Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said there is now no scope for the BNP to come to power with the support of foreigners. “It seems that they (BNP) are dreaming that someone would come from outside of the country to put them in power. Perhaps they once were able to do so by currying favours (with others). Now there is no scope to go to power anymore taking outside favours,” she said. The premier said this while chairing a discussion arranged by Bangladesh Awami League (AL) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city, marking the Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day-2023. Hasina, also the AL president, said her party was not allowed to stage processions and rallies during the BNP regime. AL faced obstacles everywhere and its leaders and activists were tortured. Even AL women were beaten and their clothes were torn down on the streets at that time. “How can we forget it? But we didn’t go to take revenge. We paid attention to the development of Bangladesh and we worked to develop Bangladesh,” she said. She said though BNP did it, now AL does nothing against them. Even after that they are complaining and trying to buy favours at home and abroad, she added.  The PM said the people of Bangladesh are now very conscious as they know much about their country. “They know our goal. None can deny that we worked for the people. Today, the scenario of Bangladesh has massively changed. We’ve been able to develop the whole of Bangladesh not only the Dhaka city,” she said. She wondered how the people can forget the arson violence indulged by BNP and Jamaat. “They played with fire. Does the BNP think once that what would be their condition if now the people play this game of fire against them (BNP),” she said. Hasina called upon the people to be more alert against these arson terrorists. She asked her party leaders and activists to raise the misdeeds of the BNP before the people. She also questioned how those who siphon off money, sell the interest of the country and kill people burning alive now can dream to go to power again. The premier said her government transformed the country into a developing economy defying natural disasters and manmade disasters, including Covid-19 pandemic and arson violence. She said only the AL ensured the voting rights of the people. BNP was founded by an illegal power grabber and so, the birth of BNP was illegal. She asked the people of the country to reject BNP as illegal, saying that they never want the welfare of the people, rather they looted the country, stigmatized the constitution, spoiled the spirit of the Liberation War and did everything to destroy the nation during their regimes. Noting that now Bangladesh is considered as a role model for development in the world, Sheikh Hasina said the trend of this development will have to be maintained. “If you can reach information regarding our development works done in the country and respective areas to every house, we will have no problem with vote and none can snatch power anymore,” she said pointing at her party leaders and activists.  Hasina said they will not allow these miscreants (BNP) to play duck and drake with the fate of the people anymore. “No matter what happens, we can’t put the people in the hands of these monsters…. If they come to power, they will destroy the status of a developing country as well,” she said. Put importance to mother language: PM                                                         The PM asked the children to pay importance to their mother language properly alongside learning other languages in today's world which has turned into a global village. "There is no problem in learning other languages. But it is dispensable to put importance on mother language,” she said.  Hasina criticised the tendency of speaking Bangla in an English accent, saying that there should be no hesitation to speak Bangla with proper Bengali pronunciation. Bangabandhu instructed to call strike on February 21, 1952: PM Recalling the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Language Movement, she said his name from the movement was completely erased from history after 1975. But his contribution is evident in the book ‘Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Bangabandhu.” She said Bangabandhu ordered the student leaders to call the strike on February 21, 1952 as well. He made this order when the student leaders met him in the hospital while he was in jail at that time, said Hasina. At the outset of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show respect to the language movement heroes for their sacrifice, as well as the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 1975 August 15 carnage, including Babandhu. AL general secretary Obaidul Quader delivered the introductory speech in the discussion, while AL presidium members Matia Chowdhury and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, AL publicity and publication affairs sub-committee co-chairman Prof Dr Sadeka Halim, AL Information and Research Affairs Secretary Dr Salim Mahmud, publicity and publication secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap and noted actor Ferdous Ahmed, among others, spoke on the occasion.    

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said that the recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic and illusory”. “Foreigners' knowledge on Bangladesh is very limited,” he said, adding that people of the country are well aware of this. Read more: People will have better standard of living if current development trend continues: Momen The foreign minister was talking to reporters after a meeting at the community clinic of Civil Surgeon‘s office in Sylhet. Thirty lakh people sacrificed their lives to establish human rights and justice when this country was formed, Momen said. The minister said about 70-80 percent people cast their votes in elections in this country, adding that not even 25-30 percent people in many countries vote. “Candidates cannot be found in the election. But in this country, a large number of candidates compete for each post.” Read more: Govt to honour expats through National Expatriate Day: Momen Under the circumstance, Momen urged the media not to focus on foreigners’ statements. “If the media does not go to them (foreigners), they will sit idle,” he said, adding that no country has such media freedom as in Bangladesh. “Many opposition parties are spreading misinformation abroad as they do not want the country to develop,” Momen added.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday strongly criticised foreigners talking about democracy and elections in Bangladesh – saying that there are “weaknesses” in democracy everywhere including in the USA. “There are good and bad sides of democracy in all the countries. It is not a perfect situation. It is a dynamic process. It’s an evolving process. Democracy gets mature through continuous efforts,” he said. Momen made the remarks during a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when his attention was sought to US Ambassador Peter Haas’ repeated comments on democracy in Bangladesh and the upcoming national election. Read:Brunei Sultan’s state visit to Bangladesh now scheduled for Oct 15-17 He said foreigners make comments when they are approached by the media here. “You should come to us instead of going to them (with questions).” The Foreign Minister said democracy in Bangladesh has “weaknesses” but the government is trying to see how those weaknesses can be rectified. “We do have weaknesses. But that does not mean that they have (US) the best. They have their own weaknesses,” he added. Momen said, “We are not a big power. Yet we have principles and values in this country. We remain vocal where we see any injustice. This is Bangladesh.” Referring to the 1971 War of Liberation, he said when genocide was taking place in this country, they (US) did not come close to Bangladesh and when genocide was taking place in Myanmar, nobody provided them shelter. “Who did it? It is Bengal. It is Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina has the guts to open up the border on humanitarian considerations,” he continued. In his quite a long reply, Momen said Bangladesh is a leader in democracy and the people of this country gave blood in 1971. “We gave blood to establish democracy. Did you see anywhere in the world? For establishing democracy, we struggled when people’s voice was denied and when democratic rights were denied,” he said. Read:Rohingya Repatriation: Dhaka seeks more effective role from London Momen said the people of this country started the War of Independence for establishing democracy, justice and for human rights. “So, how much will others teach us? We still stand by democracy, human rights and justice.” About elections, Momen said the government does not want to see a single death during the election process. “The government is committed to holding a free, fair and transparent election. The government is committed to it,” Momen said, adding that Bangladesh Awami League came to power again and again through elections which “were known to be free and fair.”. He said they will try to ensure a free, fair and transparent election process. “It is better not to go to the foreigners.” Momen also said Sheikh Hasina also proved smooth transfer of responsibility. Momen described relatively very low vote casting in the US elections and lack of interest from the young people to come to politics. “Don’t they like your (US) democracy? Why don't young people come (forward)….you (journalists) should ask them those questions.”

Foreign envoys stationed in Dhaka on Friday paid homage to 22 people who lost their lives during the Holey Artisan Bakery attack on July 1, 2016. To mark the sixth anniversary of the attack, Japan's Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas joined the Italian embassy in Dhaka in honoring the individuals who lost their lives. Read: Holey Artisan Victim Faraaz's Heroism is Now on the Silver Screen "We remember Abinta Kabir, a U.S.-Bangladeshi dual citizen and student at Emory University, as well as her Emory classmate Faraaz Hossain, who even when given the chance to save himself chose to remain with his friends," said the US embassy in Dhaka.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has advised the so-called “pundits” of the country not to dance to the tune of foreigners but instead focus on the country’s interest saying that the newly opened Padma Bridge is a shining example in this regard.  He said it is time to realise the fact that lectures from foreigners are not always good for the country. “We should have respect for something which ensures people’s welfare. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina knows her country and her people. It is not right to just jump on the words of foreigners,” Momen said on Tuesday. The Padma Bridge is a lesson that the critics need to learn to decisions for national interest and people’s welfare, he added.

Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlin’s forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to “take back” historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Also read: Russian soldier sentenced to life at Kyiv war crimes trial Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants — identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun — will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three were “mercenaries” not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraine’s Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, “Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality.” He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraine’s armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss pronounced the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslin’s and Pinner’s families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. When the czar founded the new capital, “no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden,” Putin said. He added: “What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. That’s what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well.” Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. Also read: Russian missiles strike Kyiv, shattering sense of calm “It’s impossible — Do you understand? — impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence,” the Russian leader said. In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more “heavy weapons” to Ukraine, according to Macron’s office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not “humiliate” Putin.” Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. “Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated – this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does,” he said late Thursday in his evening address.

An estimated 200 foreigners, including Americans, left Afghanistan on a commercial flight out of Kabul on Thursday with the cooperation of the Taliban — the first such large-scale departure since U.S. forces completed their frantic withdrawal over a week ago. The Qatar Airways flight to Doha marked a breakthrough in the bumpy coordination between the U.S. and Afghanistan’s new rulers. A dayslong standoff over charter planes at another airport has left hundreds of mostly Afghan people stranded, waiting for Taliban permission to leave. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk to the media, said the Taliban’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister helped facilitate the flight. Americans, U.S. green card holders and other nationalities, including Germans, Hungarians and Canadians, were aboard, the official said. Qatari envoy Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani said another 200 passengers will leave Afghanistan on Friday. READ: Taliban control now-quiet Kabul airport after US withdrawal Ten U.S. citizens and 11 green-card holders made Thursday’s flight, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Americans organizing charter evacuation flights said they knew of more U.S. passport and green-card holders in Mazar-e-Sharif and elsewhere awaiting flights out. The White House said before the flight that there were roughly 100 U.S. citizens left in Afghanistan. But several veterans groups have said that number is too low because many citizens never bothered to tell U.S. officials they were in the country. And they said the figure overlooks green-card-carrying permanent U.S. residents living in Afghanistan who want to leave. Many thousands of Afghans remain desperate to get out, too, afraid of what Taliban rule might hold. The Taliban have repeatedly said foreigners and Afghans with proper travel documents could leave. But their assurances have been met with skepticism, and many Afghans have been unable to obtain certain paperwork. U.S. lawmakers, veterans groups and others are pressing the Biden administration to ensure that former Afghan military interpreters and others who could be in danger of Taliban reprisals for working with the Americans are allowed to leave. In the U.S., National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said that Thursday’s flight was the result of “careful and hard diplomacy and engagement” and that the Taliban “have shown flexibility, and they have been businesslike and professional in our dealings with them in this effort.” “This is a positive first step,” she said, adding that the U.S. will continue trying to extract Americans and Afghan allies who want to leave. As Taliban authorities patrolled the tarmac, passengers presented their documents for inspection and dogs sniffed luggage laid out on the ground. Some veteran airport employees had returned to their jobs after fleeing during the harrowing chaos of the U.S.-led airlift. Irfan Popalzai, 12, boarded the flight with his mother and five siblings. He said his family lives in Maryland. “I am an Afghan, but you know I am from America and I am so excited” to leave, he said. READ: As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain The airport was extensively damaged in the frenzied final days of the U.S. airlift that evacuated over 100,000 people. But Qatari authorities announced that it had been repaired with the help of experts from Qatar and Turkey and was ready for the resumption of international airline flights. “I can clearly say that this is a historic day in the history of Afghanistan as Kabul airport is now operational,” al-Qahtani said. He added: “Hopefully, life is becoming normal in Afghanistan.” The flight was the first to take off from the Kabul airport since American forces left the country at the end of August. The accompanying scenes of chaos, including Afghans plunging to their deaths from the sides of military aircraft on takeoff and a suicide bombing that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, came to define the end of America’s two-decade war. The airport is no longer the Hamid Karzai International Airport, but simply Kabul International Airport, with the name of the country’s former president removed. Several Taliban flags flew from the terminal, which was emblazoned “The Islamic Emirate seeks peaceful and positive relations with the world.” Hundreds of other Afghans who say they are at risk for helping the Americans have gathered for more than a week in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, waiting for permission to board evacuation flights chartered by U.S. supporters. Many are believed not to have the necessary travel documents. In Mazar-e-Sharif on Thursday, an Afghan who worked 15 years as an interpreter for the U.S. military was moving from hotel to hotel and running out of money as he, his eight children and his wife waited for the OK from the Taliban to leave. “I’m frightened I will be left behind,” said the man, whose name was withheld by The Associated Press for his safety. The interpreter said he was one of many former U.S. employees whose special visas the United States approved in the last weeks of the American military presence in Afghanistan. But with the U.S. Embassy closed when the Taliban took Kabul on Aug. 15, it has become impossible to get the visa stamped into his passport. He said he doesn’t trust Taliban assurances that they will not take revenge against Afghans who worked for the Americans. “No, never,” he said. “I never believe them, because they are lying.” Afghanistan war veteran Matt Zeller, who founded the organization No One Left Behind to help Afghans who supported American troops, said he does not believe it is possible for applicants to the special immigrant visa program to get a visa without an embassy in Kabul. “For all intents and purposes, these people’s chances of escaping the Taliban ended the day we left them behind,” he said. Price said the United States is looking at such steps as electronic visas to overcome the lack of an embassy in Afghanistan. The organization War Time Allies estimates as many as 20,000 special visa applicants remain in the country, not counting those eligible under a more liberal rule change made in July. Add their families to that and the total amounts to more than 80,000 people, according to the group.

Police in a drive arrested eight people, including two foreigners, from Panchaboti in the city on Tuesday night on charges of buying and selling drugs.