BSEC appoints independent directors to 3 Beximco Group companies
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, or BSEC, has appointed independent directors to three companies associated with the Beximco Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the country. A total of 25 independent directors have been selected for posts at Beximco Limited, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, and Shinepukur Ceramics. Beximco Pharma is listed on Bangladesh’s stock market as well as the London Stock Exchange. Salman F Rahman, the private industry and investment advisor to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is the vice chairman of Beximco Group. Many of the directors of Beximco Group are in hiding.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 11:47 UTC
Education advisor apologises as government fails to provide textbooks to all
“I sincerely apologise to our students and their parents as we could not provide all textbooks to them at once. Nothing to worry about if the media criticises us for that.”The government drew flak for going back to the 2012 curriculum, the advisor said. “If I didn’t study advanced math, I could not study maths at higher secondary, teach math to the undergrads at Cambridge University. O Level students study the same thing.”Some people criticised the government for “going backwards”, he said. Another 40 million books were ready to be dispatched, he added.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 10:28 UTC
Abu Bakar murder: Dhaka University to appeal HC’s overturning of student expulsions
The university authorities have decided to appeal to the top court against the High Court decision that scrapped the expulsion of students charged over the death of Bakar, the statement read. Two factions of the Chhatra League clashed at AF Rahman Hall of Dhaka University on Feb 1, 2010 during a power struggle. In this context, the High Court Division ruled in favour of the plaintiffs by declaring the expulsion order illegal in 2012. "Recently, the Dhaka University authorities decided to appeal to a higher court against the decision. The university authorities believe an appeal to the top court will pave the way for justice in the murder of student Abu Bakar Siddique," the statement added.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 09:57 UTC
Former food minister Qamrul Islam remanded again in two extortion cases
The former food minister was arrested from Dhaka’s Uttara on Nov 18Former food minister Qamrul Islam remanded again in two extortion casesA Dhaka court has placed former food minister and Awami League Presidium Member Qamrul Islam on a four-day remand in two extortion cases filed at the Kamrangirchar Police Station. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi said sub-inspectors Zahid Hasan and Palash Chandra Das, investigating officers in the two cases filed with Kamrangirchar police, sought a 10-day remand each in the two extortion cases. Later, the court rejected his bail plea and remanded him for four days in the two cases. Among the two extortion cases, a man named Sagir Ahmed Sujan filed a lawsuit with the court accusing Qamrul and 13 others on Sept 4. On Sept 7, a cable network businessman named Ali Ahmed initiated another case against 11 people, including Qamrul.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 07:52 UTC
Nine lanterns land on metro rail tracks on New Year’s eve
At least nine lanterns landed on the metro rail tracks on Tuesday night as people celebrated New Year's Eve. “Assuming some lanterns (would land on the rail tracks), we were prepared to address it. Earlier on Monday, DMTCL cautioned the public not to release lanterns near the metro rail area. As in previous years, the government has reiterated its directives to avoid releasing lanterns and using fireworks during New Year’s Eve. On the 31st night last year, lanterns released across Dhaka caused disruptions when tangled with metro rail cables.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 06:40 UTC
UN body accuses Israel of destroying Gaza healthcare
He said on X that Israel operates in accordance with international law, would never target innocent civilians, and accused Hamas of using Gaza hospitals for what he called "terror activity". The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using hospitals as command centres for military operations and said that people Israel has detained at the facilities were suspected militants. Israel has in the past few days conducted operations against hospitals in Gaza that drew criticism from the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) among others. Hamas killed 1,200 people and abducted 251 to Gaza in its attack on southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, according to Israeli tallies. More than 45,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's subsequent campaign against Hamas in Gaza, Palestinian health officials say.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 03:54 UTC
Zelensky says US will be alongside Ukraine's efforts to stop Russia
Zelensky, in a slick 21-minute New Year video greeting to his compatriots, also said only a strong Ukraine could secure peace and earn worldwide respect. "I have no doubt that the new American president wants and will be able to bring peace and end (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression," Zelensky said. And I believe that, together with the United States, we are capable of the strength to force Russia into a just peace." Russia, Zelensky said, was not to be trusted either in battle or in talks. "If today Russia shakes your hand, it doesn't mean that tomorrow the same hand will not start killing you," he said.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 03:51 UTC
Europe's Russian gas era comes to an end as Ukraine transit stops
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and United States has helped the EU find alternative supply. The remaining buyers of Russian gas via Ukraine such as Slovakia and Austria have also arranged alternative supply. "The European gas infrastructure is flexible enough to provide gas of non-Russian origin to Central and Eastern Europe via alternative routes. UKRAINE WARDespite the EU’s progress in replacing Russian supply via Ukraine, Europe has felt the impact, with higher energy costs hitting its industrial competitiveness versus the United States and China, for example. The only Russian gas route still operating is TurkStream which crosses the Black Sea to Turkey.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 03:18 UTC
20 hurt in clash as ‘March for Unity’ convoy attacked in Bagerhat
At least 20 people have been injured in a clash after an Anti-discrimination Student Movement convoy headed to Dhaka for the “March for Unity” programme was attacked in Bagerhat’s Mollahat. Citing locals and students, OC Shafiqul said that 25 buses from the Khulna Metropolitan Area set off on Tuesday for the “March for Unity” event in Dhaka. At least 20 people were reported injured in the clash, the OC said. Zahurul Tanvir, Anti-discrimination Student Movement coordinator for Khulna, said: “Our convoy was peacefully going to Dhaka from Khulna. Later, OC Shafiqul said that traffic on the road had normalised since 1:15pm, adding: “The situation has become somewhat normal.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 02:53 UTC
Two die, 84 hospitalised with dengue fever in a day
Two more people have died of dengue while 84 new patients have been hospitalised with the Aedes mosquito-borne disease across Bangladesh over the past 24 hours. The number of patients hospitalised with the disease this year has risen to 101,214. In addition, 14 were hospitalised in the Dhaka Division, 21 in the Chattogram Division, three in the Khulna Division, two in the Rajshahi Division and 13 in the Barishal Division. The DGHS has been keeping records of dengue hospitalisations and fatalities since 2000. Since then, a record 321,179 dengue hospitalisations were logged in 2023.
Source:bd News24
January 01, 2025 02:20 UTC
From cracks of gunfire to cacophony of fireworks: Dhaka rings in 2025 with explosive celebrations
Dhaka shook once again on Tuesday night, but this time with the explosive sounds of celebration. Hours before midnight, isolated firecrackers exploded and fireworks began in parts of Dhaka. Right now, an announcement is being made on a microphone in East Shewrapara—'A newborn baby has died from the sound of fireworks. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police had issued a ban on fireworks days earlier. Though there’s widespread music in the alleys, the fear isn’t gone.”As in previous years, bans on fireworks, firecrackers, and floating lanterns proved ineffective.
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2024 19:25 UTC
24 pieces of 2024: A year of tumult and transformation
As such, in the majority of the seats, the vote was between Awami League and independent candidates of the Awami League. In August 2022, she publicly rebuked the BNP, asserting that the Awami League, the party she helmed, would never retreat. The interim administration cancelled the new curriculum introduced by the Awami League and announced a return to the 2012 curriculum. Before these issues were settled, clashes erupted on Nov 20 between students of Dhaka College and Dhaka City College, injuring over 150 students. Dhaka College students demanded the relocation of Dhaka City College from the Science Laboratory area.
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2024 18:39 UTC
Extrajudicial killings continue in Bangladesh even after July uprising: ASK, MSF
In the five months of the interim government, 98 alleged mob killings have been reportedExtrajudicial killings continue in Bangladesh even after July uprising: ASK, MSFThe 2024 human rights monitoring report by Ain O Salish Kendra, or ASK, and Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, or MSF, has revealed a wave of extrajudicial executions, despite commitments to end killings without trial. According to ASK, 12 people died in custody or were victims of extrajudicial killings during the first five months of the interim government, while MSF reported 98 deaths from mob lynching during the same period. EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGSASK report noted that while the frequency of extrajudicial killings has declined, these incidents continue to occur. The ASK report also emphasised attacks on minorities or political retaliation “cannot be considered acts related to protests”. The ASK report says there have been attacks against various media organisations in the country, including slander and threats of siege.
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2024 17:02 UTC
Bangladesh Bank directs commercial banks to bolster fire safety measures
Bangladesh Bank has directed all commercial banks to bolster fire safety measures as a precaution following recent fire incidents causing extensive damage to lives, assets, and critical documents. The central bank's Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a notification on Tuesday outlining the necessary steps banks must take to ensure fire safety. It instructed banks to verify and implement effective fire detection systems, including smoke and heat detection mechanisms, as well as fire alarms and extinguishing systems, to prevent fire hazards. It further mandated the installation of smoke and heat detection systems and fire alarms in all bank facilities. The instructions also highlighted the importance of implementing special security measures in sensitive areas, such as server rooms and key IT departments at headquarters.
Source:bd News24
December 31, 2024 16:00 UTC