United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat has said that no media house can retrench journalists suddenly or with short notice. “Notice of retrenchment to anyone must be served at least three months before implementation," he said. The state minister said at a meeting with a Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC) delegation at his ministry's conference room in the Secretariat on Wednesday. Sundarbans Day: World's largest mangrove forest draws growing number of tourists He also said that the government doesn’t want to suppress freedom of speech while preventing misinformation. He also agreed to a demand placed by journalists to bring social media under a policy and ensure accountability. "As journalists underscored the need to bring all social media, including YouTube and Facebook, under a policy and accountability, I, as the state minister for information and broadcasting, just agreed to the demand and will try to fulfill it after consulting with journalists and other stakeholders," he said. “Legal action will  be taken against the journalists involved in irregularities,” he warned. "No one can run television without Cleanfeed, if they do; they will also be brought under justice,” the state minister added. Women now empowered in Bangladesh: PM At that time, the state minister sought cooperation from journalists in fulfilling their (journalists) demands. The work of digitizing the cable network service across the country will begin soon, the state minister said.

All political parties in Bangladesh except the ruling Awami League want to come get rid of capacity payments in the power sector, according to an analysis by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) released on Wednesday. The think tank presented the report at a seminar titled: “Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Transition in Bangladesh: A Citizen’s Manifesto” at BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium in the city. Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of CPD, made the keynote presentation at the seminar, presided over by its Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun. Huge potential for overseas investment in renewable energy sector of Bangladesh: Speakers at CPD event He said that the reduction of over generation of power capacity is missing in the Awami League’s election manifesto announced before the January 7 parliamentary vote. Golam Moazzem said that most of the political parties except Awami League in Bangladesh agreed to come out of the capacity payment, end the over dominance of existing fossil fuel based energy system, energy mix and diversification and reduce the dependency on import of power. But it is missing in the Awami League’s election manifesto, he said. The seminar was addressed by Tanvir Shakil Joy, MP, Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Mohammad Hossain, Director General of Power Cell of Power Division, Dr M Tamim, Professor and Dean of Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty, BUET and Former Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor; Md. Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director, Centre for Energy Research (CER), United International University (UIU); Mr Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN); Abul Kalam Azad, Manager, ActionAid; and Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The speakers said the government must reduce dependency on import of power and primary energy. Or else, the power and energy sector would not get rid of continuous losses. AL lawmaker Tanvir Shakil said reaching the goal of cent percent electrification of the country has been the biggest success of the Awami League government. “The demand of the people is to get electricity. They don’t want to wait for electricity anymore and don’t want to see the cost of production”, he said adding, there might be some mistakes, but we’re trying to come out of those.     He said the main obstacle in promotion of renewable energy is scarcity of land in the country.   Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain said that the power and energy sector has to be looked at in a holistic approach. He said the government cannot overnight shift its plan to move for energy transition. Dr Tamim said the government can easily offset 3000 MW of electricity shortage with daytime solar power, but there is no such plan. Bangladesh will need $10 billion annually to import primary fuel for power generation: CPD He said under the current plan 10,000 MW of coal power plants will be running for next 20 years. Shafiqul Alam said import of electricity and energy is leading to an increase in the shortage of dollars in the country. “We need to enhance our exploration effort of local gas to reduce dependency on imports”, he added. ActionAid’s Abul Kalam Azad said the country had to spend Tk 52,000 crore in buying electricity from the private producers, Tk 17,000 crore in capacity payment during the last financial year (FY2022-23).

The festival-loving people of the country have been celebration Pahela Falgun, the first day of Spring in the Bengali month of Falgun, with colourful attire, flower and songs. Falgun is the eleventh month in the Bengali calendar and the first month of the season, Spring. Warm sunshine, blooming flowers and chirping birds make Spring the king of all the six seasons in Bangladesh. Bakultala of Charukola, the premises of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, has become the center of celebration in the capital as thousands of people gathered there this morning on the occasion of Pahela Falgun. The tradition of celebrating the Pahela Falgun in Bangladesh started in the Bengali calendar year 1401. Since then, the Jatiya Bawshonto Utsab Udyapan Parishad has been celebrating Pahela Falgun regularly with jovial cultural festivity at the Bakultala of Charukola (Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art) in the morning. Jashore flower growers eye Tk 70 cr sale in the month of language, Falgun, Valentine’s Day

Three hundred thirty three members of Myanmar security forces and others, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh amid conflict between Myanmar military and armed rebel group there, will be sent back to their country by a ship on Thursday. Under the supervision of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Myanmar nationals, including members of Border Guard Police (BGP), will be handed over to the authorities of Myanmar at 8 am through Naval jetty ghat in Inani of Cox’s Bazar district, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of BGB on Wednesday. BGB detains female 'international smuggler' with 2kg gold  Earlier on Tuesday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said that the security forces’ members  will be sent back to Myanmar very soon. A tense situation has been prevailing along the border between Bandarban's Naikhongchhari Ghumdhum and Tumbru amid fierce fighting, skirmishes and gunfire between the armed forces of the military ruler and insurgent groups inside Myanmar for over two weeks. Amid  the conflict, 330 members of Myanmar army, border guards, police, immigration and other officials took refuge recently in Bangladesh. BGB sues 23 Rohingyas who intruded into Bangladesh with arms, weapons Meanwhile, two people--a Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man-- were killed when mortar shells from the Myanmar side landed on a kitchen at Jalpaitli village of Ghumdhum union in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban recently.

During a workshop on Wednesday, experts underscored the critical need to incorporate underprivileged children into the mainstream developmental framework, warning that failing to do so could adversely affect families, society, and the nation's progress.  The event, titled 'Role of Stakeholders for Mainstreaming the Development of Underprivileged Children,' was jointly organized by the Social Service Department and the Bangladesh Child Rights Forum, supported by Max Foundation, at the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation auditorium. Khairul Alam Sheikh, Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry, highlighted the plight of children engaged in hazardous labor, emphasizing their deprivation from basic rights including education, health, and recreation. He pointed to the "National Child Labor Elimination Policy 2010" and its accompanying action plan (2021-2025) as pivotal government efforts to address child labor issues, stressing the importance of their effective implementation. Abu Saleh Mostofa Kamal, Director General of the Social Service Department, shed light on the dire situations of street children, many of whom succumb to drug addiction and criminal activities due to inadequate supervision. He called for concerted efforts to reintegrate these children into society for the collective welfare. Read: ‘Women’s Night’ for RMG women entrepreneurs held ahead of BGMEA elections  Imam Mahmud Riyad, Country Director of Max Foundation, advocated for encouraging child participation in sports, recreational, and cultural activities as part of their holistic development. Mahbubul Haque, Chairperson of the Child Rights Forum, presided over the workshop, emphasizing that Bangladesh's continued development hinges on integrating vulnerable children into society's fabric.  Shaheen Akhtar Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, noted that while various government, international, and non-governmental organizations run programs for child and adolescent development, coordination efforts led by the Bangladesh Child Rights Forum could streamline these initiatives for greater impact. Read: World Radio Day: Betar playing role in country's development, says Arafat  The workshop brought together key figures to discuss strategies for including underprivileged children in Bangladesh's developmental journey, aligning with the government's master plan and Sustainable Development Goals for child welfare, and fostering a developed Bangladesh.

In a heart-wrenching incident, Preeti Urang, a 15-year-old girl from Mirtinga village in Moulvibazar's Kamalganj upazila, died after a fall from the eighth floor of a building in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area. Her father, Lokesh Urang, expressed his profound grief, stating that poverty had driven them to send her to work as a domestic helper in the capital. While speaking to UNB at the Mirtinga Tea Estate, Lokesh recounted the devastating return of his daughter's body from Dhaka. Preeti had been employed at the residence of The Daily Star Executive Editor Syed Ashfaqul Haque in Mohammadpur, where the tragic incident occurred on February 6. Lokesh, a day laborer and a father of four, lamented the loss of Preeti, revealing the family's struggle to make ends meet by fishing and selling their catch. Nomita Urang, Preeti's mother, disclosed that they were initially offered Tk 10,000 when her daughter was employed, but she and her husband suggested it be saved for Preeti’s marriage. Following Preeti's death, only Tk 5,000 was provided, Nomita said. Read: Preeti’s death at journalist’s house: Parents demand justice Dhana Bauri, local unit president of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, acknowledged the family's dire financial situation. Ram Bhajan Koiri, former general secretary of Bangladesh Tea Workers Union and vice-chairman of Kamalganj union parishad, criticized the exploitation of tea garden workers by influential individuals, calling for clarity on the circumstances leading to Preeti's death. The local community, deeply affected by the tragedy, has staged protests demanding a fair investigation and justice for Preeti, who had been isolated from her family during her two-year employment. Following the incident, Lokesh initiated legal action against Ashfaqul and his wife Tania Khandaker under section 304 (ka), leading to their incarceration after the court denied their bail petitions. The court has since permitted police to conduct a three-day interrogation at the jail gate. In a recent development, a Dhaka court granted a four-day remand for both Syed Ashfaqul Haque and his wife Tania Khandaker, intensifying the quest for answers and accountability in this tragic case. Read more: 'Unveil true circumstances of Preeti's death': Domestic Workers Rights Network

A view-change meeting titled ‘Women’s Night’ for the women entrepreneurs of the garment industry was held at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka, ahead of the upcoming election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The Sammilito Parishad organized the meeting on Tuesday. A substantial number of women entrepreneurs participated in the event, said a press release issued on Tuesday. The female members of the BGMEA Board, spouses of former BGMEA presidents and current Board Members, the Senior Vice President of BGMEA and Panel Leader of Sammilito Parishad, SM Mannan (Kochi), attended the event. Explore new markets for Bangladesh's export items: PM Hasina tells BGMEA The candidates from the Sammilito Parishad for the upcoming BGMEA election, and various industry stakeholders, were also present at the program. On behalf of the women entrepreneurs, Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Director, BGMEA, introduced SM Mannan (Kochi) and other candidates from the Sammilito Parishad during the ‘Women’s Night’ event. There are two women entrepreneur candidates in the Sammilito Parishad. One is Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, the current board Director of BGMEA, while the other is Nusrat Bari Asha. At the program, women entrepreneurs mentioned the support they received from BGMEA, particularly under the leadership of the Sammilito Parishad. Indonesian Ambassador and BGMEA President discuss bilateral trade opportunities They said the journey of women entrepreneurs in the garment industry has not been smooth. Although the number of women entrepreneurs in this industry is gradually increasing, they are constantly faced with various obstacles and harassment in business management and expansion. They said the boards under the leadership of Sammilito Parishad have always come forward with support to the women entrepreneurs for their development as well as in addressing issues such as banking and customs. Even the women Directors in the current BGMEA Board have been making valuable contributions to various important areas such as sustainability and circularity. At the event, the speakers called for votes to elect the full panel of the Sammilito Parishad in the upcoming BGMEA elections. SM Mannan (Kochi) said, “If we win the election, we will prioritize initiatives to address the problems faced by the women entrepreneurs.”

Saraswati Puja, a cornerstone festival for the Hindu community, is being observed with great enthusiasm and religious fervor across Bangladesh this Wednesday. This revered occasion falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the Bangla month of Magh, known as 'Vasant Panchami.' Dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, the festival holds special significance for students and educational institutions, where devotees gather to perform puja in educational institutions and temples, seeking blessings for enlightenment and learning. Saraswati Puja to be celebrated WednesdayIn a gesture of solidarity and goodwill, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have extended their warm wishes to the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of Saraswati Puja. Highlighting the day's celebrations, the central Puja Udjapan Committee at Jagannath University is hosting a Saraswati Puja event on campus. Additionally, Dhaka is buzzing with festive arrangements, hosting multiple Puja ceremonies at various locations, embracing the spirit of communal harmony and cultural heritage. Saraswati Puja being celebrated today  

Dhaka ranks second on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 288 at 8:58 am this morning. Dhaka’s air was classified as 'very unhealthy'— posing serious health risks to residents, according to the air quality index. India’s Kolkata and Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 303, 273 and 217 respectively. Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’, 5th worst in the world this morning When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’, 5th worst in the world this morning Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Religious Affairs Minister Faridul Haque Khan on Tuesday told Parliament that the government officers and employees are sent to Saudi Arabia for hajj management and providing services to the Bangladeshi pilgrims, not for performing hajj. “The government officers/employees are sent to Saudi Arabia under various teams to discharge the duties for hajj management and providing services to hajj pilgrims……They are not sent to perform hajj at the cost of government funds,” he said. The minister said this replying to a question from independent lawmaker Mohammad Saiful Islam (Dhaka-19) during the question-answer session in the House. Stop loan default culture to save economy: Anisul Islam Mahmud He said medical centers and clinics are run to provide medical services to Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims. He said the government officials or employees (Hajj delegation team, Hajj administrative team, Hajj medical team, Hajj technical team and Hajj administrative support team) are sent to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of serving the Hajj pilgrims in Mina-Arafat-Muzdalifah-Jamarah, Makkah and Madinah The Religious Affairs Minister said the government team members render proper medical and other services to Bangladeshi pilgrims including elderly ones  hailing from the very remote places of Bangladesh. World Radio Day: Betar playing role in country's development, says Arafat “Actions are also taken against them if they (government officers/employees) neglect their duties,” he said. Saiful Islam in his question said every year government officials/employees go for hajj with government money. The government fund or money is the public money. He asked the minister if the performance of hajj spending other people's money will be valid and how much the officials/employees serve the pilgrims there. Responding to a question from independent lawmaker Moshiur Rahman Mollah Shajal, the Religious Affairs Minister said despite the government’s desire it was not possible to reduce the cost of hajj as the value of Saudi Riyal went high due to the rise of the dollar rate. He said Bangladesh is the fourth largest hajj pilgrim sending country in the world. In 2024, the quota of hajj pilgrims for Bangladesh is 127, 198, he said adding a normal hajj package of Tk 578, 840 has been announced for the year, reducing the package by Tk 92,450 from 2023 so that people from all walks of life can go to perform the hajj. 98 percent of the country's demand for medicine is produced locally: Health Minister In reply to another question from independent lawmaker Mohiuddin Maharaj (Pirojpur-2), the Religious Affairs Minister said there are some 300,000 mosques in the country. Noting that the number of imams and muezzins of these mosques is some seven lakhs, Faridul Haque said in the current economic context, it is not possible to provide allowance to this large manpower now. This matter will be considered in future, he said.