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CPJ's Letter to Dr. Yunus for Protecting Press Freedom
Rtv News
12 Nov 2024, 08:16
Photo: Collected
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus to take steps to protect press freedom in Bangladesh. In a letter sent via email to Dr. Yunus on Monday, November 11, CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg, who works on press freedom worldwide, issued this appeal.
The letter, also published on CPJ's website, welcomed the announcement by Bangladesh's interim government’s Ministry of Information on November 4 to repeal the Cyber Security Act of 2003 within a week. In addition, CPJ’s CEO praised Dr. Yunus’s various contributions as Chief Advisor and urged him to take steps to safeguard the fundamental rights enshrined in Bangladesh’s constitution and in international covenants on civil and political rights. The letter further called for the immediate suspension of any laws that undermine obligations to protect freedom of expression and press freedom.
CPJ also highlighted that hundreds of cases have been filed against journalists in Bangladesh due to their work. It urged the government to assist in dismissing these cases, especially ensuring due judicial process and fair trials for the four journalists associated with the ruling Awami League—Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Babu, and Shyamal Dutta—who are currently imprisoned.
The organization also called for swift, independent, and transparent investigations into recent incidents of attacks and violence against journalists and media offices in Bangladesh.
Additionally, CPJ demanded an end to unlawful surveillance and harassment of journalists by law enforcement agencies. It urged the formation of an integrated journalist protection law through discussions with media representatives and civil society, to ensure that journalists can report safely and freely.
The letter also recommended reforms to the Bangladesh Press Council, suggesting it be developed into an independent, self-regulatory body that can handle complaints related to journalistic ethics without criminalizing journalists or imposing restrictions on their work.
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HSC Results Today: Steps to Get Results Quickly
The results of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams will be released today, Tuesday (October 15). Unlike previous years, the head of government, chief advisor, or education advisor will not be announcing the results. Instead, the chairpersons of the respective education boards will declare the results at 11 AM.
This year, the process for receiving results via SMS has been further streamlined. According to the new system, students can pre-register by sending an SMS before the results are officially published. The sooner a student sends the SMS, the sooner they will receive their results.
How to Pre-register for Results via SMS
To collect the results via SMS, follow these steps:
Type HSC [Board Name (first 3 letters)] [Roll] [Year] and send it to 16222.
Example: Send HSC Dha 123456 2024 to 16222.
As soon as the results are released, students who pre-registered will receive their results directly on their phones.
Background of This Year’s Exams
The HSC and equivalent exams began on June 30. Initially, the exams proceeded smoothly until July 16. However, due to the quota reform movement, the exams scheduled for July 18 were postponed, followed by further postponements on July 21, 23, and 25.
In the midst of these disruptions, a mass uprising led by the anti-discrimination student movement resulted in the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5.
Given the turbulent circumstances, the remaining exam dates were revised several times, with the final schedule set for August 11. Meanwhile, students started protesting to cancel the postponed exams. On August 20, they demonstrated at the Education Ministry, demanding cancellation. Eventually, the authorities decided to cancel the rescheduled exams.
This year, a total of 1,450,790 students participated in the HSC exams under nine general education boards, the Technical Board, and the Madrasa Board.
Army Chief Embarks on U.S. and Canada Tour
The Chief of Army Staff, General Waqar-uz-Zaman, has left for an official visit to the United States and Canada.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced the news in a press release on Tuesday (October 15).
During the visit, General Waqar-uz-Zaman will engage in discussions on various matters related to United Nations peacekeeping missions, enhancing the army's capabilities, strengthening bilateral relations, and planning future strategies. He will hold meetings with senior military and civilian officials at the UN headquarters, as well as in the U.S. and Canada.
He will also discuss matters related to mutual cooperation between the two countries. The army chief is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on October 25.
HSC Results Announced: Pass Rate 77.78%
The results of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams have been published, with an average pass rate of 77.78%. Last year, the pass rate was slightly higher at 78.64%.
On Tuesday, October 15, the Chairman of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar, disclosed the results.
He mentioned that this year, the results were not released centrally. Instead, each education board announced the results. Students can check their results via SMS.
In previous years, under the Awami League government, the Prime Minister used to officially release the SSC and HSC results in a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office, receiving the report from the board chairpersons in the presence of the Education Minister and other officials.
This year, over 1.45 million students from 11 boards participated in the HSC and equivalent exams. The exams started on June 30, but the Sylhet Board's exams were delayed until July 9 due to flooding. Only six to seven exams were conducted before they were postponed due to anti-discrimination student protests.
The remaining written and practical exams were initially scheduled to resume on September 11. However, on August 20, the government decided to cancel the remaining exams in response to student demands.
The education board prepared the final results by mapping students' HSC scores to their SSC performance. In cases where subjects didn’t align, a subject mapping policy was applied.
How to Check Results:
Online: Visit the Dhaka Education Board website and click on the "Result" section. Results can be downloaded either by entering the institution’s EIIN or through individual roll and registration numbers.
SMS: Send an SMS in the following format to 16222:
HSC [Board Name (first 3 letters)] [Roll] [Year]
Example: HSC DHA 123456 2024
The result will be sent to the student's mobile phone shortly after.
Cyclone 'Dana' Brewing in Bay, May Hit Soon
A cyclonic storm called 'Dana' is feared to be brewing in the Bay of Bengal next week, according to weather forecasts, meteorological agencies in India, the United States and the European Union.
The cyclone is likely to form by the end of this month. Once formed, might make landfall in coastal areas of India and Bangladesh between 24-26 October.
These data were reported from weather forecast models on Friday (October 18).
According to most weather forecast models, a cyclone is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal between the 21st and 26th of this month.
From these weather forecast models, the formation of the cyclone is much confirmed, but it is still uncertain where it will hit. We have to wait till October 20 to confirm the matter.
The possible cyclone's name has been given by Qatar. It is likely to hit the coastal areas of Barishal Division and the neighboring Odisha state of India.
In a notification on Thursday (October 17), India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that there is a strong possibility of a cyclone forming in the North Andaman Sea around October 20. Due to this, a low pressure may develop in the central Bay of Bengal around October 22.
Meteorologist Nazmul Haque of Bangladesh said, "In October, there are favorable conditions for cyclones in the sea. A low pressure may also occur over central Bay of Bengal on October 22. However, the situation has not yet developed.
Earlier, the Met Office's long-term forecast said that there is a possibility of several low pressures in the Bay of Bengal in October. One of these may take the form of depression or cyclone. However, the weather office has not announced the specific time.
After Egg, Chicken Prices Soaring Now
The people of the country have seen many dramas about eggs for several days. Its price was increasing by leaps and bounds on various pretexts. Finally, some relief has returned to the egg market due to import duty exemption, but discomfort has started in the chicken market.
This was seen by visiting various markets of the capital including Karwan Bazar, and New Market Bazar on Friday (October 18).
A few days ago, the retail price of eggs touched Tk180-190 per dozen. Egg prices fell after the last egg import duty was reduced to 20 percent. At present, each dozen eggs are being sold at the retail level at Tk155-160. In wholesale, a dozen eggs are being sold at Tk150 and hali at Tk50.
Traders said that efforts are being made to sell eggs at government prices. If the supply is good, the price will come down very soon.
Buyers say that the price of fish and chicken in the market is already unbridled. Still more than Tk150 per dozen eggs.
A buyer named Md. Hossain Ali said that it is not possible to buy fish and meat. Now the price of eggs is also high. It also has to struggle to meet the protein needs.
It has been seen in the market that broiler chickens are being sold at Tk200-210 per kg and golden chickens are being sold at Tk280-300. The white layer is selling for Tk250 and the red layer is selling for Tk280.
The sellers say that the supply of chicken has decreased in the market. Moreover, rising prices of chicken feed and chicks are disrupting the production system, which is also affecting the market.
Abdul Alim, a chicken trader in Karwan Bazar, said that chickens are not coming like before. Along with this, the price increase in wholesale has an impact on the retail market as well.
A buyer named Faruque said that the price of eggs and chicken is very high in the market. The campaign is not working. The syndicate of traders is very strong. It will not be possible to break this syndicate unless strict laws are enforced.
Earthquake Jolts Several Regions of Bangladesh Including Dhaka
A mild earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 on the Richter scale shook several regions of the country, including the capital city of Dhaka, early on Friday.
The tremor was felt at 12:43 am on Thursday night (October 17).
Volcano Discovery confirmed this information. According to the website, the epicenter of the earthquake was 41 km south of Dhaka. Its depth was 10 km.
In addition to Dhaka, the tremor was also felt in Chattogram and Barishal divisions.
There were no immediate reports of damage.
Users on social media platforms like Facebook posted about feeling the tremor in different parts of the country.
Earlier, on September 6, a mild earthquake was felt in Rangpur and surrounding areas. The earthquake was felt at 8:28 pm on Friday (September 6). The earthquake lasted for a few seconds.
Gold Prices Soar in Bangladesh As Well As World Market
A new history has been created in the price of gold, breaking all previous records in the world market. For the first time in the world market, the price of one ounce of gold exceeded 2,711.19 dollars. As such, the price of this precious metal can rise and create new records in the country's market at any time.
On Friday (October 18) at 12:00 pm, the price of gold in the spot market was at $2,711.19. The price rose $18.10, or 0.67 percent per ounce in one day.
The US election, the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut, and tensions in the Middle East are now driving gold prices higher in the global market, Reuters reported.
Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) determines the price of gold in the country's market. According to the latest prices offered by the organization, the best quality or 22-carat gold per bhori is priced at Tk1,37,453. This is the highest price of gold in the market of the country so far. The price of 21-carat solid gold is Tk1,31,197, 18-carat is Tk1,12,453, and the traditional method is fixed at Tk92,286.
BAJUS Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring Committee decides to increase or decrease the price of gold on behalf of the organization. A member of this committee said, "The rate at which gold prices are increasing in the world market, the price of gold will have to be increased in the country's market as well. There is no alternative."
He said, "I decided to increase or decrease the price of gold based on the international market as well as the local market."
