Bangladesh
Bangladesh remains open to foreign observers in next polls: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh would remain open to foreign observers in the next parliamentary elections.
Dr Momen conveyed it to outgoing US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller during a farewell meeting at State Guesthouse Padma.
The Foreign Minister also briefed Ambassador Miller on the ongoing Union Parishad elections as well as the City Corporation elections in Narayanganj, underscoring the free and fair nature of the elections and high voter turnout.
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They also discussed ways and means for cooperation between the two countries in human rights arena, including through arranging training programmes.
Thanking the USA for being the largest donor to the humanitarian operations for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, Dr Momen also urged it to participate in humanitarian operations in Bhasan Char in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding inked with the United Nations. They discussed ways and means to further enhance the existing excellent bilateral relations between two friendly nations. Foreign Minister Momen thanked the US Ambassador for his proactive works in Bangladesh during his tenure.
He specially mentioned about the vaccine support Bangladesh has received from the United States.
Bangladesh has so far received 28 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from the US under the COVAX programme, and would get more in near future.
He also appreciated two countries’ close engagements in climate change issue, and recalled with pleasure the visit of US Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry to Bangladesh in April 2021.
Both sides expressed optimism that a series of dialogues and visits would take place in the coming months as many in-person interactions between the two governments could not take place due to the pandemic.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked the US Ambassador for facilitating his visit to Washington DC in February 2021, the first by any Foreign Minister to the US Capital after the assumption of the Office by the Biden Administration; as well as for facilitating official visits of Bangladesh Armed Forces Service Chiefs to the United States in 2021. The Foreign Minister also thanked the US government for responding to his request for assisting Bangladesh in restoring and further developing the coastal embankments in the Southern part of the country.
Mentionable that Foreign Minister Momen wrote a letter to USAID Administrator Professor Samantha Power on this matter, which she positively responded.
As a result, he said, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, and other relevant Ministries are in the process of commencing a joint feasibility study with the USAID for identifying possible projects for strengthening the coastal embankments in Southern Bangladesh.
Dr Momen also urged the United States to participate in large infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, as this is a priority area for Bangladesh Government. The US Ambassador, stating that his tenure in Bangladesh has been the best one in his career due to the warm hospitality he has received from the government and the people here, thanked Foreign Minister Momen and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for all cooperation and support rendered to him.
He reiterated the United States’ strong support for the Rohingya issue not only through humanitarian assistance but also for political settlements through repatriation.
Miller also expressed optimism that his successor, having a strong economic background, would substantially contribute towards taking forward the economic cooperation between the two nations further ahead.
Read:Bangladesh to lobby, if required, anywhere in US: FM
He also underscored that the US remains willing to remain closely engaged with Bangladesh on human rights related issues, including through regular dialogues. Foreign Minister Dr Momen wished Ambassador Miller good health and happiness in his future, and expressed optimism that he would continue working for the enhancement of ties between the two countries.
Earlier, the outgoing US Ambassador also met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and discussed issues of mutual interest.
BNP’s focus on polls-time neutral govt, not EC: Gayeshwar
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Wednesday said their party is least bothered about the draft law on the Election Commission (EC) formation as their main focus is on polls-time neutral government.
“Our demand is meant for a (polls-time) neutral government, not for the Election Commission,” he said.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said the national election in 2001 was held with the Election Commission formed by the Sheikh Hasina government and BNP won 193 seats in that polls under a neutral government.
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“So, we don’t have any headache with the Election Commission or the draft law on it,” he said.
Gayeshwar came up with the comments while inaugurating a free medical camp arranged by Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, marking its founder Zaiur Rahman’s 86th birth anniversary.
As per the draft law, he said one of the major conditions is that no one can be an EC member without having experience in important government or semi-government offices or in the judiciary for 20 years. “This means no one other than a government official will be appointed to the Commission. The government officials are Sheikh Hasina's employees.”
Besides, the BNP leader said the civil society members, educationists and jurists cannot be the members of the EC.
He said the search committee was not lawful but it will now come under a legal frame if the law is passed. “It means the illegal thing will become legal through the law.”
On Monday, the Cabinet approved the draft of the ‘Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Act, 2022’ to have a law in this regard as per the Constitution.
As per the proposed law, a search committee will be formed taking approval from the President over the constitution of the Election Commission and the search committee will recommend the names of suitable candidates before the President to appoint the CEC and other election commissioners.
Read: BNP trashes draft law over EC formation
The move came just one month before the expiry of the five-year tenure of the incumbent Election Commission, led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, as it is going to complete its five years in office in mid-February.
Gayeshwar urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to get ready to quit power and hold the next election under a non-party administration. “You (PM) have no other alternative. It’s now just a matter of time for you to quit power.”
From the medical camp, doctors gave free treatment to 180 poor patients and distributed medicines among them.
Colleagues, friends bid tearful adieu to journalist Habibur Rahman
Colleagues, friends and well-wishers paid last respect to journalist Habibur Rahman at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) on Wednesday followed by his first namaz-e-janaza there.
The 35-year-old journalist, also a senior reporter of daily “Shomoyer Alo” died in a motorbike accident in the city’s Hatirjheel area in the early hours of Wednesday.
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Habibur Rahman, a former organising secretary of the DRU, left wife, a two-and-half-year-old son, father, mother and host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
DRU executive committee led by its President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib paid respect to Habibur Rahman placing wreaths on his coffin.
Later, Bangladesh Awami League, Prime Minister’s press wing and journalists’ bodies paid respect to him by placing flowers on his coffin.
“Habibur Rahman was a very promising young journalist. He was a good soul,” said the DRU president in his brief speech.
DRU general secretary Hasib said they worked together in the executive committee of 2017. “I had seen his organizational capacity, honesty and sincerity. He was a dedicated journalist.”
‘Masud Rana’ writer-publisher Qazi Anwar Hossain dies
Legendary Bangladeshi writer and publisher Qazi Anwar Hussain, popularly known for his espionage-thriller novel series Masud Rana, passed away on Wednesday. He was 85.
The writer breathed his last at the BIRDEM General Hospital in the capital, said his daughter-in-law Masuma Maimur in her Facebook post.
"Abba (referring to Qazi Anwar Hussain) was diagnosed with prostate cancer on October 31st and was hospitalized five times after that evaluation. There was not much opportunity for treatment. He also suffered a stroke and a heart attack prior to his death, while he had been on life support since January 10," Masuma writes in her post.
According to Qazi Anwar Hussain’s sister and Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun, he was admitted to BIRDEM and taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) yesterday. Regarding the rituals for his burial, Sanjida Khatun said his body will be kept in the hospital for tonight while his funeral and burial will be held on Thursday morning.
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Qazi Anwar Hussain was born to the National Professor and scientist, writer and educationist Qazi Motahar Hossain and Sajeda Khatun on July 19, 1936.
He completed his matriculation from St. Gregory's School in 1952. He obtained his BA from Jagannath College (now Jagannath University) and MA in Bengali Literature from Dhaka University in 1981.
Best known for introducing the massively popular spy-thriller series ‘Masud Rana’ to Bangladeshi readers, Hussain started his first press business in Segunbagicha in 1963 as the Segunbagan Prakashani. The first publication was named the ‘Kuasha-1’ and it was published in June 1964.
After renaming the publishing house as the Sheba Prakashani, Qazi Anwar Hussain published the first edition of ‘Masud Rana’ book series titled ‘Dhwongsho Pahar’ in 1966. The books from this popular spy series have been inspired and adapted from foreign thriller and spy novel series.
Hussain was married to famous singer Farida Yasmin till her demise in 2015. Together they had three children: sons Qazi Maimur Husain and Qazi Shahnur Husain, and daughter Shahrin Sonia.
Among his siblings, Hussain’s eldest sister Zobaida Mirza has been a professor and author, other older sister Sanjida Khatun is a renowned Bangladeshi musicologist, and his two younger sisters, Fahmida Khatun and Mahmuda Khatun are also singers. Hussain himself was also an enlisted singer for East Pakistan Radio from 1958 to 1966.
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For his excellence in Bengali literature, Qazi Anwar Hussain received the Independence Day Award in 1979, Bachsas Award for Best Screenplay and Dialogue for the film ‘Masud Rana’ in 1974 and Bangla Academy Literary Award (1966), to name a few.
Genocide: ICJ to hold public hearings on objections raised by Myanmar from Feb 21-28.
The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold public hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar from February 21-28.
The hearings of the Gambia v. Myanmar case related to application of the convention on the prevention and punishment of the “crime of genocide” will be held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court.
“The hearings will be devoted to the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar,” said the ICJ on Wednesday, adding that in view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be held in a hybrid format.
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Some Members of the Court will attend the oral proceedings in person in the Great Hall of Justice while others will participate remotely by video link.
Representatives of the Parties to the case will participate either in person or by video link.
Members of the diplomatic corps, the media and the public will be able to follow the hearings through a live webcast on the Court’s website, as well as on UN Web TV, the United Nations online television channel.
No hike in edible oil prices in 15 days, readjustment after that: Minister
Edible oil prices will not be raised in the next 15 days but will be readjusted with the global market after a meeting with stakeholders, said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.
“This is how the oil prices need to be kept stable during Ramadan. Or else, traders will be discouraged to import it,” said the minister on Wednesday.
Tipu Munshi was talking to reporters at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital after the DCs Conference.
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"We need 20 lakh tonnes of edible oil per year. But the country can supply only two lakh tonnes. As a huge quantity of oil has to be imported, any rise in the prices on the international market also affects the local market,” Tipu added.
The minister said now the price of edible oil on the international market has gone up to Tk 8000-10,000 per container from Tk 2,000-2,500, resulting in price hike here. “So, the prices need to be readjusted one and a half or two months later.”
If the prices are not readjusted, the traders will not open LCs ahead of Ramadan which may cause a horrible situation during the holy month, he added.
About the tendency of traders not to open LCs, Salman F Rahman, Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, said, “If the traders don’t want to open LCS, the government can force them. They won’t import anything incurring losses. But we’ve to make sure they don’t make excessive profits,” he added.
The commerce minister said, “We’ve talked to them over the matter. We’ll sit on February 6/7 and adjust the edible oil prices comparing the international market price and its associated costs. We made a decision in this regard today.”
Tipu Munshi urged the DCs to play a stronger role in keeping the prices of essentials stable during the holy month of Ramadan.
READ: Edible oil to get costlier by Tk 7 per litre from Wednesday
They have been instructed to strengthen the market monitoring to keep the prices of key items at a tolerable level during the Ramadan.
“Ramadan is coming and we will fix the prices of some items and the DCs have been asked to monitor it strictly and take legal action,” the commerce minister added.
7 more Dengue cases recorded in Bangladesh
Seven new dengue patients have been hospitalised in the country in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, health authorities said.
No new death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: Bangladesh reports 2 more dengue cases
Five of the new patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining two were admitted to hospitals in other divisions.
A total of 105 dengue patients -- 95 in Dhaka division alone, four in Mymensingh, two each in Chattogram and Khulna, and one each in Rajshahi and Barishal divisions -- have died so far since January, 2021.
Some 28 dengue patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the country as of Wednesday.
Read:Dengue: 14 new patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Of them, 19 are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while remaining nine at hospitals outside Dhaka.
This year, some 115 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue so far and 87 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said the DGHS.
Rescued python released in Sundarbans
A 10-feet python was released in the Sundarbans after being rescued by members of Village Tiger Response Team (VTRT) and WildTeam, wildlife conservation organization, at North Tafalbari village in Sarankhola Upazila Tuesday afternoon.
Locals spotted the python in a pond of Jiten Gain of the village and informed the Forest Department.
On information, VTRT members rushed to the spot and rescued the python weighing 20-25 kg.
Read: Python released in Kaptai National Park
Md. Shamsul Arefin, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of Sarankhola Range, said the python might have entered the locality in search of food.
On December 13, another python was caught by local people at Zilbunia village of Sarankhola Upazila and then it was released in the Sundarbans.
According to the Forest Department, over 100 pythons were rescued in the last one year from different adjacent areas of the Sundarbans.
New Year: Blinken greets Momen, his family
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has greeted Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and wished his family a joyous and peaceful New Year.
"May you and your family have a joyous holiday season and peaceful New Year," Secretary Blinken wrote in his New Year's message from the US State Department.
Covid spreading fast in Bangladesh; infection rate hits 25.11%
Bangladesh reported 12 more Covid-linked deaths with 9,500 fresh cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning following a continuous rise in its infection rate.
The positivity rate in the country further increased to 25.11 per cent from Tuesday’s 23.98 per cent after testing 37,573 samples, according to the Directorate general of health Services (DGHS).
Bangladesh last logged 10,126 cases and 215 deaths on August 12, last year with a positivity rate of 22.46% per cent in 24 hours.
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The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,176 while the caseload mounted to 1,642, 294 on Wednesday.
Among the new deceased, 10 were men and two women.
Eight deaths were reported in Dhaka division while two in Chattogram and one each in Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions.