Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (May 21, 2024) said there is someone “paid by BNP,” deployed in the US Department of State regular briefing, to ask questions purposefully for generating negative response.  "There’s someone there who used to work for Khaleda Zia's press wing. He is paid by BNP. He asks questions purposefully to try and get negative answers about Bangladesh. He asks questions intentionally," the minister told reporters at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).  The Foreign Minister was referring to Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, former assistant press secretary to the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Hasan made the remarks when his attention was drawn to him being misquoted at the latest US State Department briefing.  US decision against former army chief Gen Aziz not under visa policy: Foreign Minister "Is the U.S. considering reinstating the GSP facilities for Bangladeshi product, as Bangladeshi foreign minister told the – on Saturday, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu assured Washington would consider reinstating the GSP facilities for Bangladesh?" Ansarey's question reads.  On the GSP issue, the foreign minister actually said the US wants to help Bangladesh get it back when the program is reintroduced. "I talked to the press based on facts and what is true," Hasan said, adding that Bangladesh and the US are working on the labour front to further improve the overall conditions in line with the US desire, and they want to give it back if the US reintroduces the GSP facility. "After the meeting with the visiting Assistant Secretary Donald Lu, Bangladesh’s ruling prime minister advisor told the reporters that White House and the State Departments are very much willing to remove the sanctions as U.S. imposed sanction on RAB, Rapid Action Battalion, for the extreme violation of human rights and extrajudicial killing. So he said that the State Department and White House working to remove the sanctions," Ansarey said in another media briefing.  DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and General Secretary Mohiuddin also spoke at the event.  Read more: Ex Army chief Aziz, his immediate family members ineligible for entry into US

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said that the government of Bangladesh has taken a zero tolerance policy on combating corruption and will continue to work with the United States on this issue. “For combating corruption, we are working with the US. We want to work together and will continue to do that," he told reporters. Hasan was speaking at a “meet the reporters” programme today (May 21, 2024) organised by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and General Secretary Mohiuddin also spoke at the event. Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said the US decision against former army chief General Aziz Ahmed was not under the visa policy. Ex Army chief Aziz, his immediate family members ineligible for entry into US It was made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh remains engaged with the US and the two countries are working together on combating terrorism, human trafficking and other issues. He said the decision regarding the ex army chief was first conveyed to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington. The US Department of State on Monday announced the public designation of General Aziz Ahmed, previously Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, due to what it says was his involvement in "significant corruption". This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entering the United States. His actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes, the US State Department said. "Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh," said the US Department of State. Aziz also worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit, it claimed. "This designation reaffirms the US commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law in Bangladesh," said the US government. Read more: Someone “paid by BNP” is deployed at US State Dept briefings: Hasan Mahmud

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS), a passengers' welfare platform, on Saturday (January 20, 2024) demanded the government introduce 5,000 new high-quality buses on the streets under a company with the government's management by removing existing rickety vehicles from the capital. Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand in a press conference organised at the city's Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning. In a written statement, he said that the current government has pledged that the country will join the ranks of developed countries by 2026. The government is determined to improve the public transport system in Dhaka and elsewhere. Quoting a JICA survey, the BJKS's secretary general said that there are currently 4 crore daily passenger trips in the capital. Consumer protection a top priority at DITF: Commerce State Minister There is a huge scope for transport business, and the transportation system of the city can be changed overnight through bus service if only extortion is stopped and dedicated bus lanes can be introduced, he said. There are examples of owning 600-800 buses of many transport companies in Bangladesh after they started plying on the streets with one bus. However, the state transport agency BRTC is not able to operate buses under its own management and is leasing them out to private individuals and institutions. The number of these buses is decreasing due to lack of maintenance, he added. Dutch NGOs reaffirm interests in Bangladesh He urged the government, instead of bureaucracy in the management of BRTC, if BRTC can be managed by appointing managers with technical knowledge and experience in managing bus companies from the international market. it will play a major role in the passenger transport sector besides making BRTC profitable, he said. The BJKS said that due to incompetence of leadership, inefficiency of management, lack of proper monitoring and monopolistic dominance of political contractors, corruption is going on. The new government has made political commitment to establish good governance in these sectors. ”We want to see the reflection of this commitment of the government by ensuring quality and accountability in every project involving road, rail, sea and air,” he added. Dengue claims two more lives

The artists have taken a swipe against the recent "attacks" on films such as "Hawa" and "Saturday Afternoon." At the press conference "Golpo Bolar Swadhinata Chai" at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital Thursday, they questioned the lawsuit for allegedly violating wildlife conservation laws by the Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit against “Hawa” Director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon and demanding a proper explanation for why Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s much-anticipated film "Saturday afternoon" is stuck at the Bangladesh Film Censor Board. The artists put forward a five-point demand. A large number of artists joined the press conference, uniquely designed with barbed wire-fenced tables, organized by the country's entertainment industry's producers, artists, and associates. They demanded freedom of expression for Bangladeshi entertainment content, as well as justice for the two films - "Saturday Afternoon" and "Hawa." Popular artists and content makers, including Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury, Morshedul Islam, Tariq Anam Khan, Afsana Mimi, Shampa Reza, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Zahid Hasan, Nurul Alam Atique, Masum Reza, Kamar Ahmad Simon, Piplu R Khan, Gias Uddin Selim, Gousul Alam Shaon, Iresh Zaker, Afran Nisho, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Zakia Bari Momo, Nazifa Tushi, and singer Shibu Kumer Shill among others, joined the press conference on Thursday. The five demands are immediate withdrawal of the case against "Hawa" under wildlife conservation laws, a well-justified explanation from the censor board on why "Saturday Afternoon" is not cleared by the censor board and not getting a clearance certificate, the abolishment of the censor board alongside the implementation of an updated and inclusive film certification law with the participation and consultation of all stakeholders, establishment of an updated and inclusive OTT policy with the participation and consultation of all stakeholders and assurance of prior notice before filing any case related to film or content, which must be discussed with the relevant authority. Expressing concerns against the ongoing situations, artists and content makers opined that visual arts, such as film, cannot be created with passion and perfection if such barriers are put forward. “Saturday Afternoon” Director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “It’s been three years, yet I did not receive any logical explanation on why “Saturday Afternoon” is not cleared by the censor board. We have appealed against the decision from time to time, yet the situation is not resolved and our film did not get the censor certificate.” “Films are like the headlights of society, and society cannot move forward nor progress if the headlights are forcefully turned off. We sincerely demand the release of our film from the censor board,” Farooki added. Echoing the same, Jaya Ahsan said, “We don’t understand why this film is not cleared for this long. Didn't the Holey Artisan event take place in reality? A novel has been published on the incident, why can't we get the release of “Saturday Afternoon” about the same issue? This film has been unnecessarily put under the fire for no logical reason at all.” Demanding justice against “Hawa,” she added: "Personally, I am known for being an animal advocate. In our surroundings, if we look at the pet market in the capital’s Nilkhet-Kataban area, animals are being treated inhumanely. What is the concerned authority doing in this regard? Films are fiction, should we stop making films?" The artists and content makers expressed their aspiration to see prompt actions from the concerned authorities to resolve the issues and fulfilment of their five-point demands.   Also read: Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa

Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has expressed its deep concern over a case filed under Digital Security Act (DSA) against its member and Jamuna Television’s senior reporter Nurnabi Sarker. In a joint statement, DRU president Nazrul Islam Mithu and general secretary Nurul Islam Hasib expressed their concern on Tuesday. On June 15, 2021, Lutfunnesa Beauty, former vice-chairman of Trishal upazila of Mymensingh filed the case against Nurnabi Sarker under the DSA. The DUR leaders have demanded to stop the harassment of Nurnabi Sarker and the cancellation of the DSA. Also Read: DRU ludo competition: Samina champion, Lisa runner-up

The Postal Department’s mobile financial service Nagad will sponsor Dhaka Reporters Unity’s annual event of awarding the year’s best reports in different categories. This announcement on “Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2021”  was made on Thursday  at a press briefing of DRU at its Sagar-Runi Auditorium. Read: Nagad secures 18,000 accounts' balance This year, 22 best reports will be awarded in two segments- print and online, and television and radio. Ten veteran editors of the country will be on the judges’ panel.   DRU members can submit their reports published or broadcast from October 1, 2020 to September 20, 2021 for the award nomination. The submission deadline is until 8pm on October 8 and it will not be extended, said DRU General Secretary Mosiur Rahaman Khan. At the end of October, the award will be handed over to the winners at a ceremony. Nagad Executive Director Niaz Morshed Elite said, “Collaborating with DRU to selecting the best reports of the year was a big opportunity for us. We are always in favour of responsible and pro-people journalism.” Creating hype with so many innovations Nagad is already a payment partner of DRU. Read: Nagad hands Tk 3.32 Cr to postal department as revenue share in fiscal 2020-21 President of DRU Mursalin Nomani and its general secretary inaugurated the organization’s annual frees payment procedure by depositing their fees through Nagad. After formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March 26, 2019 Nagad has now 5.5 crore subscribers with a daily average payment of BDT 750 crore Convener of “Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2021” Mynul Hasan Sohel and other leaders of the organization were present on the occasion.

Journalists on Wednesday formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding unconditional release of journalist Rozina Islam and punishment of those involved in harassing her at the Secretariat. Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist, Barishal Divisional Journalist Association, Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum, Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association and other organizations  joined  the human chain around 11 am. Read:That's something concerning: UN on Rozina's arrest They also demanded withdrawal of false case filed against Rozina. Besides, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) held a protest rally in front of its office demanding the same. Rozina, senior journalist of Prothom Alo, was handed over to police on Monday night after being held at the Secretariat for over five hours. Rozina was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday. An FIR was filed against Rozina under the Official Secrets Act and sections 379 and 411 of The Penal Code on a complaint filed by the Health Services Division at Shahbagh police station. Read: Journalist Rozina must get justice: Law Minister Later, a Dhaka court on Tuesday sent Rozina, to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand. Rozina Islam was taken to Kashimpur Central Women's Jail on Tuesday afternoon after a Dhaka court rejected police’s remand plea. Besides, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formed a three-member probe committee to look into the confinement and later handover to police of journalist Rozina Islam at the Secretariat on Monday.  

The IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) on Sunday demanded six months’ fully paid maternity leave for workers at readymade garment (RMG) factories.

‘A dreadful force’ is working with the government from behind the scene to silence those who are opposing the government, alleged BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday.

Dhaka University teacher Samia Rahman, who was demoted for plagiarism in research papers, has claimed that she is a victim of “filthy politics” of the university teachers.