A Cease-Fire in Gaza



News Desk, Barta24.com
Israel and Gaza have entered a period of calm following a weekend

Israel and Gaza have entered a period of calm following a weekend

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Israel and Gaza have entered a period of calm following a weekend of fighting which began last Friday night when Israel bombed the Palestinian enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said the bombings were necessary to counter “an immediate threat.” He also highlighted Islamic Jihad’s links to Iran, reminding his audience that its leader was at that moment in Tehran.

Islamic Jihad’s response, to fire hundreds of rockets at major Israeli population centers, had little effect. The missiles either fell short or were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defenses.

It is unclear whether a cease-fire, arranged by Egyptian authorities on Sunday night between the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad and the Israeli government, will hold.

At least 44 people were killed—all in Gaza—since the initial bombing in the largest round of fighting since May last year. Several children are believed to be among the dead.

Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories said the strikes were “not only are illegal but irresponsible,” and called for a lifting of the blockade of the enclave, put in place by Israel and Egypt since 2007.

The U.S. response was muted, as U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby spoke of support for both Israel’s right to defense as well as the Biden administration’s support for a two-state solution.

The most recent exchange stands out from the last few rounds in that Hamas, the larger militant group and the governing authority in Gaza, was not involved.

Aaron David Miller, a Middle East expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Israel’s choice of a much weaker adversary this time around is a reflection not just of the strength of Hamas but of Israeli calculations that the two groups would not coordinate.

With part of the cease-fire agreement reportedly involving the release of Islamic Jihad prisoners, the group will likely lie low and assess its position, Miller said: “They’ve lost some significant military commanders in Gaza and a lot of infrastructure, and they’ve lost any sense that Hamas is willing, at least for the foreseeable future, to support their activities.”

With Hamas keeping its hands clean, the latest spark seems destined to fizzle out. Israeli bombs aren’t just destructive, however—they can also be converted into political capital: Caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid has already seized the opportunity to play wartime leader, hastily arranging a security briefing over the weekend (grudgingly attended by his nemesis and electoral challenger, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu).

“I think there’s probably less here than meets the eye in terms of any strategic shift. It may carry more consequences for Israeli politics, because Lapid—with no military [combat] experience, no high school diploma—needs between now and November 1 to demonstrate the fact that he can be prime ministerial, that he can show judgment in dealing with security issues.”

But Miller cautioned against any further risk-taking on Lapid’s part between now and Nov. 1: “The last thing that Lapid needs is an open-ended confrontation in Gaza that gets out of control. That would be very bad for Lapid and would be a huge talking point for Netanyahu.”

   

VC Shireen is leaving with the debility of not being able to hold Convocation in CU



Redwan Ahmed, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Chattogram:
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The Vice Chancellor (VC) of Chattogram University (CU) could not organize the Convocation even after announcing it six times. Shireen Akhtar In the meantime, a five-year 'Shireen rule' is going to end with the appointment of a new VC. That is why she has to leave with the disrepute of not being able to organize the Convocation!

The new VC has been appointed, a full-time member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Md. Abu Taher working on deputation as the Professor of Management department of CU. On Tuesday (March 19), the Ministry of Education appointed him as Vice-Chancellor for a temporary period through a notification in accordance with Section 12(2) of the Chattogram University Act, 1973. His appointment will be effective from the date of joining.

Senior teachers of the University say that a peaceful environment is necessary to organize the Convocation in the University. But Dr. Shireen Akhtar's administration could not create that environment. Every time the initiative has been taken, almost every time there has been some volatility. Moreover, during her administration, there was some kind of trouble for the whole year.

28 years after the establishment of the university in 1994, the then VC Professor Dr. Rafiqul Islam organized the first Convocation. Then the second Convocation was held in 1999, third in 2008 and lastly in 2016 the fourth Convocation. This convocation was organized by the former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury. Then the current Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shireen Akhtar after taking charge in 2019 announced the Convocation 6 times at different times but could not implement it in any way. Last year she announced the Convocation for the 6th time during the inauguration of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. In addition, on February 1 of the same year, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shireen Akhtar

Statistics show that among the other Universities governed by the Ordinance of 1973, Dhaka University holds Convocation once every two years, Rajshahi University every six years and Jahangirnagar University once every 10 years. As such, Chattogram University is convened once in 14 years on an average.

The last and largest convocation in CU took place on 31 January 2016, almost 7 years ago. Graduates and post-graduates from 2004 to 2010 and PhD-MPhil from 2008 to 2013 participated in it. A total of 7194 graduates came out. The last Convocation was done by former VC of CU Professor Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury.

Meanwhile, thousands of students of the University are waiting for the 5th convocation for 8 years. Students have completed their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from various departments and institutes. Most of the students have expressed disappointment over the failure to organize the convocation despite having a budget for the convocation every year.

For the first time for the purpose of the 5th convocation, the current VC Professor Dr. Shireen Akhtar announced the Convocation on January 29, 2020 in an exchange meeting with journalists. In the same year, on November 16, CU announced for the 2nd time in a press conference organized at the Press Club on the occasion of celebrating the 56th University Day. Then on July 23, 2022, in the second session of the 34th Senate meeting, she announced the fifth convocation for the third time. In the press conference organized on the occasion of the University's 57th anniversary on November 17th that year, she announced the fifth convocation for the fourth time. Even after announcing the Convocation six times in a row, no final date could be fixed.

The teachers say that a peaceful environment is necessary to organize the convocation. But almost every time there is some kind of volatility. The university authorities have also claimed that many students are not able to complete their graduation within the stipulated time due to jamming of sessions in different batches. Organizing the annual convocation becomes difficult for the students facing the session jam. Besides, the University authorities allocate annual budget for Convocation but that money was spent in other sectors. However, in the last budget session, no allocation was kept for the convocation sector.

A postgraduate student from the History department said that there is apathy among faculty members in following the academic calendar due to irregular Convocation ceremonies. As a result, teachers in most departments do not attend classes on time. The session gap is increasing. Regular convocation will make teachers more responsible. Another student of the Philosophy department said that the lack of goodwill of the administration and political obstacles are the reasons for the irregular Convocation. However, the administration should have a plan to organize the event within a specific period.

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All efforts are on to bring back the hostage sailors: Foreign Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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The Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that efforts are being made to safely bring back the 23 hostages on the coast of Somalia.

He said this in response to a question from reporters on Tuesday (March 19).

The foreign minister said that all efforts are underway to bring back the sailors safely from the hands of Somali pirates. But it is not possible to say everything. He also urged the media to spread the news carefully.

Dr. Hasan Mahmood also said that "work is in progress" to send back BGP members who fled Myanmar during the war.

He said that about 200 border guards who escaped from Myanmar are staying in Bangladesh. Negotiations are ongoing with the Myanmar government for their return.

He said that the allocation of funds for Rohingyas is decreasing every year and efforts are being made to get sufficient funds.

It has been seven days since the Bangladesh flag ship 'MV Abdullah' was hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean. There has been no word yet on the ship, which is anchored just off the coast of Somalia. Because so far no communication has been made regarding ransom or demand from the bandits. As a result, there is uncertainty about how soon the release of the hostage sailors is possible. However, news has come out that the Somali police and the international navy are preparing for an operation to rescue the Bangladeshi flagged ship with 23 sailors as hostages.

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‘We will take health care to such a level that people all over the world will applaud’



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen said to the Health Care Workers, we want to take health care to such a level that people all over the world will applaud us. They say that the health care of Bangladesh has come a long way. Our only wish is to bring healthcare to people's doorsteps. And you are the biggest maker of it.

He said this at a discussion meeting on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birthday and National Children's Day at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Convention Hall in Shahbagh of the capital on Tuesday (March 19).

The Health Minister said that all the conferences of our health sector will be held in the name of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib. We will not go to any five star hotels. We will take this institution to the people. Here we will do all the programs for the next five years.

Stating that the health sector will be "less talk, more work" from now on, he said, I want to talk less and do more work. Then pay homage to the Father of the Nation and fulfill his wish.

Showing the example of the program, the Minister said, today the program started at 10 am and I wanted to finish it by 11 am. I want the people who are involved in the medical care of various hospitals to leave here and join the work soon. So I will finish in time.

The Health Minister said, I would not be here today if not for the Father of the Nation. To become a Minister today, those of you who came before me could not have come. Reminiscing, he said, we stayed in Iskaton in the month of March. When Bangabandhu went to Hatirpool, he used to come down wearing a lungi and talk to us. Those of us who saw it closely know how much love he had for his country. What he cared about the most was bringing treatment to the common men. He visited Suhrawardy Hospital several times. Then he used to say to the doctors and nurses, you are doctors and nurses. If you come on time, provide service on time then I am satisfied. Then I will understand that my whole life's suffering and making the country free is worth it.

State Minister of Health Dr. Rokeya Sultana, Health Secretary Azizur Rahman, Director General of the Directorate of Health Professor Dr. ABM Khurshid Alam and others were present.

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Public transport will be closed if extra fare is charged on Eid: Ranga



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Barta24

photo: Barta24

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President of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, Mashiur Rahman Ranga said that if any inter-district or long-distance public transport charges extra fare during this Eid trip, and if evidence is found, then that transport will be stopped. Legal action will also be taken against that bus.

He said this at a discussion meeting organized on Tuesday (March 19) to ensure smooth, safe and congestion-free travel of highway-road passengers on the occasion of the holy Ramadan and upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Additional IGP of highway police Shahabuddin Khan presided over this view exchange meeting at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium.

Moshiur Rahman Ranga said that it has been identified that there may be jams, traffic jams or blocks in any area this Eid. We are now taking the help of drones for the Eid journey on the highway. With the help of drones, we can take immediate action by seeing the images. Many highway roads are four lanes. It happened somewhere. Now if a vehicle on the road becomes instantly useless it will still be easier to move it. We have given instructions to ensure that no vehicle full of crud enters the road on Eid.

We all want to have a good Eid trip. We have to create the opportunity to do well. We all want to go together on Eid. Without doing that we can go by division, earlier or later then I can reach the destination within 5/7 or eight hours.

It is not like that to go two days before Eid. We have very little public transport compared to the population. Buses are hired by the government in Saudi Arabia during Hajj and we don't have any such system here on Eid. So you can go earlier or even after Eid. We assure you that the Eid journey will be smooth.

We notice that some old buses which do not get serials throughout the year are off the road during Eid. We can't catch these things and the police can't understand where they come from on the streets. These are carried by the garment workers as a reserve. BRTC's double Decker bus has entered the road where even our small buses do not ply. We are yet to remove Nasiman, Kariman, Bhatavati from the highway. This is also an obstacle for us.

Ranga is in the face of fire on the question of increased rent on Eid. Every year there are complaints of increased rent, but no effective initiative is taken. In this context, Ranga said, many transporters collect extra fare during Eid. If any of the bus companies you are working with have a good reputation, if you charge more, let us know, let me know and we will take action. I will attend the spot if necessary. We will go there when we get complaints. We will identify who is charging extra rent in some places.

When asked what action will be taken if we get concrete evidence of charging extra fare, Ranga said, we will halt the public transport if we get concrete evidence. I will take action according to the law.

All three lanes of the road in front of Mohakhali bus terminal are occupied by illegal parking which has a big impact on road traffic. If it is not resolved, most of the Eid journey will be spent in Dhaka. When asked to know, President of Road Transport Owners Association, Moshiur Rahman Ranga said, "We have no right to block or block the road and stand on the road. Traffic police take legal action against those who park illegally on the road and disrupt traffic, we have no problem.

There is no road in front of Mohakhali bus terminal, the road is also being used as a terminal. In response to such a question, Ranga said, I will go to Mohakhali first after leaving here. Let's see what the problem is. Again, we will take legal action against those who are doing illegal parking, abnormal excesses.

BGMEA; BKMEA; Chairman/General Secretary, Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association; Secretary General, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association; General Secretary, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation; Vice President, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation; President/General Secretary, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association; Chairman/General Secretary were present in the meeting.

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