Govt condemns attack on ethnic minority students in Dhaka
The interim government strongly condemned the attack on a peaceful gathering by a group of ethnic minority students in front of NTCB in the capital’s Motijheel area on Wednesday. The government has ordered an investigation into the attack, and two persons have already been arrested in this connection, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said on Thursday. He stated that efforts are underway to identify other perpetrators, who will be arrested soon, as per a UNB report. All miscreants will be brought to justice, according to a statement of the interim government. "The government warns that anyone involved in activities that harm harmony, peace, and law and order shall face stern actions without discrimination," the statement reads.
Source:bd News24
January 16, 2025 07:46 UTC
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan out of danger after stabbing at Mumbai home
Khan was attacked just after midnight when he tried to stop the intruder, believed to be a burglar, from entering his apartment in the upscale neighbourhood of BandraBollywood star Saif Ali Khan out of danger after stabbing at Mumbai homeBollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed repeatedly by an intruder at his home in Mumbai on Thursday, but doctors treating him said he was out of danger after surgery. Khan, 54, was "on the path to complete recovery" after receiving stab wounds on his spine, neck and hand, the doctors told reporters. Surgery was performed to remove the knife and also repair the leaking spinal fluid," said Nitin Dange, one of the doctors operating on Khan. Among the country's most bankable stars, Khan, 54, is the son of India's former cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore. Khan has acted in several notable films and series, including Sacred Games, Netflix's first Indian production, which released in 2018.
Source:bd News24
January 16, 2025 04:22 UTC
Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal to end 15 months of war in Gaza
A man waves Palestinian flags as Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. REUTERSA man waves Palestinian flags as Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. Hostages taken by militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Strikes on Gaza City and northern Gaza killed at least 32 people, medics said. A Palestinian official close to the talks said mediators were trying to get both sides to stop hostilities before the truce starts on Sunday.
Source:bd News24
January 16, 2025 03:00 UTC
Yunus to convene all-party meeting before July proclamation
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4pm on ThursdayChief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is set to convene an all-party meeting as part of ongoing efforts to finalise preparations for the July proclamation. The gathering, which is expected to bring together representatives from various political parties, will take place at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. “We talked to the greater political parties such as the BNP, the Jamaat, women's organisations, teachers' organisations, different stakeholders, and students. Mahfuj said, "How the government will issue the proclamation will be clear through the meeting. But the political parties are not as interested in this.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 21:57 UTC
Anti-discrimination Movement, Citizens’ Committee condemn delay in proclamation release
The Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee have condemned the government's failure to publish the proclamation of the July uprising within the set timeframe. The groups accused the interim administration of reluctance and demanded an immediate announcement of the release date for the proclamation. In this context, leaders from the National Citizens' Committee and the Anti-discrimination Student Movement held a press conference at the movement’s central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor. “The government has not even started dialogue with the Anti-discrimination Student Movement or political parties. The movement leader, in his statement, urged for an immediate declaration of the proclamation release date.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 20:59 UTC
BD's foreign debt exceeds $104b, most borrowed by govt sector
Bangladesh's foreign debt stock has exceeded $104 billion, with the government and public sector loans totalling $84.45billion.The remaining $19.91 billion has been taken by the private sector, bringing the total foreign debt to $104.36 billion.Bangladesh Bank released this data in a report on Tuesday, covering the foreign debt status up to the September quarter of 2024.According to the report, 81 percent of the total foreign loans were received by the government sector, while the private sector accounted for the rest.Of the total debt, $91.72 billion, or 88.19 percent, is long-term, while short-term loans in the private sector amount to $12.62 billion.At the end of the June quarter, the foreign debt stood at $103.40 billion, indicating an increase of over $960 million within three months.A senior official from Bangladesh Bank told bdnews24.com: "In the last ten years, significant foreign loans have been secured for mega projects in the country. A substantial portion of foreign debt has been used in the power sector, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project. "He added that foreign loans have also been utilised for the Rampal Power Plant, Matarbari Power Plant, and other projects.—bdnews24.com
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 17:59 UTC
ACC to investigate Hasina’s alleged misuse of power in Putul's WHO appointment
Hasina's daughter takes on the role of regional director for South-East Asia in February 2024ACC to investigate Hasina’s alleged misuse of power in Putul's WHO appointmentThe Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, has decided to investigate whether deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina misused her authority to secure a position for her daughter, Sayema Wazed Putul, as the regional director of the World Health Organization. ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhtar Hossain told the journalist on Wednesday that the commission had received a complaint regarding the matter. ACC official Akhtar said, “There are allegations that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina misused her power to appoint her daughter Sayema Wazed Putul as the regional director despite her lack of qualifications. ”After verifying the preliminary information regarding the allegations, the commission has decided to investigate further.”Since the fall of the Awami League government, over 100 cases have been filed against Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister Hasina. Several cases have also been filed against her daughter, Putul, including one by the ACC regarding allegations of information concealment and power abuse related to the allocation of land in Purbachal.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 15:37 UTC
Reform commission makes 150 recommendations to bring transparency to electoral system
A few proposals will help to escalate the situation, commission chief saysThe Electoral Reform Commission has laid about 150 recommendations in wanting to make the “broken” election system “institutional and inclusive”, as well as bringing all stakeholders to accountability. The members of the electoral commission, led by its chief Badiul Alam Majumdar, filed the report. The reform commission is trying to restore the electoral system, which has already ‘collapsed’," he said. There are about 150 recommendations.”Badiul said there are also constitutional recommendations on some issues linked to reforming the electoral system. He said the draft of the laws has been prepared with an emphasis on strengthening and making the Election Commission effective.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 13:50 UTC
India's struggling batters return to domestic cricket looking for form
Rohit has managed just one fifty in his last 15 Test inningsThe Ranji Trophy has benefited from an unexpected sprinkling of stardust with several big-name India batters returning to domestic cricket looking to find form after their horror run over the last three months. Rishabh Pant, whose natural aggression occasionally bordered on recklessness in Australia, will play Delhi's next match against Saurashtra. The exciting stumper-batter has not played a Ranji Trophy match since the 2017-2018 season. Kohli is yet to confirm his return to the tournament he last played in 2012 even though the Indian board has told players to return to domestic cricket to regain their form. India's next test assignment is a five-match series in England from June 20.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 13:50 UTC
Mass uprising charter will pave way for election, says Yunus
After receiving reports from four reform commissions, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus says that the charter for the mass uprising will be issued after discussions with all parties, paving the way for the 13th national parliamentary election. The Electoral Reform Commission, the Police Reform Commission, the Constitutional Reform Corruption, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission submitted their reports on state reforms to the chief advisor at 11:30am on Wednesday. The charter will also form the basis for the 13th parliamentary election, Yunus said. We want all parties to sign on to the charter.”Bangladesh and the Bengali nation will move forward through this charter, forged through consensus, Yunus said. Yunus said on Wednesday, “The charter that we agree to, whatever happens, should not fall through our fingers.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 11:13 UTC
Preparations for polls aligned with CA’s 2025-26 timeline, says EC secretary
While the BNP has called for polls in the middle of this year, the Election Commission Secretariat says it is making preparations for elections no earlier than later this year. Election Commission, or EC, Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said preparations are underway for elections to be held between the end of 2025 and middle of 2026, aligning with a timeline proposed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. They also held a meeting with the EC secretary to discuss technical assistance for the electoral process. I believe that it is possible to hold elections midway through this year, meaning in July or August.”When asked about this, the EC Secretary said, "I am not in a position to give my opinion on this. ASSISTANCE FROM UNDPAfter meeting the UNDP delegation on Tuesday, Akhtar said, "We have sought cooperation from the UNDP regarding the election process.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 06:28 UTC
Govt implements 18pc of ADP in six months
At least 17.97 per cent of the ADP was implemented from July to December, down 4.51 percentage points from the 22.48 per cent implementation rate in the previous fiscal year. However, ADP implementation picked up in the middle of the fiscal year. In December, Tk 157.87 billion was spent on development work, equivalent to 5.67 per cent of the ADP. The implementation rate was 5.42 per cent of the ADP in the previous fiscal year, with Tk 148.82 billion spent in December of that year. The ousted Awami League government passed the current budget with an allocation of Tk 782.88 billion for ADP.
Source:bd News24
January 15, 2025 06:21 UTC
Political storm in Dhaka upends Tulip’s ministerial career in UK
Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus also called for Tulip’s resignation, as did a host of organisations. Speaking to The Sunday Times, the interim prime minister criticised Tulip’s claims of innocence, highlighting the irony of her role as an anti-corruption minister while facing serious allegations. SUDDEN RESIGNATIONBBC wrote that Independent Ethics Advisor Sir Laurie Magnus had submitted his report to the UK prime minister on Tuesday. However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the UK prime minister had "dithered and delayed to protect" Tulip, according to BBC. As calls for her resignation grew louder, last week, Prime Minister Starmer once again expressed his full confidence in her.
Source:bd News24
January 14, 2025 23:43 UTC
BD must carry out efforts to get post-LDC benefits in Europe: EU envoy
"Although the next preferential trade benefit, or GSP status, is different from the current "Everything but Arms, or EBA, facility", there is still scope for market expansion. "That means the business partners here and the Bangladesh government now must carry out huge activities. "Highlighting the beginning of the efforts through a comprehensive review of labour law, Miller said: "We would like to see that in the near future and hope that transparency will be maintained with the EU. In 2023, 20.70 percent of Bangladesh's total trade was with the EU alliance.Bangladesh exported goods worth $18.9 billion to the European market that year, in which the apparel sector played a major role. It depends on the progress of the readymade garments, textiles, and knitwear sector and environmental, social, and good governance.
Source:bd News24
January 14, 2025 23:07 UTC
Interim government working with partners to return money smuggled out of Bangladesh: CAO
If proven to have benefited from embezzlement, the government hopes those assets will be returned to Bangladesh, it saysThe interim government is working to return the people's money that was laundered from Bangladesh during the previous government's tenure, the Chief Advisor's Office, or CAO, says. “He said properties and assets tied to stolen Bangladeshi funds, including those linked to individuals with connections to the previous regime, must be investigated thoroughly. The statement read, “The interim government is actively working with international law enforcement agencies to investigate and recover funds stolen from the people of Bangladesh. “The misuse of public resources in this and other projects has not only robbed the people of Bangladesh but also disrupted the country’s progress toward economic stability.”“The funds stolen from Bangladesh belong to its people. We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that justice is done," the statement read.
Source:bd News24
January 14, 2025 21:31 UTC