Bangladesh is keen to assist Sierra Leone in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector alongside the field of agriculture, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told his Sierra Leonean counterpart on Tuesday in New York. “I also told him (the Sierra Leonean minister) that apart from agriculture, we have also made great progress in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and ICT. We’re keen to help Sierra Leone not only in the agricultural sector but also in the ICT sector,” said the Foreign Minister. Momen was briefing reporters over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s and his engagements as they are in New York to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly. Bangladesh Judicial Service Association slams European Parliament for ‘interference’ Talking about a bilateral meeting, he said the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, David J Francis, praised Bangladesh for its unprecedented achievements in the overall development of the agricultural sector and ensuring food security. Francis sought assistance from Bangladesh for the development of these sectors of Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leonean minister thanked Bangladesh for the contribution of its troops, who worked in the African country under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. In this context, Momen extended his sincere thanks for recognizing Bengali as a state language of the African country. “The people of Bangladesh have a very friendly attitude towards Sierra Leone,” he told his counterpart. The foreign minister of Sierra Leone requested for setting up a Bangladesh mission in his country. Momen said Bangladesh is working to expand relations with Africa and many initiatives have been taken accordingly. Traditional friendship between Bangladesh, China blooms with light of youth in new era Momen also joined a high-level meeting of the Rohingya Contact Group of OIC and called for resource mobilization from OIC members to speed up the ongoing legal process at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. In reply to a question, he said the Rohingya crisis is not our problem alone, rather it is a global issue. “We’ve given them shelter on humanitarian ground. But others (international community) also have a responsibility here. The countries that are vocal on humanitarian issues and human rights have much larger responsibility here,” he said. The foreign minister said Bangladesh often reminds them to keep pressure on Myanmar to solve the crisis. “I must say that they continue exerting enough pressure on Myanmar,” he said. Noting that Myanmar is not an enemy country of Bangladesh rather it is a neighbour, he said Myanmar agreed to take Rohingyas back to their country. It also said that they would ensure their safety and create a conducive environment for Rohingyas. But Myanmar authority has not kept their words as of today, though discussion continues on the issue, he added. “I am always optimistic. I hope our initiative taken to solve the Rohingya crisis will be a success… It is a slow process. Myanmar created this problem. So, the permanent solution to the crisis depends on Myanmar,” said Momen, adding that some 1.2 million Rohingya people are now staying in Bangladesh. Development should prioritise environmental protection over environmental damage: Dr Hossain Zillur The Bangladesh foreign minister also attended a high-level meeting on deep-sea scientific research jointly organized by Bangladesh, Argentina, and the International Seabed Authority at the United Nations headquarters.

An oil tanker exploded near Sierra Leone’s capital, killing at least 92 people and severely injuring dozens of others after large crowds gathered to collect leaking fuel, officials and witnesses said Saturday. The explosion took place late Friday after a bus struck the tanker in Wellington, a suburb just to the east of Freetown. The mortuary at Connaught Hospital reported 92 bodies had been brought in by Saturday morning. About 30 severely burned victims were not expected to survive, according to staff member Foday Musa. Also read: Huge fire extinguished at oil facility in southern Lebanon Injured people whose clothes had burned off in the fire that followed the explosion lay naked on stretchers as nurses attended to them Saturday. Video obtained by The Associated Press of the explosion’s aftermath showed a giant fireball burning in the night sky as some survivors with severe burns cried out in pain. Charred remains of the victims lay strewn at the scene awaiting transport to mortuaries. President Julius Maada Bio, who was in Scotland attending the United Nations climate talks Saturday, deplored the “horrendous loss of life.” “My profound sympathies with families who have lost loved ones and those who have been maimed as a result,” he tweeted. Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited two hospitals overnight and said Sierra Leone’s National Disaster Management Agency and others would “work tirelessly” in the wake of the emergency. Also read: Oil giants deny spreading disinformation on climate change “We are all deeply saddened by this national tragedy, and it is indeed a difficult time for our country,” he said on his Facebook page.

The man first caught a glimpse of Marie Kamara as she ran with her friends past his house near the village primary school. Soon after, he proposed to the fifth-grader.