Day: September 29, 2022

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Brac Migration Media Award goes to 16 journalists

Sixteen journalists have received the Brac Migration Media Award for their reporting.

 

Imran Ahmad, minister of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, handed over the prizes to the winners in Dhaka Thursday.

 

Brac introduced the award in 2015 to recognise journalism in the migration sector.

 

This year the award was given for the seventh time. Daily Samakal’s Rajib Ahmed won first place in the newspaper national category. Prothom Alo’s Mansoora Hossain came second, and The Financial Express’s Arafat Ara and Ajker Patrika’s correspondent Md Shahriar Hasan (now working for Dainik Bangla) earned joint third place.

 

Farooq Munir of Chittagong Khabar won first place in the newspaper regional category, Shariful Islam of Ekushey newspaper was second, and Md Emdad Uliah of weekly Chauddagram newspaper was third.

 

Sabina Yasmin of DBC News, (now working at Independent Television) earned first place in the television news category, Marzia Mumu of Shomoy TV came second, and Masuda Khatun of News24 third. Channel 24’s Morshed Hassib Hasan won the award in the television programme category. Md Mostafizur Rahman of Bangladesh Betar won it in the radio category.

 

The first prize in the online newspaper category was won by Md Jahangir Alam of Jagonews 24. Dainik Prothom Alo’s Md Mohiuddin came second, and Dainik Bangla’s Jasmine Akhtar and freelancer Rakib Hasan jointly won the third prize.

 

Each winner receives a crest, certificate of recognition and a cheque for the prize money.

 

The members of the jury board were Professor Robaet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University, ABM Abdul Halim, deputy secretary of the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry, Shaikh Muhammad Refat Ali of International Labour Organization and News24 Television Chief News Editor Shahnaz Munni.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Tigers to leave for New Zealand on Friday

Bangladesh cricket team will leave for New Zealand on Friday.

 

Ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be played in Australia next month, Bangladesh will participate in a tri-series T20 in New Zealand that also involves Pakistan.

 

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has already announced the New Zealand tri-series and World Cup squad.

 

Recently, Bangladesh played a two-match T20I series against the UAE and Bangladesh won 2-0. In this series, Afif Hossain has done well for the Tigers. But right-handed batter Sabbir Rahman, who played as an opener, failed to impress.

 

Bangladesh made a change to their staff— team manager Nafis Iqbal has been removed, and senior media manager Rabeed Imam has been appointed as the new team manager.

 

Media reports said the players are not happy to see Nafis as the team manager.

 

The first match of the tri-series will take place on October 7 when Bangladesh will take on Pakistan. The Tigers will get at least four matches in this event.

 

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, missed the UAE series for CPL. But he will join the Bangladesh team in New Zealand. In his absence, Nurul Hasan Sohan led Bangladesh in the UAE series.

 

Bangladesh squad for the New Zealand tri-series and the T20 World Cup: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan Sohan (vice-captain), Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, and Standby players: Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Soumya Sarkar.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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‘World investor week’ to be observed to raise awareness about investors’ protection

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) will observe the ‘World Investor Week’ from October 3-13 for raising awareness about investors’ education and protection.

 

BSEC, as a member of IOSCO (The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), an association of organizations that regulate the world’s securities and futures market, will observe the week through befitting programs, said BSEC executive director and spokesperson Mohammad Rezaul Karim on Thursday.

 

The inaugural function of the week will be held at the BSEC Multipurpose Hall on October 3, 2022.

 

Bangladesh Bank’s Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder will be present as the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

 

Besides, Sheikh Mohammad Salim Ullah, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division (FID), will be present as a special guest. BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam will preside over the event.

 

The closing ceremony will be held at La Meridien Hotel in the capital.

 

The program will be organized by Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) and Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL), both are concerns of BSEC.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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JS body for quick completion of vaccine manufacturing plant work in Gopalganj

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Health and Family Planning has recommended quick construction of a vaccine manufacturing and research plant in Gopalganj.

 

The recommendation was made at the committee’s 16th meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Thursday.

 

Besides, the committee discussed on the “National Diarrhoea Research Center Bangladesh Bill 2022” for making it time-befitting through corrections and additions.

 

The committee suggested for engaging teachers of government and private medical colleges in various medical research projects.

 

The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, chairman of the committee. Secretary and Additional Secretaries of the Health Ministry, Director Generals of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) along with other members of the committee were present at the meeting.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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National Youth Hockey: Holders BKSP, Dhaka District make flying start

Defending champions Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) and former champions Dhaka District team made flying start in the Al Arafah Islami Bank 27th National Youth Hockey Tournament’ 2022 crushing their opponents in two opening day’s fixture at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Thursday.

 

BKSP earned an emphatic 12-0 goal victory over Narayanganj District team in the day’s 2nd match.

 

Earlier in the day’s first match, Dhaka District crushed Shariatpur District by 13-0 goal.

 

Tanjil Rahman Ronak and Mohammad Emon scored three goals each, Rafiul Haque and Najmus Sabid scored two goals each while Shihab Hossain, Pavel Hossain Pappu and Shahrukh Mia Siam scored one each for Dhaka District team.

 

Earlier, President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan inaugurated the meet as chief guest.

 

Chairman of the meet’s sponsor Al Arafah Islami Bank Ltd Alhaj Salim Rahman was also present on the occasion as special guest.

 

Two more matches will be held on Friday (Sept 30) at the same venue.

 

Gazipur DSA will play Shariatpur DSA at 2 pm while Kishoreganj DSA will face Narayanganj DSA at 4 pm on Friday.

 

A record 57 teams, split into nine groups, are taking part in the first phase of the country wide meet.

 

The nine zonal venues are: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Narail, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Faridpur, Cumilla and Chattogram.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Sheikh Hasina pioneer of women empowerment: Speaker

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Thursday said Sheikh Hasina has established Bangladesh as a glaring example for women’s empowerment, women’s rights and gender equality across the world.

 

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a pioneer of women empowerment,” she said while addressing a function arranged on the occasion of providing grants to smart women entrepreneurs in the city.

 

On the occasion of the 75th birth anniversary of Sheikh Hasina, the Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) project of Bangladesh Computer Council under the ICT Division organised the event at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

 

In the function, the Speaker distributed a total of Tk 5 crore as grants among 1,000 smart women entrepreneurs. Each women entrepreneur was given Tk 50,000.

 

Dr Chaudhury said the women of Bangladesh have visibly advanced in every field today thanks to her (PM’s) her tireless hard-work and visionary thoughts.

 

She said the PM has created a women-friendly e-commerce platform in the country to ensure the spontaneous participation of females from all walks of life. So, numerous women entrepreneurs are being created, she added.

 

The Speaker said women are now getting the scope to be connected with e-commerce sitting at their homes in this digital Bangladesh.

 

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak presided over the function, while ICT (Sr) Secretary NM Zeaul Alam, president of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) Shomi Kaiser, president of Women and e-Commerce (WE) Nasima Akter Nisha and iDEA project director Md Altaf Hossain spoke on the occasion, said a Parliament’s press release.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Sr Div Football: Nawabpur KC beat East End Club 1-0

Nawabpur Krira Chakra beat East End Club by 1-0 goal in Bashundhara Group Metropolis Senior Division Football League here on Thursday.

 

After a barren first half, Mehedi Hasan scored the match-winning goal for Nawabpur KC in the 67th minute

 

In the day’s another match, Mugda Samaj Kallayan & Krira Sangsad drew 1-1 with Basabo Torun Sangha.

 

Rasel Hossain put Mugda team ahead in the 55th minute while Gazi Humayan Kabir leveled the margin for Basabo TS in the 83rd minute.

 

The day’s other league match between Bangladesh Boys Club and Friends Social Welfare Organization ended in a goalless draw.

 

In the BFF U-18 Football League, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad KC defeated Swadhinata KS by 3-1 goal.

 

Biltu struck twice and Naimul netted one for the freedom fighters’ team while Monir netted the lone goal for Swadhinata KS.

 

In the BFF U-16 Football League, Wari Club outplayed Agrani Bank SC by 4-0 goal. Ahsan, Akash, Billah and Nurun Nabi scored one each for the Wari Cub.

 

In the day’s other match, Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club shared points with NoFel Sporting Club in 1-1 draw.

 

Nahidul scored first for NoFel SC in the 26th minute while Maruf neutralized the margin for Fakirerpool YMC in the 60th minute.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Bangladesh Bank raises repo rate to control inflation

Bangladesh Bank has increased the repo rate to 5.75 percent, from 5.5 percent, to control inflation.

 

The central bank took the decision at the 56th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held on Thursday.

 

Amidst rising inflation in the world market, Bangladesh is also witnessing the same.

 

In order to control inflation, the committee raised the repo rate, which will be effective from October 2 (Sunday).

 

The reverse repo rate will remain unchanged at the existing 4 percent, said a notification of the central bank.

 

The repo rate is the key monetary policy rate of interest at which the central bank lends money to banks in the short term, essentially to control credit availability, inflation, and economic growth.

 

The Bangladesh Bank notification stated that despite the economic recovery after Covid-19 fallout, the imbalance between global demand and supply still exists as supply chain problems caused by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have worsened.

 

As a result, since the beginning of 2021, most commodity prices in the global market have surged.

 

The world’s top economy, the US, has also increased policy interest rate to control inflation. Global prominent economists have warned that a new recession is coming from the supply chain disruption erupted from the Russia-Ukraine war.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Five SAFF women’s champs given warm reception at their Rangamati School

Anai Mogini, Anuching Mogini, Rupna Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma and Monika Chakma- five footballers of SAFF women champions team, have been accorded warm reception at their high school as they returned Rangamati on Thursday.

 

Ghagra High School teachers received the five footballers with garlands as they reached Ghagra Bazar in Rangamati while the students cheered for them.

 

With a colorful rally and fireworks they were then taken to their school from where the footballers, all with indigenous origin, received their preliminary training to grow as footballer.

 

The district administration arranged an open-deck vehicle for the footballers that paraded around the city from 2:30 pm.

 

Around 4pm they arrived at Rangamati stadium where they will be given a hero’s reception through an elaborate programme.

 

Bir Sen Chakma, headmaster of Maghachari Government Primary School, brought up these footballers with compassion defying many obstacles. . Later Shanti Moni Chakma of Ghagra High School took full responsibility of them.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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British national found dead in city hotel

A 60-year-old British national was found dead at a hotel in the capital’s Uttara area on Thursday, said police.

 

The deceased was identified as Finlayson Dugald, who came to Bangladesh with a tourist visa and had been staying in ‘Marino Hotel’ in Sector No 4 on Road No 11 since September 20.

 

Hotel staff said Dugald’s Chinese friend Dong Hao Peng knocked the door of his room but received no response around 10am.

 

Later, the door of the room No 108 was unlocked with a duplicate key and his body was found lying in the bathroom, they said .

 

Md Mamunur Rahman, sub-inspector of Uttara East Police Station, said on information they rushed to the spot and sent the body to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

 

The foreigner might have died of sickness but the exact reason will be known after the postmortem, he said.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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“Credit for success goes to govt and the people, failures are my own”

Outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Thursday commented that during his tenure as the IGP, credit for all the good work belongs to the government and the people, and failures are his own.

 

He made the comment while interacting with reporters at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium in Dhaka.

 

Benazir Ahmed is retiring as IGP tomorrow after a long 34-and-a-half-year police career. On his last working day, on Thursday, he exchanged views with journalists on various achievements throughout his career.

 

“Credit for all the good work goes to the government and the people while performing my duties during my 12 years in top police posts — as the DMP Commissioner, RAB DG and IGP of the Police. The failures are mine,” he said.

 

Setting up of DMP Media Center during his tenure as DMP Commissioner was a unique initiative to institutionalize police relations with journalists, he said, adding that as a result of this, relationship between police and journalists developed. “Your unwavering support for 12 long years, out of 34 years in service, has paved my way.”

 

“I have overcome many challenges during my tenure as DMP Commissioner, RAB DG and lastly as IGP. You (journalists) have given me support to face these challenges, the countrymen have also given support, he added.

 

When asked about the failures in fulfilling duties, the IGP said, “I don’t see it as a measure of success or failure. I want to see how much has been achieved, and what is left to achieve? Attainment is a process. This process is never ending,” he added.

 

Benazir Ahmed was RAB Director General when Ward Councilor Ekram of Cox’s Bazar was killed in a so-called crossfire. When asked whether he regretted the killing of Ekram, the IGP said that it was a legal matter. “There is no scope to express our feelings on the matter until it is proven to be unfair or unethical. This did not happen in my personal capacity, rather it happened through people at the field-level while discharging official duties,” he said.

 

“The gentleman had no personal conflict with the field-level Rab members. So there is no opportunity to take the matter personally. But we look at one thing whether any of our colleagues has gone beyond his duty. Action is taken against those who act beyond responsibility. Ekram incident has also been investigated several times,” he said.

 

When asked about killings of people in police firing while dispersing protest rallies, he said, these are very undesirable incidents. “Our primary goal is to save lives and for it we have weapons. Besides, executive and departmental investigations are conducted on these incidents.”

 

In response to the question of what he might do after retirement, he said, “I am still in charge. I will think about retirement after tomorrow. But after retirement, I will live with people as a part of this society for the rest of my life.”

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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World Cup 2022: Covid vaccinations not compulsory for fans, says Qatar

Fans going to the World Cup in Qatar must show a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive as part of the host nation’s rules to combat COVID-19, organizers said Thursday.

 

All visitors aged 18 and over must also download a government-run phone application tracking people’s movements and health status, called Ehteraz.

 

“A green Ehteraz (showing the user does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19) is required to enter any public closed indoor spaces,” World Cup organizers said.

 

Visitors must be able to show a negative result from a PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arriving or from an official rapid test taken within 24 hours. The COVID-19 testing policy for visitors aged six and over is “regardless of the individual’s vaccination status,” the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said in a statement.

 

The decisions extend throughout the World Cup the public health policies that have been in place since Sept. 4 for all travelers arriving in Qatar.

 

Vaccination is not mandatory for the 1.2 million expected visitors for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournament. In June 2021, Qatar’s government had suggested there would be a vaccine mandate for fans at the World Cup.

 

Rapid antigen tests taken in the previous 24 hours before landing in Qatar will only be accepted if they are from official medical centers and not self-administered. No further tests are required in Qatar if fans do not develop symptoms of COVID-19.

 

Masks must be worn on public transport, including the subway system that many fans will use to get to the eight stadiums in and around Doha.

 

Players and staff with the 32 World Cup teams will have to take rapid antigen tests every two days in Qatar, as will referees and match officials, FIFA said.

 

FIFA and the Qatari government “strongly advise all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” soccer’s governing body said Thursday.

 

Qatar has recorded nearly 450,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 682 deaths from the disease, according to data gathered since 2020 by Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Qatar has a population estimated to be at least 2.5 million, although only about 350,000 of those are Qatari citizens.

 

More than 97% of the population in Qatar has had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the data states.

 

“Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 while in Qatar will be required to isolate in accordance with Ministry of Public Health guidelines,” World Cup organizers said.

 

The 2022 World Cup will be held in full-capacity stadiums — with about 3 million tickets on sale for the 64 games — just 16 months after the European Championship was played across the continent with some stadiums only 25% full because of local COVID-19 rules.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh