The Netherlands is ready to provide technical assistance to implement the reform program of the interim government of Bangladesh, said Dutch Ambassador to Dhaka Irma van Dooren.

This was stated in a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (October 21).

It further said that the outgoing Ambassador gave this assurance during a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin at the State Guest House Padma on Sunday.

During the meeting, the Ambassador also expressed the increased interest of Dutch companies in expanding business relations with Bangladesh, especially in the water, maritime and agricultural sectors.

Both sides discussed the multifaceted bilateral cooperation between the two countries spanning various fields including water, agriculture, trade and investment, climate change, defense and women's empowerment.

They also mentioned the fruitful bilateral meeting between the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh and the Dutch Prime Minister on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York last month.

The Foreign Secretary congratulated the Dutch Ambassador on the successful completion of his assignment in Bangladesh and the Ambassador thanked the Secretary for all the support received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh in the discharge of his duties.

Following the courtesy call, the Foreign Secretary hosted a luncheon in honor of the outgoing Ambassador.

Among others, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the Ambassador of Morocco, the Ambassadors of India, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Norway, the European Union, France and Egypt, the Resident Representative of UNDP and the Deputy Chief of Mission of Denmark attended the luncheon.

Sarjis Alam has been appointed as the General Secretary of July Shaheed Smriti Foundation. In addition, Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.

This information was given through a notification on Monday (October 21).

The notification said that in the 2nd meeting of the Executive Council of July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, Mr. Sarjis Alam was appointed as the General Secretary and Mr. Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.

The notification further mentioned that the main objective of this foundation is to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to the families of the martyrs of the student-public movement held in July-August 2024, employment or any other suitable facility, and necessary medical services including medicines to the injured or disabled persons, employment, financial and humanitarian assistance or any other suitable facility for the welfare of the martyrs.

At the same time, it is a non-political, voluntary and public welfare non-governmental organization approved by the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

It is worth noting that the first meeting of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation was chaired by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In addition, it was decided to provide Tk. 5 lakh to the families of the martyrs of the movement and Tk. 1 lakh to the families of the injured in this meeting.

Mirpur Model Police Station Police have arrested Syed Sayedul Haque (Barrister Suman), former MP from Habiganj-4 (Chunarughat-Madhabpur) constituency.

However, Barrister Suman has been kept at Pallabi Police Station for the time being due to vandalism and burning of Mirpur Model Police Station during the anti-discrimination student movement.

On Monday (October 22) night, Pallabi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Nazrul Islam confirmed this information.

He said that Mirpur Model Police Station Police arrested former MP Barrister Suman from Dhaka tonight in a student murder case during the anti-discrimination student movement. But due to vandalism and arson during the movement, there is no place to keep the accused there. For this reason, Barrister Suman has been kept at Pallabi Police Station.

Earlier, Barrister Suman posted a post from his verified Facebook account at around 1:15 am on Monday night.

In the post, Suman wrote, 'I am going with the police. See you in court. Everyone please pray.'

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus said that the current interim government is making all-out efforts to ensure safe roads.

He said this in a message given on Monday on the occasion of ‘National Safe Road Day-2024’ tomorrow (October 22).

‘National Safe Road Day 2024’ is being celebrated across the country tomorrow in the new Bangladesh, which was achieved through the sacrifices of students, workers and the public. This year, the theme of the day is – ‘The pledge of students, workers and the public, let there be safe roads for all’.

Muhammad Yunus said, "Challenging the failure of traditional road management, the current interim government is making every effort to ensure safe roads in order to fulfill the expectations of the mass movement of students demanding safe roads that took place in 2018."

He said, if road transport owners and workers can understand the risks that defective motor vehicles, inefficient drivers without driving licenses and illegal vehicles pose to road safety and come out of it, it will be much easier to fulfill the expectations of safe roads.

The Chief Advisor said, it is possible to make the concept of safe roads a reality if the government, private organizations, voluntary organizations, teachers, owners, drivers, pedestrians, guardians, and everyone in society, regardless of party affiliation, come forward with a commitment to build a 'New Bangladesh' by utilizing the unprecedented unity among the young generation and the general public.

In his message, he wished for the overall success of the program undertaken on the occasion of 'National Safe Road Day-2024'.