Day: June 8, 2024

Kathmandu: Rainfall is likely in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces today. This is due to the influence of local winds coupled with westerly winds, according to the weather forecasting division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. A drizzle took place this morning in different parts of the country including Kathmandu Valley. At present, the weather is partly cloudy in the hilly areas and mostly clear in the rest of the country. Later this afternoon, the weather in the hilly areas of the country including Koshi province will be partly to generally cloudy and partly cloudy to mostly clear in the rest of the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at a few places in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Tonight, the weather will remain mostly clear in the hilly areas of the country with partly to mostly cloudy weather in the remaining parts. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi region tonig ht. Source: National News Agency RSS

A memorial meeting for Awami League ex-MP Manu Mojumder and its former central leader Shafi Ahmed was held on the premises of Netrakona Central Shahid Minar here today. AL Netrakona district unit organized the meeting commemorating the memories of the two leaders. The meeting was addressed, among others, by AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, MP, its organizing secretaries Ahmed Hussain, MP, SM Kamal Hussain, MP, Mirza Azam, MP, and Shafiul Alam Chowdhory Nadel, MP, cultural secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, liberation war affairs secretary Advocate Mrinal Kanti Das, Sajjadul Hasan, MP, and Dr. Nadira Binthe Amin, MP, with Netrakona district unit AL president and valiant Freedom Fighter Advocate Amirul Islam in the chair. It was conducted by general secretary of AL Netrakona district unit Advocate Shamsur Rahman Liton. The speakers recalled their outstanding contributions to the country's political arena saying that they worked under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to establish a secu lar and discrimination free prosperous country through upholding the spirit of the Liberation War. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister's newly-appointed Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan today paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi here. After laying the wreath in this morning, the Press Secretary stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence of Bangladesh, Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas told BSS. Renowned senior journalist Md Nayeemul Islam Khan has been appointed as Prime Minister's Press Secretary with the status of secretary on contractual basis. The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification to this end on June 6. The notification mentioned that Nayeemul Islam Khan will remain in office for the duration of the Prime Minister's term or subject to her satisfaction from the date of his joining. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said all organs of the state should work with cooperative mindset in a coordinated way to establish the rule of law, justice and democracy in the country. "The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always believes in the independence of judiciary and it is sincere about ensuring the professional facilities and independence of judges," he said. The law minister said this while addressing the International Conference on Judiciary across the Borders organized by the Bangladesh Supreme Court at its auditorium here this afternoon, said a press release. Noting that the government is firmly committed to policies of establishing the justice, democracy and the rule of law, Anisul said the rule of law has been established in almost all sectors in the country following the tireless works of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "As a result, judges are now performing their duties independently with honesty," he added. The law minister highlighted the government's role in improving the working environment of the judiciary and said after materializing the 'Digital Bangladesh Vision', the government is now working on building 'Smart Bangladesh', which will have smart citizens, smart government, smart economy and smart society. In line with the vision 'Smart Bangladesh', Anisul said steps have already been taken to build a smart judiciary aimed at increasing transparency and efficiency in the legal system and access to it by leveraging technology and modernizing the judicial process. Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan chaired the function while Chief Justice of Nepal Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Bangladesh Supreme Court's Appellate Division Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, High Court of Bhutan Justice Lobzang Rinzin Yargay, Chittagong University (CU) Law Department Professor Md Zakir Hossain and Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon spoke it, among others. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today left here for New Delhi to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi as the prime minister of India for a third consecutive term. She goes to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony at her Indian counterpart's invitation. A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members departed from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka at 10:15 am. The flight is scheduled to land at the Palam Air Force Station, the VVIP airport in New Delhi, at 12 noon (New Delhi time). Sheikh Hasina will be received by a high-level Indian delegation and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman at the airport. During her stay in New Delhi, the prime minister will hold a tete-a-tete (one-to-one) with Narendra Modi after joining the oath-taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhaban at 7:20pm on Sunday. Later, she will attend the state dinner hosted by the Indian president. The Bangladesh premier will attend various pro gramme on Sunday after arriving in New Delhi. Later, she will arrive at the Palam Air Force Station at 5pm on Monday (New Delhi time) to leave New Delhi and is scheduled to reach Dhaka at 8pm (BD time) the same day. Earlier on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited his Bangladesh counterpart to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his government during a conversation over telephone. Sheikh Hasina accepted the invitation. Modi is going to take oath on June 9 evening as the BJP-led NDA won 293 seats while the opposition INDIA bloc secured 234 seats in the 18th Lok Sabha elections. The oath-taking ceremoney earlier was scheduled to be held on June 8 morning. World leaders including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal are set to attend the function, which will witness a record presence of over 8,000 dignitaries. The Bangladesh prime minister was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Modi, reflecting the warmth and personal rapport between the two leaders. Sheikh Hasina congratulated Narendra Modi on the resounding victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Lok Sabha election. "As the leader of the largest democracy in the world, you carry the hopes and aspirations of the people of India," she said. Modi received the congratulatory telephone call from Sheikh Hasina for the victory of BJP led NDA, according to the Press Information Bureau of India. Modi also thanked Sheikh Hasina for her warm wishes following his election victory. "India and Bangladesh share historic relations, which have seen unprecedented growth in the last decade," Modi said. In a message shared through X, Modi said he looks forward to working together to further strengthen the people-centric partnership between Bangladesh and India. The two leaders pledged to continue working together to further deepen the historic and close ties under the renewed mandate towards achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 and Smart Bangladesh 2041. Source : Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The World Accreditation Day-2024 will be observed in the country like elsewhere in the world tomorrow. This year, the theme of the day is 'Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future', said a handout from Press Information Department (PID) today. On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages wishing success of the day. In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said: 'I welcome the initiative of Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB) to observe the 'World Accreditation Day 2024' in a befitting manner as elsewhere in the world.' Noting that accreditation is a recognized and neutral system of evaluation that can act as a foundation in measuring the activities and quality of various organizations of a country, he said accreditation helps in strengthening economy and expanding trade along with simplifying the roles of business and regulatory authority. The importance of accreditation is immense in removing technical barriers fro m world trade system, the head of the state said. He said world economy is constantly changing due to technological advancement. Accreditation has no alternative in increasing consumer satisfaction in a changing situation and boosting producer-consumer relation to ensure robust international trade, Shahabuddin added. Since its inception, BAB is rendering accreditation service to various laboratories, certifying organizations, inspection and training institutes which in turn helps country's economic development, he said. The president hoped BAB would perform following the international standard and would play pivotal role in expanding country's trade. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said: 'I am happy to know that 'World Accreditation Day 2024' is being celebrated in Bangladesh like other countries of the world.' The premier greeted all stakeholders of Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB) and the country's development partners. 'This year's theme of the day is 'Accreditation: Empowering Tom orrow and shaping the Future' appears to me as time befitting and complementary in building Smart Bangladesh-2041,' she added. The use of integrated technologies in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is rapidly transforming the way of living, work and interaction, she said. Its impact on overall production, management, and good governance is wide, deep and far-reaching, she added. The use of artificial intelligence and robotic technology across the world has brought about massive technological changes in manufacturing, said Sheikh Hasina. 'As a result, new possibilities are created on one hand and global challenges are on the other,' she added. The premier stressed on working together with mutual partnership to harness the technological advantages of the fourth industrial revolution to enrich the country economically, increase sector-wise productivity and excel in the services and products produced. She said BAB can play an important role in meeting these challenges by ensuring the quality of d omestic products and services at all stages of the supply chain, creating technical field-based skilled manpower, helping to remove technical trade barriers and developing national quality infrastructure. Sheikh Hasina said BAB has already awarded accreditation certificates to 141 public, private and multinational Conformity Assessment Bodies (laboratories, medical/diagnostic laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies) as per international standards and guidelines under existing accreditation schemes. 'The Awami League government is working relentlessly for the effective development of the industrial sector across the country. As a result, Bangladesh has been ranked among the fastest-growing economies in the world in the last decade,' she said. She said the government has integrated the SDG targets in the Eighth Five Year Plan to achieve the United Nations 'Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)' by 2030. Multifaceted initiatives have been taken to promote sustainable industrialization and tra de and investment, she said, adding that besides, the government is working towards building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041 by creating an inclusive digital society by involving the backward and marginalized communities in the mainstream of development. She hoped the BAB will play an important role in building SMART Bangladesh-2041. Both the President and the Premier wished all successes of the programmes taken in connection with the observance of the World Accreditation Day-2024. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in an anti-crime drive arrested a woman with 400 grams of heroin from Chapainawabganj sadar upazila on Friday night. The arrested was identified as Mst Shahanaj Begum, 48, wife of Md Rafiqul Islam of Kodalkati Bharpara village under Chapainawabganj sadar upazila. RAB said, acting on detective information, an operation team of the RAB-5 from Rajshahi Mollapara camp conducted a raid in a house at Kodalkati Bharpara village and arrested Shahanaj around 8.30 pm. The RAB team also seized the contraband drugs and a cash of Taka 13,000 from her possession, according to the sources. During the raid, Shahanaj's husband Rafiqul managed to flee away. Later, the elite force filed a case with Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station in this connection, the sources added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister M Tajul Islam today said strong local government is a very crucial element for improving democracy in the country. "We are strengthening local government system to accelerate economic progress in rural areas through boosting democratic process in the country," he told a seminar at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) here. Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) organized the seminar titled "Challenges for strengthening local government system and the role of electoral party symbol". Sayeed Khokon, MP, former Election Commissioner(EC) Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, former EC Commissioner Begum Kabita Khanam, Secretary of SUJAN Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Chairman of Jatiya Nirbachon Parjabekkhon Parishhad JANIPOP Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, representatives of local government bodies and members of civil society, among others, addressed the seminar. Local Government expert Prof Dr Tofail Ahmed and Principal Director of Demo cracy International Dr Abdul Alim jointly made presentation at the seminar while RFED General Seretary Md Humayun Kabir conducted it. Tajul laid emphasis on financial empowerment for strengthening local government system, which ultimately will foster overall development at the grassroots level in the country. Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said representatives of local government institutions extended their helping hands to handle the pandemic. Realizing the importance of strong local government, the LGRD minister said the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has attached highest priority to strengthening local government bodies through allocating adequate resources to foster socio-economic development in rural parts of Bangladesh. Sayeed Khokon said, "Strengthening local government system is ongoing process . . . local government bodies are getting stronger gradually with implementation of effective initiatives taken by the government." "We have been able to strengthen local go vernment institutions but more progress of the local government system is needed to uplift the wellbeing of the rural community and stimulate their economic activities," he added. Sakhawat Hossain said local government bodies must have authorization to work independently for implementation of any progarmme to expedite overall development process in grassroots levels. He said lawmakers and local administrations have to play supportive role in strengthening local government system for bringing dynamism in all spheres of development. Kabita Khanam stressed the need for changing mindset of all particularly political leaders and civil administrations for a strong local government, which is very important for ensuring progress of common people. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

In a nail-biting encounter, Bangladesh edged Sri Lanka past by two wickets to make a winning start to the T20 World Cup today at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The victory came at a moment when hardly anyone put a bet on Bangladesh following their sub-standard performance ahead of the global event. It was Bangladesh's only second victory over higher ranked team in their T20 World Cup history since their win against West Indies in the inaugural edition in 2007. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the all important toss and expectedly put Sri Lanka into bat first. The bowlers justified the decision right by restricting Sri Lanka to a below par 124-9 and then overhauled the target with 125-8 in 19 overs by overcoming a massive adrenaline pumping moment. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman (3-17) and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (3-22) claimed three wickets apiece while fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who is playing his first game after recovering from the injury grabbed 2-25. Another pacer Tanzim Hasan S akib took 1-24. While it looked the bowlers were key behind the victory, it was Towhid Hridoy whose 20 ball-40 made all difference in the low-scoring affair. Later, Mahmudullah Riyad finished the things off with cool head when Sri Lanka looked all over on Bangladesh by taking some quick wickets. Bangladesh made a disastrous start with Soumya Sarkar getting second-ball- duck as he top-edged a Dhananjaya de Silva delivery to Wanindu Hasaranga at mid-on. Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara who snapped up 4-18 dealt a double strike, taking out Tanzid Hasan Tamim for 3 and extending skipper Shanto's lean patch by dismissing him for 7. Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy put on a 63-run for the fourth wicket which eventually became key behind Bangladesh's victory. Hridoy hit one four and four sixes in his knock. He was dismissed by Hasanranga after hitting him three consecutive sixes. Hasaranga also took the wicket of Liton Das who made 36 of 38. Thushara then came back with fire to take two wickets in consecutive d eliveries before Matheesha Pathirana undid Shakib Al Hasan for 8. As it looked Bangladesh's victory was in jeopardized state, Mahmudullah released the pressure by hitting Dasun Shanaka six with his side needing 11 from 12 balls with two wickets at hands. However, Mahmudllah completed the victory in that penultimate over by holding his nerve well. Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers put a disciplined bowling effort to keep the side on the course of a victory. Sri Lanka made a fluent start with Pathum Nissanka tearing apart Bangladesh bowlers in a sensational batting. Nissanka made team-best 47 off 28 with seven fours and one six. However, Taskin Ahmed broke through with the wicket of Kusal Mendis (10) who struck him consecutive two boundaries. The introduction of Mustafizur brought Bangladesh back to the game as he got the rid of Kamindu Mendis (4) and Nissanka in his consecutive overs. With Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka giving Sri Lanka the ray of hope to regroup, Rishad dismantled them in a career-best bowling effort that saw him taking three wickets for just 22 runs. Dhananjaya made 21 while Asalanka contributed 19. Sri Lanka could never recover from the collapse as they lost wickets in cluster to be bowled out for a below par total. This was Sri Lanka's second consecutive defeat following its six-wicket loss South Africa and it left their Super 8 hopes at peril. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The International Archives Day-2024 will be observed in the country like elsewhere in the world tomorrow aiming to bolster cooperation among archival institutions around the world and to develop their activities for preserving archival records and ensuring their availability for use. On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages wishing success of the day. In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said: "I am happy to know that the International Archives Day is being celebrated in Bangladesh like in other countries of the world with the initiative of the Department of Archives and Library.' He greeted the users of archives, researchers and the officials and employees of the Department of Archives and Library. The old documents kept in the National Archives are invaluable and acceptable documents for all including journalists, intellectuals, teachers and researchers from home and abroad in practicing history, the head of the state said. T he historical value of the documents held in the National Archives is also high in terms of reference and source of objective information, he added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said: "The International Archives Organization (The International Council on Archives) at its annual general meeting in 2007 decided to observe 'June 9' as the 'International Archives Day' because on this day in 1948, the organization was founded.' 'I am very happy to know that Bangladesh National Archives as a member of The International Council on Archives is celebrating 'International Archives Day' in Bangladesh like other countries of the world,' the premier added. She said that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman considered the preservation of Bengali's heroic history, proud heritage and contemporary culture. In that context, Bangabandhu established all important institutions for the management of the state structure side by side establishing 'Bangladesh National Archives', the central archive of history, heritage and culture in 1972, she said. In 1974, the Father of the Nation donated two acres of land for the National Archives in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city and took all initiatives to construct a permanent building for the institution under the First Five Year Plan, she said. After the brutal killing of the father of the nation and most of his family members, the undemocratic governments of this country did not take any initiative to advance this institution, she said. 'Rather they distorted our proud history and wanted to erase the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from this country,' Sheikh Hasina added. 'After forming the government in 1996, we presented the true history of our great liberation war before the nation,' she said. On June 14, 2001, the foundation stone of the National Archives Building was laid, she said, adding that in last fifteen and a half years, the Awami League (AL)-led government has taken several initiatives to improve the inf rastructure and services of the National Archives. 'We have started the process of digitization of traditional/old documents. As a result of which, all including our researchers, writers, litterateurs , professionals, students, cultural workers , employees of the People's Republic and policy makers are benefiting in many ways,' she said. She said that the documents, created today, will be considered as historical documents and valuable archival materials of tomorrow. The premier said that archives and archivists play a very important role in maintaining social responsibility, transparency, the practice of democracy and the preservation of history and heritage. 'I hope our archivists will devote themselves to making Bangladesh National Archives a more prosperous archive by applying their innovative abilities and skills,' she said. Both the President and the Premier wished all successes of the programmes taken in connection with the observance of the International Archives Day-2024. Source: Bangladesh Sa ngbad Sangstha

Narendra Modi will take oath as the prime minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday evening as President Droupadi Murmu has invited him to form the government. Murmu appointed Modi as the prime minister-designate on Friday after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief J P Nadda handed her a letter on Modi's election as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party and NDA leaders submitted their letters of support. The BJP won 240 seats in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, falling short of the halfway mark in the 543-member House, but the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) together won 293 seats, which is a comfortable majority. "The President, having satisfied herself on the basis of the various letters of support received, that the BJP-led NDA alliance, which is also the largest pre-election alliance, is in a position to command majority support of the newly-constituted 18th Lok Sabha and to form a stable government, appointed Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, exercising powers vested in her under Article 75(1) of the Constitution of India," according to a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The president will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the prime minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 7:15 pm on Sunday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the communique said. Murmu handed over the letter of appointment to Modi, who called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Friday evening. "Hon'ble President Smt Droupadi Murmu offered curd to leader of NDA and PM designate Shri @narendramodi whilst inviting him to form the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre," the saffron party said in a post on X along with a photo of Murmu and Modi. Sources said all major allies of the BJP, such as the TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena and the LJP(R), will be given representation in the government during its swearing-in ceremony. "There will be at least one Cabinet berth for each of them and more representation can be given to them in the future reshuffle and expansion of the council of m inisters," a source said, adding that talks are still on and nothing is finalised yet. Earlier, leaders of the BJP-led NDA called on Murmu and handed their letters of support for Modi to her. Addressing reporters in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Modi said he has been appointed as the prime minister-designate by the president. "The president has asked me to work as the prime minister-designate and informed me about the oath ceremony," he said and added that he has informed Murmu that they will be comfortable if the event is held on Sunday evening. Modi said the Rashtrapati Bhavan will work out the details of the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday, by when he would hand over the list of the Council of Ministers to the president. "This 18th Lok Sabha is an important milestone towards fulfilling those dreams when the country will celebrate 100 years of independence in 2047," he said. The 18th Lok Sabha will be a House of new energy, youthful energy, and people have given the NDA government one more c hance, Modi added. The NDA delegation that called on Murmu was led by Nadda and included Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Ashwini Vaishnaw and C N Manjunath (all from the BJP), TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U) leaders Nitish Kumar, Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Sanjay Jha, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, LJP(RV) leader Chirag Paswan, HAM(S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Apna Dal(S) leader Anupriya Patel, RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary, UPPL leader Joyanta Basumatary, AGP leader Atul Bora, SKM leader Indra Hang Subba, AJSU leaders Sudesh Mahto and Chandra Prakash Choudhary and Ramdas Athawale from the RPI(A). Nadda handed over a letter to the president, stating that Modi has been elected as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party. The NDA leaders also handed over their letters in support of the BJP to Murmu. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A special team of police have cordoned off a two-storied residence at Bhasa Para village under Kailati union of Netrakona Sadar upazila this afternoon, suspecting it to be a 'militant den'. Superintendent of Police (SP)of Netrakona Foyaz Ahmed told local journalists here that the police after conducting a search operation inside the house today and recovered one foreign made pistol, 17 rounds of live ammunition and many toy arms including one toy AK-47 rifle and militant training materials. The SP also said it is suspected that a group of militants might have rented the house. Police also located a sound-proof room in the house. Meanwhile, police have sought help from a bomb-disposal unit and anti-terrorism unit at Dhaka for further searching the residence, he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha