India Bangladesh joint consultative committee met in New Delhi for its first in-person meeting since the covid-19 pandemic broke out in 2020. The seventh meeting of the JCC held on Sunday was co-chaired by foreign ministers.

India & Bangladesh hold 7th JCC meet, first physical meet since covid outbreak

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence in India-Bangladesh ties and said that the countries look forward to cooperating in new domains including cyber security and upgradation of the railway system.

"We now look forward to working with Bangladesh to take our ties to new domains...including cyber security, upgradation of the railway system," Jaishankar said during the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting in New Delhi today.

Speaking on trade with Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, "Today Bangladesh is our largest development &amp; trade partner in the region." Jaishankar also mentioned how both countries came together to fight the pandemic. The EAM said, "We jointly overcame pandemic in terms of vaccine, medicine supply."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/appreciated-indian-govts-position-foreign-minister-jaishankar-breaks-silence-on-prophet-remark-fiasco-489509">‘Appreciated Indian govt’s position’: Foreign Minister Jaishankar breaks silence on Prophet remark fiasco</a>

At the India-Bangladesh JCC meeting, AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh, said that the relationship between both countries is based on mutual trust. FM Momen called India the "most important neighbour".

"India is the most important neighbour of Bangladesh. Initiatives taken by both nations have helped us achieve stability &amp; development across the region. Bangladesh-India relations are based on mutual trust &amp; respect," the Bangladeshi FM said.

Upon meeting with the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Jaishankar while taking to Twitter wrote, "A warm welcome to FM Dr AK Abdul Momen for the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting. Our regular meetings reflect our unique friendship."

Watch |&nbsp;Indian EAM S Jaishankar participates in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting

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The first physical JCC Meeting between India and Bangladesh is being held in New Delhi today and EAM S Jaishankar is the co-chair of the meeting along with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen.

The JCC is to review the bilateral ties including cooperation in the wake of COVID-19, border management and security, trade and investment, connectivity, energy, water resources, development partnership and regional and multilateral issues, the MEA said earlier in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jaishankar-to-brief-mea-consultative-committee-on-sri-lanka-crisis-487565">Jaishankar to brief MEA Consultative Committee on Sri Lanka crisis</a>

This is the first physical meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The previous meeting was held in 2020 virtually. Both countries actively engage in cooperation projects to boost bilateral relations.

As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, the armies of India and Bangladesh recently conducted the 10th edition of the joint military exercise, SAMPRITI X,&nbsp;from June 5 to June 16 in Bangladesh.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence in India-Bangladesh ties and said that the countries look forward to cooperating in new domains including cyber security and upgradation of the railway system.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence in India-Bangladesh ties and said that the countries look forward to cooperating in new domains including cyber security and upgradation of the railway system. "We now look forward to working with Bangladesh to take our ties to new domains...including cyber security, upgradation of the railway system," Jaishankar said during the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting in New Delhi today. Speaking on trade with Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, "Today Bangladesh is our largest development & trade partner in the region." Jaishankar also mentioned how both countries came together to fight the pandemic. The EAM said, "We jointly overcame pandemic in terms of vaccine, medicine supply." Also read | ‘Appreciated Indian govt’s position’: Foreign Minister Jaishankar breaks silence on Prophet remark fiasco At the India-Bangladesh JCC meeting, AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh, said that the relationship between both countries is based on mutual trust. FM Momen called India the "most important neighbour". "India is the most important neighbour of Bangladesh. Initiatives taken by both nations have helped us achieve stability & development across the region. Bangladesh-India relations are based on mutual trust & respect," the Bangladeshi FM said. Upon meeting with the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Jaishankar while taking to Twitter wrote, "A warm welcome to FM Dr AK Abdul Momen for the 7th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting. Our regular meetings reflect our unique friendship." Watch | Indian EAM S Jaishankar participates in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting The first physical JCC Meeting between India and Bangladesh is being held in New Delhi today and EAM S Jaishankar is the co-chair of the meeting along with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen. The JCC is to review the bilateral ties including cooperation in the wake of COVID-19, border management and security, trade and investment, connectivity, energy, water resources, development partnership and regional and multilateral issues, the MEA said earlier in a statement. Also read | Jaishankar to brief MEA Consultative Committee on Sri Lanka crisis This is the first physical meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The previous meeting was held in 2020 virtually. Both countries actively engage in cooperation projects to boost bilateral relations. As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, the armies of India and Bangladesh recently conducted the 10th edition of the joint military exercise, SAMPRITI X, from June 5 to June 16 in Bangladesh. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India, Bangladesh keen to boost bilateral ties: Jaishankar

Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen spoke with Sidhant Sibbal, WION's Principle Diplomatic Correspondent. He said, trade between India & Bangladesh is flourishing. The two nations have a wonderful relationship.

Bangladesh FM AK Abdul Momen speaks to WION, discusses trade between India & Bangladesh

Once again monsoons have wreaked havoc in Bangladesh. Now the storms have unleashed devastating floods in the country leaving at least 41 dead and more than 4 million stranded.

Large part of Bangladesh's northeast underwater; at least 41 killed in floods

Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified that the Padma Bridge— multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of the Ganges—is not part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), putting rest to speculations on&nbsp;Beijing’s presence in the Indian neighbourhood.

BRI or the “One Belt, One Road” initiative is a flagship programme of President Xi Jinping for trade and connectivity. India has often raised concerns over the BRI projects because of a key part– the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – passing&nbsp;through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a statement, Bangladesh MoFA said, “Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically asserts that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been entirely funded by the Government of Bangladesh and no foreign funds from any bilateral or multilateral funding agency have financially contributed to its construction.”

The response came amid reports that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been constructed under the Chinese BRI and foreign funds.

According to the foreign ministry, the completion of the bridge— which is scheduled to open on June 25—will fulfil the dream of Bangladesh of connecting the 19 south-western districts to the rest of the country resulting in collective prosperity, socio-economic development of the country as well as enhanced regional connectivity.

The 6-km bridge, which is located about 40 kilometres south of Dhaka, is expected to boost trade and commerce in Bangladesh's southwest region and, according to official estimates, increase the country's GDP by 1.2 per cent.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main construction work of the bridge in 2015. When completed it will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh and the first fixed river crossing for road traffic.

It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified that the Padma Bridge— multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of the Ganges—is not part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), putting rest to speculations on Beijing’s presence in the Indian neighbourhood.

Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified that the Padma Bridge— multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of the Ganges—is not part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), putting rest to speculations on Beijing’s presence in the Indian neighbourhood. BRI or the “One Belt, One Road” initiative is a flagship programme of President Xi Jinping for trade and connectivity. India has often raised concerns over the BRI projects because of a key part– the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – passing through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). In a statement, Bangladesh MoFA said, “Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically asserts that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been entirely funded by the Government of Bangladesh and no foreign funds from any bilateral or multilateral funding agency have financially contributed to its construction.” The response came amid reports that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been constructed under the Chinese BRI and foreign funds. According to the foreign ministry, the completion of the bridge— which is scheduled to open on June 25—will fulfil the dream of Bangladesh of connecting the 19 south-western districts to the rest of the country resulting in collective prosperity, socio-economic development of the country as well as enhanced regional connectivity. The 6-km bridge, which is located about 40 kilometres south of Dhaka, is expected to boost trade and commerce in Bangladesh's southwest region and, according to official estimates, increase the country's GDP by 1.2 per cent. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main construction work of the bridge in 2015. When completed it will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh and the first fixed river crossing for road traffic. It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Bangladesh denies Padma Bridge project being part of China’s Belt and Road Imitative

Bangladesh's national flew at half mast on Wednesday as the country paid homage to former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee who departed on August 31, 2020. Bangladesh is marking one day of national mourning for Mukherjee who was a well-known figure in the country and had close ties with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hours after Pranab Mukherjee's death on August 31, Bangladeshi PM had wrote to PM Narendra Modi offering her condolences and called Mukherjee a "true friend of Bangladesh".

"He has always been highly revered and loved by the people of Bangladesh. His steadfast support and contribution in strengthening the relations between the 2 countries" especially during his tenure as the "13th President of India, will always be remembered with the deepest respect," She said.

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In 2013, the Bangladeshi government conferred 'Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sommanona' (Liberation war honor) on Pranab Mukherjee for his contribution to Bangladesh liberation war of 1971.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-rise-of-the-political-president-324344">Pranab Mukherjee: Rise of the political President</a>

The Bangladesh flag is flying at half-mast at the Bangladesh mission in New Delhi as well. An event will be organized later in the day to pay respects to Pranab Mukherjee.

India has already announced seven days of state mourning in honour of the former president and during the period of mourning the national flag will fly at half-mast on all buildings throughout the country.

Bangladesh's national flew at half mast on Wednesday as the country paid homage to former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee who departed on August 31, 2020. Bangladesh is marking one day of national mourning for Mukherjee who was a well-known figure in the country and had close ties with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh's national flew at half mast on Wednesday as the country paid homage to former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee who departed on August 31, 2020. Bangladesh is marking one day of national mourning for Mukherjee who was a well-known figure in the country and had close ties with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hours after Pranab Mukherjee's death on August 31, Bangladeshi PM had wrote to PM Narendra Modi offering her condolences and called Mukherjee a "true friend of Bangladesh". "He has always been highly revered and loved by the people of Bangladesh. His steadfast support and contribution in strengthening the relations between the 2 countries" especially during his tenure as the "13th President of India, will always be remembered with the deepest respect," She said. × In 2013, the Bangladeshi government conferred 'Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sommanona' (Liberation war honor) on Pranab Mukherjee for his contribution to Bangladesh liberation war of 1971. Also Read: Pranab Mukherjee: Rise of the political President The Bangladesh flag is flying at half-mast at the Bangladesh mission in New Delhi as well. An event will be organized later in the day to pay respects to Pranab Mukherjee. India has already announced seven days of state mourning in honour of the former president and during the period of mourning the national flag will fly at half-mast on all buildings throughout the country.

Bangladesh national flag flies at half mast as country pays homage to Pranab Mukherjee

Police in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after&nbsp;a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10&nbsp;firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said.

Firefighters put out the blaze at the depot in Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong, on Wednesday, four days after it began late on Saturday, triggering a series of explosions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-depot-fire-near-chittagong-claims-sixteen-lives-at-least-170-injured-485194">Bangladesh depot fire near Chittagong claims 49 lives, at least 300 injured</a>

The investigation was opened into officials who were directly involved in operating the depot on suspicion of negligence and mismanagement, senior police official Ashraful Karim said.

No one has yet been arrested. The owners are not under police investigation as two probe committees were looking into the matter.

Authorities have not determined the cause of the disaster, but they suspect a container of hydrogen peroxide was the source of a massive blast that shook the neighbourhood followed by multiple other explosions.

Fire&nbsp;service officials said they had not been informed that chemicals had been stored at the depot.

A senior&nbsp;fire&nbsp;service official, Monir Hossain, said&nbsp;fire&nbsp;safety measures had not been implemented, with only a handful of extinguishers in a depot storing dozens of containers full of everything from clothes to chemicals.

Watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh Fire: Blaze kills 38, injures more than 300

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The director and one of the owners of the facility, the BM Container Depot, did not answer calls to his mobile telephone seeking comment.

The owners were quoted on Tuesday in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;newspapers including the Dhaka Tribune as saying hydrogen peroxide was being exported through the depot "following due process with the permission of the concerned authorities".

"The container depot has an office of customs authority. They supervise the import-export work of the depot round the clock. It is mysterious that just one of the thousands of containers at the depot exploded. We want a fair and impartial investigation into this incident", General Manager of Smart Group Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui was quote as saying.

The death toll has risen to 44 after a worker from the depot died from his injuries on Wednesday, police said. Of the 200 or so injured, 50 were rescue officials, police said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-bangladesh-authorities-accused-of-blast-that-nearly-killed-at-least-49-and-hundreds-injured-485485">In pics: Bangladesh authorities accused of blast that nearly killed at least 49 and injured hundreds</a>

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Some of the injured are in a critical condition, Chittagong’s chief doctor Mohammed Elias Hossain said.

Troops were trying to prevent chemicals spreading into canals and along the Bay of Bengal coastline, officials said.

Bangladesh&nbsp;is the world's second-biggest exporter of garments but its industrial safety standards have not kept pace with its economic development and&nbsp;fires are common in factories and other places of work.

The last major&nbsp;fire&nbsp;in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;was in July when 54 people were killed at a food processing factory outside Dhaka.

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Police in Bangladesh on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10 firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said.

Police in Bangladesh on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10 firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said. Firefighters put out the blaze at the depot in Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong, on Wednesday, four days after it began late on Saturday, triggering a series of explosions. Also read | Bangladesh depot fire near Chittagong claims 49 lives, at least 300 injured The investigation was opened into officials who were directly involved in operating the depot on suspicion of negligence and mismanagement, senior police official Ashraful Karim said. No one has yet been arrested. The owners are not under police investigation as two probe committees were looking into the matter. Authorities have not determined the cause of the disaster, but they suspect a container of hydrogen peroxide was the source of a massive blast that shook the neighbourhood followed by multiple other explosions. Fire service officials said they had not been informed that chemicals had been stored at the depot. A senior fire service official, Monir Hossain, said fire safety measures had not been implemented, with only a handful of extinguishers in a depot storing dozens of containers full of everything from clothes to chemicals. Watch | Bangladesh Fire: Blaze kills 38, injures more than 300 The director and one of the owners of the facility, the BM Container Depot, did not answer calls to his mobile telephone seeking comment. The owners were quoted on Tuesday in Bangladesh newspapers including the Dhaka Tribune as saying hydrogen peroxide was being exported through the depot "following due process with the permission of the concerned authorities". "The container depot has an office of customs authority. They supervise the import-export work of the depot round the clock. It is mysterious that just one of the thousands of containers at the depot exploded. We want a fair and impartial investigation into this incident", General Manager of Smart Group Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui was quote as saying. The death toll has risen to 44 after a worker from the depot died from his injuries on Wednesday, police said. Of the 200 or so injured, 50 were rescue officials, police said. Also read | In pics: Bangladesh authorities accused of blast that nearly killed at least 49 and injured hundreds Some of the injured are in a critical condition, Chittagong’s chief doctor Mohammed Elias Hossain said. Troops were trying to prevent chemicals spreading into canals and along the Bay of Bengal coastline, officials said. Bangladesh is the world's second-biggest exporter of garments but its industrial safety standards have not kept pace with its economic development and fires are common in factories and other places of work. The last major fire in Bangladesh was in July when 54 people were killed at a food processing factory outside Dhaka. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bangladesh police open investigation into deadly container depot fire

Abdul Kader Bhuiyan, Secretary of Volunteer Front, a wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) threatened Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with “a repeat of 1975”, referring to the massacre of almost her entire family in a military coup then.

Addressing a rally last week in front of the National Press Club, Bhuiyan called for a ‘repeat of 1975’ against PM Sheikh Hasina’s family. In light of the conditions, nobody in the Awami League government or the country’s intelligence agencies is taking Bhuiyan’s “repeat 1975” call lightly.

“Take up arms and restage another 1975,” Bhuiyan said. However, with no top BNP leader publicly offering any apology for Bhuiyan’s open and unambiguous call to violence, his statement signifies a tacit endorsement from the party leadership to go for an attempted violent overthrow of the Hasina government.

A senior intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told that Bhuiyan’s call is “both a trial balloon and an indicator of the future”.

The threat by Bhuiyan bears ominous portents of possible violence in the rundown to the June 25 inauguration of the 6.15 km railroad bridge on Padma River, Bangladesh’s biggest infrastructure project so far and one constructed with the country’s own resources.

The ruling Awami League has planned a grand opening with a public rally of one million people on June 25. Intelligence officials told they suspect plans for large scale opposition violence ahead of the bridge inauguration to divert public attention and torpedo the plans for a rally, mentioning Bhuiyan’s threat.

BNP supremo and former PM Khaleda Zia had prophesied that the Padma Bridge project was Hasina’s “pipedream” and “would never be completed”. But now that the Padma bridge, that economists say may add 1.2 per cent to national GDP, is up and running, the BNP-led Islamist opposition may seek to play spoilsport in its inauguration.

Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and almost the entire rest of the family except her two daughters were killed in the 1975 military coup. Hasina and Rehana survived, as they were away in Europe.

Hasina returned to her motherland six years after the 1975 massacre to lead the Awami League and propel it to election victories in 1996 and 2009. She has been in power ever since, presiding over Bangladesh’s Golden Decade of Development which has since the once poor country goes past even giant neighbour India in per capita income, per capita GDP growth and human development indicators.

Hasina has already survived more than 39 attempts on her life, including the heinous grenade attack in 2004 on an Awami League rally, in which around 32 leaders and activists have been killed. BNP’s acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has been convicted by a court for his involvement in planning the grenade attack.

The officials of the intelligence branch said that the BNP-led Islamist opposition has tried to rake up violent agitations on one issue after another since the Awami League swept the national polls in 2018 on the issue of statues of Sheikh Mujib being un-Islamic to opposing Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.

“Now that the world is talking of Bangladesh’s phenomenal growth history, the opposition wants to divert attention from the Padma Bridge inauguration,” an official said. A plan for a violent campaign to bring down the pro-India Awami League may start now since the national polls are just over a year away.

“Hasina is as popular as her father.., he led the fight for freedom, daughter has led the nation to growth and development. They can be brought down only by violence, so this BNP leader is calling for a repeat of 1975,” said Bangladesh-watcher Sukharanjan Dasgupta, author of “Midnight Massacre” on the 1975 coup.

Awami League leaders believe they cannot be defeated in polls in view of Hasina’s achievements not only in keeping up the economic growth momentum but also in achieving the challenges of Covid-19, climate change and Islamist radical terrorists and militants. 
&nbsp;

[with inputs from agencies] 
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Abdul Kader Bhuiyan, Secretary of Volunteer Front, a wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) threatened Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with “a repeat of 1975”, referring to the massacre of almost her entire family in a military coup then.

Abdul Kader Bhuiyan, Secretary of Volunteer Front, a wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) threatened Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with “a repeat of 1975”, referring to the massacre of almost her entire family in a military coup then. Addressing a rally last week in front of the National Press Club, Bhuiyan called for a ‘repeat of 1975’ against PM Sheikh Hasina’s family. In light of the conditions, nobody in the Awami League government or the country’s intelligence agencies is taking Bhuiyan’s “repeat 1975” call lightly. “Take up arms and restage another 1975,” Bhuiyan said. However, with no top BNP leader publicly offering any apology for Bhuiyan’s open and unambiguous call to violence, his statement signifies a tacit endorsement from the party leadership to go for an attempted violent overthrow of the Hasina government. A senior intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told that Bhuiyan’s call is “both a trial balloon and an indicator of the future”. The threat by Bhuiyan bears ominous portents of possible violence in the rundown to the June 25 inauguration of the 6.15 km railroad bridge on Padma River, Bangladesh’s biggest infrastructure project so far and one constructed with the country’s own resources. The ruling Awami League has planned a grand opening with a public rally of one million people on June 25. Intelligence officials told they suspect plans for large scale opposition violence ahead of the bridge inauguration to divert public attention and torpedo the plans for a rally, mentioning Bhuiyan’s threat. BNP supremo and former PM Khaleda Zia had prophesied that the Padma Bridge project was Hasina’s “pipedream” and “would never be completed”. But now that the Padma bridge, that economists say may add 1.2 per cent to national GDP, is up and running, the BNP-led Islamist opposition may seek to play spoilsport in its inauguration. Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and almost the entire rest of the family except her two daughters were killed in the 1975 military coup. Hasina and Rehana survived, as they were away in Europe. Hasina returned to her motherland six years after the 1975 massacre to lead the Awami League and propel it to election victories in 1996 and 2009. She has been in power ever since, presiding over Bangladesh’s Golden Decade of Development which has since the once poor country goes past even giant neighbour India in per capita income, per capita GDP growth and human development indicators. Hasina has already survived more than 39 attempts on her life, including the heinous grenade attack in 2004 on an Awami League rally, in which around 32 leaders and activists have been killed. BNP’s acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has been convicted by a court for his involvement in planning the grenade attack. The officials of the intelligence branch said that the BNP-led Islamist opposition has tried to rake up violent agitations on one issue after another since the Awami League swept the national polls in 2018 on the issue of statues of Sheikh Mujib being un-Islamic to opposing Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh. “Now that the world is talking of Bangladesh’s phenomenal growth history, the opposition wants to divert attention from the Padma Bridge inauguration,” an official said. A plan for a violent campaign to bring down the pro-India Awami League may start now since the national polls are just over a year away. “Hasina is as popular as her father.., he led the fight for freedom, daughter has led the nation to growth and development. They can be brought down only by violence, so this BNP leader is calling for a repeat of 1975,” said Bangladesh-watcher Sukharanjan Dasgupta, author of “Midnight Massacre” on the 1975 coup. Awami League leaders believe they cannot be defeated in polls in view of Hasina’s achievements not only in keeping up the economic growth momentum but also in achieving the challenges of Covid-19, climate change and Islamist radical terrorists and militants. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

BNP leader calls for ‘repeat of 1975’ massacre in Bangladesh to oust Sheikh Hasina government

A massive blaze at a container depot in Bangladesh has been brought under control by the firefighters, news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (June 7). A couple of days ago, fiery explosions killed at least 43 people at a facility in the port city of Chittagong. In the aftermath, a senior fire service official suspected that the facility where the tragic accident happened, had not followed safety guidelines. Officials in the country have accused the operator that he did not store chemicals safely.&nbsp;

Recently, drone footage showed smoke and rows of burnt-out containers. A senior fire service official Monir Hossain told Reuters: "The fire has not been put out completely but there is no risk of further explosion as our team has sorted out the chemical containers .. one by one."&nbsp;

"We haven't found any basic fire safety measures ... There were simply some extinguishers. Nothing else. They didn’t even follow storage guidelines for hazardous chemicals," Hossain added.&nbsp;

Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association said on Monday as far as he knew, the company followed guidelines.&nbsp;

Sikder also said that its members, including BM Container Depot, regularly handled hydrogen peroxide without incident.&nbsp;

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said an investigation had been launched and those responsible would face justice.&nbsp;

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A massive blaze at a container depot in Bangladesh has been brought under control by the firefighters, news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (June 7). A couple of days ago, fiery explosions killed at least 43 people at a facility in the port city of Chittagong.

A massive blaze at a container depot in Bangladesh has been brought under control by the firefighters, news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (June 7). A couple of days ago, fiery explosions killed at least 43 people at a facility in the port city of Chittagong. In the aftermath, a senior fire service official suspected that the facility where the tragic accident happened, had not followed safety guidelines. Officials in the country have accused the operator that he did not store chemicals safely. Recently, drone footage showed smoke and rows of burnt-out containers. A senior fire service official Monir Hossain told Reuters: "The fire has not been put out completely but there is no risk of further explosion as our team has sorted out the chemical containers .. one by one." "We haven't found any basic fire safety measures ... There were simply some extinguishers. Nothing else. They didn’t even follow storage guidelines for hazardous chemicals," Hossain added. Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association said on Monday as far as he knew, the company followed guidelines. Sikder also said that its members, including BM Container Depot, regularly handled hydrogen peroxide without incident. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said an investigation had been launched and those responsible would face justice. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bangladesh container depot fire brought under control

In pics: Bangladesh authorities accused of blast that nearly killed at least 49 and injured hundreds

As per reports, a fire and a huge explosion have killed at least 49 people and injured more than 300 at a shipping container depot near the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Fire: 49 killed, over 300 injured in huge chemical explosion

Massive fire breaks through a container depot in Bangladesh's southeastern town Sitakunda. As per reports, 38 were killed and more than 300 people have been injured. Bangladesh government has deployed 200 troops near the depot.

Bangladesh Fire: Blaze kills 38, injures more than 300

A huge fire in a container depot in southern Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 49&nbsp;people while around 300 others were injured on Sunday, according to official sources. According to fire service official Jalal Ahmed, the fire broke out at a container storage facility in Sitakunda, around 40 km from the Chittagong port. The fire started around midnight and Ruhul Amin Sikder, spokesman for the Bangladesh Inland Container Association (BICA), said that the fire probably got worse because of the containers carrying chemicals present in the private depot including hydrogen peroxide. The fire also destroyed millions of dollars of garment products which were kept in the container depot.

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"The death toll from the fire has risen to 34," Elias Chowdhury, chief doctor of the Chittagong region in southern Bangladesh, told AFP. "More than 300 people are injured."

The authorities rushed to the scene and local police chief Abul Kalam Azad told AFP that a number of firefighters were also injured from an explosion that took place as they attempted to douse the fire.

“Some 170 people were injured including at least 40 firefighters and 10 police officers. Three firefighters were also killed,” he told AFP while explaining the rescue efforts by the authorities.

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The AFP report further stated that the injured individuals were taken to different hospitals in the nearby areas and 20 people are still in critical condition after sustaining serious burns.

Mominur Rahman, chief administrator of Chittagong district, confirmed that the fire is currently under control but there are “still several pockets of fire in the depot”.

“Firefighters are trying to control these pocket fires,” he said according to the AFP report.

(With inputs from agencies)

A huge fire in a container depot in southern Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 49 people while around 300 others were injured on Sunday, according to official sources.

A huge fire in a container depot in southern Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 49 people while around 300 others were injured on Sunday, according to official sources. According to fire service official Jalal Ahmed, the fire broke out at a container storage facility in Sitakunda, around 40 km from the Chittagong port. The fire started around midnight and Ruhul Amin Sikder, spokesman for the Bangladesh Inland Container Association (BICA), said that the fire probably got worse because of the containers carrying chemicals present in the private depot including hydrogen peroxide. The fire also destroyed millions of dollars of garment products which were kept in the container depot. Also read | In pics - Greece evacuates outskirts of Athens after wildfire threat "The death toll from the fire has risen to 34," Elias Chowdhury, chief doctor of the Chittagong region in southern Bangladesh, told AFP. "More than 300 people are injured." The authorities rushed to the scene and local police chief Abul Kalam Azad told AFP that a number of firefighters were also injured from an explosion that took place as they attempted to douse the fire. “Some 170 people were injured including at least 40 firefighters and 10 police officers. Three firefighters were also killed,” he told AFP while explaining the rescue efforts by the authorities. Also read | North Korea test-fires ballistic missile after US, South Korea stage drills The AFP report further stated that the injured individuals were taken to different hospitals in the nearby areas and 20 people are still in critical condition after sustaining serious burns. Mominur Rahman, chief administrator of Chittagong district, confirmed that the fire is currently under control but there are “still several pockets of fire in the depot”. “Firefighters are trying to control these pocket fires,” he said according to the AFP report. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh depot fire near Chittagong claims 49 lives, at least 300 injured

Massive fire breaks through a container depot in Bangladesh's southeastern town Sitakunda. As per reports, 34 were killed and more than 300 people have been injured. Bangladesh government has deployed 200 troops near the depot.

Bangladesh: Fire breaks through a container depot

Bangladesh appointed all-rounder&nbsp;Shakib&nbsp;Al Hasan as Test captain for a third time on Thursday after Mominul Haque quit following a poor run of form. Bangladesh Cricket Board also named batsman Liton Das the new vice-captain ahead of a two-Test series in the West Indies later this month.

"They will be in the positions until a further decision is made," BCB president Nazmul Hassan told a press conference. Mominul stepped down as Test captain on Tuesday. The 30-year-old left-hander has scored 162 runs in six Test matches in 2022, averaging 16.20.

In the recent series against Sri Lanka, which Bangladesh lost 1-0, he made 11 runs in three innings. This will be the 35-year-old&nbsp;Shakib's third term as Test captain.&nbsp; Appointed in 2009 he was dismissed from the post in 2011 after a series loss in Zimbabwe, and given the job for a second time in 2017.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ajinkya-rahane-recalls-conversation-with-umpires-after-md-siraj-was-racially-abused-in-scg-test-484329">Ajinkya Rahane recalls conversation with umpires after Md Siraj was racially abused in SCG Test</a>

He held the position until he was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 for his failure to report corrupt approaches. During his previous stints as skipper,&nbsp;Shakib&nbsp;led Bangladesh in 14 matches, with three victories and 11 defeats.

The team will leave for the West Indies on June 5. Bangladesh will also play three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals during the tour. Batsmen Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal will lead Bangladesh’s T20 and ODI sides respectively.

Bangladesh appointed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as Test captain for a third time on Thursday after Mominul Haque quit following a poor run of form. Bangladesh Cricket Board also named batsman Liton Das the new vice-captain ahead of a two-Test series in the West Indies later this month.

Bangladesh appointed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as Test captain for a third time on Thursday after Mominul Haque quit following a poor run of form. Bangladesh Cricket Board also named batsman Liton Das the new vice-captain ahead of a two-Test series in the West Indies later this month. "They will be in the positions until a further decision is made," BCB president Nazmul Hassan told a press conference. Mominul stepped down as Test captain on Tuesday. The 30-year-old left-hander has scored 162 runs in six Test matches in 2022, averaging 16.20. In the recent series against Sri Lanka, which Bangladesh lost 1-0, he made 11 runs in three innings. This will be the 35-year-old Shakib's third term as Test captain. Appointed in 2009 he was dismissed from the post in 2011 after a series loss in Zimbabwe, and given the job for a second time in 2017. ALSO READ | Ajinkya Rahane recalls conversation with umpires after Md Siraj was racially abused in SCG Test He held the position until he was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 for his failure to report corrupt approaches. During his previous stints as skipper, Shakib led Bangladesh in 14 matches, with three victories and 11 defeats. The team will leave for the West Indies on June 5. Bangladesh will also play three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals during the tour. Batsmen Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal will lead Bangladesh’s T20 and ODI sides respectively.

Bangladesh appoint star all-rounder Shakib Test captain for third time

Over four years have passed since the Rohingya first started fleeing to Bangladesh. In 2017, the persecuted community was welcomed by the local people but as time passed, the Bangladeshis started getting anxious, here's why!

Rohingya refugees triggering socio-economic crisis in Bangladesh?

Heavy rains have triggered massive floods in parts of South Asia areas in northeast. India and parts of Bangladesh are facing some severe flooding in deluge which has resulted in the deaths of nearly about 57 people and has resulted in many people getting stranded.

Severe floods ravage parts of South Asia; over 50 dead in India, Bangladesh

Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in parts of Bangladesh and India, leaving millions stranded and at least 57 dead, officials said Saturday.

In Bangladesh, about two million people have been marooned by the worst floods in the country's northeast for nearly two decades.

At least 100 villages at Zakiganj were inundated after floodwater rushing from India's northeast breached a major embankment on the Barak River, said Mosharraf Hossain, the chief government administrator of the Sylhet region.

"Some two million people have been stranded by floods so far," he told AFP, adding that at least 10 people have been killed this week.

Many parts of Bangladesh and neighbouring regions in India are prone to flooding, and experts say that climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events around the world.&nbsp;

Every extra degree of global warming increases the amount of water in the atmosphere by about seven percent, with inevitable effects on rainfall.

At least 47 people have been killed in India this week in days of flooding, landslides and thunderstorms, according to local disaster management authorities.

In Assam state, which borders Bangladesh, at least 14 people have died in landslides and floods.

Assam authorities said Saturday more than 850,000 people in about 3,200 villages have been affected by the floods, triggered by torrential rains that submerged swathes of farmland and damaged thousands of homes. &nbsp;

Nearly 90,000 people have been moved to state-run relief shelters as water levels in rivers run high and large swathes of land remain submerged in most districts.

West of Assam, at least 33 people were killed in Bihar state in thunderstorms on Thursday.&nbsp;

More than three dozen people were injured in the unseasonal weather events that damaged hundreds of hectares of standing crops and thousands of fruit trees. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Bihar has also suffered an intense heatwave this week, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). &nbsp;

'Blessing and curse'

In Bangladesh's Zakiganj, people were seen fishing on submerged roads and some residents took their cattle to flood shelters.

Bus driver Shamim Ahmed, 50, told AFP: "My house is under waist deep water. There is no drinking water, we are harvesting rain water.&nbsp;

"Rain is simultaneously a blessing and a curse for us now."

All the furniture in widow Lalila Begum's home was ruined, she said, but she and her two daughters were staying put, hoping the waters would recede within a day or two.&nbsp;

"My two daughters and I put one bed on another and are living on top of it," she said. "There's scarcity of food. We're sharing one person's food and one meal a day."

Floodwater has entered many parts of Sylhet city, the largest in the northeast, where another official told AFP about 50,000 families had been without power for days.

Hossain, the chief administrator, said the flooding was driven by both rains and the onrush of water from across the border in Assam. 
But officials said the broken embankment on the border at Zakiganj could only be fixed once the water level dropped.&nbsp;

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Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in parts of Bangladesh and India, leaving millions stranded and at least 57 dead, officials said Saturday. In Bangladesh, about two million people have been marooned by the worst floods in the country's northeast for nearly two decades.

Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in parts of Bangladesh and India, leaving millions stranded and at least 57 dead, officials said Saturday. In Bangladesh, about two million people have been marooned by the worst floods in the country's northeast for nearly two decades. At least 100 villages at Zakiganj were inundated after floodwater rushing from India's northeast breached a major embankment on the Barak River, said Mosharraf Hossain, the chief government administrator of the Sylhet region. "Some two million people have been stranded by floods so far," he told AFP, adding that at least 10 people have been killed this week. Many parts of Bangladesh and neighbouring regions in India are prone to flooding, and experts say that climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events around the world. Every extra degree of global warming increases the amount of water in the atmosphere by about seven percent, with inevitable effects on rainfall. At least 47 people have been killed in India this week in days of flooding, landslides and thunderstorms, according to local disaster management authorities. In Assam state, which borders Bangladesh, at least 14 people have died in landslides and floods. Assam authorities said Saturday more than 850,000 people in about 3,200 villages have been affected by the floods, triggered by torrential rains that submerged swathes of farmland and damaged thousands of homes. Nearly 90,000 people have been moved to state-run relief shelters as water levels in rivers run high and large swathes of land remain submerged in most districts. West of Assam, at least 33 people were killed in Bihar state in thunderstorms on Thursday. More than three dozen people were injured in the unseasonal weather events that damaged hundreds of hectares of standing crops and thousands of fruit trees. Bihar has also suffered an intense heatwave this week, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). 'Blessing and curse' In Bangladesh's Zakiganj, people were seen fishing on submerged roads and some residents took their cattle to flood shelters. Bus driver Shamim Ahmed, 50, told AFP: "My house is under waist deep water. There is no drinking water, we are harvesting rain water. "Rain is simultaneously a blessing and a curse for us now." All the furniture in widow Lalila Begum's home was ruined, she said, but she and her two daughters were staying put, hoping the waters would recede within a day or two. "My two daughters and I put one bed on another and are living on top of it," she said. "There's scarcity of food. We're sharing one person's food and one meal a day." Floodwater has entered many parts of Sylhet city, the largest in the northeast, where another official told AFP about 50,000 families had been without power for days. Hossain, the chief administrator, said the flooding was driven by both rains and the onrush of water from across the border in Assam. But officials said the broken embankment on the border at Zakiganj could only be fixed once the water level dropped. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Millions stranded, dozens dead as flooding hits Bangladesh and India

Bangladesh's liquor laws were last updated 100 years ago. The predominantly Muslim nation has generally frowned upon alcohol. But a new set of liquor laws has distilleries excited. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary: Bangladesh updates liquor laws

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will be going on an official visit to Bangladesh and Bhutan from April 28 to 30. During his visit to Dhaka, Jaishankar will meet Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and hold discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.

Indian EAM Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh, Bhutan to deepen ties

India is looking to strengthen its ties with neighboring countries. Indian external affairs minister will be commencing a three-day visit to Bangladesh and Bhutan today to further boost overall bilateral ties.

Indian EAM Jaishankar on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, Bhutan to deepen ties with neighbors

The future of Rohingya kids in Bangladesh is in peril after Dhaka shut down the last private Rohingya school on the ground of legality. Mariam Wardak brings you the report in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Bangladesh shuts down last Rohingya private school

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be travelling to Bangladesh and Bhutan later this year as part of an in-person engagement with the Neighbours as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.&nbsp;

He will be in Bangladesh on April 28, following which he will be travelling to Bhutan on April 29. Last month, EAM travelled to the Maldives and Sri Lanka in the neighbourhood with a key focus on development projects and the BIMSTEC summit.&nbsp;

EAM's visit to Bangladesh comes even as indications are that Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina could travel to India soon.&nbsp;

Last year, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had travelled to Dhaka as part of the country's 50th independence anniversary celebrations which coincided with the birth centenary of Father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.&nbsp;

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Both countries are engaged in connectivity, and power-sharing and this year could see the opening of the India Bangladesh Maitri pipeline that will help in the movement of diesel.&nbsp;

When it comes to Bhutan, this will be the first foreign ministerial visit to the country in two years as the country had closed its borders due to the Covid.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Raisina dialogue: Indian External Affairs Minister speaks on EU Chief's India visit

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Jaishankar visited Bhutan in June 2019 as his first overseas visit after assuming office. Bhutan along with the Maldives was among the first country to get India made covid vaccines. Under the Vaccine Maitri Initiative, the Indian government gifted 5.5 lakh doses of the Made-In-India Covishield vaccines to Bhutan, which enabled it to vaccinate its adult population during the month of March-April 2021.&nbsp;

The visits to neighbouring countries are part of India's 'Neighbourhood First Policy'. Earlier this month, India constituted an Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG) to look into projects and initiatives with neighbours like--rail connectivity with Bangladesh, special needs of countries such as Bhutan and Maldives in terms of supply of essential commodities, fisheries issues with Sri Lanka etc.&nbsp;

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India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be travelling to Bangladesh and Bhutan later this year as part of an in-person engagement with the Neighbours as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be travelling to Bangladesh and Bhutan later this year as part of an in-person engagement with the Neighbours as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. He will be in Bangladesh on April 28, following which he will be travelling to Bhutan on April 29. Last month, EAM travelled to the Maldives and Sri Lanka in the neighbourhood with a key focus on development projects and the BIMSTEC summit. EAM's visit to Bangladesh comes even as indications are that Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina could travel to India soon. Last year, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had travelled to Dhaka as part of the country's 50th independence anniversary celebrations which coincided with the birth centenary of Father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. ALSO READ | Australia-India FTA will boost PM Modi's ‘Make in India’ initiative: Ex-PM Abbott to WION Both countries are engaged in connectivity, and power-sharing and this year could see the opening of the India Bangladesh Maitri pipeline that will help in the movement of diesel. When it comes to Bhutan, this will be the first foreign ministerial visit to the country in two years as the country had closed its borders due to the Covid. WATCH | Raisina dialogue: Indian External Affairs Minister speaks on EU Chief's India visit × Jaishankar visited Bhutan in June 2019 as his first overseas visit after assuming office. Bhutan along with the Maldives was among the first country to get India made covid vaccines. Under the Vaccine Maitri Initiative, the Indian government gifted 5.5 lakh doses of the Made-In-India Covishield vaccines to Bhutan, which enabled it to vaccinate its adult population during the month of March-April 2021. The visits to neighbouring countries are part of India's 'Neighbourhood First Policy'. Earlier this month, India constituted an Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG) to look into projects and initiatives with neighbours like--rail connectivity with Bangladesh, special needs of countries such as Bhutan and Maldives in terms of supply of essential commodities, fisheries issues with Sri Lanka etc. ×

EAM Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh and Bhutan later this week

Still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the lives of millions of factory workers in Bangladesh. Mariam Wardak explains the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Bangladesh's garment exporters.

South Asia Diary | Uncertainty surrounds Dhaka's garment export

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 6-135 but the touring side are behind in the game after they limped to 139 for five at the close on day two of the second and final test against South Africa on Saturday.

Bangladesh are still 314 runs behind their hosts’ total of 453 all out at St George’s Park and their first aim will be to avoid the follow-on when Mushfiqur Rahim (30 not out) and Yasir Ali (8 not out) resume on the third morning.

Seamer Wiaan Mulder (3-15) has been the pick of the home bowlers, removing Tamim Iqbal lbw for a brisk 47.

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He did likewise to Najmul Hossain Shanto (33) as Bangladesh suffered a double blow following a solid start to their innings.

Mulder bagged his third lbw of the innings when he snared captain Mominul Haque (6) as he bowled a superb tight line with just a hint of swing into the pads.

Bangladesh also lost first test centurion Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a duck as he edged seamer Duanne Olivier (2-17) to Sarel Erwee at first slip, and Olivier bowled the dangerous Litton Das (11) with a superb delivery that knocked over middle stump.

South Africa, who lead 1-0 in the series following a 220-run victory in Durban, had resumed their first innings on 278 for five having won the toss.

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Captain Dean Elgar spoke before the game of the importance of the batsmen scoring hundreds after a barren run for the side, but the latest to fail was spinning all-rounder Keshav Maharaj, who compiled an excellent 84 from 95 balls before he was bowled following an ugly swipe across the line off the bowling of Taijul.

Elgar (70), Temba Bavuma (67) and Keegan Petersen (64) also passed 50 but failed to bring up three figures. It was, however, the first time in test history that nine batsmen reached 20 in a completed innings.

Taijul brought up 150 test wickets as he bowled with superb control on his return to the side having replaced injured seamer Taskin Ahmed in the side.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 6-135 but the touring side are behind in the game after they limped to 139 for five at the close on day two of the second and final test against South Africa on Saturday.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 6-135 but the touring side are behind in the game after they limped to 139 for five at the close on day two of the second and final test against South Africa on Saturday. Bangladesh are still 314 runs behind their hosts’ total of 453 all out at St George’s Park and their first aim will be to avoid the follow-on when Mushfiqur Rahim (30 not out) and Yasir Ali (8 not out) resume on the third morning. Seamer Wiaan Mulder (3-15) has been the pick of the home bowlers, removing Tamim Iqbal lbw for a brisk 47. Also read | Exclusive | No reason why KKR cannot win the IPL this year, says Sam Billings He did likewise to Najmul Hossain Shanto (33) as Bangladesh suffered a double blow following a solid start to their innings. Mulder bagged his third lbw of the innings when he snared captain Mominul Haque (6) as he bowled a superb tight line with just a hint of swing into the pads. Bangladesh also lost first test centurion Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a duck as he edged seamer Duanne Olivier (2-17) to Sarel Erwee at first slip, and Olivier bowled the dangerous Litton Das (11) with a superb delivery that knocked over middle stump. South Africa, who lead 1-0 in the series following a 220-run victory in Durban, had resumed their first innings on 278 for five having won the toss. Also read | IPL 2022: Maxwell pulls off sensational run out to dismiss Tilak Verma - WATCH Captain Dean Elgar spoke before the game of the importance of the batsmen scoring hundreds after a barren run for the side, but the latest to fail was spinning all-rounder Keshav Maharaj, who compiled an excellent 84 from 95 balls before he was bowled following an ugly swipe across the line off the bowling of Taijul. Elgar (70), Temba Bavuma (67) and Keegan Petersen (64) also passed 50 but failed to bring up three figures. It was, however, the first time in test history that nine batsmen reached 20 in a completed innings. Taijul brought up 150 test wickets as he bowled with superb control on his return to the side having replaced injured seamer Taskin Ahmed in the side.

Taijul Islam takes six wickets but South Africa in control of second Test against Bangladesh

Dhaka, the carpet of Bangladesh is now the city with the highest noise pollution in the world. Almost all areas of the city have two to three times more noise than acceptable levels. People are suffering for various diseases including hearing loss, deafness, heart disease and also irritable moods as a result of the high level of noise.

Bangladesh: Dhaka tops chart for excessive noise pollution, 3 times higher than accepted level

In Bangladesh, a woman professor has claimed harassment at the hands of a policeman. In the latest, the constable has been identified and charged with harassing, abusing and physically attacking the woman however no arrests have been made.

Bangladesh: Constable harassing woman for wearing bindi identified and charged

Dhaka Muslin was once worn by the European aristocracy. It was called woven air. Mariam Wardak tells you how a group of artists is hoping to recreate the legendary Dhaka Muslin.

South Asia Diary | Recreating the fine Dhaka muslin

Dhaka is the noisiest city on the planet; here are the top ten loudest cities, recommended levels & more

Bangladeshi administration faces staunch criticism from opposition parties as well as social media outrage after a Hindu teacher Lata Samaddar gets moral policed for wearing a Bindi, a probe has been ordered.

Bangladeshi cop assaults Hindu woman for wearing Bindi, probe ordered

South African off-spinner Simon Harmer took all the wickets in his first test appearance for seven years as Bangladesh reached 98 for four at the close of play on a gloomy second day of the first test at Kingsmead on Friday. 
 
The tourists are 269 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 367 in which Temba Bavuma fell seven runs short of a century, with the depleted home side, who are without their entire first-choice pace attack, taking control of the game with spin. 
 
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (44 not out) will resume on the third morning with nightwatchman Taskin Ahmed (0 not out), but the visitors were undone by some controlled slow bowling from Harmer (4-42) and Keshav Maharaj (0-24), who strangled the run rate as they conceded only 66 runs in 39 overs between them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2022-bcci-likely-to-go-ahead-with-50-percent-capacity-in-stadiums-from-next-week-467470" hreflang="en">IPL 2022: BCCI likely to go ahead with 50 percent capacity from next week</a> 
 
The pick of Harmer’s wickets was that of Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) as the ball pitched on middle stump and turned to hit the top of off. Keegan Petersen also took an excellent diving catch at short leg to dismiss visiting captain Mominul Haque for a duck.

Harmer had played the last of his five tests in 2015 before embarking on a career in English county cricket but has been recalled with a number of South Africa’s bowlers missing at the Indian Premier League. 
 
The home side resumed their first innings on 233 for four, anchored by middle-order batsman Bavuma, who scored 93 in a workmanlike innings as he missed out on a second test ton in his 50th appearance.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-kieron-pollard-big-hitters-with-most-sixes-in-ipl-467502" hreflang="en">In pics: From Gayle to Pollard - Top 5 six-hitters in IPL</a> 
 
Bavuma has averaged almost 50 in tests in the last 18 months and been a mainstay of the middle-order, but three figures continues to elude him, with his only test ton in eight years with the side coming against England in Cape Town in 2016. 
 
On this occasion he was bowled trying to cut spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-94) but was undone by the sharp turn. 
 
South Africa’s tail wagged as they put on 122 for the final four wickets, helped by 38 not out from Harmer, while Bangladesh seamer Khaled Ahmed (4-92) was the most impressive of the visitors’ bowlers.

South African off-spinner Simon Harmer took all the wickets in his first test appearance for seven years as Bangladesh reached 98 for four at the close of play on a gloomy second day of the first test at Kingsmead on Friday.

South African off-spinner Simon Harmer took all the wickets in his first test appearance for seven years as Bangladesh reached 98 for four at the close of play on a gloomy second day of the first test at Kingsmead on Friday. The tourists are 269 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 367 in which Temba Bavuma fell seven runs short of a century, with the depleted home side, who are without their entire first-choice pace attack, taking control of the game with spin. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (44 not out) will resume on the third morning with nightwatchman Taskin Ahmed (0 not out), but the visitors were undone by some controlled slow bowling from Harmer (4-42) and Keshav Maharaj (0-24), who strangled the run rate as they conceded only 66 runs in 39 overs between them. Also read | IPL 2022: BCCI likely to go ahead with 50 percent capacity from next week The pick of Harmer’s wickets was that of Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) as the ball pitched on middle stump and turned to hit the top of off. Keegan Petersen also took an excellent diving catch at short leg to dismiss visiting captain Mominul Haque for a duck. Harmer had played the last of his five tests in 2015 before embarking on a career in English county cricket but has been recalled with a number of South Africa’s bowlers missing at the Indian Premier League. The home side resumed their first innings on 233 for four, anchored by middle-order batsman Bavuma, who scored 93 in a workmanlike innings as he missed out on a second test ton in his 50th appearance. Also read | In pics: From Gayle to Pollard - Top 5 six-hitters in IPL Bavuma has averaged almost 50 in tests in the last 18 months and been a mainstay of the middle-order, but three figures continues to elude him, with his only test ton in eight years with the side coming against England in Cape Town in 2016. On this occasion he was bowled trying to cut spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-94) but was undone by the sharp turn. South Africa’s tail wagged as they put on 122 for the final four wickets, helped by 38 not out from Harmer, while Bangladesh seamer Khaled Ahmed (4-92) was the most impressive of the visitors’ bowlers.

South Africa’s Simon Harmer shines with bat and ball against Bangladesh on Day 2

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