United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis. He gave the assurance during a speech on Saturday morning at an event in the UN’s newly inaugurated building in Dhaka’s Gulshan, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangsth, or BSS, reports. Later at a joint press briefing at Hotel Intercontinental in the city on Saturday United Nations Secretary-General Ant¢nio Guterres said the UN stands ready to help Bangladesh foster peace, national dialogue, trust and healing in its journey to democratic transition.   "As the country undergoes important reforms and transitions, I want to assure you that the UN stands ready to assist in fostering peace, national dialogue, trust and healing," he said. The UN chief said he is pleased to be in Bangladesh at this important moment in its national journey.  As Bangladesh undergoes a significant transition under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who recognised the people's hopes for a future of greater democracy, justice, and prosperity, Guterres said. "This is a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, and the international community must play its part in supporting your efforts toward a just, inclusive, and prosperous future," he added. Guterres said: "You can count on the UN to be your steadfast partner, working alongside the people of Bangladesh to help build a sustainable and equitable future for all." He said Bangladesh is a living symbol of these values through its commitment to peace, development, and humanitarian relief. Noting that Bangladesh is among the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, the UN secretary general paid tribute to the sacrifices and dedication of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, who serve in some of the most difficult and dangerous environments in the world.

Hitu Sheikh, the prime accused in the widely discussed case over the rape and murder of an 8-year-old child in Magura, has given a statement in court. Magura Senior Judicial Magistrate Sabyasachi Roy recorded the statement made under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC, on Saturday, lawyer Shahed Hasan Togar said. The panel lawyer of the plaintiff said the defendant had given the confessional statement from afternoon to evening. The district's Additional Superintendent of Police Mirajul Islam says the details of the statement will be disclosed later, adding that three other accused in the case are still in remand. The family alleged that the child was raped on Mar 6 while visiting her sister's house in Magura. News of the incident sparked nationwide condemnation. On Mar 8, the child’s mother filed a rape and attempt-to-murder case against four people at Magura Sadar Police Station over the incident. The accused are the child's brother-in-law Sojib Hossain, 18, his father Hitu, 42, a minor teenager, 17, and their mother Jabeda Begum, 40. All the perpetrators are currently in jail. On Mar 10, the court placed Hitu on a seven-day and three others on a five-day remand each. The victim was first taken to Magura Sadar Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. She was then sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit for further treatment and was later put on a ventilator on Mar 7. On Mar 8, she was moved to Dhaka’s Combined Military Hospital, or CMH, in the evening. The child died while undergoing treatment at 1pm on Thursday after all the doctors' efforts failed.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today afternoon brought back 26 Bangladeshi fishermen from Myanmar's Arakan Army. The fishermen were later taken to Teknaf Jetty, said Commander of BGB Teknaf Battalion, Lt. Col. Md. Ashikur Rahman. At different times, 26 fishermen went to the Bay of Bengal in different groups from Teknaf's KK Canal and Shahparirdwip Trawler Ghat for fishing, he said. As they accidentally crossed the zero line of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border while fishing and entered Myanmar's territory, the Arakan Army took them into their custody, he added. When families of the detained fishermen sought help of the BGB to bring them back, its Teknaf Battalion established communication with the Arakan Army, he continued. "After long mediation, it was possible to bring the fishermen back from the Arakan Army this afternoon, “said. Lt. Col. Md. Ashikur Rahman. They also returned a fishing boat that had been seized by the Arakan Army.  Formalities of handing over the fishermen to their families are underway, he said. The BGB Commander went on saying that the BGB is always vigilant in ensuring the safety of the lives and property of the people of the country alongside ensuring security at the frontiers.