United News of Bangladesh

Qatar Charity, with the support of philanthropists in Qatar, has launched a 10-day medical camp in Bangladesh for around 100 children suffering from congenital heart diseases. The medical intervention started on February 14 and will continue till February 24, 2024, aiming to treat the children whose families were completely incapable of affording the expenses of the treatment and the procedure, said a media release. QC’s medical team is conducting this medical intervention at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in the capital, Dhaka. The medical camp is staffed by two pediatric cardiologists and consultants in interventional catheter procedures from the University of Texas, US, a pediatric cardiologist from the University of Jordan, a senior medical technologist, and an anesthesiologist from different countries, in addition to many local medical staff, it reads. This medical camp includes all the required preparation for the patients including devices, medical tests, hospital stay, and the other essential medical interventions. “We have started the QC’s medical campaign and it will be continued till 24th February this month. The children who we treated and plan to treat, hopefully, all of them will be cured of their heart diseases,” told Dr. Iyad AL-Ammouri, a pediatric cardiologist from the University of Jordan after conducting a procedure, according the release.

A 17-year-old youth, who was stabbed by his rivals centring a previous enmity in Chattogram city’s Chandgaon area Friday, died while undergoing treatment Saturday. The deceased Md Sajjad Hossain was son of one Abu Siddique of Khalifa Para under Chandgaon police station and an auto electric mechanic by profession. Police, however, arrested two youths--Mohammad Farhad alias Faruk, 18, and Mohammad Shamim Hossain, 17, in this connection. Chandgaon police station Officer-in-Charge Jahedul Kabir confirmed the matter saying the victim and some locals including the arrestees and Wasim got locked in an altercation over their previous enmity in front of a tea stall in the area Friday night. At one stage of the brawl, the rivals stabbed the mechanic with sharp weapons leaving him critically injured, he said. He was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment Saturday afternoon, the OC said. Two accused have so far been arrested and a knife suspected to be used in the killing was recovered, the police officer said, adding that a case was lodged in this connection.

Highlighting Awami League’s commitment to the country, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said on Saturday that Sheikh Hasina would never do anything ignoring the interest of the country. “We’ve not made a deal to sell the country and won’t do so. Sheikh Hasina will never do anything leaving aside the interest of the country,” he asserted. State Minister Khalid said this while addressing the opening ceremony of ‘installation and handing over’ of export-oriented cargo container scanners attached to the security system of Chattogram Port Authority adjacent to Gate No. 4 of Chattogram Port, as the chief guest. He said that Sheikh Hasina thinks holistically and her government will do nothing which goes against the interest of the country. Addressing foreign investment to the country, Khalid Mahmud informed that 'brotherly country' Saudi Arabia has invested for operation of Patenga Container Terminal in Chattogram Port while some countries are in pipeline to invest which will make the country’s economy stronger. The state minister informed that their utmost efforts are on to maintain the international standard of the Chattogram port following the ‘International Ship and Port Facility Security Code’. He said the Chattogram Port has been developed as a time-befitting port with the installation of modern security equipment to call this port a safe port in the international arena. Not only this port, but also Mongla, Payra and others ports, are being digitalised, where scanners will be set up, the state minister for shipping informed. He informed that the country’s first and prime port has been moving ahead with the cooperation from all including stakeholders and it touched a new milestone of improvement through breaking the previous record of cargo handling. Addressing the efficiency of the two scanners set up at a cost of Tk 86 crore, he said each would be able to scan 150 containers per hour. He informed that the operation of the Patenga Container Terminal has already begun while construction work of green port ‘Bay Terminal’ is underway. The 12-metre depth and 280-metre length vessels having capacity of containing 6,000 containers will be able to anchor in sea once the Bay Terminal starts functioning. Narrating the facilities of the scanners, the state minister said transit and transshipment in transporting goods to neighbouring countries will increase due to the scanners, he said, hoping that it will play a pivotal role in the improvement of the country's economy. To reap the benefits of the timely steps taken by the present government to implement the vision of a developed and prosperous smart Bangladesh by 2041, the scanners were added to the security fleet of the port which will accelerate the shipping process of export goods, reduce container congestion in the port, facilitate legitimate trade, prevent the export of illegal and risky goods. Moreover, it will help to play a leading role in implementing consistent and effective measures. Under the project, two container scanners, two sets of radioactive portal monitors and scanned image monitoring centers and real-time CCTV and image monitoring systems have been set up at two export-oriented gates. As a result, through effective enforcement and voluntary compliance in cargo exports, it will be possible to prevent interference by conventional persons in the existing cargo testing system. Charied by Chattogram Port Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, Senior Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Md Mostafa Kamal, Project Director and the port’s Director (security) Lt. Col Mostafa Arifur Rahman Khan, among others spoke on the occasion.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Saturday said 100 percent prepaid gas meters will be installed within the next four years. "Every consumer will come under prepaid gas meters within the next four years," he said. He came up with these remarks after visiting the head office of Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited in Sylhet on Saturday (February 17) morning. Nasrul Hamid said, "We want to complete prepaid meters' installation as soon as possible. I talked with different companies. Now, many including the World Bank, and ADB want to finance. They will install about 30 lakh meters". He also expressed his satisfaction with the services of JGTDSL. "They have no system loss and no illegal connections. I saw the data centre and thought it was great," he said. At that time, a lawmaker from Sylhet-3  MPHabibur Rahman Habib, Company Managing Director Md. Atiqur Rahman, Project Director and General Manager (Marketing) Liton Kumar Nandi and senior officials were present. Earlier, the State Minister inaugurated the Bangabandhu Corner and prepaid meter project data centre at the head office.  

Warning strict action against black marketing, Railways Minister Md Zillul Hakim said on Saturday that the black marketing of train tickets will be eliminated. Moreover, irregularities in land management on the part of his ministry, will be scrutinised, he said. The minister made these remarks while exchanging views with reporters during his visits to several establishments of Bangladesh Railway (BR) in Lalmonirhat and Dinajpur districts Saturday. “Black marketing of tickets will be stopped, you already know that some people involved in the black marketing of tickets have been rounded up, legal actions against them will be taken and punished,” he said, warning that the black marketing will be curbed strictly. Addressing a bright future of the BR, he stressed the need for changing the mindset of authorities concerned including railway officers and staff to boost its production. Minister Zillul informed that the BR has been lagging behind due to lack of skilled manpower as the then BNP had fired adroit manpower through ‘Golden Handshake’ policy. Urging all to work together to turn the people-friendly transport sector into a profitable organisation, the minister said the efficiency of the BR will be accelerated through recruiting skilled manpower soon.

Former students of the Communication and Media Studies (CMS) Department at the University of Development Alternative (UODA) have formally initiated the establishment of their alumni association, named the UODA CMS Alumni Association (UCAA). The inauguration took place at a restaurant in the capital's Dhanmondi area, where the UCAA formed its inaugural committee in the presence of over 100 former students of the department. Ashikur Rahman, a student from the 15th batch, was elected as the president of the 27-member executive committee of the association. His classmate, Kushal Yasir, was chosen as the UCAA's general secretary, while Mahadi Hasan from the 32nd batch was selected as its treasurer. 7 deaths on Mymensingh road: Bus driver, helper arrested All members of the committee agreed during the program to publish an annual magazine on communication and mass media. The department was established in 2002, and since then, more than 500 students have studied in it. After completing their studies, they are now employed in reputable organizations both at home and abroad. On April 25, 2015, former students of the department initiated the formation of the Alumni Association. A convening committee list was also published for this purpose. Then, on December 10, 2017, the founder of the university, Professor Mujib Khan, discussed the matter during an event held by the former students. The UCAA will primarily serve as a bridge for all former students of the department. The office-bearers of the platform stated that through the UCAA, they would organize rallies, seminars, and exhibitions to help enhance professional skills in journalism and mass communication. Additionally, they would contribute to improving the standard of education in the department. The UCAA, they said, would launch scholarships and student loans for existing students of the department.

A statement issued by Grameen Bank in response to two press conferences held Thursday by Prof. Muhammad Yunus and others at Grameen Telecom Bhaban, claims that the articles of association of Grameen Telecom and Grameen Kalyan - two of the 8 social enterprises alleged to have been forcefully taken over by Grameen Bank - were not changed after 2009, as claimed by the entities themselves. A media statement issued by the bank and signed by its media cell head, Anju Ara Begum, rejected Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus’s allegation that they grabbed Grameen institutions, saying that the accusation is misleading and false. We also learn from it what led to the incidents of last Monday, February 12 - notably painting a much more benign picture of what transpired on the day, from that described by Yunus, or the MDs of Grameen Telecom and Kalyan. Grameen Bank has forcefully occupied 8 institutions housed in Grameen Telecom: Muhammad Yunus It said that the 155th board meeting of Grameen Bank was held on February 12, and there the chairman and a specified number of directors were nominated to the boards of seven institutions, including Grameen Telecom and Grameen Kalyan. Grameen Bank asserts it possesses the legal authority to appoint a chairman and a specified number of directors in institutions created with its financial cooperation and benefits - the latter portion of that, i.e. Grameen Bank monies being used to create them, was repeatedly, vehemently denied by Dr Yunus and the MDs of Grameen Telecom and Kalyan.  The statement also referred to the sections in the two institutions’ formative documents to support the claim:  Articles 51 and 35(iii) of the Articles of Association of Grameen Telecom and Articles 32(iii)) and 48 of the Articles of Association of Grameen Kalyan. Grameen Bank asserts that Yunus was nominated as the chairman of the Grameen Telecom in 1995 and Grameen Kalyan in 1996 in accordance with the Articles of Association of these institutions. At the Telecom Bhaban press conference, Nazmul Islam, managing director of Grameen Telecom, revealed that the individuals claiming some association with Grameen Bank, cited the 1995 Act to justify their actions, suggesting Grameen Bank had the authority to change Grameen Kalyan's leadership. However, Islam maintained that this claim was erroneous, as the relevant rule was amended after 2009 and Grameen Kalyan operates independently. ‘Faced many dangers before, but this is the greatest danger we ever faced’: Dr Yunus Grameen Bank in its Thursday statement claimed this was ‘false, fabricated, misleading and deliberate’. In a second press conference held at the same venue around 40 mins later, Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun, legal advisor to Grameen Telecom, said according to articles of association drawn up in 1995 for Grameen Telecom and 1996 for Grameen Kalyan, Grameen Bank had the authority to nominate, not appoint - a key difference - three directors to the board of Grameen Telecom and two to the board of Kalyan. They could also nominate the chairman. Grameen Bank was now apparently forcefully appointing the chairman of the two entities, but this was unlawful, Barrister Mamun said. After staging the initial grab at around 4.30pm on Monday,  they said a ‘letter was coming (from Grameen Bank) appointing new chairmen’ for Telecom and Kalyan. They subsequently padlocked those two offices and left around 7pm.  Eventually a letter arrived around 9pm, but as per Barrister Mamun’s interpretation, the circumstances in which they arose do not allow for any validity to their contents. “Their nominations have to be accepted in a meeting by the two entities themselves. There is no scope for them to force their choice and seat them as the chair or director,” he said. “Besides, after the changes in 2009, the articles of association were changed and notified to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies.” Petition filed with HC challenging stay order on imprisonment of Dr Yunus The GB statement further said that in line with the recent decisions made during the 155th meeting, Grameen Bank representatives ‘visited’ six institutions located at Telecom Bhaban, following legal provisions. It claims its representatives were welcomed and cooperated with during the visit, as they handed over the decision letter of the Grameen Bank board meeting to the higher authorities of the institutions in accordance with the rules. Grameen Kalyan MD Moinuddin Chowdhury however had described the GB representatives’ behaviour across the two days as beneath civil. He alleged they created a hostile environment and even resorted to verbally abusing one of their finance officials, and had the staff bring them food - going against the culture of the companies. Yunus himself, describing the new Telecom Bhaban as a ‘beautiful, new home’ for him and his colleagues at 16 social enterprises housed at the building on Mirpur’s Zoo Road, lamented: “We were only in our own home, minding our own business. We don’t go looking for trouble. Why did it have to come looking for us?” The Grameen Bank board meanwhile, in its statement expressed the hope that the decisions made during its 155th board meeting “will contribute to fulfilling the commitment upon which Grameen Bank was established.” ACC submits chargesheet against Yunus, 13 others for allegedly embezzling Tk 25.22 crore But the decisions made at its 155th board meeting are the most significant points of departure from between Grameen Bank and the social enterprises, since it would mean the removal of Dr Yunus as chairman, and most likely altogether, from the social enterprises he inspired.  The GB statement also challenged what it called “Yunus’s claim of ownership over the Grameen Bank and institutions it created.”  We could find no instance of such a claim being made by the Nobel laureate on Thursday.  Rather it was clarified on more than one occasion that he is an unsalaried chairman of the social enterprises. Not their owner.   US wants a ‘fair and transparent’ legal process regarding case against Prof Yunus

Metro rail services in Dhaka were temporarily suspended for over an hour on Saturday, resuming operations at 3:40 pm, following a technical fault that disrupted the Uttara to Motijheel route, causing inconvenience to numerous commuters. Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Director (Operation and Maintenance) at Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), acknowledged the service disruption and assured that an investigation into the fault was underway, promising a swift resumption of services. Metro rail increases trips, commuters elated The interruption sparked frustration among regular passengers, who voiced concerns over the recurring nature of such disruptions. Hasan Mahmud, a regular user of the metro rail, recounted his experience of waiting at the station for over an hour, highlighting the inconvenience caused by these frequent service halts. 2 arrested in drive against kite flying in Metro Rail area Since its inauguration in December 2022, Dhaka's metro rail, initially operating between Uttara and Agargaon and later extended to Motijheel in November 2023, has faced calls from commuters for enhanced reliability and efficiency to avoid such disturbances in the future. Metro Rail to run after every 8 minutes during peak hours from Saturday

Bangladesh's State Minister for Power, Energy, and Minerals Resources Nasrul Hamid hoped that 1.6 TCF (trillion cubic feet) more gas will be found at the Kailashtila gas field in Golapganj upazila of Sylhet. It will be confirmed once the drilling is completed within the next four months, he said. The state minister made the remarks after visiting the Kailashtila well No 8 on Saturday (February 17, 2024). Nasrul said the Kailashtila field previously had 3 TCF reserves and more gas reserve will be found once the current search wells are drilled. Read: Massive fire set off by gas explosion in Kenya's capital kills at least 3 people, injures over 270  “We are waiting for you to take initiative. The ministry does not undertake any project. We want everyone to show their capability. Sylhet gas field has moved forward, taking on more projects. We want others to come forward as well, ” he told officials. Mizanur Rahman, managing director of Sylhet Gas Fields Limited, said seven wells were drilled in Kailashtila earlier, and gas was found in every well. “It is expected to find more than 1 TCF of gas after digging at 3500 meters of the well,” he said.  The drilling of the Kailashtila-8 well started on January 11 this year. The work is expected to be completed in 120 days. State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) is digging the well. Read: Gas crisis puts 3 major fertilizer factories out of production for nine days in Ctg  Besides, there is an existing transmission  only one and a half kilometers away and a usable process plant at a distance of two and a half kilometers. Although gas is surplus in many areas, including Bhola, and Zakiganj, it cannot be used as there is no transmission.

An unidentified woman was killed when hit by a train in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Saturday. Quoting witnesses, Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said the train hit the woman, aged about 39, while crossing the Hatirjheel-Moghbazar level crossing around 9 am, leaving her injured. Read: Woman, son dies as bus hits motorcycle in Tangail  Later, she was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries around 11 am. The body was kept at the hospital morgue, said Bachhu Mia.