Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday shrugged off the allegations of torture in custody by Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies. "Information is gathered from criminals using the methods the other countries apply and nothing is done beyond it," she said in an interview with the BBC. Noting that there are international rules to interrogate presumed and suspected criminals, she said her government trained members of law enforcement agencies by sending them to countries like the USA and the UK. But some stray incidents may occur, she said adding that custodial deaths are currently very rare in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said a "culture of impunity" had developed under the previous governments and that she herself was a victim of that situation. She said this culture of impunity continued for many years when military dictators ruled the country directly, and often in the guise of politicians, after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh signed a nuclear fuel supply agreement with Russia for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) project. As the implementing agency of the RNPP project, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) inked the deal with the Russian state-owned nuclear fuel firm TVEL Joint Stock Company at a function at Sonargaon Hotel in the city on August 6, 2019. Addressing the signing ceremony, Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman urged reporters not to report anything that may harm the project. As per the agreement signed with TVEL, the Russian firm will supply fuel for the 'entire lifetime' of the 2,400 MW RNPP project. According to the Inter-governmental Agreement (IGA) signed with the Moscow in November 2011, Dhaka is required to procure nuclear fuel from the Russian company for the entire life span of the power plant.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock at the two devastating incidents of mass shootings within a span of 13 hours this weekend in the States of Texas and Ohio in the United States that killed 29 people and left dozens injured. "I'm utterly shocked," she said in a message to US President Donald Trump adding that "at this difficult time, let's redouble our efforts against hate and dogma and recommit ourselves to working together to eliminate the menace of terrorism and violent extremism from our planet and make it a safer place for our coming generations." On behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Hasina strongly condemned these "mindless acts of terror and violence." She conveyed their deep condolence and sympathy to President Trump and through him to the friendly people of the United States, according to Prime Minister's Office.

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, one of the most popular sportspersons the country has ever produced, is close to retirement after an 18-year career frequently plagued by injuries. Talks about his departure from cricket grew after a dismal show in the World Cup where he managed to take only one wicket. It is believed that he played the tournament with a hamstring injury. Poor individual and team performance prompted Mashrafe's critics to call for his retirement. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is also aware of the matter but said it is yet to finalise a plan to bid farewell to one of the best Bangladeshi cricketers of all time.

Leave a Comment

Recent Posts