investment, health cooperation, environmental collaboration, higher education and improved air connectivity. This visit marks President Dr Muizzu’s first official visit to Bangladesh, said the President’s office. Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the Maldives were established on September 22, 1978.

The Bangladesh national football team will play two International Friendly Football matches at home against the Maldives on November 13 and 16 in this year's last FIFA window. General Secretary of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Imran Hossain Tushar confirmed the matter on Saturday afternoon. Earlier, the BFF communicated with Malaysia and Thailand to play football matches in the FIFA window in November, but they want to play only one match with Bangladesh. Later, the BFF communicated with the Maldives, who agreed to play two matches here, so the BFF accepted their proposal considering more (two) matches and cheap expenditure. In the last meeting, the BFF approved the decision. BFF Election: Tabith Awal poised to replace Kazi Salahuddin The matches are likely to be held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, and we are maintaining close communication with the Kings authority. Bangladesh-origin English footballer Hamza Dewan Choudhury got" no objection" from England Football Association to play for Bangladesh after getting a Bangladesh passport and clearance from his English Premier League club, Leicester City FC. Soon after, the BFF applied to the FIFA players status committee with the necessary documents for permission to let Hamza into the Bangladesh team, but the FIFA committee wants more documents that delayed his desire to play for the Bangladesh team. Moreover, now he is out of the field due to injury. So, Hamza's participation in the Bangladesh team in the November window against the Maldives has become uncertain.

The Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday approved the draft on an agreement between the governments of the Maldives and Bangladesh on ‘transfer of prisoners’. The Council of Advisers also in principle approved a proposal for ratification of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Bangladesh and Qatar. “Once these are done, we will be able to bring back our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters who have been sentenced in the Maldives or Qatar,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters while briefing the media at Foreign Service Academy on Thursday evening. Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the media briefing. Bangladesh currently has agreements on ‘transfer of sentenced persons’ with India, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Bangladesh received a draft agreement on ‘transfer of prisoners’ from the Maldives in 2015 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Once the proposed agreement is signed, Bangladesh will be able to bring back its citizens from the Maldives who are sentenced and imprisoned. The agreement will be in force for 10 years and it can be renewed for another 10 years if the two countries agree. The Council of Advisers also in principle approved a proposal for ratification of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Bangladesh and Qatar. The agreement with Qatar was signed between the two governments on April 23 this year during Qatar Emir’s visit to Bangladesh. The agreement will remain in force for one year and if neither part expresses willingness to end it, it will remain in force for another year.    

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday underlined  cooperation among Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives to promote tourism for mutual benefits. "Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives can promote cooperation on tourism for mutual benefits," she told outgoing Maldives High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shiruzimath Sameer during a farewell call on her. Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Canada file joint declaration of intervention in case against Myanmar at International Court of Justice PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim Briefed reporters after the call on at the PM's official residence, Ganabhaban. "Discussion was held on flourishing tourism among the three countries," he said. The prime minister also conveyed her regards to the newly elected Maldives President  Mohamed Muizzu. Scotland wants to hire construction workers from Bangladesh: Scottish delegation tells PM The envoy said Bangladesh has huge potential in tourism particularly in Cox's Bazar, the home to the world's  longest sandy sea beach. The PM said many Bangladeshi workers have been working in the Maldives. "They are contributing to the economies of both the countries" she said. The envoy thanked the PM for her government's all-out support to her during her tenure. Russian House in Dhaka hosts Geographical Dictation 2023 "The Maldives and Bangladesh relations have reached a new height during her tenure," she said. Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were also present.

Nestled serenely within the expanse of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has lured travelers with its opulent allure. The pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts have made it an icon in high-end travel. Yet, for those with a more budget-conscious spirit, some exotic tourist destinations in the heart of Asia can offer almost similar experiences. Let’s take a look into some of the most popular budget-friendly Asian alternatives to the Maldives. 10 Best Budget-Friendly Alternatives to the Maldives in Asia Phi Phi Islands, Thailand This tropical paradise, along with its mesmerizing blend of stone and sand beaches, is located in the Andaman Sea. Among this island group comprising six distinct islands, Phi Phi Don is renowned for its Monkey Beach and Maya Bay. In the case of spending the night, Tropical Garden Bungalows come with a jungle vibe with modern amenities. The airfare to Phitsanulok, the nearest airport to this place, from Bangladesh starts at USD 230 (BDT 25,264.65 at an exchange rate of USD 1 = BDT 109.85) per person. Meals cost approximately THB 417 or BDT 1,289.45 (THB 1 = BDT 3.09) per day, while local transportation is estimated at THB 253 or BDT 782.33 daily. The average cost for a couple's hotel stay in Koh Phi Phi is THB 2,956 (BDT 9,140.58). Read more: Beach Bucket List: 9 Magnificent Sea Shores in South Asia Koh Lipe, Thailand This hidden gem, located in the Andaman Sea, offers hiking opportunities to take in the island's natural beauty from elevated vantage points. The island provides a variety of amenities, from bars and open-air restaurants to cafes and massage shacks.

Two Bangladeshis are feared dead among 11 workers who were killed in a fire that broke out in a building housing foreign workers in the Maldives capital early Thursday. Another Bangladeshi was injured and hospitalised, an official at Bangladesh High Commission in Maldives told UNB. Read more: 10 shops, bank branch gutted in Ctg market fire Details of the deceased are yet to be known as their documents were destroyed in the fire, the official added. He identified the injured as Tayab. Read more: Electric transformer catches fire behind Gulshan Central Mosque "We will hopefully be able to know details once we can talk to the injured person. He is not in a position to talk at this moment," the official added. Maldives police spokesman Yoonus Sobah said the fire broke out in the building after midnight, reports AP. The Indian embassy in Maldives said on Twitter that Indian citizens were among the dead. Sobah said the cause of the fire is being investigated. Maldives employs a large number of foreign workers, mostly from Bangladesh and India. Their living quarters, especially in the capital, Male, are frequently overcrowded.

Bangladesh Women's Football team made a flying start in the seven-nation 6th SAFF Women's Championship' 2022 crushing the Maldives by 3-0 goal in their first match at the Dasharath (Rangasala) Stadium in Kathmandu Wednesday evening. All the three goals of the match were scored in the first half. Experiened booter cum captain Sabina Khatun struck twice for Bangladesh in the 32nd and 40th minutes while Masura Parvin netted the remaining goal in the 34th minute. Bangladesh team was placed in tough Group A alongwith five times champions India, the Maldives and Pakistan while comparatively easier Group B comprises hosts Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will face Pakistan on Sept 10 and meet holders India on Sept 13. Read: SAFF Women's Champs: Bangladesh to start campaign against Maldives on Wednesday Earlier In the day's first Group A match, defending champions India also made a good start outplaying their arch-rival Pakistan by 3-0 goal at the same venue Wednesday afternoon. In the inaugural match ( Group B)  hosts Nepal beat Bhutan by 4-0 goal on Tuesday On completion of group matches, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the semifinals on Sept 16.   The final match will held on Sept 19. 

Bangladesh emerged Group A champions to reach the semifinal of the six-nation SAFF U-17 Championship outplaying the Maldives by 5-0 goal in their last group match at Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Bangladesh will play the first semifinal on September 12 against the Group B runners-up, yet to be decided. The final match will be held on Sept 14. Read:SAFF U-17: Bangladesh make flying start crushing hosts Sri Lanka 5-1 With the day's feat, Bangladesh finished top in Group A with all-win record securing full six points from straight two matches after crushing hosts Sri Lanka by 5-1 goal in their first match Monday. In the day's match. Bangladesh dominated the first half by 2-0 goals. Mirajul Islam of Bangladesh made the first hattrick in the ongoing meet scoring three goals in a row in the 74th, 77th and 90th minutes while Nazmul Huda Faisal and Murshed Ali netted one each in the 4th and 38th minutes respectively. Read:SAFF Women's Champs: Bangladesh to start campaign against Maldives on Wednesday Earlier, holders India also made a good start in the regional youth soccer meet outplaying Bhutan by 3-0 goals in the inaugural match at the same venue last Monday.

)- Bangladesh Women's Football team, now in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, will start their campaign in the seven-nation 6th SAFF Women's Championship 2022 taking on the Maldives on Wednesday (Sept 7).  The match will kick-off at 5:45 pm Bangladesh time at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu. Two archrival India and Pakistan will meet each other in Wednesday's other match at 1:15 pm.  Experienced booter Sabina Khatun will lead the Bangladesh women's side as captain while Maria Manda will assist her as vice-captain.  Earlier, Bangladesh team was placed in tough Group A along with five time champions India, the Maldives and Pakistan while comparatively easier Group B comprises hosts Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Read: SAFF Women's Champs: .Bangladesh team reaches Kathmandu In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will face Pakistan on Sept 10 and meet India on Sept 13.  On completion of group matches, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the semifinals on Sept 16. The final match will be held on Sept 19.  The morale of the youthful Bangladesh women's team is now higher than all previous occasions after winning the two- match series 1-0 against upper ranked Malaysia recently.    Bangladesh beat Malaysia 6-0 in the first match and settled for a draw in the 2nd match.