Outgoing Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Irma van Dueren on Monday paid a farewell call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and reiterated her government’s commitment to extend technical support for the interim government’s reform agenda. During the meeting at the State guesthouse Jamuna, the chief adviser recalled his fruitful bilateral meeting with the Dutch prime minister last month in New York on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA, where he discussed with his Dutch counterpart technical assistance in the elimination of corruption, flood management and agriculture sector in Bangladesh. They also discussed trade preferences from the European Union (EU) beyond 2029, improvement of working conditions in the RMG sector, women empowerment and upcoming youth festivity in Bangladesh. The chief adviser congratulated the Dutch ambassador on her successful completion of the tour of duty in Bangladesh, and the Dutch Ambassador shared her fond memories of working in Bangladesh, particularly witnessing the full-fledged revolution in Bangladesh in July-August this year. Prof Yunus seeks increased Turkish investment as Dhaka ready for business The outgoing Dutch ambassador also paid a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Sunday. The foreign secretary congratulated the Dutch Ambassador on her successful completion of the tour of duty in Bangladesh and the Dutch Ambassador thanked the Foreign Secretary for all the support she received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in discharging her responsibilities. They touched upon multi-faceted bilateral cooperation spanning across areas inter-alia water, agriculture, trade & investment, climate change, defence, and women empowerment. The ambassador also conveyed the Dutch government’s readiness to extend technical support for the interim government’s reform agenda as well as expressed Dutch companies’ enhanced interest in expansion of business ties with Bangladesh, particularly in water, maritime and agriculture sectors. The courtesy call was followed by a farewell luncheon in honour of the outgoing envoy by the Foreign Secretary. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Morocco, Ambassadors/High Commissioners/CDA of India, the UK, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Norway, EU, France and Egypt, UNDP Resident Representative and DCM of Denmark, among others, joined the lunch.

In line with 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Saturday inaugurated the exhibition "Words from the Heart" at Drik Gallery. Thijs Woudstra, Charge d' Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, addressed the opening ceremony alongside lead artist Fareha Zeba. Aware of Moscow's ‘deliberate mischaracterization’ of US foreign policy, Ambassador Haas’ meetings: Washington says This exhibition puts forward the result of last month's five-day art workshop with a team of fifteen artists. The team comprises artists from gender-diverse communities, Rickshaw painters, and contemporary visual artists.  The artist team is composed of Fareha Zeba, Saidul Haque Juise, T H Tonmoy, Surovi Sriti, Auntora Mehrukh Azad, Rasel Rana, Monir Hossain, S A Noor Ali, Mrinalini Devi, Jordan Aswad, Sharif Hasan, Zara Rahman, Himel Hossain, Abhijit Sinha, and Miraj Hossain. Saidul Haque Juise curated the exhibition. Bangladesh briefs Delhi-based diplomats on political situation, preparations for polls The art workshop produced paintings that reflect stories of the challenges and successes of gender-diverse communities using the techniques of Rickshaw art, which is considered an integral component of Bangladesh's local culture. This exhibition touches two themes together – it brings the Kingdom of the Netherlands' commitment to diversity and inclusion through an activity that connects with Bangladesh's urban folk art and culture. FOC: Bangladesh, India hold comprehensive discussions on trade, security, border issues The exhibition will run every day between 26 November to 10 December from 3 pm to 8 pm at Drik Gallery.

In the final league-phase match of the ICC World Cup 2023, India asserted its dominance, defeating the Netherlands by 160 runs on Sunday in Bengaluru. Batting first, India posted an imposing total of 410, losing only four wickets in 50 overs. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India’s batting stalwarts, also showcased their bowling prowess by each securing a wicket in the match. NCL: Dhaka Division clinch title with one match to spare beating Sylhet Div by 52 runs in Chattogram This marked India's seventh instance of achieving a 400-plus total in ODIs, the second-highest after South Africa's eight. Notably, it was only the second time India surpassed the 400-run mark in a World Cup match, with the previous occurrence against Bermuda in 2007. Shreyas Iyer and Lokesh Rahul contributed centuries for India, forging a remarkable fourth-wicket partnership of 208 runs — the highest in World Cup history for this wicket stand. Lokesh Rahul's century, achieved in just 62 balls, set a record for the fastest century in a World Cup by an Indian batter. After a disappointing World Cup campaign, Tigers return home In response, the Netherlands concluded their innings at 250 all out in 47.5 overs, with Teja Nidamanuru scoring the lone fifty. India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, each claimed two wickets. The Netherlands suffered their seventh defeat in nine matches, concluding their World Cup journey as the 10th team. In contrast, India secured their ninth consecutive victory. India wins toss and will bat against Netherlands at Cricket World Cup In the first semifinal, scheduled for November 15th in Mumbai, India will face New Zealand. The second semifinal will witness South Africa taking on Australia in Kolkata. The victorious teams from the semifinals will clash in the final in Ahmedabad on November 19.

Bangladesh and the Netherlands will play against each other on October 28. This will be the 28th match in the tournament and will take place at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This will also be the first match at Eden Gardens during this World Cup. The BAN vs. NL match will start at 2:30 pm on Saturday. Bangladesh vs. Netherlands ODI in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023: Match Preview Performance of Bangladesh in the 2023 ODI World Cup So Far Bangladesh won their first World Cup match against Afghanistan but then faced four consecutive losses to England, New Zealand, India, and South Africa. Their chances of reaching the semi-finals are almost non-existent now, and even a victory against the Netherlands might not make much of a difference. The Bangladeshi cricket team has a history of performing exceptionally well against strong opponents in major tournaments. However, they have struggled to showcase that potential when playing in India. With key players like Shakib Al Hasan in and out of the lineup, the team has faced difficulties in adapting to the key player's absence. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List Shakib Al Hasan recently returned to the team for the match against South Africa but didn't perform well with the bat or ball. To have a chance of defeating the Netherlands, Bangladesh is relying on a strong performance from their experienced all-rounder, Shakib. As the team's captain, he has the responsibility of leading the side, taking wickets, and scoring runs, making his contribution vital to their success. Following a heavy defeat against South Africa in Mumbai, the Bangladesh cricket team arrived at Kolkata without their captain, Shakib-Al Hasan, on Wednesday. It was revealed that Shakib had gone directly to Mirpur for a brief training session with his mentor, Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, focusing primarily on improving his batting skills. In a different aspect of their batting lineup, the experienced Mahmudullah has stood out as Bangladesh's top run-scorer in this tournament. His recent century against South Africa should boost his confidence. While the Tigers have three bowlers who have taken six wickets each in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, there isn't a standout performer among them. This presents an opportunity for spinner Mehidy Hasan to step up and deliver a strong performance, especially in conditions that favor spin bowling. Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023 Netherlands Team’s Performance in the Ongoing ICC World Cup So Far On the other hand, the Netherlands suffered losses to Pakistan and New Zealand before surprising everyone with a win against South Africa. That victory held promise for their future matches, but the Dutch team has struggled since then, facing defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia. Their most recent loss, against Australia, was particularly disheartening, with a record-breaking margin of 309 runs. In the current Cricket World Cup, all-rounder Colin Ackermann and captain Scott Edwards have been the top run-scorers for the Netherlands. Edwards, with an average of over 45 in the tournament, has been a consistent performer. However, he clearly needs stronger support from several other Dutch batsmen who have struggled, with averages below 20. On the bowling front, seamer Bas de Leede has been the leading wicket-taker for the team in this tournament, with nine wickets in five matches. He'll be eager to bounce back after a tough outing where he conceded the most runs in a 10-over spell in the history of ODI cricket during the match against Australia. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings BAN vs. NL Head to Head in ODI In ODI matches, Bangladesh and the Netherlands have met twice. Out of these two games, Bangladesh won one, and the Netherlands emerged victorious in one match as well. Predicted XI for Bangladesh Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud. Predicted XI for the Netherlands Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c)/(wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online Key Bangladeshi Players to Watch Mahmudullah During his innings against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, Mahmudullah Riyad from Bangladesh became the sixth-oldest batsman, at the age of 37 years and 262 days, to score a century in the ODI World Cup. So far, he is the top scorer for Bangladesh in this World Cup and he has been consistent. He scored 198 runs in three innings. Mushfiqur Rahim Mushfique could not do well in the last match against South Africa, and he has scored only 8 runs. Apart from this, he scored 51, 66, and 38 runs in the second to fourth matches. So, Mushfiqur has a great chance that he will uplift his performance in the next match at Eden. Shakib Al Hasan Shakib is yet to be sparked in this tournament. As he is coming back from an injury and working on his batting in Bangladesh, we can expect a good performance on Saturday. Shakib's only notable performance in this World Cup was 40 runs against New Zealand. Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023 Key Dutch Players to Watch Colin Ackermann Colin Ackermann holds the top spot as the Netherlands' highest run-scorer, amassing 137 runs at a strike rate of 85.09. But he only scored 10 runs in the last match against South Africa, and his standout performance came against New Zealand, where he scored 69 runs from 98 balls, marking his best performance in the tournament so far. Bas de Leede Bas de Leede contributed to the Netherlands through ball and bat. In five matches, he scored 97 runs. But his contribution through the ball has been significant. He took 9 wickets so far with 4/62 against Pakistan. So, he might fight with a bat and bowl against Bangladesh. Final Words Considering their extensive experience in international cricket, Bangladesh are seen as the favorites to win this match. However, it's evident that the Netherlands should not be underestimated and cannot be labeled as minnows. Consequently, Bangladesh will need to deliver their top-level cricket to secure a victory over the Dutch in this Kolkata encounter. Simultaneously, if the Dutch team performs up to their potential (just like they did against South Africa), we could witness them emerging victorious against the Tigers. Read more: Mahmudullah's wife posts emotional status on Facebook after his century vs. South Africa

The 24th match of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, featuring Australia and the Netherlands, is scheduled to take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The match will begin at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time on October 25. Let’s see the match preview and what to expect from this match. Australia vs. Netherlands ODI in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup: Match Preview Australia Team’s Performance in the Ongoing ICC ODI World Cup Australia wants to keep winning in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as they face the Netherlands in Delhi. The Aussies lost their first two matches but then won two in a row. On the other hand, the Dutch beat South Africa but lost to Sri Lanka. Australia had tough losses against India and South Africa, but they bounced back with strong victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Still, they have room for improvement, especially in their middle-order and fast-bowling. The Netherlands will be aware of these weaknesses when they face Australia on Wednesday. In the last match, Australia got a 62-run win over Pakistan. After this win, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, is starting to match their status as favorites in the tournament. They secured two vital wins after two subpar performances, with the Australian batting shining in an impressive display against Pakistan in Bengaluru. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh played outstanding centuries to lead Australia to a 62-run win over Pakistan in the fourth match for both teams at the Cricket World Cup 2023. The bowling has also seen gradual improvement, notably with Adam Zampa finding his form and taking two consecutive four-wicket performances. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings Performance of the Netherlands Team in the Ongoing ICC ODI World Cup The Dutch team had a great win against South Africa, but they suffered a five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka. However, they can find encouragement in their strong performance in that game. Even though they were struggling at 91/6, the Netherlands’ batting showed a bounce back after an initial setback, but it hasn’t provided adequate support to the bowlers. A remarkable partnership between Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek helped them reach a competitive total of 262. They also made a good start with the ball, taking two early wickets, but Sri Lanka ultimately outperformed them on that day. Speaking of the bowlers, the Netherlands has seen good performances from players like Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, and Aryan Dutt. While the Netherlands is expected to play with the regular squad, Australia might include their regular opener, Travis Head, in the playing XI. But according to recent news, Australia’s opener, Travis Head, is in good condition but is unlikely to make a comeback against the Netherlands. He has missed all the World Cup matches so far due to an injury. Travis Head suffered a left-hand fracture during Australia’s tour of South Africa in September 2023. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List Australia vs. Netherlands Head-to-Head ODI Records Australia and the Netherlands have played two ODI matches against each other. Out of these two games, Australia won both. Table: Australia vs Netherlands Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far Matches Australia Won Netherlands Won 2 2 0 Predicted Playing XI for Australia David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis Predicted Playing XI for the Netherlands Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren. Australian Players to Watch in AUS vs. NL Match David Warner David Warner leads as the highest run-scorer for Australia, amassing 228 runs with a strike rate of 109.09. He has hit 10 sixes and 22 fours. However, his performance in the last match against Pakistan was very incredible. He scored 163 runs from 124 balls, and he might replicate the same performance in the next match against the Dutch. Steve Smith Steve Smith, usually the key batsman for the Australian team, has had a relatively quiet performance in the World Cup up to this point. He has experienced a duck and two single-digit scores, with his highest score being 46 against India in their first match. However, as a batter, Smith’s caliber is not likely to stay out of form for too long. He is overdue for a significant innings and might consider the Netherlands’ bowling attack as an opportunity to regain his top form. Adam Zampa Leg-spinner Adam Zampa had a shaky start in the first two games but found his form in the following two matches, achieving consecutive four-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. His impressive performances contributed to Australia’s two recent victories, highlighting the impact he can make. Zampa aims to use his sharp leg-break deliveries to trouble the Netherlands’ batting lineup and maintain his strong form. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India Dutch Players to Watch in AUS vs. NL Match Paul van Meekeren Paul van Meekeren will play a crucial role in that effort, striving to demonstrate the same determined spirit and skills that have brought the Netherlands this far. The right-arm pacer is known for his discipline and possesses a solid yorker, qualities that could prove valuable when facing the aggressive Australian batters. Meekeren got 6 wickets from 4 matches. Scott Edwards Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, who has Australian roots, might pose a significant challenge for Zampa. Edwards is an aggressive batsman known for his prowess in sweeping and reverse-sweeping spinners. Given the key roles of Edwards, his performance on the field could have a crucial impact on the overall outcome of the match. In his four World Cup 2023 matches, Edward scored 124 runs. Colin Ackermann Colin Ackermann leads as the highest run-scorer for the Netherlands, accumulating 127 runs at a strike rate of 84.66, including 14 fours. However, Ackermann gave his best performance so far against New Zealand by scoring 69 runs from 98 balls. Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023 Final Words On paper, Australia is the favored team to win Wednesday’s (October 25, 2023) match. However, considering the Netherlands’ performances in the World Cup thus far, they are a team that should not be underestimated. Despite all the facts and performance, our prediction goes for Australia to win the AUS vs. NL match in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup Tournament. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards won the toss and elected to bat against last-place Sri Lanka at the Cricket World Cup at Lucknow, India on Saturday. It was the first of two matches Saturday. Defending champion England played South Africa in a later game at Mumbai. The Dutch have momentum on their side after they stunned high-flying South Afric a by 38 runs at Dharamsala for their first points in the tournament four days ago. The men in orange rode on a brilliant half century from Edwards to rack up 245-8 against the Proteas in a rain-curtailed game. World Cup 2023: Clinical Australia see off Pakistani challenge to enter top 4 The Netherlands then bowled out South Africa for 207 to record one of the biggest upsets in the history of World Cup as the seamers and spinners were well supported by some brilliant fielding. Edwards hoped his unchanged side from the last game will put up another challenging total and put pressure on Sri Lanka, which made two changes from its last game. Allrounder Dushan Hemantha replaced young left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage while fast bowler Kasun Rajitha returned in place of Lahiru Kumara. World Cup 2023: Marauding opening stand sees Australia set formidable target for Pakistan Sri Lanka lost captain Dasun Shanaka early in the tournament due to a thigh injury and is in last place after suffering three heavy losses against South Africa, Pakistan and Australia. It is the first time since 1987 that Sri Lanka has lost its opening three games at the World Cup. Without key legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga, a weakened Sri Lanka bowling was smacked for 428 by South Africa in the opening game. Pakistan chased down a World Cup-record of 345 to beat Sri Lanka at Hyderabad and then Australia romped to five-wicket win over with 88 balls to spare. Sri Lanka has a 5-0 record against the Netherlands and most recently beat the Dutch twice in World Cup qualifying in July. ___ Preview of ENG vs. SA ODI in ICC World Cup 2023 Lineups: Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (captain), Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren. Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (captain), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

The Good Fashion Fund (GFF), a Netherlands-based investment fund promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry, has made its first investment in Bangladesh. The $1 million funding will support Progress Apparel Ltd.’s investment in a modern in-house washing plant located at the Adamjee EPZ's factory in Narayanganj, Dhaka. The washing plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art washing, drying and hydro machinery selected for its efficient use of water and chemicals, said a media release on Monday (July 03, 2023). Also read: Netherlands lauds Bangladesh’s continued progress despite global uncertainties GFF’s investment - which is structured through Progress Apparels’ holding company in Hong Kong, PDS Ltd. - is enabling the company as a new player in the textile sector, to access international funding whilst promoting sustainable investments. GFF’s investment in the in-house washing plant not only generates savings in water and chemical usage compared to conventional machinery, but also promotes supply chain traceability and transparency as washing is no longer outsourced, and the factory is now well capable of monitoring water, energy and chemical usage and the social well-being of its employees. Limiting transport to and from the outsourced facility will further reduce emissions. Progress Apparels Limited is a ready-made garment producer established in 2017 in Bangladesh. Also read: Bangladesh Film Archive signs MoU with RedOrange of Netherlands to collect 1971 war footage The company is part of PDS Limited. The facility produces woven bottoms for popular international brands and retailers. They have a production capacity in excess of 1,000,000 pieces per annum which is set to increase due to operational efficiencies brought about by the GFF investment. Speaking on the conclusion of the investment, Pallak Seth, Executive Vice Chairman, PDS Limited said, “PDS has more than two decades of expertise in the apparel value chain and established itself as a favoured collaborator for over 200 prominent global retail brands." "As a socially responsible corporate entity and a trusted partner of retailers, we are dedicated to upholding our obligations to both our customers and the environment. Our association with the Good Fashion Fund serves as a testament to PDS's commitment to collaborating with esteemed institutions that prioritize environmental sustainability and circularity.” Also read: BEMEA seeks more collaboration with Netherlands to enhance RMG industry’s competitiveness Sanjay Jain, Group CEO, PDS Limited, “Over the past year, our manufacturing business has achieved a full year of profitability. This investment in the wash plant has not only empowered Progress Apparels to enhance their manufacturing capabilities but also gained the advantage of Good Fashion Fund's knowledge in sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology implementation. This investment allows us to leverage their expertise for the betterment of our operations and overall sustainability goals.” The GFF is initiated by the Laudes Foundation for financing is to be used to invest in impact equipment that deliver both economic growth and good fashion practice. Bob Assenberg, Fund Director of the Good Fashion Fund, spoke on this investment. “We are excited to announce our first investment in Bangladesh and to be associated with a sustainability- oriented manufacturer such as Progress Apparels. This partnership demonstrates that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with economic savings and that it is essential towards transforming the apparel supply chain. We hope industry stakeholders will make concerted efforts in making such investments more accessible in Bangladesh.” Also read: Netherlands, IOM join hands to improve environment, strengthen resilience of Rohingyas, host communities in Cox’s Bazar Anita Chester, Managing Director of Laudes India, commented that “Sustainable manufacturing practices and processes are the need of the hour. They are especially critical in key manufacturing regions like Bangladesh where support to producers is critical to showcase the immense opportunity to decarbonise while ensuring a socially responsible transformation.” The total investment made at the manufacturing facility has been seen as a testimony to PDS’s pledge to make the apparel manufacturing value chain sustainable and environmentally ethical for all stakeholders, the press release said.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands apologized Saturday for his country's role in slavery and asked for forgiveness during a historic speech greeted by cheers and whoops at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Dutch colonies. The king's speech followed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's apology late last year for the country's role in the slave trade and slavery. The public expressions of remorse are part of a wider reckoning with colonial histories in the West that the Black Lives Matter movement spurred in recent years. In his emotional address, Willem-Alexander referred back to the prime minister's apology as he told a crowd of invited guests and onlookers: "Today, I stand before you. Today, as your king and as a member of the government, I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul." Riots in Belgium, Netherlands after Morocco win at World Cup The king said he has commissioned a study into the exact role of the royal House of Orange-Nassau in slavery in the Netherlands. "But today, on this day of remembrance, I ask forgiveness for the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity," he added. Willem-Alexander's voice appeared to break with emotion as he completed his speech before laying a wreath at the country's national slavery monument in an Amsterdam park. Some people want action to back up the words. "Honestly, I feel good, but I am still looking forward to something more than just apologies. Reparations, for example," Doelja Refos, 28, said. "I don't feel like we're done. We're definitely not there yet," Refos added. Study in the Netherlands: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students Former lawmaker John Leerdam told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he felt tears running down his cheeks as the king apologized. "It's a historic moment and we have to realize that," he said. Slavery was abolished in Suriname and the Dutch colonies in the Caribbean on July 1, 1863, but most of the enslaved laborers were forced to continue working on plantations for another decade. Saturday's commemoration and speech started a year of events to mark the 150th anniversary. Research published last month showed that the king's ancestors earned the modern-day equivalent of 545 million euros ($595 million) from slavery, including profits from shares that were effectively given to them as gifts. When Rutte apologized in December, he stopped short of offering compensation to descendants of enslaved people. Instead, the government is establishing a 200 million-euro ($217 million) fund for initiatives that tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies and to improve education about the topic. That isn't enough for some in the Netherlands. Two groups, Black Manifesto and The Black Archives, organized a protest march before the king's speech Saturday under the banner "No healing without reparations." Bangladesh Film Archive signs MoU with RedOrange of Netherlands to collect 1971 war footage "A lot of people including myself, my group, The Black Archives, and the Black Manifesto say that (an) apology is not enough. An apology should be tied to a form of repair and reparatory justice or reparations," Black Archives director Mitchell Esajas said. Marchers wore colorful traditional clothing in a Surinamese celebration of the abolition of slavery. Enslaved people were banned from wearing shoes and colorful clothes, organizers said. "Just as we remember our forefathers on this day, we also feel free, we can wear what we want, and we can show the rest of the world that we are free." Regina Benescia-van Windt, 72, said. The Netherlands' often brutal colonial history has come under renewed and critical scrutiny in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in the U.S. city of Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, and the Black Lives Matter movement. A groundbreaking 2021 exhibition at the national museum of art and history took an unflinching look at slavery in Dutch colonies. In the same year, a report described the Dutch involvement in slavery as a crime against humanity and linked it to what the report described as ongoing institutional racism in the Netherlands. The Dutch first became involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the late 1500s and became a major trader in the mid-1600s. Eventually, the Dutch West India Company became the largest trans-Atlantic slave trader, according to Karwan Fatah-Black, an expert in Dutch colonial history and an assistant professor at Leiden University. BEMEA seeks more collaboration with Netherlands to enhance RMG industry’s competitiveness Authorities in the Netherlands aren't alone in saying sorry for historic abuses. In 2018, Denmark apologized to Ghana, which it colonized from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century. King Philippe of Belgium has expressed "deepest regrets" for abuses in Congo. In 1992, Pope John Paul II apologized for the church's role in slavery. Americans have had emotionally charged disputes over taking down statues of slaveholders in the South. In April, King Charles III for the first time signaled support for research into the U.K. monarchy's ties to slavery after a document showed an ancestor with shares in a slave-trading company, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said. Charles and his eldest son, Prince William, have expressed their sorrow over slavery but haven't acknowledged the crown's connections to the trade. During a ceremony that marked Barbados becoming a republic two years ago, Charles referred to "the darkest days of our past and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history." English settlers used African slaves to turn the island into a wealthy sugar colony. Willem-Alexander acknowledged that not everybody in the Netherlands supports apologies, but he called for unity. "There's no blueprint for the process of healing, reconciliation and recovery," he said. "Together, we are in uncharted territory. So let's support and guide each other."  

Tulips — the brightly coloured flowers usually associated with the Netherlands — are now growing in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh district, boosting tourism prospects and local economy. Seeing the success of a pilot scheme, this year, tulips are being grown on a large tract of land in Darjipara of Tetulia. Tulips grown in the Panchagarh district are now being sold in Dhaka due to high demands. Last year, eight women earned Tk 65,000 each by growing tulips on their land — on a pilot basis — and this year, 20 women are growing the beautiful flowers on two acres of land considering the prospects. Also read: Danish ambassador, IFAD country director visit tulip gardens in Panchagarh This year, they are expecting to sell tulips worth Tk one crore. Financed by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), Echo Social Development Organisation (ESDO) and Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (MRTP) undertook the pilot project with the help of rural women. They have created a new prospect for livelihood.

Bangladesh has strongly condemned the recent abhorrent act of desecrating a copy of the Holy Quran yet again in the Netherlands by a far-right activist. Bangladesh expressed "grave concern" over repetition of such heinous act in the Netherlands within a month’s time in the name of ‘right to protest’, ‘freedom of expression’ or ‘human rights’. Also read: No evidence of disrespecting Quran found: Probe body Bangladesh once again urged all concerned to put an end to such unwarranted provocations and to respect the sacred values and religious symbols of the Muslims - for that matter of all religions - for the sake of harmony and peaceful coexistence.