Railways issues instructions to avoid accidents in dense fog

Bangladesh Railway authorities have ordered extra precautions to avoid possible accidents on railway tracks due to the ongoing cold wave and dense fog across the country.

This information was given in a notification sent by Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Railways, on Friday.

The notification said that due to reduced visibility due to dense fog, running staff (employees involved in operating trains) should take appropriate precautions. Employees on duty at railway crossings should perform their duties properly. The Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railways have instructed and advised pedestrians to be careful when crossing unprotected railway crossings and to avoid unnecessary travel on the railway lines.

Railway officials said that due to the ongoing cold wave, visibility has decreased in many places compared to normal times due to dense fog. This has disrupted the movement of trains while maintaining proper speed and there is a risk of accidents on the railway tracks. All railway officials, employees, pedestrians and all concerned have been instructed and advised to take extra precautions to avoid possible accidents.




US Speaker Mike Johnson returns after tense standoff

After a tense election, Mike Johnson, the current speaker of the US House of Representatives, has been re-elected. He won a dramatic victory in the US Congressional vote on Friday. President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed his re-election to the position, BBC reports.

Johnson needed 218 votes to be re-elected as speaker. However, he received 216 votes on the first ballot. Another 215 voted for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. The other candidates received three votes. Three Republicans did not vote for Johnson.

No candidate received the required number of votes, so the vote went to a second round. Johnson eventually won. He relied on Republican lawmakers to get the required 218 votes. Hakim received 215 votes. The other candidates had one vote each.

After securing victory in the second round of voting, Johnson was sworn in as a member of the next Congress in addition to his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Johnson represents Louisiana in the House of Representatives. Johnson was elected Speaker in October 2023.

After his victory, Johnson said that Joe Biden's weak leadership over the past four years has put the United States in a dangerous position. The next Congress will champion the implementation of the America First policy. America First is Donald Trump's top priority policy to move the country forward.

Trump congratulated Johnson on his re-election as Speaker. In a post on social media, Trump wrote, "Johnson will be an excellent Speaker. The United States will benefit from his leadership."

 




Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Committee, speaking on behalf of the candidates who were excluded in the 43rd BCS verification, said that the 43rd BCS has been re-verified. 168 people have been excluded in this phase. A total of 267 people have been excluded in the 1st and 2nd verifications.

In a status posted on social media site Facebook at 10:45 am on Saturday, he wrote, "In most cases, negative reports from intelligence agencies have been shown, that is, political backgrounds. But there are many questions here."

Regarding the political identity of those excluded from verification, Sarjis said, "During the Awami League era, it was difficult for anyone from any political background other than the Awami League family to get this first-class government job. If a similar picture is seen now, then where is the difference? If a job seeker passes the preliminary, retentive, viva on his own merit and is recommended, and if he has no previous involvement in any crime, why should he be deprived of the job because of the political identity of his father, uncle, maternal uncle, and maternal grandfather. Can my uncle decide what I will do, or can I decide what my uncle will do?"

The chief organizer of the National Citizens' Committee said, "After a while, everyone has to sort out their personal lives. Even my father's political ideology may not be in line with my thoughts. So does the state have the right to deprive another member of a family because of their political background?"

Sargis also said that the worst thing that has happened this time is that many intelligence agencies have gone to the union and ward BNP presidents and secretaries to inquire about the political involvement of the families of job seekers recommended for various cadres.

Accusing BNP leaders and activists, Sarjis asked, does that mean that a university graduate who has worked hard all his life, a talented young man who has studied day and night for almost 3 years, passed the prelims, retakes, viva and been recommended for the cadre, will become hostage to the opinion of a ward president and secretary? Will he determine his work? Then what was the need for so many arrangements?

He said, this verification should have been done before the prelims. Then the important times of his life would not have been wasted. On what basis does he give this opinion? There is already a negative politics locally, who can slander whom! If a job seeker is a victim of such local politics, will the government take responsibility or not?

Referring to an elder in his hall, he further said, "My dear brother Zakaria of Ekushey Hall was recommended for the admin cadre. How tirelessly he worked! Department First, CGPA 4 out of 4 in Masters! Even though he passed the 1st verification, he was dropped in the re-verification. Everyone who knows him is in a state of shock. I thought he might have been stopped during the Awami League era. Because he has a beard, a bright face, and prays 5 times a day. It is easy to give the Jamaat-Shibir tag, but he was stopped during this interim government. Now, the standard process for recruitment was supposed to be set anew. This is just an example, I have spoken to many other people like him."

He further said, later I saw that the Ministry of Public Administration has given those who were excluded the opportunity to apply for reconsideration. But why this verification game? There are many here who have left their previous jobs, many had their last job exam in life, many have their future lives depending on this job. If such a reality is set there, the future generation of job seekers will not be able to trust you, they will leave the country without being in a vacillating state. Talk about this has already started. Which is never desirable.

Finally, he said, jobs will be based on merit. Regardless of the ideology, if there is no previous abuse of power, injustice, or involvement in crime, then getting a government job as a citizen is his constitutional right. Undermining that on any unnecessary excuse never carries a good message.




BGB is a well-organized, smart, and patriotic force.

The training graduation parade of the 102nd recruit batch of BGB was held. Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Home Affairs Advisor to the Interim Government, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that with the sincere efforts of everyone and skillful leadership, BGB has become a well-organized, smart, disciplined, professional patriotic force.

He said, this force, as a vigilant guard of the border, has been able to earn everyone's trust by performing its duties with great efficiency and professionalism in protecting Bangladesh's 4,427-kilometer-long border, ensuring the integrity and security of the motherland, as well as preventing smuggling and drugs at the border, suppressing any cross-border crime including women and children trafficking, assisting the civil administration, and dealing with disasters.

He made these remarks at the training graduation parade of the 102nd recruit batch of BGB at the parade ground of the Border Guard Training Center and College in Baitul Izzet, Satkania, South Chittagong, on Tuesday, December 31.

BGB Director General Major General Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Police Chief Baharul Alam, senior military and civilian officials from Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar regions, senior officials of the local military and civilian administration, dignitaries, and journalists from print and electronic media were present at the event.

It is worth noting that the basic training of the 102nd recruit batch began on July 30, 2024 at the Border Guard Training Center and College. A total of 695 male and 46 female recruits successfully completed basic training at the training venue. After successfully completing this 23-week long, rigorous and difficult training, their soldier life began with a formal oath-taking and closing parade.




Coordinators are suddenly talking about December 31st, what is happening on that day?

Local Government, Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan has said that Mujibabad's grave will be laid on December 31.

He made this known in a post on his verified Facebook page around 1am on Saturday (December 28).

Asif Mahmud said that the declaration will lay the grave of fascism and Mujibism.

He said, "It is a charter of freedom for all citizens of the country, regardless of party affiliation, religion, or caste. A new Bangladesh based on equality, human dignity, and social justice. July 36 will be completed on December 31."

Earlier, members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee wrote slogans one after another on social media Facebook ahead of December 31, sparking discussion. As a result, widespread discussion began about what was going to happen on that day.

They started running this campaign on social media on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, National Citizens Committee member secretary Akhtar Hossain wrote on his personal Facebook account, 'It will happen this year. December 31. Insha Allah!'

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the anti-discrimination student movement, wrote, 'Comrades, 31st DECEMBER! Now or Never.'

Rifat Rashid, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, wrote in his Facebook post, 'All eyes on 31st December, 2024. Now or Never!'

However, National Citizens Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin told the media, "The July Proclamation will be held at the Central Shaheed Minar at 3 pm on December 31. The announcement will be made there."

However, in response to a question about whether a new political party will be launched on that day, he said, "No, it is the July Proclamation."

He didn't want to say anything more than that.




Modi claims December 16 is India's Victory Day, not Bangladesh's

Bangladesh was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16, 1971. India claims the freedom it gained at the cost of the blood of millions of martyrs and the honor of mothers and sisters. Today, Monday (December 16), Bangladesh's Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media Facebook, referring to the historic victory of India on the Victory Day of Bangladesh.

Instead of wishing Bangladesh on its Victory Day, Modi paid tribute to the Indian soldiers by acknowledging their contribution against Pakistan. But he did not mention Bangladesh even once in the post.

In the post, Modi wrote, 'Today, Victory Day. We honour the courage and sacrifice of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless sacrifice and unwavering resolve have saved our nation and brought us glory.'

Modi also wrote, "This day is a tribute to their extraordinary bravery and their indomitable spirit. Their sacrifice will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in the history of our nation."




Pakistanis are buying cooking gas in plastic bags

পাকিস্তানে চলছে চরম অর্থনৈতিক সংকট। এতে সবচেয়ে ভোগান্তিতে রয়েছেন দেশটির সাধারণ মানুষ। দেখা দিয়েছে এলপিজির ঘাটতি। সহজে পাওয়া যাচ্ছে না গ্যাসের সিলিন্ডারও। এমন দুরবস্থার মুখে অনেককেই প্লাস্টিকের ব্যাগে করে এলপিজি গ্যাস কিনছেন। খবর এনডিটিভির

একটি ভিডিওতে দেখা যায়, রাস্তা দিয়ে হেঁটে যাচ্ছেন দুই ব্যক্তি। তাদের হাতে বড় কয়েকটি প্লাস্টিকের ব্যাগ। সেগুলো ভর্তি করা হয়েছে তরলীকৃত প্রাকৃতিক গ্যাস বা এলপিজি দিয়ে। দেখে মনে হচ্ছে যেন বড় গ্যাস বেলুন হাতে নিয়ে হাঁটছেন তারা।

ওই ব্যাগগুলো ভরে আনা হচ্ছে গ্যাস সরবরাহকারীদের কাছ থেকে। ব্যাগ থেকে যেন গ্যাস না বের হয়ে যায়, সে জন্য সেটির মুখে লাগানো হয়েছে নজেল ও ভাল্‌ভ। পরে ওই গ্যাস চুলায় বা অন্য কাজে ব্যবহার করা হয়। একটি ব্যাগে তিন থেকে চার কেজি গ্যাস ভরা যায়। গ্যাস ভরতে সময় লাগে প্রায় এক ঘণ্টা।

এ বিষয়ে স্থানীয় এক ব্যক্তি সংবাদমাধ্যম ডয়চে ভেলেকে বলেন, ‘এই ব্যাগগুলোতে গ্যাস ভরলে বিস্ফোরণ হতে পারে এমন আশঙ্কা আছে। তবে প্রথমেই বলি, এমন কোনো ঘটনা ঘটেছে তা আমি শুনিনি। আর আসল কথা হলো, যদি ওই আশঙ্কার যদি সত্যি হয়, তাহলেও আমাদের মতো দরিদ্রদের সামনে অন্য কোনো পথ খোলা নেই। কারণ, সিলিন্ডারের অনেক দাম।’




Messi's party is going on, he can even dance!

গোল করে মাঠেই নৃত্য দেখান অনেকে। নেইমার জুনিয়র, ভিনিসিয়াস জুনিয়রদের মাঠে ‘সাম্বা নৃত্যের’ জন্য সমালোচনাও শুনতে হয়েছে। কিন্তু মাঠে লিওনেল মেসির নাচের দৃশ্য দেখা আকাশে ‘ধুমকেতু’ দেখার মতো।

নানান উদযাপন মেসিও করেন। কাতার বিশ্বকাপেও তাকে ভিন্ন ভিন্ন উদযাপন করতে দেখা গেছে। গোল করে কানে হাত দিয়ে ইঙ্গিতপূর্ণ উদযাপন করেছেন। কখনও বাধ ভাঙা উদযাপনে সতীর্থদের কোলে চেপে বসেছেন। কিন্তু মাঠে তাকে নাচতে দেখা যায়নি। এমনকি বন্ধুদের সঙ্গে পার্টিতে গেলেও আগে সেখাবে নাচতে দেখা যায় না।

তবে এবারের পরিস্থিতি ভিন্ন। লিওনেল মেসি যে এবার বিশ্বকাপ জিতেছেন। কাতার বিশ্বকাপের চ্যাম্পিয়ন হয়ে নিজ দেশ আর্জেন্টিনার রোজারিওতে উৎসবের আমেজে আছেন তিনি। তার সতীর্থদের অনেকে ক্লাবে যোগ দিয়েছেন। তবে মেসি ১ জানুয়ারি পর্যন্ত ছুটি নিয়েছেন।

রোজারিওতে তিনি বন্ধু ও সতীর্থদের সঙ্গে ক্রিসমাস উদযাপন করেছেন। এবার এক ভিডিওতে দেখা গেল পার্টিতে নাচছেন মেসি। স্প্যানিশ ভাষার গান ‘আমরা আবারও স্বপ্ন দেখতে পারি।’ গানে তার ওই নাচের দৃশ্য সামাজিক যোগাযোগ মাধ্যমে বেশ সাড়া ফেলেছে।




'Jera Asia Scholarship' for Asian students

JERA Co., Inc. has launched the JERA Asia Scholarship. Through this scholarship, postgraduate students from Asian countries can apply to the International University of Japan until March 25, 2021.

Applications will be accepted from students from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Jera and Summit are business partners in the power and energy sector in Bangladesh.

JERA Chairman Toshihiro Sano said, "We are already contributing to economic development in various Asian countries through our energy and infrastructure businesses, and we hope that the 'JERA Asia Scholarship' will play a major role in economic development in the future."

This scholarship covers 100% admission fee and tuition fee for a two-year postgraduate course at the International University of Japan, which is approximately 1 lakh 22 thousand taka per month.

The goal of the 'Jera Asia Scholarship' is to support talented students from Asia and enable them to contribute to the economic prosperity of Asia in the future by pursuing higher education in Japan.




Karnataka Congress leader makes offensive remarks on rape

Senior Congress leader and MLA from Karnataka, India, KR Ramesh Kumar, has made extremely offensive comments about rape in the state assembly.

Comparing rape with involuntary consent, he said, "There's a saying that when rape is inevitable, enjoy it."

The Congress leader made the objectionable remark in the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday. Ramesh Kumar is the former Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly. NDTV reports.

Ramesh apologized a few hours later in a Twitter post after his remarks sparked widespread outrage. He wrote, "I sincerely apologize to everyone for my comments on rape. My intention was not to glorify the heinous crime. I will choose my words carefully from now on."