United News of Bangladesh

Dr Mushtaque Chowdhury has been elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of DBH Finance PLC. The decision was made at the 149th meeting of the Board of Directors of the company, said a press release issued on Thursday. Dr Chowdhury was the Vice Chair of BRAC, the world’s largest non-governmental organization. He is a Professor of Population and Family Health at the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University in New York. During 2009-12, he worked as the Senior Adviser and Acting Managing Director for the Rockefeller Foundation. He also served as a MacArthur Fellow at Harvard University. In recent times, he worked for the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA as a Visiting Scholar. He was the founding Dean of the Brac University James P Grant School of Public Health. Dr Chowdhury holds a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA (Hon’s.) from the University of Dhaka. Dr Chowdhury was a coordinator of the UN Millennium Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health, set up by the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. He is a co-recipient of the ‘Innovator of the Year 2006’ award from the Marriott Business School of Brigham Young University in USA and in 2017, he received the ‘Medical Excellence’ award from the Chicago-based Ronald McDonald House Charities. Dr Chowdhury has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and also received the ‘Best impactful book’ award given by the University Press Limited. His biography “Amar Brac Jibon” was recently published by Prothoma. Dr Chowdhury is a founder of the Bangladesh Education Watch and Bangladesh Health Watch, two civil society watchdogs on education and health, respectively. He is on the boards and committees of several organizations and initiatives, including BRAC University, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), Social Marketing Company, London School of Economics and the Management Sciences for Health (MSH). He has been a Director of DBH, nominated by BRAC, since February 2015.  

The low-pressure area over Southeast Bay and adjoining West central Bay moved slightly north eastwards and intensified into a well-marked low over West central Bay and adjoining southwest Bay. It is likely to intensify further, said a special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They were also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said the body of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who was murdered in Kolkata, India, has not yet been recovered. “We have not been able to recover the body yet. Until we can recover everything, we cannot provide you with any information.I reiterate that the intelligence agencies of both countries are working on this,” said the minister. However, the intelligence agencies of both countries have almost identified everything of the murder  including  the perpetrators, he said while talking to at the secretariat on Thursday afternoon. The minister said, “We are very close to identifying those who committed the murder. Only the announcement remains. We will make the announcement once the intelligence agencies of both countries agree.” The Home Minister also mentioned that they have not received anything new so far. “Our police, intelligence, Indian police, and Indian intelligence are all working. We are certain that he was murdered. We have heard from those who killed him, but we have not yet recovered the body,” he said. In response to a question about whether any Indian was involved, he said, “We have not ruled out the possibility of Indian involvement. We have said that the investigation is ongoing. We have not yet said who are involved. We have said that we have a general idea. We are working based on that idea. So far, we are working with the information we have received.” When asked about Shahin, who is claimed to be one of the key planners of the murder, the Home Minister said, “What we have heard that he did not come to Bangladesh that day. He tried to go to another country via India, but none of this is confirmed information. We have received information and are working accordingly.”

The movement of bulkhead will be halted for 11 days from June 13 during the Eid-ul-Azha to ensure hassle-free movement of vessels. Besides, all trucks and covered vans except cattle-carrying vehicles or perishable goods-laden vehicles will remain suspended for seven days during the Eid-ul-Azha. The decision was taken at a meeting on the movement of ferries, steamers, launches and other vessels during  Eid-ul-Azha at the secretariat with State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair on Thursday. JS body recommends raising wages of river vessel workers However, the number of ferries in Kazirhat and Paturia ferry terminals will be increased while the number of launches will be increased. Claiming that the Eid journey was safe last year, the minister said like the previous years, steps were taken so that the home-bound people can travel safely. Lighter vessel rams Kalurghat Bridge: 3 crews arrested Besides, all are working to ensure safe transportation of sacrificial animal-carrying vessels, he said. He also urged people to follow the weather bulletin regularly while transporting passengers and sacrificial animals during Eid.  

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the High Court order for accepting the nomination paper of Shahadat Hossain, younger brother of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in the upcoming Companiganj Upazila Parishad Election. A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Senior Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order. Advocates Ekramul Haque Tutul, Taposh Kumar Biswas and Tamanna Ferdous stood for Shahadat while Advocate Sheikh Mohammad Morshed for another candidate Golam Sharif. High Court orders Dhaka court to hold hearing of Mirza Fakhul’s bail petitions in 10 cases On May 14, the High Court ordered the authorities concerned to accept the nomination paper of Shahadat as a chairman candidate in Noakhali’s Companigonj upazila parishad election slated for May 29. High Court postpones Fakhrul’s bail hearing until next week Four people including Quader’s younger brother Shahadat Hossain submitted nomination papers to contest the polls. The remaining candidates were Upazila Jubo League’s former convenor and businessman Mohammad Golam Sharif Chowdhury Piplu, former upazila parishad chairman and upazila Awami League’s incumbent General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Badal and US expatriate Omar Ali. On May 5, Shahadat’s nomination paper was rejected on charge of concealing information regarding cases and income in the affidavit during scrutiny. Later, he submitted an appeal to Noakhali’s deputy commissioner and returning officer Dewan Mahbubur Rahman who also rejected his nomination paper after a hearing on May 9. Shahadat Hossain filed a petition to the HC challenging the order.  

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (May 23, 2024) said that investigation will determine whether the deceased MP of Jhenaidah-4 constituency, Anwarul Azim Anar, was involved in any illicit activities in India. “I cannot say anything before the investigation is complete. There is no place for criminals in the Awami League,” Quader asserted. Bangladeshi MP’s macabre death in Kolkata: What we know so far He made these remarks during an introductory meeting with the newly formed Youth and Sports Sub-committee members at the Dhaka district Awami League office. Anwarul Azim Anar, who was nominated for the third time due to his popularity, is under scrutiny following his death, with Indian media alleging his involvement in smuggling activities. Abduction case filed over MP Anar's death “Sheikh Hasina does not spare any wrongdoer, even if they are from the party. Her policy regarding crime is zero tolerance,” Quader emphasized. Quader also questioned the timing and scope of these allegations, saying, “Why did this issue not come up in any investigative report by journalists in our country before his death?” Locals mourn MP Anar as 'a man of the people'

Export and import activities between India and Bangladesh through Benapole land port resumed on Thursday morning after being closed for five days. Thousands of goods-laden trucks were seen waiting to enter both countries at the Benapole and Petrapole port areas this morning. Kamal Uddin Shimul, Vice President of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, said that all types of import-export activities were halted at the country's largest land port due to the Lok Sabha elections in India, Upazila Parishad elections in Jashore’s Saharsa, and the public holiday for Buddha Purnima. Bangladeshi cattle trader injured in BSF firing in Benapole He also mentioned that the continuous five-day halt in import-export through Benapole port has disrupted the production at many industries and garment factories in the country. The government earns revenue of TK25 crore from this port daily. Due to the five-day closure, the government has lost approximately TK1.25 billion in revenue, he said. Dowry killing: Jashore man who set wife on fire arrested from Benapole Azharul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Checkpost Police Immigration, said that Bangladeshi tourists with passports were banned from traveling to India for three days due to the Lok Sabha elections. Only patients and Indian passport holders were allowed to travel. This ban came into effect from 6 PM last Friday (May 17). 370 tonnes of imported potatoes still wait for unloading at Benapole

Train communication between Dhaka-Joydebpur route remained suspended for half an hour due to the derailment of two bogies of a train at Dhirasram Rail Station in Gazipur on Thursday morning. Hanif Ali, station master of Joydebpur Railway Junction, said two compartments of the Dhaka-bound ‘Turag Express’ veered off the tracks at Dhirasram Rail Station around 7:15 am, halting train movement for half an hour. Train movement resumed through the other railway line. Burimari Express derails in Pabna, train service between Dhaka and north disrupted The schedules of Jamalpur commuter train and Dhaka-bound ‘Banalata Express’ were disrupted due to the derailment. A relief train from the local station reached the spot three hours after the derailment and is working to rescue the derailed bogies.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested three individuals for making hand bombs at a house in Tekpara area of Badda, Dhaka. The arrestees have been identified as Fahim Rahman Abdullah, 22; Md Limon, 20; and Md Akul Mia, 21. Acting on a tip-off, a team from RAB-3 conducted a raid around 9 pm on Wednesday, seizing 65 hand bombs and a large quantity of bomb-making materials, according to a media release issued by RAB on Thursday. Man awarded life term for 2021 murder of wife in Naogaon During initial interrogation, RAB learned that Masum and Sajib – members of a group that makes hand bombs – from Narayanganj’s Signboard area, had ordered the bombs for robbery purposes 8-10 days prior. The arrested individuals were hired to manufacture the bombs. The suspects rented a house in Tekpara, where they received Tk 26,000 to produce the bombs. Their target was to make 100 bombs, RAB stated. In total, five people, including the arrestees, were involved in the bomb-making operation, they said.

Due to the use of untreated water, 80 percent of workers on vessels plying the inland waterways across the country are suffering from various types of complex intestinal diseases and skin infection. This information was highlighted in a report of Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF). The organization on Thursday revealed the summary of the report in a media release. In the report, SCRF recommended making it mandatory to install water treatment facilities on all public and private vessels carrying passengers and goods to protect the health of workers. The media release said that the report had been prepared by conducting a year-long survey and research. During the survey, more than 100 workers of 10 types of vessels were spoken to along with specialist physicians. 10 waterways abandoned due to irregularities, corruption in dredging: SCRF These vessels included passenger-carrying launches, cargo vessels, excavators, dredgers, barges and houseboats. According to SCRF, one fifth of the country is coastal area. The water of the rivers in the coastal areas are highly saline throughout the year. Besides, almost all the rivers of the country are suffering from severe pollution. The workers stay on the vessels day after day. But there is no water treatment facility on public and private vessels. The low-paid workers are forced to use river water. As a result, they are suffering from serious diseases. According to the SCRF report citing doctors, long-term use of saline and polluted river water can lead to many skin diseases including skin cancer. A variety of complex intestinal disorders can occur, including liver cirrhosis, bacillary dysentery, dysentery, stomach ulcers and regular diarrhoea.