Invitation ignored: Bangladesh skips 150-year celebration of India Meteorological Department
An official of the BMD attributes the decision to restrictions on non-essential foreign travel at state expenseDespite invitation, Bangladeshi officials will not be joining the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department, or IMD, due to what they says are current restrictions on non-essential foreign travel at state expense. Mominul Islam, the acting director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, or BMD, confirmed receiving the invitation from the IMD a month ago. On Friday, Mominul told bdnews24.com: “The India Meteorological Department invited us to their 150th anniversary celebrations. Initially headquartered in Kolkata, the IMD relocated several times, moving to Shimla in 1905, Pune in 1928, and eventually Delhi in 1944. The department will officially mark its sesquicentennial on Jan 15, 2025.
Source:bd News24
January 10, 2025 16:45 UTC
‘Top drug dealer’ Chua Selim arrested
Two months after the detention of "top drug dealer" Bhuiyan Sohel alias Bunia Sohel at Geneva Camp in Dhaka's Mohammadpur, his rival Selim Ashrafi alias Chua Selim has also been arrested.He was detained from outside the capital's Labaid Hospital on Thursday, said Rapid Action Battalion-2 Assistant Director ASP Khan Asif Topu.The elite force official said, "Chua Selim was hospitalised and arrested following his release by a doctor. He is accused in 35 cases, including two murder cases. "Selim was covertly receiving medical treatment after being shot by his rivals at the Geneva Camp on Sept 4. He was arrested four months after the incident.The power struggle over the drug trade at the Geneva Camp - worth billions - has been ongoing for a long time. However, clashes between the two sides escalated into constant conflict amid the unrest surrounding the July uprising.—bdnews24.com
Source:bd News24
January 10, 2025 07:45 UTC
National Bank seeks Tk 10b more in liquidity support
National Bank Ltd, suffering from a liquidity crisis, has sought an additional Tk 10 billion from Bangladesh Bank in liquidity support.The bank earlier received Tk 40 billion from the central bank. Hence we are seeking Tk 10 billion more," National Bank Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu said. "The central bank asked for details on how and in which sectors the previous amount had been spent and National Bank has been preparing a presentation to explain it, said Mintu.He complained that the National Bank has been suffering due to the "corruption" of its old board. However, Bangladesh Bank has yet to approve the new amount, the chairman said.In November, Bangladesh Bank provided liquidity support of Tk 220 billion to several banks. It printed the currency to provide the support.In addition to National Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank and Exim Bank received the support.After taking office, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur had initially said the central bank would not print money indiscriminately to stabilise the banks.
Source:bd News24
January 10, 2025 06:53 UTC
The Dirty Dozen: publishers denied pavilions at this year’s Ekushey Book Bair
The Book Fair 2025 organising committee has also decided to reduce the pavilion sizes of three publishing houses, including Anyaprokash and Agamee Prokashoni. In addition, several other publishers have had their pavilions cancelled and will instead receive 3- or 4-unit stalls, according to a decision by the organising committee. Speaking to bdnews24.com, Gani said: “The fair committee made this decision under the influence of certain publishers driven by malice. He told bdnews24.com: “My publishing house carries books by two advisors to the current government. In the context of this political shift, the month-long book fair will begin on Feb 1 with the theme: “July Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh.”Like previous years, this year’s book fair will also be held at the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan, with preparations already under way.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 21:40 UTC
Former chief of Uttara East Police Station escapes police custody after arrest
He was scheduled to appear before court on ThursdayFormer chief of Uttara East Police Station escapes police custody after arrestShah Alam, former chief of the Uttara East Police Station in Dhaka, has escaped from police custody, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, or DMP. Alam had been under arrest in connection with a murder case tied to mass protests that took place during July and August. He was brought to the Uttara East Police Station ahead of a planned court appearance on Thursday after being detained from Kushtia on Wednesday. DMP spokesperson Talebur Rahman said, "Efforts are under way to arrest Shah Alam, who escaped from police custody." He had joined the Uttara East Police Station as its OC on Aug 1, 2024, during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 19:52 UTC
Interim government imposes higher taxes, duties amid inflation on essential goods, services
The National Board of Revenue, or NBR, issued related instructions on the same evening, making the tax and duty hikes effective immediately. Analysts suggest that the increased value added tax, supplementary, and excise duties on these goods and services, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, may lead to price hikes. Despite these assurances, experts analysing the list of affected goods and services indicate that most of these are essential in the current context, potentially fuelling non-food inflation. The government had to use ordinances to increase taxes and duties due to the absence of a national parliament. This prompted the government to suddenly increase VAT midway through the fiscal year.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 19:34 UTC
Families of BDR men protest for second day
The families of BDR members ‘accused’ in the Pilkhana massacre demonstrated at Shahbag in the capital on Thursday. —FE PhotoThe families of BDR members "accused" in the Pilkhana massacre, held a sit-in demonstration at Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar for a second consecutive day, to push for a three-point demand, including a reinvestigation of the massacre and the release of "innocent jawans", reports bdnews 24.com. Molla Nabiullah, father of imprisoned BDR member Molla Sayeed Hasan, told bdnews24.com: "There are 824 people in prison. We are demanding the release of the prisoners, the reinstatement of their jobs, and the rehabilitation of those dismissed." The programme by the relatives of the arrested BDR members began on Wednesday morning.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 18:25 UTC
Advisor Mahfuj says attackers of music festivals, shrines won't be spared after demolition
Despite outrage, government promises of action against such incidents have faded within a few monthsAdvisor Mahfuj says attackers of music festivals, shrines won't be spared after demolitionAdvisor Mahfuj Alam has once again spoken about taking “strict action” against those involved in any attack on music festivals or shrines. From now on, any attack on a music festival or shrine will lead to action, and no one will be spared. Amid a wave of criticism and outrage, the government continued to talk about taking action to stop these incidents, but the issue subsided in the next few months. When asked about the incident in Mymensingh, Mahfuj said, “We have collected information about the incidents that occurred after Aug 5. “Therefore, the chief advisor proposed that holding local government elections could provide citizens with better access to services.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 17:26 UTC
200-year-old Sufi shrine demolished after stopping Qawwali event
Witnesses say around 11pm, hundreds of students from the nearby Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa attacked the Sama Qawwali programme in the city's Thana Ghat area. Around 3am, the madrasa students left after attacking, vandalising, and setting fire to the shrine. “Following the Milad, a Sama Qawwali was arranged in a tent in front of the police station gate, drawing many devotees and supporters. "Moments later, hundreds of madrasa students arrived, destroyed everything, and then left. Let justice be served—that is our demand.”Alam Chishti, the organiser of the shrine’s festival, added: “We have been holding Sama Qawwali events for many years.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 15:46 UTC
Taliban say India is a 'significant regional partner' after meeting
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday. "In line with Afghanistan's balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner," the statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry said late on Wednesday. India's foreign ministry said after the Dubai meeting that India was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties. Regional players including China and Russia have signalled they are willing to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan. The Delhi meeting could ruffle Pakistan, which borders both countries and has fought three wars in the past against India.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 14:54 UTC
Maxwell misses out in Australia squad for Sri Lanka series
Selectors have instead opted for uncapped all-rounder Cooper Connolly as another spin option, joining Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann. Teenage opener Sam Konstas and all-rounder Beau Webster have been retained in the squad following impressive Test debuts against India. Uncapped quick Sean Abbott joins Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland among the pace options. Australia, who beat India 3-1, have already sewn up their place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June. Squad:Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 14:04 UTC
Tracey Ann Jacobson named new acting US ambassador to Bangladesh
She will join the US embassy in Dhaka as chargé d’affaires ad interim on Jan 11Diplomat Tracey Ann Jacobson has been named the new acting US ambassador to Bangladesh. Jacobson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, will join the US mission in Dhaka as chargé d’affaires ad interim on Jan 11, a statement issued by the embassy said on Thursday. Most recently, Jacobson served as a senior advisor to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Prior to that assignment, she served as chargé d’affaires ad interim at the US embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With Jacobson’s arrival as chargé d’affaires ad interim, Megan Bouldin will resume duties as the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Dhaka.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 11:32 UTC
Russian strike kills 13 in Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia
REUTERS/StringerFirefighters work at the site of an administrative building damaged by Russian air and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Jan 8, 2025. REUTERS/StringerA Russian guided bomb attack on Wednesday killed at least 13 people and injured 63 in Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, authorities said. Russian troops had used two guided bombs to hit a residential area, the regional governor Ivan Fedorov told reporters. Fedorov said Russian troops shelled the town of Stepnohirsk, south of Zaporizhzhia, killing two people. Russia regularly carries out air strikes on the Zaporizhzhia region, which its forces partially occupy, and its capital.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 10:17 UTC
3.7m duplicate TCB cards revoked, says Commerce Advisor Bashir
Several duplicate TCB cards were distributed to certain families in the past through the forging of NID cards, Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin says. Asked why 6.3 million smart cards had been distributed when the Awami League government had said some 10 million TCB family cards in circulation, Bashir said: "There was huge corruption among the 10 million cards with the same families getting multiple cards by forging NIDs through trickery. Not a single family has been left out by revoking 3.7 million cards of the 10 million cards.”"The goods are being sent to the right people. The commerce advisor said the authorities want to add another 3.7 million cards, reports bdnews24.com. Noting that the members of the public are suffering due to soaring rice prices, he said the crisis is “temporary”.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 10:12 UTC
Pilkhana explosives case: hearing scrapped amid overnight protests, courtroom fire
Then he left.”The next hearing date will be announced at a later time, he said. The Explosives Act case over the 2009 incident was to be held on Thursday, but students from the Alia madrasah held an overnight protest against the use of the institution’s field for the temporary courtroom. The temporary courtroom and its furniture were burnt in the night amid the protest. Borhan said, “Given the situation today, we don’t have the proper environment for a court hearing. Meanwhile, the explosives charges trial, initiated in 2010, was paused midway through to focus on the murder trial, leaving the proceedings incomplete.
Source:bd News24
January 09, 2025 09:51 UTC