A Dhaka court has placed five people on a three-day remand each in a case filed over the death of five passengers in a launch capsize at Sadarghat. Naqib, a sub-inspector of Sadarghat thana  River Police, pleaded to place the accused before the court and sought a seven-day remand each for "fair investigation" on Friday (April 12). The accused are Md Abdur Rauf Hawlader, and Md Selim Hawlader, Md Faruk Khan, Md Mizanur Rahman, and Md Moniruzzaman. On behalf of the accused, lawyers appealed for bail seeking cancellation of the remand. But the bail application was opposed by the state. Dhaka's Chief Judicial Magistrate, Arifa Chowdhury Himel, placed each of the accused on a three-day remand. Additional Public Prosecutor Anwarul Kabir Babul confirmed the information. Meanwhile, joint director of River Securty and Traffic Management, Ismail Hossain, filed the case at South Keraniganj Police Station.

At least 18 people were killed in road accidents across the country during Eid day. Most of them are motorcyclists. On Thursday (April 11), the shadow of mourning has descended on the families of those who where deceased in these accidents. Among the deceased, four died in Panchagarh, three in Khagrachhari, two in Narsingdi, one in Dhaka, one in Brahmanbaria, one in Jashore, three in Netrokona, one in Chuadangaa and two in Narail.

The whole nation is set to celebrate its' 54th Independence today (26 March) in a befitting manner. The government has taken elaborate programmes at the national level to celebrate the day. The programmes to celebrate 54th Independence day will begin with gun salutes early in the morning. All government, semi-government, autonomous and private institutaion will hoist the national flag atop with the rises of the sun. However, The National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar will be the main venue of the day's celebration. President Mohammad Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place floral wreaths early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of 1971. In that day people from all walks of life, including freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies, will also place floral wreaths at the national memorial.  

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation recently hosted an open day event at Mongla Port in Bangladesh, showcasing their advanced trailing suction hopper dredger "Xin Zi Lang 5".  The event, started on Tuesday aimed to raise awareness about marine engineering and share technology with the local community. Over 400 people participated, including Mongla Port Authority officials, students, and teachers from Khulna University of Engineering and  Technology (KUET), and local primary and secondary schools.  Attendees were given tours of the dredger, learning about its operation and the importance of dredging projects in maintaining smooth waterway access for commercial vessels. The "Xin Zi Lang 5," one of the most advanced dredgers in Bangladesh, arrived in 2021 and has already removed over 2.4 million cubic meters of dredged sand, ensuring the navigability of the Pussur Channel for commercial vessels of the Mongla Port, Dr AKM Anisur Rahman, member (Engineering) chief guest of the programme said. Since 2018, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has played a significant role in maintaining Mongla Port. They've completed multiple dredging projects, ensuring smooth passage for commercial vessels, Sheikh Sowkat Ali, project director of the “Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel’  said.  Students from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) were particularly excited about the event.  Asked about their impressions, students of KUET said they are excited to visit the largest and most advanced dredger working in the country. Professor Shahjahan from KUET also acknowledged CCECC for its commitment to knowledge sharing. He highlighted the company's ongoing support for academic forums and research collaborations at the university. “The event focused on CCECC's dedication to social responsibility in Bangladesh. They actively create job opportunities for local communities, participate in educational charity initiatives, and collaborate with universities on technological exchange programs” Steven Guo, project manager of CCECC said. Through proper business practices and social contributions, CCECC has earned a strong reputation in the Bangladesh market, Steven Guo, manager of the project said.  These efforts have made CCECC a responsible and valuable partner in Bangladesh's economic and social progress, he added.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 8) hoped that the women community will move forward in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution through the use of modern technology. The Prime Minister said this in a message given on Thursday (March 7) on the occasion of 'International Women's Day' on March 8. The PM said, "I am happy to know that 'International Women's Day' is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world. On the occasion of this day, I extend my heartiest greetings and congratulations to all the women of the world. The theme of this year's World Women's Day is  'Women's equal rights, equal opportunities; The Prime Minister also hoped that Women's community will advance modern technology with their innovation. She said Awami League has been working to ensure equal participation of men and women in every steps. Various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to advance women in the economic, social and political context of Bangladesh and to build a developed smart Bangladesh by 2041. Sheikh Hasina also said the mother and child support programme is being implemented to ensure mother and child health and make women self-reliant. Initiatives have been taken to market their products along with training programs at divisional, district and upazila levels so that every woman can prepare herself as an entrepreneur.

21 February is the International Mother Language Day . The day is observed as National Martyr's day since 1952. UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day by on November 17, 1999. The whole nation observe the day remembering the supreme sacrifice of the language martyrs, the brave sons of the country for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla. The plot of the language  movement begins when the then governor of pakistan,  Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on 21 March 1948 declared at a public meeting that ''Urdu and  Urdu will be the state language of Pakistan.'' The student community instantly denied his proposal saying 'no' and thus the struggle begins. On February 21, 1952, students alone with the common people of Dhaka marched in the streets to protest. To protect mother tongue, Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiq and Jabbar sacrificed their lives. The homage to the language martyrs began with placing of flowers at the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours of 21st February. The program 'Prabhat Feri' starts in the morning to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the rights of Bangla language.  Language martyrs are remembered with respect in various events throughout the day.

Pyongyang fired another 60 artillery rounds following the more than 200 fired the day before. Tensions between north and south have been escalating for months. The North Korean military fired more than 60 rounds of artillery close to a disputed maritime border with its southern neighbor on Saturday. "North Korean forces conducted artillery fire with over 60 rounds from the northwest area of Yeonpyeong Island today between approximately 16:00 and 17:00 (0700 to 0800 GMT)," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The barrage came a day after Pyongyang fired over 200 rounds of artillery in the same area. In both cases, the shells landed in a buffer zone set up between the two countries in 2018.   How did South Korea respond? Yeonpyeong and Baengyeong, which lie to the west of Seoul, have a joint population of less than 7,000 people. The islands' residents were ordered into shelters and ferries were suspended. The two consecutive days of artillery fire in the disputed region mark a further escalation on the Korean peninsula. South Korea's military said "the repeated artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone by North Korea poses a threat to the peace on the Korean Peninsula and escalates tensions." "In response, our military will take appropriate measures to safeguard our nation," it added. On Friday, the South Korean military responded to the artillery fire with its own rounds that were fired into the sea.   Increasing tensions Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have reached their lowest point in decades, with the south pointing to provocations from the north. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pushed for the testing of advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles and enshrined the country's status as a nuclear power into its constitution. The launching of a North Korean spy satellite in November also led Seoul to suspend part of a 2018 agreement that had aimed to reduce tensions. The north has also reportedly been increasing its production of missile launchers, with Kim being cited by the state news agency KCNA on Friday as saying it was necessary "given the prevailing grave situation that requires the country to be more firmly prepared for a military showdown with the enemy."    

Cold day condition may prevail at places over thecountry due to thick fog for the next two or three days and weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).   Air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may be disrupted due to thick fog which may occur over the country during midnight to morning and it may continue till noon at places over the country. Night and day temperature may rise slightly over the country. Source: BSS

Tomorrow (Dec 25) is Christmas Day, the birthday of Jesus Christ, Jewish preacher and religious leader of the first-century.   The Christians of different groups in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world will celebrate the day amid festivity and religious fervor.   They will celebrate the day by offering special prayers, illuminating churches and installing makeshift Christmas trees at homes and places of worship as well as missions across the country.   Elderly people of the community, attired in the outfit of Santa Claus, usually have fun with children and distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.   The day is a public holiday.   In separate messages, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Christian community on the occasion.   They wished peace, welfare and prosperity to all citizens, including Christians.   President Shahabuddin, in his message, said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony as people of all religions have been practicing their religions and rituals independently in this country for long.   Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of building a non-communal Bangladesh, he urged all to work together to build a happy, prosperous and non-communal Smart Bangladesh.   About Jesus Christ's contribution to society, the head of the state said Jesus taught people to be in a peaceful position with love, compassion, forgiveness, affection, empathy and the establishment of justice.   "Instead of earthly life, Jesus Christ put emphasis on the importance of spiritual happiness through renunciation, restraint and charity," Shahabuddin opined.   The President thought that the teachings and ideals of Jesus Christ are very relevant in establishing peace and harmony in a trouble-torn world apart from establishing harmony and unity among nations.   Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, hoped that all will work together to build a 'Smart Bangladesh' in the current digital Bangladesh with the aim of building a hunger-poverty-free and non-communal 'Sonar Bangladesh', the lifelong dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   Noting that religion belongs to the individuals, while festivals are for all, the Premier said: "In our constitution, equal rights of people of all religions and castes have been ensured ... The development of people of all classes, professions and communities is our main goal. To achieve this goal, we are working to ensure a dignified and safe life for the people of all communities."   Sheikh Hasina said Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem on this day and one of his vows was to establish a society free from exploitation by establishing justice and peace in the world.   The great Jesus, she mentioned, scarified himself for the poor and starving people, while his ideal lifestyle and strict characteristics still remain immortal in human history.   Greeting the countrymen, specially the Christians, on this occasion, the Premier wished all citizens' peace, welfare and prosperity.   On the holy day, churches in the capital will be illuminated while Christmas trees will be set up and candles lit at homes and churches by the Christian community to celebrate the event amid religious fervour.   According to tradition, Santa Claus will distribute sweets and gifts among children in churches on the occasion. This is a 'great day' for children in the Christian community, who sing carols on the occasion in praise of Jesus Christ and God, and exchange gifts.   The national dailies will publish special articles highlighting the importance of Christmas.   Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private radio stations and TV channels will air special programmes marking the festival. Source: BSS

The commission has asked for ballot papers to reach the polling centres on the morning of polling day for the first time. In this regard The EC issued a circular today (Dec 18). It is the first time that the commission has asked for ballot papers to reach the polling centres on the morning of polling day. According to the circular, the timing of delivery of ballot papers to polling centres located in hilly, haor, baor, char or island areas or areas far from the district or upazila headquarters or metropolitan areas, should be determined by the ROs. Respective returning officers will have to make plans for delivering the ballor papers on the morning of polling day and get those approved by the Election Commission by December 31, 2023. Generally, during parliamentary elections, ballot boxes are sent to polling centres on the afternoon or evening before the polling day. Presiding officers and law enforcement agencies took ballot papers to the centres on the previous day. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal told reporters at the EC office in the capital, "As far as possible, the ballots will reach [polling centres] on the morning of polling day." The polling agents will have to be there to see that the polling boxes are empty and the ballot papers reached the polling station in the morning, he said. Asked why the EC has taken this step, "There was demand for this from many, and this will increase transparency." EC officials said that they took the steps to send the ballots on polling day morning to avoid "allegations or controversy" over voting taking place at night instead of polling day.