News brief for the 21st of September 2018.
The holy Ashura is being observed across the country today with due religious solemnity. President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages on the eve of the holy Ashura.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left Dhaka this morning for London en route to New York on a weeklong official visit to the United States to join the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The 22nd session of the 10th Parliament was prorogued yesterday after 10 sittings. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the closing session that a total of 18 bills were passed in this short successful session.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said, the present government has established Digital Bangladesh and the people would enjoy its benefit and the Digital Security Bill has been passed in the parliament aimed at ensuring security of the children, youths and students. The PM said this yesterday in her valedictory speech in the 22nd session of the 10th Parliament with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Choudhury in the chair. Journalists need not worry about the passing of the Digital Security Bill as it would not gag them, the PM added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said, the Road Safety Bill, 2018 has been passed after long work and consultation with stakeholders. The Bill recognising Dawrae Hadith (Takmil) certificate in Qawmi Madrasa with the status of postgraduate degree of Islamic Studies and Arabic will bring benefit for 15 lakh students of Qawmi Madrasas. The PM said this yesterday in her valedictory speech in the 22nd session of the 10th Parliament.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given residential flats to two former national footballers Sheikh Ashraf Ali, late Monem Munna and a hockey player late Zahidur Rahman Pushkin. The PM handed over the allotment letters at Ganabhaban in Dhaka yesterday.
The Parliament has passed the Community Clinic Health Assistance Trust Bill-2018, Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust Bill-2018, the State-Owned Manufacturing Industries Workers (Conditions of Service) Bill-2018 and the National Sports Council Bill-2018. These Bill were passed by MP's voice vote yesterday.
Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali has said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be honored with two awards for her role over Rohingya issue. She will receive International Achievement Award from the Inter Press Service news agency and Special Recognition for Outstanding Leadership Award from the Global Hope Coalition. The FM said this yesterday at his ministry while briefing media on PM's New York visit to attend United Nations General Assembly. The PM will place fresh specific proposals at the 73rd UNGA seeking a stronger role from the international community so that Myanmar acts promptly and takes Rohingyas back, the FM added.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has said, the government will take necessary initiative to sign free trade agreement with Vietnam and other potential countries. The Minister said this while speaking at a function of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhaka yesterday.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said, the government has decided to construct 220-km-long walkways alongside the banks of the Buriganga, Turag, Shitlakhya and Balu rivers to stop encroachment at the estimated cost of Tk. 800 crore. The Minister said this to the media after a task force meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday.
The government has signed a US$50 million grant financing agreement with the World Bank to strengthen the existing health care services for responding to the health, nutrition and family planning needs of the Rohingya population in Cox’s Bazar. External Resources Division and WB signed the agreement at ERD in Dhaka yesterday.
The number of the country’s total internet users is now 9.05 crore, according to statistics published on BTRC’s website yesterday.
Bangladesh is the second most gender equal country in Asia but 1st in South Asia, as per the Global Gender Gap Index of World Economic Forum. The 2018 report of the Forum published on its website yesterday.
Press Wing
