The report submission date for the Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi murder case has been deferred for the 95th time. The court has set the time for report submission to March 5 this time. Wednesday (December 4) was the date for report submission. Dhaka Metropolitan magistrate Rashedul Alam has set a new date for submission as RAB did not submit the report. 

On February 11, 2012, Maasranga Television news editor Sagar Sarowar and ATN Bangla senior reporter Meherun Runi were murdered. Nausher Alam Roman, brother of deceased Runi, filed a murder case at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station. 

A Sub Inspector (SI) of the police station was the investigation officer for the case at first. Four days later, the case was handed over to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. 

DB failed to solve the case after a two-month investigation. Later, the investigation of the case was handed over to RAB by the order of the High Court.

A US delegation is meeting with Bangladesh under the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) in Dhaka today. Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia (acting) will lead the US delegation. He expressed the United States' position on trade and investment with Bangladesh. He was interviewed by Mahadi Hasan. 

Kaler Kantho : As the tariff placed on exports from Bangladesh is one of the highest faced by commodities entering the Western nations, the country is requesting duty-free and quota-free access to the US market. What do you think about the demand?

Brendan Lynch : U.S. demand for Bangladeshi exports, especially apparel exports, remains high. Bangladesh continues to be viewed as a reliable apparel supplier and even was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the lack of duty-free or quota-free preferences, Bangladesh remains the third largest supplier of apparel to the U.S. market. 

Kaler Kantho : Bangladesh asserts that labor standards and worker safety have significantly improved. Is the United States prepared to return the GSP to Bangladesh? 
Brendan Lynch : Bangladesh lost eligibility to the GSP program in 2013 as a result of inadequacies in worker rights and unsafe working conditions. We are awaiting U.S. Congressional reauthorization of the GSP program, which expired on December 31, 2020. We commend the significant progress that the Government of Bangladesh has made in the areas of worker safety standards after the Rana Plaza tragedy, which occurred 10 years ago. 
However, we note Bangladesh’s worker rights continues to fall short of international labor standards, especially with respect to freedom of association and collective bargaining. During the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) Council meeting held on September 20, worker rights are a top priority for the United States in our bilateral trade relationship. We commend the Government of Bangladesh for addressing certain hurdles workers face when registering unions, and see that work is ongoing in this area. In this TICFA Council meeting, we also emphasized the importance of combatting violence against workers and union organizers, as well as anti-union discrimination and other unfair labor practices. The recent murder of Shahidul Islam, a trade union organizer who was murdered protesting unpaid wages, is evidence that concerns about the environment for union organizers and worker rights still persist in Bangladesh. The United States plans to continue to engage with Bangladesh in a collaborative manner on issues related to labor and worker rights going forward.  

Kaler Kantho : Is Bangladeshi goods' duty- and quota-free access to the US market a political issue? Is it connected to democracy, ethical leadership, and human rights?

Brendan Lynch : The establishment of duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market for Bangladeshi goods falls under the legal authority of the U.S. Congress.  The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative does not have the legal ability to create preference programs.  

Kaler Kantho : Bangladesh is anticipated to lose trade privileges in a number of markets after graduating from LDC status. How can the US help Bangladesh keep its export market strong?

Brendan Lynch : Bangladesh’s potential graduation from LDC status in 2026 indicates how far the country has progressed in its economic development. While this is positive news for Bangladesh, graduating from LDC status will require Bangladesh to make additional economic reforms in line with its international commitments. One way to ensure that Bangladesh remains competitive even after graduating would be for Bangladesh to focus on labor law reform, especially with respect to freedom of association, collective bargaining, and unfair labor practices. Aligning Bangladesh’s labor laws to internationally recognized labor standards would help ensure that Bangladesh can meet the eligibility criteria of the U.S.  Generalized System of Preferences program.  
Bangladesh is not without support after it graduates from LDC status. The United States sees itself as a partner in our trade relationship with Bangladesh and remains committed to assisting Bangladesh continue to reform. The United States wants to ensure that Bangladesh’s economy can continue to grow rapidly after LDC graduation. 

Kaler Kantho : According to the Bangladesh chapter in the US State Department's Investment Climate Statements for 2023, the political and security environment could deteriorate before the general elections. How important is national stability to US businesspeople?

Brendan Lynch : A stable political and security environment are critical factors for U.S. companies when they’re considering where to invest. If companies recognize that Bangladesh is able to conduct a free and fair election in a peaceful manner, U.S. businesses would feel more comfortable investing in Bangladesh. Countries that can best provide stability and predictability over the long term will be the most attractive.  

Kaler Kantho : According to US Ambassador Peter Haas, Bangladesh will draw in more investment if it can reassure US people and investors that corruption is less common here than in other markets. Are there obstacles for US businesses in Bangladesh?

Brendan Lynch :  Bangladesh should ensure that it has a strong legal framework that is unbiased and fair, and contains anti-corruption measures that   promote a sound investment climate. One long-standing challenge that we hear from U.S. companies operating in Bangladesh is that it can take years to resolve business and contract disputes, including non-payment, if matters enter the judicial system. These delays negatively impact the perception of Bangladesh’s investment climate.  We suggest that Bangladesh consider judicial reforms that would allow U.S. companies to settle cases and seek judgments in a fair, equitable, and efficient manner.

Kaler Kantho : Last year, US President Joe Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum for Prosperity. Has Bangladesh been invited to this forum by the US? How might Bangladesh profit from this forum?

Brendan Lynch : We are pleased that Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) was launched with such an initial strong and diverse group of IPEF Partners, and we are focused on delivering concrete economic outcomes as quickly as possible. The United States has made clear that any decisions regarding new members will be made through a consensus-based decision-making process.

Kaler Kantho : The Bangladeshi government has not enacted any regulations governing responsible business conduct (RBC) or set any norms in this regard. What significance does this RBC have for Bangladesh, particularly in the viewpoint of the US?

Brendan Lynch : Since the signing of our Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement in 2013, the United States has strongly advocated for Bangladesh to engage in strong corporate governance and responsible business conduct, including sustainable and socially responsible practices, as these factors are increasingly important to investors. Government policy that is predicated on transparency is also key to attracting U.S. investment.

Kaler Kantho : Thank you.
Brendan Lynch : Thank you, Kaler Kantho.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a public rally here on Wednesday which her party officials believe would be the largest ever in the history of the northern region, reports UNB.

An advance delegation of the ruling party, led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader, on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the divisional grand rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground.

“This is going to be the biggest ever rally in Rangpur,” said Quader after inspecting the venue along with senior party leaders. “The people here are eagerly waiting to see the prime minister and hear from her.”

Hasina, who doubles as the president of Awami League, is expected to address the rally at 3pm, according to the PMO sources.

She is scheduled to arrive in Rangpur at 1:30pm on Wednesday by a helicopter and arrive at the rally ground at 3:30 pm. She will then be escorted to a large boat-shaped stage.

From the rally, the prime minister will inaugurate 27 development schemes and lay foundation stone of five others including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre worth about Tk 1240 crore.

The leaders and activists of AL and its associate bodies are feeling upbeat about the PM’s visit.

People of all strata of lives of the region are eagerly waiting to hear the premier speak at the rally.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the Awami League relies on the people’s support.

“So, we are dependent on people not on weapons. We don't believe in arson terrorism. Our strength is the people of the country,” he said.

He also said that their target is to protect the country from crooks, tyrants, money-launderers, militant and sectarian evil forces

“We can’t hand over our motherland to these types of people. This is our promise," he continued.

To welcome the PM, the entire Rangpur has been decorated with hundreds of makeshift gates, festoons, banners, placards and posters with pictures of the Father of the Nation and the prime minister.

Chinese Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun held two separate meetings in Dhaka and discussed issues of mutual interest, including the thorny issue of Rohingya repatriation.

This is his second visit within less then four months and he had meetings with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen separately in Dhaka on Monday, said a diplomatic source.

This time the Chinese special envoy visited Myanmar before coming to Bangladesh. He is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has chosen to play it cool it seems, about the visit of the special envoy. No Foreign Ministry official, nor MoFA itself, shared anything of Xijun's visit till now.

After his meeting with the Chinese Special Envoy when he came earlier in April, Foreign Minister Momen reiterated his hope that the Rohingyas will start returning to Myanmar acknowledging that he had a discussion on the issue with the Chinese side recently.

The Foreign Minister said many are working to help facilitate the Rohingya repatriation. "I should say they (China) have taken a very good initiative and they are working accordingly," he added.

The foreign minister said there were two attempts to begin repatriation of the Rohingyas in the past but both went in vain.

Momen said the Chinese side facilitates the discussion between Bangladesh and Myanmar and hoped that the Rohingyas will start returning to their homes.

In Myanmar, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received the delegation led by Deng Xijun, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China at the Office of SAC Chairman in Nay Pyi Taw a couple of days ago.
They frankly exchanged views on progress of friendly ties and cooperation between Myanmar and China, efforts of the State for restoration of internal peace and assistance of China, political progress of Myanmar and endeavours for ensuring peace and stability, and development of the country, preparations to accept the expatriates who left Rakhine State, according to Global New Light Of Myanmar.

The month of mourning begins today commemorating the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975.

The August 15 carnage is the ugliest chapter of the nation's history as the self-confessed killers not only assassinate the nation's founding father alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.

The nation observes with heavy heart the month of August as the month of mourning to recall the barbaric killing on 1975's 15 August.

The August 15 carnage martyrs included Bangabandhu's wife Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, his sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, Bangabandhu's brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, Moni's pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Bangabandhu's military secretary Colonel Jamil.

Bangabandhu's two daughters - incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana - escaped the planned assassination as they were visiting Germany at that time.

With the killing of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all times, a pall of gloom descended and a sense of deep sadness spread among the people in the country and across the globe.

The world protested and condemned the killing, saying it is an irreparable loss to millions of people of Bangladesh.

The month of August is also black marked with another conspiracy of assassination. The nation cannot ever forget the heinous attempt of killing Sheikh Hasina through grenade attacks in 2004.

The vested quarter, who assassinated Bangabandhu in 1975, also tried to destroy Awami League (AL) by killing its president Sheikh Hasina with grenades on an anti-terrorism rally at Bangabandhu Avenue here on August 21 in 2004.

Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped the attack suffering splinter injuries when 24 of her party men, including Awami League's women affairs secretary Ivy Rahman, were killed and 500 others injured.

Like in the previous years, different political and socio-cultural organisations, including ruling Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies have chalked out month-long programmes to observe the month of mourning.