The Nidahas T20I Tri-Series &ndash; involving hosts Sri Lanka, along with India and Bangladesh &ndash; is going to be interesting for the Indian team. After all, it is after a long time that team India would be without a majority of their star players in an international series. The selectors have rested captain Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav for this series &ndash; all of who have been stars for India in the limited overs format in recent times. It will be intriguing to see how team India does about things without so many of their regular members.

While India, who is ranked No.3 in T20Is, may have fielded their second string unit for this tri-series, it gives a great opportunity for the team management to test their bench strength. All-rounders Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant have all been included in this series. While these players may not have much international exposure, they have done well in the domestic scene and particularly well in the IPL. This series will give us an idea of who among the young Turks have a future for the country and can be seen as a viable option for the ICC World Cup 2019 squad.&nbsp;

Among the new lot, it would be Rishabh Pant who will be in under most focus. He is considered as the next big thing of Indian cricket and with the prolific form he has shown in the domestic arena, he surely deserves chances here. Mohammed Siraj is also an exciting prospect with his ability to bowl fast and accurate produce swinging yorkers at the death.&nbsp;

Another one to watch out would be KL Rahul who returns to the fold after some time. The talented Indian batsman has not got many chances of late as the two Indian openers have been doing really well. But Rahul has shown that he can bat anywhere and in the absence of Kohli, he should get a spot in the middle-order to bolster it. Rahul had smashed 61 and 89 against Sri Lanka in December last year at home in the three-match T20I series and would relish having another go at them.

Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma should be quietly confident even though he is coming off a rather mediocre tour to South Africa. Rohit excels in these conditions and simply loves batting against Sri Lanka. He had slammed that sensational 118 off 43 balls in the T20 series against Sri Lanka in December and has already amassed 278 runs in 11 innings against them at a splendid strike-rate of 146.31.

India begins the tournament by clashing against hosts Sri Lanka and would then go on to play against Bangladesh later. Pitches in Sri Lanka for limited overs cricket tend to be rather flat and favours the batsmen heavily which is good news for the Indian team. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and KL Rahul at the top, and some talented youngsters to follow, India&rsquo;s batting unit looks pretty robust. The only chink in their armour seems to be their bowling which lacks experience. And that is what would present a big challenge for this new-look Indian team. This format is unpredictable and gives the opportunity for some unknown faces to leave a mark. It will hence be exciting to see if India&rsquo;s reserve players can leave any distinct impression in the tri-series.

Rohit Sharma had shown a lot of promise as a captain in the one T20I he led the team against South Africa recently. Will he be able to manage this second string Indian unit efficiently? Will we find some future stars of Indian cricket after the end of this tri-series? Interesting times lie ahead.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Rohit Sharma had shown a lot of promise as a captain in the one T20I he led the team against South Africa recently. The Nidahas T20 Tri series asks for more from the By-stand captain Rohit Sharma in the absence of Virat Kohli.

The Nidahas T20I Tri-Series – involving hosts Sri Lanka, along with India and Bangladesh – is going to be interesting for the Indian team. After all, it is after a long time that team India would be without a majority of their star players in an international series. The selectors have rested captain Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav for this series – all of who have been stars for India in the limited overs format in recent times. It will be intriguing to see how team India does about things without so many of their regular members. While India, who is ranked No.3 in T20Is, may have fielded their second string unit for this tri-series, it gives a great opportunity for the team management to test their bench strength. All-rounders Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant have all been included in this series. While these players may not have much international exposure, they have done well in the domestic scene and particularly well in the IPL. This series will give us an idea of who among the young Turks have a future for the country and can be seen as a viable option for the ICC World Cup 2019 squad. Among the new lot, it would be Rishabh Pant who will be in under most focus. He is considered as the next big thing of Indian cricket and with the prolific form he has shown in the domestic arena, he surely deserves chances here. Mohammed Siraj is also an exciting prospect with his ability to bowl fast and accurate produce swinging yorkers at the death. Another one to watch out would be KL Rahul who returns to the fold after some time. The talented Indian batsman has not got many chances of late as the two Indian openers have been doing really well. But Rahul has shown that he can bat anywhere and in the absence of Kohli, he should get a spot in the middle-order to bolster it. Rahul had smashed 61 and 89 against Sri Lanka in December last year at home in the three-match T20I series and would relish having another go at them. Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma should be quietly confident even though he is coming off a rather mediocre tour to South Africa. Rohit excels in these conditions and simply loves batting against Sri Lanka. He had slammed that sensational 118 off 43 balls in the T20 series against Sri Lanka in December and has already amassed 278 runs in 11 innings against them at a splendid strike-rate of 146.31. India begins the tournament by clashing against hosts Sri Lanka and would then go on to play against Bangladesh later. Pitches in Sri Lanka for limited overs cricket tend to be rather flat and favours the batsmen heavily which is good news for the Indian team. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and KL Rahul at the top, and some talented youngsters to follow, India’s batting unit looks pretty robust. The only chink in their armour seems to be their bowling which lacks experience. And that is what would present a big challenge for this new-look Indian team. This format is unpredictable and gives the opportunity for some unknown faces to leave a mark. It will hence be exciting to see if India’s reserve players can leave any distinct impression in the tri-series. Rohit Sharma had shown a lot of promise as a captain in the one T20I he led the team against South Africa recently. Will he be able to manage this second string Indian unit efficiently? Will we find some future stars of Indian cricket after the end of this tri-series? Interesting times lie ahead. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Rohit Sharma under pressure to pull of Nidahas T20I Tri Series

Bangladesh summoned Myanmar&#39;s ambassador on Thursday over an increased security presence near their border, where thousands of Rohingya Muslims have been sheltering just inside Myanmar, Bangladesh&#39;s foreign ministry said.

The United Nations refugee agency has expressed concern that thousands of people staying on the strip of land, dubbed &quot;no man&rsquo;s land&quot; because it is beyond Myanmar&rsquo;s border fence but on Myanmar&rsquo;s side of a creek that marks the international border, would be forcibly returned without enough care for their safety.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh after insurgent attacks on Aug. 25 sparked a military crackdown that the United Nations has said amounted to ethnic cleansing, with reports of arson attacks, murder and rape.

About 5,300 people had been staying in a makeshift camp on the borderline since late August, but roughly half moved to camps inside Bangladesh after the neighbours met to discuss possible repatriation on Feb. 20.&nbsp;

Several hundred of them have been moved back to the borderline, two border guards said.

On Thursday, Myanmar armed soldiers and police, estimated to number more than 200, came to the border fence and appeared to be moving in heavy weapons, including mortars, said a Bangladesh army official and the two guards, all three of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dil Mohammed, a community leader among the roughly 950 Rohingya families staying at the border, said Myanmar officials used loudspeakers to tell them to move from the area.

An official of Bangladesh&#39;s border guard said Myanmar security forces fired one round on Thursday evening in an apparent attempt to scare those on the border, but no one was injured.

&quot;It looks like they attempted to push the Rohingya people on the zero line to Bangladesh,&quot; Major Iqbal Ahmed told Reuters.

Protest note

The movement of troops so close to the border violated international norms, another Bangladesh border guard official,

Brigadier General Mujibur Rahman, told Reuters.

&quot;We are sending them a protest note. We have already asked for a flag meeting,&quot; said Rahman, the force&#39;s additional director general in charge of operations, referring to a meeting of border guards of both countries.

&quot;They have removed heavy weapons, such as machine guns and mortars, from the area after our verbal protests.&quot;

In Dhaka, the foreign ministry said Acting Foreign Secretary Khurshed Alam had asked Myanmar envoy Lwin Oo to ensure that security forces pulled back from the border, as a military build-up would create confusion in Bangladesh and escalate border tension.

The action could also hamper the agreed repatriation of refugees, the ministry said in a statement, adding that it handed a diplomatic note to the ambassador.

A Myanmar official, Myint Thu, on Friday, confirmed the ambassador&#39;s meeting and said the two countries were &quot;coordinating&quot; on patrolling the border and resolving the issue of those staying there.

Asked about the troop movements, Myint Thu, the permanent secretary at the foreign ministry, said, &quot;This happens due to security concerns.&quot;

He did not elaborate, and also declined to comment on whether Myanmar forces fired shots at the border on Thursday.

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay has said &quot;terrorists&quot; with links to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which had attacked 30 police posts and an army base in August, were sheltering in the border area.

Zaw Htay said he believed people were staying there to put political pressure on the government and &quot;create a situation where Myanmar security forces and government officials will remove them&quot;.

There was no plan to collect information on the people in the border area, Win Kyaing, the permanent secretary at Myanmar&#39;s immigration ministry, said on Friday, but added that the country had set up two reception centres for returnees.

&quot;They stay there illegally,&quot; he said. &quot;They are leaving for Bangladesh in an illegal way.&quot;

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh after insurgent attacks on Aug. 25 sparked a military crackdown that the United Nations has said amounted to ethnic cleansing, with reports of arson attacks, murder and rape.

Bangladesh summoned Myanmar's ambassador on Thursday over an increased security presence near their border, where thousands of Rohingya Muslims have been sheltering just inside Myanmar, Bangladesh's foreign ministry said. The United Nations refugee agency has expressed concern that thousands of people staying on the strip of land, dubbed "no man’s land" because it is beyond Myanmar’s border fence but on Myanmar’s side of a creek that marks the international border, would be forcibly returned without enough care for their safety. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh after insurgent attacks on Aug. 25 sparked a military crackdown that the United Nations has said amounted to ethnic cleansing, with reports of arson attacks, murder and rape. About 5,300 people had been staying in a makeshift camp on the borderline since late August, but roughly half moved to camps inside Bangladesh after the neighbours met to discuss possible repatriation on Feb. 20. Several hundred of them have been moved back to the borderline, two border guards said. On Thursday, Myanmar armed soldiers and police, estimated to number more than 200, came to the border fence and appeared to be moving in heavy weapons, including mortars, said a Bangladesh army official and the two guards, all three of whom spoke on condition of anonymity. Dil Mohammed, a community leader among the roughly 950 Rohingya families staying at the border, said Myanmar officials used loudspeakers to tell them to move from the area. An official of Bangladesh's border guard said Myanmar security forces fired one round on Thursday evening in an apparent attempt to scare those on the border, but no one was injured. "It looks like they attempted to push the Rohingya people on the zero line to Bangladesh," Major Iqbal Ahmed told Reuters. Protest note The movement of troops so close to the border violated international norms, another Bangladesh border guard official, Brigadier General Mujibur Rahman, told Reuters. "We are sending them a protest note. We have already asked for a flag meeting," said Rahman, the force's additional director general in charge of operations, referring to a meeting of border guards of both countries. "They have removed heavy weapons, such as machine guns and mortars, from the area after our verbal protests." In Dhaka, the foreign ministry said Acting Foreign Secretary Khurshed Alam had asked Myanmar envoy Lwin Oo to ensure that security forces pulled back from the border, as a military build-up would create confusion in Bangladesh and escalate border tension. The action could also hamper the agreed repatriation of refugees, the ministry said in a statement, adding that it handed a diplomatic note to the ambassador. A Myanmar official, Myint Thu, on Friday, confirmed the ambassador's meeting and said the two countries were "coordinating" on patrolling the border and resolving the issue of those staying there. Asked about the troop movements, Myint Thu, the permanent secretary at the foreign ministry, said, "This happens due to security concerns." He did not elaborate, and also declined to comment on whether Myanmar forces fired shots at the border on Thursday. Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay has said "terrorists" with links to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which had attacked 30 police posts and an army base in August, were sheltering in the border area. Zaw Htay said he believed people were staying there to put political pressure on the government and "create a situation where Myanmar security forces and government officials will remove them". There was no plan to collect information on the people in the border area, Win Kyaing, the permanent secretary at Myanmar's immigration ministry, said on Friday, but added that the country had set up two reception centres for returnees. "They stay there illegally," he said. "They are leaving for Bangladesh in an illegal way."

Bangladesh protests against Myanmar troops at border where Rohingya shelter

Only 13 per cent of the tiger conservation areas met the global standards of an accreditation system, the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (tiger conservation areas), a new survey of current management methodologies at 112 sites located in 11 tiger-range countries, including India, said.&nbsp;

The survey is the first and largest rapid assessment of site-based tiger conservation across Asia and has been driven by 11 conservation organisations and tiger-range governments that are part of the CA|TS coalition.

Under the accreditation system of CA|TS, tiger conservation areas provide evidence under seven pillars and 17 elements of critical management activity to demonstrate that they meet a range of criteria for effective conservation management.&nbsp;

&quot;To date, three sites &mdash; Lansdowne Forest Division in Uttarakhand, India, Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve in Russia &mdash; have been awarded CA|TS Approved status,&quot; a statement said. The CA|TS was developed in response to the need for stringent conservation procedures for protection of the big cat through a partnership between governments and conservation organisations to assess the levels of effective management, among others. Of the 112 global sites surveyed, only 12.5 per cent was currently able to meet the full CA|TS criteria.

&quot;Half of the assessed sites (52.5 per cent) report fairly strong management, although there are improvements needed. The remaining 35 per cent (the majority of which are in Southeast Asia) have relatively weak management.

&nbsp;&quot;Basic needs such as enforcement of laws against poaching, engaging local communities and managing conflicts between people and wildlife, remain weak for all areas surveyed,&quot; it said. Global Tiger Forum Assistant Secretary General S P Yadav said an ineffective management of tiger conservation areas led to the extinction of tigers from certain areas.

&quot;To halt and reverse the decline of wild tigers, effective management is thus the single most important action. &quot;To achieve this, long-term investment in tiger conservation areas is absolutely essential and this is a responsibility that must be led by the tiger-range governments,? a statement quoted Yadav as saying.&nbsp;

Positive findings highlight the fact that tiger monitoring is being implemented in 87 per cent of the sites and all sites surveyed in South Asian and East Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia have management plans. However, several sites in Southeast Asia, including countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, did not have management plans and about 85 per cent of the sites also had no systems for assessing management effectiveness, it said.

&quot;Despite poaching being one of the greatest threats faced by big cats, 85 per cent of the areas surveyed do not have the staff capacity to patrol the sites effectively and 61 per cent of the areas in Southeast Asia have a very limited anti-poaching enforcement,&quot; it said.

It said low investment from governments in Southeast Asia was one of the reasons for the lack of management of these supposedly &quot;protected areas&quot;. Michael Blazer, chair of the executive committee of CA|TS, said unless governments committed to sustained investments in the protection of these sites, the tiger population might face catastrophic decline that they had suffered over the last few decades. &quot;The accreditation of Lansdowne Forest Division, Uttarakhand, in May 2017, the third CA|TS accredited site globally and the first in India, is significant since it is a crucial link between the Rajaji and Corbett tiger reserves,&quot; said Ravi Singh, secretary general and CEO of WWF-India.

All sites surveyed in South Asian and East Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia have management plans

Only 13 per cent of the tiger conservation areas met the global standards of an accreditation system, the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (tiger conservation areas), a new survey of current management methodologies at 112 sites located in 11 tiger-range countries, including India, said. The survey is the first and largest rapid assessment of site-based tiger conservation across Asia and has been driven by 11 conservation organisations and tiger-range governments that are part of the CA|TS coalition. Under the accreditation system of CA|TS, tiger conservation areas provide evidence under seven pillars and 17 elements of critical management activity to demonstrate that they meet a range of criteria for effective conservation management. "To date, three sites — Lansdowne Forest Division in Uttarakhand, India, Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve in Russia — have been awarded CA|TS Approved status," a statement said. The CA|TS was developed in response to the need for stringent conservation procedures for protection of the big cat through a partnership between governments and conservation organisations to assess the levels of effective management, among others. Of the 112 global sites surveyed, only 12.5 per cent was currently able to meet the full CA|TS criteria. "Half of the assessed sites (52.5 per cent) report fairly strong management, although there are improvements needed. The remaining 35 per cent (the majority of which are in Southeast Asia) have relatively weak management. "Basic needs such as enforcement of laws against poaching, engaging local communities and managing conflicts between people and wildlife, remain weak for all areas surveyed," it said. Global Tiger Forum Assistant Secretary General S P Yadav said an ineffective management of tiger conservation areas led to the extinction of tigers from certain areas. "To halt and reverse the decline of wild tigers, effective management is thus the single most important action. "To achieve this, long-term investment in tiger conservation areas is absolutely essential and this is a responsibility that must be led by the tiger-range governments,? a statement quoted Yadav as saying. Positive findings highlight the fact that tiger monitoring is being implemented in 87 per cent of the sites and all sites surveyed in South Asian and East Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia have management plans. However, several sites in Southeast Asia, including countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, did not have management plans and about 85 per cent of the sites also had no systems for assessing management effectiveness, it said. "Despite poaching being one of the greatest threats faced by big cats, 85 per cent of the areas surveyed do not have the staff capacity to patrol the sites effectively and 61 per cent of the areas in Southeast Asia have a very limited anti-poaching enforcement," it said. It said low investment from governments in Southeast Asia was one of the reasons for the lack of management of these supposedly "protected areas". Michael Blazer, chair of the executive committee of CA|TS, said unless governments committed to sustained investments in the protection of these sites, the tiger population might face catastrophic decline that they had suffered over the last few decades. "The accreditation of Lansdowne Forest Division, Uttarakhand, in May 2017, the third CA|TS accredited site globally and the first in India, is significant since it is a crucial link between the Rajaji and Corbett tiger reserves," said Ravi Singh, secretary general and CEO of WWF-India.

Only 13% of tiger conservation areas meet global standards: Survey

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked India not to worry about Dhaka&rsquo;s growing ties with China, asserting that the cooperation with Beijing was meant only for the country&rsquo;s development. Hasina said her government was only concerned about the development and is ready to cooperate with any country that helps Bangladesh&rsquo;s growth.

&ldquo;We want investment and cooperation from whoever offers it. We want development of the country&hellip;We have to think about our people as they are the beneficiaries of the development,&rdquo; Hasina told a delegation of visiting Indian journalists at her official residence. She said India, China, Japan and even the Middle Eastern countries were coming to Bangladesh for cooperation.

&ldquo;India has nothing to be worried about it,&rdquo; Hasina said. &ldquo;I will (rather) suggest India should have good relations with its neighbours, including Bangladesh, so this region could be developed further and we can show the world that we all work together,&rdquo; she said. Hasina, 70, said Bangladesh and India shared &ldquo;excellent&rdquo; ties and the two countries have set an example of solving problems like maritime and boundary disputes.

&ldquo;If there is any problem, we could solve it through discussions as we did it in the past. We want to build a peaceful South Asia,&rdquo; Hasina said. She said that during her 1996-2001 tenure, the two countries had signed the Ganges water treaty while in her second term maritime and boundary issues were resolved. China has vowed to boost military-to-military relations with Bangladesh by stepping up defence ties, including broadening of personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology.

Earlier, Beijing said it planned to provide Bangladesh with a whopping USD nine billion low-interest loan to build six rail projects including one close to the Indian border. Hasina also sought India&rsquo;s support in repatriation of over a million Rohingyas to Myanmar, fearing that their prolonged stay in Bangladesh could create security risks. &ldquo;We want India to put pressure on Myanmar so they quickly take back their displaced people,&rdquo; she said.

Hasina directed the foreign office to hold a dialogue with five countries, including India, which have borders with Myanmar, hoping that the initiative will help in solving the Rohingya crisis. &ldquo;The monsoon is nearing and keeping the Rohingyas in this way (in makeshift camps) is very risky for Bangladesh as well as for them,&rdquo; she told the journalists.

The journalists from Kolkata and New Delhi are on a visit to Bangladesh to participate in a three-day Bangladesh-India media dialogue.

She said the cooperation with Beijing was meant only for the country’s development

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked India not to worry about Dhaka’s growing ties with China, asserting that the cooperation with Beijing was meant only for the country’s development. Hasina said her government was only concerned about the development and is ready to cooperate with any country that helps Bangladesh’s growth. “We want investment and cooperation from whoever offers it. We want development of the country…We have to think about our people as they are the beneficiaries of the development,” Hasina told a delegation of visiting Indian journalists at her official residence. She said India, China, Japan and even the Middle Eastern countries were coming to Bangladesh for cooperation. “India has nothing to be worried about it,” Hasina said. “I will (rather) suggest India should have good relations with its neighbours, including Bangladesh, so this region could be developed further and we can show the world that we all work together,” she said. Hasina, 70, said Bangladesh and India shared “excellent” ties and the two countries have set an example of solving problems like maritime and boundary disputes. “If there is any problem, we could solve it through discussions as we did it in the past. We want to build a peaceful South Asia,” Hasina said. She said that during her 1996-2001 tenure, the two countries had signed the Ganges water treaty while in her second term maritime and boundary issues were resolved. China has vowed to boost military-to-military relations with Bangladesh by stepping up defence ties, including broadening of personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology. Earlier, Beijing said it planned to provide Bangladesh with a whopping USD nine billion low-interest loan to build six rail projects including one close to the Indian border. Hasina also sought India’s support in repatriation of over a million Rohingyas to Myanmar, fearing that their prolonged stay in Bangladesh could create security risks. “We want India to put pressure on Myanmar so they quickly take back their displaced people,” she said. Hasina directed the foreign office to hold a dialogue with five countries, including India, which have borders with Myanmar, hoping that the initiative will help in solving the Rohingya crisis. “The monsoon is nearing and keeping the Rohingyas in this way (in makeshift camps) is very risky for Bangladesh as well as for them,” she told the journalists. The journalists from Kolkata and New Delhi are on a visit to Bangladesh to participate in a three-day Bangladesh-India media dialogue.

India has nothing to worry about China-Bangladesh ties, says Sheikh Hasina

Calling for continued efforts to scale up health services for nearly 1.3 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh&#39;s Cox&#39;s Bazar, the WHO today said the &quot;vulnerable&quot; people remain at risk of diseases and in need of critical services for survival even though six months have passed since the crisis began.

Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar&#39;s violence-hit Rakhine state to neighbouring Bangladesh in August when the military cracked down against alleged militant outfits of the community.

Though immense efforts have been made by the Bangladesh government and partner agencies to provide health services, prevent diseases such as cholera and rapidly control outbreaks of measles and diphtheria, the challenges are huge, multiple and evolving, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for WHO southeast Asia, said.

&quot;The magnitude of the crisis requires continued efforts and generous contributions by all partners to scale up health services for the vulnerable population,&quot; Singh said.

According to a WHO statement, an estimated 688,000 Rohingya people crossed over to Cox&#39;s Bazar from Myanmar beginning August 25, 2017, joining nearly 212,500 others who arrived earlier, in one of the largest population movement in the shortest span.

While majority of the refugees are living in Kutapalong and Balukhali mega camps and 11 other clusters of small and big settlements, about 79,000 are living with the host population.

The health needs of this population continue to be immense. Women and young mothers need reproductive health services, Singh said.

The statement stated that an estimated 60,000 children are expected to be born in the camps in the next one year.

Besides newborns, pregnant and young mothers, children, adults and the elderly need basic health services and that for injuries, trauma and various non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and importantly, psychosocial support.

&quot;Water and sanitation, and shelter continue to be far from optimum, increasing the risk of rapid spread of several communicable and water-borne diseases,&quot; the regional director said, stressing the need to accelerate efforts to address the key determinants of health on a priority.

For keeping a close watch on the situation, WHO established the Early Warning and Response System (EWARS), early as the crisis started, to rapidly detect and respond to disease outbreak to minimise death and disease.

Additionally, WHO has been periodically carrying out risk assessments to enable Ministry of Health and partners take measures to detect potential health risks and take timely and appropriate measures. &nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

An estimated 688,000 Rohingya people crossed over to Cox's Bazar from Myanmar beginning August 25, 2017

Calling for continued efforts to scale up health services for nearly 1.3 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, the WHO today said the "vulnerable" people remain at risk of diseases and in need of critical services for survival even though six months have passed since the crisis began. Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's violence-hit Rakhine state to neighbouring Bangladesh in August when the military cracked down against alleged militant outfits of the community. Though immense efforts have been made by the Bangladesh government and partner agencies to provide health services, prevent diseases such as cholera and rapidly control outbreaks of measles and diphtheria, the challenges are huge, multiple and evolving, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for WHO southeast Asia, said. "The magnitude of the crisis requires continued efforts and generous contributions by all partners to scale up health services for the vulnerable population," Singh said. According to a WHO statement, an estimated 688,000 Rohingya people crossed over to Cox's Bazar from Myanmar beginning August 25, 2017, joining nearly 212,500 others who arrived earlier, in one of the largest population movement in the shortest span. While majority of the refugees are living in Kutapalong and Balukhali mega camps and 11 other clusters of small and big settlements, about 79,000 are living with the host population. The health needs of this population continue to be immense. Women and young mothers need reproductive health services, Singh said. The statement stated that an estimated 60,000 children are expected to be born in the camps in the next one year. Besides newborns, pregnant and young mothers, children, adults and the elderly need basic health services and that for injuries, trauma and various non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and importantly, psychosocial support. "Water and sanitation, and shelter continue to be far from optimum, increasing the risk of rapid spread of several communicable and water-borne diseases," the regional director said, stressing the need to accelerate efforts to address the key determinants of health on a priority. For keeping a close watch on the situation, WHO established the Early Warning and Response System (EWARS), early as the crisis started, to rapidly detect and respond to disease outbreak to minimise death and disease. Additionally, WHO has been periodically carrying out risk assessments to enable Ministry of Health and partners take measures to detect potential health risks and take timely and appropriate measures.

Urgent need to scale up health services in Cox's Bazar: WHO

There are three types of Islam, the first is the false Islam laid by the Islamic militants. The second is the Arabism which is followed particularly in the Middle East. And the third is the one followed in the nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, etc. where Muslims keep a balance between regional culture and teachings of Prophet.&nbsp;

Barring India, this third type of secular Islam seems to be replaced by the Arabism. Even in Bangladesh, a state formed on regionalism, political observers opinioned about the sudden rise of fanaticism across the nation. The state seems to have forgotten the ethos laid by their founding fathers. There are three pieces of evidence which justify that there is a rise in religious extremism across Bangladesh.

The first evidence is the existence of militant organizations which want to rule the lingual nation under Shira law. The political analysts fear the existence of organisations like ISIS in Bangladesh. ISIS claimed the Dhaka Airport bomb attack which took toll of about 20 people. But the state government blamed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, a local terror outfit, for the inhuman massacre. The Awami League also accused the opposition - &nbsp;Bangladesh Nationalist Party - of lending support to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen for destabilizing peace. Apart from this brutal and inhuman attack, the organization is said to have detonated 500 bombs at 300 different locations causing various casualties across the nation. The Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen is also said to kill seculars, atheists, ideologues, journalists and religious minorities. This inhuman stupidity is happening right under the nose of secular Prime Minister Hasina.

The second instance which justifies that secularism is under axe in Bangladesh is the sudden rise in Arab-Islamic presence in Bangladesh. The rise in Arabic element started when Arab-based funders used to give donations to Madarsas in rural parts. Nowadays there is some fantasy for learning the Arabic language among some youths. The government allowed since it helped to remove stress on the fiscal expenditure. The non&ndash;Muslim allies of the deltaic nation also missed the chance to stop this unwanted shift from modernity. As I said earlier, Bengali first Muslim next state seems to go Muslim first Bengali next state.

Another drama which proves that there is a rise in religious extremism in the nation is the Rohingya issue. This sensitive issue was actually a high potential drama in our neighbouring Bangladesh. The Islamic outfits including Jamaat-e-Islami threatened PM Hasina that they would call hartals if Rohingya refugees are not rehabilitated in Bangladesh. These jobless leaders consider Rohingya as their kind and they want Bangladeshi government to protect them at any cost. It is said that Sheikh Hasina doesn&rsquo;t really want to lend those refugees help since Bangladesh is itself a poverty-hit nation. Fearing those stupid leaders she is wasting the resources meant for infrastructure and poverty alleviation to help those people who are the responsibility of Myanmar. The people are not considering the lingual context of Rohingyas but they want to help them for only one fact that they are Muslims.

After the arrest of strong opposition leader and former PM Khaleda Jia, it is indicative that Hasina will play one person role in Bangladesh politics even after strong anti-incumbency since 2009.It is indicative that ruling party is playing vindictive in the arrest of Jia and her associates, thus decimating the political opposition.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Since there is no presence of strong opposition, Hasina will win this election due at the end of this year, but during next elections, if BNP remains inert in jail, the possibility of religious outfit entering their politics strongly can&rsquo;t be overruled. Another political trend dictates that there is fall in the activism of socialist parties like Jatiyo Samajtantrik party and the activism of Right-wing parties like Jamaat-e-Islami party and the Islami Oikyo Jote is in a good position since Rohingya issue. Thus, not only on the ground but religion is featuring its extremity in politics as well. This is only because of the dictatorial mood of Hasina.

Hasina might be considering politics cakewalk today, but tomorrow she might fight someone more despicable and the despicable faction may win. Sheikh Hasina may fight corruption and poverty by her authoritarian principles but she must learn that she can never control fanaticism by one party principle.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

One person play of Sheikh Hasina won’t be a solution for religious extremism in Bangladesh. She must learn that she can never control fanaticism by her authoritarian principles.

There are three types of Islam, the first is the false Islam laid by the Islamic militants. The second is the Arabism which is followed particularly in the Middle East. And the third is the one followed in the nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, etc. where Muslims keep a balance between regional culture and teachings of Prophet. Barring India, this third type of secular Islam seems to be replaced by the Arabism. Even in Bangladesh, a state formed on regionalism, political observers opinioned about the sudden rise of fanaticism across the nation. The state seems to have forgotten the ethos laid by their founding fathers. There are three pieces of evidence which justify that there is a rise in religious extremism across Bangladesh. The first evidence is the existence of militant organizations which want to rule the lingual nation under Shira law. The political analysts fear the existence of organisations like ISIS in Bangladesh. ISIS claimed the Dhaka Airport bomb attack which took toll of about 20 people. But the state government blamed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, a local terror outfit, for the inhuman massacre. The Awami League also accused the opposition - Bangladesh Nationalist Party - of lending support to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen for destabilizing peace. Apart from this brutal and inhuman attack, the organization is said to have detonated 500 bombs at 300 different locations causing various casualties across the nation. The Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen is also said to kill seculars, atheists, ideologues, journalists and religious minorities. This inhuman stupidity is happening right under the nose of secular Prime Minister Hasina. The second instance which justifies that secularism is under axe in Bangladesh is the sudden rise in Arab-Islamic presence in Bangladesh. The rise in Arabic element started when Arab-based funders used to give donations to Madarsas in rural parts. Nowadays there is some fantasy for learning the Arabic language among some youths. The government allowed since it helped to remove stress on the fiscal expenditure. The non–Muslim allies of the deltaic nation also missed the chance to stop this unwanted shift from modernity. As I said earlier, Bengali first Muslim next state seems to go Muslim first Bengali next state. Another drama which proves that there is a rise in religious extremism in the nation is the Rohingya issue. This sensitive issue was actually a high potential drama in our neighbouring Bangladesh. The Islamic outfits including Jamaat-e-Islami threatened PM Hasina that they would call hartals if Rohingya refugees are not rehabilitated in Bangladesh. These jobless leaders consider Rohingya as their kind and they want Bangladeshi government to protect them at any cost. It is said that Sheikh Hasina doesn’t really want to lend those refugees help since Bangladesh is itself a poverty-hit nation. Fearing those stupid leaders she is wasting the resources meant for infrastructure and poverty alleviation to help those people who are the responsibility of Myanmar. The people are not considering the lingual context of Rohingyas but they want to help them for only one fact that they are Muslims. After the arrest of strong opposition leader and former PM Khaleda Jia, it is indicative that Hasina will play one person role in Bangladesh politics even after strong anti-incumbency since 2009.It is indicative that ruling party is playing vindictive in the arrest of Jia and her associates, thus decimating the political opposition. Since there is no presence of strong opposition, Hasina will win this election due at the end of this year, but during next elections, if BNP remains inert in jail, the possibility of religious outfit entering their politics strongly can’t be overruled. Another political trend dictates that there is fall in the activism of socialist parties like Jatiyo Samajtantrik party and the activism of Right-wing parties like Jamaat-e-Islami party and the Islami Oikyo Jote is in a good position since Rohingya issue. Thus, not only on the ground but religion is featuring its extremity in politics as well. This is only because of the dictatorial mood of Hasina. Hasina might be considering politics cakewalk today, but tomorrow she might fight someone more despicable and the despicable faction may win. Sheikh Hasina may fight corruption and poverty by her authoritarian principles but she must learn that she can never control fanaticism by one party principle. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Sheikh Hasina's dictatorial attitude leading to religious extremism in Bangladesh

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-questions-rotomac-owner-vikram-kothari-freezes-14-bank-accounts-33505" target="_blank">CBI questions Rotomac owner Vikram </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-questions-rotomac-owner-vikram-kothari-freezes-14-bank-accounts-33505" target="_blank">Kothari,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-questions-rotomac-owner-vikram-kothari-freezes-14-bank-accounts-33505" target="_blank"> freezes 14 bank accounts</a>

The Income&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364">Tax Department has attached 14 bank</a>&nbsp;accounts of Rotomac which belong to various banks&nbsp;as the CBI grilled the owner Vikram Kothari today. Reports said three accounts belong to Vikram Kothari and his family.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-stock-exchange-approves-chinas-bid-rejects-india-33511" target="_blank">Bangladesh stock exchange approves China&#39;s bid, rejects India</a>

China has emerged<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-india-china-battle-in-bangladesh-stock-exchange-32913">&nbsp;as the winner against India in the</a>&nbsp;battle for supremacy in the Bangladesh stock exchange. After reports of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/want-to-deepen-ties-with-china-to-gain-greater-leverage-with-india-nepals-oli-33440">&nbsp;India and China putting up bids in the&nbsp;</a>Bangladesh stock exchange took everyone by surprise, an official told AFP that Bangladesh has agreed to sell a large stake to a Chinese consortium, disregarding India&#39;s bid.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/breakdown-of-governance-say-ias-officers-after-delhi-chief-secretary-alleges-assault-by-aap-mlas-33465" target="_blank">&#39;Breakdown of governance,&#39; say IAS officers after Delhi Chief Secretary alleges assault by AAP MLAs</a>

A massive political firestorm erupted over Delhi Tuesday after the chief secretary alleged that he had been assaulted by AAP MLAs at the chief minister&#39;s residence.&nbsp;The Aam Aadmi Party has called Anshu Prakash&#39;s allegation &quot;ludicrous&quot;, adding that he was acting on the BJP&#39;s behest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/three-killed-in-blast-in-afghan-city-jalalabad-33494">Three killed in blast in Afghan city Jalalabad</a>

&nbsp;An explosion killed at least three tribal elders and wounded two when it hit a hotel in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Tuesday, officials said. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-will-lay-siege-to-syrias-afrin-in-coming-days-erdogan-33487" target="_blank">Turkey will lay siege to Syria&#39;s Afrin in coming days: Erdogan</a>

Turkey will lay siege to Afrin in northern Syria after launching an offensive against Kurdish militia in the region last month, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

CBI questions Rotomac owner Vikram Kothari, freezes 14 bank accounts The Income Tax Department has attached 14 bank accounts of Rotomac which belong to various banks as the CBI grilled the owner Vikram Kothari today. Reports said three accounts belong to Vikram Kothari and his family. Bangladesh stock exchange approves China's bid, rejects India China has emerged as the winner against India in the battle for supremacy in the Bangladesh stock exchange. After reports of India and China putting up bids in the Bangladesh stock exchange took everyone by surprise, an official told AFP that Bangladesh has agreed to sell a large stake to a Chinese consortium, disregarding India's bid. 'Breakdown of governance,' say IAS officers after Delhi Chief Secretary alleges assault by AAP MLAs A massive political firestorm erupted over Delhi Tuesday after the chief secretary alleged that he had been assaulted by AAP MLAs at the chief minister's residence. The Aam Aadmi Party has called Anshu Prakash's allegation "ludicrous", adding that he was acting on the BJP's behest. Three killed in blast in Afghan city Jalalabad An explosion killed at least three tribal elders and wounded two when it hit a hotel in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Tuesday, officials said. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Turkey will lay siege to Syria's Afrin in coming days: Erdogan Turkey will lay siege to Afrin in northern Syria after launching an offensive against Kurdish militia in the region last month, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

WION Evening News brief, February 20, 2018

Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said.

&quot;It is about taking them back to Myanmar,&quot; Relief and Refugee Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam, told Reuters on Monday. &quot;They are on the zero line and actually on the Myanmar side.&quot;&nbsp;

However, several officials contacted in neighbouring Myanmar said they were not aware of plans for a meeting, which Kalam said would take place on the &quot;zero line&quot; near a place called Gundum.

A spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which will not be involved in the talks, said the agency was concerned the Rohingya may be forcibly returned to Myanmar without due consideration for their safety.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar&#39;s Rakhine state and crossed into Bangladesh since last August, when attacks on security posts by insurgents triggered a military crackdown that the United Nations has said amounts to ethnic cleansing, with reports of arson attacks, murder and rape.

Buddhist-majority Myanmar denied the charge and says its security forces are fighting a legitimate campaign against &quot;terrorists&quot; it blames for the attacks on the security forces.

The vast majority of Rohingya who fled are in camps at Cox&#39;s Bazar on the southern tip of Bangladesh, but several thousand who arrived in a buffer zone along the border are now stuck.&nbsp;

Bangladesh security forces have been instructed not to let these Rohingya cross the border, and many of them have said they would rather stay there to avoid becoming refugees in Bangladesh.

The no-mans land, which is about the size of 40 soccer pitches, used to be an area of paddy fields but is now dotted with the tarpaulin and bamboo shacks of displaced Rohingya.

No timeline for returns&nbsp;

&quot;We are concerned about the reports of pressures directed at this group of people at the border,&quot; said Caroline Gluck, UNHCR Senior Public Information Officer at Cox`s Bazar.&nbsp;

&quot;People who fled violence and discrimination in Myanmar should not be forced to return against their will,&quot; she told Reuters in a message sent on Saturday.

Bangladesh&#39;s Kalam said there was no timeline for repatriations, that anyone going back must do so voluntarily and that Myanmar must provide a safe environment for their return.

&quot;We cannot send them forcibly,&quot; he said.

Most Burmese consider the Rohingya as unwanted immigrants from Bangladesh, and the army refers to them as &quot;Bengalis&quot;.

Myanmar has said it will accept back people holding &quot;national verification&quot; registration cards. This card, which falls short of offering citizenship, has been rejected by Rohingya community leaders who say it treats life-long residents like new immigrants.

A leader of the Rohingya group in the buffer zone, Dil Mohammed, told Reuters in a text message: &quot;Our no-man&#39;s land camp demands are that there must be a safe return, we need security and all basic rights, including citizenship.&quot;

He said the group would never accept the national verification card, that its members must be allowed to return to their own homes, paid compensation for losses and damage, and provided with protection from a UN&nbsp;mission.

Gluck said the UNHCR was concerned that conditions in Rakhine state were not yet safe for voluntary returns, adding, &quot;We urge both governments to ensure that any return is based on informed consent and takes place in safety and dignity.&quot;&nbsp;

Buddhist-majority Myanmar denied the charge and says its security forces are fighting a legitimate campaign against 'terrorists'

Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said. "It is about taking them back to Myanmar," Relief and Refugee Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam, told Reuters on Monday. "They are on the zero line and actually on the Myanmar side." However, several officials contacted in neighbouring Myanmar said they were not aware of plans for a meeting, which Kalam said would take place on the "zero line" near a place called Gundum. A spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which will not be involved in the talks, said the agency was concerned the Rohingya may be forcibly returned to Myanmar without due consideration for their safety. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state and crossed into Bangladesh since last August, when attacks on security posts by insurgents triggered a military crackdown that the United Nations has said amounts to ethnic cleansing, with reports of arson attacks, murder and rape. Buddhist-majority Myanmar denied the charge and says its security forces are fighting a legitimate campaign against "terrorists" it blames for the attacks on the security forces. The vast majority of Rohingya who fled are in camps at Cox's Bazar on the southern tip of Bangladesh, but several thousand who arrived in a buffer zone along the border are now stuck. Bangladesh security forces have been instructed not to let these Rohingya cross the border, and many of them have said they would rather stay there to avoid becoming refugees in Bangladesh. The no-mans land, which is about the size of 40 soccer pitches, used to be an area of paddy fields but is now dotted with the tarpaulin and bamboo shacks of displaced Rohingya. No timeline for returns "We are concerned about the reports of pressures directed at this group of people at the border," said Caroline Gluck, UNHCR Senior Public Information Officer at Cox`s Bazar. "People who fled violence and discrimination in Myanmar should not be forced to return against their will," she told Reuters in a message sent on Saturday. Bangladesh's Kalam said there was no timeline for repatriations, that anyone going back must do so voluntarily and that Myanmar must provide a safe environment for their return. "We cannot send them forcibly," he said. Most Burmese consider the Rohingya as unwanted immigrants from Bangladesh, and the army refers to them as "Bengalis". Myanmar has said it will accept back people holding "national verification" registration cards. This card, which falls short of offering citizenship, has been rejected by Rohingya community leaders who say it treats life-long residents like new immigrants. A leader of the Rohingya group in the buffer zone, Dil Mohammed, told Reuters in a text message: "Our no-man's land camp demands are that there must be a safe return, we need security and all basic rights, including citizenship." He said the group would never accept the national verification card, that its members must be allowed to return to their own homes, paid compensation for losses and damage, and provided with protection from a UN mission. Gluck said the UNHCR was concerned that conditions in Rakhine state were not yet safe for voluntary returns, adding, "We urge both governments to ensure that any return is based on informed consent and takes place in safety and dignity."

Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-top-gitanjali-gems-officials-quit-33382" target="_blank">PNB scam: Amid nationwide raids, top Gitanjali Gems officials quit</a>

Senior management officials at Gitanjali Gems have called it quits. In a regulatory filing on Monday, the company revealed that CFO Chandrakant Karkare, company&rsquo;s vice-president (compliance) and a company secretary have resigned.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/priya-prakash-varrier-moves-supreme-court-against-case-filed-against-oru-adaar-love-33377" target="_blank">Priya Prakash Varrier moves Supreme Court over case filed against Oru </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/priya-prakash-varrier-moves-supreme-court-against-case-filed-against-oru-adaar-love-33377" target="_blank">Adaar</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/priya-prakash-varrier-moves-supreme-court-against-case-filed-against-oru-adaar-love-33377" target="_blank"> Love</a>

Actor<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-priya-prakash-varrier-wants-to-work-with-shah-rukh-khan-ranveer-singh-32852">&nbsp;Priya Prakash Varrier and director Omar Lulu&nbsp;have filed a plea</a>&nbsp;in Supreme Court over the case registered against her film &quot;Oru Adaar Love&quot;&nbsp;in Telangana.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364" target="_blank">CBI registers case against </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364" target="_blank">Rotomac</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364" target="_blank"> directors for cheating seven banks</a>

The Central&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/case-of-loan-default-not-fraud-vikram-kotharis-lawyer-33359">Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has</a>&nbsp;registered a case against Rotomac directors alleging that the conspirators cheated seven banks by syphoning off bank loans worth Rs 2,919 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-says-to-meet-with-myanmar-on-rohingya-trapped-at-border-33378" target="_blank">Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border</a>

Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-cannot-confirm-wreckage-found-in-search-operation-of-crashed-plane-33379" target="_blank">Cannot confirm &#39;wreckage&#39; found in search operation of crashed plane: Iran</a>

The Iran aviation authorities have not confirmed the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/wethevoice/remains-of-iranian-passenger-plane-found-in-central-iran-reports-33375" target="_blank">&nbsp;wreckage of the Iranian plane</a>&nbsp;that was found in the search operation on Monday.&nbsp; The confirmation was released by Iran`s Civil Aviation Organisation few minutes after the&nbsp;deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said to a state media&nbsp;that the remains of the planes were&nbsp;found in Central Iran.&nbsp;

PNB scam: Amid nationwide raids, top Gitanjali Gems officials quit Senior management officials at Gitanjali Gems have called it quits. In a regulatory filing on Monday, the company revealed that CFO Chandrakant Karkare, company’s vice-president (compliance) and a company secretary have resigned. Priya Prakash Varrier moves Supreme Court over case filed against Oru Adaar Love Actor Priya Prakash Varrier and director Omar Lulu have filed a plea in Supreme Court over the case registered against her film "Oru Adaar Love" in Telangana. CBI registers case against Rotomac directors for cheating seven banks The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has registered a case against Rotomac directors alleging that the conspirators cheated seven banks by syphoning off bank loans worth Rs 2,919 crore. Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said. Cannot confirm 'wreckage' found in search operation of crashed plane: Iran The Iran aviation authorities have not confirmed the wreckage of the Iranian plane that was found in the search operation on Monday. The confirmation was released by Iran`s Civil Aviation Organisation few minutes after the deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said to a state media that the remains of the planes were found in Central Iran.

WION Evening News brief, February 19, 2018

A jailed Khaleda Zia is more popular than a free one. The ruling party may have made a strategic mistake by sending the former prime minister and leader of the country&#39;s largest opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to jail.

Bangladesh is less than a year away from the 11th parliamentary elections. Analysts in Bangladesh say that between the two Begums, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is more politically sound than her nemesis Khaleda Zia but Zia&#39;s only card to return to power is sympathy.&nbsp;

The ruling party may have just given that to her by implicating her on charges of embezzling charity funds of more than 20 million Bangladeshi takas (USD 252,000).

Subsequently, a special court in Dhaka on February 8 sent Zia to jail for five years. Five others including her son Tarique Rahman have been given 10 years jail terms in the same case.

BNP leaders say the charges are false and politically motivated to restrain her from contesting in the elections. The BNP and its alliances have engaged in movements across the country demanding the release of the former prime minister.&nbsp;

BNP&#39;s boycott of the 2014 elections has put the party in an existential crisis after the government sent activists and senior leaders of the party to jail on charges of political violence. Subsequently, some of the leaders resigned from the party while others have failed to stir a political campaign or movement in fear of arrests.&nbsp;

The rightwing party founded by General Ziaur Rahman, husband of Khaleda Zia, will be led by their son Tarique Rahman, who has been staying in London to avoid arrest in Dhaka.

For BNP the upcoming elections will be crucial for its existence but the ruling party will make sure that it has a clear passage to retain the government.&nbsp;

In 2014 the international community criticised the Awami League for holding a controversial election without the participation of key opposition. There was speculation that an interim election was inevitable. But Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina&#39;s government proved those speculations wrong.

This time it has become much stronger. The government has strengthened its relationship with both China and India - the two influential economies in South Asia - through economic and bilateral cooperation.&nbsp;

The Awami League has secured Chinese financial assistance of $24 billion in October 2016, becoming the largest financial contributor to Bangladesh. Within its two consecutive tenure since 2008, the party has also secured three lines of credits from India worth $8 billion including a defence cooperation deal worth $500 million.

All of these would have a bearing in the coming elections and while the Awami League really has courted the ball all the way, the opposition may just have found a cue.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is more politically sound than her nemesis Khaleda Zia but Zia's only card to return to power is sympathy.

A jailed Khaleda Zia is more popular than a free one. The ruling party may have made a strategic mistake by sending the former prime minister and leader of the country's largest opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to jail. Bangladesh is less than a year away from the 11th parliamentary elections. Analysts in Bangladesh say that between the two Begums, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is more politically sound than her nemesis Khaleda Zia but Zia's only card to return to power is sympathy. The ruling party may have just given that to her by implicating her on charges of embezzling charity funds of more than 20 million Bangladeshi takas (USD 252,000). Subsequently, a special court in Dhaka on February 8 sent Zia to jail for five years. Five others including her son Tarique Rahman have been given 10 years jail terms in the same case. BNP leaders say the charges are false and politically motivated to restrain her from contesting in the elections. The BNP and its alliances have engaged in movements across the country demanding the release of the former prime minister. BNP's boycott of the 2014 elections has put the party in an existential crisis after the government sent activists and senior leaders of the party to jail on charges of political violence. Subsequently, some of the leaders resigned from the party while others have failed to stir a political campaign or movement in fear of arrests. The rightwing party founded by General Ziaur Rahman, husband of Khaleda Zia, will be led by their son Tarique Rahman, who has been staying in London to avoid arrest in Dhaka. For BNP the upcoming elections will be crucial for its existence but the ruling party will make sure that it has a clear passage to retain the government. In 2014 the international community criticised the Awami League for holding a controversial election without the participation of key opposition. There was speculation that an interim election was inevitable. But Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina's government proved those speculations wrong. This time it has become much stronger. The government has strengthened its relationship with both China and India - the two influential economies in South Asia - through economic and bilateral cooperation. The Awami League has secured Chinese financial assistance of $24 billion in October 2016, becoming the largest financial contributor to Bangladesh. Within its two consecutive tenure since 2008, the party has also secured three lines of credits from India worth $8 billion including a defence cooperation deal worth $500 million. All of these would have a bearing in the coming elections and while the Awami League really has courted the ball all the way, the opposition may just have found a cue. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: A jailed Khaleda Zia is more popular than a free one

India and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/relations-between-india-and-china-to-remain-tenseus-intelligence-chief-32776">China put up bids </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/relations-between-india-and-china-to-remain-tenseus-intelligence-chief-32776">in</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/relations-between-india-and-china-to-remain-tenseus-intelligence-chief-32776"> the Dhaka Stock Exchange</a> (DSE) as the struggle for supremacy in South Asia took a new turn in the Bangladesh stock exchange.

The bids immediately <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-dismisses-nasheeds-charges-of-land-grabbing-as-ridiculous-fabrications-32750">became the centre of controversy as</a> India&#39;s National Stock Exchange had offered 15 taka ($0.18) per share for a 25 per cent stake and China&#39;s Shanghai and Shenzen stock exchanges made a joint higher bid of 22 taka ($0.26) per share, or $122 million.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) chief executive Majedur Rahman confirmed the bids to AFP.

The Chinese bid also offered &quot;technical support worth nearly $37 million&quot;, however, Bangladesh&#39;s financial regulators rejected the Chinese bid.

&quot;The BSEC (Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission) declined to give the order to go ahead,&quot; an official told AFP on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

Saifur Rahman told AFP it could &quot;always override the exchange&#39;s decisions&quot;.

&quot;No final conclusion has been drawn yet. The auction process is still at an early stage,&quot; he said.

Bangladesh has become an important strategic centre for both China and India with both President Xi and PM Modi having visited the country in the last two years.

President Xi signed deals worth more than $20 billion in 2016 with PM Modi who is believed to be at good terms with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has given large credits to the country and approved multi-billion dollar infrastructure contracts for its &quot;natural neighbour&quot;.

According to reports, the combined market capitalisation of companies listed on the Dhaka stock exchange is over $40 billion.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) chief executive Majedur Rahman confirmed the bids to AFP.

India and China put up bids in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) as the struggle for supremacy in South Asia took a new turn in the Bangladesh stock exchange. The bids immediately became the centre of controversy as India's National Stock Exchange had offered 15 taka ($0.18) per share for a 25 per cent stake and China's Shanghai and Shenzen stock exchanges made a joint higher bid of 22 taka ($0.26) per share, or $122 million. Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) chief executive Majedur Rahman confirmed the bids to AFP. The Chinese bid also offered "technical support worth nearly $37 million", however, Bangladesh's financial regulators rejected the Chinese bid. "The BSEC (Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission) declined to give the order to go ahead," an official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Saifur Rahman told AFP it could "always override the exchange's decisions". "No final conclusion has been drawn yet. The auction process is still at an early stage," he said. Bangladesh has become an important strategic centre for both China and India with both President Xi and PM Modi having visited the country in the last two years. President Xi signed deals worth more than $20 billion in 2016 with PM Modi who is believed to be at good terms with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has given large credits to the country and approved multi-billion dollar infrastructure contracts for its "natural neighbour". According to reports, the combined market capitalisation of companies listed on the Dhaka stock exchange is over $40 billion.

Now, India, China battle in Bangladesh stock exchange

UN High Commissioner for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-urges-un-to-hold-myanmar-military-accountable-for-ethnic-cleansing-32784">Refugees Filippo Grandi informed the</a> Security Council on Tuesday that Myanmar has failed to put in place conditions for the safe return of Rohingyas.

&quot;Let me be clear: conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees,&quot; the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said.

Grandi statement comes as US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the Myanmar government has denied &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot; in Rakhine State.

&quot;The causes of their flight have not been addressed, and we have yet to see substantive progress on addressing the exclusion and denial of rights that has deepened over the last decades, rooted in their lack of citizenship,&quot; Grandi told the Security Council.

The UN refugee chief said that while Rohingyas&#39; exodus had significantly decreased, however, the &quot;flow&quot;&nbsp;continued as some 1,500 refugees arrived in Bangladesh this month.

The UN predicts over 8,50,000 Rohingyas have crossed over to Bangladesh since August 25th last year ever since the Myanmar Army allegedly started persecuting them.

Bangladesh had reached a deal with Myanmar in December last year to repatriate nearly 700,000 Rohingyas but reports said several refugees did not wish to return without guarantees of safety.

Meanwhile, French UN ambassador Francois Delattre told the United Nations Security Council that the massacre of Rohingyas &quot;could constitute crimes against humanity.&quot;

French UN ambassador Francois Delattre told the United Nations Security Council that the massacre of Rohingyas "could constitute crimes against humanity."

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi informed the Security Council on Tuesday that Myanmar has failed to put in place conditions for the safe return of Rohingyas. "Let me be clear: conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees," the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said. Grandi statement comes as US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the Myanmar government has denied "ethnic cleansing" in Rakhine State. "The causes of their flight have not been addressed, and we have yet to see substantive progress on addressing the exclusion and denial of rights that has deepened over the last decades, rooted in their lack of citizenship," Grandi told the Security Council. The UN refugee chief said that while Rohingyas' exodus had significantly decreased, however, the "flow" continued as some 1,500 refugees arrived in Bangladesh this month. The UN predicts over 8,50,000 Rohingyas have crossed over to Bangladesh since August 25th last year ever since the Myanmar Army allegedly started persecuting them. Bangladesh had reached a deal with Myanmar in December last year to repatriate nearly 700,000 Rohingyas but reports said several refugees did not wish to return without guarantees of safety. Meanwhile, French UN ambassador Francois Delattre told the United Nations Security Council that the massacre of Rohingyas "could constitute crimes against humanity."

Conditions not conducive for voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

On the 8th of this month Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who was two-term PM and first woman in Bangladesh to hold the office, was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment for embezzling over Tk 21 million ($252,000) from foreign donations intended for a charity named after the former President Ziaur Rahman, Khalida Zia&#39;s husband, by a special court based in Dhaka. Not only Zia, but her son Tarique Rahman was sentenced for 10 years in the same case.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BNP and ruling Awami League are two large political parties in Bangladesh. It is with great anguish that I watch how the number of opposition politicians is steadily reducing in numbers and it is possible that ruling Awami League is behind it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Earlier, Abdul Kadar Mollah of Jamat-e-Islami was executed in 2013 on the charges of mass murder during the Bangladesh liberation movement. Jamat-e-Islami was the third largest political party in Bangladesh as per its institutional strength. The party was broken after Mollah was executed. With Khaleda Zia behind bars and Kadar Mollah executed, it leaves the ruling Awami League as the only large political front.

&nbsp;

The decimation of the Opposition has led many to question whether the Awami League is purposefully seeing through the punishments meted out to its main opposition figures. Another way of looking at it would be to check whether Awami League helped to embolden Democracy in Bangladesh or not.

&nbsp;

Earlier, a caretaker government used to be appointed during the crucial election process. This caretaker government which was earlier headed by the chief justice ensured a neutral poll process. This commitment to neutral government died as Sheikh Hasina returned to the power. In 2011, Hasina abolished the caretaker government system, citing that they can&#39;t allow unelected people to oversee national elections. The 2014 general elections were boycotted by Zia&rsquo;s BNP and Jamat-e-Islami and other opposition leaders, citing cheating done by Awami League.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The 2015 municipal polls were a blot on Bangladesh&#39;s face. Journalists covering the election witnessed the Awami League workers taking control of major electoral booth. The dismay with the situation was expressed by international figures, including the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The incident of Swedish envoy being heckled near a booth was also condemned worldwide.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

PM Hasina&#39;s Awami League seems to hold on to power by pulling down the opposition rather than recourse the rough climb to power. This crab-like the behaviour of Bangladesh&#39;s prime minister is condemnable as she is competing with Zia in a negative manner.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As far as the February 8 judgement is concerned, which gave prison to Khaleda Zia, there are glaring discrepancies. Firstly, according to Surendra Kumar Sinha, the former Chief Justice of Bangladesh, only the Supreme Court is reliable and independent court in Bangladesh. It is the only institution which is free from executive pressure. He told the dark fact that 80% of lower courts are not under the purview of Supreme Court. Even the Pakistan judiciary is better than its Bangladeshi counterpart. The 16th Constitutional Amendment added fuel to the fire. This ammendment allows the parliament to impeach any High Court judge with a 2/3 majority. This parliament is currently occupied by Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League.

&nbsp;

Zia&#39;s trial took in a special court based in Dhaka, which according to the former Chief Justice&#39;s logic, the judgment is possibly not given by an independent judicial body The claim of BNP that the judicial trial is politically motivated needs to be investigated thoroughly.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is said that Hasina is good friend of India. Her father took steps to improve the bilateral ties when Indira Gandhi was India&#39;s prime minister and Hasina took some measures with Manmohan Singh and Modi as well. But what is the use of being the best friend of India who is killing democracy in her own home? If Hasina wants to befriend India then she must befriend the ideology of democracy which kept India alive these years.

&nbsp;

A democracy without political opposition to the government is unimaginable for Indians. Unfortunately, our neighbours don&rsquo;t share a similar fate. In Nepal, we have only opposition no government! In Myanmar, the democracy is shared with the military junta. Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan have democracy but excessively influenced by Chinese aggression. And here in Bangladesh, we have a democracy without any opposition.

&nbsp;

The reason is, the journalists in those nations are sleeping. Or they might have been purchased.

&nbsp;

I want to request all the journalists in every country to ensure the safety of their democracy since it is their duty to do it. Especially, I want to say to every Bangladeshi journalist to wake up please,&nbsp; to think of the next generation which will want to experience the ultimate pleasure of democracy and freedom.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

The decimation of the Opposition leaders has led many to question whether the Awami League is purposefully seeing through the punishments meted out to its main opposition figures.

On the 8th of this month Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who was two-term PM and first woman in Bangladesh to hold the office, was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment for embezzling over Tk 21 million ($252,000) from foreign donations intended for a charity named after the former President Ziaur Rahman, Khalida Zia's husband, by a special court based in Dhaka. Not only Zia, but her son Tarique Rahman was sentenced for 10 years in the same case. BNP and ruling Awami League are two large political parties in Bangladesh. It is with great anguish that I watch how the number of opposition politicians is steadily reducing in numbers and it is possible that ruling Awami League is behind it. Earlier, Abdul Kadar Mollah of Jamat-e-Islami was executed in 2013 on the charges of mass murder during the Bangladesh liberation movement. Jamat-e-Islami was the third largest political party in Bangladesh as per its institutional strength. The party was broken after Mollah was executed. With Khaleda Zia behind bars and Kadar Mollah executed, it leaves the ruling Awami League as the only large political front. The decimation of the Opposition has led many to question whether the Awami League is purposefully seeing through the punishments meted out to its main opposition figures. Another way of looking at it would be to check whether Awami League helped to embolden Democracy in Bangladesh or not. Earlier, a caretaker government used to be appointed during the crucial election process. This caretaker government which was earlier headed by the chief justice ensured a neutral poll process. This commitment to neutral government died as Sheikh Hasina returned to the power. In 2011, Hasina abolished the caretaker government system, citing that they can't allow unelected people to oversee national elections. The 2014 general elections were boycotted by Zia’s BNP and Jamat-e-Islami and other opposition leaders, citing cheating done by Awami League. The 2015 municipal polls were a blot on Bangladesh's face. Journalists covering the election witnessed the Awami League workers taking control of major electoral booth. The dismay with the situation was expressed by international figures, including the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The incident of Swedish envoy being heckled near a booth was also condemned worldwide. PM Hasina's Awami League seems to hold on to power by pulling down the opposition rather than recourse the rough climb to power. This crab-like the behaviour of Bangladesh's prime minister is condemnable as she is competing with Zia in a negative manner. As far as the February 8 judgement is concerned, which gave prison to Khaleda Zia, there are glaring discrepancies. Firstly, according to Surendra Kumar Sinha, the former Chief Justice of Bangladesh, only the Supreme Court is reliable and independent court in Bangladesh. It is the only institution which is free from executive pressure. He told the dark fact that 80% of lower courts are not under the purview of Supreme Court. Even the Pakistan judiciary is better than its Bangladeshi counterpart. The 16th Constitutional Amendment added fuel to the fire. This ammendment allows the parliament to impeach any High Court judge with a 2/3 majority. This parliament is currently occupied by Hasina’s Awami League. Zia's trial took in a special court based in Dhaka, which according to the former Chief Justice's logic, the judgment is possibly not given by an independent judicial body The claim of BNP that the judicial trial is politically motivated needs to be investigated thoroughly. It is said that Hasina is good friend of India. Her father took steps to improve the bilateral ties when Indira Gandhi was India's prime minister and Hasina took some measures with Manmohan Singh and Modi as well. But what is the use of being the best friend of India who is killing democracy in her own home? If Hasina wants to befriend India then she must befriend the ideology of democracy which kept India alive these years. A democracy without political opposition to the government is unimaginable for Indians. Unfortunately, our neighbours don’t share a similar fate. In Nepal, we have only opposition no government! In Myanmar, the democracy is shared with the military junta. Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan have democracy but excessively influenced by Chinese aggression. And here in Bangladesh, we have a democracy without any opposition. The reason is, the journalists in those nations are sleeping. Or they might have been purchased. I want to request all the journalists in every country to ensure the safety of their democracy since it is their duty to do it. Especially, I want to say to every Bangladeshi journalist to wake up please, to think of the next generation which will want to experience the ultimate pleasure of democracy and freedom. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: In punishing Khaleda Zia, was Awami League being vindictive

The UN&nbsp;refugee agency and other groups have urged a rethink of a plan to send Muslim Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar amid fears of forced repatriations without safeguards such as guaranteed citizenship after they fled to Bangladesh to escape bloodshed at home.&nbsp;

The calls come as Bangladesh delayed the repatriation of the largely stateless Rohingya to Myanmar that was set to begin on Tuesday, as the process of compiling and verifying the list of people to be sent back was incomplete.

&quot;In order for the repatriation to be (done) right, to be sustainable, actually viable...you need to really address a number of issues that for the time being we have heard nothing about,&quot; UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in Geneva, noting that issues like citizenship had not been addressed.

More than 655,500 Muslim Rohingya fled to Bangladesh last year after the Myanmar military cracked down in the northern part of Rakhine state, amid witness reports of killings, looting and rape, in response to militant attacks on security forces on August 25 last year.

Many people in Buddhist-majority Myanmar regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The United Nations described Myanmar&#39;s crackdown as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies.

Grandi said it was important to set up a monitoring mechanism in Myanmar&#39;s Rakhine state for those returning and noted that UNHCR currently did not have the ability to move freely and perform this role there.&nbsp;

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed earlier this month to complete a voluntary repatriation of the refugees in two years. Myanmar says it has set up two reception centres and a temporary camp near the border in Rakhine state to receive the first arrivals.&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch, a non-government organization, said on Tuesday that Bangladesh should suspend the plan entirely as it &quot;threatens the refugees` security and well-being.&quot;

The plan has sparked fears in refugee camps in Bangladesh that people may be forced to return despite a lack of guarantees around their security.&nbsp;

One Rohingya man detained on Monday by the Bangladeshi military at the Palong Khali refugee camp following a protest against repatriations remained in police custody on Tuesday and was still being interrogated, officials said.&nbsp;

&quot;He was detained for instigating violence. He is in custody for interrogation,&quot; local police chief Abul Khayer told Reuters by telephone.

A UNHCR official said the agency plans to bring up the detention with Bangladesh during their next meeting, as the refugees were only staging a peaceful protest.

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed earlier this month to complete a voluntary repatriation of the refugees in two years

The UN refugee agency and other groups have urged a rethink of a plan to send Muslim Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar amid fears of forced repatriations without safeguards such as guaranteed citizenship after they fled to Bangladesh to escape bloodshed at home. The calls come as Bangladesh delayed the repatriation of the largely stateless Rohingya to Myanmar that was set to begin on Tuesday, as the process of compiling and verifying the list of people to be sent back was incomplete. "In order for the repatriation to be (done) right, to be sustainable, actually viable...you need to really address a number of issues that for the time being we have heard nothing about," UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in Geneva, noting that issues like citizenship had not been addressed. More than 655,500 Muslim Rohingya fled to Bangladesh last year after the Myanmar military cracked down in the northern part of Rakhine state, amid witness reports of killings, looting and rape, in response to militant attacks on security forces on August 25 last year. Many people in Buddhist-majority Myanmar regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The United Nations described Myanmar's crackdown as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies. Grandi said it was important to set up a monitoring mechanism in Myanmar's Rakhine state for those returning and noted that UNHCR currently did not have the ability to move freely and perform this role there. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed earlier this month to complete a voluntary repatriation of the refugees in two years. Myanmar says it has set up two reception centres and a temporary camp near the border in Rakhine state to receive the first arrivals. Human Rights Watch, a non-government organization, said on Tuesday that Bangladesh should suspend the plan entirely as it "threatens the refugees` security and well-being." The plan has sparked fears in refugee camps in Bangladesh that people may be forced to return despite a lack of guarantees around their security. One Rohingya man detained on Monday by the Bangladeshi military at the Palong Khali refugee camp following a protest against repatriations remained in police custody on Tuesday and was still being interrogated, officials said. "He was detained for instigating violence. He is in custody for interrogation," local police chief Abul Khayer told Reuters by telephone. A UNHCR official said the agency plans to bring up the detention with Bangladesh during their next meeting, as the refugees were only staging a peaceful protest.

Aid groups urge rethink of Rohingya repatriations without safeguards

Myanmar blamed Bangladesh on Tuesday for delays to a huge repatriation programme for Rohingya refugees, as the deadline passed for starting the return of the Muslim minority to strife-torn Rakhine state.

More than 680,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after a brutal Myanmar army crackdown began last August, while a further 100,000 fled a previous bout of violence in October 2016.

Myanmar agreed that from January 23 it would start taking them back from the squalid camps in the Cox`s Bazar district of Bangladesh where they have sought shelter.

But a Bangladeshi official said Monday the programme would not begin as planned.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said there was much more work to be done.

The complex process of registering huge numbers of the dispossessed has been further cast into doubt by the refugees, who are too afraid to return to the scene of what the UN has called &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot;.

Myanmar authorities are also accused of drawing out the process by agreeing to take back just 1,500 people a week.

It has prepared two reception camps on its side of the border.

Myanmar officials said that by Tuesday afternoon no Rohingya had crossed back into Rakhine, the scene of alleged widespread atrocities by Myanmar`s army and ethnic Rakhine mobs.

&quot;We are right now ready to receive... we are completely ready to welcome them according to the agreement,&quot; Kyaw Tin, Minister of International Cooperation told reporters in Naypyidaw, Myanmar`s capital.

&quot;We have seen the news that the Bangladesh side is not ready, but we have not received any official&quot; explanation, he added.

National Security Adviser Thaung Tun said &quot;it is our hope that this will commence today as agreed.&quot;

With hundreds of Rohingya villages torched and communal tensions still at boiling point in Rakhine, rights groups say Rohingya returnees will be at best corralled into long-term camps.

Those who return must sign a form verifying they did so voluntarily and pledging to abide by Myanmar laws.

Myanmar has sent a list of more than 1,000 &quot;wanted&quot; alleged Rohingya militants to Bangladesh, while headshot photos of the suspects have been widely circulated inside the country.

In a sign of the tensions attached to the repatriation issue, a second Rohingya leader was killed in Bangladesh camps on Monday -- allegedly after endorsing the returns programme.

Bangladesh, one of Asia`s poorest countries, has been besieged by an influx of Rohingya since communal violence flared in 2016.

Dhaka has tried to use the global outcry over the crisis to press Myanmar into taking back the refugees before they settle -- joining an estimated 200,000 Rohingya stuck in Cox`s Bazar camps since a previous bout of violence in the 1990s.

&nbsp;

Myanmar agreed that from January 23 it would start taking them back from the squalid camps in the Cox`s Bazar district of Bangladesh where they have sought shelter. But a Bangladeshi official said Monday the programme would not begin as planned

Myanmar blamed Bangladesh on Tuesday for delays to a huge repatriation programme for Rohingya refugees, as the deadline passed for starting the return of the Muslim minority to strife-torn Rakhine state. More than 680,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after a brutal Myanmar army crackdown began last August, while a further 100,000 fled a previous bout of violence in October 2016. Myanmar agreed that from January 23 it would start taking them back from the squalid camps in the Cox`s Bazar district of Bangladesh where they have sought shelter. But a Bangladeshi official said Monday the programme would not begin as planned. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said there was much more work to be done. The complex process of registering huge numbers of the dispossessed has been further cast into doubt by the refugees, who are too afraid to return to the scene of what the UN has called "ethnic cleansing". Myanmar authorities are also accused of drawing out the process by agreeing to take back just 1,500 people a week. It has prepared two reception camps on its side of the border. Myanmar officials said that by Tuesday afternoon no Rohingya had crossed back into Rakhine, the scene of alleged widespread atrocities by Myanmar`s army and ethnic Rakhine mobs. "We are right now ready to receive... we are completely ready to welcome them according to the agreement," Kyaw Tin, Minister of International Cooperation told reporters in Naypyidaw, Myanmar`s capital. "We have seen the news that the Bangladesh side is not ready, but we have not received any official" explanation, he added. National Security Adviser Thaung Tun said "it is our hope that this will commence today as agreed." With hundreds of Rohingya villages torched and communal tensions still at boiling point in Rakhine, rights groups say Rohingya returnees will be at best corralled into long-term camps. Those who return must sign a form verifying they did so voluntarily and pledging to abide by Myanmar laws. Myanmar has sent a list of more than 1,000 "wanted" alleged Rohingya militants to Bangladesh, while headshot photos of the suspects have been widely circulated inside the country. In a sign of the tensions attached to the repatriation issue, a second Rohingya leader was killed in Bangladesh camps on Monday -- allegedly after endorsing the returns programme. Bangladesh, one of Asia`s poorest countries, has been besieged by an influx of Rohingya since communal violence flared in 2016. Dhaka has tried to use the global outcry over the crisis to press Myanmar into taking back the refugees before they settle -- joining an estimated 200,000 Rohingya stuck in Cox`s Bazar camps since a previous bout of violence in the 1990s.

Myanmar blames Bangladesh for delayed Rohingya return

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that &#39;&#39;Indian citizenship&#39;&#39; would be bestowed upon the members of the&nbsp;minority communities of Afganistan and Pakistan who have migrated to India before December 14.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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The Union home minister said &quot; I had earlier said people&nbsp;who have come to India from Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 14 due to religious persecution will be given Indian citizenship. &quot;&nbsp;

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Minority communities in Pak discriminated against.I had earlier said ppl who have come to India frm Pak&amp;Afghan before Dec&#39;14 due to religious persecution will be given Indian citizenship:Rajnath Singh at Distribution of Nationality Certificate to Sindhi Citizens&#39; event in Lucknow <a href="https://t.co/2BTA6f9a71">pic.twitter.com/2BTA6f9a71</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955087701237100544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rajnath Singh was speaking at the event &quot;Distribution of Nationality Certificate to Sindh Citizens&quot; in Lucknow.&nbsp;

He said 'I had earlier said people who have come to India from Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 14 due to religious persecution will be given Indian citizenship'

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that ''Indian citizenship'' would be bestowed upon the members of the minority communities of Afganistan and Pakistan who have migrated to India before December 14. × The Union home minister said " I had earlier said people who have come to India from Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 14 due to religious persecution will be given Indian citizenship. " Minority communities in Pak discriminated against.I had earlier said ppl who have come to India frm Pak&Afghan before Dec'14 due to religious persecution will be given Indian citizenship:Rajnath Singh at Distribution of Nationality Certificate to Sindhi Citizens' event in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/2BTA6f9a71 — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2018 × Rajnath Singh was speaking at the event "Distribution of Nationality Certificate to Sindh Citizens" in Lucknow.

Citizenship will be given to minority communities who came to India before Dec 14: Rajnath Singh

Two Rohingya men have been jailed for a week for protesting against a controversial plan to repatriate the persecuted minority back to Myanmar, Bangladesh police said Wednesday.

Rohingya have erected banners, chanted slogans and staged angry rallies in crowded camps near the border in Cox&#39;s Bazar as tension mounts over the looming relocation of hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled a crackdown by the Myanmar military.

Bangladesh insists the repatriation process will be voluntary but police have ramped up security in the camps.

Abdul Jabbar and Ali Hossain, both in their 60s, were sentenced Tuesday after being charged with creating a public nuisance.

Another man held for questioning at the protest was released Wednesday afternoon without charge on condition he will not &quot;engage in any anti-government activities&quot; or incite further protests, a police officer said.

Bangladesh had been due to start repatriating hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees this week after agreeing to a two-year timeline with Myanmar.

But it was delayed when Bangladesh said neither side was ready. Myanmar later blamed its neighbour for a lack of preparation, a charge Bangladesh has rejected.&nbsp;

Nearly 690,000 Rohingya have fled a campaign of violence in Myanmar since August, and many of the displaced Muslims living in Bangladesh fear returning to their conflict-scarred homeland in Rakhine state.

Police are also investigating the murder of two Rohingya representatives in the past week. Local media suggested one man was targeted for his support for the repatriation.

Bangladesh&#39;s Rapid Action Battalion said two Rohingya had been arrested and a knife had been seized in raids on the camps where the men were murdered, a spokesman for the elite security forces said.

Rohingya have erected banners, chanted slogans and staged angry rallies in crowded camps near the border in Cox's Bazar as tension mounts over the looming relocation of hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled a crackdown by the Myanmar military

Two Rohingya men have been jailed for a week for protesting against a controversial plan to repatriate the persecuted minority back to Myanmar, Bangladesh police said Wednesday. Rohingya have erected banners, chanted slogans and staged angry rallies in crowded camps near the border in Cox's Bazar as tension mounts over the looming relocation of hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled a crackdown by the Myanmar military. Bangladesh insists the repatriation process will be voluntary but police have ramped up security in the camps. Abdul Jabbar and Ali Hossain, both in their 60s, were sentenced Tuesday after being charged with creating a public nuisance. Another man held for questioning at the protest was released Wednesday afternoon without charge on condition he will not "engage in any anti-government activities" or incite further protests, a police officer said. Bangladesh had been due to start repatriating hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees this week after agreeing to a two-year timeline with Myanmar. But it was delayed when Bangladesh said neither side was ready. Myanmar later blamed its neighbour for a lack of preparation, a charge Bangladesh has rejected. Nearly 690,000 Rohingya have fled a campaign of violence in Myanmar since August, and many of the displaced Muslims living in Bangladesh fear returning to their conflict-scarred homeland in Rakhine state. Police are also investigating the murder of two Rohingya representatives in the past week. Local media suggested one man was targeted for his support for the repatriation. Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion said two Rohingya had been arrested and a knife had been seized in raids on the camps where the men were murdered, a spokesman for the elite security forces said.

Bangladesh jail two Rohingya for protesting repatriation

Title contenders India justified their top billing as they clinically decimated Bangladesh by 131 runs in the quarter-final to set up a mouth-watering last four clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup, in Queenstown on Friday.

The Prithvi Shaw-led team outclassed their next-door neighbours with consummate ease scoring 265 and then bundling out the hosts for a paltry 134 in 42.1 overs.

&quot;The boys really executed the plans well as we have practised in the net session. Really looking forward to the contest against Pakistan,&quot; skipper Shaw said after the match.

Abhishek Sharma, who missed out on the Man of the match award to his Punjab teammate Shubhman Gill (86 off 94 balls), was undoubtedly the star performer with his brilliant all-round show.

He first scored a quick 50 (off 49 balls) and then took a couple of wickets (2/11) along with two catches.

Such was India&#39;s domination that despite a lower-order batting collapse, their bowlers scythed through Bangladesh middle-order with speedsters Kamlesh Nagarkoti (3/18 in 7.1 overs) and Shivam Mavi (2/27 in 8 overs) once again working up brisk pace.

Save opener Pinak Ghosh (43), none of the other Bangladeshi batsmen could cross the 20-run mark in what turned out to be a virtually one-sided contest.

Nagarkoti, who is expected to be sought after uncapped pick at the IPL auctions, once again regularly hit the 140 kmph mark beating the batsmen for sheer pace.

Some of the Bangladesh&#39;s lower-order batsmen looked mortally scared as they were seen retreating towards the leg- stump trying to avoid getting hurt.

The Indian spinners - left-arm trio of Shiva Singh (0/29 in 7 overs), Anukul Roy (1/14 in 5 overs) and Abhishek (2/11 in 5 overs) kept it really tight as the Bangladesh batsmen found it even difficult rotate the strike with singles and doubles.

Even Ishan Porel (0/8 in 5 overs) coming back after recuperating from ankle injury was fast and accurate during his only spell of the match.

While Rahul Dravid&#39;s boys will gear up for their semi- final against Pakistan, the only worrying factor will be lack of the contribution from the lower-order, who were exposed for the first time.

From a comfortable 215 for 4, India lost six wickets for 50 runs on a pitch that was slowish in nature with strokeplay being difficult.

Dravid will have to look into this issue as Pakistan are expected to be a far more accomplished team with better quality bowling attack during the semi-final scheduled on January 30.

However, there was no stopping Shubhman, who hit nine boundaries in his 94 ball knock.

Someone who loves taking the aerial route, Shubhman was seen hitting a lot of balls down the ground as he shared 86- run second wicket stand with Shaw (40, 54 balls) and 74 for the third wicket with glovesman Desai (34).

&quot;Rahul sir (Dravid) had told me to play along the ground more and I tried doing that,&quot; Gill said with a sheepish grin as Dravid standing among the players had a hearty laugh showing thumbs up to Gill.

&quot;We had initially thought that we could get upto 280 to 300 but the wicket was on the slower side,&quot; said Gill.

Once Gill was gone, the cheeky Abhishek kept the scoreboard ticking despite losing out on partners as he hit six boundaries. It was courtesy Abhishek that India got-past the 200-run mark.

&quot;He is a brilliant all-rounder and he contributed really well today,&quot; skipper Shaw said.

Batting first, India scored 265 in 49.2 overs with Shubham Gill scoring 86 and Abhishek Sharma contributing 50.

Title contenders India justified their top billing as they clinically decimated Bangladesh by 131 runs in the quarter-final to set up a mouth-watering last four clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup, in Queenstown on Friday. The Prithvi Shaw-led team outclassed their next-door neighbours with consummate ease scoring 265 and then bundling out the hosts for a paltry 134 in 42.1 overs. "The boys really executed the plans well as we have practised in the net session. Really looking forward to the contest against Pakistan," skipper Shaw said after the match. Abhishek Sharma, who missed out on the Man of the match award to his Punjab teammate Shubhman Gill (86 off 94 balls), was undoubtedly the star performer with his brilliant all-round show. He first scored a quick 50 (off 49 balls) and then took a couple of wickets (2/11) along with two catches. Such was India's domination that despite a lower-order batting collapse, their bowlers scythed through Bangladesh middle-order with speedsters Kamlesh Nagarkoti (3/18 in 7.1 overs) and Shivam Mavi (2/27 in 8 overs) once again working up brisk pace. Save opener Pinak Ghosh (43), none of the other Bangladeshi batsmen could cross the 20-run mark in what turned out to be a virtually one-sided contest. Nagarkoti, who is expected to be sought after uncapped pick at the IPL auctions, once again regularly hit the 140 kmph mark beating the batsmen for sheer pace. Some of the Bangladesh's lower-order batsmen looked mortally scared as they were seen retreating towards the leg- stump trying to avoid getting hurt. The Indian spinners - left-arm trio of Shiva Singh (0/29 in 7 overs), Anukul Roy (1/14 in 5 overs) and Abhishek (2/11 in 5 overs) kept it really tight as the Bangladesh batsmen found it even difficult rotate the strike with singles and doubles. Even Ishan Porel (0/8 in 5 overs) coming back after recuperating from ankle injury was fast and accurate during his only spell of the match. While Rahul Dravid's boys will gear up for their semi- final against Pakistan, the only worrying factor will be lack of the contribution from the lower-order, who were exposed for the first time. From a comfortable 215 for 4, India lost six wickets for 50 runs on a pitch that was slowish in nature with strokeplay being difficult. Dravid will have to look into this issue as Pakistan are expected to be a far more accomplished team with better quality bowling attack during the semi-final scheduled on January 30. However, there was no stopping Shubhman, who hit nine boundaries in his 94 ball knock. Someone who loves taking the aerial route, Shubhman was seen hitting a lot of balls down the ground as he shared 86- run second wicket stand with Shaw (40, 54 balls) and 74 for the third wicket with glovesman Desai (34). "Rahul sir (Dravid) had told me to play along the ground more and I tried doing that," Gill said with a sheepish grin as Dravid standing among the players had a hearty laugh showing thumbs up to Gill. "We had initially thought that we could get upto 280 to 300 but the wicket was on the slower side," said Gill. Once Gill was gone, the cheeky Abhishek kept the scoreboard ticking despite losing out on partners as he hit six boundaries. It was courtesy Abhishek that India got-past the 200-run mark. "He is a brilliant all-rounder and he contributed really well today," skipper Shaw said.

Under-19 World Cup: India beat Bangladesh, set up semi-final clash with Pakistan

Attacks on Rohingya Muslims appear to be continuing in Myanmar and it is not yet safe for the hundreds of thousands living in refugee camps in Bangladesh to begin returning home, a senior United Nations official said.

Many Rohingya want to return eventually to their villages in Myanmar, UNICEF deputy executive director Justin Forsyth said on Wednesday during a visit to the immense Kutupalong refugee camp. But they fear for their safety if they were to go back now, he said.

&ldquo;The situation isn&rsquo;t safe for the returns to begin,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I spoke to one young woman who had been on the phone to her aunt in Rakhine in Myanmar. And they were attacking villages even today.&rdquo;

More than 680,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar&rsquo;s Rakhine state beginning in August, after Myanmar security forces began &ldquo;clearance operations&rdquo; in their villages in the wake of attacks by Rohingya insurgents on police posts.

Forsyth&rsquo;s comments came as former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson resigned suddenly from an advisory panel on the crisis, calling it a &ldquo;whitewash and a cheerleading operation&rdquo; for Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

&ldquo;She blames all the problems that Myanmar is having on the international media, on the UN, on human rights groups, on other governments, and I think this is caused by the bubble that is around her, by individuals that are not giving her frank advice,&rdquo; Richardson, once a close friend of Suu Kyi, said on Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press in Yangon, Myanmar&rsquo;s largest city.

Richardson said Suu Kyi appeared to want the 10-member international advisory group, one in a string of Rohingya commissions set up by the Myanmar government, to endorse her policies.

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to be part of it because I think there are serious issues of human rights violations, safety, citizenship, peace and stability that need to be addressed,&rdquo; said Richardson, who often works as an international troubleshooter. &ldquo;I just felt that my advice and counsel would not be heeded.&rdquo;

Gradual repatriations of Rohingya were to begin on Tuesday under agreements signed by Myanmar and Bangladesh, but Bangladeshi officials delayed the returns at the last minute, saying more time is needed amid questions about safety and whether the refugees were returning voluntarily.

Forsyth noted that international organisations do not have access to many areas affected by the crisis in Myanmar.

&ldquo;As well as security, we need to be able to provide humanitarian support for people when they return. And at the moment those conditions aren&rsquo;t in place,&rdquo; he said.

Rohingya have long faced repression in Myanmar. They are widely dismissed as having migrated illegally from Bangladesh and are denied some of the most basic rights, including the freedom of movement. In 1982, nearly all Rohingya were stripped of their citizenship rights.

Gradual repatriations of Rohingya were to begin on Tuesday under agreements signed by Myanmar and Bangladesh, but Bangladeshi officials delayed the returns at the last minute

Attacks on Rohingya Muslims appear to be continuing in Myanmar and it is not yet safe for the hundreds of thousands living in refugee camps in Bangladesh to begin returning home, a senior United Nations official said. Many Rohingya want to return eventually to their villages in Myanmar, UNICEF deputy executive director Justin Forsyth said on Wednesday during a visit to the immense Kutupalong refugee camp. But they fear for their safety if they were to go back now, he said. “The situation isn’t safe for the returns to begin,” he said. “I spoke to one young woman who had been on the phone to her aunt in Rakhine in Myanmar. And they were attacking villages even today.” More than 680,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar’s Rakhine state beginning in August, after Myanmar security forces began “clearance operations” in their villages in the wake of attacks by Rohingya insurgents on police posts. Forsyth’s comments came as former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson resigned suddenly from an advisory panel on the crisis, calling it a “whitewash and a cheerleading operation” for Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. “She blames all the problems that Myanmar is having on the international media, on the UN, on human rights groups, on other governments, and I think this is caused by the bubble that is around her, by individuals that are not giving her frank advice,” Richardson, once a close friend of Suu Kyi, said on Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. Richardson said Suu Kyi appeared to want the 10-member international advisory group, one in a string of Rohingya commissions set up by the Myanmar government, to endorse her policies. “I’m not going to be part of it because I think there are serious issues of human rights violations, safety, citizenship, peace and stability that need to be addressed,” said Richardson, who often works as an international troubleshooter. “I just felt that my advice and counsel would not be heeded.” Gradual repatriations of Rohingya were to begin on Tuesday under agreements signed by Myanmar and Bangladesh, but Bangladeshi officials delayed the returns at the last minute, saying more time is needed amid questions about safety and whether the refugees were returning voluntarily. Forsyth noted that international organisations do not have access to many areas affected by the crisis in Myanmar. “As well as security, we need to be able to provide humanitarian support for people when they return. And at the moment those conditions aren’t in place,” he said. Rohingya have long faced repression in Myanmar. They are widely dismissed as having migrated illegally from Bangladesh and are denied some of the most basic rights, including the freedom of movement. In 1982, nearly all Rohingya were stripped of their citizenship rights.

Not safe yet for Rohingya to return to Myanmar, UN official says

US President Donald Trump has proposed to end the visa lottery system in favour of reducing backlogs of highly-skilled workers, a plan which may benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals who are currently having several decades of waiting period to get their Green Cards.

If passed by the Congress and signed into law, such a move is expected to significantly reduce the green card backlogs for highly skilled immigrants from India.

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, which the Trump administration wants to terminate, awards up to 50,000 individuals per year a visa for a green card, which allows permanent residency and is a path to US citizenship.

Trump has been against diversity visa as he believes that this does not attract the best and the brightest to the US.

In recent past, several of the home grown terrorists including prime accused of New York terrorist attacks came either on diversity visa or chain migration.

&ldquo;Eliminate lottery and reallocate the visas to reduce the family-based &lsquo;backlog&rsquo; and high-skilled employment &lsquo;backlog&rsquo;,&rdquo; according to the White House framework on immigration reform and border security released by the Trump administration.

The programme provides green cards for up to 50,000 immigrants each year from countries with low rates of emigration to the US. It is one of the ways that green cards are issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The other significant sources of green cards are for family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, refugees and people granted asylum.

Diversity visas are allocated geographically.

Nationals of countries from which 50,000 or fewer immigrants came to the US over the previous five years combined are eligible for diversity visas.

Immigrants from any one country may not receive more than seven per cent of diversity visas issued annually.

Given that there are hundreds and thousands of Indian IT professionals waiting in queue to get their green cards because of the current country quota, the relocation of diversity visa numbers to green cards is expected to hugely benefit them.

Immigrants from 18 countries are not eligible for diversity visa because they sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US over the previous five years combined.

The countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, the UK and Vietnam. 
&nbsp;

The proposal to end visa lottery, if passed, is expected to significantly reduce the green card backlogs for many IT professionals and highly skilled immigrants from India.

US President Donald Trump has proposed to end the visa lottery system in favour of reducing backlogs of highly-skilled workers, a plan which may benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals who are currently having several decades of waiting period to get their Green Cards. If passed by the Congress and signed into law, such a move is expected to significantly reduce the green card backlogs for highly skilled immigrants from India. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, which the Trump administration wants to terminate, awards up to 50,000 individuals per year a visa for a green card, which allows permanent residency and is a path to US citizenship. Trump has been against diversity visa as he believes that this does not attract the best and the brightest to the US. In recent past, several of the home grown terrorists including prime accused of New York terrorist attacks came either on diversity visa or chain migration. “Eliminate lottery and reallocate the visas to reduce the family-based ‘backlog’ and high-skilled employment ‘backlog’,” according to the White House framework on immigration reform and border security released by the Trump administration. The programme provides green cards for up to 50,000 immigrants each year from countries with low rates of emigration to the US. It is one of the ways that green cards are issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The other significant sources of green cards are for family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, refugees and people granted asylum. Diversity visas are allocated geographically. Nationals of countries from which 50,000 or fewer immigrants came to the US over the previous five years combined are eligible for diversity visas. Immigrants from any one country may not receive more than seven per cent of diversity visas issued annually. Given that there are hundreds and thousands of Indian IT professionals waiting in queue to get their green cards because of the current country quota, the relocation of diversity visa numbers to green cards is expected to hugely benefit them. Immigrants from 18 countries are not eligible for diversity visa because they sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US over the previous five years combined. The countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, the UK and Vietnam.

Trump proposes to terminate visa lottery, move likely to benefit Indian IT workers

A senior Bangladesh official has told Reuters that the process of repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar has been delayed due to delay in compiling the list of people.

Abul Kalam, Bangladesh&rsquo;s refugee relief and rehabilitation commissioner did not set the date for repatriation even several refugees in camps opposed the repatriation.

Bangladesh had earlier agreed to repatriate the Rohingya refugees living in relief camps in Cox&#39;s Bazaar and other areas bordering Myanmar.&nbsp;

The exodus of refugees which had started on August 25th last year has been marred by controversies. The UN in its report said over 6,50,000 refugees have crossed over to Bangladesh in the wake of alleged persecution by the Bangladesh army in the Rakhine state.

As a result, several refugees have expressed fears over their repatriation and have requested extra security from the Myanmar government.&nbsp;

Some refugee leaders said Bangladesh military officials had threatened to seize their food ration cards if they did not return, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

The UN and the US had denounced the Myanmar government earlier terming the treatment meted out to the Rohingya refugees as a case of &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot;.&nbsp;

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said the repatriation should be &quot;voluntary&quot; as several refugees have walked all the way from Rakhine State, through forests surviving adverse conditions.

Some refugee leaders said Bangladesh military officials had threatened to seize their food ration cards if they did not return, Reuters reported.

A senior Bangladesh official has told Reuters that the process of repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar has been delayed due to delay in compiling the list of people. Abul Kalam, Bangladesh’s refugee relief and rehabilitation commissioner did not set the date for repatriation even several refugees in camps opposed the repatriation. Bangladesh had earlier agreed to repatriate the Rohingya refugees living in relief camps in Cox's Bazaar and other areas bordering Myanmar. The exodus of refugees which had started on August 25th last year has been marred by controversies. The UN in its report said over 6,50,000 refugees have crossed over to Bangladesh in the wake of alleged persecution by the Bangladesh army in the Rakhine state. As a result, several refugees have expressed fears over their repatriation and have requested extra security from the Myanmar government. Some refugee leaders said Bangladesh military officials had threatened to seize their food ration cards if they did not return, Reuters reported. The UN and the US had denounced the Myanmar government earlier terming the treatment meted out to the Rohingya refugees as a case of "ethnic cleansing". The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said the repatriation should be "voluntary" as several refugees have walked all the way from Rakhine State, through forests surviving adverse conditions.

Repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar delayed

A Myanmar government minister has told Rohingya refugees living in a makeshift camp on the Bangladesh border they should take up a government offer to return, warning they will face &quot;consequences&quot; if they stay where they are.

A video circulated on social media apparently shows Myanmar&#39;s Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Aung Soe addressing a group of refugees through a barbed wire fence last Friday.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have sought sanctuary in Bangladesh since a military crackdown on the Muslim minority in Myanmar last year forced them from their homes.

Despite the campaign, which the United Nations has said amounts to ethnic cleansing, the two governments agreed late last year to repatriate all the newly-arrived refugees.

But many say they do not want to return until Myanmar agrees to give them citizenship and guarantees their safety.

Myanmar regards the Rohingya as immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship, even though they have been there for generations.

The minister&#39;s message was directed at around 6,000 refugees living in Tombru, an area of no man&#39;s land between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

In it, he tells them they must return or &quot;suffer the consequences&quot;, and that the area they were living in was under Myanmar&#39;s jurisdiction.

&quot;If the Rohingya refuse the proposal put forward by the Myanmar government through this delegation, it will not bode well for the Rohingya living in no man&#39;s land,&quot; said the minister through a translator.

Bangladesh security forces in the area confirmed the minister&#39;s visit to AFP.

&quot;He kept telling the refugees to move away from Myanmar land, or they would face problems,&quot; said police officer Mohammad Rashid by phone from the area.

Local Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) commander Manzurul Hasan Khan said Myanmar authorities had been using loudhailers since Friday to ask the refugees to leave.

Rohingya living there told AFP soldiers had recently put up tents near the barbed wire fence.

&quot;They (Myanmar army) often fire blank rounds to create panic. We&#39;ve heard they also set fire to nearby villages recently,&quot; said Dil Mohammad, one of the refugees.

Doctors Without Borders estimates at least 6,700 Rohingya died in the first month of the violence that sparked the outpouring of refugees.

Many of them have told harrowing stories of rape, arson and mass executions at the hands of the military and Buddhist mobs.

Myanmar&#39;s army denies the allegations.

The Rohingya refugees were living in a makeshift camp on the Bangladesh border

A Myanmar government minister has told Rohingya refugees living in a makeshift camp on the Bangladesh border they should take up a government offer to return, warning they will face "consequences" if they stay where they are. A video circulated on social media apparently shows Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Aung Soe addressing a group of refugees through a barbed wire fence last Friday. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have sought sanctuary in Bangladesh since a military crackdown on the Muslim minority in Myanmar last year forced them from their homes. Despite the campaign, which the United Nations has said amounts to ethnic cleansing, the two governments agreed late last year to repatriate all the newly-arrived refugees. But many say they do not want to return until Myanmar agrees to give them citizenship and guarantees their safety. Myanmar regards the Rohingya as immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship, even though they have been there for generations. The minister's message was directed at around 6,000 refugees living in Tombru, an area of no man's land between Myanmar and Bangladesh. In it, he tells them they must return or "suffer the consequences", and that the area they were living in was under Myanmar's jurisdiction. "If the Rohingya refuse the proposal put forward by the Myanmar government through this delegation, it will not bode well for the Rohingya living in no man's land," said the minister through a translator. Bangladesh security forces in the area confirmed the minister's visit to AFP. "He kept telling the refugees to move away from Myanmar land, or they would face problems," said police officer Mohammad Rashid by phone from the area. Local Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) commander Manzurul Hasan Khan said Myanmar authorities had been using loudhailers since Friday to ask the refugees to leave. Rohingya living there told AFP soldiers had recently put up tents near the barbed wire fence. "They (Myanmar army) often fire blank rounds to create panic. We've heard they also set fire to nearby villages recently," said Dil Mohammad, one of the refugees. Doctors Without Borders estimates at least 6,700 Rohingya died in the first month of the violence that sparked the outpouring of refugees. Many of them have told harrowing stories of rape, arson and mass executions at the hands of the military and Buddhist mobs. Myanmar's army denies the allegations.

Myanmar minister orders Rohingya to leave no man's land, or face 'consequences'

Bangladesh&#39;s main opposition party, the BNP, has named the &#39;fugitive&#39; and convicted eldest son of Khaleda Zia as its acting chief, a day after the former prime minister was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in a graft case.

The 72-year-old three-time former prime minister was sentenced yesterday by the Dhaka&#39;s Special Court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia

Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned- politician.

The verdict simultaneously sentenced Zia&#39;s &quot;fugitive&quot; eldest son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP&#39;s) senior vice president Tarique Rahman as he was tried in absentia.

Rahman, 53, and four others have also been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

&quot;Tarique Rahman is now the acting chairman of BNP,&quot; senior secretary general of the party Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said.

Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan later told PTI that the decision was taken in line with the party&#39;s constitution and Rahman would lead the party from exile as he is now in London.

Rehman fled to London in 2008 after he was detained by an army-backed government for more than 18 months.

In 2016, he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to seven years in jail on charges of money laundering.

&quot;There is no problem for him to be the party chief,&quot; Khan said when asked as a fugitive convict if he was qualified to run the party from abroad.

The opposition party&#39;s move evoked sharp response from the ruling Awami League.

Awami League general secretary and road transport minister Obaidul Quader sharply reacted to the decision, saying the BNP preferred to make someone corrupt to head the party.

He said the BNP recently scrapped a section of its constitution that had debarred dishonest people from being the party leader.

&quot;It is now crystal clear why the BNP abolished Section 7 from its constitution. Now there is no bar in the BNP&#39;s constitution for corrupt and convicted persons to be a leader of this party,&quot; he said at a party function.

Rahman is also being tried on several other charges with one being the August 21, 2004 grenade attack on a rally of the then opposition Awami League.

Twenty three people were killed and Hasina narrowly escaped the assault while a Dhaka court nearly wrapped up the trial proceedings against Rahman and several stalwarts of the then BNP government and ex-military intelligence officials.

The 72-year-old three-time former prime minister was sentenced yesterday by the Dhaka's Special Court in connection with the embezzlement of about USD 250,000 in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust

Bangladesh's main opposition party, the BNP, has named the 'fugitive' and convicted eldest son of Khaleda Zia as its acting chief, a day after the former prime minister was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in a graft case. The 72-year-old three-time former prime minister was sentenced yesterday by the Dhaka's Special Court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned- politician. The verdict simultaneously sentenced Zia's "fugitive" eldest son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP's) senior vice president Tarique Rahman as he was tried in absentia. Rahman, 53, and four others have also been sentenced to 10 years in prison. "Tarique Rahman is now the acting chairman of BNP," senior secretary general of the party Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said. Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan later told PTI that the decision was taken in line with the party's constitution and Rahman would lead the party from exile as he is now in London. Rehman fled to London in 2008 after he was detained by an army-backed government for more than 18 months. In 2016, he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to seven years in jail on charges of money laundering. "There is no problem for him to be the party chief," Khan said when asked as a fugitive convict if he was qualified to run the party from abroad. The opposition party's move evoked sharp response from the ruling Awami League. Awami League general secretary and road transport minister Obaidul Quader sharply reacted to the decision, saying the BNP preferred to make someone corrupt to head the party. He said the BNP recently scrapped a section of its constitution that had debarred dishonest people from being the party leader. "It is now crystal clear why the BNP abolished Section 7 from its constitution. Now there is no bar in the BNP's constitution for corrupt and convicted persons to be a leader of this party," he said at a party function. Rahman is also being tried on several other charges with one being the August 21, 2004 grenade attack on a rally of the then opposition Awami League. Twenty three people were killed and Hasina narrowly escaped the assault while a Dhaka court nearly wrapped up the trial proceedings against Rahman and several stalwarts of the then BNP government and ex-military intelligence officials.

Khaleda Zia's 'fugitive' son is now BNP's acting chief

Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, sentenced to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ex-bangladesh-pm-khaleda-zia-sentenced-to-5-years-in-graft-case-32203">five years imprisonment </a>in a graft case, spent her night as a lone inmate of a renovated facility of the old Dhaka&#39;s abandoned central jail, where an official said, she was &quot;physically and psychologically alright&quot;.

Today, authorities allowed Zia&#39;s younger businessman brother and four other relatives to meet the&nbsp;leader.

The 72-year-old three-time former prime minister was sentenced yesterday by the Dhaka&#39;s Special Court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia

The chief of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was sent to a renovated facility of the old Dhaka&#39;s abandoned central prison.

&quot;She is physically and psychologically alright,&quot; a prison official told a private TV channel preferring anonymity.

But a senior BNP leader said, &quot;She is in isolation&quot;, and alleged that her conviction was &quot;part of a government blueprint to establish one-party rule&quot;.

She plans to appeal against her conviction, lawyers said, and will mostly likely be freed on bail pending that process.

&quot;She was given a shorter term considering her health and social status,&quot; Judge Mohammad Akhteruzzaman saide as he passed sentence in a packed courtroom.

Meanwhile, hundreds of BNP leaders and activists today staged protests in the capital and other major cities in protest at the verdict.

They also had a scuffle with police but no incident of major violence was reported.&nbsp;Police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators in the northeastern city of Sylhet. At least four people have been injured in the clashes.

Bangladesh&#39;s main opposition party, the BNP, has named the &#39;fugitive&#39; and convicted eldest son of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zias-fugitive-son-is-now-bnps-acting-chief-32334">Khaleda Zia </a>as its acting chief, a day after the former prime minister was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in a graft case.

&nbsp;

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia was jailed for five years for corruption on Thursday as thousands of supporters took to the streets of the capital to protest her innocence

Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, sentenced to five years imprisonment in a graft case, spent her night as a lone inmate of a renovated facility of the old Dhaka's abandoned central jail, where an official said, she was "physically and psychologically alright". Today, authorities allowed Zia's younger businessman brother and four other relatives to meet the leader. The 72-year-old three-time former prime minister was sentenced yesterday by the Dhaka's Special Court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia The chief of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was sent to a renovated facility of the old Dhaka's abandoned central prison. "She is physically and psychologically alright," a prison official told a private TV channel preferring anonymity. But a senior BNP leader said, "She is in isolation", and alleged that her conviction was "part of a government blueprint to establish one-party rule". She plans to appeal against her conviction, lawyers said, and will mostly likely be freed on bail pending that process. "She was given a shorter term considering her health and social status," Judge Mohammad Akhteruzzaman saide as he passed sentence in a packed courtroom. Meanwhile, hundreds of BNP leaders and activists today staged protests in the capital and other major cities in protest at the verdict. They also had a scuffle with police but no incident of major violence was reported. Police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators in the northeastern city of Sylhet. At least four people have been injured in the clashes. Bangladesh's main opposition party, the BNP, has named the 'fugitive' and convicted eldest son of Khaleda Zia as its acting chief, a day after the former prime minister was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in a graft case.

Khaleda Zia is 'physically, psychologically alright, is under isolation', says official

A Bangladesh judge convicted opposition leader Khaleda Zia of corruption and sentenced her to five years in jail on Thursday as police clashed with thousands of her supporters outside the court.

The court found the two-time former premier guilty of embezzling money meant for an orphanage, a charge she had consistently dismissed as politically motivated.

Zia, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is expected to appeal against the verdict, but it may affect her ability to stand in a general election slated for December.

She was immediately taken to a special jail in the old part of the city where she would have to remain until her lawyers file an appeal.

&quot;This is a false and staged case. No way we will accept this verdict,&quot; BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told AFP after the hearing.

Zia&#39;s lawyer Khandkar Mahbub Hossain said the ruling was &quot;political vengeance&quot; and would be overturned by a higher court.

Violence erupted in major cities across Bangladesh at news of the guilty verdict, with BNP supporters clashing with police and activists from the ruling party.

Police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators in the northeastern city of Sylhet, spokesman Abdul Wahab told AFP. At least four people have been injured in the clashes, he added.

Police said they arrested at least seven BNP officials in the port city of Chittagong, including the local head of the party, after opposition supporters scuffled with police.

Ahead of the hearing in Dhaka police fired tear gas at thousands of opposition activists who defied heavy security to escort the car taking Zia to the magistrate&#39;s court.

The private television station Somoy said at least five police officers had been injured and two motorcycles torched during the clashes that broke out several kilometres (miles) from the court premises.

Authorities have for days been on high alert for protests in the tense city, where political demonstrations by Zia&#39;s centre-right BNP and its Islamist allies in 2014 and 2015 left nearly 200 people dead.

Around 3,500 opposition activists and officials were arrested in a sweep by security forces ahead of the verdict according to BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed.

A senior officer told AFP more than 5,000 police had been deployed in Dhaka.

Arbitrary arrests

Zia, 72, is a former ally turned arch-foe of Bangladesh&#39;s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Her party boycotted 2014 polls in which Hasina was re-elected but is expected to contest the upcoming general election.

Zia, who entered politics in the mid-1980s after her military dictator husband was assassinated in an abortive coup, also faces dozens of separate charges related to violence and corruption.

She has repeatedly said the charges against her are aimed at excluding her and her family from politics.

Her son Rahman lives in exile in London and was convicted of money-laundering in 2016.

Last month prosecutors sought the death penalty over his alleged role in a deadly 2004 grenade attack that injured Hasina.

Zia and her son were detained by an army-backed government in 2007 and spent a year and a half in detention pending trials for alleged corruption.

&quot;This is an attempt to use the court against me, in an effort to sideline me from politics and elections and to isolate me from the people,&quot; she told a packed news conference on Wednesday.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the government to stop what it called &quot;arbitrary arrests and detentions&quot;.

&quot;The Bangladesh government&#39;s claims to be open and democratic ring hollow as it cracks down on political dissent,&quot; said the group&#39;s Asia director Brad Adams.&nbsp;

&quot;The government has a responsibility to prevent and minimise violence, but it needs to do so in a way that respects basic rights, not flouts them.&quot;

Many private schools declared a holiday on Thursday in anticipation of the verdict, while several ride-hailing services announced a day-long suspension of their operations.

Police set up check-posts at key entry points of the city in an effort to prevent thousands of rural supporters of BNP and its Islamist allies from marching to the capital.

&quot;Dhaka is effectively cut off, people in panic,&quot; read the front-page headline of the Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo.&nbsp;

Violence erupted in major cities across Bangladesh at news of the guilty verdict

A Bangladesh judge convicted opposition leader Khaleda Zia of corruption and sentenced her to five years in jail on Thursday as police clashed with thousands of her supporters outside the court. The court found the two-time former premier guilty of embezzling money meant for an orphanage, a charge she had consistently dismissed as politically motivated. Zia, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is expected to appeal against the verdict, but it may affect her ability to stand in a general election slated for December. She was immediately taken to a special jail in the old part of the city where she would have to remain until her lawyers file an appeal. "This is a false and staged case. No way we will accept this verdict," BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told AFP after the hearing. Zia's lawyer Khandkar Mahbub Hossain said the ruling was "political vengeance" and would be overturned by a higher court. Violence erupted in major cities across Bangladesh at news of the guilty verdict, with BNP supporters clashing with police and activists from the ruling party. Police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators in the northeastern city of Sylhet, spokesman Abdul Wahab told AFP. At least four people have been injured in the clashes, he added. Police said they arrested at least seven BNP officials in the port city of Chittagong, including the local head of the party, after opposition supporters scuffled with police. Ahead of the hearing in Dhaka police fired tear gas at thousands of opposition activists who defied heavy security to escort the car taking Zia to the magistrate's court. The private television station Somoy said at least five police officers had been injured and two motorcycles torched during the clashes that broke out several kilometres (miles) from the court premises. Authorities have for days been on high alert for protests in the tense city, where political demonstrations by Zia's centre-right BNP and its Islamist allies in 2014 and 2015 left nearly 200 people dead. Around 3,500 opposition activists and officials were arrested in a sweep by security forces ahead of the verdict according to BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed. A senior officer told AFP more than 5,000 police had been deployed in Dhaka. Arbitrary arrests Zia, 72, is a former ally turned arch-foe of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her party boycotted 2014 polls in which Hasina was re-elected but is expected to contest the upcoming general election. Zia, who entered politics in the mid-1980s after her military dictator husband was assassinated in an abortive coup, also faces dozens of separate charges related to violence and corruption. She has repeatedly said the charges against her are aimed at excluding her and her family from politics. Her son Rahman lives in exile in London and was convicted of money-laundering in 2016. Last month prosecutors sought the death penalty over his alleged role in a deadly 2004 grenade attack that injured Hasina. Zia and her son were detained by an army-backed government in 2007 and spent a year and a half in detention pending trials for alleged corruption. "This is an attempt to use the court against me, in an effort to sideline me from politics and elections and to isolate me from the people," she told a packed news conference on Wednesday. Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the government to stop what it called "arbitrary arrests and detentions". "The Bangladesh government's claims to be open and democratic ring hollow as it cracks down on political dissent," said the group's Asia director Brad Adams. "The government has a responsibility to prevent and minimise violence, but it needs to do so in a way that respects basic rights, not flouts them." Many private schools declared a holiday on Thursday in anticipation of the verdict, while several ride-hailing services announced a day-long suspension of their operations. Police set up check-posts at key entry points of the city in an effort to prevent thousands of rural supporters of BNP and its Islamist allies from marching to the capital. "Dhaka is effectively cut off, people in panic," read the front-page headline of the Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo.

Clashes as Bangladesh court jails opposition leader Zia

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ex-bangladesh-pm-khaleda-zia-sentenced-to-5-years-in-graft-case-32203" target="_blank">jailed for five years for corruption</a> on Thursday as thousands of supporters took to the streets of the capital to protest her innocence.

Khaleda, her son and aides were convicted of stealing 21 million taka ($253,000) in foreign donations received by an orphanage trust set up when she was last prime minister, from 2001 to 2006, lawyers said.

She plans to appeal against her conviction, lawyers said, and will mostly likely be freed on bail pending that process.

&quot;She was given a shorter term considering her health and social status,&quot; Judge Mohammad Akhteruzzaman saide as he passed sentence in a packed courtroom.

Khaleda&rsquo;s son, Tarique Rahman, and four others were jailed for 10 years at the end of a case that lasted nearly 10 years.

Khaleda and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) say the charges are part of a plot to keep her and her family out of politics. Party leaders said more than 3,500 supporters have been detained over the past few days.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda, both related to former national leaders, have nursed a long and bitter rivalry as they have dominated politics in poverty-stricken Bangladesh for more than two decades.

The renewed tension between them raises the spectre of a long, destabilising spell of unrest for Bangladesh and its economy. Khaleda is due to run in parliamentary polls set for December and can still do so if an appeal is pending.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi denounced the sentence, calling it &quot;an attempt to eliminate the opponent&quot;.

Earlier on Thursday, the normally clogged streets of Dhaka were almost empty as bus and ferry services were cut and thousands of riot police spread out in anticipation of unrest.

Protesters gathered, shouting their support, forcing police to use tear gas to disperse them. Television broadcast images of motorcycles set on fire.

Khaleda, her son, and aides were convicted of stealing 21 million taka ($253,000) in foreign donations received by an orphanage trust set up when she was last prime minister

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia was jailed for five years for corruption on Thursday as thousands of supporters took to the streets of the capital to protest her innocence. Khaleda, her son and aides were convicted of stealing 21 million taka ($253,000) in foreign donations received by an orphanage trust set up when she was last prime minister, from 2001 to 2006, lawyers said. She plans to appeal against her conviction, lawyers said, and will mostly likely be freed on bail pending that process. "She was given a shorter term considering her health and social status," Judge Mohammad Akhteruzzaman saide as he passed sentence in a packed courtroom. Khaleda’s son, Tarique Rahman, and four others were jailed for 10 years at the end of a case that lasted nearly 10 years. Khaleda and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) say the charges are part of a plot to keep her and her family out of politics. Party leaders said more than 3,500 supporters have been detained over the past few days. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda, both related to former national leaders, have nursed a long and bitter rivalry as they have dominated politics in poverty-stricken Bangladesh for more than two decades. The renewed tension between them raises the spectre of a long, destabilising spell of unrest for Bangladesh and its economy. Khaleda is due to run in parliamentary polls set for December and can still do so if an appeal is pending. BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi denounced the sentence, calling it "an attempt to eliminate the opponent". Earlier on Thursday, the normally clogged streets of Dhaka were almost empty as bus and ferry services were cut and thousands of riot police spread out in anticipation of unrest. Protesters gathered, shouting their support, forcing police to use tear gas to disperse them. Television broadcast images of motorcycles set on fire.

Bangladesh: Ex-PM Khaleda Zia jailed for graft, but likely to be freed on bail pending appeal

Bangladesh&#39;s ex-premier and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia was on Thursday sentenced to five years in jail in a corruption case.

Zia, 72, was sentenced by the Special Court-5 in the capital, Dhaka, in connection with embezzlement of 21 million takas (US $252,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust.

In the same case, her son Tarique Rahman and four others have been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

The ex-premier on November 30, 2014 lost her last ditch effort to evade the graft trial as the Supreme Court turned down her second &#39;leave to appeal&#39; petition challenging her indictment and asked her to face trial in the lower court.

The high court earlier validated the trial in the lower court which on March 19, 2014 had indicted Zia on two graft charges brought by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The ACC alleged that the two charities, the other being the Zia Charitable Trust, existed only on paper and a huge amount of money was misappropriated in the name of the two organisations while Zia was premier during the BNP&#39;s 2001-2006 government.

In the same case, her son Tarique Rahman and four others have been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Bangladesh's ex-premier and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia was on Thursday sentenced to five years in jail in a corruption case. Zia, 72, was sentenced by the Special Court-5 in the capital, Dhaka, in connection with embezzlement of 21 million takas (US $252,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust. In the same case, her son Tarique Rahman and four others have been sentenced to 10 years in jail. The ex-premier on November 30, 2014 lost her last ditch effort to evade the graft trial as the Supreme Court turned down her second 'leave to appeal' petition challenging her indictment and asked her to face trial in the lower court. The high court earlier validated the trial in the lower court which on March 19, 2014 had indicted Zia on two graft charges brought by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC alleged that the two charities, the other being the Zia Charitable Trust, existed only on paper and a huge amount of money was misappropriated in the name of the two organisations while Zia was premier during the BNP's 2001-2006 government.

Bangladesh: Former PM Khaleda Zia sentenced to 5 years in jail in corruption case

Thousands of police and paramilitary guards patrolled the Bangladesh capital Thursday ahead of a key court verdict that could see opposition leader Khaleda Zia jailed for life.

Zia, a two time former prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is charged with embezzling $252,000 from a trust created for an orphanage.

She faces life in prison if convicted by the Dhaka court, but has consistently denied the charges, insisting &quot;not a penny&quot; was stolen.

Police have banned street protests and rounded up thousands of opposition supporters in a crackdown ahead of Thursday`s ruling, Zia`s party has said.

A senior officer told AFP more than 5,000 police had been deployed in Dhaka and the streets of the usually congested capital were almost empty of cars early Thursday.

&quot;We have stepped up security in the entire city,&quot; Dhaka police chief Asaduzzaman Mia told reporters outside the court.

Authorities are on high alert for protests in the tense city, where political demonstrations by Zia`s centre-right BNP and its Islamist allies in 2014 and 2015 left nearly 200 people dead.

A guilty verdict could prevent Zia, a former ally turned arch-nemesis of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from contesting a general election slated for December.

The BNP boycotted 2014 polls in which Hasina was re-elected but is expected to contest the upcoming general election.

Zia, 72, has repeatedly said the charges against her are politically motivated, aimed at excluding her and her family from politics.

&quot;This is an attempt to use the court against me, in an effort to sideline me from politics and elections and to isolate me from the people,&quot; Zia told a packed news conference on Wednesday.

Many private schools declared a holiday on Thursday in anticipation of the verdict, while several ride-hailing services announced a day-long suspension of their operations.

 
BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed has said that &quot;approximately 3,500&quot; opposition activists and officials had been arrested in a sweep by security forces.

Zia, a two time former prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is charged with embezzling $252,000 from a trust created for an orphanage.

Thousands of police and paramilitary guards patrolled the Bangladesh capital Thursday ahead of a key court verdict that could see opposition leader Khaleda Zia jailed for life. Zia, a two time former prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is charged with embezzling $252,000 from a trust created for an orphanage. She faces life in prison if convicted by the Dhaka court, but has consistently denied the charges, insisting "not a penny" was stolen. Police have banned street protests and rounded up thousands of opposition supporters in a crackdown ahead of Thursday`s ruling, Zia`s party has said. A senior officer told AFP more than 5,000 police had been deployed in Dhaka and the streets of the usually congested capital were almost empty of cars early Thursday. "We have stepped up security in the entire city," Dhaka police chief Asaduzzaman Mia told reporters outside the court. Authorities are on high alert for protests in the tense city, where political demonstrations by Zia`s centre-right BNP and its Islamist allies in 2014 and 2015 left nearly 200 people dead. A guilty verdict could prevent Zia, a former ally turned arch-nemesis of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from contesting a general election slated for December. The BNP boycotted 2014 polls in which Hasina was re-elected but is expected to contest the upcoming general election. Zia, 72, has repeatedly said the charges against her are politically motivated, aimed at excluding her and her family from politics. "This is an attempt to use the court against me, in an effort to sideline me from politics and elections and to isolate me from the people," Zia told a packed news conference on Wednesday. Many private schools declared a holiday on Thursday in anticipation of the verdict, while several ride-hailing services announced a day-long suspension of their operations. BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed has said that "approximately 3,500" opposition activists and officials had been arrested in a sweep by security forces.

Bangladesh tense as court set to deliver Khaleda Zia verdict

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-to-become-fastest-growing-major-economy-in-two-years-jaitley-32232" target="_blank">India to become fastest-growing major economy in two years: Jaitley</a>

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Thursday that India would become the world&#39;s fastest-growing economy in two years.&nbsp;Jaitley, who was speaking in the Lok Sabha, was quoting from IMF data.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-ex-pm-khaleda-zia-jailed-for-graft-but-likely-to-be-freed-on-bail-pending-appeal-32223" target="_blank">Bangladesh: Ex-PM Khaleda Zia jailed for graft, but likely to be freed on bail pending appeal</a>

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia was&nbsp; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ex-bangladesh-pm-khaleda-zia-sentenced-to-5-years-in-graft-case-32203" target="_blank">jailed for five years for corruption</a>&nbsp;on Thursday as thousands of supporters took to the streets of the capital to protest her innocence.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/spice-jet-flight-suffers-tyre-burst-during-take-off-no-injuries-reported-32234" target="_blank">Spice Jet plane suffers tyre burst during </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/spice-jet-flight-suffers-tyre-burst-during-take-off-no-injuries-reported-32234" target="_blank">take</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/spice-jet-flight-suffers-tyre-burst-during-take-off-no-injuries-reported-32234" target="_blank"> off</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/spice-jet-flight-suffers-tyre-burst-during-take-off-no-injuries-reported-32234" target="_blank">, main Chennai Airport runway closed</a>

The suspected tyre burst was reported during the take-off of the flight. After which the plane was turned back and landed safely at Chennai airport.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/deepika-padukone-and-ranveer-singh-are-set-to-have-a-beach-wedding-this-year-32214" target="_blank">Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are set to have a beach wedding this year?</a>

They may be tight lip about it, but reports suggest that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are all set to walk down the aisle this year.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-postpones-ayodhya-dispute-hearing-to-march-14-32208" target="_blank">Supreme Court asks for English translations of documents, postpones Ayodhya dispute hearing to March 14</a>

The Supreme Court postponed Thursday the hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute to March 14.

India to become fastest-growing major economy in two years: Jaitley Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Thursday that India would become the world's fastest-growing economy in two years. Jaitley, who was speaking in the Lok Sabha, was quoting from IMF data. Bangladesh: Ex-PM Khaleda Zia jailed for graft, but likely to be freed on bail pending appeal Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia was jailed for five years for corruption on Thursday as thousands of supporters took to the streets of the capital to protest her innocence. Spice Jet plane suffers tyre burst during take off, main Chennai Airport runway closed The suspected tyre burst was reported during the take-off of the flight. After which the plane was turned back and landed safely at Chennai airport. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are set to have a beach wedding this year? They may be tight lip about it, but reports suggest that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are all set to walk down the aisle this year. Supreme Court asks for English translations of documents, postpones Ayodhya dispute hearing to March 14 The Supreme Court postponed Thursday the hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute to March 14.

WION Evening News Brief, February 8, 2018

Bangladesh on Wednesday tightened security amid mounting tensions over an impending corruption trial verdict against ex-prime minister and main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia on Thursday that may disqualify her from contesting the next general election.

Elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and armed police were called out to guard Dhaka streets while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina&#39;s ruling Awami League said their activists would be ready to &quot;assist police&quot; if the BNP tried to foment any unrest over the verdict.

According to media reports, police in the past several days arrested over 1,000 BNP activists, including some senior leaders, suspecting they could spearhead a violent campaign if Zia is convicted.

A Dhaka court is set to deliver the judgment in the trial in which Zia, 72, and five others, including her expatriate elder son Tarique Rahman, stand accused of embezzling 21 million takas ($252,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust.

The prosecution said the charity, named after Zia&#39;s slain husband - military dictator-turned-president Ziaur Rahman - existed only on paper.

Legal experts said Zia, who served as premier for three terms, could face life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges while a conviction would simultaneously disqualify her from contesting the next general election slated for December.

Her party had boycotted the 2014 polls over its demands for an election-time non-party government and became the opposition outside parliament. But it is expected to contest the upcoming polls.

Political analysts said the BNP might see a political split as several senior leaders could disassociate themselves from Zia as her son Rahman, the senior vice president of the party, is seen as wielding authority from London while ignoring party veterans.

Rahman is believed to have sought asylum in Britain to evade justice as he is also being tried on several charges, including a 2004 grenade attack on a rally of the then opposition Awami League that killed 23 people and in which Hasina narrowly escaped.

Zia, in a meeting of the party&#39;s highest policy-making national executive committee last week, warned of severe consequences against any attempt of &quot;betrayal&quot; saying she would remain with the party whatever the court verdict.

The main opposition party, which claims the charges are part of a plot to keep its leader out of the general election, has threatened to take to the streets if she is convicted.

The ruling Awami League, however, has denied it saying if Zia is not guilty, then it will be proven in court.

It has also called on its supporters to be vigilant if the BNP launches protests.

Earlier, Zia had urged her party supporters to hold &quot;peaceful programmes&quot;.

&quot;Please don&#39;t do something foolish that can put the party in danger. Remain united,&quot; she said last week.&nbsp;

Bangladesh on Wednesday tightened security amid mounting tensions over an impending corruption trial verdict against ex-prime minister and main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia on Thursday that may disqualify her from contesting the next general election

Bangladesh on Wednesday tightened security amid mounting tensions over an impending corruption trial verdict against ex-prime minister and main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia on Thursday that may disqualify her from contesting the next general election. Elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and armed police were called out to guard Dhaka streets while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League said their activists would be ready to "assist police" if the BNP tried to foment any unrest over the verdict. According to media reports, police in the past several days arrested over 1,000 BNP activists, including some senior leaders, suspecting they could spearhead a violent campaign if Zia is convicted. A Dhaka court is set to deliver the judgment in the trial in which Zia, 72, and five others, including her expatriate elder son Tarique Rahman, stand accused of embezzling 21 million takas ($252,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust. The prosecution said the charity, named after Zia's slain husband - military dictator-turned-president Ziaur Rahman - existed only on paper. Legal experts said Zia, who served as premier for three terms, could face life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges while a conviction would simultaneously disqualify her from contesting the next general election slated for December. Her party had boycotted the 2014 polls over its demands for an election-time non-party government and became the opposition outside parliament. But it is expected to contest the upcoming polls. Political analysts said the BNP might see a political split as several senior leaders could disassociate themselves from Zia as her son Rahman, the senior vice president of the party, is seen as wielding authority from London while ignoring party veterans. Rahman is believed to have sought asylum in Britain to evade justice as he is also being tried on several charges, including a 2004 grenade attack on a rally of the then opposition Awami League that killed 23 people and in which Hasina narrowly escaped. Zia, in a meeting of the party's highest policy-making national executive committee last week, warned of severe consequences against any attempt of "betrayal" saying she would remain with the party whatever the court verdict. The main opposition party, which claims the charges are part of a plot to keep its leader out of the general election, has threatened to take to the streets if she is convicted. The ruling Awami League, however, has denied it saying if Zia is not guilty, then it will be proven in court. It has also called on its supporters to be vigilant if the BNP launches protests. Earlier, Zia had urged her party supporters to hold "peaceful programmes". "Please don't do something foolish that can put the party in danger. Remain united," she said last week.

Tension ahead of graft case verdict against ex-Bangladesh PM Zia

The disgraced former Pakistan captain&nbsp;Salman&nbsp;Butt&nbsp;has arrived in Bangladesh to play his first full-fledged competition outside his homeland since serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, an official said Tuesday.

He was cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board to play in the latest edition of the Dhaka Premier League, a popular Bangladesh club franchise which runs until March 20.

Butt&nbsp;has committed to a full season for local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club, a club captained by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

The former Pakistan skipper is expected to make his debut against Brothers Union on Wednesday.

Mohammedan official Wasim Khan said the club was looking for a left-handed opener and&nbsp;Butt&nbsp;&quot;easily fit&quot; the profile, adding they were not concerned about his past.

&quot;It happened long, long ago. He already served out his ban,&quot; he said.

&quot;We don&#39;t think it should be an issue now. We have seen him scoring runs and that is important to us.&quot;

Butt&nbsp;was captain of Pakistan when fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir delivered deliberate no-balls during a Test match against England at Lord&#39;s in August 2010.&nbsp;

The trio admitted to working with a bookmaker and served time in prison in England before being suspended for a minimum five years by the International Cricket Council.

The ban ended on September 1, 2015.

Amir has since returned to international cricket but&nbsp;Butt&nbsp;and Asif&#39;s careers were limited to Pakistan&#39;s domestic competition.

Butt&nbsp;was allowed to play two matches in a Twenty20 competition in the United Arab Emirates in January -- one controversial match in that event is under investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit -- before being cleared to play in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Premier League is a 50-over tournament featuring many retired international players including Pakistan&#39;s Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi, Sri Lanka&#39;s Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya, India&#39;s Ajay Jadeja and England&#39;s Neil Fairbrother.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Salman Butt along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir was accused of spot-fixing and served a five-year ban which ended in 2015

The disgraced former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has arrived in Bangladesh to play his first full-fledged competition outside his homeland since serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, an official said Tuesday. He was cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board to play in the latest edition of the Dhaka Premier League, a popular Bangladesh club franchise which runs until March 20. Butt has committed to a full season for local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club, a club captained by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. The former Pakistan skipper is expected to make his debut against Brothers Union on Wednesday. Mohammedan official Wasim Khan said the club was looking for a left-handed opener and Butt "easily fit" the profile, adding they were not concerned about his past. "It happened long, long ago. He already served out his ban," he said. "We don't think it should be an issue now. We have seen him scoring runs and that is important to us." Butt was captain of Pakistan when fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir delivered deliberate no-balls during a Test match against England at Lord's in August 2010. The trio admitted to working with a bookmaker and served time in prison in England before being suspended for a minimum five years by the International Cricket Council. The ban ended on September 1, 2015. Amir has since returned to international cricket but Butt and Asif's careers were limited to Pakistan's domestic competition. Butt was allowed to play two matches in a Twenty20 competition in the United Arab Emirates in January -- one controversial match in that event is under investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit -- before being cleared to play in Bangladesh. Dhaka Premier League is a 50-over tournament featuring many retired international players including Pakistan's Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi, Sri Lanka's Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya, India's Ajay Jadeja and England's Neil Fairbrother.

Former Pakistani cricketer, Salman Butt to play in Bangladesh

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