Corporate
British Broadcasting Corporation ‘BBC’ turns 100
Global media giant the British Broadcasting Corporation ‘BBC’ celebrates turning 100 on Tuesday, 18 October with one eye on its glorious past and another on its unpredictable future.
Over a century, the BBC has established itself as one of Britain’s most visible and respected global brands, delivering its original mission statement to “inform, educate and entertain.”
The broadcaster reaches an audience of 492 million around the world every week, according to the corporation’s 2021-2022 annual report.
BBC World Service broadcasts in 41 languages to about 364 million people a week globally.
“For a century, the BBC has been a beacon of trusted news and programming across the world, as well as being part of the fabric of the UK and one of its key institutions,” BBC director-general Tim Davie said of the landmark.
“It has been a story of a devotion to public service and constant reinvention — which those in the BBC today remain utterly committed to,” he added.
For nearly 7 million people, each day starts with BBC Radio 4’s flagship “Today” program, which often sets the political agenda.
At weekends, “Strictly Come Dancing”, which pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, has had viewers glued to their sets for 20 years and is the most talked-about television program on air.
BBC series such as “Peaky Blinders”, “Fleabag” and “Killing Eve” have been exported around the world.
But the centenary comes at a time of uncertainty, with drastic budget cuts and changing viewing habits driven by the digital revolution raising questions about its future.
The government in January revealed it would freeze the BBC’s license-fee funding model for 2 years, raising fears it could be scrapped in the future.
The annual charge for households with a television set is currently set at $176.
The financial situation has been accompanied by an exodus of younger audiences towards streaming and on-demand platforms, prompting questions about why they should still pay for the BBC.
But BBC chairman Richard Sharp vowed that the broadcaster would “educate and entertain for another century.”
“The BBC is one hundred today — it’s a time to celebrate, but also to embrace the future,” said Sharp.
“I believe its best days are ahead. We have always innovated, changed and adapted,” he added.
“By continuing to put the public first, we will continue to inform, educate and entertain for another century.”
Following the merger of EXIM and Padma, BASIC Bank is now set to merge with City Bank. The decision was reached during a meeting held today (8 April) at the Bangladesh Bank. Sources within the central bank revealed that the merger will be voluntary. This significant decision emerged from a meeting between Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar and City Bank’s Chairman Aziz Al Qaiser and Managing Director (MD) Mashrur Arefin.
Previously, on 19 March, the board of City Bank received a recommendation to merge with Basic Bank. Subsequently, discussions ensued between the boards of both City Bank and Basic Bank. Officials from both banks engaged in internal discussions regarding this matter. Despite the merger, sources indicate that the two banks will continue to report separate financials for the next three years.
It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF) recently held its 7th Annual Iftar event at Aloki, located on the Gulshan – Tejgaon Link Road in Dhaka. This yearly gathering, known as the Annual Iftar event, serves as a significant platform for stakeholders to engage with children, gain insights into their experiences, and deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. The event brought together students from IHF School, sponsor parents, internal and external stakeholders, and well-wishers, all coming together to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan.
The event was inaugurated by Md. Adnan Hossain, Founder and Executive Director of IHF, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizations that have supported IHF throughout its journey. Representatives from various organizations also attended, along with notable personalities from the local community. Hossain emphasized the importance of dedication and support in inspiring hope for a better world, stating, “Your actions are changing lives, and together, we can make education a reality for every child.”
Among the esteemed guests were Clinton Pobke & his Spouse, Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission Bangladesh; Md Moinul Huq, Citi Country Officer (CCO) at Citibank NA, Bangladesh; Sabrina Islam, Chairman of SSLCommerz; Dr. David Dowland, Registrar of BRAC University; Shammi Islam Nila, Miss World Bangladesh, and many others. They praised the efforts of IHF and encouraged continued support for the cause.
Ahmed Atifur Rahman, Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank and Advisor of It’s Humanity Foundation, shared his deep connection with the organization’s cause, stating, “Witnessing the progress and impact IHF has made over the years fills me with immense pride. We strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of marginalized communities, and I am honored to be a part of this journey towards positive change.”
The success of the event was made possible through the generous support of various partners, including Aastha Trust, Green Delta Insurance, Uttara Finance and Investments Limited, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Techno Drugs Ltd, RUN Leather, Perfetti Van Melle, Finis, Bengal Express, HER NET, Nestle, Savoy, Limerence Photographs, Holago, and Protibha Flavours.
Corporate
Yaana Technologies LLC, Penta Global Forge Strategic Alliance to Create Bangladesh’s First AI Hub
Yaana Technologies LLC, headquartered in California, USA, and Penta Global Limited of Bangladesh have formed a strategic partnership to establish Bangladesh’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence. This significant collaboration positions Bangladesh as a prominent contender in the global AI arena, fostering pioneering research and development aimed at Silicon Valley, the epicenter of the tech industry.
The partnership appears tailored to crafting AI solutions targeted specifically at Silicon Valley enterprises, indicating a focus on advanced AI applications. Yaana is poised to bring its AI prowess to the table, presumably leveraging its expertise in two innovative concepts that Penta intends to explore. These technological advancements might encompass specialized algorithms, software frameworks, or inventive approaches to AI problem-solving.
Penta, on the other hand, will contribute its expertise and manpower in Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning (ML), a fundamental AI subfield focused on model training through extensive text and data management techniques, utilizing high-performance computing resources essential for intricate AI models. Collaborating with Yaana, Penta will embark on research endeavors, potentially delving into advancements achieved with Yaana’s innovative concepts and their application to Silicon Valley clientele.
Crucially, Penta will play a pivotal role in refining Yaana’s concepts through the preparation of research papers, model training, and crafting Proof of Concepts for the AI models.
In summary, this partnership has the potential to revolutionize Bangladesh’s AI landscape, ushering in a new era of technological progress and garnering global attention, ultimately fostering a flourishing AI ecosystem.
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