Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has urged citizens not to hold any programs in open spaces during the 31st night to celebrate the English New Year. The DMP also asked Dhaka metro residents not to explode firecrackers or fireworks in open spaces and not to fly sky lanterns in the capital to celebrate the English New Year.    A restriction has been given on all kinds of gatherings and festivals on roads, intersections, flyovers, and public places in the capital to celebrate the New Year, considering the possible hazards associated with this celebration and the overall security and law and order situation.  Moreover, the buying and selling of fireworks, crackers, and sky lanterns are strictly prohibited throughout the city, according to DMP.    DMP said that on the occasion of the New Year celebrations, any type of event, gathering, dance, song, or cultural program will be restricted in open spaces. To maintain security, a press release signed by DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman has requested all concerned to cooperate in maintaining law and order by following the instructions.   According to the DMP's instructions, no outside person or vehicle will be allowed to enter the Dhaka University area after the evening of December 31.Only vehicles with stickers of Dhaka University will be allowed to enter subject to identification.  On this day, the teachers, students, officials and employees living in the Dhaka University area will return to their respective areas by 8pm and in case of entry after 8pm they will have to show the identity cards of the policemen on duty, said the release.    Outsiders are restricted from entering Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara areas after 8pm. However, citizens residing in these areas can enter through designated routes, subject to identification, after the specified time. Non-residents are discouraged from visiting Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Dhaka University residential areas during the designated period, contributing to the overall security of these zones. No gathering or function will be permitted in the Hatirjheel area after 6pm, and strict regulations against stopping or parking vehicles are in place to maintain order. All bars in Dhaka city are mandated to close by 6pm on December 31, aligning with the DMP's commitment to a controlled and safe celebration environment. However, residential hotels can hold events under their own management on a limited basis. To maintain a safe environment in various public spaces, licensed firearms are prohibited in residential hotels, restaurants, public gatherings, and festivals from 6pm on December 31 to 5am on January 1.

On the occasion of golden jubilee of independence the scheduled programs of BNP were- discussion meeting on March 25, rally on the occasion of independence day on March 26 and gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan on March 30. But due to the corona pandemic situation in the country BNP has suspended the programs. Convener of the BNP national committee on celebrating golden jubilee of independence Dr. Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain also informed that they had not obtained permission from police. Dr. Mosharraf announced about the decision at a press conference on Wednesday. He said, death and infection due to coronavirus are increasing in the country. In this dangerous situation it will not be a wise decision to hold the programs. So the programs have been suspended. If the corona situation improves than we will take steps to implement the declared programs after fixing the date freshly. The press conference was held at the office of BNP Chairperson at Gulshan in the capital where party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, celebration committee member secretary Abdus Salam and publicity secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury were present. AH   

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, BNP’s 7th March programs on the occasion of golden jubilee of independence are nothing but hypocrisy and distort of history. They banned the historical 7th March speech but now they are observing the day. It is nothing but hypocrisy and eyewash. He said this at the joint meeting between Awami League secretaries and Dhaka metropolitan North and South unit leaders at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Saturday. Criticizing the arrogant speech delivered by a BNP leader at a rally in Rajshahi Obaidul Quader said, after getting no response from the people BNP is now trying to step aside from the Union Parishad elections. When the country is in the right track of prosperity at that time a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy. Their evil activities are going on in the country and abroad. He said, father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the base of socio-economic development of the country during his three and half years ruling period. After the 1975 tragedy the country was under autocratic and anti-state rule. The country stood in line with the Least Developed Country. And Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rescued the country from that condition and is turning it into the line with developing nations. The Awami League General Secretary said, after fighting all the obstacles Bangladesh under leadership of Sheikh Hasina has fulfilled all the requirements of CDP in 2018. Bangladesh is going ahead to be listed as the developed nation by 2041 under her leadership. When the country is going ahead under the adept leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that vested quarter is hatching conspiracy. AH

The World Bank Group (WBG) is expected to launch health emergency programs in over 100 countries by the end of April to support the fight against COVID-19, with 64 already in operation, President David Malpass said Friday. "In response to COVID-19, the World Bank Group has focused on taking fast, broad-based action," Malpass said at a virtual press conference during the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the WBG. Malpass said the WBG will work to deploy as much as 160 billion U.S. dollars over the next 15 months, tailored to the nature of the health, economic and social shocks that countries are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that other multilateral development banks (MDBs), such as Asian Development Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank, have committed as a group to roughly 80 billion dollars over this period, bringing the total funding from MDBs to 240 billion dollars. The World Bank president said he is pleased that Group of Twenty (G20) countries have recently decided to provide a suspension in debt service to bilateral creditors during the crisis, calling it "a powerful fast-acting initiative that can bring real benefits to the poor." Noting that China is one of the big creditors, Malpass said China's support in the international agreement to allow a moratorium of debt repayments for the poorest countries is "important" and was "very welcome." In response to a question from Xinhua regarding protectionism amid the pandemic, Malpass said big countries need to step forward and pledge not to use the crisis as a reason to close or block the markets. "We should allow markets to function, markets to clear and the supplies to go to those most in need," said the World Bank president, adding that China is exporting medical supplies to the rest of the world, which is "very welcome." The press conference came shortly after a meeting of the Development Committee, the joint ministerial committee of the boards of governors of the WBG and the IMF, which also urged countries to keep trade open. The Development Committee "ask that all countries ensure the flow of vital medical supplies, critical agricultural products, and other goods and services across borders, and that they work to resolve disruptions to the global supply chains, to support the recovery," it said in a statement. The committee also urged the two institutions to work with countries to design and implement policies and programs that help lift the poorest households out of poverty and support small businesses. Noting that this crisis has the potential to erase development gains for many countries, the committed said the WBG "must not only address immediate economic needs, but also support long-term development priorities," such as ensuring affordable energy access, building energy security and resilience to economic and environmental vulnerabilities and climate change. "We urge the WBG and the IMF to ensure effectiveness on the ground and help countries create the conditions for inclusive and sustainable long-term growth," the committee said. Source: Xinhua/UNB AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered to stop Bangla Nababarsho celebration program of the upcoming year to prevent coronavirus infection. She said this while directing 64 Deputy Commissioners of the country through video conference from Ganobhaban on Tuesday. The Prime Minister also said, we always celebrate Bangla new year with huge festivity. In this year we have excluded the programs, specially the programs where people gather. I think we should stop the nababarsho programs with huge gathering throughout the country. Now it is a digital era, those who want to celebrate the program should enjoy through digital media. Mentionable, the first coronavirus infected patient was detected in the country on March 8. By this time five people died from the disease, the government said. According to the latest information, 49 patients have been detected in the country and of them 19 have recovered. AH   

The transmission of Bangladesh Television (BTV) programs has started in India Monday morning through state-of-the-art television Doordarshan’s DTH platform-DD Free Dish. The matter was informed in the weekly cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat in the capital with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told a press briefing after the meeting. Reports BSS. “Formal transmission of BTV (programs) has started in India through its national television “Doordarshan” in line with the agreement signed between the two countries during the June 6-7 visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India,” he said. The broadcast of BTV programs has started at 9 (local time) this morning through the Indian state-of-the-art television Doordarshan’s DTH platform-DD Free Dish. But Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud inaugurated the broadcasting formally from BTV auditorium at Rampura in the city at 3:00 in the afternoon. AH

Month long different programs have been taken to observe the 70th founding anniversary of ruling party Awami League. To observe the founding anniversary different programs will be organized from the capital to district-upazila level from June 23 to July 23. The information was delivered by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at the party’s Dhanmondi office on Saturday. Obaidul Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said, these programs were taken after consultation with the Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina. There will be three-day long programs in Dhaka during founding anniversary. The programs will begin through offering floral wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in the morning of June 23. AH             

The 10-day programs were declared to observe the 38th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir declared the program after holding a joint party meeting on Thursday. The meeting was held at party’s central office at Nayapaltan in the capital. The programs will be observed from May 22 to 31. Of the programs there are- wreath placing at Ziaur Rahmna’s grave at 10 am on May 30 and milad mahfil, free medical camps by Doctors Association of Bangladesh and distribution of clothes and ifter items at Nayapaltan office from the morning, photograph exhibition on Ziaur Rahman at National Press Club organized by Chhatra Dal. Different organizations of the party will hold discussion and distribute ifter items in their convenient time. Besides district units will follow different programs. On May 30 black flag will be hoisted and party flag will be kept half-mast atop at Nayapaltan office, party leaders and activists will wear black badges.      The then president of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman was killed in Chattogram Circuit House on May 30 in 1981. AH

Jatiya Oikya Front has declared their new course of program for the movement demanding election afresh. Public hearing and workers rally will be organized in divisional and district towns throughout the month of April. Besides it has also declared to publish the report of public hearing in Bangla and English and to submit those in abroad. The programs were declared through a press conference held at Oikya Front's office at Preetam Zaman Tower at Purana Paltan in the capital on Friday. One of the Oikya Front's organizers and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna declared the programs. Of the programs there are- floral wreath placement at the national mausoleum on March 26, human chain on March 30 and workers rally on March 31. Earlier the Oikya Front steering committee fixed the program after holding hour long meeting. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) presidnet ASM Abdur Rab, BNP standing committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Gonoforum executive president Subrata Chowdhury, general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Krishak Shramik Janata League leader Iqbal Siddique among others were present in the press conference. At the beginning of the press conference ASM Abdur Rab said, country's democratic system has broken down. We demanded for new election but the government did not pay attention. We are still firm in our decision. Alleging that vote robbery took place in DUCSU election Rab said, the government has failed to provide safe roads. Vote rigging and vote robbery are taking place in upazila elections. Voters did not go to cast votes. He also said that money is being stolen from the banks. There is no chance to get the money back. Efforts are going on to forgive the looters. But the poor farmers are being arrested. AH      

Jatiya Oikyafront has chalked out three programs including holding national dialogue. The decision came in at the Oikyafront steering committee meeting on Tuesday held at the Bailey Road house of Oikyafront top leader and Gono Forum President Dr. Kamal Hossain.   The meeting started at 4:45 pm and lasted for about one hour. After the meeting Oikyafront spokesman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, we have chalked out programs for holding national dialogue, filing cases in the election tribunal and also decided to visit the affected areas during election. As part of the programs we will visit Balaganj of Sylhet within one week. JSD president ASM Abdur Rab, Gonoshasthaya Kendra trustee Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, Krishak Shramik Janata League president Bangabir Kader Siddique, Gono Forum executive president Subrata Chowdhury, general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna among others were present in the meeting. AH