Live Tv
Rtv Plus
ISPR rejoinder to Deutsche Welle documentary on UN peacekeepers
Rtv news
25 May 2024, 18:31
Photo: Collected
A documentary titled 'Torturers deployed as UN peacekeepers' was recently presented on the German-based news agency Deutsche Welle (DW). The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has protested the documentary terming as 'misleading'.
The ISPR said in a notification sent to the media on Saturday (May 25) that the Bangladesh Army rigorously follows the UN's stringent selection and vetting protocols to ensure that only the most qualified and thoroughly vetted individuals are deployed. These measures underscore the Army's commitment to upholding the highest standards of conduct and professionalism in peacekeeping missions.
According to the notification, DW did not seek any comments from the Bangladesh Army on the allegations presented in the documentary. The aims and objectives of this biased and one-sided report is questionable. It appears that its main intention was to defame another law enforcement agency by using video footage of Bangladesh Army irrelevantly in the documentary. This is purely a partisan attempt that has destroyed the credibility of the documentary.
The notification stated, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have earned a reputation for their dedication, professionalism, and humanitarian approach. 131 Bangladesh Army personnel have made supreme sacrifice and 239 sustained injuries while serving under the UN flag, embodying the spirit of selflessness and commitment to global peace. More so, the Bangladesh Army has a spotless record with no human rights violations while serving under the UN.
The ISPR said, The ISPR said it is very important for the media to abide by the principles of fair and balanced reporting on important issues especially on issues as vital as international peacekeeping. In addition, presenting misleading reports and insufficient diligence will greatly undermine the credibility and effectiveness of peacekeeping forces worldwide.
Comments
Fire at Karwan Bazar under control
A fire broke out on the Generator room of fifth floor of La Vinci Hotel in the capital's Karwan Bazaar on Saturday morning (May 18). The fire broke out at 10:15 a.m. The fire service received information about the fire at 10:25 am on Saturday (May 18). The fire was brought under control by the fire service after 20 minutes.
Fire service duty officer Lima Khanam confirmed the news.
She said that fire broke out in the generator room on the fifth floor of the hotel. Six fire service units brought the fire under control after 20 minutes. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
No one was injured in this incident.
Thunderstorms: warning in 12 regions
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning signal along with the storm with a speed of 60 km/h over 12 regions of the country including Dhaka.
This information was revealed in a forecast for the internal river ports of the country till 9 am on Sunday (May 19).
It is said that rain or thundershower with speed of 45 to 60 km per hour from west or north-west will occur temporarily over Tangail, Dhaka, Faridpur, Jessore, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet areas on Monday morning. Gusts or gales may blow.
The river ports in these areas have been asked to display warning signal number 1.
Meanwhile, the heatwave may subside by Sunday evening. Some places in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and two or two places in Rajshahi, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions may experience rain with thunder.
Gold prices hit record highs in Global markets
The price of gold is increasing by leaps and bounds in the world market. For the first time in history, the price of an ounce of gold exceeded $2,414. Only since January, the price of gold in the international market has increased above 350 dollars.
Analysts say the rise in gold prices has been fueled by wars around the world, geopolitical tensions, fears about the US economy and massive purchases by central banks. Especially in the economic uncertainty, the countries want to leave the dollar and rely on gold. So the central banks increased their gold purchases massively. The central banks of the world have continued to buy gold for 14 consecutive years.
In addition to creating a new history in the world market in the price of gold, a new record of the highest price of gold ornaments has been created in the Bangladesh market.
From Sunday (May 19), buyers will have to pay Tk 1 lakh 31 thousand 491 per bhori of gold ornaments including VAT and wages. The price of gold ornaments has never been so high in the country's market before.
Battery operated rickshaws to run in Dhaka
Awami League General Secretary and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that battery-powered three-wheelers will be operating in Dhaka City.
He said this at a discussion meeting at the central office of Awami League on Gulistan Bangabandhu Avenue on Monday (May 20).
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered battery-powered rickshaws to be operated in the city area considering the plight of hardworking people in the low-priced market and considering the price of goods.
However, the general secretary of Awami League also said that battery operated rickshaws will be prohibited for 22 highways of the country.
Earlier, on May 15, Obaidul Quader said that no battery operated rickshaws can be operated in Dhaka.
After that, the auto rickshaw drivers blocked the roads in the capital and set fires and vandalized vehicles in protest against the ban on battery operated rickshaws. Four separate cases have been registered in this incident.
Among the cases, two in Pallabi Police Station, one in Kafrul Police Station and one in Mirpur Model Police Station. Two thousand 700 autorickshaw drivers and arsonists have been accused in the case. So far 42 people have been arrested.
Latest information about cyclone 'Remal'
A low pressure is likely to develop over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas during the next two days. Later it accumulates more energy and can develop into a cyclone.
When the cyclone forms, it will be named 'Remal'. It may hit Bangladesh and West Bengal.
The Indian Meteorological Department says that a low pressure may develop over the sea by Wednesday. Low pressure is likely to form from there. That may intensify into a cyclone.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department has not yet released any information about the cyclone, but meteorologists say that a low pressure may form in the sea within 48 hours. It may then attain full cyclonic strength after the 24th. However, nothing definite can be said about the movement and impact of the cyclone till it develops. The matter is being monitored.
Rainfall is likely to start in Bangladesh from Friday due to the impact of the cyclone. which may continue for some days.
Cyclone Remal has been named by Oman. It means 'sand' in Arabic. There is also a city with this name 1.7 kilometers from Gaza in Palestine.
Note that Cyclone Amphan hit the coast of Bangladesh in May 2020. Because of the Sundarbans, the coast of the country was saved on his journey. Earlier, in May 2009, Sundarbans was hit by the disastrous Aila.
Results of 2nd phase upazila polls
The second phase of the sixth upazila parishad elections was held in 156 upazilas on Tuesday (May 21). The voting began at 8:00 am and ended at 4:00 pm.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) were used in 24 upazilas out of 156 upazilas. In the rest, voting was done at the ballot box.
In the second phase, candidates for the post of chairman in seven upazilas were elected unopposed. In two upazilas, candidates for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and reserved female vice-chairman were elected unopposed.
Cox's Bazar: Former MP from Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency Jafar Alam could not win the second phase of the sixth upazila parishad election. Md Fazlul Karim Sayedi unofficially elected as upazila chairman receiving 56,122 votes.
Rangamati: Nasir Uddin elected from Kaptai upazila , Ubach Marma elected from Rajasthali upazila and Birottam Tanchangya elected from Bilaichhari upazila.
Magura: The second phase of elections to two upazila parishads in the district held peacefully. In Mohammadpur upazila, Advocate Abdul Mannan and rom Shalikha upazila, Advocate Shyamal Kumar Dey were unofficially elected.
Pirojpur: Independent candidate Abdul Haque unofficially elected from Nesarabad upazila, Independent candidate Abu Sayeed Miah elected chairman in Kaukhali upazila parishad election.
Kushtia: Abdul Mannan Khan has been elected as chairman of Kumarkhali upazila.
Chandpur: Ayub Ali Bepari and Alhaj Helal Uddin have been elected chairman of Chandpur Sadar and Haziganj upazila.
Sylhet: Mazir Uddin has been elected chairman of Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district.
Nilphamari: Ansar Ali Mintu and Riyad Arfan Sarkar have been elected as chairmen of Jaldhaka and Syedpur upazila.
More to come....
Cyclone Remal: All information to know about
A low pressure has formed in the Bay of Bengal. This information was given by the Meteorological Department on Wednesday morning. A low pressure has developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal. which may be more concentrated.
The agency's meteorologists and the International Meteorological Organization also say the low pressure may turn into a depression. And it is not unusual to turn into a cyclone from there.
Rain or thundershowers with gusty winds of 45-60 km per hour may occur temporarily from west or north-west over Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra and Mymensingh regions. Hence, the river ports in these areas have been asked to display warning signal number 1. Although the cyclone is still not certain.
Over Southwest Bay of Bengal and nearby areas, a low pressure has formed. The Meteorological Department announced today. Meteorologist Bajlur Rashid told that the low pressure may turn into a clear low pressure today or tomorrow morning. It may develop into low pressure by next Friday or Saturday.
Bajlur Rashid said in response to the question about the possibility of a cyclone from the low pressure, there is a danger of a cyclone. However, it cannot be confirmed yet.
Earlier in an announcement by the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF), there is a possibility of a cyclone forming in the Bay of Bengal by today (Wednesday) or tomorrow Thursday. It is likely to make landfall near the Sundarbans in southern Bangladesh on May 26-27. However, the announcement also said that the nature of the cyclone is not always correct. Its course and speed may vary.
And if there is a cyclone this time, its name will be 'Remal'. This name is given by Oman.
There was a time when cyclones had no names. In 1970 or 1991, there was a terrible cyclone in our country. But they have no name. Cyclones that hit not only our country but also other countries had no name. So a process of naming these storms began at one stage. Because, if it is unnamed, the information about the strength and type of the cyclone that hit is not known quickly. Meteorologists have to find out the time or date of its impact and determine the movement of the possible cyclone in the future. And this is done by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO, in coordination with the five Regional Special Meteorological Organizations (RSMCs), has started naming cyclones since 2004. The RSMC seeks a list of names from its member states. Once the list is received, the short list is sent to WMO after a long time of verification.
A panel of the regional committee approved the list of names of cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Its name is WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones. These include India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and United Arab Emirates. The 2018 RMSC lists new cyclone names. At this time, 13 countries gave 13 names each. A few things are followed in nomenclature. Names should be neutral, such as politics or political figures, religious beliefs, culture or gender. No name can be given which hurts the sentiments of any people in any part of the world. The name cannot be harsh. It should be short and easy to pronounce. The name should have maximum eight characters. In addition to giving the name, the pronunciation should also be given here.
The proposed names given by the Member States may be amended from time to time.
The WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones member states are listed by their English initials. For example, according to the English alphabet, the name of Bangladesh comes first among these 13 countries. And at the end is the name of Yemen. This time the word 'Remal' is taken from Oman. After that, the name of Pakistan will come.
Meteorologists say Remal is an Arabic word. This name means 'sand'.
