Bangladesh today (Saturday) reported 512 Covid-19 cases while the coronavirus claimed overnight two lives.      "The country reported 2.74 percent Covid-19 positive cases as 18,673 samples were tested in the past 24 hours," Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its routine daily statement.      In the past 24 hours, the combined figure of coronavirus in Dhaka city and upazilas of the district is 429 while one Covid-19 death was reported during the period.      The official tally showed that the virus killed 28,072 people and infected 15,85,539 so far, the statement added.      The recovery count rose to 15,49,101 after another 290 patients were discharged from the hospitals during the past one day.      From the beginning of the pandemic, 97.70 percent Covid-19 patients recovered among the infected people while 1.77 percent died, the DGHS statistics showed.      The DGHS said among the total 28,072 fatalities, 12,261 occurred in Dhaka division, 5,689 in Chattogram, 2,061 in Rajshahi, 3,619 in Khulna, 949 in Barishal, 1,273 in Sylhet, 1,373 in Rangpur and 847 in Mymensingh divisions. Source: BSS AH

President M Abdul Hamid today (Friday) administered the oath of office to Hasan Foez Siddique as the 23rd chief justice a day after signing his appointment.      The president administered the oath at 4 pm at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban in a brief ceremony, witnessed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's wife Begum Rashida Khanam, cabinet members, former chief justices, judges of both appellate and high court divisions, heads of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, the attorney general, Supreme Court lawyers, including SC Bar Association leaders.     Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam conducted the oath taking ceremony.      The President made the appointment as per Article 95 (1) of the Constitution on Thursday as the outgoing Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain retired on the day.     Justice Hasan Foez Siddique was enrolled as an advocate of the District Court on August 21, 1981. He was enrolled at the High Court Division on September 4, 1983 and at the Supreme Court on May 27, 1999.     He acted as Legal Advisor to Khulna City Corporation, Kushtia Municipality, Jalalabad Gas Transmission Company and Chief Law Adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Besides, he worked as Additional Attorney General for Bangladesh.     Justice Siddique was elevated as Judge of the High Court Division on March 25, 2009, and as a Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on March 31, 2013.   Source: BSS AH

The nation is set to welcome the New Year 2022 of English calendar tomorrow with a plausible hope of returning to a new normal life as a number of people across the country were vaccinated to prevent the deadly coronavirus despite its Omicron variant sweeping around the world.   Usually the New Year's Eve comes as an occasion for huge celebration across the globe, bidding farewell to the outgoing year.   But, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the nations to avoid any kind of public gatherings or extravaganza centering the New Year celebration in 2020 while this year would also witness a limited celebration as many countries across the world have already put several restrictions afresh to slow the spread of the highly-infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19.   Though the New Year's Eve is likely look different like all of the 2021 holidays, the people in Bangladesh will celebrate the occasion with the traditional manner maintaining the health guidelines and social distancing.   Jubilant people, particularly the young population, might spend the evening watching New Year's movies or playing a New Year's game at homes with family members rather than going out for a glitzy night in the town, with the clock strikes 12 midnight.   As 2021 draws to a close, New Zealand will be among the first few countries to usher in the New Year. Celebrations then move across the world -- to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and finally the Americas.   On this special occasion, people have already conveyed their best wishes to their friends and beloved ones through different messaging applications and social media platforms.   Corporate and government officials and various organisations also did the same thing as they do every year to greet their nearest ones.   The day is also a moment of looking back to the outgoing year for reviewing the successes and failures and planning strategies to reach new goals for the New Year, with accomplishing the unfinished tasks those need to be done in the coming days.   The year 2021 was a significant year for Bangladesh as amidst the global pandemic, the country saw many successes in major areas including politics, economy, agriculture and driving the IT sectors towards attaining the middle-income status.   Alongside many achievements and global recognitions, the country was totally peaceful in the political landscape in 2021. The peaceful political situation allowed the nation's economy to grow faster.   The outgoing year also came with an extra significance since two giant celebrations- the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence- have been celebrated simultaneously in the country.   In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will greet the countrymen on the occasion of New Year 2022 this evening.   Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) restricted public gatherings at open spaces, including rooftops, on the night of December 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic.    The DMP asked all not to arrange any cultural programme on roads, flyovers, building rooftops and other public places.    No fireworks or parties will be allowed under the open sky on 31st night on the occasion of the New Year 2022 celebration. Source: BSS AH

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam today (Thursday) said the government has finalised the Detailed Area Plan (DAP).   "The Detailed Area Plan (DAP) has been finalised. Once Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approves it, a gazette notification will be issued to this end," he told reporters after a meeting of the committee formed to review the DAP at his ministry's conference room in the capital.    Tajul, also the convener of the committee, said the DAP will be implemented not to cause any harm to anyone. "If anyone faces any loss due to the DAP implementation, it will be considered," he added.    The LGRD minister said the decisions taken in the meeting today will be sent to the Prime Minister and once she gives clearance to it, a gazette notification will be issued.    He said it was earlier announced that DAP would be finalised by December this year.    "We were able to keep our words. The review committee will meet in every three months after it is finalised. All objections and opinion will be reviewed at these meetings. If there is a need for amendment, it will be accomplished with consultation of everyone," Tajul said.    Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Md Shahab Uddin, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Farooq, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed, Local Government Division Senior Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed, Housing and Public Works Secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, Land Secretary Md Mostafizur Rahman, among others, spoke.    The RAJUK chairman and representatives of concerned ministries, divisions and departments were present on the occasion.    DAP Project Director Md Ashraful Islam gave a presentation on the draft of DAP at the meeting. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) expressed her government's keen interest to make the air force like developed countries, saying the ultra-modern fighter planes, air defence radar and missile were already inducted to the force to turn the desire into reality.    "We have already incorporated ultra-modern fighter planes, air defence radar, missile and necessary equipment to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) alongside setting up new ghatis (wings), units and training institute ---we want to build the air force like developed countries," she said.    The Prime Minister said this while addressing as the chief guest the "President Parade (Winter)-2021" of the Bangladesh Air Force Academy, joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.   The BAF is going to get soon various modern planes, high-performance air defence radar, simulator, ATS simulator, laser guided bomb and anti-ship missile which will multiply its capacity, she said. The Prime Minister called upon the fresh cadets to be prepared in such a way keeping in mind the Father of the Nation's ideals as they can play an active role in fulfilling the country's expectations by serving the nation.    She hoped that the fresher would march the force ahead by using their talent, professionalism and patriotism from the current position that was achieved by your predecessors' far-sightedness, professionalism and hard work.   The Prime Minister greeted the new cadets as they are going to join the air force upon completion of their three years training.    She asked the cadets to always love the country and its people and perform the responsibilities bestowed on them with sincerity and honesty.    "Protect the independence and sovereignty of the country that were shouldered upon you after taking the oath," she added.    Highlighting her government's various measures taken for the overall development of the air force, the premier said they have purchased the fourth generation MIG-29 and C-130 and high performance air protection radar alongside infrastructure development coming to power in 1996 after 21 years. Describing the armed forces as the symbol of country's independence and sovereignty, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been implementing the "Forces Goal-2030" to build a developed and professional force.    The "Forces Goal-2030" was formulated in line with the Defence Policy of 1974 adopted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said.    The Prime Minister said that they have established Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre to ensure safe and affordable management and overhauling of the planes, radars and military equipment.    She said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University was established to ensure overall development of the air force and make time-worthy the civil aviation sector.   The Prime Minister said, "InshaAllah, we will once attain ability in building planes, helicopters and fighter planes with the knowledge to be obtained through research from the university."   Her government has always attached priority on conducting research regarding space, she said.    She also said her government has added ultra-modern fly-by-wire, digital cockpit based YAK-130 combat trainer, K-8W Z trainer, L-410 transport trainer, AW-119KX helicopter trainer and various simulators to the air force to ensure a developed and time-befitting flying training for its future generation cadets.   Bangladesh Air Force arranged a spectacular parade and colourful fly past at its Jashore Academy on the occasion which the premier virtually witnessed from her Ganabhaban residence.   Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan later gave a vote of thanks to the Prime Minister for joining the programme.   He, on behalf of the premier, earlier handed over the 'Sword of Honour' 'Chief of Air Staff Trophy' 'Commandants Trophy' and other prizes among the best cadets.    Sheikh Hasina said her government has bought the certified tier-111 data centre and is setting up it to make the air force activities digital as part of the government's move to transform Bangladesh into a digital country.    The Prime Minister said v-set hub and terminal station for the air force was recently purchased which will help build satellite based communication among its ghatis and units using the Bangabandhu Satellite-1.     She also said that her government is set to launch the Bangabandhu Satellite-2 as well.     Sheikh Hasina said her government has first taken measures to appoint female in the armed forces to empower women.    She also expressed her satisfaction over participation of female cadets took part in today's march past alongside the men.     The Prime Minister said that the Father of the Nation had dreamt of building a modern, professional and developed air force.    So, Bangabandhu purchased the ultra-modern fighter plane MIG-21 from neighbouring countries alongside procuring helicopter, radar and other military equipment for the air force, she said, adding the Mig-21 was used in the Liberation War in 1971.    She recalled the contribution of Bangabandhu in shaping the armed forces with limited resources during his three and a half years tenure alongside building a war-ravaged country.     The Prime Minister said the Father of the Nation had built a military academy while her government had established the air force academy from which  cadets of Palestine, Nepal, Zambia and Sri Lanka alongside Bangladesh took the training course.    She said, "We have always given priority on training."     Sheikh Hasina thanked the air force personnel as they stood beside the distressed people during the Covid-19 pandemic alongside carrying huge quantities of medical equipment from China and South Korea and bringing back Bangladeshi expatriates stranded at the different countries.     The premier said: "The air force personnel always stand beside the people in every disaster."  Source: BSS AH