Mahmudullah Riyad’s retirement from international cricket has drawn emotional tributes from his long-time teammates, who reflected on his contribution to Bangladesh cricket. Former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who led Mahmudullah for most of his career, shared a heartfelt message on social media, recalling their journey together and the milestones Mahmudullah achieved. “Congratulations on a great international career, Riyad,” Mashrafe wrote. “The numbers beside your name are just statistics, but to us, you are much bigger than that. We know how important you were to the team and how deeply you committed yourself to it.” Mahmudullah Riyad announces retirement from int’l cricket Mashrafe reminisced about Mahmudullah’s iconic centuries in Adelaide and Cardiff, particularly his historic ton in the 2015 World Cup, the first by a Bangladeshi in the tournament. “No one can take away your achievement of being Bangladesh’s first centurion in a World Cup. I hope many from our country will follow your example and surpass your record of four ICC event centuries. You have shown how to step up on the biggest stage, and generations will learn from you.” Mahmudullah opts out as BCB’s new contract announced Tamim Iqbal, another of Mahmudullah’s long-time teammates, described him as one of the pillars of Bangladesh cricket. “You have been an inspiration both on and off the field. I will cherish the memories we shared in the dressing room. Thank you for your contribution to the country’s cricket, and best wishes for the days ahead,” Tamim wrote. Shakib Al Hasan echoed similar sentiments, calling it a privilege to play alongside Mahmudullah. “You led by example, both on and off the field. Your dedication, resilience, and love for the game and the country have made the nation indebted to you,” Shakib wrote. “May Allah bless you and guide you on your new journey.” Mushfiqur Rahim, another close teammate of Mahmudullah, expressed his admiration for the veteran all-rounder. “It has truly been an honor to share the field with you all these years. Thank you for your guidance and the countless memories we’ve made together. I am incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved for the nation,” Mushfiqur said. Mahmudullah’s departure marks the end of an era in Bangladesh cricket. While his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy as one of the country’s most dependable performers will continue to inspire future generations.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury marked the Martyred Army Day on Monday by paying homage to military officials, who were killed during the 2009 BDR mutiny in Dhaka’s Pilkahan. He paid the tribute through placing a floral wreath at the Banani Military Graveyard. Chiefs of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air also paid homage to the martyrs. Talking to the media after paying tribute, the home adviser said, “Families of the Pilkhana martyred military officials had been demanding that February 25 be announced as Martyred Army Day, and we have implemented that.” "In the Pilkhana incident, the verdict of the murder case was delivered. Many of those who were acquitted in that case are accused in explosives cases. The murder case is now under review at the High Court,” he said. Replying to a question, he said the testimony in the explosives case remains stayed and it is not in their hands. It's in the hands of the court. The court can grant bail if it wants. Tributes to the martyrs were also paid on behalf of Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday paid a profound tribute to former United States President and fellow Nobel Laureate Jimmy Carter, who died on Saturday. The Chief Adviser placed floral wreaths at the portrait of the late president and wrote a condolence message in the condolence book opened at the US Embassy in Dhaka's Baridhara at 11:45am. US Charge d' Affaires Megan Bouldin welcomed the Chief Adviser at the embassy. CA Dr Yunus pays tribute to Manmohan Singh at Indian High Commission During his brief stay at the embassy, the Chief Adviser recalled his long friendship and told Bouldin that he visited Carter's home in Georgia. The Chief Adviser said Carter was a global champion of human rights, democracy and peace. He also praised President Carter for his efforts in fostering strong bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States. Dhaka discusses with UN modalities for int'l conference on Rohingya crisis Prof Yunus also recalled President Carter's visit to Bangladesh in 1986 and deeply appreciated his impactful work here through the Carter Center.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) paid deep tributes and placed wreaths at the grave of Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf at Burighat in Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati on the occasion of the Victory Day. A floral wreath was placed on behalf of the BGB Director General at the grave of this heroic son of the nation on Monday morning. President Shahabuddin pays tribute to Liberation War martyrs on Victory Day BGB Kaptai Zone Commander Lt Col Mohammad Tanzilur Rahman Bhuiyan, Dayal Krishna Chakma, Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf Foundation Director Yasin Rana Sohel and others were present on the occasion. During the ceremony, an armed salute was given by playing the bugle tune and a prayer was offered seeking peace for the soul of Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf. Later, wreaths were placed on behalf of educational institutions and social organizations. Tributes paid to martyred police members on Victory Day at Rajarbagh Police Lines Later, the BGB’s Rangamati Sector Commander provided financial assistance to Doyal Krishna Chakma in recognition of his role in identifying and burying the remains of Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf at Burighat, Naniarchar.

President Mohammad Shahabuddin on Monday paid tribute to the martyrs at the National Memorial on the occasion of Victory Day in Savar. The president laid a wreath at the memorial to honour the martyrs at around 6:30 am. Judicial Service Commission presents 2023 Annual Report to President Shahabuddin After placing the wreath, President Shahabuddin stood in solemn silence for a while to pay respects to the brave martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971. During the ceremony, a smartly turned out contingent of of Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force saluted the president and presented a guard of honour. Chief Justice presents Supreme Court Annual Report 2023 to President The president also signed the visitor’s book at the memorial site.

Following the passing of their "Friends" co-star Matthew Perry last month, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc have each offered their first individual tributes to him.Cox, who portrayed Perry's on-screen wife Monica, posted an Instagram video of herself with Perry's character Chandler, saying she was "so grateful for every moment" they worked together, reports the BBC. ‘In time we will say more’: Friends stars say after Matthew Perry’s deathLeBlanc, who portrayed Joey, was the first to pay tribute."It was an honour to call you my friend," he wrote."It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. I'll never forget you," said LeBlanc. Matthew Perry, Emmy-nominated 'Friends' star, dead at 54Perry, 54, was found dead in his Los Angeles home last month, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans from all over the world.In a joint statement last month, Cox and LeBlanc along with Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer described Perry's death as an "unfathomable loss". Chandler Bing, the AI chatbot: A tribute to Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ characterFollowing his issues with alcohol and drugs, a new foundation has been established in Perry's honour, vowing to continue his dedication to helping others struggling with addiction.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina today paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day. She paid homage by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka this morning. After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence. Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of AL. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh’s first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district. The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who had been declared as the president of the government-in-exile. Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu. Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members. The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 that year.  

The Bangabandhu Foundation has paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking its 21st anniversary.   Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, also president of the Bangabandhu Foundation, paid homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on Wednesday. Leaders and members of the foundation were also present at that time. The foreign minister later celebrated the anniversary of the Bangabandhu Foundation by cutting a cake with the leaders and members.  Read more: Bangabandhu Foundation pays homage to ‘Father of Nation’ at Tungipara

The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) on Friday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka. DCAB members, led by its President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Abu Hena Emrul Kayesh, placed a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. They also stood in silence for a few moments showing profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation, his family members, Liberation War martyrs and Freedom Fighters. Read more: FOSA pays tributes to Bangabandhu at Tungipara Rezaul Karim Lotus, executive editor of the Daily Sun, and Abu Hena Emrul Kayesh, special correspondent of BanglaVision, were elected president and general secretary, respectively, of the executive committee of DCAB for 2023 on December 29 last year.

The 108th birth anniversary of the master painter and pioneering art educator Zainul Abedin, widely revered as the 'Shilpacharya' (great master of fine arts), is being observed on Thursday . Zainul Abedin, who was born on December 29, 1914, in Kishoreganj, was a key figure in the formation of the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) and the Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The 108th birth anniversary of Shilpacharya is being celebrated with a variety of celebrations, most notably the traditional ‘Zainul Utsab’ and ‘Zainul Mela’ by Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Art. Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni joined the inauguration ceremony of the three-day festivities as the chief guest, while DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the festival. The prestigious ‘Zainul Award 2022’ was also handed over to three art luminaries - former DU FFA Dean Professor Emdadul Haque Mohammad Matlub Ali, eminent artist Shahid Kabir and Indian contemporary art historian, art critic, and curator Raman Shiv Kumar. Read: 106th birth anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin today Earlier, the Faculty of Fine Art and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Department of Fine Arts placed floral wreaths on the grave of the Shilpacharya in the morning. Zainul Abedin earned global respect for his 1943 illustrations of the Bengal famine. He visited Palestinian camps in Syria and Jordan in 1970 and made 60–70 paintings of the refugees there, adding just another example of his caliber as a modern, international artist. During his childhood, he discovered his love of art while a young child frolicking by the Brahmaputra River.  His motherland, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), welcomed him back after he graduated from the Government Art School in Kolkata in 1932. However, shortly after the Indian subcontinent was divided in 1947, he permanently departed Kolkata and came back to his own motherland in Bangladesh. The Dhaka Art Institute was subsequently founded with active help from Zainul Abedin, who was appointed as the institute's principal in 1949. The institute was later developed into Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Art. He retired from the Dhaka Art Institute in 1967 and was conferred the honorary title of Shilpacharya (great master of fine arts) by the institute. Prior taking the mantle of Shilpacharya, Zainul Abedin received two years of training from Slade School of Fine Art in London and developed a new style of art called the 'Bengali style' featuring folk art forms with their geometric shapes including the usage of semi-abstract representation and primary colours. Read: Tribute to Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin on his 107th birth anniversary However, he lacked the sense of perspective, realising the limitations of folk art, and went back to nature, rural life and the daily struggles of people to make art that would be realistic but modern in appearance, thus being the pioneer of modern artistic style in the subcontinent. Known for the simple yet majestic projection of natural and social hazards, Zainul painted the 1970 Bhola cyclone that devastated then East Pakistan, portraying the effect of the cyclone through his painting ‘Monpura’. As a fond lover of folk arts, Zainul formed Charu O Karu Shilpi Sangram Parishad and also collected a large number of traditional crafts, ceramic works, nakshi kanthas in his lifetime which he preserved through founding the Folk Art Museum at Sonargaon, Narayanganj in 1975.  He also founded the Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala, a gallery of his own works at the Shaheeb Quarter Park on the bank of his nostalgia-infused Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh in the same year. In 1973, Zainul received  honorary D.Litt from Delhi University. He was declared National Professor of Bangladesh in 1975. NASA honoured the iconic artist by naming a crater on the planet Mercury after the painter, called the 'Abedin Crater' in 2009. The revered artist passed away in Dhaka on May 28, 1976 after losing his battle with lung cancer. He was buried beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque.