Bangladesh
Athens Conference: FM Hasan calls for responsible, sustainable ocean management
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has stressed the need for responsible and sustainable ocean management at the high-level panel of Foreign Ministers in the "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Athens on Wednesday.
He also pointed the need for adopting a holistic approach to balance between sustainable management of the ocean for environmental conservation and socioeconomic development of people living in the proximity of the ocean.
Minister Hasan highlighted the initiatives taken by Bangladesh, a country with long Maritime border and Maritime history, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure sustainable ocean management and utilization of maritime resources to uplift the socioeconomic condition of the coastal population.
The Foreign Minister also called upon the world community to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty and allocate funds for the restoration of biodiversity of the Oceans as about 10 billion USD was committed by various countries for overall development of ecosystems and green shipping.
Foreign Ministers of Greece, Costa Rica, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe also made intervention and made national commitments at this conference concluding day panel discussion.
24-year-old killed ‘by elder brother’ over land dispute
A 24-year-old man was killed allegedly by his elder brother and his family over a land dispute on Wednesday morning in the Paschim Baluadanga area of Dinajpur.
The deceased, Russell Rana Babu was the son of freedom fighter and retired police constable Hasan Ali.
The victim was hacked with an axe, said Farid Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station.
He was taken to M Abdur Rahim Medical College in the morning and was declared dead around 4:45 pm, he said.
The accused are currently absconding.
The body has been sent to the morgue for an autopsy. Babu’s family is preparing to file a case, added the OC.
FOC: Dhaka, Kathmandu for operationalisation of BBIN MVA framework to boost trade, connectivity
Bangladesh and Nepal have emphasised the operationalisation of the (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) framework to contribute to the individual country’s economy not only by expanding trade and connectivity, but also by creating more opportunity to promote people-to-people contacts.
Bangladesh also emphasised the expeditious conclusion of tripartite power agreement among Bangladesh-India-Nepal soon, which will help Bangladesh to import power from Nepal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The issues were discussed at the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Nepal held in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
During the consultations, Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, while Nepali delegation was led by Sewa Lamsal, Foreign Secretary of Nepal. Ambassadors of both countries and other senior officials attended the meeting.
During the FOC, the whole gamut of bilateral relations was reviewed.
Both the foreign secretaries expressed satisfaction over the excellent bilateral relations that exist between Bangladesh and Nepal.
They discussed all the major issues of mutual interests and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially trade and commerce, transit and connectivity, power and energy sector, tourism, culture and education.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary thanked the government of Nepal for allocating land for the construction of Monastery in Lumbini.
He added that it would be a milestone between "our relations and enhance people-to-people contacts between Bangladesh and Nepal in the days ahead."
Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal stressed the exploration of the untapped potential in economic, cultural and educational areas and proposed to establish meaningful collaborative partnership including in the private sector.
She mentioned that Nepal would like to pursue more trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh.
She urged Bangladeshi side to explore investment opportunities in Nepal including in hydropower sector.
She also requested the Government of Bangladesh to eliminate the existing Other Duties and Charges (ODCs) levied on Nepali products being exported to Bangladesh.
The Nepali foreign secretary emphasized the exchange of visits at different levels.
Both sides discussed regional issues of mutual interest.
They also underscored the necessity of revitalising SAARC and strengthening BIMSTEC for promoting regional cooperation.
They also agreed to cooperate with each other at various multilateral forums, especially at the UN to pursue common interests especially in the areas of LDC graduation, poverty alleviation, climate change and safety and security of migrant workers.
An MoU between Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh and Foreign Service Institute of Nepal was also signed by the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries.
In the afternoon, Masud Bin Momen paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar.
During the meeting, discussions were held on issues of mutual interest between Nepal and Bangladesh.
The next FOC will take place in Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Panthakunja to be turned into an aesthetic Udyan before July: Taposh
Panthakunja will be turned into an aesthetic Udyan before July, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said on Wednesday.
He came up with the announcement during an exchange of views with journalists after inspecting the cleaning programme of Panthpath box culvert inside Panthakunja Park in the morning.
Taposh said Panthakunja is a very important park in this area. In 2017, initiatives were taken under the mega project for its development but the work of this park was stopped due to taking Dhaka Elevated Expressway in this direction.
Motijheel kitchen market: Taposh hands over keys to 57 shops allotted in 1997
“After taking charge, I discussed with them several times over the issue. As a result, they decided to work in specific areas leaving the rest of the place for the Udyan. Later, we started working at that place. Currently, its infrastructure development is going on,” he stated.
He also said, “We want to present an aesthetic Udyan to the people of Dhaka city. However, due to the elevated expressway work, a large part of the park will be lost to it. Even so, as much as we have been able to save, we will soon be able to open it up for the city dwellers."
Stating that new initiatives have been taken to resolve the waterlogging in the Newmarket area, Mayor Taposh said that last year there was waterlogging in a few places, particularly in front of Newmarket and in Shantinagar areas.
“Pointing out the reasons, we have already solved it. Hopefully, there will be no waterlogging this time.”
Construction work of Kanchpur inter-district bus terminal to be completed by mid-2024: Taposh
Later, he visited Sayedabad Super Market adjacent to Sayedabad Terminal, Zaheer Raihan Cultural Program Center Library in Gandaria and Tajuddin Memorial Library in Wari.
Among others, the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman, Secretary Akramuzzaman and Acting Chief Engineer Ashikur Rahman were also present.
BGMEA President Mannan's mother passes away
Jahanara Begum, mother of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President SM Mannan Kochi, has passed away. She was 85.
Jahanara Begum breathed her last at 4:30 pm on Wednesday due to old age complications at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli, according to a press release.
The BGMEA family has expressed deep condolence and sympathy to the president of the organisation and his family members. BGMEA also prayed eternal salvation of the departed soul, it said
Cabinet okays draft law to expedite implementation of mega schemes in Maheshkhali
The Cabinet on Wednesday in principle approved the draft Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority Act, 2024, aiming to expedite implementation of different projects including mega schemes in Maheshkhali and thus transform it into an industrial and commercial area.
The approval came from the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here in the city.
The Prime Minister’s Office placed the proposed law in the meeting, said Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain at a press briefing in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
“Under the law, an authority will be formed and there will be a 17-member governing board headed by a chairman for it. The Finance Minister and several other ministers will be in the board,” he said.
He said the main task of the authority will be designing and implementing a master plan in the designated area. “The main objective will be to attract foreign investment,” he said.
“There will be 55,968 acres of land in the entire economic zone,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
Besides, the cabinet gave the final approval to the draft Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Remuneration and Privileges) Act, 2024 to enact a law in place of the existing ordinance of 1983.
“No change was brought in the draft law. The remuneration and privileges related provisions, which were given earlier (in the existing ordinance) have been kept here as well,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
Now CEC enjoys the same privileges as a justice of the Appellate Division does, while election commissioners get the same privileges as the justices of the High Court Division do.
Bangladeshi diaspora in Canada holds Eid reunion
The Bangladeshi diaspora in Calgary, Canada recently held a reunion on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of fasting month Ramadan.
The Centre for Children and Community Development, an organization of Bangladeshi community members living in Calgary, arranged the programme at Mac Islamic School Centre.
Over a hundred community members, including children, joined the event that featured songs, games, and various cultural activities.
MLA Parmeet Singh Boparai, Community Organisers Saima Jamal and Pavit Singh, First Nations representative Michael Robinson, and Bangladeshi community leaders Mohammad Monirul Alam and Kaniz Fatima, among others, were present at the event held on March 13.
Speaking at the programme, Parmeet Sing, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Falconridge, praised the role of the Centre for Children and Community Development in inspiring the youth to be involved in community activities.
He also provided certificates to Mohammad Monirul Alam, Kaniz Fatima and UNB Special Correspondent Muhammed Abdur Rahman Jahangir appreciating their contributions to the development of the community.
Jahangir has been working as a communication specialist for the Centre for Children and Community Development.
“We’ve brought the families and youth together through this reunion of our community members. The youth played the main role in organizing this event,” said Kaniz Fatima, one of the organizers.
She said the event was arranged to create a scope for the youth to know how to be involved in community activities and be a leader.
UGC probe body finds evidence of corruption, irregularities against IU VC
The probe body formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) has found evidence of corruption and irregularities against Islamic University Vice -Chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam.
The probe body submitted the report to the UGC and the Ministry of Education recently, Professor M Abu Taher, head of the investigation committee and a member of the commission, said on Wednesday.
Abu Taher said that some allegations brought against the Islamic University VC were found true.
GD filed as job seeker offers bribe to IU VC
They also found evidence against him, he said
Based on the probe report, the ministry of education will take further steps against the vice-chancellor, he added.
A UGC member said if stern action had been taken after the probe, such VCs would not have got the scope of doing such irregularities again.
"Some of them have become reckless in the absence of punishment," said the UGC member.
On November 1, 2023, the UGC formed a three-member probe body headed by its member Professor M Abu Taher to look into the corruption and irregularities allegations brought against the VC.
The probe body, however, went to the university and started its investigation on January 22 this year.
ACC begins probe into irregularities in IU mega project
Earlier, a total of 14 audio clips containing conversations between IU VC and different people went viral on social media from February 16 to June 13 last year.
On February 17, IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan filed a general diary with Islamic University police station after an audio clip containing conversation between the VC and a jobseeker from IU mass communication and journalism department, had gone viral.
Recruitment ‘anomaly’ at IU: Conversation between pro-VC, official goes viral
The Islamic University Teachers’ Association and Awami League-backed teachers’ alliance ‘Shapla Forum’ submitted a written petition to the VC, requesting him to explain his audio conversations, leaked on February 18.
Later, the forum also sought the prime minister’s intervention regarding the issue.
Middle East crisis: PM urges preparation to face possible impacts
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to keep sharp eyes on the emerging situation of the Middle East following Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel.
She also asked them to take necessary preparations to face possible impacts, considering that some sectors of Bangladesh might be affected if this conflict continues for a long time.
Prime Minister expresses heartfelt greetings to freedom fighters on Eid-ul-Fitr
The premier issued the directives during an unscheduled discussion at the Cabinet meeting. She chaired the meeting at her office here in the city.
Later, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon after the meeting.
“The Prime Minister said all concerned should keep an eye on the reality that is emerging in the Middle East. All members of the cabinet and ministries concerned have been asked to keep a sharp eye on the emerging situation,” he said quoting the PM.
The ministries concerned were asked to take preparation from right now for possible reactions of the conflict, he added.
“It has been asked to take preparation for how we will deal with the matters or what we can do in facing these things, if the conflict continues for a long-term,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
PM Hasina to inaugurate NAP Expo on April 22: Environment Minister
If the conflict turns long-term, then it would leave impacts in various sectors, the authorities of the sectors concerned were asked to take plan to face the impacts.
In reply to a question over the sectors that might be affected, Mahbub said all were asked to take preparation in their respective sectors. “If a crisis is created, the price of fuel may go up. So, it was asked to make a plan for what should be done in that case,” he said.
Meherpur witnesses season’s highest temperature at 40.7°C
Meherpur district recorded the highest temperature of this season at 40.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
People are experiencing blistering heat as a severe heat wave is sweeping the district.
Chuadanga Weather Observatory Centre recorded 40.7 Degrees Celsius in Meherpur at 3pm on Wednesday, said Jaminur Rahman, in-charge of the Observatory Centre.
Heatwave sweeps over 8 divisions as temperatures soar
The situation may persist for a few more days, he said adding that there is no possibility of rain at this moment.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chuadanga recorded the highest temperature of this season at 40.6 degrees Celsius.
The people of the district especially the low-income people are in dire straits due to intense heat.
Working people were seen resting under trees and in shady places hoping for some relief.