United News of Bangladesh

A 10-day-long combined exercise titled “Exercise Cope South-2024” between Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and Pacific Air Forces, a major command of the United States Air Force, commenced on Monday. The BAF is arranging the exercise under the guidance of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. President for feasibility study on joint exercise for BD, Zambia armies An opening ceremony was arranged at BAF Base Bangabandhu in this regard on Monday. Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Bangabandhu Air Vice Marshal Md Badrul Amin delivered the opening address at the ceremony. Joint exercise of BAF, US Pacific Air Force ends Through conducting different activities, Exercise Cope South-2024 aims to enhance BAF capability as well as ensure maximum utilisation of BAF transport aircraft in combating disasters and natural calamities. One C-130J aircraft of the BAF is taking part in this exercise, along with two C-130J aircraft of the Pacific Air Forces, USA. Besides, one AN-32 aircraft of BAF is kept ready to participate in the exercise. A total of 250 members of the BAF and 78 members of the Pacific Air Forces, USA, will participate in Exercise Cope South 2024. In addition to 12 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Air Force, 30 paratroopers (11 free fallers and 19 static jumpers) from the Bangladesh Army and 40 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Navy will also take part in this exercise, according to a media release from the ISPR directorate on Monday afternoon. This exercise will focus on enhanced interoperability between BAF and Pacific Air Forces, USA, exchange of training, assessment of functional suitability of available equipment, identification of future equipment requirements for improving capability, and standardisation of maintenance of transport aircraft through different activities.   END/UNB/MJ/MB/ssk  

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said the government is implementing medium and long-term multi-dimensional plans to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. The law minister was answering a question on behalf of Planning Minister Abdus Salam from Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Haque Chunnu. “It is true that reducing income inequality is a time consuming matter, although high economic growth has been achieved and poverty reduced significantly,” he said. According to the latest BBS household income-expenditure survey, the Gini coefficient value of income inequality in 2022 is 0.499 for Bangladesh. However, on the basis of consumption, inequality in Bangladesh stands at 0:30-0.32, which has reduced the impact of income inequality. The law minister said that economists believe that consumption expenditure is a more reliable measure of inequality. Income inequality is a natural feature of market economies, rooted in the unequal distribution of wealth and human capital. He also said through inclusive growth that sees the benefits of growth equally distributed among the population, it is possible to reduce income inequality. The law minister said that the government is sincere about eradicating poverty and income inequality. Inclusive economic development is at the core of all long and medium term planning development strategies of the government. In response to another question of Awami League MP elected from Natore-2  Shafiqul Islam Shimul, the law minister said that the initiative to build underground lines and underground substations in various areas including the metropolitan areas of the country with the aim of modernising the public safety and power system, and providing fair and quality electricity is going on. “Already about 2,742 kilometres of underground line construction work has been completed by electricity distribution organisations/companies.”

Young writer Farhana Mostafa Liza's research book 'Doormansya and Qur'an' has been published as her third book It was launched at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela recently. The book was unveiled at the Shobdashilpo stall of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair at Suhrawardy Udyan. The publication stall numbers 89, 90 and 91 at the book fair. The author's husband, ex-military officer Major (retired)  Sharifuzzaman , managing director of Service Solutions International Mohammad Farid Uddin, along with children, friends and family members of the author were present at the event moderated by the owner of Shabad Shilpa Shafifur Rahman. In the event, the book was unveiled by cutting the cake. Regarding the book, writer Farhana Mostafa Liza said, "Dourmansya and Qur'an" is my third book. Dormanasya or depression, anxiety, sadness, pain, depression, fear of death, people often take many decisions that cause irreparable damage in their lives. But the Almighty Allah has repeatedly given words of mercy in the Holy Qur'an to get rid of it. He revealed many verses. Through the verses it is understood that Allah Almighty helps us in all matters and He is always present. He has always rewarded good deeds and promised to forgive the distressed or sinful servant after repentance. So Almighty Allah said to be patient and away from all kinds of disappointments. This research book highlights the issues. The book is available now for purchase at Shobdashilpo stalls ,Stall no 89,90 & 91 . Earlier two more books of writer Farhana Mostafa Liza were published. The books are 'Some verses of the Holy Qur'an and related hadiths' and 'Women and the Qur'an'.    

Noting that the number of Rohingyas crossing the border and taking shelter in Cox’s Bazar crossed ten lakh in 2017, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman on Monday said the presence of Rohingya refugees for a long time has become a serious challenge for the political, social and security system. “The government accepted them with generosity and gave them shelter. Though it didn't take long to become a major burden for our economy as we have spent Tk 120 crore annually in this sector. In addition, the cost of refugees is increasing day by day due to population growth, inflation and reduction of foreign aid,” he said. Mohibbur Rahman came up with the information while speaking at a photo exhibition titled "Through the Lens of Hope: Rohingya Crisis Unfolded", as chief guest, in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. US lauds Bangladesh's generosity of hosting Rohingyas but finds security problems Alongside it, the influx of refugees has also affected the local job market, with wages falling following the increased supply of workers willing to work at lower wages. “As a result, job opportunities for local workers have decreased.” The decision to repatriate the refugees to Myanmar remains uncertain, creating a range of problems, including border crimes such as drugs and human trafficking and the ultimate solution to this problem is to ensure safe, voluntary and permanent repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, he added. Five Rohingyas enter Bangladesh from Myanmar, including a woman with bullet injuries "Through the photo exhibition, we expected a positive change that will bring decisive action to UN representatives, donors, USAID, and world leaders," he said. --

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said no one will be allowed to occupy even one inch of the city's land illegally. Taposh said this while handing over keys to kitchen market shops at Motijheel Middle Circular Road on Monday. Hit by vehicle, DSCC conservancy worker dies “These shops were allotted in 1997 during Mayor Mohammad Hanif's tenure. For a long time, the actual allottees did not get those shops. But no one will be able to occupy even one inch of the city corporation's land illegally. So today those shops are being returned to the real allottees,” he said. Taposh hoped to overcome all the difficulties in allocating the lands to the real allottees, saying, “Those who are the real allottees, the recipients will conduct their business properly there. They are our partners. So no adversity can hinder us from giving back their allocation. We will overcome all adversities, Insha Allah,” he added. Want to spread the tradition of Shakrain among new generation: DSCC Mayor He handed over keys to 57 allottees on the occasion. Anti-Aedes drive: DSCC fines 9 establishment Tk 1.03 lakh

A Dhaka court on Monday granted bail to BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas in a case over vandalising the property of the state.Dhaka Judicial Magistrate Julhas Uddin granted the bail on bond of Tk 10,000.Advocate Mahiuddin Chowdhury, a counsel of Mirza Abbas, said there is no legal bar to release his client as the BNP leader secured bail from all cases. Mirza Abbas granted bail in six separate casesAdditional Public Prosecutor Anwarul Kabir Babul opposed the bail of Abbas in the case.Police arrested Abbas on October 31 last year from Dhaka’s Shaheedbagh in a case filed for sabotage under the Explosive Substances Act.Later, he was sent to jail on November 5.Police showed Abbas arrested in a case filed with Railway Police Station on January 24.Eleven cases were filed against him centering BNP’s October 28 rally.Earlier, he secured bail from 10 cases.He was shown arrested in five cases filed with Paltan Police Station and four cases filed with Ramna police station on February 1. HC orders Dhaka court to hear bail pleas of Mirza Abbas, AnnieOn February 5, a court granted bail to the BNP leader in six cases while in three more cases on February 6 and in another case on February 18 over the attack on the Chief Justice's residence.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said on Monday that the report published by Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, in May 2023 on journalism and media freedom in Bangladesh contains incorrect information and does not reflect reality. The State Minister made the remarks at a press briefing in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry meeting room at the Secretariat this noon. “Bangladesh has been ranked 163rd out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index based on inaccuracies, half-truths, and insufficient information. Through this, the development of the media in Bangladesh, ensuring a fair environment, and the continuous efforts of the present government for independent and neutral journalism have been denied. The government considers RSF's assessment unacceptable, biased, and a deviation from the truth against the real scenario of the country's media and journalistic freedom,” reads a press release of the ministry.   An official letter has been sent to RSF to re-evaluate the ranking, he said. The RSF website has information about six journalists Sirajul Islam Ratan, Ahmed Khan Babu, Golam Mostafa Rafique, Khalilur Rahman, Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, and SM Yusuf Ali, he said adding that “According to the latest available information, RSF's claim about them is illogical and baseless.” Contrary to RSF's claim, since 2009, the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has prioritized the expansion of private television and radio channels rather than the public media,he added. “Public broadcasters BTV and Bangladesh Betar broadcast various development-oriented programs and news on education, public health, women empowerment, and empowerment of rural people. These two broadcast media highlight all the development works implemented by the government for the welfare of the people. As a result, BTV and Betar are constantly creating a bond between the government and the people. But the RSF report says the opposite,” he went on. The government introduced the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2018 to protect cyberspace from terrorists, fundamentalists, and miscreants, said Arafat, adding “However, due to concerns over some provisions of the law, the government abolished the DSA and instead enacted the Cyber Security Act (CSA) in 2023. The law provides for legal summons instead of arresting journalists in defamation cases related to publishing news. The concerns of RSF's latest report on the legal context are not relevant at this time. RSF should reassess these issues and reflect on them in their next report.” He also said that the government has finalized the Journalist Identity Card Policy, 2022, formulated the National Broadcast Policy in 2014, and formed the 'Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust to protect the rights of journalists and restore their dignity. “The government has formed the 9th Wage Board to improve the living standard of journalists, and ensure standard wages and livelihood, and the process of forming the 10th Wage Board is also underway. These good initiatives should have been reflected in the RSF report,” he added.    

A 40-year-old woman died after falling from the rooftop of a building in the capital's Malibagh area on Monday morning. The deceased Anwara Begum, was a resident of Brahmanbaria district and had been working at the residence of Md Tariqul Islam, assistant commissioner of DB police, Mirpur Zone. 5 to die for murder in Joypurhat Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahjahanpur police station Sujit Kumar Saha said that while walking on the roof of the 10-storey building in Malibagh’s Railgate area around 11:30 am, she suddenly slipped and fell on the ground, becoming seriously injured. On information, police rushed to the spot and took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared her dead. Mother, daughter hacked to death in Gopalganj The body was kept in the hospital morgue for an autopsy, added the OC. The exact cause of death will be known after the autopsy report, he said.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, with the support from The Asia Foundation, kicked off the Inception phase of a two-part project titled Youth Resilient to Misinformation: Building Local Engagement and Media Development in Satkhira. The first and second group took the training on February 18 and 19 which was held in the hall of Radio Nalta while the last group will attend the training about misinformation tomorrow. A total of 108 youth and women participants from Tarali and Champaful union of the Kaliganj Upazilla from Sathkhira are taking the training in three groups. The training workshop was conducted by Rehan Uddin Ahmed Raju, Communication Specialist and Minhaz Uddin, Assistant Professor Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Jagannath University. Program Manager Taherul Islam and Program Associate  Sanjida Akhter were present on behalf of The Asia Foundation. Selim Sharier, Station Manager of Radio Nalta was present on behalf of Radio Nalta while CEO of BNRC AHM Bazlur Rahman and Programme Co-ordinator Hiren Pandit led the team. Speakers said in today's Bangladesh where digital transmission is advancing in leaps and bounds, the dangers of misinformation and disinformation loom large from capital to rural areas. The youth and youth women need to be aware and alert of these dangers and prepare themselves accordingly, they emphasized. Saying misinformation as a major threat to democracy, transparency, and security, they said it affects Bangladesh societies at different levels, in combating hate speech, discrimination, violence, and gender inequalities. The project is a unique and innovative program utilizing Facebook holders as a hyper-local for galvanizing the energy and skills of youth and youth women to combat the growing misinformation on social and other media.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against chairman of Chandpur Sadar Upazila's No 05 Decreerchar Union Parishad allegedly for acquiring illegal wealth worth over Tk 1 crore. Khalid Hossain, deputy assistant director of Faridpur Integrated District Office of ACC, filed the case on Monday morning. ACC finds irregularities in providing medical services to patients at DMCH Deputy Director of Faridpur district office of ACC Rezaul Karim confirmed the matter. He said the ACC filed the case on the charge of acquiring property worth Tk 1,7,48,172 beyond known income sources.