Argentine President Alberto Fernández today said his country is working to reopen a diplomatic mission in Dhaka next year. He also thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for greeting the Argentina football team on its FIFA World Cup 2022 victory, according to a press release from PM’s Press Wing. Also read: ‘Let’s deepen this link’: Argentina’s president thanks Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh “We’ve watched closely the celebrations of the friendly people of Bangladesh in support of the (Argentina) team,” he said in a letter to PM Hasina. Sports is a powerful tool of engagement between people, the letter added. The Argentine president said his country is grateful for the Bangladeshi enthusiasm for the football team’s success and that it confirms the path of friendship between the nations. Read More: Argentina’s foreign minister says will open embassy in Dhaka: Media report. The letter also mentioned that both countries have completed 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. “I reaffirm to you our commitment to the consolidation of the friendship ties which unite us, being the establishment of diplomatic missions in the respective capitals the right way in this regard,” he wrote. “On this, we will remain working for the next reopening of our diplomatic mission in Dhaka during the year 2023, as confirmation of the path we have decided to take in our bilateral relations,” Argentina President Alberto Fernández wrote in his letter.

Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka on Monday observed the 47th Martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day with due solemnity. High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam commenced the day-long observance by the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and by placing a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation. A special prayer was offered for the Father of the Nation and his martyred family members and the continuous peace and prosperity of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The messages of high dignitaries of Bangladesh given on this occasion were read out. In the evening, a meeting of remembrance was held at the High Commission with the participation of some dignitaries from Sri Lanka, community members of Bangladesh and staff members of the High Commission. Read: President observed National Mourning Day It started with one-minute silence as a mark of respect to all the martyrs of 15th August of 1975. Then a documentary titled “Bangabandhu – Forever in our hearts” was screened.  In the open discussion, the speakers highlighted the philosophy, ideals, and different aspects of the eventful life of Bangabandhu. The speakers included the Country Director of World Food Programme (WFP) Abdur Rahim Siddique, former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Crisanthe De Silva, and Director General of SACEP Dr Masumur Rhman.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC has observed the 92nd birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recalling Bangamata's great sacrifice and dedication to her family, society and the nation. The Embassy organised different programmes at the Bangabandhu Auditorium on the occasion on Monday. Messages from the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion were read out by Defence Attaché Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam and Minister (Political) Dewan Ali Ashraf. Later, a discussion session was held, which was presided over by M Shahidul Islam, Ambassdor of Bangladesh to the United States, and participated by Senior Secretary of the Defence Ministry of Bangladesh Golam Md Hashibul Alam as the guest of honor. Read:Cultural organisations observe Bangamata’s 92nd birth anniversary Defence Secretary Hashibul Alam paid tributes to Bangamata and remembered Bangamata’s role as the life partner of the Father of the Nation, as well as her contribution to the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. Ambassador Islam highlighted Bangamata's tremendous sacrifice and dedication to her family, society and nation as well as her influence in the life of Bangabandhu, and her behind-the-scene but pivotal role in determining the course of the history of Bangladesh. Eminent journalist and newscaster Roquia Haidar, Deputy Chief of Mission Ferdousi Shahriar and Counsellor Arifa Rahman Ruma also spoke on the occasion. Counsellor and Head of Chancery Md Mahmudul Islam conducted the programmes. After the discussion, a documentary on the life and works of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib was screened. A special prayer was offered, seeking eternal peace for departed souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, their family members, and others martyred on the fateful night of 15 August 1975. Earlier, the Defence Secretary and the Ambassador placed a floral wreath at the portrait of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib to pay their homage. Senior officers of the Embassy were present on the occasion.

A policeman deployed at Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata went on a shooting spree on Friday afternoon, killing a woman passerby and wounding two others before turning the self-loading rifle on himself. All diplomatic and non-diplomatic staff at the Bangladesh mission are safe, UNB has learnt. Also read: 26 killed in India bus accident Local TV channels reported, quoting eye-witnesses, that the rogue cop roamed in the area for nearly an hour before firing at least 10 rounds near the high commission in the posh Park Circus area of the city. Senior Kolkata Police officers, including the commissioner, who rushed to the spot soon after the shooting spree identified the rogue cop as Tudup Lepcha. He was with the 5th battalion of the Kolkata Armed Police. Also read:Hindu banker and a worker from India fatally shot in Kashmir "He was roaming in the area for an hour before suddenly opening fire, locals told us. One woman was killed and two others sustained bullet injuries, following which the cop also shot himself dead," Kolkata Police chief Vineet Goyal told the media. "We're collecting the footage of CCTV cameras installed in the area and will probe all aspects of the case," he added.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Shameem Ahsan has said they are working closely with the Italian side to repatriate the bodies of identified seven Bangladeshi nationals to Bangladesh.  He said they have been informed that burial will not take place tomorrow (Monday) in Italy as reported by some people.  "We strongly urged the Italian side to stop burial by any means and bodies must be sent to Bangladesh and they agreed," he said in a message. The seven Bangladeshis who died on the way to Italy from Libya due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold have been identified. Read Also: Dozen migrants feared drowned in capsising off Libya: UN Their identities were disclosed on Sunday, said officials at the Bangladesh Mission in Rome. The deceased were identified as Imran Hossain, Ratan, Shafayet, Zahirul, Bappi of Madaripur district, Sazzad of Sunamganj district and Saiful of Kishoreganj district. Sources in Italy primarily confirmed that 273, out of 287 migrants, on board were from Bangladesh, and seven of them died, and the rest are Egyptian nationals, said the Bangladesh Mission in Rome. A two-member team of the Bangladesh Mission in Rome talked to other migrants and confirmed their identities. However, no identification was received from the Italian authorities. The seven bodies of Bangladesh nationals have already been sent to Agrigento (a place in Sicily) to be kept in the mortuary till their repatriation and burial. On receiving the information of the tragic incident on January 25, the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome has been in constant touch with the relevant Italian authorities, including two Honorary Consuls General of Bangladesh to Catania and Palermo to gather authentic information and take appropriate measures from the Bangladesh side, said the Bangladesh Mission in Rome on Friday night. Also read: 20 migrants dead off Tunisia after boat sinks, more missing A two-member team, led by Md Arfanul Hoque, Counsellor (Labour Welfare), accompanied by an Italian-knowing official, reached Lampedusa island, Italy on January 26. The Labour Councillor met Deputy Mayor of Lampedusa Prestipino Salvatore (Mayor was outside the station) on January 27. During the meeting, both sides discussed the tragic incident and possible strategies and arrangements to prevent it in the future and closer coordination between the Italian side and the Embassy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is in constant touch with the Bangladesh Mission in South Africa to help Bangladeshis in Swaziland who are worried over the current situation there, said a senior official on Friday. "We’re in constant touch with our Mission," Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told UNB. She said the Bangladesh Mission in South Africa will facilitate if any Bangladesh national requires any support. Also read: Section of global media, CSOs campaigning against Bhasan Char with distorted info: MoFA One of the Bangladesh nationals in South Africa reached out to UNB saying Bangladesh nationals, around 1200 to 1300, in Swaziland are much worried over the current situation there. He said their business establishments are mostly looted. Pro-democracy protesters in Eswatini have defied an overnight curfew to call for constitutional reforms as tensions increase in Africa’s last absolute monarchy. Demonstrations flared on Monday in the tiny and landlocked kingdom previously known as Swaziland, with protesters taking to the streets in the two largest cities of Manzini and Mbabane, reports Al Jazeera. Also read: MoFA introduces Public Diplomacy wing The Bangladesh Mission in South Africa is also in touch with the South African Foreign Ministry in this regard, said a diplomatic source. Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, is still commonly known in English as Swaziland and it is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west and south.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have organised a dance performance marking the Mujib Borsho and celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India. Bangladesh High Commission and ICCR jointly organised the cultural programme at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan auditorium on Saturday evening. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran and Director General of ICCR Dinesh K Patnaik spoke on a pleasant cultural evening. The High Commissioner said that in the last 50 years, Bangladesh-India relations have always shown utmost sincerity of the question of friendship. Also read: Bangladesh reached unique height in last 50 years: Indian Minister "Our two countries have historical and cultural ties. The people of Bangladesh are forever indebted to the government of India as well as of the people of the country for their role in the great freedom fight," he said. The envoy said on the golden jubilee of independence, Bangladesh has been graduated  to the list of developing countries under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Now a days the development of Bangladesh is appreciated all over the world, he said. He said the per capita income and purchasing power of the people of Bangladesh has increased a lot. Many Bangladeshis come to visit India, they shop here and many students come to study. ICCR Director General Dinesh K Patnaik said that at 50 years of Independence of Bangladesh, India is remembering the great architect of Bangladesh's Independence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with deep gratitude. He also lauded the sincere roll of the people of two countries in strengthening the India-Bangladesh Friendship. The cultural ties between the two countries are also part of our heritage. Also read: Bangladeshi boy wins global art contest by ICCR He said in the last 50 years, it has been proved that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger. The cultural programme was on the theme of the great independence of Bangladesh, the culture and the beautiful nature of Bangladesh and heroic struggle of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by Shristi Cultural organization. Also read: India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima has called for creating employment and other opportunities for those people who are left behind.