National
PM Sheikh Hasina Inaugurates DITF 2024
On Sunday, January 21, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) in Purbachal. The 28th edition of the fair features participation from six foreign countries, namely Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Iran, along with local companies showcasing their products.
During the inauguration, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared Handicrafts Products as the product of the year for 2024. The event was attended by State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam, and Vice-Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) AHM Ahsan.
The fair is scheduled to run from January 21 to February 20. Traditionally commencing on January 1 each year, the EPB postponed this year’s event due to the 12th national elections held on January 7.
The fair will be open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, extending to 10 pm on weekends. Admission fees are Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children, with freedom fighters and physically challenged individuals exempt from the fee. To facilitate general visitors, BRTC buses have been arranged from Farmgate and Kuril Biswa Road to the fair premises.
A total of 330 stalls, including 23 pavilions and 27 mini pavilions, have been allotted. Additionally, there will be 15 food stalls catering to various categories and accommodating up to 500 people. Amenities at the fair include a prayer room, children’s playground, media corner, office rooms, medical rooms, guest rooms for officials, and stores. The parking area is equipped to accommodate 500 vehicles.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
