RELIANCE

DHAKA: Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice-President Sadik Kayem has said the killing of student activist Sharif Osman Bin Hadi will not bring an end to the struggle against what he described as fascism, domination and injustice. In a message published in “Barudmakha Kathamala,” a compilation of Hadi’s speeches and statements, Kayem said the campaign to build a more just and discrimination-free Bangladesh would continue. The book has been edited by Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad, DUCSU’s literature and cultural affairs secretary. ‘The struggle will continue’ Kayem said Hadi had inspired young people to stand up for justice, speak out against what he called domination and aggression, and challenge systems of political and social influence that he described as “mafia rule.” According to Kayem, Hadi’s speeches reflected a firm commitment to building a new Bangladesh based on justice and equality. He said those responsible for Hadi’s killing may have believed that elim...

DHAKA, Aug. 29: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has described enforced disappearance as one of the gravest forms of human rights abuse, saying his government is investigating every reported case of disappearance and has begun legal proceedings against those responsible. In a message issued on Saturday ahead of the International Day of the Disappeared, observed on Aug. 30, Rahman expressed sympathy for people who have disappeared in Bangladesh and elsewhere, as well as for their families who continue to await answers about the fate of their loved ones. “Enforced disappearance is a global problem and one of the most extreme violations of human rights,” Rahman said in the message. He said such abuses have particularly occurred under authoritarian systems and in regions affected by political conflict, where security and law-enforcement agencies have sometimes been accused of targeting opposition figures and people holding dissenting political views. Government pledges invest...

DHAKA: Bangladesh could gain opportunities to strengthen its defence capabilities, expand military technology cooperation and deepen strategic ties with countries such as Turkey and Pakistan if it eventually joins the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, analysts say. The agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan has attracted international attention because of its military dimension. Although some have informally described the grouping as a “Muslim NATO”, Turkish geopolitics professor Murat Aslam says that comparison is misleading. Aslam, a professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University and an international geopolitics analyst, said the agreement should primarily be viewed as a defensive arrangement rather than an offensive military alliance. He said the grouping was not established against any specific country. Its initial objectives include preventing conflicts among member states and strengthening their collective defence capabilities. The agreement could also carry wider commercia...

KATHMANDU: The death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 579, according to the latest figures released by the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Friday. Authorities said nearly 4,000 people have been rescued so far as emergency teams continue search and rescue operations in affected areas. The number of casualties remains subject to change as rescue workers search for people who may still be missing and recover additional bodies. Official figures released at different times on Friday varied considerably. Nepal Police reported earlier in the morning that 469 bodies had been recovered. The disaster management authority’s latest figure of 579 deaths represents a significant increase, underscoring the scale of the flooding and the continuing challenges facing rescue teams. Officials have cautioned that the number of dead, injured and missing could rise or change further as search and recovery efforts continue.

NEW DELHI: India has said it is closely monitoring regional developments that could have implications for its national security, responding to questions over Bangladesh’s possible participation in a proposed defence alliance centred on Mecca. Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a press briefing on Friday, in response to a question about Bangladesh’s position on joining the alliance. A journalist from The Hindu , Kulachi, referred to comments by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who had said that the decision on whether Bangladesh would join the alliance was entirely a sovereign matter for Dhaka and should not make any other country uncomfortable. Asked about those comments, Jaiswal said India was keeping a close watch on any regional developments that could affect the country’s security. “We are closely monitoring any developments in the region that have a bearing on our security,” Jaiswal said, adding that India was taki...

DHAKA: Rainfall is expected to continue across Bangladesh for at least five more days, with showers likely to intensify in several parts of the country over the weekend, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The weather office said some areas could experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly on Sunday. Temporary gusty winds accompanied by rain or thunderstorms are also likely during the period. The forecast, issued for the 120 hours from 6 p.m. Friday, said temperatures could fall slightly in some parts of the country as rainfall persists. Rain and thunderstorms expected Friday From Friday evening, many areas of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms accompanied by temporary gusty winds. Some parts of Rajshahi, Dhaka and Barishal divisions may also experience similar conditions. Moderately heavy rainfall is possible in isolated areas. Daytime temperatures may rise sligh...

WASHINGTON : U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Canada that Washington may take a tougher approach after trade negotiations between the two countries broke down, saying Ottawa had rejected what he described as a favorable deal. Speaking to broadcaster Glenn Beck on Wednesday, Trump said he had reached what he called a “pretty good” agreement with Canada but that Ottawa had failed to accept it. He suggested the United States could now pursue alternative measures. “They don’t have anything that we absolutely need,” Trump said, adding that the United States could manage without Canadian goods, although replacing some products could cause temporary difficulties. “It’s time to teach them a lesson — you can’t do this anymore,” he said. The remarks came days after the United States imposed a new 50% tariff on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods following the collapse of the trade talks. Canada responded on Tuesday by announcing retaliatory 50% tariffs on roughly $20 ...