Fri, 17 May 24
Article
Thu, 16 May 24
Politics and Bureaucracy
Fri, 17 May 24
Editorial Views
today (May 18) to respond.
Historians often argue that no dynasty can endure for more than a century with supreme majesty. The dynasty must face challenges within this time. This belief applies not only to the ruling families but also to individuals and normal households. The trajectory of wealth and influence follows a similar pattern, where what is prestigious today may falter tomorrow. This principle is evident in rural economies and family dynamics, where inheritance is seldom equal, and prosperity can swiftly shift. Once affluent families may find themselves impoverished over time, reflecting the ongoing flux characteristic of rural life.
In the context of a dollar crisis continuing in the country for a long time, the Bangladesh Bank has fixed the official price of the dollar at Tk 117 per dollar in order to fulfill the loan conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to central bank circular issued on Wednesday (May 8).
To explain the current political situation in Bangladesh, two dates need to be considered. One is October 28 of the previous year, and the other is January 7 of the current year. The actual date is January 7. Bangladesh is not the same before and after the 12th National Parliamentary Election. Prior to the election, opposition parties led by the BNP had initiated a movement for the downfall of the government.
Ahead lies Eid-ul-Adha (the festival of sacrifice), with its main ritual of animal sacrifice. In Bangladesh, almost half of the total yearly animal sacrifices occur during Eid-ul-Adha. Last year, 141,812 animals were sacrificed, including 4.581 million cattle, 107,875 buffaloes, 5.352 million goats and sheep, and the rest 877 other animals (such as camels, deer, etc.). This year, around 1 crore and 30 lakh animals are prepared for sacrifice. With an assumed 10% annual increase in demand, the demand for animals might reach 1 crore and 10 lakh this time, with an expected surplus of around 20 lakh animals. Due to the recent pandemic and economic instability, the demand for sacrificial animals has been relatively low for the past three years, resulting in unsold animals. However, there might be a slight increase in demand this time. Nevertheless, due to recent price fluctuations and increased production costs, the price of animals may rise. If animal sales decrease, farmers will suffer losses. In such circumstances, it is advisable to completely stop importing both formal and informal sacrificial animals.
After the assassination of Bangabandhu and the killing of four national leaders in jail, there was naturally an extreme leadership vacuum in the Awami League. The same kind of vacuum prevailed in national politics also at that crucial time in the country’s history. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Begum Zohra Tajuddin, Abdul Malek Ukil, Abdur Razzak, Dr Kamal Hossain, Abdul Mannan, Begum Sajeda Chowdhury, Zillur Rahman, Tofail Ahmed and others could not individually or collectively fill the void of leadership, so they took the initiative to appoint Sheikh Hasina as party president at the Awami League Council held on February 14, 15 and 16, 1981. She was unanimously elected party president despite being absent at the party council held at Hotel Eden premises.
Iran’s nuclear doctrine has constantly underscored no plans to attain nuclear weapons, although the west has always been concerned of the contrary. Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rekindled concerns over the country's nuclear ambitions. His statements underscored that if Iran's existence is perceived to be under threat by Israel, Iran will change its nuclear doctrine.
It is very difficult to say anything specific about the Middle East in general as there are Muslims in the Middle East, (but, being a little bit harsh) there are also some Munafiqs (hypocrites) there. Western countries have a fascination with the Middle East because of its wealth and resources. Attracted by those resources, Western powers are always eager to expand their influence in the Middle East. Most importantly, Western countries never wanted political stability in the Middle East. So they have been running one proxy war after another in the region. At the moment, there is a fear of a conventional war in the Middle East centered on the conflict between Iran and Israel. I hope Iran and Israel don't get into a conventional war. If the two countries get into a traditional war, it will be alarming for everyone.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on May 11, emphasized the conservation of the country's water bodies and urged engineers to construct establishments while preserving water bodies such as rivers, canals, ponds, and wetlands, and ensuring the flow of water in those areas. She stressed the necessity of harnessing rainwater for various purposes.
Road accidents have evolved into a national crisis, and it's crucial to recognise that the malaise on the roads isn't solely a technical issue; it's deeply intertwined with politics. Given the close ties between many leaders in the transport sector and the government, there's a widespread belief that controlling transport syndicates is nearly impossible. However, if the government genuinely aims to curb accidents, it has the power to rein in these syndicates through effective measures.
China has also backed Iran's endeavours to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement. In 2018, the US administration under then-President Donald Trump exited the deal. Despite both China and Iran facing US sanctions, they inked a 25-year agreement in March 2021, with Beijing integrating Tehran into its Belt and Road Initiative.
The price of solar photovoltaic panels has decreased to 11 cents per watt in the global market. Adding incidental costs for inverters and infrastructure brings the cost to 14 cents per watt. Without any additional expenses for land acquisition and management, Bangladesh is seeing the potential for renewable energy production through solar power. Bangladesh is seeking to import electricity generated from renewable sources like Nepal, Bhutan, and India. But why? So, is Bangladesh paying more attention to buying electricity produced by renewable energy from its neighbors? It is not unusual to ask such a question.
Titas Gas Distribution Company at a press conference recently claimed that it has brought down the system loss from 23 percent to 8 percent. As such, the company has reduced the system loss by 14 percent. That is, 14 percent gas has been saved.
In China, with a population of 1.41 billion, it is mandatory to close shops and markets during the evening hours, which is strictly adhered to by everyone. Evening here refers to either 5 or 6 o'clock. Similar rules are followed in Europe and America as well. No transactions are allowed after evening hours, and shops must remain closed. Therefore, no industrialized country keeps markets open after evening. Then why can't we close shops at 8 PM? If shops close at 8 PM, the government has to intervene in a structured manner. When power distribution companies conduct campaigns, shops close at 8 PM. If the campaign stops, no one closes shops before 10 PM. On the other hand, the government only imposes restrictions on shop closure to increase load shedding.
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At least nine people, including six women, were burnt alive and more than 15 were burnt after a moving bus full of devotees belonging from Ludhiana and Hoshairpur in Punjab caught fire near Tauru in Nuh distract of Haryana on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway in the wee hours on Saturday.
The United States has barred imports from 26 Chinese cotton traders or warehouse facilities on Thursday as part of its effort to eliminate goods made with the forced labor of Uyghur minorities from the US supply chain.
The Israeli military announced Friday that it has recovered the bodies of three hostages from the Gaza Strip.
Ahead lies Eid-ul-Adha (the festival of sacrifice), with its main ritual of animal sacrifice. In Bangladesh, almost half of the total yearly animal sacrifices occur during Eid-ul-Adha. Last year, 141,812 animals were sacrificed, including 4.581 million cattle, 107,875 buffaloes, 5.352 million goats and sheep, and the rest 877 other animals (such as camels, deer, etc.). This year, around 1 crore and 30 lakh animals are prepared for sacrifice. With an assumed 10% annual increase in demand, the demand for animals might reach 1 crore and 10 lakh this time, with an expected surplus of around 20 lakh animals. Due to the recent pandemic and economic instability, the demand for sacrificial animals has been relatively low for the past three years, resulting in unsold animals. However, there might be a slight increase in demand this time. Nevertheless, due to recent price fluctuations and increased production costs, the price of animals may rise. If animal sales decrease, farmers will suffer losses. In such circumstances, it is advisable to completely stop importing both formal and informal sacrificial animals.
The Rapid Action Batallion (RAB) have arrested two people including the chief coordinator of the women's wing of Kuki Chin National Front (KNF), a separatist armed outfit in the hills, in a raid in Bandarban.
Historians often argue that no dynasty can endure for more than a century with supreme majesty. The dynasty must face challenges within this time. This belief applies not only to the ruling families but also to individuals and normal households. The trajectory of wealth and influence follows a similar pattern, where what is prestigious today may falter tomorrow. This principle is evident in rural economies and family dynamics, where inheritance is seldom equal, and prosperity can swiftly shift. Once affluent families may find themselves impoverished over time, reflecting the ongoing flux characteristic of rural life.
Robi and Banglalink, two leading mobile network operators in Bangladesh, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate possible sharing and rationalisation of their network resources.
Banglalink, the country’s leading digital service provider, successfully settled the first-ever insurance claim in the telecom industry of Bangladesh for a customer in the business-to-business (B2B) segment marking a new phase of diversified services in the industry.
