INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12898, 12898, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox\'s bazar; Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisting local cautionary signal no. three and the river ports have been asked to hoist cautionary signal no. one, two separate special weather bulletin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The deep depression over West central Bay and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal moved slightly north-northwestwards and now lies over the same area at 06 am about 705 kms west-southwest of Chattogram port, 685 kms west-southwest of Cox\'s bazar port, 525 kms west- southwest of Mongla port and 550 kms west-southwest of Payra port,\" a bulletin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is likely to move northwesterly direction and may cross Odisha coast near Puri.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bulletin also said maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gust or squalls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sea will remain rough near the system centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain closed to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another bulletin said, monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and strong elsewhere over North Bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary south or southeasterly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60kph is likely to occur over the regions of Khulna, Jashore, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram and Cox\'s bazar wherein river ports shall hoist cautionary signal no one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 09:47:22', '2024-09-09 09:47:22'),
(12899, 12899, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The debate over the recently revised Detailed Area Plan (DAP) has escalated, with real estate developers and architects demanding its repeal, citing discriminatory provisions. On the other hand, urban planners are warning that canceling or suspending the DAP under pressure from vested interests would be a “suicidal” decision for Dhaka city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Real estate developers and architects have voiced strong opposition to the revised DAP, labeling it as discriminatory. Last week, they held a press conference where they argued that the plan should be either repealed or, at the very least, temporarily suspended. However, urban planners countered that such a move would plunge Dhaka into further chaos. Dhaka’s livability is already at rock bottom, they said, adding that reverting to previous regulations would only invite unregulated construction and disorder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof. Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), in an interview with UNB highlighted the pressures faced by the authorities, noting that a group of developers and architects had pushed for their demands during a recent technical committee meeting on the revised DAP at RAJUK, the capital’s development authority. “It’s unfortunate that these groups are trying to impose their will on the planning process,” he remarked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that while any master plan may have flaws, these should be corrected through proper technical channels rather than succumbing to external pressures. “A certain group is determined to abolish the DAP for their own interests, but we cannot allow this to happen,” Prof. Adil said firmly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), representing the developers, has been vocal about the negative impact of the DAP on the housing sector. At a press conference on August 21, REHAB claimed that the plan has brought the housing industry to a standstill, warning that the crisis will worsen in the coming year. They argued that the DAP, described as “discriminatory and flawed,” would lead to the rapid reduction of wetlands and agricultural land, ultimately harming future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">REHAB further warned that if the DAP is not repealed, nearly forty lakh people employed in the housing sector could lose their jobs. They called for a return to the Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules of 2008 and the 2010 Master Plan to ensure the continued approval of building designs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a similar vein, the Bangladesh Institute of Architects (BIA) held a press conference last week, demanding the DAP’s cancellation. They claimed that the plan was drafted in violation of the country’s existing urban planning laws and that it lacked transparency. The BIA also noted that their repeated requests for the data and working papers used to draft the plan were ignored, raising concerns about the process’s integrity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) expressed serious concerns about the developers’ push to cancel the DAP. In a virtual press conference, IPD representatives stressed the importance of proper urban planning for creating a livable city for all. It’s alarming that business interests are trying to derail planned development, an IPD spokesperson said. They warned that repealing the DAP would further endanger Dhaka’s livability, urging the interim government and relevant urban bodies to take necessary measures to prevent vested interests from obstructing sustainable urban development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DAP (2022-2035) was approved on August 23, 2022, but faced immediate opposition from developers, leading to its revision in September 2023. Despite the pressures, urban planners continue to advocate for maintaining and refining the DAP to ensure the city’s long-term sustainability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">RAJUK, the authority responsible for urban development in Dhaka, has initiated the revision process and held meetings with stakeholders. RAJUK Chairman, Major General (Retd) Siddiqur Rahman, told UNB that repealing or suspending the existing DAP would not be a good decision. “We’ve already started working on revisions, and we are striving to make changes that satisfy all parties involved. It’s important that everyone understands the need for these measures.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 09:58:03', '2024-09-09 09:58:03'),
(12900, 12900, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan rallied on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad on Sunday, demanding his release. He has been in prison for more than a year in connection with more than 150 police cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan, the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, remains a popular figure despite these cases, which critics and his party say are politically motivated. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunday\'s rally, one of the biggest this year by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party, or PTI, was held peacefully, though police briefly clashed with some activists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan’s spokesman Zulfi Bukhari denounced the police action against his “peaceful” supporters, in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, authorities had blocked key roads by putting shipping containers to prevent his supporters from attending the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“God willing, we will secure the release of Imran Khan soon,\" said Ali Amin, the top elected official in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, addressing the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He gave an ultimatum of two weeks to the government for his leader\'s release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan has been in prison since 2023 when he was arrested after being sentenced in a graft case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 10:12:51', '2024-09-09 10:12:51'),
(12901, 12901, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She is either an unproven quantity who \"can\'t talk,\" or a well-prepared candidate ready to \"destroy\" her rival on stage. Voters are weighing in before the first US presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A massive television audience is expected to tune in Tuesday to watch Democrat Harris, the current US vice president, go toe to toe with Republican former president Trump over what both are calling the most important election of modern times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP has spoken to several American voters on the campaign trail, and -- no surprise here -- people by and large believe the flagbearer of their party will prevail in the face-to-face showdown.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are looking forward to discussions on policy and values, but will also be closely watching their style, composure, and presidential bearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think Trump definitely has the advantage,\" Flo Eberhart, a 73-year-old retiree from Pennsylvania\'s Cambria County, said at the ex-president\'s recent rally in her state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris \"doesn\'t know anything, basically, about what\'s going on. She can\'t talk.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The vice president and former California attorney general and US senator is actually a seasoned debater.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And while she has not participated in such a showdown in four years, she earned praise for her sharp attacks when she ran for president in the 2020 cycle, including against her now-boss Joe Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As for Trump, \"he\'s going to be absolutely fine,\" Eberhart said. \"There\'s not one topic that Trump doesn\'t know something about.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jamila Scales, a young Harris supporter from Nashua, New Hampshire who was on hand for the Democrat\'s rally in nearby North Hampton on Wednesday, said Harris was more than capable of holding her own against Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"She\'s going to do well, she is going to efficiently destroy him,\" Scales smiled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I can\'t wait. I really cannot,\" she said of the debate. \"I believe it\'s going to be an excellent day in America.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump is known for his bluster and aggression on the debate stage. But Trump supporter Jimmy Taggart, a retired jack of all trades from Pennsylvania, suggested a different tack in dealing with Harris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All he has to do is keep quiet and she\'ll hang herself, because she has nothing to go on,\" Taggart said. \"She did nothing for three and a half years\" as vice president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Values and positions -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remaining passive is not Trump\'s style. He is relentlessly combative in debates, and was a looming presence behind Hillary Clinton in 2016, prowling the stage as the former secretary of state answered questions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Kate Thompson, a woman at the New Hampshire rally, warned against trying to intimidate Harris, a former prosecutor who has famously said: \"I know Donald Trump\'s type.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think that Kamala Harris will show up prepared, ready to articulate her values and her positions,\" Thompson said. \"And I don\'t think she\'ll let him push her around.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirk McKendree, a 54-year-old former state trooper from Altoona, Pennsylvania, said he wanted Trump to be disciplined and allow debate viewers to ponder the question: Were they better off four years ago, \"before Biden took office?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He can address that we were in a much better place,\" McKendree said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And while Harris may be a generation younger than Biden, and more energetic than the current president, \"I don\'t look at her as a threat,\" he added. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 10:15:45', '2024-09-09 10:15:45'),
(12902, 12902, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Kamala Harris has unveiled a few centrist-leaning policies, abandoned some past positions and left much else vague as she gears up for a critical US presidential debate with Donald Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Democratic vice president unveiled a list of policies on her website on the eve of the clash, with Republicans accusing her of \"flip-flopping\" on key issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here is where the White House hopeful stands in five key areas:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Opportunity economy\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has stressed her commitment to the United States\' middle class, citing her own background of being raised by a single mother in California, and said she wants to create an \"opportunity economy.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of her most concrete policies so far is a child tax credit of $6,000 for families of newborn children. She has also promised tax cuts for 100 million Americans while raising taxes on the richest, and to bring down housing prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tax is one of the few policy areas where she has broken with President Joe Biden. In a nod to moderate voters, she wants a 28 percent tax on capital gains, less than the 39.6 percent proposed by Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has also promised to end taxes on tips paid to service industry workers -- weeks after Trump announced a similar policy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She has said she will take on \"price gouging\" by corporations to tackle high prices -- one of her main weak spots against Republican Trump -- but her plans on that front remain vague.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Environmental flip-flops -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has not set out a detailed environmental policy except on one key area: fracking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She has vowed not to ban the practice, which uses high-pressure water to extract oil and gas -- despite previously saying that she was opposed to it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her first and only on-screen interview since becoming the Democratic candidate, she told CNN that her \"values have not changed\" even if her position had.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has, according to the Axios news site, also backtracked on her opposition to plastic straws.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As vice president, she has strongly backed Biden\'s green energy transition under the so-called \"Inflation Reduction Act.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Border \'consequences\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Illegal migration over the US-Mexican border is one of the most sensitive issues in the campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris said in her CNN interview there would be \"consequences\" for people crossing illegally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She supported Biden\'s bid to toughen migration policy and has backed investing in the border \"wall\" that Trump called for -- despite her criticizing it in the past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden\'s proposals, however, have never made it through a divided Congress, with Republicans blocking them to cause Democrats political damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Firm on abortion -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris\'s position on abortion, another key election issue, is not in doubt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She has repeatedly criticized Trump for bragging that he enabled the US Supreme Court to overturn the federal right to terminate pregnancies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has said that if elected she would push to enshrine protections for abortion in US law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Gaza quagmire -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has been more vocal than Biden on the issue of civilians killed by Israel in the war in Gaza, leading to speculation that she might take a tougher line with the US ally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But during her CNN interview she said she would not halt arms deliveries to Israel, despite calls among Democrats and Arab American voters to do so, and pledged to help Israel defend itself.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-10 05:44:53', '2024-09-10 05:44:53'),
(12903, 12903, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Israel’s military conducted a missile strike early Tuesday that targeted a humanitarian area in the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians there, authorities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Details about the strike in the Mawasi coastal community just west of Khan Younis that the Israeli military has designated as a humanitarian zone remained unclear. The area is home to many Palestinians displaced by the Israel-Hamas war in which the Israeli military has devastated the wider Gaza Strip after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Footage circulating on social media showed deep craters at the site of the attack, the strewn ruins around it covered in shredded tents, a bicycle and other debris. Rescue workers used shovels to shift through the sand. Bystanders used their hands to dig, illuminated by mobile phone light. At least one crater at the site looked to be as deep as 10 meters (32 feet).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military described the strike as hitting “significant Hamas terrorists who were operating within a command-and-control center,” without immediately providing additional evidence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Palestinian news agency WAFA said dozens had been killed and wounded, without providing precise casualty figures. It described five missiles striking the area, cratering the ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said it used “precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional means” it did not immediately describe to limit civilian casualties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza’s Health Ministry says over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began. It does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count. The war has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, often multiple times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in their Oct. 7 attack. They abducted another 250 and are still holding around 100 after releasing most of the rest in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire last November. Around a third of the remaining hostages are believed to be dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the United Nations agency in charge of aid for displaced Palestinians said the Israeli military stopped a convoy for more than eight hours on Monday, despite it coordinating with the troops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The agency’s head Philippe Lazzarini said the staffers who were held had been trying to work on a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza and Gaza City. “The convoy was stopped at gun point just after the Wadi Gaza checkpoint with threats to detain UN staff,” he wrote on the social platform X. “Heavy damage was caused by bulldozers to the UN armoured vehicles.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the staff and the convoy later returned to a U.N. base but it was unclear if a polio vaccination campaign would take place Tuesday in northern Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“UN Staff must be allowed to undertake their duties in safety + be protected at all times in accordance with international humanitarian law, he wrote. “Gaza is no different.” The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-10 05:57:03', '2024-09-10 05:57:03'),
(12904, 12904, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">At the invitation of the Interim Government, a UN Human Rights Office fact-finding team is conducting an independent and impartial investigation into alleged human rights violations that took place between July 1 and August 15 this year, arising from the recent protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact-finding team is mandated to establish facts, identify responsibilities, analyze root causes, and make concrete recommendations for Bangladesh to address past human rights violations and prevent their recurrence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Individuals, groups, and organizations are invited to provide first-hand information that is not already on social media or otherwise in the public domain concerning the period of July 1 to August 15 2024 and human rights violations and abuses in the context of the protests during that period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Submissions should be sent to OHCHR-FFTB-Submissions@un.org.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The team also plans to conduct interviews with victims, law enforcement officers, medical practitioners, and witnesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact-finding mission is not a criminal investigation and is conducted independently of any national criminal justice process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact-finding process is strictly confidential. The team will not be conducting any media interviews during the investigation phase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We appeal for respect for the confidentiality of the fact-finding process,\" said the UN Human Rights Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">After its on-site examination and data analysis, the UN Human Rights Office will publish a detailed human rights report containing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-16 09:56:37', '2024-09-16 09:56:37'),
(12905, 12905, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The interim government is considering the issuance of additional bonds to address the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s (BPDB) mounting unpaid dues to private power producers. This move aims to ease the financial strain on independent power producers (IPPs) and stabilize the country’s power sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to official sources, the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has already initiated a move in this regard and consulted with the Power Division so that it could discuss the issue with the Finance Division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve been calculating BPDB’s dues with the private power producers, known as independent power producers (IPPs),” a top official of the BPDB told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also noted that currently the BPDB’s total unpaid bills amount to about Tk 42,000 crore, of which the IPPs will get about Tk 7,000 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the remaining amount, the gas bill will be about Tk 17,000 crore while state-owned public sector power plants will get Tk 10,000 crore, and Indian public and private sector including Adani Group will get Tk 8,000 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, in a significant move to stabilise its power sector, the then Awami League government had secured Tk 20,620 crore through the issuance of special bonds. This initiative, aimed at clearing outstanding liabilities to private power plants, involved collaboration with two prominent private banks: City Bank and Pubali Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A comprehensive agreement was inked on January 25, marking a critical step in addressing the financial challenges faced by the power sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per this agreement, the government issued bonds worth Tk 19,850 crore to City Bank and Tk 77.50 crore to Pubali Bank, as confirmed by the Ministry of Finance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sources reveal that the government’s inability to disburse subsidy funds has left private power plants struggling to meet their financial obligations, leading some to the brink of insolvency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To counter this crisis, the government’s issuance of special bonds comes with an 8 percent coupon rate, mirroring the repo rate set by Bangladesh Bank. Notably, any future fluctuations in the repo rate will correspondingly adjust the bond interest rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the term’s end, the government will settle the bank dues along with interest, subsequently reclaiming these bonds. Unlike typical 15–20-year bonds, these special bonds have a maximum tenure of 10 years, a move tailored to the urgent needs of the power sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Key players in the power sector, including Summit Power, United Power, Confidence Power, Baraka, Kushiara, Doreen, and Akron Power, are among the beneficiaries of this initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Division also disclosed plans for phased agreements with other banks, including BRAC Bank and Bank Asia, to further address the sector’s liabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reflecting on the agreement’s significance, managing directors of several banks expressed optimism. While banks can leverage these bonds with Bangladesh Bank, it provides the government with crucial financial breathing space.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-16 09:59:53', '2024-09-16 09:59:53'),
(12906, 12906, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladeshi landowners are set to regain around 200 acres of land previously lost to India due to the erosion of the Padma River along the Daulatpur border in Kushtia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A joint decision to resurvey the disputed land and return it to the rightful owners was reached in a meeting held between senior officials of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India\'s Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The land in question, located in the Challishpara area of Ramkrishnapur union in Daulatpur upazila, has been under dispute due to shifts in the Padma River\'s course and natural disasters, which disorganised international boundary pillars over a stretch of three kilometers. The problem was first identified in a survey conducted earlier this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lieutenant Colonel M Mahbub Murshed Rahman, Commander of BGB\'s 47th Battalion, confirmed the matter. \"It has been agreed to conduct a resurvey of the disputed land and return it to the rightful owners.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the survey on February 10, it was revealed that about 200 acres of Bangladeshi land had ended up inside Indian territory, and approximately 40 acres of Indian land in Bangladesh territory. Both countries are now preparing to officially correct the boundaries in October.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunday\'s meeting, held at the border pillar 152/7-S of Jamalpur Border Outpost in Mahishkundi, Daulatpur, also addressed broader issues such as preventing border killings and tackling drug trafficking. The Bangladeshi delegation was led by Lt. Col. Rahman, while Commandant Vikram Dev Singh of the Rowshanbagh Battalion represented BSF.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt Col Rahman emphasized that until the resurvey is complete, no one will be allowed to utilize the disputed land. He also conveyed Bangladesh\'s strong protest against recent border killings, urging BSF to refrain from detaining innocent citizens and prevent illegal cross-border activities, particularly in the lead-up to the Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-16 10:02:02', '2024-09-16 10:02:02'),
(12907, 12907, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The World Bank is committed to increasing lending to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to help the reform agenda of the Interim Government, its Country Director Abdoulaye Seck said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdoulaye Seck informed that the World Bank can mobilise about $2 billion new financing in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seck spoke about the new assistance when he called on Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We would like to support you as fast as possible and as much as possible,\" Seck said, adding that the bank would support the critical financial needs of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to the new commitments, he said, the multilateral lender would repurpose about an extra US$ one billion from its existing programmes in consultation with the government in response to the calls for support by the Chief Adviser to all development partners of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seck said the extra lending would raise the amount of soft loans and grants the World Bank would be giving to Bangladesh this fiscal year to about US$ 3 billion once the funds from the existing projects are repurposed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank country chief said the completion of the reforms would be \"critically important\" for Bangladesh and its young people, including the two million people who are joining the job market every year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus told the World Bank country head that the bank must have flexibility to fund Bangladesh\'s reforms and help restart a new journey after 15 years of \"extreme misgovernance.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Out of these ashes, we have to build new structures. We need a big push, and we have to focus on the dreams of the students,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I will suggest, help us. Be a part of our team,\" said the Chief Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus asked the World Bank to lend its technical support to recover billions of dollars of stolen assets siphoned off from Bangladesh by corrupt individuals during Sheikh Hasina\'s 15-year-long dictatorship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You have the tech to bring back stolen assets,\" he said, adding Bangladesh would also need the bank\'s expertise to build \"a zero-corruption Bangladesh\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank country chief agreed to help Bangladesh bring back the stolen money. \"We are happy to help you,\" Seck said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the global lender would also like to help Bangladesh with data transparency, data integrity, digitalisation of tax collection, and financial sector reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus said Bangladesh cannot afford to lose this once in a lifetime opportunity to fix its institutions and undertake major reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Once we lose it, it will never come back,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seck offered condolences for the martyrs of the July-August student-led uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WB country director said he was impressed by the graffiti and murals painted by young people on Dhaka\'s walls. \"In 30 years of my career, I\'ve never seen it anywhere,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need to empower them,\" Seck said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-17 11:28:40', '2024-09-17 11:28:40'),
(12908, 12908, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started its public rally in front of the party\'s Nayapaltan headquarters marking the International Democracy Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rally formally started around 2:30 pm today with the recitation from the holy Quran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of BNP leaders and workers have been gathering at Nayapaltan to join the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the occasion of the International Democracy Day, leaders and workers of BNP have been gathering from different parts of the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They were seen chanting slogans in the name of the founder of BNP, Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and national hero Tarique Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nayapaltan and its surrounding areas were abuzz with slogans criticizing the dictatorial, fascist Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vehicular movement has been limited in and around Nayapaltan area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaders and workers took position on the surrounding roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the fall of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina\'s government, a joyous environment was seen in everyone after being able to join the rally without any barricade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visiting the area, it was seen that Nayapaltan and surrounding areas, leaders and workers of BNP and its associate organizations started coming to the rally venue after 12:30 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Soon after then, BNP leaders and workers started coming from various wards to the rally venue at Nayapaltan with different festoons, placards and posters in their hands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acting Chairman of BNP Deshnayak Tarique Rahman will address the rally virtually as the chief guest, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will preside over it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior leaders of BNP said that Tarique Rahman will deliver an important speech at the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) leaders and leaders and workers were performing dances and singing songs to make them vibrant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Publicity Secretary of BNP Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Member Secretary of Dhaka City North Aminul Haque and Member Secretary of Dhaka City South Tanveer Ahmed Rabin moderated the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Member of BNP Standing Committee AZM Zahid Hossain and Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohail were on the stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Standing Committee members and senior leaders will also address the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, BNP had fixed the date of the rally on Sunday last (September 15), but the rally date was rescheduled two days later (September 17) due to inclement weather.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-17 11:31:20', '2024-09-17 11:31:20'),
(12909, 12909, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said Germany will provide 1 billion Euro to Bangladesh in the next 10 years, including 15 million Euro this year, to develop its renewable energy sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both countries will promote knowledge exchange and cooperation with non-state actors like private sector, research institutes, academia, and civil society, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The environment adviser made the remarks after a meeting with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Tröster at her ministry\'s office here, an official release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana said the collaboration will also involve small ethnic minorities, women, and youth, fostering a multi-stakeholder approach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She thanked the ambassador for Germany\'s continued support in environmental and climate matters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She emphasised the need for increased international cooperation to address global climate challenges and the importance of sustainable forest management.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy expressed Germany\'s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in its fight against climate change and appreciated the government\'s efforts in protecting the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also highlighted Germany\'s expertise in renewable energy and offered technical assistance in Bangladesh\'s green energy initiatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the adviser and the envoy discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation on environmental protection, river cleaning projects and climate change mitigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also discussed potential collaboration on sustainable development projects, green technology adoption for tackling environmental and climate-related challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore further avenues for collaboration, particularly in technology transfer and environmental sustainability projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-17 11:33:56', '2024-09-17 11:33:56');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12910, 12910, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Adviser of the interim government Lieutenant General (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said the government would transform Ansar-VDP into a skilled, well-organised, befitting and professional force through requisite reformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government will reform the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) with a target to make it a skilled, well-organized, professional and befitting force ... The ministry will do whatever is needed for the reformation,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser told the concluding parade of the basic training programme of 40th BCS (Ansar) cadre officials and 25th batch sipahi recruit (male) of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at Bangladesh Aasar VDP academy at Shafipur in</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazipur this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser said the paramilitary auxiliary force has performed a significant role in the overall development of the country, including maintaining law and order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After ousting of the autocratic regime led by Sheikh Hasina through the student-people uprising, the Ansar and VDP personnel have been working sincerely to protect important establishments, including police stations and</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">airports, risking their lives, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Particularly, the Ansar-VDP personnel have ensured the security for the police stations under Dhaka Metropolitan Police,\" he said, adding that even the force is also engaged in protecting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the assumption of office by the incumbent government, the members of the Ansar-DVP ensured security of the State Guest House \"Jamuna\" despite the inadequacy of the police forces, he continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser greeted all the members of the force as they had done their duties with the utmost sincerity during the critical period of the nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The members of the force deployed in every village across the country have played an important role in maintaining the law and order situation of the country, he said, adding, \"The Ansar-VDP kept surveillance at all the places of worship for upholding religious harmony.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior secretary of the public security division of the ministry Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen and director general of Bangladesh Ansar-VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud also spoke at the function as special guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser took salute at the concluding parade function and distributed prizes among the feat trainees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-18 09:40:15', '2024-09-18 09:40:15'),
(12911, 12911, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A case has been filed today against 163 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly attempting to murder a private company deliveryman during the recent anti-discrimination student movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other prominent accused in the case are- Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Kamal Ahmed Mazumder and Gazi Mesbaul Hossain Bacchu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Victim Shimul Ahmed filed the complaint himself at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court after recording statement of the complainant, asked Mirpur Police Station to file the matter as first information report (FIR).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case documents, Shimul joined anti-discrimination student movement on July 19. At around 5pm on that day, he got shot on the thigh, making him cripple for life.b</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-18 09:42:44', '2024-09-18 09:42:44'),
(12912, 12912, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding some 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of explosions, which came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by Hamas\'s October 7 attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blasts \"killed nine people, including a girl\", Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added that some \"2,800 people were injured, about 200 of them critically\" with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed in east Lebanon\'s Bekaa Valley when his pager exploded, the family and a source close to the group said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A son of Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar was also among the dead, a source close to the group told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tehran\'s ambassador in Beirut was wounded in a pager explosion but his injuries were not serious, Iranian state media reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The influx of so many casualties all at once overwhelmed hospitals in Hezbollah strongholds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At one hospital in Beirut\'s southern suburbs, an AFP correspondent saw people being treated in a car park on thin mattresses, with medical gloves on the ground and ambulance stretchers covered in blood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In all my life I\'ve never seen someone walking on the street... and then explode,\" said Musa, a resident of the southern suburbs, requesting to be identified only by his first name.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert denounced in a statement \"an extremely concerning escalation\", urging all sides to refrain from any action \"which could trigger a wider conflagration that nobody can afford\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- \'Remote detonation\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts and warned it would be punished.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,\" the group said in a statement, adding that Israel \"will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States, Israel\'s top arms provider and close ally, was \"not involved\" and \"not aware of this incident in advance\", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The afternoon blasts hit Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and dealt a heavy blow to the militant group, which already had concerns about the security of its communications after losing several key commanders to targeted air strikes in recent months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Analysts said Israeli intelligence services had somehow managed to infiltrate the supply chain used by Hezbollah for its pagers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute said: \"This was more than lithium batteries being forced into override. A small plastic explosive was almost certainly concealed alongside the battery, for remote detonation via a call or page.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s spy agency \"Mossad infiltrated the supply chain\", he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A source close to Hezbollah, asking not to be identified, told AFP that \"the pagers that exploded concern a shipment recently imported by Hezbollah of 1,000 devices\" which appear to have been \"sabotaged at source\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- Israel expands war aims -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Early Tuesday, Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the Gaza war to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To date, Israel\'s objectives have been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack that sparked the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The political-security cabinet updated the goals of the war\" to include \"the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes\", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\'s office said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since October, the unabating exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not formally declared as a war by Israel, the exchanges of fire have killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens including soldiers on the Israeli side.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that failing a political solution, \"military action\" would be \"the only way left to ensure the return\" of displaced residents to the border area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas,\" Gallant\'s office quoted him as telling visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu later told Hochstein he was seeking a \"fundamental change\" in the security situation on Israel\'s northern border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said at the weekend that his group had \"no intention of going to war\", but that \"there will be large losses on both sides\" in the event of all-out conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- Blinken headed back to region -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due this week back in the region to try to revive stalled ceasefire talks for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After months of mediated negotiations failed to pin down a ceasefire, Washington has said it was still working with mediators Qatar and Egypt to finalise an agreement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US officials have expressed increasing frustration with Israel as Netanyahu has publicly rejected US assessments that a deal is nearly complete and has insisted on an Israeli military presence on the Egypt-Gaza border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,252 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, UN member states were debating a draft resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian territories within 12 months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Assembly resolutions are not binding, but Israel has already denounced the new text as \"disgraceful\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Gaza, rescuers said several Israeli air strikes killed at least seven people overnight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-18 09:47:14', '2024-09-18 09:47:14'),
(12913, 12913, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Authorities at Dhaka University on Thursday formed a seven-member committee to investigate the death of a man in mob lynching inside the university\'s Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victim, Tofazzal, was beaten to death allegedly by a group of students of the hall suspecting him as a thief, hospital and university sources said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are shocked at the death of the man,\" said Dhaka University Proctor Mohammad Saifuddin Ahmed. He said that a seven-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident and submit its report by this evening.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to witnesses, the man sneaked into the hall on Wednesday evening. Some students then caught and interrogated him about the theft of six mobile phones and wallets from the hall the previous day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under intense questioning, the man agreed to tell them about the real thieves provided they give him something to eat.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The students fed him, but the man failed to give the promised names.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then the angry students then beat the man for two hours starting from 10 pm, according to the witnesses.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the proctorial team got informed about the matter, it went to the spot and took the severely injured Tofazzal to hospital for treatment. The doctors declared him dead.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tofazzal, according to some in Dhaka University campus, was a mentally unstable person.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased Tofazzal hailed from Kathaltoli union of Pathorghata upazila of Barguna district and he lost his parents long ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The proctor said they are preparing to file a police case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the probe committee is headed by residential teacher of Fazlul Haque Muslim hall Dr. Alomgir Kabir.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Six other members of the probe committee are Dr. Mohammad Shafiul Alam Khan, Prof. Johir Raihan, Mohammad Mahabub Alam, Dr. Asib Ahmed, and Dr. Touhidul Islam and AKM Nure Alam Siddique.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 09:53:13', '2024-09-19 09:53:13'),
(12914, 12914, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Dhaka court on Thursday placed former law minister Anisul Huq and former prime minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman on a 5-day remand each in a case filed with Kotwali police station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Arifur Rahman passed the order when Sub-Inspector Md. Rashidul Hasan, also investigation officer of the case, sought a 7-day remand for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court rejected the bail petition of the defence lawyers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 13 Sub-Inspector Md. Sajib Mia of New Market Police Station&nbsp; filed the case with Kotwali police station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anisul and Salman were arrested on August 13 while allegedly trying to flee via waterways from the Sadarghat area of the capital. They were remanded for a total of 25 days in three separate phases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court sent them to jail showing them arrested in a new case on Wednesday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case details, acting on intelligence information from Bangladesh Bank revealing that the accused in a murder case were illegally holding various foreign currencies near the Number 2 Mosque at Sadarghat. When police conducted a raid, the accused attempted to escape but were arrested. Some foreign currencies were seized from their possessopn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 09:55:42', '2024-09-19 09:55:42'),
(12915, 12915, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shamim Ahmed alias Shamim Molla, a former leader of the&nbsp; Jahangirnagar University Chhatra League, has died from injuries he had suferred after being lynched by a student mob on the campus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He died on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at Savar\'s Gonoshasthaya Samajbhittik Medical College Hospital. Doctor on duty at the hospital Selimuzzaman Sujan confirmed this information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr. Selimuzzaman said, \"He was brought to the hospital around 9:30 pm. We checked and found him dead. The cause of his death can be confirmed after post-mortem.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ashulia Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md. Kamal Hossain also confirmed Shamim\'s death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, a group of students beat up and injured Shamim Mollah on Jahangirnagar University campus. He was later handed over first to the University Proctoral Body and later to the police, witnesses said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to university sources, Shamim Molla lived in the area next to the university. He is alleged to have been involved in the attacks on students at the Vice-Chancellor\'s residence on the night of July 15 during the anti-discrimination student movement. The attacks were allegedly carried out by Chhatra League and outsiders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to witnesses and security officials, Shamim Molla was caught in a shop near the University\'s Joy Bangla gate on Wednesday afternoon. On hearing the news, a group of university students went there and starting beating him up.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the university\'s proctorial team reached the spot. At one point, he was brought to the security wing with the help of security personnel. Then a team of Ashulia police station came to the security office on the information of the proctorial team. Meanwhile, the police and proctorial team interrogated Shamim about the attack on the vice-chancellor\'s residence on the night of July 15. Later he was handed over to Ashulia police on previously registered case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:15:03', '2024-09-19 10:15:03'),
(12916, 12916, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today asked the police personnel to be people friendly in a real sense.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Police will really have to be people friendly. There is no chance to remain in black and white anymore,\" he said emerging from a view exchange meeting with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials at its headquarters here this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser said all want police to be a force of the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The countrymen expect police to be people friendly. You (journalists) and I also expect so,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser asked the police force to work for regaining their past glory discharging duties sincerely by enhancing morale.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You (journalists) know, the police have incurred a huge damage (during the mass uprising). So, obstacles are being seen in their works in many stages. I have asked them to revive their past glory after being motivated mentally,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also provided some directions to the police including rendering quick services to the people, stopping extortion, corruption and harassment of the masses and solving the traffic related problems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the people are going to police stations with various problems, he asked the police to solve their problems if possible and give them patience hearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser also instructed the law enforcers to find the way out on how the traffic related problems can be improved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He, as well, asked the police force to stop extortion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If the extortion can be contained, the price of the commodities would be brought to tolerable level,\" he opined.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He ordered the police personnel to stop the bribery and corruption as the menaces have reached every step in the society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About random cases, the home adviser said the police are not filing the cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cases are being filed by the commoners, he said, calling upon them to lodge cases against the real offenders as no innocent person is subjected to be harassment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It would require long time to conduct investigations, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past, he said police filed such cases naming 10 persons and several hundred of persons without names.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But now, police are not filing such cases, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser again assured that none would be arrested without investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I have asked the DB (Detective Branch of police) not to arrest any innocent people rather to nab only the criminals,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to another question about mob justice, he called upon all not to take law in own hands, referring to a recent incident happened in Jahangirnagar University.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is no scope to take law in own hands,\" he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Mainul Islam and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md. Mainul Hassan were present at the view exchange meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:18:36', '2024-09-19 10:18:36'),
(12917, 12917, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations General Assembly\'s 10th Emergency Special Session has adopted a key resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice\'s (ICJ) advisory opinion which declared Israel\'s occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal under international law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution was tabled by Palestine, and was co-sponsored by 53 countries, including Bangladesh, according to a message received here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adoption came through a vote on Wednesday, with 124 countries in favour, 14 against and 43 abstentions. As a co-sponsor, Bangladesh voted in favour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the debate in the General Assembly, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith delivered Bangladesh\'s national statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Muhith welcomed the advisory opinion of the ICJ as a historic one, and called upon all member states to abide by this.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also expressed Bangladesh\'s grave concern about the ongoing atrocities and high death toll in Gaza, and called for an immediate ceasefire referring to the UN Security Council resolution 2728.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that the two-state solution, based on the pre-1967 border of the Palestinian state, is the only pathway for achieving sustainable peace in the Middle East.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The permanent representative also appreciated the roles of the ICJ and the International Criminal Court in the process of ensuring accountability of illegal occupation and mass atrocity crimes in Occupied Palestinian Territories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He appreciated the UN Secretary-General and UN Human Right High Commissioner\'s statements concerning the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution, in light of the recent ICJ verdict, calls upon Israel to end its unlawful presence in the Palestine, the first step to end its military campaign in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution also calls for, among others, the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation for all damage, loss or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also requests the UN secretary-general to present a report on the implementation of the resolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution also calls for ensuring accountability for the atrocity crimes committed by Israel, especially in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Through adopting the resolution, the general assembly has also decided to hold an international conference within one year on Palestine, with the objective to find out ways and means to establish an independent Palestinian state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In general, the resolution is being considered as an important step towards achieving solution of the Middle East crisis through implementing the two-state solution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:21:35', '2024-09-19 10:21:35'),
(12918, 12918, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the World Bank would provide support to Bangladesh in carrying out necessary reforms in the banking and other sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'ll receive support from the World Bank for the reforms we\'ve undertaken in the banking sector,\" said the Finance Adviser while talking to reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this after a meeting with Martin Raiser, Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, at the Finance Division at Bangladesh Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Adviser said, \"We discussed various issues, including budget support, assistance in the health and energy sector, even fertilizer imports, food self sufficiency, post-flood rehabilitation and Rohingya support with the World Bank\'s South Asia Vice President and his team.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, Dr Salehuddin said they also talked about supporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The World Bank was very positive about all the proposals that we presented, and they provided concrete responses. They (WB) assured us that they, along with other development partners, would coordinate, and there would be no hesitation in providing necessary funding or assistance,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Finance Adviser said they also discussed issues related to boosting investment in the private sector and addressing various challenges in business and trade. \"They have assured us of their assistance, and we will receive the necessary support,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the amount of possible fresh support from the Washington-based lending agency, the Finance Adviser denied revealing the amount.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Abdoulaye Seck, Operations Manager Gayle Martin, IFC Country Representative Martin Holtman, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky were also present at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:24:10', '2024-09-19 10:24:10'),
(12919, 12919, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">South Korea\'s national police said Thursday that they planned to spend nearly $7 million over the next three years on technology to battle deepfakes, voice cloning and other forms of digital fraud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent weeks, authorities have uncovered a sprawling network of Telegram chatrooms, often set up within schools and universities, in which users shared AI-generated deepfake porn depicting female students and staff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The revelations have prompted public outrage, with the president vowing stern action.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seoul\'s National Police Agency said Thursday that it had allocated 2.7 billion won ($2 million) a year until 2027 for developing deep-learning technology to detect digitally-fabricated content such as deepfakes and voice cloning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, they would also spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to upgrade their current software for monitoring deepfake and other AI-generated videos.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Super-wired South Korea has long battled sexual cyber-violence, but cases are up 11-fold this year from 2018, official figures show.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prosecution rates, however, remain dismal. From 2021 to July this year, 793 deepfake crimes were reported, but only 16 people were arrested and prosecuted, according to police data obtained by a lawmaker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said last week that the \"issue of deepfakes has sparked widespread concern, particularly among women, as it represents a serious crime that undermines social harmony\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I have urged the relevant ministries to take decisive action,\" Yoon added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In late August, 84 women\'s organisations released a joint statement saying the root cause of the deepfake crisis was \"structural gender discrimination and the solution is gender equality\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:27:36', '2024-09-19 10:27:36'),
(12920, 12920, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A court has granted a 7-day remand for Abul Hasan, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jatrabari Police Station, in connection with the death of student Sakib Hasan during the recent anti-discrimination student protest in Jatrabari.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Arifur Rahman passed the remand order following a hearing on Thursday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The case\'s investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Mojahidul Islam of Jatrabari Police Station, had requested a 10-day remand for the former OC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the hearing, Abul Hasan’s lawyer filed a petition seeking cancellation of the remand petition and requested for bail, which was denied.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abul Hasan was arrested by police on September 16 in Teknaf, Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sakib was killed by gunshot and physical assault on July 18 in the Kazla Biswaroad area of Jatrabari during an anti-discrimination student protest. Following the incident, his relative, Abu Bakkar, filed a case with Jatrabari Police Station on September 2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:32:06', '2024-09-19 10:32:06');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12921, 12921, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to leave Dhaka on September 23 to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York which is seen as a big opportunity for him to share his government’s priorities following the student-led mass uprising, and economic plans including which areas specifically the international community can be helpful in strengthening and stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first day of the high-level General Debate will be held on Tuesday, September 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The Chief Adviser will stay three days in New York and he will leave New York on September 27,” Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters on Saturday at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy. He said the Chief Adviser will go to New York on a commercial flight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Chief Adviser will go to New York on a commercial flight. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech on September 27, said the Foreign Adviser.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and Director General (East Asia &amp; Pacific Wing) Toufique Hasan were also present at the briefing.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a packed 3-day schedule, Chief Adviser Yunus to deliver speech at UNGA on Sept 27&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said a major political changeover has taken place in Bangladesh and they want to let people know so that no confusion remains regarding what happened in Bangladesh. He said Prof Yunus is highly respected globally and all countries will take his remarks seriously.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said he will go to New York by a separate commercial flight two days prior to Chief Adviser\'s arrival in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about any possibility to have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Foreign Adviser said it seems there is no possibility as Modi is going there a bit early while Chief Adviser Yunus is going there a bit late.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser will have meetings—bilateral and call on—with prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, Nepal and the President of the European Union, US Secretary of State, UN Secretary-General, UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and USAID Administrator, said the Foreign Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Adviser, however, said he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said reforms and human rights will be highlighted and the government will continue to make commitments to take steps on human rights issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I can\'t justify why there were large delegations in the past. But the current government wants to avoid unnecessary expenses,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Adviser said, this time the delegation will have 57 members, and a big number of them are security personnel. On previous occasions, the Bangladesh delegation was varied between 300 and 100 plus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said only those with direct responsibilities at the UNGA will accompany the Chief Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh will host a high-level reception on September 24 marking 50 years of Bangladesh’s UN membership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme of the General Debate is \"Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Asian affairs expert Michael Kugelman previously said Prof Yunus’ participation at the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA) will be a big opportunity for him to share his government’s economic plans, including which areas specifically the international community can be helpful in strengthening and stabilizing Bangladesh\'s economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“He would be speaking in New York on the biggest global platform since he took over the role of adviser leading the interim government,” said Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said there are several things that Prof Yunus could do, several things that he could say.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think that above all he should lay out a vision for governance, the goals of the interim government, his plans for reforms and his efforts to push for the restoration of democracy.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said he thinks that Prof Yunus’ platform at the UNGA would give him an opportunity to weigh in on what is arguably Bangladesh\'s biggest humanitarian challenge, the Rohingya refugee issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think that it would be useful for him to make a pitch for international assistance or more international assistance for Rohingya refugees, which would be an especially important pitch for two reasons,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) opened on September 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the heads of states and governments will gather at UN Headquarters in New York on September 22-23 to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit of the Future, the first of its kind, will bring together leaders, advocates, and activists of all ages to determine how our international system can better meet the needs of current and future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Countries must use a once-in-a-generation UN summit to address current and emerging global challenges and reform outdated international institutions, Secretary-General António Guterres said in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres was speaking as negotiations for the Summit of the Future, which opens at UN Headquarters on Sunday, enter the final stretch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I have one overriding message today: an appeal to Member States for a spirit of compromise. Show the world what we can do, when we work together,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">‘An essential first step’</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two-day Summit of the Future is “an essential first step towards making global institutions more legitimate, effective, and fit for the world of today and tomorrow,” Guterres told journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said work already done in the lead-up reveals “potential breakthroughs on a number of important fronts”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This includes “the strongest language on Security Council reform in a generation—and the most concrete step towards Council enlargement since 1963,” the first-ever governance measures for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies, and advancements in reforming the international financial architecture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other items cover financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and commitment to advance an SDG Stimulus to boost financial support to developing countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It would be tragic if all of these would be lost,” he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Challenges, crises and conflict</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres said the Summit is “so critical” because “international challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He pointed to “out-of-control geo-political divisions and runaway conflicts – not least in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and beyond,” in addition to “runaway” climate change, inequalities and debt, and the development of AI and other technologies that lack guidance or guardrails.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Crises are interacting and feeding off each other – for example, as digital technologies spread climate disinformation that deepens distrust and fuels polarization,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reform multilateral institutions</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, multilateral institutions “born in a bygone era for a bygone world” simply cannot keep up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres said so many of the challenges the world is facing today were not on the radar 80 years ago when these institutions were created.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our founders understood that times would change,” he said.&nbsp; “They understood that the values that underpin our global institutions are timeless – but the institutions themselves cannot be frozen in time.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An ever-changing world</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the peacebuilders back then could not have predicted the changes that have occurred over the past eight decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They include the independence movements, the economic and geopolitical rise of many developing countries, catastrophic climate consequences, space exploration, and the development of the Internet, smartphones and social media, which are boosted by AI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Like our founders, we cannot know precisely what the future holds,” he acknowledged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But we don’t need a crystal ball to see that 21st century challenges require problem-solving mechanisms that are more effective, networked and inclusive; that serious power imbalances in global institutions must be adjusted and updated; and that our institutions must draw on the expertise and representation of all of humanity.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although change will not happen overnight, “it can start today,” he insisted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finish the job</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Member States attending the Summit are expected to adopt a Pact for the Future, with a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations annexed to it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres expressed hope that they will “do everything possible” to get these documents “over the finish line”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can’t create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents,” he said, stressing that the Summit “cannot fail”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World leaders</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 130 Heads of State and Government are scheduled to attend the Summit of the Future, which is taking place from 22-23 September - just ahead of the annual debate in the UN General Assembly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit will be preceded by two “action days” where non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academics and private sector representatives will engage on the main themes.&nbsp; UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 09:45:56', '2024-09-21 09:45:56'),
(12922, 12922, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has said that mobile network and fixed broadband internet services have been disrupted in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts due to ongoing clashes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A day-long clash occurred in Dighinala, Khagrachhari on Thursday leading to significant damage to local telecommunications infrastructure. A fire incident around 4:00 pm resulted in the damage of optical fiber cables belonging to Summit Communications Limited and Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), causing 16 towers of mobile operator Robi to go offline, according to a press release issued on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Robi, which has about 150 towers in the district, was unable to conduct immediate repairs due to the tense situation. By September 20, Robi managed to restore 14 of the affected towers, while repairs to two towers are still pending. The company expects all sites to be operational soon, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, Teletalk’s service has also been affected in Khagrachhari. Out of its 72 towers in the district, 29 are currently out of service, with 23 towers offline due to power disconnections by the Power Development Board (PDB) and six others due to various technical reasons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the unrest, broadband internet services in Khagrachhari and Rangamati remain mostly operational. However, damage to internet cables and unstable electricity in some areas has left some customers without service. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are actively working to restore connections through network repairs and generator support, leading to a gradual reinstatement of broadband services, the release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BTRC emphasised that no official directive has been issued to shut down mobile networks or broadband services during this time. The commission expresses regret to customers for the temporary inconveniences caused by the ongoing situation and assures them that efforts are being made to restore full services as quickly as possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:20:26', '2024-09-21 10:20:26'),
(12923, 12923, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Ministry of Commerce has approved export of Hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja festival.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an official order signed by Sultana Akhter, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, it was announced that the export of 3,000 metric tonnes of hilsa fish has been approved, according to a press release on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This decision came following requests from several exporters, with the ministry setting specific conditions for the export.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exporters have been asked to submit their applications to the Ministry of Commerce by 12 pm on September 24. Applications should be addressed to the Deputy Secretary, Export-2 Branch, Room 127, Building-3, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No applications will be accepted after the deadline, though those who have already applied are not required to submit new applications.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Bangladesh banned Hilsa export to India&nbsp; to ensure adequate hilsa supply in the local market so that the prized fish remains more accessible to people.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:22:58', '2024-09-21 10:22:58'),
(12924, 12924, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A high level delegation led by Home Adviser Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) is going to visit Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other members of the delegation are - Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (CHT) Adviser Supradip Chakma, LGRD Affairs Adviser A. F.&nbsp; Hassan Ariff and special assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Unity Development Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has earlier expressed profound shock and sorrow at the casualties in the attacks at different places, centering death of a person in mass beating at CHT on September 18.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A small message, sent from the Chief Adviser\'s press wing, said that the government has been working sincerely to resolve the problems created in Khagrachhari and Rangamati.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law enforcement agencies have been asked to show maximum tolerance and ensure security of the people living in the three CHT districts, it reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the government is committed to ensure peace, amity and harmony in the CHT, the government has asked all not to take law into their own hands or engage in destructive activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Damaging any property is punishable and grave offense, it warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Fair probes into all incidents related to violence and the trial of those responsible will be ensured,\" the statement read.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To this end, the government is going to form a very powerful investigation committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the government has asked the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatments to the injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:26:03', '2024-09-21 10:26:03'),
(12925, 12925, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam on Saturday said internet was not shut down by the government in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“There were isolated instances of temporary internet disruption which was exaggerated as internet shutdown. No such instruction was given. There is no evidence that internet was suspended in Chittagong hill tracts or any other place for a long time,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He came up with the remarks responding to a question from reporters during a visit to a flood-affected area in Andharmanik in Feni district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He further mentioned that he had personally spoken with the Deputy Commissioners and other officials concerned, who confirmed that no long-term internet shutdown had occurred.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He advised individuals making such claims to verify facts with the relevant authorities before spreading misinformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the ongoing challenges in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Nahid Islam highlighted the region’s long-standing internal issues, stressing that these problems must be solved domestically.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He mentioned that several advisers are scheduled to visit the area today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nahid also urged people to remain vigilant as various efforts are being made to destabilize the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:37:17', '2024-09-21 10:37:17'),
(12926, 12926, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government has decided against the proceeding with gas extraction and supply agreements with four foreign companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The companies are- India\'s H Energy, Russia\'s Gazprom, China\'s Sinopec, and Uzbekistan\'s Ariel, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Division officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previous Awami League government selected these companies to make deals for gas extraction and supply, which had been developed and were nearing completion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The officials said that the contracts will not be signed since the Quick Energy Supply Act, under which they were being processed, has been repealed by the interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The present government will review the agreements and proceed with those it considers necessary, they added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The contracts will be awarded to interested companies through an open tender process,\" Energy Secretary Md Nurul Alam said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Energy Division officials, the agreements with Russia\'s Gazprom to drill five gas wells in Bhola, with H Energy to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) via pipeline from India, and with Dipon Gas, a Bangladesh-based company, to build a pipeline from Bhomra to Khulna to supply the imported LNG were nearly finalised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, discussions were ongoing with China\'s Sinopec to drill five gas wells in Sylhet and with Uzbekistan\'s Ariel to drill six wells and perform a workover on another.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plans were underway to work on 17 onshore wells with Gazprom, Sinopec, and Ariel, and the Energy Division was in the final stages of approving the proposals after reviewing their financial details, they added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Agreements under questions</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazprom has drilled 20 wells in Bangladesh, including seven in Bhola under the Quick Energy Supply Act. The Russian company is currently drilling four more wells in Bhola under the same act. The Hasina government had planned to award them the contract to drill five additional wells in Bhola using the same approach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the five wells, one is an exploration well and the remaining four are development wells. Gazprom proposed a budget of $120 million for the project. The Energy Division and Gazprom were negotiating this cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deal with India\'s H Energy Limited involved importing 0.8 to 1 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of LNG to Bangladesh. After nearly four years of discussions, the agreement was in its final stages. The LNG was intended to be supplied to the power plants in Khulna and western regions of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An official from Petrobangla, speaking on condition of anonymity, said discussions were ongoing with a company called Dipon Gas to establish a 65 km pipeline from Satkhira to Khulna for importing LNG from India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dipon Gas is a Bangladesh-based company with operations in India and Singapore, according to its website. The company has previously worked on installing the pipeline for importing fuel oil from Numaligarh in India and was involved in the construction of Excelerate Energy\'s LNG terminal and pipeline at Maheshkhali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Discussions were also ongoing with the Chinese company Sinopec regarding the drilling of five wells under Sylhet Gas Fields Company Limited. The wells include Rashidpur-11 and 13, Kailash Tila-9, Dupi Tila-1, and the only development well, Sylhet-11. These projects were estimated to cost around Tk1,200 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Uzbek company Ariel was in the final stages of negotiations to drill seven wells under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited across various districts. The Energy Division had completed the evaluation of Ariel\'s proposal to drill and renovate these wells. The proposal included drilling four new wells and performing workovers on three existing ones, with a proposed cost of $131 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:40:46', '2024-09-21 10:40:46'),
(12927, 12927, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman today called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his office here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his office,\" his press wing said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:36:22', '2024-09-22 09:36:22'),
(12928, 12928, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Senior officials from Indian companies involved in critical power transmission projects in Bangladesh, which are essential for evacuating electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), have yet to return to their jobs, raising concerns about the progress of these projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Few staff from KEC International Limited and Transrail Lighting Limited (TTL) have returned, but none from Larsen &amp; Toubro Limited (L&amp;T) or other companies have come back,\" a top official from Power Grid Bangladesh PLC told UNB. The official clarified that the returning staff are mostly locally recruited temporary workers and mid-level officials from KEC, with no senior officials back on site yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, another senior Power Grid Bangladesh official indicated that Indian staff from L&amp;T are expected to rejoin the projects from September 24. \"We are waiting to see them resume their work,\" the official said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The return of Indian personnel has been delayed since all staff from Indian companies left Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, in the wake of a mass uprising. As a result, the transmission projects involving Indian contractors have come to a standstill.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently, Indian companies are engaged in 17 transmission projects across Bangladesh, with L&amp;T, Transrail, and KEC being the primary contractors. Some of these projects are crucial for connecting the Rooppur NPP, scheduled to begin operation in December this year, to the national grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The sudden departure of Indian contractor staff has created uncertainty around these critical projects,\" said the Power Grid Bangladesh official.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Larsen &amp; Toubro, one of the key contractors, has been awarded major contracts to build transmission infrastructure necessary for evacuating electricity from Bangladesh\'s first nuclear power plant in Rooppur, Pabna. The company is responsible for installing 400kV and 230kV transmission lines, which are critical components of the grid synchronization and testing process for the RNPP’s first unit, now scheduled for completion in early 2025.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The transmission project, estimated to cost Tk 10,981 crore, is being financed primarily by Exim Bank (Tk 8,219 crore), with contributions from the Bangladesh government (Tk 1,527 crore) and Power Grid Bangladesh (Tk 1,235 crore).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, the transmission project includes five major packages—the 464km long 400kV transmission lines, including a 13km river crossing; 205km long 230kV transmission lines, including 7km river crossing; 400kV five Bay extensions; 230kV four bay extensions; and qualitative upgradation of Bangladesh power system for frequency control and frequency drop protection, protection system, emergency control system and other associated tasks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">.bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:39:13', '2024-09-22 09:39:13'),
(12929, 12929, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh lost the first Test of the India series by 280 runs. In the fourth innings, Ravichandran Ashwin took six wickets and helped India secure a lead in the two-match series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh needed to score 515 to win this match. But they only managed 234 runs and lost the match by a big margin. In this match, Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh captain, was the only batter to score a fifty for Bangladesh. He made 82 before falling to Ravindra Jadeja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh started cautiously in this innings, scoring 60 without losing any wickets. But before posting 100 runs on the board, they lost two. And then, they kept losing wickets regularly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan got good starts, but they failed to capitalize on those. Shanto kept one end intact, though, that was not enough for Bangladesh to offer some fightback to India’s quality attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh’s last hope was Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but they also failed to resist the Indian bowlers with ample runs to score.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ashwin, who scored a hundred in the first innings, also ended the match by taking six wickets. This all-round performance earned the player of the match award.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the first innings of the match, India scored 376. Hasan Mahmud registered the maiden five-for against India for a Bangladeshi bowler. In reply, Bangladesh tumbled for only 149 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the second innings, India scored 287. Rishabh Pant and Shubhman Gill struck a hundred each. With a 227-run lead from the first innings, India’s lead reached 514 runs, a total Bangladesh never scored in the fourth innings of a Test match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the match, Bangladesh\'s captain praised his pace attack but said they should have continued the momentum that the pacers brought for them. He also credited Indian batters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The positive is how Taskin (Ahmed), Hasan bowled in the first 2-3 hours but India batted really well after that,” Shanto said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indian captain Rohit Sharma applauded his wicketkeeper-batter Pant, who was playing his first Test after coming back from a nasty injury that he sustained during a car drive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“(Pant) has been through some tough times, the way he has managed himself through those tough times has been superb to watch,” Rohit said after the match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh will look to bounce back when they take on the hosts in the second Test on Friday. After the two-match Test series, both teams will take on each other in a three-match T20I series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:42:35', '2024-09-22 09:42:35'),
(12930, 12930, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Dhaka Court today remanded former railway minister Nurul Islam Sujon for five days in a case lodged over the killing of Rafiqul Islam, during anti-discrimination movement in Dhaka\'s Jatrabari area on July 19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saddam Hossain passed the order after accepting a plea from the investigating officer of the case, this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sujon was present before the court at that time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 17, Sujon was arrested by police from Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in city\'s Shyamoli area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:56:19', '2024-09-22 09:56:19'),
(12931, 12931, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the Nagorik Oikya, has been admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital after falling seriously ill late last night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His personal physician, Dr. Shoaeb Muhammad, confirmed the news, saying, \"He has suffered a heart attack and is currently under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). He is not out of danger until at least 72 hours have passed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A media release, signed by Nagorik Oikya organizational secretary Sabik Anwar, said that Manna was abducted by law enforcers in plainclothes in 2015 and was later shown as arrested.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He spent two years in prison due to false charges. During his imprisonment, he suffered a heart attack, which led to hospitalization, where multiple blockages in his heart were diagnosed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At that time, the government did not allow him proper medical treatment and sent him back to prison instead of providing care.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even after his release, his passport was withheld, preventing him from seeking advanced medical treatment abroad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party has called upon people to pray for his early recovery.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:59:39', '2024-09-22 09:59:39'),
(12932, 12932, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Classes at Dhaka University (DU) resumed on Sunday after more than three months of closure due to unrest centering student-led movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The campus including Arts building, Social Science Faculty premises, Madhur Canteen, TSC regained its familiar look with the gathering of students since morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Students expressed their relief and joy after returning to classes after a long break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the academic activities of the first year students are scheduled to begin on September 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vacation in Dhaka University began on June 2 before Eid-ul-Azha. After the Eid holidays, academic activities were scheduled to start on July 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But academic and administrative activities of all public universities of the country came to a halt on July 1 as teachers and employees went on an indefinite strike demanding their exclusion from the \"discriminatory\" pension scheme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The then Awami League government shut down all educational institutions on July 16 as violence escalated over the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 19, the university administration decided to prohibit all political activities by students, teachers, officials, and employees on the campus until further notice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This decision was made during an emergency Syndicate meeting held at the Vice-Chancellor\'s Lounge in the administrative building.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 10:02:19', '2024-09-22 10:02:19');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12933, 12933, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>In politics, words hold immense power—they can inspire a nation or lead to the undoing of its leaders. Bangladesh’s recent political history stands as a clear example of how inflammatory rhetoric, coupled with authoritarian actions, can destroy even the most deeply entrenched political figures.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, once praised for her role in the country\'s development, saw her legacy crumble under the weight of her words and oppressive governance. Her resignation in 2024, amid mass protests, serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked language and repression can trigger a people\'s revolt and erode political legitimacy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Seeds of Discontent: The Quota System and Youth Unrest</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina’s downfall was not sudden; it was the culmination of years of rising discontent, especially among the youth of Bangladesh. The flashpoint for this unrest was her government\'s decision to maintain a controversial quota system for public sector jobs, which allocated 30% of government posts to descendants of the 1971 Liberation War\'s “freedom fighters.” This policy, viewed by many as a tool for rewarding the Awami League’s loyalists, created resentment among the younger population who struggled with unemployment. With the public sector offering some of the most stable and well-paying jobs, many young Bangladeshis felt they were unfairly shut out of opportunities, deepening frustration ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Telegraph India, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Student protests erupted in response to this policy, but Hasina’s reaction only intensified the situation. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the protesters, she referred to them as “razakars”—a highly derogatory term used for those who had betrayed Bangladesh during its war of independence. This inflammatory remark further alienated the protesters and added fuel to the growing movement. What had begun as a call for job reforms soon turned into a larger uprising against Hasina\'s leadership ​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Words with Consequences: How Rhetoric Backfired</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s inflammatory language quickly backfired. Her harsh words and dismissive tone transformed a peaceful protest into a full-blown national revolt. By branding the protesters as enemies of the state, she further alienated the youth, who were already grappling with economic hardship and high unemployment. Instead of uniting the country, her rhetoric divided it further, turning what could have been a manageable political issue into a widespread demand for her resignation ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As protests spread across the country, Hasina’s government responded with force, deploying security forces to suppress dissent. The violent crackdowns resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, further solidifying her image as a repressive leader. The more she used inflammatory language and brutal tactics, the more the public grew disillusioned with her leadership ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Telegraph India, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Targeting Rivals: The Battle with Khaleda Zia and the Vendetta Against Dr. Yunus</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s use of harsh words was not limited to the student protesters. Throughout her tenure, she regularly targeted her political rivals, most notably Begum Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The rivalry between Hasina and Zia, often referred to as the \"Battle of the Begums,\" has dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades. Hasina frequently directed shameful and degrading remarks at Zia, accusing her of corruption and incompetence. In 2018, Zia was jailed under corruption charges, which many saw as politically motivated to silence the opposition​(mint, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina also turned her ire toward Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. Yunus, a global icon for his work in microfinance, became the target of Hasina’s personal vendetta when he voiced opposition to her policies. Hasina accused Yunus of corruption and launched investigations into his organization, damaging his reputation both at home and abroad. These attacks on respected figures like Zia and Yunus further isolated Hasina from the public, as many viewed her actions as authoritarian and driven by personal vendettas ​(Jacobin, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Authoritarianism and Repression: The Road to Revolt</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s inflammatory language was accompanied by increasingly authoritarian actions. Her government-imposed internet blackouts, enforced curfews, and deployed military forces to suppress peaceful protests. The repression reached a tipping point when mass killings occurred during student-led protests, with unofficial reports estimating the death toll in the thousands. Hasina’s regime was also known for enforced disappearances, with opposition figures being abducted and silenced by state forces. These actions further alienated the population, and Hasina’s image as a \"gigantic monarch\" ruling with an iron fist became cemented​(Telegraph India, 2024)​(Jacobin, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s disregard for democratic norms, her attacks on political opponents, and her repressive tactics created a toxic political environment. By belittling respected figures like Zia and Yunus, and using shameful language to vilify dissent, she contributed to the mass uprising that ultimately led to her downfall. As public protests grew in size and intensity, Hasina’s hold on power weakened. The military, once a key supporter, refused to enforce her repressive measures, leading to her resignation and flight from the country ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>The Fall of Sheikh Hasina: A Cautionary Tale</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August 2024 was both swift and dramatic. A long march of protesters, demanding her removal from office, culminated in the storming of her official residence. Faced with an unrelenting protest movement and a loss of support from the military, Hasina fled the country, marking the end of her political reign ​(Telegraph India, 2024)​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s fall from power is a powerful lesson in the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric and authoritarian rule. Her harsh words, combined with her oppressive actions, alienated large sections of the population and created the conditions for a people\'s revolt. What began as a protest against job quotas evolved into a national movement to overthrow a leader whose words and deeds had divided the nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Lessons in Leadership: The Power of Words</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina’s story is a cautionary tale for leaders everywhere. Words matter. Inflammatory rhetoric may seem like an effective short-term tool to rally supporters or silence critics, but its long-term consequences can be disastrous. Hasina’s downfall was not just the result of policy failures; it was the product of a leader who underestimated the power of her words to divide, alienate, and ultimately dismantle her political base.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bitter consequences of Hasina’s rhetoric will be felt in Bangladesh for years to come. Her downfall serves as a reminder that political power is fragile, and leaders who use words to inflame rather than unite may find themselves at the mercy of the very people they sought to control. As Bangladesh moves forward, future leaders must remember that words and actions matter and that inflammatory rhetoric can tear nations apart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>References:</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Honi Soit - \"Sheikh Hasina’s regime: Bangladeshi student protests in context\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://honisoit.com/2024/09/sheikh-hasinas-regime-bangladeshi-student-protests-in-context/\" target=\"_blank\">https://honisoit.com/2024/09/sheikh-hasinas-regime-bangladeshi-student-protests-in-context/</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Telegraph India - \"Timeline of tumult: How Bangladesh\'s student protests brought down Sheikh Hasina\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/timeline-of-tumult-how-bangladeshs-student-protests-brought-down-sheikh-hasina/cid/2038843\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/timeline-of-tumult-how-bangladeshs-student-protests-brought-down-sheikh-hasina/cid/2038843</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asia Society - \"Political Turmoil in Bangladesh: Hasina’s Fall, the Rise of an Interim Government, and Regional Dynamics\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/political-turmoil-bangladesh-hasinas-fall-rise-interim-government-and-regional-dynamics\" target=\"_blank\">https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/political-turmoil-bangladesh-hasinas-fall-rise-interim-government-and-regional-dynamics</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">LiveMint - \"Khaleda Zia vs Sheikh Hasina: How the ‘Battle of Begums’ shaped Bangladesh politics\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.livemint.com/news/world/bangladesh-latest-news-khaleda-zia-sheikh-hasina-battle-of-begums-dhaka-muhammad-yunus-bnp-attacks-on-hindus-muslims-11723005956747.html\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.livemint.com/news/world/bangladesh-latest-news-khaleda-zia-sheikh-hasina-battle-of-begums-dhaka-muhammad-yunus-bnp-attacks-on-hindus-muslims-11723005956747.html</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jacobin - \"The Bangladesh Protest Movement Won Out Against Repression\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://jacobin.com/2024/08/bangladesh-protest-movement-hasina-yunus\" target=\"_blank\">https://jacobin.com/2024/08/bangladesh-protest-movement-hasina-yunus</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Author: A S M Shamem</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i>Doctoral Researcher</i></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i>Faculty of Languages and Linguistics</i></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i>University of Malaya, Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia</i></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BN/AJOM</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 03:38:31', '2024-09-23 03:38:31'),
(12934, 12934, '<div><br></div><div>The number of dengue patients and fatalities continues to spike across the country this year too with hospitals struggling to provide treatment to the growing number of patients due to insufficient facilities.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts fear that the dengue situation may worsen in October when the hospitals and clinics are already overwhelmed with dengue patients.</div><div><br></div><div>Till September 22, the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease stood at 131 with 24,034 cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Two months back, experts warned about the possibility of severe dengue outbreak in September, yet there have been no visible efforts from the authorities concerned. Concern is growing among people as October is likely to see even worse dengue situation.</div><div><br></div><div>Visiting Dhaka Medical College and Mugda Medical College and Hospital, it was found that these hospitals have been struggling to accommodate the&nbsp; dengue patients and setting up additional beds on the corridors to provide treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to UNB some physicians at the hospitals said the current month is seeing continuous increase in dengue cases compared to previous months.</div><div><br></div><div>Over 2,800 patients were admitted to the two hospitals in August while some 2,500 patients have already been hospitalised this month—with eight days still remaining.</div><div><br></div><div>Many patients have been admitted in critical condition, showing symptoms such as low blood pressure, multiple organ dysfunctions, vomiting and lethargy, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Recent rainfall and waterlogging might be the reason behind the surge in dengue patients. Physicians say that many patients are being hospitalized with severe symptom of Dengue, particularly shock syndrome.</div><div><br></div><div><b>What DGHS, experts say</b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the number of dengue cases is increasing compared to previous months, with 55% of patients hospitalized outside Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, negligence is also blamed for rising deaths. Without providing necessary treatment at upazila health complexes, patients are referred to other hospitals unnecessarily, exacerbating the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed, an adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said as the number of dengue patients&nbsp; rises, the death toll will proportionally increase, noting that the causes for which 2023 witnessed the highest deaths have not been resolved.</div><div><br></div><div>He emphasized the need for decentralization of medical care, as patients with less risks are often kept at the city hospitals unnecessarily instead of providing care at upazila or local hospitals, putting strains on the proper treatment of critical patients.</div><div><br></div><div>Prof Kabirul Bashar, a Zoology Department teacher of Jahangirnagar University, addressed that the primary healthcare facilities at the upazila level should be properly equipped to treat dengue patients instead of transferring them to district or divisional hospitals, which may delay necessary treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>To effectively control dengue, he urged for evidence-based integrated mosquito management strategies and a shift from a job-oriented to a service-oriented mindset among responsible agencies.</div><div><br></div><div>“Under hotspot management, crash programs should be done within 200 meters of houses where there are dengue patients. Flying Aedes mosquitoes and larvae must be destroyed.”the expert suggested.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Anti-mosquito drives in capital</b></div><div><br></div><div>DSCC Administrator Dr. Mohd Sher Ali told UNB that following the directives from Local Government Adviser AF Hassan Arif, instructions have been given to all concerned to ensure \'coordinated and proper implementation of mosquito control activities\' in Dhaka South and North City Corporations.</div><div><br></div><div>He, however, said they are implementing necessary activities with due importance to destroy the breeding places of Aedes mosquitoes.</div><div><br></div><div>DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said, \"Our health department and waste management department have started conducting special cleanliness and mosquito control activities in the areas where the prevalence of Aedes mosquitoes is high. Through this, we will be able to reduce the spread of dengue disease. \"</div><div><br></div><div>DNCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan said the sources where Aedes larvae can grow should be cleaned and destroyed alongside spraying insecticides regularly to control dengue.</div><div><br></div><div>The monitoring team consisting of officials of different departments is properly supervising the activities conducted in each region. Students and other citizens need to be involved, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our staffers clean the surroundings of the house and spray medicines. But it is not possible for our employees to work indoors. So you have to keep your houses clean. Refrigerators, ACs, flower tubs, unused tires, coconut shells, open packets of chips, various types of open containers, rooftops or any other places should be kept free from stagnant water,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 19, the DNCC launched a week-long special mosquito eradication programme across all wards, which will continue until September 25. Each ward has been divided into sub-blocks for targeted inspections to identify and destroy mosquito breeding grounds.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 09:43:52', '2024-09-23 09:43:52'),
(12935, 12935, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to hold a meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden on Tuesday here on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which reflects growing relations between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is going to be a one-to-one meeting, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB, confirming the meeting in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is very significant as no US president has held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades, the official added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden will travel to New York City to participate in the 79th session of the UNGA on September 23-25.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to addressing the General Assembly on September 24, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s travel to New York City.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is scheduled to arrive here on Monday night (NY Time) to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a packed schedule of meetings with global leaders on the sidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith and CDA of The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C. Salahuddin Mahmud will receive him at JFK International Airport upon his arrival by a commercial flight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser will address the General Debate of the UNGA on September 27.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate already described the challenges facing the interim government to the US delegation in Dhaka recently, saying his administration has moved quickly to \"reset, reform, and restart\" the economy, initiate reforms in financial sectors, and fix institutions such as the judiciary and police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser sought the assistance when a high-powered US delegation met him at the state guesthouse Jamuna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US delegation affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts,\" said the US side, after a meeting held at state guesthouse Jamuna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus has a series of high-profile meetings lined up on the sidelines of the UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, the chief adviser will meet with leaders including the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal, as well as the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser said many meeting decisions are made at the last minute during this time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“New meetings may be added to that consideration; again, due to lack of time, any meeting may be omitted.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus is also likely to have meetings with the President of Italy and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 24, Prof Yunus will attend a welcome reception to be hosted by UN Secretary General António Guterres for the Heads of Delegation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will attend the inaugural session of the 79th UNGA. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah will accompany the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus will also attend a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi is scheduled to call on the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser will also attend a high-level side event – ‘Meet the Friends of Bangladesh’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There will be a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations which will be hosted by Professor Muhammad Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser said he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 09:47:32', '2024-09-23 09:47:32'),
(12936, 12936, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Sunamganj court on Monday sent former planning minister MA Mannan to jail after rejecting a bail petition in a case over the attacks on students and people during the recent student-led movement in the district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunamganj Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Nirjan Mitra passed the order after hearing the prayer for bail, said the plaintiff’s lawyer Mashuk Alam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law enforcement agencies arrested the former minister from his residence in Shantiganj area under Jagannathpur upazila on September 19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was accused in the case filed by one Hafiz Ali, brother of a victim who was injured in clashes with the law enforcers and Awami League supporters in the district on August 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the district witnessed a mixed reaction over the arrest of the former minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A group of people staged demonstration for the release of Mannan while another group opposed it demanding punishment of the former minister and accused him of amassing illegal wealth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, some students under the banner of general students took position in front of Shantiganj upazila parishad along Sunamganj-Sylhet road, demanding release of Mannan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Pagla Bazar of the upazil, another group of students formed a human chain demanding an exemplary punishment of the former minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 10:18:59', '2024-09-23 10:18:59'),
(12937, 12937, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Challenging the central bank to go further if it truly wants to save troubled banks, prominent businessman and newly-installed chairman of National Bank Limited (NBL) Abdul Awal Mintoo has said merely restructuring the board of directors of these banks after dissolving the previous ones will not be enough to resolve the crisis in the banking sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rather, Bangladesh Bank has to arrange liquidity support to the tune of at least Tk 1000 crore for each of the weak banks if it is serious about keeping them in operation&nbsp; with depositors’ trust restored, Mintoo told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In 1998, the United States government provided $2 trillion in liquidity support for their banking sector to overcome a crisis during that period,” Mintoo said. “The central bank of Bangladesh should follow that example and arrange liquidity support for the weak banks.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reference is to the U.S. government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, under which $700 billion was authorised to bail out banks at the onset of the financial crisis in 2008.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mintoo, also the CEO of Multimode Group, said: “You have to understand the practical situation, all the sectors including banks stand on false information during the immediate past government. Banks’ money was looted with the coordination and arrangement of the Bangladesh Bank. So now why would the central bank not do everything to financially revive these banks?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Without instant liquidity support, there is no way to regain the trust of depositors in the banks where the boards have been restructured. The loan guarantee from the central bank is not enough, as other banks also know the financial health of these banks, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh Bank will have to arrange a liquidity support package for these weak banks without delay. Because even a good decision, if delayed, will lead to another crisis and undermine the good that may have come out of that decision,” Mintoo opined.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He is also critical of the makeup of the central bank’s board following the induction of some new members. In Mintoo’s eyes, the share of academics is disproportionately high, while experienced bankers are lacking. He says this is causing the delays in decision-making.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The central bank’s wait-and-see approach is exacerbating problems that can be nipped in the bud with decisive action,” said Mintoo, a former president of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), as well as the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said a tight, contractionary monetary policy to curb inflation may backfire in some situations as it raises the rate of lending, which will hamper industrial production. As a result, unemployment increases and stokes social instability, which Mintoo views as another challenge to the macroeconomy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that around 25-26 lakh youth enter the country’s job market every year, of which several thousand are fortunate to get a government job, but the “lion’s share” of the youth are employed in the private sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At present, banks cannot provide the required working capital support for industries, LC-opening has dropped dramatically as many banks are facing a foreign exchange crisis, and industrial production gets disrupted due to a shortage of raw materials and lack of security, said Mintoo.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the central bank is called the lender of last resort, but the Bangladesh Bank is not lending to commercial banks. Many businessmen are “crying to open LCs”, but banks are not taking LCs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“How are businesses expected to run?” Mintoo questioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When people cannot withdraw money from banks to meet essential needs, or bank branches cannot open due to fear of public anger, the situation gets diverted into something more serious, he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mintoo believes the central bank as an institution is even more at fault than the directors who were in charge of the banks that have fallen into hard times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“And yet, the central bank is not lending to these commercial banks, which is badly needed to pull them up,” he reiterated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The veteran businessman, also a vice chairman of the BNP, stressed&nbsp; that each day is of importance for banks and industries in the present situation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The central bank spent more than a month making policies, but the banks in question required immediate liquidity support which they still didn’t get,”said Mintoo.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is only once the troubled banks return to their regular transaction activities that clients’ or customers’ trust will be regained, Mintoo asserts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Only then can the wheels of the economy hope to get back on track, on the back of the banking sector,” he states in conclusion, before ending on a more sombre note.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But if they (troubled banks) continue to struggle, not only will their financial health suffer, they will act as a bar on the sector’s performance, as well as the wider economy,” Mintoo said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:39:25', '2024-09-24 09:39:25'),
(12938, 12938, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh has requested technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address key areas of concern, including banking sector reforms, money laundering control, and tax reforms, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We sought technical assistance for banking sector reforms, tackling money laundering, and implementing tax reforms,” Dr. Salehuddin told reporters following a meeting with an IMF delegation at the Secretariat in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The delegation, led by IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh Chris Papageorgiou, has commenced a weeklong visit to assess the country’s macroeconomic situation and explore potential reforms with the provision of additional funding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser emphasized the need for external resources to support these critical reforms. \"We will utilize our local resources as much as possible, but for specific areas, we will require foreign assistance,\" he explained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF delegation’s visit focuses on several pressing economic issues, including efforts to curb inflation, bolster foreign-currency reserves, and restore overall macroeconomic stability. \"We’ve discussed the areas where IMF assistance could be most beneficial,\" Dr. Salehuddin added, noting that the talks included balance of payment support, as well as banking and revenue sector reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Adviser also informed the IMF delegation that Bangladesh’s interim government has initiated reforms across various sectors but will require time to implement them fully.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is expected to engage in further discussions with the IMF in October, where final decisions on support and policy directions will be made in consultation with the lending agency’s policymakers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, the IMF team will review the country’s fiscal challenges, including high subsidy spending, rising inflationary pressures, and potential cuts in public expenditure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has already requested $3 billion in additional support from the IMF for budgetary assistance, on top of the ongoing $4.7 billion lending package.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:41:45', '2024-09-24 09:41:45'),
(12939, 12939, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A member of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) was detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today after he allegedly crossed into the Bangladesh territory illegally at the Pirganj border in Thakurgaon on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt Col Ahsanul Islam, commander of BGB\'s 42nd Battalion, confirmed the development, saying that BSF personnel Up Kumar Das was apprehended near the Chandherhat camp around 11 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the BGB, the BSF personnel crossed the zero line of the international boundary near pillar number 334/sub-pillar 6, entering Bangladesh without authorisation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although the BSF member was in uniform at the time of his detention, he was unarmed, the BGB official noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities are currently preparing to return the detained BSF member to the Indian authorities through a flag meeting, BGB added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:44:58', '2024-09-24 09:44:58'),
(12940, 12940, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 1,400 tourists who had been stranded in Sajek due to a 72-hour strike have returned to Khagrachhari with the help of the army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday confirmed the development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, vehicular movement on all routes connecting Khagrachhari to Dhaka and Chattogram resumed this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to army sources, local residents and army personnel worked together on Monday night to clear the obstacles on the roads, making them passable again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sources further added that under the overall supervision of the Baghaichhari zone and with support from the Sajek Resort Owners Association, 50-75% of the accommodation fees for stranded tourists in Sajek were waived.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the blockade was called on Friday by protesting Jumma students and activists based in Dhaka, in response to the recent violent incidents in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. The United People\'s Democratic Front (UPDF) has supported the protest.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:46:59', '2024-09-24 09:46:59'),
(12941, 12941, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations has conveyed best wishes to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as he attends the UNGA when Bangladesh is celebrating its 50 years relationship with the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Yunus, who arrived here on Monday night, will host a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations on Tuesday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My best wishes to Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus as he attends the General Assembly. This year, Bangladesh celebrates its 50-year relationship with the UN,\" said UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis in a brief message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An historic moment when we again reminded of the importance of listening to the voices of young people,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 17 September 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus is on his first visit to the United States as head of the Bangladesh government to attend the 79th UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly opens on Tuesday, 24 September, continue through Saturday, 28 September, and conclude on Monday, 30 September 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme for the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly is \"Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain spoke at the Summit of the Future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit of the Future offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change and a chance to commit to bold new solutions.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It provided an opportunity to create international mechanisms that better reflect the realities of the 21st century and can respond to today\'s and tomorrow\'s challenges and opportunities.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of the global community, Bangladesh has a role in setting a better course for the world, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By working together, \"we can achieve a safer, more peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The General Assembly started the meeting by adopting the Pact for the Future Resolution with annexes Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:49:09', '2024-09-24 09:49:09'),
(12942, 12942, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar have discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries, according to the foreign ministry here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They met on the sidelines of 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday, Bangladesh foreign ministry said on its X handle (former tweeter).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Had a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of Bangladesh in New York this evening. The conversation focused on our bilateral ties,\" Jaishankar said in his X handle after the meeting as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser is part of the Bangladesh delegation led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the 79th UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 10:11:05', '2024-09-24 10:11:05'),
(12943, 12943, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought support from foreign friends for Bangladesh\'s new journey towards a happy and prosperous future, stressing that they do not want to miss the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our job is to clean it up and reform it. We need to make a good start. We need all of your support to make that happen,\" he said while speaking at a reception on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday evening (New York time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representatives of the countries attending the UNGA joined the reception hosted by Bangladesh to mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s United Nations membership.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 17, 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Apurba Jahangir were present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Photographer, writer, curator and activist Shahidul Alam joined Prof Yunus in unveiling two books that depict events of the student-led mass uprising.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recalling the sacrifices made by the students, Prof Yunus said the whole nation is united today. \"We don\'t want to make them (who dreamt of a new Bangladesh) disappointed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus said the students invited him to lead the interim government until the election is held, following implementation of the reforms agenda.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is a very significant year for us. It is brought by the young people of Bangladesh,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the United Nations conveyed best wishes to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as he attends the UNGA when Bangladesh is celebrating its 50 years relationship with the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My best wishes to Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus, as he attends the General Assembly. This year, Bangladesh celebrates its 50-year relationship with the UN,\" said UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis in a brief message shared on X.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of an event at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also shared the stage with former US President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus is on his first visit to the United States as head of the Bangladesh government to attend the 79th UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly began on Tuesday and will continue through Saturday, September 28, and conclude on Monday, September 30, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme for the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly is \"Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:36:12', '2024-09-25 09:36:12');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12944, 12944, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joseph R Biden and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus have affirmed the close partnership between Washington and Dhaka, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda, said a White House statement after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US president congratulated Prof Yunus on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus was sworn in as the chief adviser of the interim government on August 8 last after ousted Sheikh Hasina resigned to the President and fled the country in the face of a student-led mass uprising against her government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:38:34', '2024-09-25 09:38:34'),
(12945, 12945, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly held a meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday to discuss bolstering ties between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, both leaders explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and emphasized Canada\'s support for the ongoing reform initiatives under Bangladesh\'s interim government, according to a message received here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The discussions covered a wide range of issues, from trade and investment to climate change and multilateral collaboration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Joly reiterated Canada\'s commitment to assisting Bangladesh during its transitional period and expressed her government\'s willingness to enhance collaboration on key global issues such as human rights, sustainable development, and climate adaptation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting comes at a transitional time for Bangladesh, which is undergoing significant reforms in governance and economic policies under the interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Strengthening diplomatic ties with key partners like Canada is seen as crucial for ensuring international support for these reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:40:59', '2024-09-25 09:40:59'),
(12946, 12946, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President and noted journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message, he said, \"Ruhul Amin Gazi played a courageous and praiseworthy role in ensuring freedom of expression\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said senior journalist Gazi, who used to believe in independent journalism, worked relentlessly with the great principle of objective journalism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His fellow journalists will forever follow this spirit with respect, he hoped.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tarique Rahman said his bold speech in favor of the freedom of speech of the people despite suffering prison and oppression was appreciated by the countrymen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite facing anger from the fascist regime repeatedly, Gazi always played a leading role for democracy, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even in the face of the threat of undemocratic forces in his career, he was steadfast in fulfilling his duties, said the BNP acting chairman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that his contribution to the arena of journalism is undoubtedly undeniable, he also said his death created a deep wound in the hearts of democracy-loving people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Gazi\'s death made a vacuum which will not be fulfilled easily,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tarique Rahman prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazi passed away on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:43:10', '2024-09-25 09:43:10'),
(12947, 12947, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought international community\'s continuous attention to the Rohingya crisis, otherwise, he warned that it might put the entire region in trouble, not just Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We must pay attention,\" he said while speaking at a high-level discussion on the Rohingya crisis held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon (NY time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan, IOM Director General Amy Pope, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and CA\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam, among others, spoke at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus proposed to international community to re-visit approach to Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the UN Secretary General may convene an all stakeholders\' conference on the Rohingya crisis soonest possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conference should review the overall situation of the crisis and suggest innovative and forward looking way outs, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Secondly, Prof Yunus said, the Joint Response Plan, managed jointly by the UN System and Bangladesh, needs to be energised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resource raising mechanism needs further political push in view of the sliding funding situation, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his third proposal, Prof Yunus said the international community should seriously support the justice and accountability mechanism to address genocidal crimes committed against the Rohingya community.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eventually, the Chief Adviser said, redressing injustice that has been perpetrated by the military junta in Myanmar is the key to long term peace and security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Honoured to take part in the discussion on Rohingya refugees led by the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. This is a yearly UNGA event but Dr Yunus’ presence and vision meant that it wasn’t business as usual,\" said the UNHCR chief.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they must strive to end the Rohingya people’s discrimination, statelessness and exile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was a very successful meeting. Everyone appreciated Bangladesh’s efforts and reiterated their continuous support,\" Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Tuesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Apurba Jahangir were also present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the event, IOM DG Amy Pope said the Rohingya people must not be forgotten.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We must do more and continue to provide much needed assistance and long-term solutions,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At UNGA, IOM DG said they reaffirm their commitment to doing everything possible to achieve this goal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As UNGA\'s high-level general debate took place in New York, some of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh sent a message for world leaders gathered here, \"Don’t let us down.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rohingya refugees cannot be forgotten, they said a video message.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While participating in the high-level UNGA side event on the Rohingya crisis, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced nearly $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees and communities hosting them in Bangladesh and the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This funding includes nearly $70 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and over $129 million from USAID, $78 million of which comes from the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation which will help USAID to purchase, ship, and distribute food from American farmers to Rohingya refugees and host community members in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This U.S. assistance will save lives and help protect, shelter, and feed those forced to flee violence and persecution.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, it will be used to: support disaster preparedness and protection for refugees and host communities; bolster access to education and skills training; and prepare refugees for their potential return home when conditions allow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, including more than $2.1 billion in Bangladesh, of which nearly $1.3 billion was contributed through PRM.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States remains committed to delivering assistance to crisis-affected communities in Bangladesh and the region and calls on other donors to continue their support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In August 2017, armed attacks, massive scale violence, and serious human rights violations forced thousands of Rohingya to flee their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many walked for days through jungles and undertook dangerous sea journeys across the Bay of Bengal to reach safety in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now, nearly 1 million people have found safety in Bangladesh with a majority living in the Cox Bazar’s region - home to the world’s largest refugee camp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Nations has described the Rohingya as “the most persecuted minority in the world.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:46:55', '2024-09-25 09:46:55'),
(12948, 12948, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said Bangladesh will soon take steps to hold negotiations with India over sharing of water of transboundary rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The negotiations will be held after considering public opinion and the outcomes of the talks will be shared with the people,\" she said while speaking at a seminar titled \"Bangladesh\'s Fair Share of Water in Shared Rivers,\" held at Pani Bhaban in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The seminar was arranged marking the World Rivers Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing as the chief guest, Rizwana said although the water sharing of international rivers is a complex issue, the exchange of essential information should not be political one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One country can want the rainfall data and location of structures in rivers and the data exchange can help prevent harm to lives and properties, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana, also environment, forest and climate change adviser, said a country cannot go to the international court unilaterally on such issues but both nations must go to it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Sharing rainfall data is a humanitarian issue. Necessary data should be given for saving lives. Bangladesh\'s claims will be made clearly and strongly,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser stressed protecting the country\'s internal rivers, describing those as living entities that must be collectively saved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Presided over by Mihir Biswas, convener of the World Rivers Day Celebration Council; and moderated by Md Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA); the seminar was addressed, among others, by Md Ejaz, Director of the River and Delta Research Centre; Md Shahidul Islam, Professor of Geography and Environment at Dhaka University; and Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Researchers, environmentalists, and government officials participated in the seminar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:52:02', '2024-09-25 09:52:02'),
(12949, 12949, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pope Francis on Wednesday slammed the \"terrible escalation\" of the conflict in Lebanon as \"unacceptable\", after Israeli bombings in the south of the country targeting Hezbollah killed hundreds of people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am saddened by the news coming out of Lebanon... but I hope that the international community will make every effort to stop this terrible escalation. This is unacceptable, I express my closeness to the Lebanese people, who have already suffered too much in the recent past,\" Francis said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:57:27', '2024-09-25 09:57:27'),
(12950, 12950, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said his government is committed to upholding human rights and freedom of speech in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the comments when senior officials of more than half a dozen top global human rights groups met him at a hotel here on Wednesday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, justice and accountability of the atrocities and abuse of human rights committed during the July-August mass uprising and also during Sheikh Hasina\'s 15 year long dictatorship were discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Human rights officials stressed the need for more investigations into some 3,000 extrajudicial killings carried out during the dictatorship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also called for security sector reforms, repeal of the cyber security act and unfettered access to justice and ensure accountability of activities of the detention centres where the victims of the enforced disappearances were kept during Sheikh Hasina\'s autocratic rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, led the delegation of nine HR officials. Agnes Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, also joined the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Callamard said the interim government should send \"a powerful message demonstrating that this is a new Bangladesh.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus briefly outlined how civil liberties and human rights were denied during the previous autocratic regime and what his government has so far done to establish human rights in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said his government has set up several commissions, including one regarding to the police, to carry out vital reforms and institutional changes in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the interim government would welcome any criticism of its activities and vowed that the interim administration would uphold freedom of speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This government isn\'t bothered by any criticism. In fact, we are inviting criticism,\" he said, adding the government \"won\'t restrict any voices\" in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, formerly a Hong Kong-based human rights activist, and Julia Bleckner, a senior researcher of Human Rights Watch, also spoke during the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 09:56:26', '2024-09-26 09:56:26'),
(12951, 12951, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World Bank (WB) Group President Ajay Banga today said the global lender would provide US$ 3.5 billion to support reform initiatives of Bangladesh’s interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WB president announced the assistance at a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters here on Wednesday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Banga, a long-time friend of Prof Yunus, said at least US$ two billion would be provided as fresh lending while another US$ 1.5 billion would be repurposed from the existing programmes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the WB would support reforms in digitisation, liquidity, energy, power and transport sectors in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Prof Yunus sought the World Bank’s support for the wide-range reforms the Interim government had taken.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He asked the WB to be creative about its lending programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is a big opportunity to rebuild the country,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WB president discussed the energy sector cooperation in South Asia and how hydro energy produced in Nepal and Bhutan could be shared by neighbours such as India and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Energy and Power Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan was present at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 09:58:47', '2024-09-26 09:58:47'),
(12952, 12952, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chinese Ambassador here Yao Wen has said Beijing’s commitment on its engagement with Bangladesh will remain untouched amid any changes inside the country.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“No matter what changes have taken place inside Bangladesh, China’s commitment to develop our bilateral relations remains unchanged,” he said while hosting a reception at a city hotel on Wednesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said China sincerely hoped that under the leadership of the interim government, Bangladesh will carry out state reform, maintain political stability, advance economic development and improve people’s livelihood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We believe no one but the Bangladeshi people have the rights to choose their path of development,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said Bangladesh-China bilateral relations are based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, with full respect to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Commerce and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed joined the reception as the chief guest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP’s senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami attend the reception among other dignitaries as Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin was also present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese ambassador said a nation will prosper only when it’s young people thrive. \"Young people are the most energetic and full of dreams. Youths are the hope and will be the leaders of the future,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said youths are living in a remarkable time, and enjoying a promising prospect to fulfill their dreams.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I expect the young people to devote themselves to China-Bangladesh cooperation, passing the torch of friendship from generation to generation,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To support the development of Bangladesh, the ambassador said China would unilaterally open its market and decides to grant zero-tariff treatment on 100% of taxable items to Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It means China will substantially increase import of cereals, sugar, edible oil, rubber and rubber products, wood products, jute and jute products, paper and paper products, wool and cotton from Bangladesh from December 1 next, he said, adding: “China will also import Bangladeshi fresh Mangos”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To combat the flood, wen said China is about to provide rescue facilities and equipment to Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the last one and a half month since the establishment of the interim government, the Chinese enterprises have invested more than 85 millions US dollars, demonstrating the confidence China holds for the future development of Bangladesh and its relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, he said China has sent the National Emergency Medical Team to provide assistance in treatment of those injured in the recent uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the next year will be “China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges”, the ambassador said the embassy will come up with dozens of functions in the sectors of political exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, culture, education, tourism, sports, public health, youth, women, media and academic interactions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“All the celebrations aim at improving the friendly relations between us, delivering more benefits to the peoples of both countries, especially the young people,” he said, referring that the next year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“China is looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh to cement our traditional friendship, deepen friendly exchanges and mutually-beneficial cooperation in various areas,” said the ambassador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event featured cultural performances by artists from China, including the Yunnan Overseas Culture and Education Center, along with exhibitions showcasing Chinese culture and various companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:02:11', '2024-09-26 10:02:11'),
(12953, 12953, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The South Africa president greeted the Bangladesh chief adviser, according to the CA’s press wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both the leaders exchanged pleasantries on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in New York today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will also join a bilateral meeting with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser is scheduled to join a reception, hosted by US President Joe Biden, at 17.30 pm (NY time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:05:36', '2024-09-26 10:05:36'),
(12954, 12954, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Amid criticism for his political career and off-form, former Bangladesh captain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This somewhat shocking announcement came when the Bangladesh team was gearing up for the second match of the two-match Test series against the hosts, India, in Kanpur.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite announcing his retirement in India, Shakib will play the home series against South Africa next month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am not hurt or disappointed,” Shakib said, announcing his retirement. “I think it is the right time to move on, and create a place for the new players.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib said that he has informed the board and the board president about his future in T20Is, too, where he will no longer appear in T20Is. The allrounder confirmed that his last T20I in the West Indies was his last T20I appearance, meaning he will not participate in the T20I series against India and West Indies later this year.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is the best chance to take a look at new players. It will be a good move to build the team towards the 2026 T20 World Cup. We have taken this as a collective decision,” Shakib added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am happy. I don’t have any regrets in my life,” Shakib said further. “I have enjoyed my cricket career. I think it is the right time for me and Bangladesh cricket. The board president and selectors feel that it is the right time, too.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib did not rule out the possibility of getting back into T20Is again, but he said: “If I do well in the franchise leagues in the next months, BCB can call me up if they feel I can contribute to the T20 side. At this moment, I don’t see myself in the T20Is.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The left-handed batter scored 4600 runs in Tests with five centuries and 31 fifties. He also bagged 242 wickets, the most by any Bangladeshi bowler, with 19 five-fors. He has 2551 runs and 149 wickets in T20Is.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib is expected to return to Bangladesh ahead of the South Africa tour, but he said he and his family are concerned about his safety.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The allrounder was a parliament member under Sheik Hasina\'s leadership. The Hasina-government was ousted on August 5 in a mass uprising led by the students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 5th, Hasina fled the country. Since then, dozens of murder cases have been filed against Awami League members, including Sheikh Hasina and Shakib.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib was also fined BDT 50 lakh for his involvement in the price manipulation of a company in the stock market. He might have to pay this fine when he comes back to Dhaka.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I should not have any problem going back to Bangladesh,” Shakib said. “My concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:28:05', '2024-09-26 10:28:05'),
(12955, 12955, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Torrential rainfall drenched the capital on Thursday, disrupting commute and the workday in general.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Office and school goers were seen suffering due to lack of transportation and slow traffic during the rain in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rains, triggered by low pressure area over the West-central Bay and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal, started on Wednesday night and continued till Thursday noon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rains inundated lanes in different areas including Malibagh, Mouchak and Malibagh Chowdhury Para.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Met office recorded 44 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours from 6 am Wednesday till 6 am Thursday while 43 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the past six hours from 6 am to 12 pm on Thursday, said meteorologist AKM Nzmul Haque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, there is a possibility of decrease in rainfall from Friday, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Met office regular bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershower accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest 104mm rainfall was recorded in Kumarkhali in 24 hours till 6am Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The axis of monsoon trough runs through India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal to Assam across Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends upto North Bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over North Bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The low pressure area over West-central and&nbsp; adjoining Northwest Bay moved west-northwestwards has become unimportant and merged with the monsoon axis, it says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:55:49', '2024-09-26 10:55:49'),
(12956, 12956, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has promoted 47 Superintendents of Police (SPs) to the rank of Additional Deputy Inspectors General (Addl DIGs) of Police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Public Security Division of the Home Ministry issued a gazette notification signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Habibul Hasan in this regard on September 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the notification, the newly promoted Additional DIGs include SP of the Range DIG office, Rangpur, Ali Akbar Khan, SP of Highway Police Md Abdullah Al Mamun, SP of the Police Training Centre, Noakhali Sheikh Md Mizanur Rahman, SP of CID Shah Abu Saleh Md Golam Mahmud, SP of SB Md Nazmul Hossain, SP of Dhaka Range Office Md Ashique Sayeed, SP of Industrial Police Dr Md Al Mamunul Ansari, SP of Telecom Mohammad Abdul Mabud, SP of Training and Driving School, Dhaka, Mohammad Faizul Kabir, SP of In-Service Training Centre, Lalmonirhat, Muh Mahbubur Rashid, SP of CID Mohammad Shamsul Haque and SP of Dhaka Range Office Mohammad Zahidul Hasan .&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Home Ministry has also instructed the newly promoted officers to send joining letters to the Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division through concerned authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 11:06:00', '2024-09-26 11:06:00'),
(12957, 12957, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today left here for home wrapping up his four-day USA visit to attend the 79th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and other high level side events.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A commercial flight of the Qatar Airways carrying the chief adviser and his entourages departed from the JKF International Airport, New York, at 9:30 pm (NY Time) on Friday,” CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus is expected to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 2:15 am (BD Time) on September 29.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam said the chief adviser joined 40 high-level meetings with heads of government of 12 countries, including US President Joe Biden, and heads of different international organisations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We think it was a big step for Bangladesh to advance its economic and diplomatic relations and partnership with world,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser arrived in New York on September 23 to attend the 79th UNGA session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He held a bilateral meeting with US President Joseph R Biden on Tuesday (September 24) apart from addressing the UNGA session on Friday (September 27).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus also joined bilateral talks with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma and Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, among others, called on the chief adviser during his stay in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Yunus also joined several high-level events in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-28 10:01:18', '2024-09-28 10:01:18');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12958, 12958, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged the international community to continue and deepen engagements with Bangladesh to help meet its people\'s quest for democracy, rule of law, equality and prosperity so that it can emerge as a just and inclusive democratic society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I call upon the international community to engage with \'new Bangladesh\' anew that aims to realise freedom and democracy, beyond letters, for everyone,\" he said while addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delivering his speech in Bangla, the chief adviser of the interim government said the country\'s youth and commoners together entrusted him and his council of advisers with enormous responsibilities to reconstruct a decaying state apparatus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As we took to the office, to our utter shock and dismay, we discovered how endemic corruption turned a \'functioning democracy\' into a farce, how key institutions were ruthlessly politicised, how public coffers were reduced to rubble, how oligarchs took over business, how \'chosen few\' concentrated wealth in their hands and amassed and laundered wealth out of Bangladesh,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In all, justice, ethics and morality, almost at every level, reached a low, he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under such circumstances, Prof Yunus said, his government was asked to rebuild Bangladesh and give back the country to the people, while it was also asked to correct the ills of the past and build a competitive and agile economy, and a just society.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a drastically changed scenario, he said, all political parties are now free to voice their views and opinions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A key priority for his government is to make all in public positions and institutions accountable for their decisions and actions, he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are committed to promote and protect the fundamental rights - for people to speak in freedom, to assemble without fear or inhibition, to vote whosoever they choose, to uphold the independence of the judiciary and freedom of press, including in the cyber domain,\" the chief adviser said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government prioritises allocation in education and health sectors instead of grandiose infrastructure development so that children of a farmer or worker can scale the highest in the society. \"We also aim at ensuring good governance, across all sectors.\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate assured that his government will adhere to all international, regional and bilateral instruments that Bangladesh is party to. \"Bangladesh will continue to remain an active proponent of multilateralism, with the UN at the core,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Bangladesh is open to nurture friendly relations with all countries based on mutual respect, upholding its dignity and pride and shared interests.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the reform agendas, Prof Yunus said his government has initiated several actions in just seven weeks of assuming power.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to the request of the Bangladesh government, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has dispatched a Fact-Finding Mission to probe the gross human rights violations during the recent student-people movement and to suggest for sustainable course correction, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He informed that this mission has already started work on the ground in Bangladesh and expressed his deep appreciation to High Commissioner Volker Turk to this end.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the enforced disappearances took place in Bangladesh, the chief adviser said his government acceded to \'the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance\' within two weeks in office.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Formulation of the required national legislation is underway so that \"we can effectuate its early implementation\", he said, adding that an Inquiry Commission has started probing into all the cases of enforced disappearances reported during the past decade and a half.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In order to restore people\'s trust and confidence, and to ensure that the tragic past never recurs in future Bangladesh, we have initiated reforms in certain prioritised sectors.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In that direction, we launched independent commissions to reform electoral system, constitution, judicial system, civil administration, law and order sectors. A few more commissions are on the cards to reform other sectors, including press and media,\" Prof Yunus said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Affirming not to let any foreign business interest to be affected, he said the government rolled out extensive reforms in banking and financial sectors to create a conducive environment for business.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Beyond rhetoric and numbers, we aim to establish effective safeguard mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of these reforms and create an enabling environment towards conducting free, fair and participatory elections,\" the chief adviser said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the student-led revolution that paved the way to build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, Prof Yunus said he stood in this assembly of nations thanks to an epochal transformation that Bangladesh witnessed this July and August.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The \'power of the ordinary people\', in particular our youth, presented to our nation an opportunity to overhaul many of our systems and institutions,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The uprising led by the students and youth was initially aimed at ending discrimination. Progressively the movement evolved into a people\'s movement. The world eventually saw how people-at-large stood against autocracy, oppression, discrimination, injustice and corruption, both on the streets and online,\" he told the audience at UNGA.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser said the country\'s people, particularly youth, gained independence from an autocratic and undemocratic regime with their exceptional resolve and capability.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"That collective resolve should define Bangladesh of the future and place our nation as a responsive and responsible State in the comity of nations,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was indeed a movement that primarily brought together people who were long left in politics and development and those who asked \'prosperity\' to be shared, he said, adding that the people aspired for a just, inclusive and functioning democracy for which new generations made supreme sacrifice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We were moved by the wisdom, courage and conviction our youth showed. Even braving bullets, bare chest. Young girls were fiercely vocal against the illegitimate State power. School-going teenagers laid down their lives. Hundreds lost their eyes, forever,\" Prof Yunus said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that mothers, day labourers and scores of people across cities lent their shoulders for their children, he said defying sweat, rain and fear of death, they defeated all the evil designs and machinations of the few who manipulated the state machinery against truth and just aspirations of people for years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the student-people movement left an estimated over 800 martyrs in the hands of the autocratic regime.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh was born because of her people\'s profound belief in liberalism, pluralism, secularism. Decades later, our \'Generation Z\' is making us re-visit and re-imagine the very values that our people Bangladesh stood for back in 1971. As our people also did in 1952, to defend our mother language, Bangla,\" the Nobel Laureate said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they believe, the \'monsoon revolution\' that the world witnessed in Bangladesh in the span of a few weeks may inspire many across communities and countries to stand for freedom and justice.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About global peacekeeping, he said Bangladesh views that maintaining peace and addressing conflicts is central to peoples\' progress.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During the recent Revolution, our valiant armed forces have once again shown their commitment to peace by standing firmly with the people in fulfilling their aspirations for freedom during a most difficult time in our history,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus said, \"This was possible thanks to our commitment to place human rights at the core of peacekeeping\".&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh remains equally committed to peace-building, from the inception of the UN Peace-building Commission. We look forward to promoting and enhancing Bangladesh\'s value-driven contributions to the UN peace-keeping operations,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the third largest troop contributing country to the UN peacekeeping, he said, Bangladeshi peacekeepers had served across 63 Missions in 43 countries, to date.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers had laid their lives, from Bosnia to Congo. We do hope that Bangladesh defense forces would continue to be called upon in the future UN peace operations, regardless of the challenges or circumstances,\" the chief adviser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-28 10:05:50', '2024-09-28 10:05:50'),
(12959, 12959, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Internet users in Bangladesh may experience slow speed or disruption for four hours due to maintenance work on the submarine cable system at Patuakhali’s Kuakata station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (SCPLC) issued a notice in this regard, apologizing for the inconvenience.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a statement from the company’s General Manager of Operations and Maintenance, Saidur Rahman, the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) consortium will install a lighting filter in the country’s second submarine cable system at Kuakata from 2am to 6am on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During this time, all circuits connected to the Kuakata landing station via the SMW5 cable will be affected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, circuits connected through the SEA-ME-WE-4 (SMW4) submarine cable at Cox\'s Bazar landing station will remain operational.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Users may experience slow connectivity or temporary disruptions during the maintenance period, according to the statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-28 10:30:51', '2024-09-28 10:30:51'),
(12960, 12960, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus returned home early hours of today wrapping up his four-day USA visit to attend the 79th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and other high level side events.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“A commercial flight of the Qatar Airways carrying the chief adviser and his entourages reached the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 3:32 am today\" CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Earlier, the flight departed the JKF International Airport, New York, at 9:30 pm (NY Time) on Friday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">During his USA tour, the chief adviser had 40 high-level meetings with heads of government of 12 countries, including US President Joe Biden, and heads of different international organisations.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He held a bilateral meeting with US President Joseph R Biden on September 24 apart from addressing the UNGA session on Friday (September 27).</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prof Yunus also joined bilateral talks with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma and Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, among others.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, among others, called on the chief adviser during his stay in New York.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The chief adviser also joined several high-level events in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA session.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He arrived in New York on September 23 to attend the 79th UNGA session.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:39:58', '2024-09-29 09:39:58'),
(12961, 12961, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Donald Trump on Saturday called Democrat Kamala Harris \"mentally impaired\" and said illegal immigrants are out to cut the throats of ordinary Americans in their own homes as he doubled down on the racially charged rhetoric fueling his unprecedented bid to regain the US presidency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump was seeking to strike back at Harris after she visited the US-Mexico border on Friday and vowed to do more to control asylum claims and undocumented migrant crossings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The issue is one of the Democratic vice president\'s weakest in polling, as she runs neck-and-neck against Trump in the November 5 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump dismissed Harris\'s speech at the border, swearing and telling supporters in the small town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, that President Joe Biden and Harris are responsible for an \"invasion\" of violent criminals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anti-immigrant sentiment has been at the core of Trump\'s appeal in economically depressed, majority-white parts of the country ever since his 2016 presidential victory, but the rhetoric is turning ever more extreme as election day nears.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 78-year-old businessman -- the first major presidential candidate in US history to be a convicted felon and subject of multiple ongoing court cases -- said former California prosecutor Harris, 59, is \"dumb.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris, meanwhile, spent Saturday at a fundraiser in San Francisco, California, where she said Trump was using \"the same tired playbook we\'ve heard for years.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This election is about two very different visions for our nation and we see that contrast on the campaign trail,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump spoke in Wisconsin while flanked on stage by large mugshots of migrants accused of crimes, painting a hellish picture of an America under violent assault -- despite a plunge this year in illegal border crossings and what the FBI says is a steep decline in crime overall, particularly murder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They will walk into your kitchen, they\'ll cut your throat,\" Trump said of illegal immigrants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Small towns in America are terrified of migrants coming in and, even when they haven\'t arrived, they\'re terrified,\" he said. They will \"rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The illegal migrants, whom he called \"animals,\" will take the jobs of minorities and of union workers, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apparently rankled by Harris\'s bid Friday to deliver a tough message on the Mexican border, Trump cursed on the nationally streamed event and branded her \"a liar.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He complained that Fox News, the conservative network which has provided him with a loyal platform throughout his White House career, had covered Harris\'s speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They shouldn\'t be allowed to put it on,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Evidently, Trump was aware that his speech was unlike what Americans have been used to in presidential campaigns over the years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He paused at one point to say: \"Isn\'t this a wonderful and inspiring speech? I\'ve got people sitting in the front row -- they\'re going \'oh my God.\'\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is a dark, this is a dark speech,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:43:11', '2024-09-29 09:43:11'),
(12962, 12962, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan on Sunday said processes have already started to take action against the police personnel who haven’t joined their workplace yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remark while responding to a question from reporters at the opening ceremony of the CRAB-Walton Football Festival at Paltan Outer Stadium in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DMP commissioner said they arrested many criminals and recovered firearms from Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur after conducting drives</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a query, he said police have already started working with a fresh endeavour to improve law and order in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He warned that action will be taken upon investigation against the top criminals who were freed once they get involved in crimes further.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chaired by CRAB President Kamruzzaman Khan, General Secretary Sirajul Islam, former presidents Abu Saleh Akan and Abul Khayer, DMP’s senior officials, among others, were present at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:45:23', '2024-09-29 09:45:23'),
(12963, 12963, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Dhaka court on Sunday ordered Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the now-defunct Amar Desh, to be sent to jail after he surrendered in a case related to the abduction and attempted murder of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mahbubul Haque passed the order after rejecting Rahman’s bail plea, according to plaintiff’s lawyer Syed Joynul Abedin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmudur Rahman appeared in court around 10:50 am, surrendering through his lawyers with a request for bail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court denied the bail and sent him to jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, on September 17, 2023, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Noor had sentenced Mahmudur Rahman to seven years in prison in the same case. Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman and three others were also sentenced to the same penalty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmudur Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Friday morning, following over five and a half years in self-imposed exile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahman has long been a critic of the then Awami League government, facing over 124 cases. Both he and his wife were sentenced to seven years in prison in one of those cases. Rahman was arrested in June 2010 and again in April 2013, during which the government shut down Amar Desh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:47:32', '2024-09-29 09:47:32'),
(12964, 12964, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed his determination to quickly advance reform and hold an election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus made the remarks in an interview with Tokyo based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York, where he went to attend the United Nations General Assembly, reports on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He became chief adviser of the interim government after the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collapsed in August after 15 years in power, following student protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, which extends small unsecured loans to underprivileged people. He and the bank won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the interview, Yunus said the interim government\'s job is to carry out reform as quickly as possible, and that the government will hold an election as soon as it is ready.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;He said, \"Failure is not something that we can accept.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to students who played a major role in the overthrow of the Hasina government, Yunus said young people gave their lives during what he called the \"revolution.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He indicated his stance of including the young generation in policy making.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser said Bangladesh looks forward to support from its biggest donor Japan \"during this very critical period. \"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that Japan\'s cooperation is essential in rebuilding his country\'s economy and helping democracy take root there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 09:55:07', '2024-09-30 09:55:07'),
(12965, 12965, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cases filed over \'speech offences\' under cyber acts will be revoked and people arrested in those cases will be released through legal process, an official of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have identified cases filed over expressing opinion on digital platforms under \'speech offence\' and those lodged over computer hacking and fraud through any other digital devices under \'computer offence\'. The government has decided to rescind the cases regarding speech offence quickly,\" Law Ministry spokesperson Dr Md Rezaul Karim said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ministry sources said a total of 5,818 cases are currently pending in eight cyber tribunals across the country till August 2024. The cases were filed under Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, Digital Security Act, 2018, and Cyber Security Act, 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Proceedings of a total of 1,340 cases over speech offence are now ongoing in the country, of which 461 are under investigation and 879 are pending in eight cyber tribunals. Of the 1,340 cases over speech offence, 279 have been filed under Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, 786 under Digital Security Act, 2018, and 275 were filed under Cyber Security Act, 2023,\" the law ministry official added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the 1,340 cases over speech offence, 879, which are currently pending with cyber tribunals, would be revoked first in coordination between law and home ministries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The concerned investigation officers would be given directions to dispose of the 461 under probe cases soon, by giving final reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 09:57:30', '2024-09-30 09:57:30'),
(12966, 12966, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan stated that Saudi Arabia issued over one million visas to Bangladeshi nationals last year and continues to do so, currently hosting more than 3.2 million Bangladeshi migrant workers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Last year alone, we issued more than 1 million visas, and we continue to welcome more,\" he said at a reception celebrating the 94th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held at the Saudi Embassy here last evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain joined the reception as the chief guest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said, currently, Saudi Arabia hosts over 3.2 million Bangladeshi migrant workers, making them the largest expatriate community outside Bangladesh while their contributions have a significant impact on both economies.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We successfully organized Hajj for over 85,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims (this year) through the Makkah Route Initiative. Additionally, this year\'s Umrah quota has increased by 37%, and we have made it easier for pilgrims to book through the mobile app Nusuk,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ambassador said Saudi Arabia will continue to extend its support and collaboration to Bangladesh for achieving shared goals, ensuring a bright and prosperous future for both the countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a brotherly nation, Saudi Arabia has consistently stood by Bangladesh in times of need,\" said the envoy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh is characterized by deep brotherhood and mutual respect, rooted in shared religion and cultural values.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Over the decades, this bond has strengthened as both countries collaborate in various fields, including trade, investment, sports, and culture. Saudi Arabia\'s multifaceted leadership encompasses in Hajj &amp; Umrah, Man power, and humanitarian aid,\" he elaborated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ambassador noted that through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, Saudi Arabia has provided over $7 billion in aid to 102 countries, delivering essential support to communities in Palestine, Yemen, Bangladesh, and other Arab and Muslim nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said Saudi Arabia continues to play a pivotal role on the global stage, shaping the world economy and promoting peace as a member of the G20, BRICS, and OPEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Kingdom remains a key player in stabilizing global energy markets and has long been an advocate for the Palestinian cause, supporting a two- state solution based on 1967 borders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Since the time of Late King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia has been a steadfast advocate for the Palestinian cause, leading international efforts to insure that the Palestinian people achieve their rights, recognizing an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recently, the envoy noted that, during UN general assembly Prince Faisal AL Farhan announced the International Coalition to implement a two-state solution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the Ambassador Saudi Arabia also actively engages in mediating global conflicts, including those in Sudan and between Russia and Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to peace and justice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:04:59', '2024-09-30 10:04:59'),
(12967, 12967, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite special export permissions granted since 2019, Bangladesh has once again fallen short of its hilsa export target to India ahead of Durga Puja, as in previous years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh exported 665 tonnes of hilsa in the 2023-24 fiscal year, significantly below the permitted 2,420 tonnes. Previous years also saw missed targets, with 477 tonnes exported in FY 2019-20, 1,880 tonnes in FY 2020-21, 1,211 tonnes in FY 2021-22, and 1,376 tonnes in FY 2022-23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government had initially allowed 79 traders to export a total of 2,420 tonnes of hilsa to India this year, but it appears the target will not be met. A senior official at the Ministry of Commerce said around 50 applications for export permits were received before the government approved the shipments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">First Shipment Of Hilsa Reaches India</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first shipment of 12 tonnes of hilsa was sent to India via Benapole Port, bound for Petrapole in West Bengal. Rashedul Sajib Nazir, Deputy Director of Benapole Port, confirmed that three trucks carrying hilsa were dispatched by two Kolkata-based importing companies, RS Enterprises and RJ Enterprises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local Demand Remains High</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hilsa remains in high demand within Bangladesh, where local consumers have seen rising prices despite improved catches in recent years. In FY 2022-23, Bangladesh produced 571,342 tonnes of hilsa, a slight increase from 566,593 tonnes in FY 2021-22. However, the fish remains expensive in local markets, partly due to high demand and export restrictions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seasonal Exports for Durga Puja</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh, the largest producer of hilsa, typically relaxes its export ban ahead of Durga Puja to meet the high demand in India\'s West Bengal, where the fish is a delicacy. These shipments are often seen as goodwill gestures, with the government permitting exports during the festival season.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Policy and Government Position</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry of Commerce grants export permissions based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Bangladesh had banned hilsa exports in July 2012 to secure local supply, but since 2019, special permissions have been granted during Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have been differing opinions among the advisers of the interim government regarding hilsa exports this year. Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed clarified on September 22 that the decision to export hilsa to India was made following directives from higher authorities, despite earlier indications that exports might be halted. \"One responsible person said hilsa would not be exported, but a much higher authority directed us to proceed,\" he told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar had earlier said that Bangladesh would not export hilsa this year to maintain local supply. However, the government reversed this decision following a \"special request\" from India ahead of Durga Puja. \"While we have acted on this request, my ministry has no direct role in the matter,\" the adviser explained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, dismissed concerns that exports would cause local price hikes. \"Prices have already increased before the export, so claiming prices will rise further due to exports isn’t accurate,\" she said during a visit to Noakhali’s Companiganj upazila on September 23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Legal Challenge to Hilsa Exports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 22, Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md Mahmudul Hasan served a legal notice to the government, demanding a halt to hilsa exports within three days. The notice claimed that due to exports and “smuggling” to India, Bangladeshis were being deprived of the superior-tasting Padma River hilsa and forced to buy sea hilsa, which is considered less flavorful. Hasan has threatened to file a writ petition if the government fails to act within the stipulated time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:12:51', '2024-09-30 10:12:51'),
(12968, 12968, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cricket South Africa finally confirmed their tour to Bangladesh to play a two-match Test series. Concerns had arisen about the tour due to the political situation in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the CSA was satisfied with the security assurance the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Bangladesh government promised.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A CSA delegation recently visited Bangladesh to assess the security arrangements and emergency protocols. The delegation included Cricket South Africa\'s operations manager, team security manager, safety and security consultant, and a representative of the South African Cricketers\' Association.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was removed from Bangladesh due to concerns regarding security.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BCB has already announced a schedule for the series. According to the official schedule, the South Africa team will arrive in Dhaka on October 16 ahead of their first Test in Dhaka, which will start on October 21.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second and final Test will be played in Chattogram, starting on October 29.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:18:36', '2024-09-30 10:18:36'),
(12969, 12969, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman\'s upcoming visit here will undoubtedly solidify the enduring bilateral partnership as the two nations prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We eagerly anticipate the Crown Prince\'s visit, which promises to further enhance the momentum of our bilateral relations,\" he said at a reception on celebration the 94th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held at the Saudi Embassy here last evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Highlighting the deep bond between the two countries, the foreign adviser said since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1975, the partnership has flourished across the various sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We remain committed to forging a strategic partnership as we approach the Golden Jubilee of our diplomatic ties next year,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touhid praised Saudi Arabia\'s Vision 2030, a transformative plan spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy and promote sustainability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He expressed Bangladesh\'s willingness to contribute to this ambitious vision by sharing its experience and expertise for sustainable, inclusive development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also extended gratitude to Saudi Arabia for employing around 3 million Bangladeshi workers, both semi-skilled and unskilled, who are contributing to the economies of both countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The proposal for establishing a Joint Task Force on labor issues reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers-a testament to our common values of social justice,\" he continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser emphasized that Saudi Arabia has been a steadfast partner in Bangladesh\'s development journey, with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) playing a key role in various infrastructure projects over the years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also highlighted that two-way trade between the two nations has exceeded $2 billion recent years, with growing interest from Saudi investors in sectors such as logistics, infrastructure, and renewable energy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing the recent investment initiative by the Red Sea Gateway Terminal in the operation of Potenga Container Terminal as an example, the adviser underscored Saudi Arabia\'s commitment to enhancing Bangladesh\'s logistical capabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He invited Saudi companies to explore investment opportunities within Bangladesh\'s Special Economic Zones, offering significant prospects in infrastructure, power, tourism, and hospitality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touhid further noted that both countries have identified new areas for collaboration, particularly in labor migration, investment, infrastructure, education, agriculture, and the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Looking ahead, we plan to elevate our Joint Commission to the ministerial level, reflecting the growing importance of our relationship,\" he said, adding this move would unlock new opportunities and enhance cooperation in addressing global challenges and supporting each other in international forums.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan delivered the welcome speech at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:28:40', '2024-09-30 10:28:40'),
(12970, 12970, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The foreign ministerial BIMSTEC meeting has emphasized the importance of enhancing physical, maritime, and digital linkages to strengthen economic ties and people-to-people exchanges among the member states.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was observed at the first ever meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers in New York on the sidelines of the annual Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, a BIMSTEC press release said here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India hosted the meeting which was presided over by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and attended by Bangladesh foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain along with foreign ministers of Bhutan and Nepal, Permanent Representatives to UN of Sri Lanka and Thailand, a representative of Myanmar and Secretary General of BIMSTEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting took stock of the close cooperation in health, food security, climate change, security, trade and investment and energy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The member states also laid emphasis on exploring opportunities for capacity building and skill development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The support for the establishment of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence was expressed by the member States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further deepen cooperation within BIMSTEC and prepare for the upcoming Leaders\' Summit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It pursues regional cooperation in seven broad sectors: Agriculture and Food Security; Connectivity; Environment and Climate Change; People to People Contact; Science, Technology and Innovation; Security; and Trade, Investment and Development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cooperation also covers 8 sub-sectors: blue economy, mountain economy, energy, disaster management, fisheries and livestock, poverty alleviation, health and human resource development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:34:58', '2024-09-30 10:34:58');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12971, 12971, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The government has asked Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem to return to Dhaka immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Ministry issued a notice in this regard on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the notice, the government has taken a decision to transfer Muna to Dhaka Headquarters under Foreign Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government will bear the travel cost of her and her family and other allowances as per the rules, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:43:14', '2024-09-30 10:43:14'),
(12972, 12972, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today reaffirmed Bangladesh\'s continued support for the State of Palestine and its people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We will continue to support the cause of the Palestinian people,\" he said when Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Yousef Ramadan paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser of the interim government at the State Guest House Jamuna here.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Prof Yunus hoped Palestine would get the desired independent statehood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issues of mutual interest, global support for the State of Palestine, the genocide in Gaza and the tension in the Middle East were discussed in the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Palestinian Ambassador Yousef Ramadan appreciated the Chief Adviser\'s speech in the United Nations, saying it was timely and it shed a much-needed spotlight on the Palestinian issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You\'ve called spade a spade,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Palestine envoy said some 60 Palestinian doctors who had received medical education in Bangladesh are now serving the patients in Gaza.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said two hundred more Palestinian students were waiting to receive higher education in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sept 27, 2024, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus urged the global leaders to enforce an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from brutalities along with holding accountable all those responsible for the crimes against humanity in Palestine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the genocide in Gaza continues unabated despite global concerns and condemnation.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The situation in Palestine just does not concern the Arabs or Muslims at large rather the entire humanity. Palestinians are no expendable people. All those responsible for the crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people must be held accountable,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser said Bangladesh calls for an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from the brutalities, particularly against the children and women.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He suggested that the international community, including the UN, needs to act in earnest to implement the two-state solution that remains the only path to bring lasting peace in the Middle-East.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:19:25', '2024-10-01 10:19:25'),
(12973, 12973, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Bangladesh\'s measures, taken by the interim government, to overcome economic challenges due to the recent turbulence and major floods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In response to the challenging circumstances, the authorities\' efforts to initiate adjustments, including continued monetary tightening and rationalizing non-priority capital spending are commendable,\" IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh Chris Papageorgiou told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF mission team led by him visited Dhaka during September 24-30 to discuss recent developments and the authorities\' reform priorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Papageorgiou said the timely formation of an interim government helped stabilize the political and security conditions, alongside a gradual return to normalcy in the economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Nonetheless, economic activity has slowed markedly, while inflation remains at double-digit levels, owing to the recent turbulence and major floods. The deterioration in the balance of payments, reflecting outflows in trade credit, has put additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves,\" he mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, what the government has taken to improve the economic issues is really praising, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on the past government fiscal target, Papageorgiou informed that the authorities\' budget has been perceived as aspirational, with optimistic tax revenue and ambitious capital spending projections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Historically, the government had to cut back on both recurring expenses and major investments given weak revenue collection, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He mentioned that this was necessary to keep the budget deficit within their target.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In this context and given continuously high inflation and external pressures, we support the interim government\'s intention to rationalize capital spending by considering execution capacity and cutting non-priority projects,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Given the country\'s low tax revenue-to-GDP ratio compared to peers, he said the IMF supports the authorities\' goal of setting ambitious revenue targets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, these targets must be supported by concrete revenue-generating measures, he noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Papageorgiou, however, said Bangladesh\'s tax-to-GDP ratios has seen little improvement in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sustainable revenue mobilization requires a multi-pronged approach, comprising both tax policy and revenue administration measures, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the tax policy front, he said, key areas for reform include reducing widespread tax exemptions, simplifying the value-added tax (VAT) system, and broadening the tax base, as part of an overarching strategy of shifting the tax burden from trade-related taxes toward income tax and VAT.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To improve tax administration, he said priority reforms include digitalization of tax collection processes and better tax compliance risk management.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:30:34', '2024-10-01 10:30:34'),
(12974, 12974, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government today announced \'horn-free zone\' the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and \'Silent Zone\' the 3-kilometer area stretching from La Méridien hotel to the Scholastica campus in Uttara aimed at reducing noise pollution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan formally declared the initiative at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Presided over by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, the event was attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan and Director General of Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid were present among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before that an awareness rally was brought out in front of the CAAB headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana urged all drivers, passengers, and vehicle owners to cooperate fully in implementing this initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She expressed the hope that similar measures could be extended to other parts of the capital including hospitals and secretariat areas in the future, fostering a nationwide habit of refraining from unnecessary honking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To implement the decisions, mobile courts have been deployed at three key points along the designated route for seven days, with the possibility of extending the timeframe if necessary to enforce the decision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Magistrates from the Department of Environment will be stationed near Le Méridien while CAAB magistrates will oversee the area near the airport\'s roundabout, and BRTA magistrates will be active at the Scholastica point, supported by traffic police, volunteers, students, and transport association representatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said taka 500 penalty are fixed for violation of rules in the honk-free zone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beside, several measures are being implemented under the guidance of Environment and Forest Ministry including installation of awareness-raising banners and billboards, distribution of leaflets, and media campaigns through electronic, print, and social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, there are speed control measures, proper parking management within the airport, and enforcement of the no-horn rule through mobile courts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has also installed awareness signs along the roads to ensure that drivers can easily see them even at night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Truck and Covered Van Owners Association has also taken specific steps to curb noise pollution, instructing all bus and truck drivers to refrain from honking in the designated area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaflets are being distributed at relevant terminals to raise awareness among drivers, with the aim of fostering an environmentally conscious driving culture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Department of Environment will lead awareness campaigns to educate people about the harmful effects of noise pollution and encourage active participation in noise reduction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mobile courts were also deployed for implementing the decision of ban on single-use plastic at the airport, CAAB sources said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These courts will operate regularly to monitor and maintain the effectiveness of the initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To raise awareness, necessary signage and digital display boards highlighting the harmful effects of single-use plastics were also installed around the airports and its nearby areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:34:01', '2024-10-01 10:34:01'),
(12975, 12975, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The workers\' protest on the highway is obstructing traffic flow, but we are trying to remove them from the road and restore normal traffic movement,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Workers from a garment factory in Gazipur took to the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway on Tuesday, protesting for unpaid wages. The demonstration, which lasted for over two hours, severely disrupted traffic on the busy highway. Law enforcement agencies are currently working to control the situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protest began at the gate of APL Apparels, located in the Bhogra area of Gazipur, where workers had gathered early in the morning. The workers, demanding three months’ unpaid wages, eventually moved their demonstration to the highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the protesting workers, they were forced to take this drastic step after repeated promises by the factory management to pay their overdue wages went unfulfilled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazipur Metropolitan Police\'s Deputy Commissioner of Traffic, Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, confirmed the disruption.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:40:56', '2024-10-01 10:40:56'),
(12976, 12976, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Israeli army said Tuesday that troops have started \"ground raids\" in villages in southern Lebanon, after militant group Hezbollah said it had targeted \"enemy soldiers\" at the countries\' border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Lebanese security official said Israel had also conducted at least six strikes on south Beirut, while Syrian state media reported deadly strikes around the capital Damascus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite international calls for de-escalation, Israel has vowed to keep fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah and declared a military zone in parts of its border with Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned the battle was not over even after a massive strike on Beirut that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday, dealing the group a seismic blow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said troops, backed by airstrikes and artillery, launched ground raids targeting Hezbollah \"in villages close to the border\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The targets \"pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel\", the military said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel informed its main weapons supplier the United States of the incursions, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joe Biden indicated earlier on Monday that he opposed an Israeli ground operation, calling for a \"ceasefire now\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah has said it is \"ready if Israel decides to enter by land\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Deadly strikes on Damascus -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As Israel announced its ground raids, Syria\'s official news agency SANA said the country\'s air defence systems had intercepted three rounds of strikes in the Damascus area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State television said anchor Safaa Ahmad was killed \"in the Israeli aggression\" on Damascus, while SANA reported three civilians killed and nine others wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the Israeli air force pounded south Beirut, a Palestinian camp official in south Lebanon said an Israeli strike hit Ain al-Helweh camp in the city of Sidon, targeting a Palestinian militant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike hit \"the house of the son of Mounir Maqdah,\" the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Israel has accused Maqdah of heading the Lebanese branch of Fatah\'s armed wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah earlier said it \"targeted\" Israeli troops in the border village of Shtula, with a source close to the group saying the soldiers were \"right on the border\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah following the Israeli army\'s announcement of the ground raids, but the group\'s al-Manar television reported the Israeli statement on its Telegram channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US news site Axios cited two Israeli officials saying the military incursion is \"targeted and limited in time and scope and is not intended to occupy southern Lebanon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s national army, dwarfed by Hezbollah\'s military power, was \"repositioning\" troops farther from the border, a military official told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World leaders have urged de-escalation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres\'s spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying: \"We do not want any sort of ground invasion.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Israel orders Beirut evacuations -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This month, Israel launched a wave of deadly air strikes aimed at Hezbollah across Lebanon, the latest of which killed 95 people on Monday, according to Lebanon\'s health ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday evening, the Israeli military ordered people in three districts of southern Beirut to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You are located near interests and facilities belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah group... you must evacuate the buildings immediately,\" Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP correspondents in the capital heard explosions and saw a flash around ground level.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah began low-intensity strikes on Israeli troops a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, which triggered Israel\'s devastating assault on the Gaza Strip.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The border clashes rapidly escalated this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Everyone is afraid\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s strikes on Lebanon have killed hundreds of people over the past week and forced up to a million to flee their homes, according to Lebanese officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah and other groups launched rockets, drones and missiles at Israel over the same period, causing some injuries but no deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran, which backs Hamas, Hezbollah and other armed groups, of plunging \"our region deeper... into war\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran has said Nasrallah\'s killing would bring about Israel\'s \"destruction\", though the foreign ministry said Monday that Tehran would not deploy any fighters to confront Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a ceasefire based on a recent US-French proposal, urging \"an end to the Israeli aggression against Lebanon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Monday, an Israeli strike hit a building in central Beirut, with an armed Palestinian group saying it had killed three of its members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Central Beirut resident Kahier Bannout, 42, said it was \"supposed to be a safe area -- not a war zone\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everyone is afraid.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s Health Minister Firass Abiad said more than 1,000 people have been killed since September 17.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said: \"Well over 200,000 people are displaced inside Lebanon\", while more than 100,000 have fled to neighbouring Syria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Little time\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">France\'s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said \"there is still hope\" for a ceasefire, \"but there is little time\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is working \"to advance a diplomatic resolution\" for the Israel-Lebanon border and Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US, Qatar and Egypt tried for months to broker such a deal, which Netanyahu\'s critics accused him of obstructing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Gaza, AFP journalists said the number of Israeli air strikes has dropped significantly in recent days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A UN Satellite Centre assessment issued Monday said \"two-thirds of the total structures in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage\" in nearly a year of war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas\'s October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,615 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry. The UN has described the figures as reliable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:49:53', '2024-10-01 10:49:53'),
(12977, 12977, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Egypt has extended an invitation to Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, to participate in the upcoming D-8 Summit scheduled to be held later this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Egyptian Ambassador to Bangladesh Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy conveyed the invitation during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on Wednesday, according to a statement from the foreign ministry today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The summit, to be hosted by Egypt, will bring together leaders from the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, a grouping of eight developing nations - Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The organization was officially established through the Istanbul Declaration on June 15, 1997, with a mandate to enhance development cooperation among its members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The primary goals of the D-8 are to strengthen the member states\' positions in the global economy, foster new opportunities in trade, promote participation in international decision-making processes, and improve the standard of living within the member countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Fahmy reiterated Egypt\'s ongoing support for Bangladesh\'s development journey, expressing confidence in the nation\'s continued progress toward a brighter future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The D-8 summit is expected to focus on key issues such as economic collaboration, trade diversification, and innovation, with member nations working together to address global challenges and foster mutual growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:42:33', '2024-10-03 09:42:33'),
(12978, 12978, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A court here today granted bail to Mahmudur Rahman, former acting editor of daily Amar Desh, in a case lodged over allegedly attempting to abduct and murder ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina\'s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in the US in 2015.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain passed the order after holding a hearing on the matter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have appealed against his conviction in the case today. The court accepted the appeal. Allowing a plea filed by the defence, the court later granted Mahmudur Rahman\'s bail,\" defence counsel Tanvir Ahammed Al Amin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahabubul Haque on September 29 sent him to jail as he surrendered before the court and pleaded for bail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Mahmudur Rahman was sent to jail as this court has no jurisdiction to allow him bail, considering the term of his sentence. The court, however, asked jail authorities to provide him with a division facility,\" defence counsel Syed Joynul Abedin Mesbah told BSS that day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur on August 17, 2023, convicted and sentenced five people including veteran journalist Shafik Rehman and Mahmudur Rahman to seven years imprisonment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other convicts in the case are Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) vice-president Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar and Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, an expat businessman living in the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmudur was tried in absentia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police on August 3, 2015, filed the case with Paltan Police Station and on February 19, 2018, filed a charge sheet against the five.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 12 witnesses including Joy testified in the case on different hearing dates.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:45:21', '2024-10-03 09:45:21'),
(12979, 12979, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department has predicted that rains may continue across the country till October 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and&nbsp; Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country commencing 9am on Thursday,” said a Met office bulletin today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A low pressure area is likely to form over Bangladesh and adjoining North Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay and it trough runs through Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperature may fall by (2-4)°C over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:47:50', '2024-10-03 09:47:50'),
(12980, 12980, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Donald Trump launched a \"private criminal effort\" to subvert the 2020 US election and should not be shielded by presidential immunity, Special Counsel Jack Smith said in a court filing unsealed on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith, in a 165-page motion arguing for the historic case against Trump to move forward, also provided new evidence of the former president\'s efforts to overturn the results of the election won by Democrat Joe Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, 78, the Republican candidate in November\'s White House election, had been scheduled to go on trial in March but the case was frozen while his lawyers argued that a former president should be immune from criminal prosecution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Supreme Court ruled in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution for official acts conducted while in office, but can be pursued for unofficial acts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith, in the filing unsealed by District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is hearing the case, said Trump should not escape prosecution because \"at its core, the defendant\'s scheme was a private criminal effort.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The defendant asserts that he is immune from prosecution for his criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election because, he claims, it entailed official conduct,\" Smith said. \"Not so.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Although the defendant was the incumbent President during the charged conspiracies, his scheme was fundamentally a private one.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, acting as a candidate and not in his official capacity, \"resorted to crimes to try to stay in office,\" the special counsel said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"With private co-conspirators, the defendant launched a series of increasingly desperate plans to overturn the legitimate election results in seven states that he had lost,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump\'s efforts allegedly included lying to state officials, manufacturing fraudulent electoral votes and seeking to get Vice President Mike Pence to obstruct congressional certification of Biden\'s victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When all else had failed,\" the special counsel said, Trump directed an \"angry crowd\" of supporters to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to disrupt the certification.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Smith\'s filing, a White House staffer told Trump during the January 6 rioting at the Capitol that Pence had been taken to a secure location, to which the president replied \"So what?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Crazy\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith said there was abundant evidence that Trump knew his claims of electoral fraud were false because close advisers had told him so.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former president even dismissed some of the most far-fetched fraud claims advanced by his supporters as \"crazy,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The special counsel said a former White House staffer would testify at trial that he heard Trump tell family members after the vote that \"it doesn\'t matter if you won or lost the election. You still have to fight like hell.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, in a post on Truth Social after the filing was unsealed, said \"Democrats are Weaponizing the Justice Department against me because they know I am WINNING.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is egregious PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, and should not have been released right before the Election,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chutkan has not set a date for a trial but it will not be held before the November 5 election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress that was violently attacked by Trump supporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former president is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also faces charges in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:56:37', '2024-10-03 09:56:37'),
(12981, 12981, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Nation Review Committee (NRC) has urged the people to submit their complaints and relevant documents to the body to help investigate the deals signed under the Speedy Increase of Power and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010 during the previous Awami League regime.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The committee made the call though publishing a public notice in this regard, said a press release of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on September 5 formed a 5-member National Review Committee, headed by retired High Court Division Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, to review the contracts signed under the act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other members of the committee are Professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department of Buet; Ali Ashfaq, former COO of KPMG Bangladesh, Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA); former lead economist of the World Bank Zahid Hossain and Moshtaq Hossain Khan, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per a gazette notification of the ministry, under the scope of work of the committee, it can collect information from any source and audit any necessary documents; may call any person or organization concerned to the hearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The committee will examine whether the interests of the government were protected in the contracts already signed under the act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry will provide secretarial and ancillary support to the committee based on the audit and make recommendations for further action.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the public notice, the NRC said that any person with any information and evidence related to corruption by any power and energy company can submit a complaint to the National Review Committee from October 4 to October 31 through the e-mail of the committee: nationalreviewcommittee@gmail.com.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was mentioned in the notification that if necessary further action will be taken by this committee against the accused person or his organization by communicating with the complainant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also said that the review committee will take the initiative to collect necessary information and receive assistance by separately communicating with the relevant institutions and organizations about the agreements under the Special Act 2010.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:58:49', '2024-10-03 09:58:49'),
(12982, 12982, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Irregularities including theft and missing of goods at Carew &amp; Co. (Bangladesh) Ltd, a traditional industry in the southwestern district of Chuadanga’s Darshana, have become a common phenomenon, thanks to the indifference of the authorities concerned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mismanagement has apparently turned into a rule at the industry which is embroiled in ongoing issues of theft, particularly concerning foreign liquor. It also produces various alcoholic beverages along with sugar and vinegar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the authorities forming probe committees and imposing temporary punishments on those found guilty, these offenders often return to their illicit activities shortly after, leading to the establishment of a racket.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This situation continues even after the recent change in government following mass upsurge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the Durga Puja, the syndicate has again become more active than ever as the demand for the liquor increases several times this time, said sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 30, six bottles of foreign liquor were recovered from a toolbox of an electrician in the distillery department of the organization. Although the initial response was to downplay the incident until it became public knowledge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last June, an allegation of missing 13,000 liters of DS spirit from the distillery department surfaced. Additionally, accusations of financial irregularities concerning the permanent hiring of 104 workers emerged in May, leading to legal action against several people, including the former Managing Director Mosharraf Hossain, Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) President Sabuj and General Secretary Masud respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Carew &amp; Co. (Bangladesh) Ltd is the only profitable state-owned sugar mill in the region, yet its alcohol production has become a significant source of profit. While law enforcement has made arrests related to the theft of alcohol, the company’s management appears largely indifferent to the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recent police operations have intercepted several shipments of locally made and imported alcohol, leading to multiple arrests of Carew employees. Allegations suggest that labour unions have been complicit in enabling this syndicate, and some local politicians have provided protection for these operations, further entrenching the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Preferring anonymity, a worker of the organisation said thefts during the transportation of local liquor to various depots have been common, with drivers and workers sometimes colluding to facilitate these activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some workers wishing not to be named claimed that employees in the distillery department collaborate with labour union leaders to execute these thefts, which have reportedly increased during the current administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajibul Hasan, acting general manager of the Distillery, admitted the recent attempt to steal the foreign liquor by electrician Md Abbas Ali saying that he along with General Manager (admin) Mohammad Yusuf recovered those and subsequently suspended the accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He informed the entire distillery is under CCTV surveillance and they are vigilant about security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previous incidents also reveal a troubling pattern of theft at the Carew, with drivers caught smuggling alcohol, and attempts to steal alcohol via ventilation systems. Critics argue that despite some arrests being made, many incidents go unreported, often due to the influence of powerful local politicians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Managing Director Rabbik Hasan could not be reached for comments despite visiting his office as he was on-leave.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The company, founded in 1938, not only produces sugar but also operates distilleries and agricultural farms, manufacturing nine brands of foreign liquor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 08:53:03', '2024-10-04 08:53:03');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12983, 12983, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A source close to Hezbollah said Israel had conducted 11 consecutive strikes on the group\'s south Beirut stronghold late Thursday, in one of the most violent raids since Israel intensified its bombardment campaign last week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP correspondents in the capital and beyond heard loud bangs that made car alarms go off and building shake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About an hour later, AFP journalists heard several explosions coming from the direction of the southern suburbs after the Israeli military ordered residents of the Hadath neighbourhood to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Israel struck the southern suburbs 11 consecutive times,\" the source said on the condition of anonymity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP footage showed giant balls of flame rising from the targeted site with thick smoke billowing and flares shooting out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s official National News Agency (NNA) said \"more than 10 consecutive strikes have been recorded so far, in one of the strongest raids on the southern suburbs of Beirut since the start of the Israeli war on Lebanon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strikes echoed to mountain regions outside Beirut, the NNA said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Thursday, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee had issued an \"urgent warning\" for residents of the south Beirut area of Burj al-Barajneh to evacuate along with maps of the area. He later issued an evacuation order for the Hadath neighbourhood of Beirut\'s south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You are located near facilities and interests belonging to Hezbollah, and the IDF (Israeli army) will work against them in the near future,\" he had said in a statement on X.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the evening, a source close to Hezbollah said another Israeli strike had targeted a warehouse next to Beirut airport, in the capital\'s south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An Israeli air strike targeted a warehouse adjacent to the airport,\" the source told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. It was unclear what the warehouse contained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the afternoon, the NNA had reported several \"enemy raids\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A source close to the group had told AFP that the earlier strikes had \"targeted a building housing Hezbollah\'s media relations office\", which had already been evacuated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This week, Israel announced that its troops had started \"ground raids\" into parts of southern Lebanon, after days of heavy bombardment of Hezbollah strongholds around the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After nearly a year of low-intensity cross-border fighting, Israel has expanded its military campaign from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombing has killed more than 1,000 people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel last week killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in south Beirut, a densely populated area before residents fled Israel\'s intensifying bombardment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 08:55:53', '2024-10-04 08:55:53'),
(12984, 12984, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was on Friday accorded a red carpet reception on his arrival here on a very short official trip to take the relations between the two countries to a new height.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian prime minister, who is leading a 58-member delegation, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus received him amid gun salute and guard of honour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and High Commissioners of Malaysia and Bangladesh, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After almost a decade, a Malaysian Prime Minister is visiting Bangladesh, and this official visit is the first by any head of government to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government on August 8.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was directly taken to Hotel InterContinental from the airport where he will be staying during the hours-long visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bilateral meeting between PM Ibrahim and CA Prof Yunus will be held at the same hotel, which will be followed by a joint press statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, issues of mutual interest including economic, political, trade and investment, education, technology and human resource development, manpower export, higher education cooperation, communications, infrastructure development, and defense cooperation are expected to be highlighted, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An estimated 800,000 Bangladeshis now live and work in Malaysia. Of them, about 450,000 migrated between August 2022 and May this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two leaders will also have a one-to-one meeting before the bilateral talks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus will also host high tea in honour of the Malaysian prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian PM will also meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. He will sign visitor\'s book there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysia is going to be the next chair of ASEAN from January 2025, and the Rohingya issue will also be discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, the issue of Bangladesh to become a \"Sectoral Dialogue Partner\" in ASEAN in terms of regional cooperation will also be specially raised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This visit is very important in terms of bilateral relations,\" said the foreign affairs adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This visit is expected to be considered as an expression of deepening bilateral relations and enduring friendship between Bangladesh and Malaysia, said the Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 58-member delegation will include the country\'s Foreign Minister, Trade and Investment Minister, Deputy Minister of Transport, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, two Members of Parliament and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In August this year, Prof Yunus invited Anwar Ibrahim to undertake a short visit to Bangladesh to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysia is the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus has long-standing good ties with Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least seven Malaysian universities have Yunus Centres, promoting social business ideas he champions and his three-zero concepts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysian companies, including several owned by its sovereign funds, have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and are now willing to invest more, including in education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chattogram-based company for distributing and assembling cars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysia says they could be a desired destination for medical tourism, saying the Bangladeshi people can avail essential medical treatment in the country at an affordable price.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian prime minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 6:25pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 08:59:08', '2024-10-04 08:59:08'),
(12985, 12985, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations Security Council on Thursday offered its full support to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, after Israel said he was \"persona non grata\" for not quickly condemning Iran\'s ballistic missile barrage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Without naming Israel, the council\'s five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and the 10 non-permanent members \"underscored the need for all member states to have a productive and effective relationship with the secretary-general.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Council also asked member states to \"refrain from any actions that undermine his work and that of his office.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Any decision not to engage with the UN secretary-general or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East,\" it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Relations between the UN and Israel -- a state created by a UN resolution in 1947 -- have been difficult since Hamas\'s October 7, 2023 attack, which sparked the war in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday, Guterres was declared persona non grata by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who called him an \"anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists, rapists, and murderers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran\'s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil,\" Katz said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That same day, at a tense emergency Security Council meeting on swirling tensions in the Middle East, with both the UN envoys from Iran and Israel in the rooms, Guterres said: \"I again strongly condemn yesterday\'s massive missile attacks by Iran on Israel.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he did call on all sides to end the \"sickening cycle of escalation\" of violence, warning it was leading the region \"straight over the cliff.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres has repeatedly called for a ceasefire to halt the fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 09:04:08', '2024-10-04 09:04:08'),
(12986, 12986, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thundershowers in all divisions including Dhaka of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said a met office update.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest 72 millimeter of rainfall was recorded in Aricha in 24 hours till 6am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country, according to the BMD.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest temperature was recorded in Khunla’s Koyra at 32.4 degree Celsius over the past 24 hours till 6pm on Thursday while the lowest temperature 23.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Chattogram’s Sandwip till 6am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, monsoon trough runs through Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong elsewhere over North Bay. A Low Pressure Area is likely to form over coastal areas of West Bengal &amp; adjoining southwest Bangladesh during next 24 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 09:08:25', '2024-10-04 09:08:25'),
(12987, 12987, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The recent devastating floods in the southeastern region have caused a loss of property worth Tk 14,421 crore, according to a report by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the CPD presented the findings at press conference held at the CPD office in Dhanmondi on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also spoke on the damages and rehabilitation process in the southeastern region including Comilla, Feni, Noakhali and Laxmipur districts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The recent severe floods in the southeastern region caused a loss of Tk 14421 crore, which is 26 percent of the GDP. Agriculture and forest sectors suffered the most which is equivalent to Tk 5169 crore,\" said Fahmida.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that there was a loss of Tk 4,653 crore in the infrastructure sector, and damages to houses caused loss of Tk 2,407 crore, Fahmida also said that Noakhali district suffered the highest losses with 4191 crores, followed by Comilla district with losses of Tk 3390 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:41:37', '2024-10-06 09:41:37'),
(12988, 12988, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Adviser\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam has said all political parties wholeheartedly extended support to the interim government for their efforts during the dialogue with the Chief Adviser yesterday.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All political parties extended their support to the government. They are considering this as their own government,\" he told reporters on Saturday night after a lengthy dialogue between the political parties and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dialogue lasted till 9pm from 2:30pm at state guesthouse Jamuna where major political parties joined.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka, KL want stronger ties; next round of discussions on FTA soon</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the dialogue, Mahfuj said, the government sought proposals from the political parties and the current law and order situation was also discussed.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there are six reform commissions in place and election preparation issues were discussed which will continue.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said there will be a consensus on reform programmes as the six reform commissions will submit their reports in December.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Timeline depends on that consensus,\" he said, adding that work towards election-centric preparations including Election Commission formation will go ahead simultaneously.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Elections, improving the law-and-order situation, rearranging public administration, and checking commodity prices were discussed in the dialogue.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser informed the political parties of his government\'s initiatives to address these concerns, and they all pledged to cooperate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:43:55', '2024-10-06 09:43:55'),
(12989, 12989, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A huge fireball lit up the night sky and plumes of smoke rose over south Beirut early Sunday as Israel unleashed intense air strikes targeting Hezbollah, nearly a year since the Gaza war erupted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli forces were on high alert ahead of Monday\'s anniversary of Hamas\'s October 7 attack, which sparked the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a devastating year-long conflict in Gaza, Israel has now shifted its focus to northwards to Hezbollah, Hamas\'s Iran-backed ally in Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s official National News Agency said the Hezbollah stronghold in south Beirut was hit by more than 30 strikes, which were heard across the city. Targets included a petrol station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said it \"conducted a series of strikes on a number of weapons storage facilities\" and infrastructure, stressing it had taken \"numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFPTV footage showed a massive fireball over a residential area of south Beirut, followed by a loud bang and secondary explosions. Smoke still billowed from the site after dawn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Sabra area, near the southern suburbs, dozens of people, some carrying bags on foot and others on motorbikes, fled one of the most intense bombardments of the Israel-Hezbollah war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli forces with artillery after they tried to infiltrate towards Khallat Shuaib in Blida, in southern Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A statement said fighters fired a rocket barrage at Israeli troops during the evacuation of \"dead and wounded soldiers\" in the Menara border area shortly after midnight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah also said it launched assault drones against an Israeli military base.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Ongoing threat\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of Monday\'s grim anniversary, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a televised briefing: \"We are prepared with increased forces in anticipation for this day\", when there could be \"attacks on the home front\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year\'s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militants resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One year later, Israel\'s war in Gaza against Hamas continues despite having shifted its focus to Lebanon and Hezbollah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said it had killed around 440 Hezbollah fighters \"from the ground and from the air\" since Monday, when troops began \"targeted\" ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel says it aims to allow tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by almost a year of Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel to return home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Iran an \"ongoing threat\" after Tehran, which backs armed groups across the Middle East, on Tuesday launched around 200 missiles at Israel in revenge for Israeli killings of militant leaders including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The missile attack killed a Palestinian in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and damaged an Israeli air base, according to satellite images.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It came the same day Israeli ground forces began their raids into Lebanon after days of intense strikes on Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Resistance won\'t back down\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One Israeli military official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss the issue publicly, said the army \"is preparing a response\" to Iran\'s attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted Iran had twice launched \"hundreds of missiles\" at Israel since April.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and to respond to these attacks and that is what we will do,\" he said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu\'s critics accuse him of obstructing efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire and deal to free hostages still held by Hamas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A senior Hezbollah source said Saturday the group had lost contact with Hashem Safieddine, widely tipped to be the next Hezbollah leader, after air strikes in Beirut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The movement is yet to name a new chief after Israel assassinated Nasrallah late last month in a massive strike in Lebanon\'s capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran\'s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that \"the resistance in the region will not back down\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Late Saturday Israel issued a new order for residents of southern Beirut to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across Lebanon, strikes against Hezbollah have killed more than 1,110 people since September 23, according to a tally based on official figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Never-ending nightmare\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN\'s refugee agency head Filippo Grandi said Lebanon \"faces a terrible crisis\" and warned \"hundreds of thousands of people are left destitute or displaced by Israeli air strikes\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli bombardment has put at least four hospitals in Lebanon out of service, the facilities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it rejected a request by the Israeli military to \"relocate some of our positions\" in south Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran\'s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Damascus Saturday after visiting Beirut, renewed his call for ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon, while threatening Israel with an \"even stronger\" reaction to any attack on Iran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">French President Emmanuel Macron said it was time \"that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza\" and criticised Israel\'s decision to send ground troops into Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators tried unsuccessfully for months to reach a Gaza truce and secure the release of 97 hostages still held there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza\'s civil defence agency said Sunday an Israeli strike on a mosque-turned-shelter in central Deir al-Balah killed 21 people, while Israel\'s military said it had targeted Hamas militants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,825 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry and described as reliable by the UN.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the October 7 anniversary, thousands joined pro-Palestinian rallies in London, Paris, Cape Town and other cities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s President Herzog said his country\'s October 7 \"wounds still cannot fully heal\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:46:57', '2024-10-06 09:46:57'),
(12990, 12990, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has highlighted the importance of upstream countries informing downstream countries in advance about rainfall, structural conditions, and water release timings noting that both must work together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also emphasized the need for regional cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Environment Advieor made these remarks on Sunday while addressing the \'Annual Community of Practice (COP) Network Convention\' as the chief guest. The event was organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation under the project \'EmPower: Women for Climate Resilient Societies,\" at Dhaka Brac Centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also mentioned that the government is taking steps to prevent food shortages during natural disasters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She called for international efforts to achieve zero carbon emissions and secure funding from the Loss and Damage Fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana Hasan further noted that women are the most affected by climate change and assured that their participation would be ensured in the National Adaptation Plan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event was presided over by Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation. Special guests included Maria Stridsman, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, and Gitanjali Singh, Country Representative for UN Women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the event, the \'Women\'s Climate Action Network\' was launched, and five female entrepreneurs were awarded the \'Women\'s Role in Combating Climate Change Award 2024\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Participants at the convention discussed strategies for increasing women\'s participation and leadership in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Various panel discussions, workshops, and presentations were held on women\'s empowerment, climate resilience, and gender equality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:49:16', '2024-10-06 09:49:16'),
(12991, 12991, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has instructed banks to freeze the accounts of Summit Group chairman Muhammad Aziz Khan, his brothers, and other family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BFIU, in a letter, asked banks to block transactions for 30 days under the provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention Act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It earlier collected accounts information of Aziz Khan and his family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He is among influential top 50 businessman in Singapore.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:30:44', '2024-10-07 10:30:44'),
(12992, 12992, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A&nbsp; Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on Saiful Alam, the owner of S Alam Group, his wife Farzana Parveen and 12 family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad Zoglul Hossain passed the order in response to a petition from Anti-Corruption Commission’s Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to Saiful Alam and his wife, those barred from leaving the country include his sons Ashraful Alam and Ahsanul Alam, brothers Morshedul Alam, Shahidul Alam, Rashedul Alam, Abdus Samad, Osman Gani, and Mohammad Abdullah Hasan, Abdus Samad’s wife Shahana Ferdous, Osman Gani’s wife Farzana Begum, and an unidentified man, Miskat Ahmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:36:08', '2024-10-07 10:36:08'),
(12993, 12993, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said specific action plans are needed to make Dhaka livable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is urgent to have a city vision for Dhaka. Apart from implementing mega projects, green spaces should be increased. There should be open space, seating places and sports opportunities for the youth,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana was addressing a discussion organised at Rajuk Auditorium here on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Dhaka should be made livable for all while youth need to be involved in building a developed and environment-friendly city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their creativity can make cities livable and that is why the youth should be involved in the activities of Rajuk, the adviser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the development plan should ensure the rights of slum dwellers and victims of riverbank erosion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Ministry of Industry, spoke at the meeting as the chief guest with Housing and Public Works Ministry Secretary Md. Hamidur Rahman Khan in the chair.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwen Lewis and Additional Secretary Shakila Zerin Ahmed and Joint Secretary Naila Ahmed also spoke.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the meeting, the guests unveiled the covers of two publications on the occasion of World Habitat Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:41:08', '2024-10-07 10:41:08'),
(12995, 12995, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Housing and Public Works Affairs Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan today said Dhaka will be developed as a livable city involving youths and urban planners as he addressed a discussion on the World Habitat Day here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Dhaka will be developed as a livable city involving youths and urban planners,\" he said as the key speaker at the discussion organized by the Housing and Public Works Ministry in Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) auditorium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis addressed as the special speakers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Housing and Public Works Ministry\'s Secretary Md. Hamidur Rahman Khan presided over the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The housing adviser stressed reforms in bringing a change to the society saying, \"The student-led mass uprising should be kept in mind always so that it does not fail\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About land allocation by RAJUK, he said the land will be allotted through lottery, not based on quota system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the guests unveiled the covers of two publications on the occasion of World Habitat Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:43:13', '2024-10-07 10:43:13'),
(12996, 12996, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is going to extend holiday for one more day on the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, to facilitate them for its smooth celebration, Chief Adviser\' Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The holidays will be extended for one more day on the occasion. A notification will be issued today, announcing Thursday as public holiday,\" he said while briefing reporters at Dhakeswari National Temple here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, this year the Hindu community people get a total of four-day holidays including weekends to celebrate the Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the briefing, Mahfuj said after the fall of the ousted Awami League government on August 5 last, attacks were carried out on the minorities including Hindus (by vested quarters) but the interim government and student-people together resisted the attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government will provide assistance to the victim families of the Hindu community from the Chief Adviser\' Relief and Welfare Fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The special assistant said the assistance will be provided to them within a day or two so that they can celebrate the Durga Puja in a festive mood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, CA\'s press wing in a release said the chief adviser\'s office is pleased to announce an additional public holiday on Thursday, 10 October, for Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It quoted CA\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam saying, during a press conference held today at the Dhakeshwari Temple, the special assistant made the announcement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This extra holiday has been granted to ensure smooth and joyous celebrations of the Durga Puja,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser\'s press wing was present at the press conference, where the decision was warmly received by community representatives and religious leaders, the release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government encourages all citizens to maintain an atmosphere of unity, respect, and peace as the nation comes together to observe this important religious event, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-08 09:45:52', '2024-10-08 09:45:52'),
(12997, 12997, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tiger population in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans, the country\'s lone habitat to the big cats, has increased to 125, according to the latest tiger population survey for 2023-24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change, revealed the survey findings at a press briefing at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tiger density is 2.64 per 100 square kilometers. Compared to 2018, the tiger population has increased by 11 percent, reflecting a growth rate of 9.6 percent, and a 17.92 percent rise since 2015, the survey says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2015, the Sundarbans had 106 tigers with a density of 2.17. By 2018, the number had risen to 114, with a density of 2.55, marking an 8 percent increase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the press briefing, Rizwana mentioned that 21 tiger cubs were photographed in the 2023-24 survey, although they were not included in the count due to the high mortality rate among cubs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Only five cubs were captured on camera in the 2015 and 2018 surveys, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tiger count was determined through the analysis of photos and data, with input from experts of India, New Zealand and the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The survey, which began in January 2023 and concluded in March 2024, deployed 1,210 cameras in 605 grids across the Sundarbans for 318 days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tigers were spotted in 368 grids, and from over one million photos and videos, 7,297 tiger images were obtained—an unprecedented number.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana expressed that the rise in the tiger population is a source of joy for the entire nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"To support tiger conservation, the government has declared 53.52 percent of the forest as protected, built 60 kilometers of nylon fencing, established 12 shelter centers, provided compensation and rewards, and formed 49 Village Tiger Response Teams,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;She emphasised the need for public cooperation alongside with government efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, additional secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Prof M.A. Aziz of Jahangirnagar University, Khulna Circle Conservator of Forests Mihir Kumar Dey, and Project Director Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, among others, were present at the press briefing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-08 09:50:45', '2024-10-08 09:50:45'),
(12998, 12998, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday hoped that Italian visa seekers’ demand for the quick issuance of visas would be resolved peacefully but warned of negative consequences if too much pressure is imposed on Indian authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If they feel threatened amid immense pressure, fear remains that they may drop us from the programme under which they are giving visas to take people legally. We hope there will be a peaceful solution,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a delegation of Italian visa seekers met him at his office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said he conveyed this message to the delegation members citing the likely impacts of programmes like processions, rallies and cordoning office physically. “It is their sovereign right whether they will issue a visa or not. We can’t say why you didn’t give the visa. This can’t be asked,” Hossain said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government knew the visa seekers\' positions and they tried to convey to them what the government is doing and what they can do to expedite the process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser said around 20,000 cases got stuck for long as the progress is slow and the government is urging to clear those cases by December this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 9, amid visa seekers\' peaceful demonstration demanding quick delivery of passports with visas, the Italian Embassy in Dhaka said applicants were warned against submitting forged or false documents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Italian Embassy said they are committed to working with Bangladesh authorities and in partnership with the European Union (EU) for actively preventing irregular flows and promoting legal pathways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A bilateral agreement has been proposed to further improve collaboration in migration and mobility issues, which they hope will soon be finalised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Embassy assured of its commitment to increasing the output of processed applications and presented some initiatives undertaken to that end with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, including the creation of a dedicated taskforce.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Applicants were reassured that their ‘nulla osta’ will not expire once they have lodged the application or requested an appointment to do so. The nulla osta is the document issued by Italian immigration authorities which authorises a non-EU national to apply for a work visa at the Italian embassy/consulate in their country of residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the Embassy provided legal, technical and logistic explanations for the existing delays in the processing of working visas to Italy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visa seekers also wanted to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to place their demands for addressing the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Corruption and the production of false or forged documents or statements are serious crimes under both the Italian and Bangladeshi laws, which the Italian Embassy is committed to contrast together with the concerned Bangladeshi authorities, said the Embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-08 09:58:24', '2024-10-08 09:58:24');

INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(13013, 13013, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said a Hezbollah drone had killed four soldiers at one of its northern bases Sunday, as it expanded its bombardments of Lebanon and troops battled militants across the border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack on a military training camp in Binyamina, near Haifa, is the deadliest such assault on an Israeli base since September 23, when Israel increased its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Emergency services reported more than 60 wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities in Gaza, meanwhile, said the death toll from an Israeli strike Sunday on a school being used as a shelter for displaced people had risen to 15, including whole families.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And as fighting raged between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon\'s south, United Nations peacekeepers said they had again in the firing line.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said Israeli troops \"forcibly\" entered a UN position with two tanks, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the force to withdraw from the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said a tank had backed into the UN post while under fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Hezbollah promises worse -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran-backed Hezbollah said late Sunday that it launched \"a squadron of attack drones\" at the Binyamina camp, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of the major city of Haifa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike was in response to Israeli attacks, including air strikes on Thursday that Lebanon\'s health ministry said killed at least 22 people in central Beirut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a later statement, Hezbollah warned Israel that \"what it witnessed today in southern Haifa is nothing compared to what awaits it if it decides to continue its aggression against our noble and dear people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Israeli volunteer rescue service, United Hatzalah, said its teams in Binyamina assisted \"over 60 wounded people\" with injuries from mild to critical.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah has been firing rockets and drones into Israel for more than a year in support of Hamas militants in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since late September, however, its strikes have reached further into the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s sophisticated air defences have intercepted most of the projectiles, with few casualties caused by strikes or falling debris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Defend this \'blessed land\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s recent strikes have increasingly focused on areas beyond Hezbollah\'s traditional strongholds in southern Beirut, and Lebanon\'s south and east.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel said its air force hit \"Hezbollah launchers, anti-tank missile posts, weapons storage facilities\" and other targets, while on the ground its soldiers \"eliminated dozens\" of fighters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s official National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli forces had \"escalated their attacks\" on southern Lebanon with \"successive air strikes\" pounding several border villages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It later reported that an Israeli strike on Mayfadoun, near Nabatiyeh, in southern Lebanon, had killed five people and wounded one other.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah said its forces clashed several times with Israeli troops who tried to \"infiltrate\" villages along the border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the drone strike it had said it launched a salvo of rockets at a \"base in southern Haifa\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group later aired an audio recording of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah calling on fighters to \"defend this holy and blessed land and this honourable people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike in south Beirut on September 27, and several other senior commanders of the movement have also been killed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said about 115 projectiles fired by Hezbollah had crossed into Israeli territory by Sunday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Hezbollah fighter was captured emerging from a tunnel in south Lebanon on Sunday, Israel\'s military said, the first such announcement since the start of the ground offensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Shocking violations\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN peacekeepers accused Israeli troops of breaking through a gate and entering one of their positions before dawn Sunday in south Lebanon, the latest of several incidents the UNIFIL mission has reported since Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five Blue Helmets have so far been injured, provoking international condemnation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Two IDF (Israeli military) Merkava tanks destroyed the position\'s main gate and forcibly entered the position\" in the Ramia area, before leaving 45 minutes later, UNIFIL said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military later said a tank \"backed several meters into a UNIFIL post\" while \"under fire\" and attempting to evacuate injured soldiers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu had called on the UN to move peacekeepers in southern Lebanon out of harm\'s way, after the mission rejected requests to abandon its positions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The peacekeepers\' presence had \"the effect of providing Hezbollah terrorists with human shields\", said Netanyahu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday said \"attacks\" against peacekeepers \"may constitute a war crime\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNIFIL, with about 9,500 troops, is in southern Lebanon under the longstanding UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulated that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in south Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three Lebanese soldiers were wounded on Sunday, the country\'s army said, when Israeli forces fired on military vehicles in the Marjayoun area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call with Iran\'s President Masoud Pezeshkian, appealed to Iran to support \"a general de-escalation\" in Lebanon and Gaza, his office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- US sending more air-defences -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza\'s civil defence agency said Israeli shelling had killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens more Sunday at a school turned shelter for displaced Palestinians in central Gaza\'s Nuseirat camp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The school was bombarded with a large volley of Israeli artillery, resulting in an initial death toll of 15 martyrs, including children, women and entire families, and 50 wounded,\" said Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said it was \"looking into the reports\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said late Sunday that a WHO-Red Cross operation had managed to resupply two hospitals in northern Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"WHO and partners finally managed to reach Kamal Adwan and Al-Sahaba hospitals yesterday after 9 attempts this past week,\" he posted on X.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas sparked the war in Gaza with the deadliest-ever attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The number includes hostages killed in captivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says more than 42,000 people, the majority civilians, have been killed since Israel\'s military campaign began there. The UN considers these figures to be reliable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,300 people since September 23, according to an AFP tally of official figures, including for Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That toll exceeds the entire Lebanese toll of 1,200 -- mostly civilians -- in the last Hezbollah-Israel war in 2006, when 160 people, mostly soldiers, died in Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Pentagon said it would deploy a high-altitude anti-missile system and its US military crew to Israel to help the ally protect itself from potential Iranian attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:07:41', '2024-10-14 10:07:41'),
(13014, 13014, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Dhaka is keen to strengthen both its economic and security ties with China along with deepening collaboration in several critical areas including clean energy and infrastructure development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need security cooperation from China,\" he said while speaking at a seminar titled \"Bangladesh-China Relations: A Future Outlook\' at a city hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Centre for China Studies (SIIS-DU) jointly organised the seminar while Dhaka and Beijing are looking forward to celebrating 50 years anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Underlining the significance of defence cooperation with China, the foreign adviser described it as vital for Bangladesh\'s military modernization efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that China is a major supplier of security equipment to Bangladesh, he said China is an important partner in the modernization of Bangladesh\'s military while Dhaka looks forward to further cooperation particularly in the military training programmes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that the enhanced defence cooperation could play role in increasing Bangladesh\'s involvement in the United Nations peacekeeping operations, which remains a key priority for the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser pointed to infrastructure development as another area of potential collaboration with China, stressing the need for sustainable projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We welcome further cooperation in infrastructure development and energy projects, particularly in green energy,\" he said emphasising completing projects on time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also touched upon technological cooperation, particularly in the ICT sector, noting that China\'s visibility in this field could drive future economic growth in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The development of Bangladesh\'s ICT sector, with Chinese technological transfer could be one of the main drivers of the country\'s economic growth in the coming years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser highlighted China\'s role in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis, stressing that the only viable solution involves the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to their land of origin in Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We appreciate China\'s cooperation, but unfortunately, the trilateral dialogue has not yet succeeded in returning even one Rohingya (in the last seven years),\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touhid said Dhaka looks forward to seeing a more proactive role from China in the repatriation process, ensuring that Rohingyas are able to return to Myanmar with their rights, and security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As Bangladesh and China approach the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the foreign adviser expressed optimism about the future, noting that Bangladesh\'s trajectory, both politically and economically, will shape the direction of its relationship with China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the future of Bangladesh-China bilateral ties depends on various factors, including regional and global political dynamics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need meaningful cooperation from China, and new avenues of collaboration must be explored by both sides,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Chair, Committee on White Paper on the State of Bangladesh\'s Economy Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya were present as special guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Director of the Academic Advisory Council, SIIS Professor Dr. Yang Jiemian made a special remark at the inaugural session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BISS Chairman Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker presided over the inaugural session while Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis gave the welcome speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remark, the Chinese ambassador said Bangladesh has recently experienced significant political transformations and is now at a critical historical juncture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a comprehensive strategic cooperative partner, China firmly supports the interim government in its endeavours for state reforms, maintaining law and order, promoting economic development, and improving the livelihoods of the people,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to his recent interactions with Bangladesh\'s interim government, political parties, and various sectors of society, the envoy said he witnessed firm commitment from Bangladeshi people to China-Bangladesh friendship and their support for developing bilateral relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They believe that our two countries are now facing significant historical opportunities for deeper cooperation,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said China supports Bangladesh in becoming a partner country of the BRICS mechanism and a dialogue partner with ASEAN.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"China is willing to contribute to the repatriation of the Rohingyas and work closely with Bangladesh on international and regional affairs, strengthening coordination and cooperation within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remarks, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya urged Chinese companies to invest in the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that such investments are essential for making the Karnaphuli Tunnel economically viable and its role as a catalyst for enhanced economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were three working sessions in seminar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first working session titled \"The Impact of Bangladesh\'s Changing Political Landscape on Regional Dynamics\" was moderated by former Foreign Secretary Ambassador Farooq Sobhan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second working session titled \"Bangladesh\'s Political, Economic, and Social Reforms and the Trends\" was moderated by Associate Research Fellow, Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies Dr. Zhang Jiuan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka University\'s International Relations Professor Amena Mohsin moderated the third working session titled \"Strengthening China- Bangladesh Cooperation and Advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In different sessions the speakers noted that the cooperation between Bangladesh and China has evolved in many ways and economic relations is the cornerstone of the relationship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speakers commended China\'s status as Bangladesh\'s largest trading partner and highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by China to enhance Bangladesh\'s export capabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:12:36', '2024-10-14 10:12:36'),
(13015, 13015, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit Evercare Hospital in Dhaka this (Monday) evening for a health check-up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Madam [Khaleda] will be taken to Evercare Hospital in the evening for health check-ups as per the advice of her medical board,\" BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Khaleda will undergo some necessary medical tests at the hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 8, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital six days after she had been discharged from the same hospital with various ailments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A group of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully installed the pacemaker in Khaleda Zia’s chest on June 23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda has long been battling various ailments, including livercirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and issues related to kidneys, lung, heart and eyes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP chief’s doctors have long been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with livercirrhosis in November 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia\'s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was placed in Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Article 49 states that \"The President shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites and to remit, suspend, or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal, or other authority.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:29:54', '2024-10-14 10:29:54'),
(13016, 13016, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Popular Playwright and Producer Faridul Islam Rubel has started working as a judge of Babhasi International Film Festival 2023-2024. He said that the movie verification work is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh-Bharot-Singapore (BaBhaSi) Trilateral Film Festival has so far received 153 films from within and outside the country. 50 out of 153 were selected for the second round after preliminary observation by the jury board. Then 10 films from the 50 films of the second round will be selected for the final round.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faridul Islam Rubel said, ‘’it’s a great honor for me to have the opportunity to work as a chief judge in all rounds of the International Babhasi Film Festival 2023-2024. As a playwright it is also a matter of pride for me.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first, second and third places will be determined by merit screening of the best screenwriter, producer, artist, cinematographer, set designer, art director, editing and background score from Babhasi Film Festival. Every year, Babhasi provides that opportunity to develop the talents of fresher’s according to their work qualifications. With this conviction, the International Babhashi Film Festival has been organized every year. After successful 7 years, Babhasi came out in its 8th year, which has really set a milestone and an inimitable example. Here the former winners are currently performing well in the media and advancing on their merits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faridul Islam Rubel also said, \"I am especially gratified for the authorities trusting me as a judge and I am very thrilled to be given the responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:38:07', '2024-10-14 17:38:07'),
(13017, 13017, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drama Director and Producer Naznin Hasan Khan has started working as a judge of Babhasi International Film Festival 2023-2024. She said that the movie verification work is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh-Bharot-Singapore (BaBhaSi) Trilateral Film Festival has so far received 153 films from within and outside the country. 50 out of 153 were selected for the second round after preliminary observation by the jury board. Then 10 films from the 50 films of the second round will be selected for the final round.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Naznin Hasan Khan said, ‘’it’s a great honor for me to have the opportunity to work as a chief judge in all rounds of the International Babhasi Film Festival 2023-2024. As a Drama Director it is also a matter of pride for me. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first, second and third places will be determined by merit screening of the best screenwriter, producer, artist, cinematographer, set designer, art director, editing and background score from Babhasi Film Festival. Every year, Babhasi provides that opportunity to develop the talents of fresher’s according to their work qualifications. With this conviction, the International Babhasi Film Festival has been organized every year. After successful 7 years, Babhasi came out in its 8th year, which has really set a milestone and an inimitable example. Here the former winners are currently performing well in the media and advancing on their merits. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Naznin Hasan Khan also said, \"I am especially thankful for the authorities trusting me as a judge and I am very thrilled to be given the responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:46:08', '2024-10-14 17:58:58'),
(13019, 13019, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Popular Actor, Playwright and Director Enayet Ullah Syed. Who is known in showbiz as Shipul Syed. Shipul Syed is the busiest actor of the time has started working as a judge of Babhasi International Film Festival 2023-2024. He said that the movie verification work is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh-Bharot-Singapore (BaBhaSi) Trilateral Film Festival has so far received 153 films from within and outside the country. 50 out of 153 were selected for the second round after preliminary observation by the jury board. Then 10 films from the 50 films of the second round will be selected for the final round. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shipul syed said, ‘’it’s a great honor for me to have the opportunity to work as a chief judge in all rounds of the International Babhasi Film Festival 2023-2024. As a playwright it is also a matter of pride for me. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first, second and third places will be determined by merit screening of the best screenwriter, producer, artist, cinematographer, set designer, art director, editing and background score from Babhasi Film Festival. Every year, Babhasi provides that opportunity to develop the talents of fresher’s according to their work qualifications. With this conviction, the International Babhashi Film Festival has been organized every year. After successful 7 years, Babhasi came out in its 8th year, which has really set a milestone and an inimitable example. Here the former winners are currently performing well in the media and advancing on their merits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shipul syed also said, \"I am especially gratified for the authorities trusting me as a judge and I am very thrilled to be given the responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:48:21', '2024-10-14 17:48:37'),
(13020, 13020, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The telefilm \"Futani Jamai\" is written by Faridul Islam Rubel and directed by Polash Moni Das.&nbsp; Akhomo Hasan and Punam Hasan Jui are paired together in the telefilm based on a family story.&nbsp; Apart from this, Tariq Swapan, Saika Ahmed, Farid Hossain, Kakon Chowdhury, etc. are also acting in the telefilm. Director Polash Moni Das said that the telefilm will be aired on any satellite channel very soon. The telefilm will then be released on the Beyond Network YouTube channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story shows-</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What will happen when you knock on your forehead with ghee?&nbsp; Samir always loves to walk with Futani.&nbsp; He has no focus on how the family will run.&nbsp; Presenting a lie in such a way that everyone thinks it is the truth.&nbsp; Alia, the wife of Sameer\'s torture, cannot understand what to do.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Suddenly Imran brought the news of a shooting unit coming to the village.&nbsp; After hearing about the shooting of the film from Imran, he made himself fit and ran to meet the director.&nbsp; At one point in the conversation, the relationship escalated to the point where Samir offered to feed the entire shooting unit.&nbsp; When he came home and told his wife, she was furious.&nbsp; Samir\'s mother is very happy thinking that Samir will also be the hero of the film.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The director is suddenly in danger when the hero of the shoot refuses to act with the heroine.&nbsp; Can\'t understand what to do in such a situation.&nbsp; Seeing Samir, the director was convinced that he would make the hero of the film.&nbsp; Sameer is very happy.&nbsp; Even he distributed sweets in the village.&nbsp; But suddenly one day the news comes, the heroine will not act opposite Sameer.&nbsp; The sky fell on Samir\'s head.&nbsp; He has highly promoted himself in front of the people of the village, now he bows down in front of everyone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story of Futani Jamai, which happened in Samir\'s life, proceeds through various interesting incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:54:54', '2024-10-14 17:54:54'),
(13021, 13021, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The telefilm \"Futani Jamai\" is written by Faridul Islam Rubel and directed by Polash Moni Das.&nbsp; Akhomo Hasan and Punam Hasan Jui are paired together in the telefilm based on a family story.&nbsp; Apart from this, Tariq Swapan, Saika Ahmed, Farid Hossain, Kakon Chowdhury, etc. are also acting in the telefilm. Director Polash Moni Das said that the telefilm will be aired on any satellite channel very soon. The telefilm will then be released on the Beyond Network YouTube channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story shows-</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What will happen when you knock on your forehead with ghee?&nbsp; Samir always loves to walk with Futani.&nbsp; He has no focus on how the family will run.&nbsp; Presenting a lie in such a way that everyone thinks it is the truth.&nbsp; Alia, the wife of Sameer\'s torture, cannot understand what to do.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Suddenly Imran brought the news of a shooting unit coming to the village.&nbsp; After hearing about the shooting of the film from Imran, he made himself fit and ran to meet the director.&nbsp; At one point in the conversation, the relationship escalated to the point where Samir offered to feed the entire shooting unit.&nbsp; When he came home and told his wife, she was furious.&nbsp; Samir\'s mother is very happy thinking that Samir will also be the hero of the film.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The director is suddenly in danger when the hero of the shoot refuses to act with the heroine.&nbsp; Can\'t understand what to do in such a situation.&nbsp; Seeing Samir, the director was convinced that he would make the hero of the film.&nbsp; Sameer is very happy.&nbsp; Even he distributed sweets in the village.&nbsp; But suddenly one day the news comes, the heroine will not act opposite Sameer.&nbsp; The sky fell on Samir\'s head.&nbsp; He has highly promoted himself in front of the people of the village, now he bows down in front of everyone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story of Futani Jamai, which happened in Samir\'s life, proceeds through various interesting incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:54:58', '2024-10-14 17:54:58'),
(13022, 13022, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s post-COVID recovery continues to be impacted by high inflation, balance of payments deficit, financial sector vulnerabilities and increasingly limited job opportunities for its youths, especially women and educated youths, says the World Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The multinational lender that provides financial support to developing countries for projects aimed at reducing poverty and fostering economic development said this in its twice-yearly-update, released on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In recent years, Bangladesh’s growth has not translated into job creation for the large number of youths entering the job market every year. Particularly, the educated youth and women faced difficulty in getting jobs to fulfill their aspirations,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He went on to say, “But time and again, Bangladesh has shown extraordinary resilience and determination in the face of adversity. I am confident that with urgent and bold reforms to enhance economic and financial governance, improve business environment, Bangladesh can return to a strong and inclusive growth path, with millions of jobs for its youth.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest Bangladesh Development Update highlights that global and domestic factors have created a challenging macro-fiscal context for the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh\'s real GDP growth moderated to 5.2% in FY24, primarily due to weak consumption and exports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is projected to decelerate to 4.0 percent in FY25, driven by subdued investment and industrial sector activities, before accelerating to 5.5 percent in FY26 and returning to a robust growth trajectory thereafter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh also faces increasing income inequality, particularly in urban areas. From 2010 to 2022, Bangladesh\'s Gini index—a measure of income inequality—increased by nearly three points from 0.50 to 0.53.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report highlights urgent and bold reforms that are necessary to help the country return to a strong, inclusive and sustainable growth path.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the overall unemployment rate declining between 2016 and 2022, young people face significantly higher unemployment rates, particularly in urban areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The availability of jobs has declined for urban educated youth, and job creation in large industries, like the ready-made garments sector, has stagnated. Since 2016, while more jobs were created in Dhaka, three divisions—Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Sylhet—faced significant net employment losses.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inflation, driven by high food and energy prices, averaged 9.7% in FY24. Inflation spiked in the month of July and moderated in August. It is expected to remain elevated in the near term, but gradually subside in the medium term if supply-side issues stabilize and prudent monetary and fiscal policies are maintained.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fiscal deficit is estimated to have moderated marginally to 4.5% of GDP in FY24 and is expected to remain within the government\'s target of 4.3 percent of GDP in FY25, with fiscal space for productive expenditures increasing only gradually.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The implementation of the Annual Development plan declined to 80.9 percent in FY24 compared to 85.2 percent in FY23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current account deficit narrowed to $6.5 billion in FY24, thanks to a contraction in imports and robust remittances. Remittances declined in July due to disruptions but rebounded. The balance of payments deficit also improved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Pressure on the external sector is expected to persist in FY25, easing later if global conditions improve and exchange rate flexibility increases,” said Dhruv Sharma, World Bank Senior Economist and Co-author of the report.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In May 2024, Bangladesh Bank implemented a crawling peg exchange rate system as a step towards a market driven exchange rate system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This led to a narrowing in the gap between the formal and informal exchange rates. While the banking sector faces tight liquidity conditions and elevated non-performing loans the Bangladesh Bank has made restoring discipline and stability in the sector a priority alongside managing inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:36:31', '2024-10-15 09:36:31'),
(13023, 13023, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The results of the 2024 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams have been released, with a total pass rate of 77.78%. The general education boards recorded a 75.56% pass rate, while the madrasa and technical boards saw significantly higher success rates of 93.40% and 88.09%, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A major highlight this year is the surge in students achieving the highest GPA-5, with 1,45,911 students earning the distinction, a sharp increase from last year’s 92,595.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 13,31,058 students appeared for the exams, with 10,35,309 successfully passing. The Sylhet board boasted the highest pass rate at 85.38%, followed by Barishal at 81.85%, Rajshahi at 81.24%, and Dhaka at 79.21%. Other board results include Dinajpur with 77.56%, Cumilla at 71.15%, Chattogram at 70.32%, Jashore with 64.29%, and Mymensingh at 63.22%.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Key Highlights:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Overall Pass Rate: 77.78% (down from 78.64% in 2023)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">GPA-5 Achievers: 1,45,911 (up from 92,595 in 2023)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Top Performing Board: Sylhet with 85.38% pass rate</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Number of Exam Centers: Increased to 2,695 from 2,657</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Institutions Participating: 9,197, up from 9,187</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:41:17', '2024-10-15 09:41:17'),
(13024, 13024, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Sylhet Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board delivered an unexpected boost in this year\'s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination results, achieving the highest pass rate among the nine general education boards in Bangladesh. The board reported a remarkable pass rate of 85.39%, up significantly from last year\'s 73.7%—a nearly 12% increase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Girls have outshone boys across the board in this year\'s HSC results. Of the 49,354 female candidates, 86.04% passed, with 3,829 achieving the coveted GPA-5. In comparison, 33,811 boys appeared for the exams, with a pass rate of 83.85%. Among them, 2,869 secured GPA-5, a noticeable gap in top scorers between genders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In terms of absolute numbers, Sylhet saw a record 6,698 students earn GPA-5 this year, a dramatic rise from just 1,699 in 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sylhet\'s overall performance in the HSC exams highlights significant improvement. The board saw 83,156 candidates, with 71,012 passing the exam—a notable achievement. The pass rate of 85.39% represents a 13.77% increase over the previous year’s 71.62%. This places Sylhet ahead of the other general education boards, a substantial leap from previous years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Professor Tapan Kumar Sarker, president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, the pass rate for the Madrasa Board\'s Alim examination stood at an impressive 93.40%, while the Technical Board recorded an 88.09% pass rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HSC and equivalent examinations, which commenced on June 30, included a total of 1,450,790 candidates from across Bangladesh. However, the exams faced delays due to various issues, resulting in some tests being canceled and grades being awarded based on Secondary School Certificate (SSC) results.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:50:59', '2024-10-15 09:50:59'),
(13025, 13025, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Bridges Adviser M Fouzul Kabir Khan said the Mirpur-10 metro rail station was reopened on Tuesday after repairing the station at a cost of Tk 1.25 crore. “Today we reopened the Mirpur-10 metro station after two months and 17 days. Tk 1.25 crore has been spent to repair the Mirpur-10 metro rail station. Some damaged equipment was replaced here by unused ones from the other two stations,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But when the equipment for the other two stations will be brought, then the final cost against repairing the Kazipara and Mirpur-10 metro rail stations would be some Tk 18.86 crore, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some unused equipment has been brought from other stations and installed here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said this while exchanging greetings with metro rail passengers and journalists at Mirpur-10 metro rail station in the capital on the occasion of reopening the station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Mirpur-10 metro rail station has resumed operations, almost three months after it was damaged in July last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 19, miscreants went on a rampage at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations amid the student movement for quota reform in the public service jobs, which later turned into a student-people uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina-led government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said the Kazipara metro rail station was reopened on September 20 last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they will not seek money from the government for the repair works as the cost of Tk 18.86 crore will be spent from the fund of the Mass Rapid Transit Company.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division Md. Ehsanul Hoque and Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd Mohammad Abdur Rouf were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:54:39', '2024-10-15 09:54:39');
