Author: Arif ArifArman

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: In a significant move towards ensuring food safety and consumer protection, the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) hosted a meeting on Monday to present and solicit feedback on the “Safe Food (Advertisement and Claims) Regulations, 2024.” Held in the BFSA training room, the gathering aimed at refining the draft regulation, which comprises 16 comprehensive articles addressing various aspects of food advertising and claims. Under the proposed regulation, penalties will be imposed for false advertising, use of language that offends community sentiments, obscene content, and false superiority claims about food products. The draft meticulously outlines conditions for advertising, including…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: State minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid on Monday said that the Bangladesh government had a plan to import 9,000MW of electricity in the future. ‘Bangladesh should increase the number of ADB-funded projects,’ he told the Asian Development Bank South Asian affairs director general Takeo Konishi at his ministry conference room at Bangladesh secretariat. The ADB South Asian affairs director general and its country director Edimon Ginting paid a courtesy call on the state minister. Nasrul Hamid said that the ADB could help to establish power markets, which would cooperate for buying and selling of…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: State Minister for Power, Energy and Minerals Resources Nasrul Hamid has sought the help of Asian Development Bank (ADB) to create a regional power market. “ADB can help create a marketplace in the region so that countries can trade electricity as per their necessity”, he told Takeo Konishi, the South Asia Director General of the ADB when he called on the state minister at his office in the ministry on Monday. Under the arrangement, countries can export electricity to Nepal and Bhutan during the winter season, he said. During the meeting they discussed various issues related to mutual…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday hoped that better connectivity and new measures like trade in Indian rupee would further enhance Bangladeshi exports to India. He joined Bangladesh’s state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury at the inauguration of Sultanganj, Godagari Port of Call, flagging off a cargo vessel from Sultanganj (Bangladesh) to Maia (India) to operationalise the important river connectivity route between India and Bangladesh. The high commissioner highlighted the new river route as part of the growing economic and connectivity links between India and Bangladesh and a visible symbol of the recent transformation…

স্পোর্টস ডেস্কঃ ওয়ানডে বিশ্বকাপে আফগানিস্তানের বিপক্ষে অতি মানবীয় ডাবল সেঞ্চুরির রেশ না কাটতেই আরেকটি রেকর্ড স্পর্শ করলেন গ্ল্যান ম্যাক্সওয়েল। এবার তিনি ভাগ বসালেন ভারতীয় ব্যাটার রোহিত শর্মার সাথে। আন্তর্জাতিক টি টুয়েন্টিতে সেঞ্চুরির রেকর্ডে সমান সংখ্যক পাঁচটি সেঞ্চুরি করে রোহিতের ঘারে নিঃশ্বাস ফেলছেন ম্যাক্সওয়েল। ক্রিকেটে সময়টা বেশ ভালোই উপভোগ করছেন ম্যাক্সওয়েল। ওয়ানডে, টি টুয়েন্টি, টেস্ট – ফরমেটে যাই হোক না কেন, সেঞ্চুরি যেন অভ্যাসে পরিনত হয়েছে তার। সিরিজের দ্বিতীয় টি টুয়েন্টিতে আজ এডিলেড ওভালে মুখোমুখি হয় অস্ট্রেলিয়া ও ওয়েস্ট ইন্ডিজ। টস জিতে অস্ট্রেলিয়াকে ব্যাট করতে পাঠায় ওয়েস্ট ইন্ডিজ। টপ অর্ডারের ভালো শুরু পর ৫ ওভার ৩ বলে ২ উইকেট হারিয়ে ৫৭…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh Bank (BB) has issued a notification regarding the formation of a bank’s board of directors, as well as prescribing the responsibilities of the directors as per the ‘Bank Company Act’. The Banking Regulations and Policy Department (BRPD) of Bangladesh Bank on Sunday issued the notification to ensure dynamism and good governance in the banking sector. The notification was sent to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks for immediate execution. According to the notification, the number of directors of a bank will be a maximum of 20, and independent directors will be three.…

ZOOMKBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the authorities concerned to take positive steps about the geographical indication (GI) certificates for the country’s products. She made the directive while chairing the Cabinet meeting held at her office here in the city. The issue of GI products came up for discussion in the meeting, said Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain at a press briefing in the Bangladesh Secretariat. https://inews.zoombangla.com/imo-greets-sheikh-hasina-on-her-re-election-as-pm/ “The Prime Minister asked all to be active and take initiatives about (the GI certification) our products,” he said. Earlier, Industry Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun handed over the GI…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: The Bangladesh Consulate in Switte, Myanmar will soon be shifted to Yangon on a temporary basis due to the current security situation there. Bangladesh consulate in Switte ‘A verbal instruction has already been given. Process is underway,’ a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB on Sunday. Other foreign missions stationed in Switte are also moving to Yangon on security grounds. Foreign minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said that the process of sending back the Myanmar security forces who took shelter in Bangladesh was underway following discussions between the two countries. He said that it…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Pakistan on Saturday hit back at criticism over the conduct of its parliamentary elections, which were held amid sporadic militant attacks and an unprecedented stoppage of all mobile phone services. The strongly worded reaction from the Foreign Ministry insisted the vote was peaceful and successful. The U.S. State Department said that Thursday’s vote was held under undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The European Union has also said it regrets the lack of a level playing field due to the inability of some political actors to contest the elections. The ministry said it was…

স্পোর্টস ডেস্কঃ গুঞ্জন ছিল ইংল্যান্ডের বিপক্ষে শেষ তিন টেস্টে বাদ পড়তে চলছে বিরাট কোহলি। এবার গুঞ্জন সত্যি প্রমাণ করলো বিসিসিআই। পুরো ইংল্যান্ড সিরিজেই বিরাট কোহলিকে পাচ্ছে না ভারত। তাঁকে বাদ দিয়েই বাকি তিন টেস্টের জন্য দল ঘোষণা করেছে বিসিসিআই। দল ঘোষণা করে নিজেদের ওয়েবসাইটে দুটি নোট দিয়ে এক বিবৃতি দিয়েছে বিসিসিআই। যার একটি কোহলি এবং অপরটি ফিটনেসের সাপেক্ষে স্কোয়াডে সুযোগ পাওয়া লোকেশ রাহুল ও রবীন্দ্র জাদেজাকে নিয়ে। প্রথমটিতে লেখা হয়েছে ‘ব্যক্তিগত কারণে সিরিজের বাকি টেস্টেও পাওয়া যাবে না বিরাট কোহলিকে। কোহলির সিদ্ধান্তকে বোর্ড সম্মান জানাচ্ছে। সঙ্গে তকে পূর্ণ সমর্থন জানাচ্ছে।’ আর বিসিসিআইয়ে দ্বিতীয় নোটে লেখা হয়েছে, ‘রবীন্দ্র জাদেজা ও লোকেশ…

স্পোর্টস ডেস্কঃ এএফসি এশিয়ান কাপের ফাইনালে আজ মুখোমুখি হতে যাচ্ছে কাতার ও জর্ডান। খেলাটি অনুষ্ঠিত হবে বাংলাদেশ সময় রাত ৯ টায়। এশীয় ফুটবলের পরাশক্তি দক্ষিণ কোরিয়াকে হারিয়ে প্রথমবারের মতো ফাইনালে উঠেছে জর্ডান। অপরদিকে ফাইনালে উঠার জন্য ইরানকে হারিয়েছে ডিফেন্ডিং চ্যাম্পিয়ন কাতার । এশিয়ান কাপে এই প্রথম মুখোমুখি হতে যাচ্ছে কাতার ও জর্ডান। দুইটি আরব দেশই এই নিয়ে তৃতীয়বারের মতো ফাইনাল খেলছে। ফুটবলের বিশ্লেষণ ও পরিসংখ্যান বিষয়ক ওয়েবসাইট অপ্টার পূর্বানুমানে আজকের ফাইনালে নির্ধারিত সময়ে কাতারের জয়ের সম্ভাবনা ৩৮.৪ শতাংশ, জর্ডানের ৩৪.৮ শতাংশ। https://inews.zoombangla.com/this-time-argentinas-match-was-canceled-by-china/ ফাইনালের আগে সংবাদ সম্মেলনে কাতারের কোচ টিনটিন মার্কেজ বলেন, “এটা দুই ভাইয়ের লড়াই। ভাইদের এই লড়াইয়েও থাকছে প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতা।…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In a clear message as to who holds the cards in the country, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, has said that the country needs stable hands and added that a unified government of all democratic forces will adequately represent Pakistan’s diverse political and pluralistic landscape, Dawn reported. He said, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), that elections and democracy are means to serve the people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves. “The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation, which do not…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A record eight Chinese balloons have been detected around Taiwan, with two directly flying over the island, Taipei’s defence ministry said on Saturday. The ministry said the balloons were spotted on Friday, the day before the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, at an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,572 metres) to 38,000 feet. It was the highest number detected since the ministry started regularly releasing data on balloon sightings in December. China claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. https://inews.zoombangla.com/taiwan-protests-chinas-unilateral-adjustment-of-flight-routes/ Beijing…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: International Maritime Organization (IMO) has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a greeting letter sent to Sheikh Hasina, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez extended his best wishes on the occasion of Sheikh Hasina’s reappointment as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. “I wish to convey my best wishes for every success in the discharge of this High Office.” https://inews.zoombangla.com/pm-hasina-hails-january-7-election-as-the-freest-since-1975/ He said as the United Nations agency is responsible for regulating shipping, IMO is heavily engaged in supporting its Member States to promote a safe, secure, and environmentally sound shipping sector to protect our oceans…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Pakistan faces days of political horse-trading after the final few election results released early Saturday showed no clear majority, but a strong performance by independent candidates loyal to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf defied a months-long crackdown that crippled campaigning and forced their candidates to run as independents with a combined showing in Thursday’s election that still challenged their chief rivals. But after long delays in results that prompted further allegations that the military establishment had engaged in vote-rigging, the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz declared victory as the party with the largest number…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Chinese consumer prices fell in January at their quickest rate in more than 14 years, data showed Thursday, piling pressure on the government for more aggressive moves to revive the country’s battered economy. Officials have struggled for months to kickstart economic growth as they battle a range of headwinds, including a prolonged property-sector crisis, soaring youth unemployment and a global slowdown that is hammering demand for Chinese goods. Policymakers have in recent months announced a series of targeted measures as well as a major issuance of billions of dollars in sovereign bonds, aimed at boosting infrastructure spending and…

ZOOMBAHGLA DESK: The entire Bangladesh would be brought under the rail network by constructing new railways, Railways Minister Md Zillul Hakim said on Thursday. “Railways will be made a safer mode of transport by improving the quality of service,” the minister was speaking at a reception organised by Pangsha-Baliakandi and Kalukhali madrasa teachers-employees of Rajbari at Pansha George Government High School ground. The Ministry of Railways will take strict action against black marketers of train tickets. Law enforcers have already arrested several members of this gang and it will continue. There will be no problem in getting the train tickets…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said on Thursday that Bangladesh is doing well in line with the standards set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government has fulfilled most of the conditions given by the global lender. He made the comment while talking to reporters after Resident Representative of the IMF in Bangladesh Jayendu De met him in his office on Thursday. “They will assess the situation again in March. Hopefully, Bangladesh will get the third installment of the loan,” Ali said. In reply to a query on Bangladesh having a deficit in reserves and…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Thursday said the demand for electricity may rise to about 17,500 MW in the coming summer. He, however, said that the currently total power generation capacity is 29,727 MW including that from captive and off-grid renewable energy. “And the grid-based production capacity is 26,504 MW. Among them, natural gas-based production capacity is 11,350 MW (43 percent), furnace oil-based 6,492 MW (24 percent), diesel-based 826 MW (3 percent), coal-based 4,491 MW (17 percent), hydro 230 MW (1 percent ), solar power(grid) 459 MW (two percent) and imported electricity…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (February 07, 2024) emphasised on early conclusion of Teesta water sharing agreement aiming to strengthen water cooperation between Bangladesh and India. He also stressed the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that will expire in 2026. The issue of border killings was discussed during his bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on his maiden bilateral trip to India as the foreign minister. Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and using non-lethal…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A pair of bombings at the election offices of a political party and an independent candidate in southwest Pakistan killed at least 26 people and wounded more than two dozen others, officials said Wednesday, the day before parliamentary elections are to be held. The first attack hit the election office of Asfandyar Khan in Pashin, a district in Baluchistan province, said Jan Achakzai, the spokesperson for the provincial government. Officials said at least 15 people were killed in the attack and the wounded are being transported to a nearby hospital. Police said some of them were listed in…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that last month’s parliamentary election that handed her the fourth consecutive term in office was the most free, fair and impartial vote in the country since 1975. “I think this time the election was the most free, fair and neutral of all the polls held after 1975,” she said about the January 7 election that was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The premier made this remark while exchanging views with local leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies and local representatives from Tungipara Upazila…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that there is no scope to show generosity of allowing more Rohingyas enter Bangladesh amid the ongoing clashes in Myanmar. “We are talking to the people concerned so that the internal conflict in Myanmar does not become a reason of fear or concern for us,” he said at Setu Bhaban in the capital this noon. “The government is particularly discussing with China and India. Myanmar’s ambassador to Bangladesh has been summoned. They said they would take back those who fled to Bangladesh,” he…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday had a meeting with India’s national security adviser Ajit Doval. The meeting began at 12:30pm and lasted till 1:15pm. “I had an excellent meeting with the national security adviser of India, Ajit Doval. We discussed a number of security issues, including the Rohingya issue. It was really an excellent meeting,” said the foreign minister. Foreign minister Hasan Mahmud and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar are scheduled to hold a meeting later on the day. Hasan landed in New Delhi a little before 1:00am on a three-day official visit from Wednesday. Md…