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Fireworks, sky lanterns banned in Dhaka until further notice: DMP
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on all kinds of fireworks and sky lanterns in the capital on the occasion of Christmas (December 25) and New Year’s Eve (December 31).
The ban was made to beef up the security in the capital, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman said in a press release on Monday night.
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The ban is in force from midnight until further notice, he added.
He also urged the public not to bring torches in processions during this period.
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Earlier, the government banned political programmes that could hinder electoral responsibilities from December 18 until the end of the national election.
4 including child killed as train burnt in Dhaka ahead of hartal
At least four people including a child were killed as arsonists set fire to the Dhaka-bound Mohanganj Express train in the capital's Tejgaon Railway station area early today, just an hour before today’s hartal called by BNP and likeminded opposition parties began.
Three carriages of the train were set on fire around 5:04 am, Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters media cell, confirmed.
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On information, three firefighting units from Tejgaon Fire Station rushed to the spot and tame the blaze around 6:45 am, he said.
They recovered the bodies of the victims from one of the compartments, added the officer.
Of the deceased, two were identified as Nadira Akhter Popy, 35, and her three-year-old son, Yasin, said Md Ferdous, inspector of Kamalapur Railway Police Station.
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Later, the bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsies, added the officer.
Sustainable marine ecology, future of small-scale fisheries both depend on women's empowerment
Speakers at a virtual regional dialogue on Monday said that the Small-Scale Fisheries sector plays an important role in the economy of countries like Bangladesh, India and Thailand.
Despite the active participation of women in various activities including fish harvesting, processing and marketing processes, they are neglected in resources or services. Limited power access in the decision making process, lack of economic empowerment and their contribution to ownership over resources are still underestimated, they said.
To achieve sustainability in marine ecology and small-scale fisheries, gender equality is the most important thing that needs to be ensured, they added.
Funded by Swed-Bio, the virtual regional dialogue was jointly organised by SDF, Thailand; Law-Trust, India; and Coast Foundation, Bangladesh.
The virtual regional dialogue on “Gender Aspects of Small-Scale Fisheries: A Comparative Picture of Bangladesh," was aimed to focus on the gender disparities within small-scale fisheries, highlighting the importance of gender equality, social inclusivity and sustainable development. The event was moderated by Sanat Kumar Bhowmik, COAST Foundation.
Among the other participants, Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk and Varunton Kwawtankam of SDF, Thailand, Prof. (Retd.) Dr. Md. Abdul Wahab of Center for Blue Resource Development, Bangladesh, Md. Sheikh Asad of Udayan Bangladesh, Gandhi Mathi Algar of Law-Trust, India, Harman Kumara of NAFSO, Sri Lanka and Susan Kaira of Indonesia were presented as panel speakers and shared their insights in the virtual dialogue.
Apart, Supaporn Phanria, Southern Folk Fisheries Women's Association, Thailand and Khairayah Rahmaniya, Youth Representative, Chanarkothin Network, Thailand and other fishers’ groups from India and Bangladesh shared the real-time challenges and tangible solutions in these regards.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST Foundation, in his welcome speech, emphasized the challenges faced by small fishermen, including rule violations by large trawlers, technological disparities and societal attitudes towards fisherwomen. To face major challenges like climate change, it is needed for regional cooperation and concrete action plans, he added.
Dr. Abdul Wahab highlighted the technological gender gap and social issues like child marriage in fishing villages, emphasizing the importance of skill development, alternative income generation and a common national-level platform.
Khairayah Rahmaniya and Supaporn Fanria from Thailand discussed environmental threats, declining income and the importance of enhancing women's skills in the face of crises.
Gandhi Mathi Algar addressed the denial of women's roles in decision-making processes, socio-economic disparities and the collective effort required to formulate and implement gender-sensitive policies.
Representatives of women fishers’ groups from different countries highlighted the barriers faced in terms of women fishers’ inclusion in government services and resources, wage inequality and safe working environment.
They also urged for immediate solutions.
Bangladesh, South Korea sign loan agreement on climate-resilient development
A loan agreement on "Climate Resilient Inclusive Development Programme (Subprogram 1)" amounting to US$90 million was signed between the governments of Bangladesh and South Korea on Monday.
Md Anwar Hossain, wing chief and additional secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Hwang Kiyeon, executive director of Korea Eximbank, signed the loan agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh government and Korea Eximbank, respectively, according to a press release.
The Finance Division, along with other relevant ministries, has formulated the policy reform programme, it said.
The programme scope includes mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to a low-carbon economy, facilitating a sustainable and climate-focused development pathway, strengthening resilience, and reducing risk and vulnerability to adverse climate change impacts.
According to the loan agreement, the objectives of this programme have already been achieved.
Since 1993, on behalf of the South Korean government, the Korea Eximbank has been providing soft loans to various priority development sector projects in Bangladesh. Under this loan agreement, this loan will bear a simple interest rate of 0.5% per annum, while the maturity period will be 25.5 years, including a grace period of 7.5 years, added the release.
EC asks for deployment of an advance team of armed forces in every district before polls
The Election Commission on Monday asked for sending a small team of armed forces in advance to every district in order for their deployment throughout the country for 13 days during the January 7 national election.
The commission sent a letter to the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division in this regard.
The EC has already taken a decision for the deployment of armed forces in the 300 constituencies throughout Bangladesh from December 29, 2023 to January 10, 2024 to assist the civil administration under the provision of “In Aid to Civil Power” aiming to ensure peace-order before, during and after the polling day, said the letter.
A small advance team of armed forces can be sent to each district to collect primary information and data on the communication system, physical infrastructures and electoral environment, conditions of the election area, it said.
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The deployed members of the armed forces will assist the civil administration in maintaining the law and order in line with the Code of Criminal Procedure following the recommendations of executive magistrates in the election duty.
The members of the armed forces will remain deployed at nodal points and convenient locations in each district, upazila or metropolitan area. Then the members of armed forces will be deployed in coordination of the returning officers.
Executive magistrates will be deployed with teams of the armed force.
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On request of the returning officers or assistance returning officers, they will have to do legal activities and other works as per the reality and requirements.
The commission will issue detailed directives later over the deployment of armed forces, said the letter.
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All Biman employees to get 5% allowance as ‘special incentive’
The national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has taken a decision to provide a ‘special incentive’ increasing 5% salary to its all staff and employees.
The additional allowances will be added to the basic salary of all, said a press release issued on Monday.
The decision was taken at the 298th meeting of the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and an official notice was issued on Monday in this regard, said Siddiqur Rahman, director (admin) of Biman.
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As per the decision, all employees, staff including retired officials and casual workers will enjoy the allowance and the salary will be increased to at least Tk 1000 as per 5% allowance.
The decision will be backdated to be effective from July 1, 2023.
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People's Relief Committee of Kolkata receives Bangladesh Liberation War Award
Commemorating People's Relief Committee (PRC) of Kolkata’s contribution to Bangladesh’s Liberation War, the Trinamul Women's Initiative Society of Bangladesh gave a commemorative award to PRC on the occasion of Victory Day.
Dr. Fuad Halim, General Secretary of People's Relief Committee, formally received the honor in a ceremony in Sylhet on Monday, according to a media release.
The People's Relief Committee in Kolkata provided medical care to thousands of freedom fighters during the 1971 Liberation War.
Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul celebrates victory dayIn 1971, thousands of refugees from East Bengal took shelter in West Bengal.
People's Relief Committee was the only healthcare institution in West Bengal engaged in medical services at that time.Relief centers were opened in Ranaghat, Bangaon, Basirhat, Hasnabad, Kienganj, Gende, Kalyani, and Balurghat areas.Many wounded and injured freedom fighters were cured by providing them with blood donations, food, and drinking water.
Victory Day celebration at Bangladesh Embassy in EgyptThis kind of outstanding contribution was highlighted by the world media at that time. Local youth and women with the PRC served the freedom fighters day and night at that time.According to the People's Relief Committee, medical and relief operations were conducted in various border areas in Khulna, Jessore, Kushtia, Rajshahi, Thakurgaon Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Comilla districts.In addition, the PRC built a children's hospital in Chattogram.While speaking at the function in Sylhet, Dr. Fuad Halim became overwhelmed with emotion as he reminisced about that time.Dr. Nazra Chowdhury, Dr. Sapnil Mahato, Dr. Sabrina Ahmed, Dr. Safisa Shabnam, Himangsu Mitra, Anita Dasgupta, Fatema Sultana, Nadira Chowdhury Rumu, Mitu Roy, and Sikandar Ali of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Workers’ Party were present on the occasion.
Adding 2,000MW of rooftop solar capacity can save up to $1 billion annually: IEEFA
While rooftop solar has struggled to gain traction in Bangladesh, a renewed focus on adding 2,000 megawatts (MW) can help the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) save up about US$1 billion (Tk 11032 crore) annually.
This was revealed by a new report of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
The report highlights that rooftop solar’s economic benefits are more compelling now than ever for Bangladesh, which has suffered energy price spikes, supply disruptions and deteriorating fiscal conditions since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
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“Bangladesh must tap the low-hanging fruit of rooftop solar to stave off the energy sector challenges and reduce colossal imports of fossil fuels,” said the report’s author, Shafiqul Alam, Lead Analyst, Bangladesh Energy, IEEFA.
“The delay in steering the sector in the right direction could result in a missed opportunity,” it added.
Based on IEEFA’s interviews with select experts and stakeholders of the sector, the report recommends pulling six key levers to accelerate the widespread deployment of rooftop solar.
These are raising awareness, streamlining finance, policy and regulatory intervention, quality assurance, business models for utilities and capacity development of key stakeholders.
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“While investors want to quickly assimilate information on interest rates, net metering guidelines and policy changes, there is information asymmetry within the sector,” said Shafiqul Alam.
Another key hindrance to the wider adoption of rooftop solar is the lack of capacity of stakeholders in terms of personnel, quality assurance and project appraisal, he noted.
Therefore, the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) should design and conduct targeted capacity development and awareness programmes, as well as exposure visits to successful projects for stakeholders.
Although the solar helpdesk, hosted by SREDA, shares information on request, stakeholders feel a performance assessment of the helpdesk is essential to upgrade services based on need and relevance.
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The report further highlights that a credit risk guarantee scheme can minimise the perceived risks of financial institutions and increase fund flows to projects. Similarly, a first-loss guarantee can address engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies’ challenges linked to repayment from industries and building owners (offtakers).
While Bangladesh Bank’s green refinancing scheme is the least-cost financing vehicle, all eligible rooftop solar projects will not receive the refinance due to its limited funds of Tk400 crore (about US$36.4 million) and the competition with 69 other environment-friendly projects.
“Therefore, Bangladesh Bank may pre-approve financing for rooftop solar based on an assessment at the initial stage to eliminate any uncertainty about availing of the low-cost scheme,” says Alam.
The Infrastructure Development Company Limited also has a rooftop solar financing facility, but it will not meet the sector’s demand.
The report recommends that local financial institutions explore multilateral agencies, international climate finance, and the local bond market to enhance funds in the foreseeable future.
“Policymakers do not need to start afresh and reinvent the wheel. They should enhance the effectiveness of existing measures and incorporate successful schemes implemented elsewhere,” he said
Momen to participate in Kuwait state program over death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will participate in the state program organized by the Kuwaiti government over the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Monday evening (Kuwait time).
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Momen, who is leading a three-member Bangladesh delegation, left Dhaka for Kuwait on Monday morning by a Kuwait Airways flight to convey condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh over the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Ambassador of Kuwait to Bangladesh Faisal Mutlaq Al Adwani saw the foreign minister off at the VIP lounge of the airport.
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The foreign minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on December 19.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died on Saturday after a three-year, low-key reign focused on trying to resolve the tiny, oil-rich nation’s internal political disputes. He was 86.
The Kuwaiti cabinet on Saturday named Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Amir, pursuant to the provisions of the Kuwaiti Constitution.
Faridpur-3 constituency: HC dismisses AL candidate’s petition challenging EC’s decision
The High Court (HC) on Monday upheld the Election Commission’s decision that cancelled the candidacy of Awami League-nominated candidate for Faridpur-3 Shamim Haque for holding dual citizenship.
The HC bench of Justice Md Iqbal Kabir and Justice SM Moniruzzaman passed the order after hearing a petition filed against the EC’s decision.
Now, Awami League-nominated candidate Shamim lost all legal ways to compete in the upcoming national elections.
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Advocates Shah Manjurul Haque and Sayeed Ahmed Raza stood for Shamim Haque and Avocate Tanjib Ul Alam and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman represented the opponent.
On December 5, Faridpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) and also Returning Officer Kamrul Ahsan Talukder declared the nomination papers of the AL-backed candidate valid during the scrutiny despite the objection from an independent candidate.
However, the returning officer defended the matter saying that the plaintiff could not submit any document in favour of their allegation.
On December 8, independent candidate for Faridpur-3 constituency (Sadar) AK Azad submitted an application to the EC seeking cancellation of candidature of Shamim Haque for holding dual citizenship.
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On the following day, Shamim Haque also submitted a counter application to the EC, seeking cancellation of AK Azad’s nomination bringing allegations of holding dual citizenship and hiding information on wealth in the affidavit.
On December 15, The EC accepted businessman AK Azad's appeal and cancelled the candidacy of Awami League nominee from Faridpur-3 as the latter holds dual citizenship.
Enraged by it, Shamim Haque moved HC with a petition to review the EC decision.