United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu on Wednesday said the fire incident at S Alam group’s sugar mill will have no impact on sugar supply and its prices. The state minister said this while talking to reporters after attending a workshop on the Competition Act 2012 as the chief guest. The programme was held in a hotel in the capital. He said that the government officials concerned in Chattogram have completed a primary assessment of the quantity of sugar damaged in the fire and informed the commerce ministry that it will be between 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes. “There is a requirement of sugar of around 3 lakh tonnes in Ramadan, while the quantity of sugar gutted the factory fire is below 10 percent of the demand. This incident will not affect the market price of sugar,” he added. Titu said that the government will fix the prices of different essential items including dates, so that prices of different commodities which have high demand during Ramanda remain stable, he said. With Pradip Ranjan Chakraborty, Chairman of Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) in the chair, Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary of commerce minsitry, Elizabeth Gachuiri, economic affairs officer of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development( UNCTAD), , among others spoke at the event.  

Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed returned home on Wednesday after attending the 'Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) in Qatar. The DIMDEX was held on March 4 and March 5, said a press release of ISPR. Keep vigil against dishonest business people during Ramadan: PM asks RAB The conference discussed several issues including creating an atmosphere of mutual trust by improving relations among respective land forces, developing professional relations, strengthening regional security system, dealing with conflict problems, joint training and long-term plans for modernisation of forces. Besides, the army chief also held bilateral meetings with the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces and senior military officials including the chiefs of army from different countries. Supreme Court Bar Association election underway SM Shafiuddin left for Qatar on March 3.

Voting for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) election is underway today to elect the new executive committee for 2024-25 period. Voting in the two-day polls began at 10am on Wednesday and will continue until 5pm with one-hour break. Balloting will resume from 10am Thursday and continue until 5pm. 7,883 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise, said Senior Advocate Freedom fighter Abul Khayer. Case filed against 24 pro-BNP lawyers over scuffle at SCBA iftar party Abu Syed Sagar and Manjurul Haque are vying for president and secretary posts respectively from Awami League-backed panel. On the other hand, MA Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Ruhul Kuddus are contesting from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami-backed blue panel. Apart from them, two independent candidates are contesting for the president’s post and two others are vying for a secretary post. Writ filed by Pro-BNP lawyers’ for probe committee on police action during SCBA polls

Dhaka's air quality was marked ‘unhealthy’ this morning. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 157 at 9:11 am, Dhaka ranked 9th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality. Vietnam’s Hanoi, Iraq’s Baghdad and Pakistan’s Lahore, occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 286, 176 and 184, respectively. An AQI between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Dhaka’s air quality again world's worst this morning In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria 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. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Dhaka’s air quality world's worst this morning As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.  

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday said an environment of regular chastity and moral education is important to make a prison a place of correction. "Good environment, good food, medical facilities and rights of prisoners should be given importance in prisons. Prison libraries can also play a role in creating a better environment," he said during a visit to the district jail of Cox's Bazar today. During the visit Dr. Ahmed inspected the overall environment of the jail, food quality of inmates, health care, cleanliness, security, training and development activities undertaken by the jail authorities. Talking to prison authorities about improving the nutritional quality of food for prison inmates, he said it is absolutely necessary to make the prisons of the country more prosperous and converted into correctional facilities. He also emphasized to keep the prisoners engaged in productive work by continuing to practice. The delegation spoke to the inmates and heard the pros and cons of overall security and inform them of their legal rights. Full time member of the Commission Md Salim Reza, Director (Administration and Finance) Kazi Arfan Ashiq and Superintendent M Rabiul Islam were also present at this time.  

Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan inaugurated the "Bangladesh Pavilion" at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism fair. He inaugurated the pavilion on the opening day of the three-day fair in Berlin, Germany on Tuesday. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Germany, and Mohammad Saiful Islam, Commercial Counselor, were also present. Speaking at the inauguration, the minister said Bangladesh’s tourism industry has immense potential. He said that in order to realise this potential, we need to promote our tourism products to the world through publicity. He said that international tourism fairs are an effective and important platform for showcasing our tourism products and services to the world. He said that Bangladesh's participation in such fairs will create opportunities to attract more foreign tourists. He further said that Bangladesh's participation in ITB-Berlin will pave the way for connecting with the global tourism market by showcasing Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and growing tourism facilities. It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Bangladesh Tourism Board, various private sector players including Riverine Tours, Travel Kites, Atarki Tours and Travels, Hillview Tourism, A One Tourism, Escape Bangladesh and Grand Sylhet Hotel and Resort are participating from Bangladesh in the fair. The participants are showcasing various offers and packages prepared on the tourism attractions of Bangladesh to the tourists and business representatives from different countries visiting the fair. End/UNB/M/MB/ssk  

MASTUL Foundation and Al Zakat Sadaqa Foundation have collaboratively organized the "Zakat Conference 2024" at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka. The event was attended by eminent religious scholars, zakat experts, philanthropists, and audiences. The main objective of this Zakat Conference was to increase public awareness about the importance of Zakat, to create an effective system for distribution of Zakat among the poor and needy people of the society and to promote the practice of Zakat. The program was split into three sessions while prominent scholars and religious figures spoke about the importance of Zakat and its virtues in the first session. The correct method of paying Zakat and effective system of distribution of Zakat among poor and needy people was discussed in the second session while discussions were held on how to spread Zakat among the masses in the third session. People from the audience asked questions to the scholars about zakat, and the panelists answered to their questions. Sheikh Mufti Saiful Islam said, “Zakat is an important Islamic duty. It is not only for the rich but is obligatory on all Muslims. Director General (Additional Secretary) of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate. H. M. Safikuzzaman said, "Zakat is not limited to payment of money, but is a measure of social justice. I welcome this initiative of MASTUL Foundation” Mufti Dr. Muhammad Khalilur Rahman Madani said "Zakat may bring the light of hope in the lives of the poor and needy people of the society.” According to Niaz Rahim, Chairman of the Centre for Zakat Management, "Women's empowerment can be greatly enhanced by zakat. There should be a lot more organizations offering zakat. We are and will continue to support the MASTUL Foundation's initiative." CEO, Dr. Muhammad Aiyub Mia, CZM said by paying zakat we can protect the sanctity of our wealth. The Founder and Executive Director of MASTUL Foundation Kazi Reaz Rahman said, “The real purpose of Zakat Conference is to increase awareness about Zakat among everyone. We will always do the work to encourage everyone to pay Zakat.” Through this event, MASTUL Foundation has been able to increase public awareness about Zakat and encourage people to pay Zakat. The participants of the program also learned about the correct method of paying Zakat. Among the organizations that supported the initiative were Al Zakat Sadaqah Foundation, Central of Zakat Management (CZM), Pan Pacific Sonargaon and Ready Bangladesh and many others. Speakers and guests were present in the conference- Madani Islamic Scholar & Researcher Mufti Dr. Muhammad Khalilur Rahman, Islamic Scholar & Professor Dhaka University Dr. chowdhury mahmood hasan, Director(Joint Secretary, BRTA Kamrul Islam Chowdhury , Deputy Secretary Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Md Kawserul Islam Sikder.

Five day long Annual Exercise-2024 of Bangladesh Air Force is continuing in fullswing.  As part of the exercise, BAF pilots are conducting various types of missions with fighter, transport & helicopters following air combat tactics and procedures. President Parade (Winter)-2023 held at BAF Academy All such missions include Combat Air Patrol (CAP), ground attack, troops & logistic transportation, tactical reconnaissance, Combat  Search & Rescue (CSAR) and Combat Air Support (CAS) for own land & maritime forces.  Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan has visited BAF Base Bangabandhu during the exercise on Tuesday  to oversee their performance & activities. BAF chief returns from USA After the inspection of the exercise, Chief of Air Staff said, Bangladesh Air Force has the capability of air defense and this capability will be increased through the exercise.  He also said that, through this exercise, it will be possible to determine the capability of newly included radar and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), said a media release of ISPR directorate. The exercise mission and activities are carried out from 3 March all over Bangladesh airspace from 6 major BAF bases and its different units located at Sylhet, Tangail, Lalmonirhat,  Reception accorded to BAF freedom fighters, successors Shamsernagar, Rasulpur, Sudharampur, Bogura and Barisal. Apart from different aircraft and helicopters, all BAF personnel along with Air Defence Radar, Surface to Air Missile (SAM) and Unmanned Aerial System Unit (UASU) units are also taking part in this exercise. During this exercise,  identification of the enemy aircraft through various radar squadrons is being carried out and practiced  the mechanism to neutralize the attack with the help of fighter and missile unit. Notable exercises were  Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission by BAF helicopter and BAF Commando team, Emergency logistics supply by BAF transport aircraft, identification of explosive and neutralization by BAF Bomb Disposal Unit and Scramble by Air Defense Alert (ADA) aircraft to neutralize enemy  intruders, surveillance by drone and time sensitive target etc.  The main objective of Annual Exercise-2024 is to assess present BAF capability and  also to identify different weaknesses to improve further through evaluation of tactics and acquisition of  assets. Overall, this exercise is surely going to expand BAF capability to safeguard our national  airspace in coming days. 

 Faruk Khan, editor of Daily Bangladesh Kantho, and Afrin Jahan of Bangladesh Television have been elected as the president and general secretary, respectively, of the Shipping Reporters' Forum of Bangladesh (SRFB) for the 2024–2025 session. The election was held at a restaurant in the capital's Segunbagicha area on Tuesday. Outgoing president Kazi Jebel presided over the general meeting conducted by the organisation's general secretary, Afrin Jahan. The Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Mustafa Kajol of Bangladesh Pratidin, conducted the election. The other two members of the commission are Shafiqul Islam of the Bangla Tribune and Kamal Hossain Talukder of BD News. The other members of the new committee are vice-president Habibur Rahman of Ekattor TV, joint general secretary Shafiqul Islam Sabuj of Channel 24, finance secretary Shamsul Islam of Daily Nayadiganta, organising secretary Mahmud Rakib of Ekhon TV, office secretary Faisal Ahmed of The Business Standard, and publicity and publication secretary Mesbah Ullah Shimul of Voice 7 News.     

A five-day director general (DG)-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) began in Dhaka on Tuesday. The conference is being held at the conference room of Pilkhana BGB headquarters in the capital. A 16-member delegation led by BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui took part in the conference. Indian BSF delegation in city to attend the 54th border conference Apart from BGB high officials, representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry and officials of the joint river commission were present there. On the other hand, a nine-member delegation led by BSF DG Nitin Agrawal joined the conference with the presence of high officials of BSF, Indian Home and Foreign Ministry officials and officials of Indian High Commission. 4-day border conference of BGB-BSF going on in Chattogram The meeting discussed security-related issues like border killing; drugs, arms, ammunition, women, and children trafficking, illegal trespassing, conservation of the banks of the rivers along the bordering areas, joint efforts to implement Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), development of the bi-lateral relation between the two countries and development work within 150 yards of the international border. Earlier, a nine member delegation led by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Director General (DG) Nitin Agrawal arrived in the city. Smita Agrawal, wife of the BSF head, is accompanying him during his visit to Bangladesh. BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and his spouse Nawrin Ashraf welcomed the BSF delegation with flowers upon their arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning. Later, the Indian delegation was taken to the BGB headquarters where the BSF chief paid respect to the BGB members who sacrificed their lives during the country’s liberation war in 1971. Moreover, another delegation of ‘BSF Wives Welfare Association’ also came to the country at the invitation of the BGB Shimanto Paribar Kalyan Samity (SHIPKS) Chief Patron Nawrin Ashraf. The delegates of the Indian welfare association are scheduled to attend several events hosted by the SHIPKS and Shimanto Ladies Club. The conference will end through the signing of Joint Record of Discussions (JRD) on March 9. The BSF delegation will return to India on March 9 wrapping up the five day DG level border conference.