NEWS ON DATE - 17-02-2025
CA Yunus calls for empowering youth to unlock their potential
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has emphasized the need to create opportunities for young people, asserting that Bangladesh’s large population is not a burden but a valuable resource.
"With the advancement of technology, no human being is a burden. Every individual is a resource —whether in innovation, entrepreneurship, or invention. These are our strengths," he said.
Speaking at a program hosted by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre on Sunday night, Dr Yunus described the youth of Bangladesh as a formidable force.
"Our youth have the potential to conquer the world," he said, highlighting their capabilities and the importance of providing them with opportunities.
The Chief Adviser noted that the younger generation of Bangladesh is distinct and that doors must be opened for them to thrive.
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He pointed to the power demonstrated by the country's youth during the July uprising, calling it a remarkable example for the world.
Dr Yunus also emphasized Bangladesh’s growing role in the global workforce, mentioning that the country, now the eighth most populous in the world, is a sought-after source of skilled manpower for many nations.
He called upon all sectors of society to work together in building an honest and corruption-free Bangladesh.
The event was also attended by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Nahid Islam, Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, and BASA President and LGRD Secretary Md Nazrul Islam.
The programme concluded with a cultural performance.
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US, Ukrainian officials head to Saudi Arabia as talks loom on ending Russia's war
A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Saudi Arabia for meetings in preparation for a possible visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a Ukrainian minister said Sunday, at a time of intense speculation over planned U.S.-Russia talks in the kingdom to end Moscow’s war on its neighbor.
It also comes as a top U.S. envoy revealed that he and a fellow negotiator appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump were heading to Saudi Arabia.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who also serves as first deputy prime minister, didn't clarify whether there is a link between Zelenskyy’s possible trip and the previously announced U.S.-Russia talks. In a Facebook post, she said that the Ukrainian delegation’s focus is on strengthening economic ties, as Kyiv “prepares to sign important economic agreements with countries in the region.”
Svyrydenko didn’t say anything about when Zelenskyy might go to Saudi Arabia and who he might meet with. No further details were immediately available.
Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Zelenskyy, said earlier Sunday that there was no possibility of Ukrainian and Russian representatives meeting directly in the immediate future. In a Telegram post, Yermak said the Ukrainians weren't planning to do so “until we develop a plan” to end the war and bring about a “just peace.”
Mykhailo Podolyak, another Zelenskyy adviser, on Saturday denied that Ukraine will participate in any planned U.S.-Russia meetings in Saudi Arabia.
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“There is nothing on the negotiating table that would be worth discussing,” Podolyak said on Ukrainian television.
But Svyrydenko's remarks came within hours of an announcement by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s close ally and special envoy to the Middle East, that high-level meetings were imminent in Saudi Arabia to discuss a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” program, Witkoff said that he and national security adviser Mike Waltz will be “having meetings at the direction of the president,” and hope to make “some really good progress with regard to Russia-Ukraine.”
Witkoff didn't specify who they would be meeting and what they would discuss, but he said that he was leaving for Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening.
Following a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Trump noted that they “agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately” on ending the fighting. The president appointed Witkoff and Waltz to lead those talks, alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
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Earlier this week, Russian officials and state media took a triumphant tone after Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced that he would likely meet soon with Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year war in Ukraine.
Trump’s announcement created a major diplomatic upheaval that could herald a watershed moment for Ukraine and Europe.
Zelenskyy said that he wouldn't accept any negotiations about Ukraine that don't include his country. European governments have also demanded a seat at the table.
Putin has been ostracized by the West since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader.
Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, didn't directly respond to the question about whether Ukraine would have to give up a “significant portion” of its territory as part of any negotiated settlement.
“Those are details, and I’m not dismissive of the details, they’re important. But I think the beginning here is trust-building. It’s getting everybody to understand that this war does not belong continuing, that it should end. That’s what the president has directed us to do,” he said.
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Salah penalty seals victory for Premier League leader Liverpool against Wolverhampton
Liverpool restored its seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win against Wolverhampton on Sunday.
But Arne Slot's team had to hold off a fightback from relegation-threatened Wolves at Anfield, which included a brilliant long-range goal from Matheus Cunha.
First-half strikes from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured the win for Liverpool and ensured it maintained its advantage over second-placed Arsenal.
Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target after the break as Wolves dominated the chances.
“Obviously 2-0 at halftime, we know that can be one of the most dangerous results in football. We had to come out and we had to start well – and we didn’t quite do that," said Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson. “When they scored, everyone gets nervous. The players get nervous, the crowd get nervous – of course that’s only natural. But it’s a massive win for us and another game down.”
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Diaz bundled the ball over the line from close range in the 15th minute to give Liverpool the lead. And Salah doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 37th after Diaz was brought down.
It was the Egypt international's 28th goal of an outstanding season and extended his current scoring streak to six straight games.
But if the home crowd was expecting a routine victory against 17th-placed Wolves, it was anything but.
Liverpool conceded a goal in stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Everton on Wednesday and was pushed again.
Cunha's drag-back and curled finish from around 20 yards (meters) in the 67th came after a sustained period of pressure from the visitors.
Before that Marshall Munetsi was denied when through on goal — it took a crucial block in front of goal from Jarell Quansah to prevent him from converting late on.
Tottenham hosts Manchester United later Sunday.
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26 rubber plantation workers abducted in Bandarban's Lama; ransom demanded from employer
A group of armed assailants abducted 26 workers from rubber plantations in the remote Murungjhiri area of Fasiakhali in Lama upazila, Bandarban, on Sunday.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lama Police Station Md Shahadat Hossain said the incident took place around 10:30am when armed miscreants raided several rubber plantations in Ward No 1 of Fasiakhali union.
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The assailants took 26 workers hostage at gunpoint before fleeing the scene.
According to the plantation owners, the names of 20 abducted workers have been identified. They are: Md Faruk (26), Ayub Ali (26), Md Siddiq (40), Abdul Khalek (20), Abdul Majed (17), Monirul Islam (30), Ziaur Rahman (45), Md Mobarak (25), Md Harun (30), Romiz Uddin (32), Syed Nur (28), Md Kaysar (38), Monir Hossain (35), Md Imran (17), Md Manjurul (30), Abshar Ali (25), Khairul Amin (30), Abu Bakkar (28), Abdur Razzak (33), and Md Mobin (25).
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The identities of the remaining six workers are yet to be confirmed.
Md Shahjahan, a plantation owner in Murungjhiri, said that 26 workers were kidnapped from six plantations, with 12 being taken from his plantation alone.
He further revealed that the abductors called him in the afternoon using a phone belonging to one of the kidnapped workers. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of Tk 50,000 per worker, amounting to a total of Tk 600,000 for his 12 workers.
OC Shahadat Hossain said that law enforcers, including police and the army, have launched a rescue operation.
He suspects the involvement of hill-based armed groups, who were also responsible for the abduction of tobacco field workers in Sarai Union’s Bamukhali area a few days ago.
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Boi Mela: Free distribution of sanitary napkins to continue but sales to shut, says Bangla Academy
In response to public outrage over the closing of stalls selling sanitary napkins, Bangla Academy has reaffirmed its commitment to guaranteeing the free distribution of sanitary napkins during the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025, according to its Director General Professor Mohammad Azam.
After rumors circulated on Sunday that vendors selling diapers and sanitary napkins had been forced to close, the problem gained widespread attention. Concerned netizens on social media expressed their displeasure, prompting the Bangla Academy to clarify the matter via a press statement on Sunday night.
Earlier in the afternoon, two stalls operated by the women’s health brand 'Stay Safe' in the Suhrawardy Udyan section of the fair, were shut down. The fair authorities stated that the decision was made due to the sale of ‘unauthorised products’.
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Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 Committee Secretary Sarkar Amin confirmed the closures, stating that, only books and food items are permitted for sale, according to the fair’s regulations. He emphasized that the decision was not specific to sanitary napkins but applied to all unauthorized products.
In the statement signed by Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam, the Academy explained that while it organizes the traditional fair, the overall event management is handled by an external firm. This year, event management firm Dreamer Donkey was appointed to manage logistics and sponsorships; however, the Academy accused the firm of violating multiple fair regulations, including setting up unauthorized sales points.
“The event management firm initially informed us that sanitary napkins and diapers would be provided free of charge near the washrooms for women and children. However, we later discovered that these products, along with some other products, were being sold; as a result, we ordered the stalls to be closed,” the statement read.
The Academy stated that despite repeated warnings, the event management firm failed to comply with fair policies. Over three days, the Academy took the initiative to shut down the unauthorized stalls; and eventually, permission was granted for the sale of select children's stationery items in the designated kids' corner.
The event management firm later cited contractual obligations with sponsors as a challenge in discontinuing sales. They requested permission to inform sponsors about halting the sale of sanitary napkins, and in response, Bangla Academy Director General Dr Mohammad Azam signed a letter acknowledging the issue.
However, the Academy clarified that it did not issue the letter itself or receive any directive to halt the free distribution of sanitary napkins.
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“We want to make it clear that Bangla Academy has no reservations about the promotion and use of sanitary napkins. The misrepresentation of our stance has turned a commercial issue into an unnecessary controversy; and as a goodwill gesture, we have instructed the event organizers to ensure that sanitary napkins remain available free of charge near the washrooms,” the statement added.
The Academy expressed regret over the confusion via the press statement and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to essential hygiene products at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025.
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