Deputy Chief of Staff of US Army, Lieutenant General Patrick Matlock, has highly praised the Bangladesh Armed Forces for their contribution to safeguarding national independence and establishing world peace. Speaking as the chief guest at a reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, he said the Bangladesh Armed Forces have been at the forefront of security and national independence, providing relief to fellow citizens in times of natural disasters, sheltering the destitute and bringing peace and stability around the globe. Noting that Bangladesh is the world’s largest troop contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation, Lieutenant General Matlock said the world is grateful for the sacrifice in the contribution of the Bangladeshi troops. He pointed out the partnership between the armed forces of Bangladesh and the US, and welcomed the continued expansion of this partnership for peace and prosperity in the years to come. The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC hosted the reception at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the embassy on Tuesday to celebrate the 52nd Armed Forces Day, the embassy said on Thursday. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran and Defence Attaché of the Embassy Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam spoke at the event. Lieutenant General Gerry Glavy, Deputy Commandant of US Marine Corps; Afreen Akhter, US Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; Lieutenant Colonel Seamas Whitsel, Director for South Asia Regional Affairs of US National Security Council, joined the reception, among others. BNP-Jamaat want to grab power by burning people: PM Hasina tells Armed Forces Day reception Alternate Executive Director of the World Bank Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus was also present at the function. Ambassador Imran paid deepest homage to the architect of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led the nation to achieve its long-cherished independence. He also recalled with profound respect three million martyrs, including the members of the armed forces, for their great sacrifice in the War of Liberation. He mentioned the multifaceted collaboration between the armed forces of Bangladesh and the United States, saying that the two countries share convergent views on a range of defense and security issues. The ambassador said as a development partner and friend, the US has extended support to Bangladesh in the past in its development journey, and Bangladesh looks forward to working together closely with further engagements to take the relations to new heights. Defence Attaché of Bangladesh Embassy Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam welcomed the guests at the reception and thanked the US for the support and cooperation extended that is mutually beneficial for the two countries. Minister (Political) Md. Rashedujjaman conducted the program. The function began with the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States. Then a short documentary on the activities of the Bangladesh Armed Forces was screened. Ambassadors, diplomats and defense attaches from a number of countries, senior officials from the Pentagon, Department of State, and other US organizations, members of Bangladeshi diaspora and embassy officials and employees attended the function. The program ended with the cutting of a cake by the chief guest in presence of other dignitaries. Armed Forces Day: Chiefs of three services call on President Shahabuddin

The event – Together for Turkiye – was hosted by Agile Minds Corporation in collaboration with ·       The Turkish Embassy in Bangladesh ·       TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) ·       AFAD (an on-the-ground Turkish NGO which will help with logistical and installation aspects) ·       The Earth Identity Project - NGO no. 1969 (which will help with local fund collection) ·       THRIVE (a US-registered NGO that will, in due course, provide food packages for the earthquake victims) Read More: Banglalink donates relief items for Turkey earthquake victims Mishal Karim, Chairman of Agile Minds Corporation, started his speech with a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” He then stated, “Our initiative will attempt to deliver a functional field hospital with all the required elements: 2 Air Domes - each 4,380 Square Feet, with a connecting channel of 459 Square Feet. The 2 Air Domes come with a 30KW Generator required for their operations. Furthermore, we are arranging for the donation of Sleeping bags, Battery-powered Heaters, Power banks, and Tent mats.”

Dhaka University has taken all preparations to hold its 53rd convocation with great enthusiasm on Saturday. Chancellor of the university President Abdul Hamid will preside over the grand event  while Nobel laureate French economist Prof. Jean Tirole will join it as the convocation speaker. Prof. Jean Tirole, work had a significant impact across a wide range of fields within economics, including microeconomics, game theory, and industrial organization will be awarded with Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) Degree at the event as the 53rd awardee. Graduates, postgraduate students who registered for the convocation and the invitees will only be allowed to attend the program in-person.  A total of 30,348 students have registered for the convocation of which 22,287 are from Dhaka University and 7,796 students from the affiliated colleges.  A total of 153 gold medals will be conferred on teachers, researchers and students for the research and academic excellences. Besides, 97 will receive doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree while 35 academics MPhil degree. The convocation rally is scheduled to start at 11: 55 am and the main program is expected to start on 12 pm, DU Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman said at a press conference.  Read: Alumni Association in UK to celebrate Dhaka University’s birth centenary The students of affiliated colleges will join the convocation virtually. However, a faction of the students of DU affiliated seven college staged a rally in front of the main gate of Dhaka College boycotting the virtual convocation.  Enthusiastic DU student, who have registered for the convocation, were seen moving together in groups on the campus wearing convocation gown and caps and they are busy with photo session in different postures to make the convocation memorable.  Jahirul Islam, a Dhaka University graduate who registered for the convocation, said, " Undoubtedly it is a very joyous occasion for me. I have been waiting for the day for long and it seems that I am about to touch my dream." Read: Centenary celebration of Dhaka University begins Wednesday "However, the convocation also reminds us that our days on this campus will end soon," he added.

Md Asaduzzaman from Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur, who works as a mason, has set up libraries in 16 villages. He also nurtures a dream to create a “library village,” where anyone will be able to study without paying a single taka. On Saturday, he won the Joy Bangla Youth Award in recognition of his dedicated efforts. The Joy Bangla Youth Award has been instituted by the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), a nonprofit organisation, and it has been conferred for the last six years to recognise young changemakers.

To promote Nordic businesses and investments in Bangladesh, the Embassies of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in collaboration with the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangladesh (NCCI) on Tuesday organized a business promotion event with a specific focus on sustainability. The event was arranged as a part of the Nordic countries’ celebration of 50 years of bilateral relations with Bangladesh this year. Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun,  Industries Minister, attended the event as the chief guest and highlighted the long standing, and friendly relations between Bangladesh and the Nordic countries. He expressed his hope that these ties will be strengthened even further in the imminent future, with more Nordic-Bangladeshi cooperation in areas like sustainability and business investment. The Nordic countries were among the first to recognize Bangladesh, on 4 February 1972. Over the years, the volume of trade and investment between the Nordic countries and Bangladesh has grown steadily and there is an increased interest in expanding the overall business relations. More than 100 Nordic companies do business in Bangladesh, which is a signal of a dynamic partnership in transition. Some of the Nordic investments and imports have gone beyond business purposes and helped empower millions of people (e.g., Grameenphone, H&M and Arla). During the event, the Ambassador of Denmark, Winnie Estrup Petersen, the Ambassador of Norway, Espen Rikter-Svendsen and the Ambassador of Sweden, Alex Berg von Linde stressed the importance and need for sustainability, where Nordic companies are well-placed to supply many advanced skills, goods, services and technical solutions that Bangladesh will need to continue on its path of sustainable development and economic growth. A number of Nordic companies with engagement in Bangladesh attended the event together with the Bangladesh business community, prominent business chambers and associations, government bodies and companies, development partners and representatives of the diplomatic community. READ: Denmark, Norway, Sweden celebrate 'NordicWeek,' 50 years of ties with Bangladesh The event provided an arena for discussions between a wide range of relevant stakeholders. Four breakout sessions focused on business sectors like telecom & ICT; energy and power; agriculture and food and logistics and manufacturing. The event also created an opportunity for the Nordic companies to network with Bangladeshi counterparts, and highlight their work related to sustainability in Bangladesh. The scope for increased commercial interaction between the Nordic countries and Bangladesh was emphasized during the event, and the added value of the Nordic companies in areas such as sustainability, the green transition, blue economy, smart cities, urbanization, and digitalization. The strong relation between the Nordic countries and Bangladesh was reaffirmed as well as the opportunities to expand even stronger economic ties through trade and investment.

The head of the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday took part in an event marking Japan’s LGBTQ pride week at a center in the capital, as activists and dozens of lawmakers pushed for an equality law to be enacted before the games begin in less than three months. Seiko Hashimoto visited Pride House Tokyo, an international initiative to provide a place for LGBTQ people and others to connect during the games. The first Pride House was set up during the 2010 Winter Games. Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven major industrialized nations where same-sex marriages are not legally recognized. A Japanese court ruled last month that same-sex marriage should be allowed under the constitution, although the ruling has no immediate legal effect. Also read: Japan Olympic Minister: Games could be held any time in 2020 “We need to take action now,” Hashimoto said, adding that she wants people to remember the Tokyo Games as a “turning point in achieving diversity and harmony, including understanding for LGBTQ” issues. Hashimoto toured Pride House and met with LGBTQ activists, including athletes, for talks. Elsewhere in Tokyo, over 40 lawmakers and their aides from the governing and opposition parties — all wearing matching rainbow-colored facemasks — as well as activists and supporters gathered in person and online for what they called a Rainbow Parliament event to push for enactment of an LGBTQ equality act. Tennis great and equal rights advocate Billie Jean King also sent a video message of support. Late last month, activists submitted a petition with over 106,000 signatures to the governing and opposition parties calling for an equality law before the Tokyo Games begin on July 23. They say momentum for the legislation is growing as Japan gets more attention over its handling of gender equality, diversity and other rights issues. “We hope to speed up an enactment of the equality act,” said Yuri Igarashi, co-chair of the Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation. Kanako Otsuji, a lesbian lawmaker from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said she was a target of bullying at school. “I was often called a ‘manly girl’ and bullied,” she said. Also read: Japan Olympic Minister: Games could be held any time in 2020 “Many people cannot speak up because of fear of discrimination. Then how can we change the situation? Legal protection is the only way,” she said. “For the children of the next generation to not face this kind of bullying, we need anti-discrimination laws.” Many sexual minorities still hide their sexual identities in Japan, fearing discrimination at school, work and even from their families. In addition, transgender people must have their reproductive organs removed before their gender can be changed on official documents — a requirement that international medical experts and human rights groups criticize as inhumane. Aki Nomiya, a transgender activist, said people whose appearances and official records don’t match feel especially vulnerable. “Unless we are free of fear of prejudice and discrimination, we cannot live peacefully,” she said. Gon Matsunaka, who heads Pride House Tokyo and led Hashimoto on the tour, said the sports world remains unfriendly to LGBTQ people because of its gender specificity. “In many sports, players are divided between men and women. In sports, masculinity is often emphasized because of competition in speed and power, and sexual minorities are often made fun of or harassed,” Matsunaka said.