President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed deep shock and condolence on the loss of lives in earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday. In separate condolence messages yesterday to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, they prayed to the Almighty for bestowing courage and fortitude on the bereaved families to overcome the irreparable loss.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has returned home this morning from New York via London after wrapping up her a week-long official visit to the United States. A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage members landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9.20 am. The Premier left home for New York on 21 September to attend the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Prime Minister in an interview with Voice of America on Saturday said, the next general election will be a free and fair one, where people will vote to elect their representatives to form the next government.

World Habitat Day is being observed in the country today like elsewhere across the world. In separate messages on the occasion of the World Habitat Day, President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all concerned to discharge their duties properly for ensuring better waste management in the country.

International Day of Older Persons is being observed today. In separate messages on the eve of the day, President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wished sound health, dignified life and overall welfare of the country’s senior citizens.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim has reiterated that the next parliamentary election will be held as per the constitution under the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The Minister said this at a discussion marking the anniversary of birth of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka yesterday.

As part of the Awami League's programme to mobilise public support, it is going to begin a weeklong mass-contact campaign today in Dhaka ahead of the next parliamentary election. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said this at a press conference after a meeting of the party secretariat at the AL president’s Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka yesterday.

Law Minister Anisul Huq has said, Editors’ Council’s objections to a number of sections of the Digital Security Act and its demand for amending those will be placed before the Cabinet for discussions. The Minister said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Editors’ Council at the Information Ministry yesterday. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu who presided over the session had invited the Sampadak Parishad for talks over their concerns about the bill after the Council announced it would form a human chain before the Jatiya Press Club on 29 September protesting the passage of the bill.

Bangladesh Army has promoted Dr Susane Giti to country’s first woman Major General. Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed and Quarter Master General Lt General Md Shamsul Haque adorned Dr Susane Giti with the rank badge of Major General at the Army Headquarters in Dhaka yesterday.

Bangladesh got off a flying start in the maiden SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship as they dumped Pakistan by 17-0 goals in their group B opening encounter held at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan yesterday.

Press Wing