The Taiwan Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked eight Chinese naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am on Thursday (April 4) and 6 am on Friday (April 5), Taiwan News reported. The Taiwan MND shared a post on X, stating, "8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today." They further said that the Taiwanese armed forces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces. "#ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond," the post added. According to Taiwan News, the country has sent naval ships in response and deployed coastal missile systems to monitor the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) activity. On April 4, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and three military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 am on Wednesday and 6 am on Thursday. According to MND, of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, none crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Reportedly, so far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 28 times, according to Taiwan News. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. The Gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force."  Source: ANI

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 2) said that the government has taken steps to build modern and time-befitting armed forces imbued with latest technological knowledge. The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (BIR)-2024 third reunion at the Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Center in Rajshahi Cantonment on Saturday (March 2). The Prime Minister said the army is building trust and confidence among the mass everywhere. The army is not only contributing to the country but also at the international level by contributing to the UN peacekeeping missions.The army is contributing to the infrastructural development of the country as well. A smartly turned out contingent of the army paid guard of honour to PM Sheikh Hasina. PM also took salute at the parade, and inspected the parade.

Chad's state prosecutor has said that Yaya Dillo, leader of an opposition left-wing party, was killed during a gunfight with security forces, after an attack at the country's internal security agency. Chad's state prosecutor Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye on Thursday said that Yaya Dillo, the leader of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), had been killed on Wednesday during an exchange of fire with security forces.  Two days of fighting in N'Djamena Heavy gunfire was audible on Wednesday around the area of the PSF headquarters.  Dillo died "where he had retreated, at the headquarters of his party. He didn't want to surrender and fired on law enforcement," Communications Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said.  Prosecutor Kedelaye had earlier spoken of "dead including Yaya Dillo" during a security forces operation without detailing the circumstances. This followed an attack overnight on Tuesday on the country's internal security agency building in which several people were killed. Chadian authorities blamed Dillo and the PSF, although Dillo had told the AFP news agency on Wednesday that he was not present at the attack. He claimed the government was trying to intimidate him so that he would not run in elections scheduled for May 6 this year. The government also accused a PSF member of an "assassination attempt against the president of the supreme court," an allegation Dillo described as "staged."  The internet connectivity tracking service NetBlocks on Wednesday reported severe disruptions to internet connectivity in the country that it said persisted throughout much of the day. Reuters news agency cited a witness as reporting a return to relative calm in the capital N'Djamena on Thursday, with a smaller visible military presence but with internet access still not restored. Cousins and rivals, set to contest election Yaya Dillo Djerou, 49, was a cousin of transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. The interim leader took control in Chad in 2021 when his father Idriss Deby Itno was said to have been killed on the front lines fighting an insurgency in the north of the country.  Dillo and Mahamat Deby Itno would both have contested the election, and the May 6 date had only been made public on Tuesday. Elections in May would bring an end to roughly three years of effective military rule. Mahamat Deby Itno had originally promised elections and a return to civilian rule within 18 months but later extended the transition period by another two years. Chad last year asked Germany's ambassador to leave the country, prompting Berlin to send Chad's representative home, amid the sluggish transition period. Who was Yaya Dillo?  Dillo went from being an armed rebel leader to a Cabinet minister under former President Deby, his uncle, and then an opposition candidate against him. In 2021, he told France's RFI radio station that he had been attacked by members of the presidential guard, headed by now interim President Mahamat Deby Itno, who he said killed several of his family members including his wife.  Government forces at the time said they had opened fire after encountering armed resistance.  Deby's military government is one of several juntas currently ruling in West and Central Africa, where there have been eight coups since 2020. 

At least 63 BGP members of Myanmar have entered Bangladesh to save their lives through the Teknaf border during the the conflict situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar. The number has risen to 327 after 63 more border guards entered Bangladesh on Wednesday (Feb 7) at noon. The Myanmar shelter seekers include members of Border Guard Police (BGP), army, police, immigration as well as some civilian people. The public relations officer (PRO) of the BGB headquarters, Shariful Islam, confirmed the information. BGB said they have already disarmed them and took them to safety.  He added, at least 327 Myanmar troops have so far taken refuge in Bangladesh. Additional patrols and check posts have been increased in the border areas. No Rohingyas are allowed to enter Bangladesh. BGB is constantly monitoring the border for the sake of the country, Shariful Islam said. Accordingly, General Mohammad Ashrafuzzman Siddiqui, BGB Director, has visited the Bangladesh Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar and said that the border situation is completely under the control of Border Guard Bangladesh. 

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday (Jan 27) said Bangladesh’s security forces along the Myanmar border remain alert amid growing tensions in the neighbouring country. He said tensions prevailed in Myanmar with brief pauses and Bangladesh forces have remained alert from much earlier. Talking to reporters at the state guesthouse Padma, the foreign minister said such a tense situation will certainly have a negative impact on the efforts to repatriate Rohingyas to their place of origin in Myanmar. But, he added, the Myanmar government will feel compelled to take back their nationals if the international community puts pressure on them. “We always seek the international community’s cooperation,” he said. During his meeting with the visiting British cross-party parliamentary delegation, the foreign minister discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue. “Repatriation of the Rohingyas is the only solution. That is the durable and permanent solution. That is what I told them and they agreed with me,” Hasan said. The foreign minister mentioned that there are multiple issues concerning security and environment, and the Rohingya camps might become a breeding ground for militancy. “We are overburdened. We provided them shelter on humanitarian grounds.”  

In a response to the unrelenting cold wave, authorities in Joypurhat and Kurigram districts have announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools. The authorities in Joypurhat and Kurigram districts have announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools. This unprecedented move comes as temperatures plummet, posing significant challenges to the local communities. Joypurhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Salehin Tanvir Gazi said that in light of the severe cold conditions, they have decided to shut all primary and secondary educational institutions for two days. The decision follows a report from the nearby Naogaon meteorological office, which recorded temperatures in Joypurhat district dipping below 10 degrees Celsius. Adding to the winter's grip, the Kurigram district administration has extended the closure of 1,848 educational institutions, including primary, secondary schools and madrasas, until temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius. Kurigram DC Mohammad Saidul Arif advised students to stay indoors and continue their studies, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. This shutdown comes after a directive from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on January 16. The DSHE granted regional authorities the power to close schools if temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. A cold wave is sweeping different parts of the country, severely hampering educational activities, the DSHE circular stated, emphasizing the need for regional decision-making in these extreme weather conditions. As the northern parts of Bangladesh continue to grapple with this harsh cold wave, the closure of schools underscores the impact of extreme weather on education and daily life.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Jan 15) paid rich tributes to the martyred members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. She paid homage by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban (flame eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment this morning. After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the memories of the armed forces martyrs, who made supreme sacrifices during the 1971 Liberation War.     A contingent drawn from army, navy and air force presented a guard of honour at that time, while the bugle played the last post. Later, Sheikh Hasina, also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, signed the visitors' book kept on the Shikha Anirban premises. Earlier, on her arrival at Shikha Anirban, the Prime Minister was received by chiefs of the three services. After placing the wreath, she went to the Armed Forces Division (AFD) where PM's security adviser and chiefs of the three services made a courtesy call on her.

Army deployment begins today in 62 districts to ensure peaceful holding of the 12th national elections slated for January 7 as the deployment will continue till January 10, said an official release. A release issued by the Defence Ministry stated that the armed forces members will perform duties jointly with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in the 47 bordering upazilas.   The BGB members will also be accompanied by the Coast Guards in four coastal upazilas, apart from their sole deployment in 45 upazilas. Bangladesh Navy will perform duties in a total of 19 upazilas including the coastal districts of Bhola and Barguna.   Bangladesh Air Force is also set to provide necessary helicopter assistance to polling stations in remote hilly areas along with electoral assistance in case of emergencies, the release added. Special cells have been set up jointly by representatives of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies across the country, which will remain operational till January 10, 2024.  

The armed forces will be deployed on January 3, to maintain the law and security across Bangladesh, ahead of the 12th national polls. According to a letter sent from the Armed Forces Division (AFD), they will be in the field for a total of eight days, till January 10.  The letter was signed by Brig Gen Husain Muhammad Masihur Rahman, on behalf of the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces.  Following the request of the Election Commission to hold the 12th parliamentary election in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful manner, an order has been issued to deploy armed forces in the 300 constituencies across Bangladesh from January 3 to January 10.

Armed forces will be deployed for 13 days for election duty from December 29 to January 10, said home ministry. The Border Guard Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Armed Police Battalion, and Ansar Battalion will also remain on election duty during the 13 days, the ministry issued a gadget notification in this regard.   Signed by Md Mostafizur Rahman, senior secretary of public security divisions of the ministry, the circular stated that 15 to 17 members of the law enforcement agencies will be engaged to ensure the security of each polling centre. The armed forces will assist the local civil administration. Law enforcement agencies and armed forces will act as "mobile teams" and "striking forces". The Ansar battalion will serve as a supporting force in mobile teams with the police. According to the circular, members of Ansar-VDP will be engaged in the security of the polling station for five days. The circular also reads that a maximum of 15 to 16 policemen, Ansar, and village police will be deployed in general polling stations in metropolitan areas, outside metropolitan areas, and hilly and remote areas, and a maximum of 16 to 17 policemen in important polling stations. However, the circular added that the returning officer can increase or decrease the number if needed.