Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the unprecedented development of Bangladesh has been possible due to unhindered democratic process since 2008. “After being elected in 2008 election, there has been unhindered democratic process prevailing in the country.  The development that is being witnessed right now has been possible for this,” she said. The prime minister said this in a programme organised to distribute Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) to nine individuals and one institution in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country. The programme to give away the highest civilian award was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Sheikh Hasina mentioned that after 1975 the democracy of the country was halted several times.  “The democratic process could not continue smoothly and there was no sustainable democratic process. As a result Bangladesh could not advance at its desired level,” she said. She also raised question regarding the way of thinking of the rulers of that time (after 1975). The PM said that the sacrifices of martyrs who laid down their lives for the country’s independence can’t go in vain. “… their blood and sacrifice can’t go in vain , we will not allow that, that is our promise and pledge,” she said. ICDDRB Senior Director Dr Firdausi Qadri expressed her feelings from among the award winners. Read more: PM Hasina hands over Independence Award among this year's winners The premier urged all to work unitedly for establishing a developed and smart Bangladesh through implementing the long-term perspective plan that seeks to develop manpower skilled in science and technology. “Bangladesh has witnessed desired development as the Awami League government has been working with a proper plan,” she said. Describing great sacrifices required to achieve something great, she mentioned that the government is achieving successes one after another due to its sincere and well planned work for the cause of the country and its people. Referring to various conspiracies against the country like false accusation of corruption in Padma Bridge construction, the PM said, Bangladesh would move ahead overcoming all such hurdles. She mentioned her government’s success in building Padma Bridge with the country’s own fund which proved that “Bangladesh too can” and “none can suppress Bangladesh” Hasina gave chronological history of country’s emergence as an independent state starting from the 1952 Language Movement to the War of liberation in 1971 under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Referring to the regimes of anti-liberation forces after 15th August tragedy in 1975, the PM said, democracy of the country was disrupted, while the illegal power grabbers distorted history of the victorious nation and the spirit of the War of Liberation.   Coming to power after long 21 years the Awami League began working to develop the country with the ideals and spirit of the independence war. The prime minister noted that her government has been able to establish Bangladesh as a developing country in the golden jubilee year of independence in 2021. Steps have also been taken to develop the children as skilled and efficient work force through science-and-technology-based education, she said, adding that the government is distributing free books, providing the students stipends and sub-stipends for their education. The PM said that poverty rate in the country has already come down to 20 percent from over 40 percent. “The nation would get a good news on further reduction of poverty soon as the collection of information and data is progressing.” Pointing out the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war, Hasina said, her government is doing everything possible to mitigate the sufferings of the people even though the entire world is going through hardship. Referring to her government’s Delta Plan-2100, the PM said it has been formulated to establish smart Bangladesh overcoming the adverse impact of the climate change so that the new generations can live with dignity.

Bangladesh’s happy run in home ODI series has finally come to an end with a 132-run massive defeat to England on Friday in Mirpur. In response to England's total of 326 for seven, Bangladesh tumbled for 194 in 44.4 overs and lost the match by a big margin. Bangladesh lost three early wickets, including two golden ducks by Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto, while replying and could never recover from that damage. In the first over of their innings, Sam Curran removed Litton and Shanto. In his second over, Curran scalped the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim as well. At this point, the onus was on Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan to guide the team to a safe position. They tried to do so, but did not succeed. After three early wickets, Shakib and Tamim added 79 runs to the board, but it was not enough for the Tigers to climb the huge target set by the tourists. Mahmudullah Riyad and Afif Hossain had a good start each, but they failed to capitalize on that against a quality bowling attack of the tourists. Read more: 2nd ODI: Roy, Buttler power England to 326 against Bangladesh Curran ended up taking the wicket of Taijul Islam, Bangladesh's last wicket, returning impressive figures of four wickets for 29 runs in 6.4 overs. Adil Rashid also bagged four wickets for England. Earlier, Jason Roy's outstanding century and Jos Buttler's useful 76 helped England reach a formidable total of 326. With this batting effort, England set themselves up to clinch the ODI series with one match in hand. This was England's highest-ever total in Bangladesh in ODIs. Ironically, Bangladesh's last home ODI series loss seven years ago was also to England. England's batting approach on the tricky Mirpur surface seemed to work well as they scored steadily throughout the innings without being overly aggressive until the last few overs. Taskin Ahmed was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh, taking three wickets, but he conceded over 60 runs in his ten overs, including 15 runs in the last over of the innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also struggled with the ball, conceding more than seven runs per over in his ten overs and taking only two wickets. Mustafizur Rahman once again raised concerns about his form, conceding 66 runs in 10 overs without any luck. To win this match, Bangladesh needed to set a new record for their highest successful chase at Mirpur. Their previous best was in 2012 when they chased down India's target of 290, thanks to fifties from Tamim, Jahurul Islam, and Nasir Hossain, with contributions from Shakib and Mushfiqur. To keep the hope of winning the series alive, Bangladesh needed a similar team effort on Friday, but they failed to do that. The third and final match of the ODI series will take place in Chattogram on March 6. After that, both teams will lock horns in a three-match T20 series.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday hoped that the US will honor Bangladesh by providing AstraZeneca vaccine apart from other vaccines saying Bangladesh sought 20 lakh doses of the vaccine from the country. “The US government told us that they will give us vaccines. They are yet to decide how many doses of vaccine they will be able to provide us. Naturally, there’ll be a push to that end so that we get it at the earliest,” he said. While talking to a small group of journalists at his office, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh needs at least 15 lakh doses of AstraZeneca immediately but sought around 20 lakh doses from the US. “I think they will honour us. Let’s see.” The US reportedly wants to give Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for Bangladesh and Bangladesh is in discussion with China and Russia over vaccine procurement. On June 3, the White House announced its plan to share vaccines directly with Bangladesh as part of a framework to provide 80 million U.S. vaccine doses globally by the end of the month. This includes 7 million doses destined for Asia. Also read: Increase in Covid-19 vaccine production in India to be 'game changer' beyond borders: US Dr Momen said he will visit New York soon to attend the General Assembly Plenary and related meetings. A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tod UNB that the Foreign Minister is likely to leave here for New York on June 13. Asked whether he will travel to Washington too, the Foreign Minister said it is not decided yet. He welcomed the win of his counterpart of Maldives Abdulla Shahid as the President of 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). “It’s a good news for us,” he said. Bangladesh has been elected Vice President for the upcoming 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from the Asia Pacific Region for a one-year term beginning from September 2021. The election was held at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday where Bangladesh was elected unanimously. Also read: China to deliver 6 lakh doses of vaccine as gift by June 13 Along with Bangladesh, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Philippines have also been elected as Vice Presidents from the Asia Pacific Region. Bangladesh last served as Vice President during the 71st session in 2016-2017. After the election, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima said Bangladesh is a flag bearer of multilateralism and believes in the leadership of the UN in addressing the complex challenges facing the current world. "Bangladesh maintains principled and constructive position in various global discourses in the field of development, peace and security and human rights. Today’s election demonstrates the trust that the international community reposes on Bangladesh in the multilateral fora” she said. The 76th session of the UN general assembly would be of particular significance as the world recovers from the COVID 19 pandemic and its multidimensional impacts, said the Bangladesh Mission in the UN on Tuesday. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), consists of all the 193 Member States, and serves as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the UN Charter. It meets under its president in annual sessions and generally starts from September, at UN headquarters in New York.