Day: May 3, 2024

Four people were injured as four carriages of a passengers' train and three compartments of an oil-laden train derailed at Joydebpur this morning. After the incident, train services on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh routes have already been disrupted. "The accident occurred when a Dhaka-bound Tangail commuter train head-on collision with another Rangpur-bound oil-laden train, coming from the opposite direction, in Choto Dewra area around 11am as it reached at outer signal after crossing the line," said Abdul Mazid, member of a Railway Security Forces. Four persons including a loco master (driver) of the passengers' train were injured in the accident, he added. The injured were taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur. Being informed, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and officials of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) were rushed to the spot. "The accident took place while the passengers' train entered into the opposite line due to wrong signaling," said Abul Fa teh Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, deputy commissioner of Gazipur, while visiting the spot. A three-member probe committee, led by Additional District Magistrate Matiur Rahman, has been formed. "No train is now leaving from Dhaka as the train services on Joydebpur route are still disconnected," said Masud Sarwar, Kamalapur Railway Station Manager. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said BNP now itself remains in pressure as they wanted to mount stress on the government through hatching various conspiracies. "Those who wanted to keep us under pressure are now remaining in pressure as the Arab spring has also gone beyond the Atlantic," he said. Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said this while addressing a press briefing held at the Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's political Office in Dhanmondi here. The ruling party leader, however, called for a greater unity of the pro- liberation forces to face the conspiracy. BNP had created a panic across the country in the name of movement with a target to thwart elections and that's why they have lost people's support, Quader said, adding: "BNP leaders now become tired and their workers are also in frustration." "BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is now suffering imprisonment in the cases filed by the caretaker government," he said, adding that Khaleda is now in her re sidence due to the generosity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Even the activists of BNP actually failed to hold demonstrations demanding the release of Begum Khaleda Zia as the ruling Awami League did not file any cases against her. The AL general secretary also said that the 75th founding anniversary of the Awami League will be observed in a festive mood. In addition to this, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's home coming day on May 17 will also be observed through implementing elaborate programmes across the country. The press conference was also attended, among others, by Awami League Organising Secretaries BM Mozammel Huq and SM Kamal Hossen and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today received eye treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO) in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area. She went to the hospital this morning and took treatment like a general patient by purchasing a ticket of Taka 10 from the outdoor, said a press release of the Prime Minister's Press Wing. Earlier, the premier received her eye treatment from the hospital in the same way. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A delegation of the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, a preeminent institution of the US Department of Defense (DoD), visited Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Wednesday and joined an interactive session with officials of the Mission. Dr. Hassan Abbas, the Distinguished Professor of the NESA Centre for Strategic Studies, led the 46-member team. The delegation comprised of participants of 28 countries in a seminar organized by the NESA Centre in Washington DC, according to a press release received here today. Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran welcomed the NESA Centre delegation at the Embassy and presented a keynote speech at the event. In his keynote speech, Ambassador Imran highlighted the history of Bangladesh and the country's recent socioeconomic development. He also focused on the Rohingya crisis issue, Bangladesh's success in countering terrorism and extremism and the progress on Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF). The ambassador stres sed the need for undertaking coordinated and concerted efforts by all countries to effectively address the global challenge of terrorism. Terrorism is a global challenge and no country can handle the challenge alone, he said. While talking about the protracted Rohingya crisis, Ambassador Imran reiterated Bangladesh's stance on durable and dignified repatriation of all displaced Rohingya people to their homeland in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. If the problem persists further, it may affect the security and stability of the entire region and jeopardize development initiatives, he said. While addressing the interactive session at the Bangabandhu Auditorium in Embassy, Dr. Abbas highly commended Bangladesh's success in combating terrorism, violent extremism as well as climate change challenges. Referring to Bangladesh's rich history, culture and heritage, he said he was highly inspired by the historical figures of Bangladesh in his personal and professional life. Dr Abbas said his institution- NESA Center f or Strategic Studies - is looking forward to closer relationship between Bangladesh and the United States and wished more prosperous and developed Bangladesh. First Secretary of the Mission Wahiduzzaman Noor highlighted the various initiatives and successes of Bangladesh in combating terrorism and extremism before the delegation. First Secretary of the Mission Ataur Rahman moderated the event, while Counsellor and Head of Chancery Shamima Yasmin Smriti was in the overall coordination of the session. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

World Press Freedom Day-2024 was observed today in the district in a befitting manner. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 worldwide following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. On the occasion, a rally was brought out from in front of the Noakhali Press Club which paraded the important streets and ended coming at the same place this morning. After the rally, a discussion meeting was held at the Sahid Uddin Eskender Kochi Auditorium of the Noakhali Press Club. President of Noakhali Press Club Bakhtiar Shikder presided over the discussion. Among others Vice-Presidents of Noakhali Press Club Masood Parvez and Shah Emran Sujan, Joint General Secretary AR Azad Sohail, Daily Manabzamin Staff Reporter Nasir Uddin Badal, Daily Samkal District Correspondent Anarul Haider, Daily Chaltiidhara Editor MB Alam, General Secretary of Hatia Press Club Firoz Uddin and Kabirhat Press Club General Secretary Noor Alam Biplab, among others, als o spoke. Abu Nakher Manzoor moderated the discussion. The speakers said that the earth is gradually becoming uninhabitable due to human activities and other environmental changes. Media has to play a strong role to protect this earth and prevent activities harmful for the environment. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today issued again a country-wide heatwave alert message for the next 48 hours. In the latest heatwave alert Meteorologist Md Omar Faruq said: "The prevailing heatwave over Khulna, Rangpur, Rajshahi divisions and the western parts of Dhaka division may continue for the next 48 hours commencing from 06 pm today." Due to increased moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase, said the message in detail. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A police team arrested an alleged top-listed drug peddler with five kilograms of ganja from Naodapara area in the metropolis last night. The arrested person is identified as Mainul Islam, 36, son of Arzed Ali of Biswanathpur area under Shibganj Upazila in Chapainawabganj district, said police sources here this afternoon. On a tip-off, a police team conducted a sudden raid in a Chapainawabganj-bound passenger bus in Naodapara bus terminal area under Shahmukhdum Police Station and arrested him. They seized huge ganja from his possession around 11.30 pm. Later, the arrested person along with the seized contraband goods were handed over to the police after filing a case with Shah Makhdum Police Station in this connection. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Four people were killed by lightning strikes in four upazilas of the district yesterday. They died in the upazilas of Chandina, Burichang, Debidwar and Sadar South. The deceased were identified as Mokhlesh Rahman, 60, of Dhamti village of Debidwar upazila, Alam Hossain, 22, of Pachora village of Burichang upazila, Atiqul Islam, 52, of Sahapur area of Sadar Dakshin upazila and Delwar Hossain, 40 of Simantapur village of Chandina upazila of the district. This incidents of lightning happened from 4:30 pm to mid night on Thursday. According to the district police sources, Mokhlesur Rahman and Alam Hossain died in lightning while they were harvesting their paddy. Delwar Hossain and Atiqul Islam died on the spot when lightning struck them amid rain. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A three-day Anondo Mela has begun in the district town aimed at empowering women in the society. Jubo League district unit President Abdul Mojid Appeal inaugurated the mela, organized by the UNDP, Bangladesh, at the auditorium of Zila Parishad yesterday night. President of Thakurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Samsuzzaman Dulal, Director of the Chamber and Commerce Industry Nazmul Huda Shah Appelo, General Secretary, district unit Jubo League, Debasish Datta and Fahim Reza, a UNDP representative, were present, among others, on the occasion. As many as 50 women entrepreneurs both from home and abroad are taking part in the fair. Woman entrepreneur Chandana Ghosh chaired the function. The fair will remain open from 3 pm to 10 pm every day. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha