United News of Bangladesh

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will set up 30 sell points in Dhaka to sell milk, eggs, meat, and fish at affordable prices throughout the month of Ramadan. Under the programme, liquid milk will be sold at Tk 80 per litre, beef at Tk 600 per kg, mutton at Tk 900 per kg, dressed broiler at Tk 250 per kg, and eggs at Tk 9.17 per piece. Will enhance market surveillance from today: State Minister for Commerce Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman said these at the conference room of the Department of Livestock Services on Sunday. The minister said the programme will be conducted from 25 places in the capital from the first to the 28th Ramadan. Besides, the products will be sold at five more points at several permanent markets in the city. The 25 sale centers are: Natun Bazar (Badda), Korail slum (Banani), Khamarbari (Farmgate), Azimpur Matrisadan (Azimpur), Gabtoli, Diabari (Uttara), Japan Garden City (Mohammadpur), Shatfoot Road (Mirpur), Khilgaon (south of the rail crossing), beside the Secretariat (Abdul Gani Road),  Segun Bagicha (kitchen market),  Arambagh (Motijheel), Rampura, Kalshi (Mirpur), Jatrabari (at the mouth of Maniknagar Goli),  Bosila (Mohammadpur),  Hazaribagh (Shikshan), Lukas (Nakhalpara), Arambagh (Motijheel), Kamrangirchar, Mirpur 10, Kalyanpur (Jhilpara), Tejgaon, Old Dhaka (Bangabazar), and Kakrail. The five selling points at permanent markets are Mirpur Shah Ali Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Natun Bazar (100 feet), Kamala Bazar, and Kazi Alauddin Road (Anandbazar). Well-equipped pickup cool vans will be used to sell the products. The cooling vans will reach each sale center by 9 am with the products and selling will start from 10 am, the minister said. BGB-BSF border conference wraps up with pledge to bring down border killings to zero Additionally, the Department of Fisheries has taken initiatives to sell fish at four designated spots in Dhaka North City Corporation and four designated spots in Dhaka South City Corporation. The spots are Bangabandhu Square at Farmgate’s Khamarbari, Mirpur-1 (Eidgah Ground); Segun Bagicha Bazar; and Merul Badda Bazar under Dhaka North City Corporation; and Mughdapara (Madinabagh Bazar); Jatrabari (Dayal Bharosa Market); Motijheel (Southeast Corner of Bangladesh Bank) and Palashi intersection under Dhaka South City Corporation. The fish sale will continue from 10 am to 3 pm every day, starting from March 11, and will continue for 15 days, the minister said. Read more: As Ramadan is about to begin, prices of essentials high in Khulna kitchen markets

A two-year-old drowned in a pond near his house while playing there in Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari upazila on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Tamim Rahman, son of Moshiur Rahman of Mirerchak area of Komolabari union. Child drowns in Magura According to locals, the child was playing beside the pond while his uncle was working there. “His family members started looking for him as he was not seen anywhere after a while. At one stage, Tamim's body was found floating on the pond,” said Mahmudun Nabi, officer-in-charge of Aditmari Police Station. 9-yr-old drowns, another missing in C'nawabganj

State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu has said that a comprehensive list of essential commodities, along with their prices, will be formulated with the approval of the Cabinet in preparation for next year’s Ramadan.  He said this at a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing programme between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and Russia's Ministry of Agriculture regarding the supply of agricultural products on Sunday. All parties must come forward to combat climate change: Saber “I saw a list of 18 essential items in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), prices of which will not be increased during Ramadan. In the future, we will create a comprehensive list of essential items like that, considering the approval of the Cabinet,” he stated.  He further said that there is currently no shortage of essential goods in the market. “There was volatility in the rice market in the last one and a half months. It is at a stable level now. There is no complaint about the price of rice. We have also fixed the price of oil,” he said. “We will enhance market surveillance from today so that no one sells soybean oil at a higher rate. We will take strict action in this regard," he added.  He also said the recent price hike of commodities such as lemon, mustard oil, and onions is not common across the country. The government is closely monitoring markets to address any irregularities and ensure a stable supply chain, he said.  Finance Minister accuses BNP of lying about remittances Regarding negotiations with Russia, Titu mentioned, “Although we are self-sufficient in rice production, we have not been able to achieve complete self-sufficiency in wheat, potatoes, and pulses. We are looking to import these items from various sources, and we have signed agreements with Russia for wheat supply.” 

Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon from the  pro-BNP Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Oikya Panel  (Blue Panel) has been elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for 2024-2025. Adv Shah Monjurul Hoque from the Awami League-backed Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad  (White Panel), has been elected the secretary. A total of 10 candidates from the White Panel won in the Supreme Court Bar Association election. On the other hand, four candidates from the Blue Panel won. Senior lawyer Abul Khayer, convener of the election management sub-committee, announced the results around 1:30 am last night. Winners from the White Panel are: Shah Monjurul Haque as Secretary; Ramjan Ali Sikder and Dewan Md. Abu Obayed Hossain Setu as Vice-Presidents; Mohammad Nurul Huda Ansari as Treasurer; Md. Humayun Kabir and Mohammad Humayun Kabir as Assistant Secretaries; Belal Hossain, Md. Raihan Rony, Rashedul Haque Khokon and Khaled Mosharraf as members.  Winners from the Blue Panel are: Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon as president, Syed Fazle Elahi Ovi, Shafiqul Islam and Fatima Akhter as members. The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested five lawyers in a case filed at Shahbagh Police Station over a clash during vote counting of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) election early Friday.    

Petrobangla, the oil, gas and mineral corporation, has floated the offshore bidding, inviting international oil and gas companies to explore in the Bangladesh maritime area in the Bay of Bengal The tender, named “Oil and Natural Gas Exploration Under Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2024”, was published in local newspapers and websites of concerned government entities including Bangladeshi missions abroad on Sunday giving six months time until September 9, 2024 for submission of the bids. As per the floated tender, a total of 24 offshore blocks — of which nine are shallow blocks — and 15 deep sea blocks are available for the bidding round.  The nine shallow sea blocks are SS-01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 10 and 11) and 15 deep sea blocks are DS-08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. The bidder, singly or in association with other companies, can bid for one or more blocks.  Contracts will be signed with the successful bidders in line with the Bangladesh Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract 2023, said the tender.  Read more Cabinet body approves draft contract to invite int’l bidding for offshore gas exploration The features of the proposed contract include full repatriation of profit, no signature bonus or royalty, uncapped attractive gas price linked with international marker, oil price to be determined on the basis of the fair market value prevailing in South and Southeast Asia. It entails no duty for equipment and machinery imported for petroleum operations while contractor's corporate income tax liability will be borne by Petrobangla, and bank guarantee for performance of the minimum exploration program. There will be provision for assignment of interest and share-transfer and 100 percent cost recovery with a yearly cap of 75 percent.  The contractor must have a mandatory work program consisting of 2D seismic survey and mandatory purchase of available 2D multi-client seismic data against bidded blocks to get relief from mandatory work obligations proportionately. They will have minimum work obligation in each of the exploration periods while biddable work program commitment over and above the mandatory program. There will be petroleum profit sharing on the basis of R-factor with biddable upper and lower limits and option to sell contractor's share of natural gas in the domestic market to a third party, at a negotiated price, subject to Petrobangla's right of first refusal. Read more: New PSC: Petrobangla awaits final nods to invite int’l bidding for offshore blocks The bidder must ensure carried stake of 10 percent for state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) for both shallow and deep sea blocks.  The bidders’ qualification criteria include — individual or in case of joint venture at least one member — offshore daily production of at least 15,000 barrel of oil or 150 mmsc of gas. Bidders must have at least one global experience (other than home country) in the oil and gas exploration and production. The Information Package will be available at a cost of US$ 300 or equivalent Bangladeshi taka to the interested bidders/companies. To enable companies to assess the geological prospects of the blocks on offer, Promotional and Data Packages are available on payment basis. Promotional Packages contain Bidding Document, sample seismic sections, gravity, magnetic, geological maps. Companies are required to purchase the Promotional Package in order to qualify for bidding, said the tender.  The purchase price of the Promotional Package is US$ 10,000 or equivalent Bangladeshi taka. Purchase of Data Sales Package is optional. Several Data Sales Packages are available at different prices.  Companies interested in bidding and purchase of Promotional and Data Sales Packages may contact the Director, Production Sharing Contract, Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) Petrocentre, 3 Karan Bazar, Dhaka-1215, said the bidding tender.  Read more: Action against officials of Petrobangla companies if fail to achieve target: Nasrul

Dhaka ranked fourth on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 190 at 9:30 am on Sunday. Dhaka’s air was classified as 'unhealthy', according to the air quality index. Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi, and Kolkata occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 225, 204, and 190 respectively. 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 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.  

As climate change is a global challenge, all parties must come forward to combat it, Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said on Saturday. He also highlighted the pivotal role of artists in raising public awareness. Minister Chowdhury underscored the importance of inspiring individuals to consider the impacts of climate change and take decisive action. The minister was talking to journalists after visiting at the closing ceremony of "Chaloman", a solo exhibition on climate change and women held at Alok's Neighborhood Art Space Shala Gallery in the capital on Saturday. In response to media inquiries, the Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating climate change in collaboration with the international community. Efforts include extensive afforestation, scaling up renewable energy production, and implementing adaptation measures for communities vulnerable to climate impacts. Minister Chowdhury urged all segments of society to be proactive in addressing the adverse effects of climate change. The event was attended by Ruxmini Chowdhury, founder and director of Alokir: The Neighborhood Art Space, renowned Bangla Academy award winner Noorjahan Bose, as well as artists, art critics, and cultural figures. At the exhibition, US expatriate artist Monica Jahan Bose showcased the effects of climate change through a multi-dimensional presentation, including a three-channel video, saree installation art, and a performance involving women from the climate-vulnerable Katakhali village in Patuakhali. Participants shared firsthand accounts of climate impacts on coastal regions, including crop damage caused by emissions from the thermal power plant in Payra.  

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Saturday alleged that the opposition parties, including BNP are lying about the inward remittance of the country. He said that the volume of inward remittances sent by expatriates to the country is increasing every month. Even in the last month (February), Bangladesh received remittances of USD $2.16 billion. The finance minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the Cub Scouts' holiday program at Khansama Government Pilot Model High School, organized by Dinajpur's Khansama Upazila administration on Saturday (March 9). About 400 Cub Scouts, scouts, and officials from 53 educational institutions participated in the Cub holiday program organized by Bangladesh Scouts, Khansama Upazila. UNO of Khansama Upazila Md.Taj Uddin chaired, Upazila Chairman and General Secretary of Upazila Awami League Safiul Azam Chowdhury Lion, and local political leaders among others, spoke at the function.    

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives  Minister Md. Tazul Islam has stated that the port city of Chattogram always plays a significant role in the development of Bangladesh. Referring to Chattogram as the economic capital of the country, he mentioned that its contribution to the economic development of the country is undeniable. Therefore, Chattogram City Corporation holds utmost importance in achieving the average targets set by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the advanced Bangladesh by 2041. Speaking at the third anniversary celebration of the sixth elected council of Chattogram City Corporation on Saturday, Md. Tazul emphasised the need for the local government to empower not only the administration but also to create opportunities for income growth for the people of specific areas. He stated that every city corporation, municipality, and district council should focus on creating job opportunities for the people in their respective areas. When people's income increases and they easily access civic services, they will be motivated to contribute to revenue, he added. The minister noted that adequate funds have been allocated for Chattogram City Corporation, and the success of these funds depends on the sincere efforts of all levels of the corporation to ensure that the benefits reach the people correctly. He also mentioned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vision to make Chattogram an organized and pollution-free city. He emphasised the use of modern methods for waste management in Chattogram City, stating that there is no alternative to strengthening waste management to protect the Karnaphuli River and the Bay of Bengal from pollution. The event was chaired by CCC Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and it was attended by Members of Parliament M Abdul Latif, Mahiuddin Bachchu, and Abdus Salam, former Mayor Mahmudul Islam, and Assistant High Commissioner of India Rajiv Ranjan.    

Rejecting the European Union's (EU) statement regarding the last national election, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said the election campaign had been fair. BNP is misleading foreigners by spreading propaganda in various ways, he said, adding that no one was wrongfully arrested. “It is not our concern who said what,” he said. The Home Minister came up with the remarks when journalists drew attention to the EU's recent report regarding the last national polls. He was attending a programme organised on the occasion of Police Memorial Day 2024 at the Police Staff College Convention Hall in Dhaka's Mirpur on Saturday. This report was produced by the European Union Election Expert Mission to Bangladesh and presented the mission’s findings on the January 7, 2024 parliamentary election. The executive summary of the report said, "Overall, the 2024 parliamentary election in Bangladesh did not meet some key international standards for democratic elections. Civil and political rights, including the freedoms of assembly, association, movement, and speech essential for inclusive and competitive elections, were restricted. Opposition political parties’ activities were severely limited by judicial proceedings and mass arrests." In response to the question, the Home Minister said that “police forces and our political party have not carried out any attack or case. They (BNP) did it. If they are trying to slander us, we reject such statements. We think they are, on purpose, trying to come up with another conspiracy,” the Home Minister said. Anti-Tobacco Youth Conference held at ULAB Replying to another question, the Home Minister said that the BNP is continuously spreading false information. “How they (international organisations) are confused is not our concern. We can clearly say, it did not happen in the country as they said.” “All countries except one or two have lauded us. They feel that the new government has been formed in the country through a fair election process,” he said. “BNP said that there are thousands of prisoners. We have no 'Rajbondi’ here. We have BNP activists imprisoned… those who vandalised the Chief Justice's residence, beat up police to death, beat up Ansar personnel to death, and laid hands on females. They were identified through video footage, and action was taken as per law,” he said. Referring to BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, the minister said that Tarique went to the UK after signing an undertaking that he would stay out of politics. The Home Minister said, “From sitting in England, he is trying to control his party's politics in this country. He does not want the good of the people of this country and his party’s leaders and activists.” Chaired by IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the programme was also attended, among others, by senior secretary of the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry, Mostafizur Rahman; RAB Director General M Khurshid Hossain; additional IGPs, heads of various units of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, senior police officers; and family members of the policemen who sacrificed their lives. The Home Minister, Senior Secretary, and IGP presented mementos and gifts to the families of the seven policemen who laid down their lives in the line of duty. The IGP personally inquired about the family members of the policemen. PM Hasina chairs Bangabandhu Memorial Trust meeting A total Of 134 policemen sacrificed their lives in the line of duty in 2023. They include three additional superintendents of police, one assistant superintendent of police, eight inspectors of police (unarmed or armed), 12 sub-inspectors (unarmed), two sub-inspectors (armed), one sergeant, one TSI, 16 ASI (unarmed or armed), three Naik, and 87 constables. It is to be noted that since 2017, Police Memorial Day is been celebrated every year on March 1 in remembrance of the policemen who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. This year, police memorial day was celebrated on March 9 instead of March 1 due to unavoidable reasons.