INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6548, 6548, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said that Awami League will give a fitting reply to anyone who will try to obstruct the free, fair and peaceful election.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AL memers will remain in the field until the next election to ensure no disruption occurs,&nbsp; said Quader, who is also the general secrerary of Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this after laying wreath on the grave of Sheikh Jamal to mark his birthday at Banani graveyard this morning. Jamal, the second son of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was killed during the August 15 massacre in 1975.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader denied that the AL holds any programme to counter BNP\'s movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are holding peace rallies to protect the lives and property of the people of this country from bad politics. We are not giving any programme with a deadline. We will be on the streets till the next election,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also called upon the people to join their peace movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the most brutal murder in the history of human civilisation was the killing of&nbsp; Bangabandhu Sheikh and his&nbsp; family members in 1975.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In continuation of the same conspiracy, killings were carried out on November 3, 1975 and August 21, 2004. These three events are linked together, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emphasing the need to establish democracy in Bangladesh and build the golden Bangla of Bangabandhu\'s dream, Quader said democracy should be institutionalized instead of the politics of murder, conspiracy and betrayal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called upon people and party activists to build resistance against militancy and defeat them. 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, '2023-04-28 13:50:04', '2023-04-28 13:50:04'),
(6549, 6549, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China\'s defense minister says conditions along the tense, high-altitude border with India are \"stable overall,\" in sharp contrast with the far more pessimistic view from New Delhi.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The remarks from Li Shangfu came in a statement issued shortly after a meeting Thursday with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"China and India have far more common interests than differences,\" Li was quoted as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"At present, conditions on the China-Indian border are stable overall,\" Li said. The sides should \"take a long-term view, put the border issue at an appropriate place in bilateral relations, and promote the normalization of the border situation as soon as possible,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In its own statement, India\'s defense ministry quoted Singh as saying China had eroded the \"entire basis\" of ties between the countries by violating bilateral agreements, in reference to a nearly 3-year-old standoff involving thousands of soldiers stationed along their disputed border in the Ladakh region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The development of India-China relations \"is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquility at the borders\" and all border issues need to be resolved in accordance with existing agreements and commitments, the ministry said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The differing tone of the statements reflects India\'s desire to draw attention to what it says is the deployment of a large number of Chinese troops, their aggressive behavior, and attempts to unilaterally alter the border status quo between the countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China, for its part, has tried to downplay moves to consolidate its border presence and often portrays the frictions as part of deliberate U.S. attempts to sow discord between the two nuclear-armed Asian giants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A clash three years ago in Ladakh killed 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese. It turned into a long-running standoff in the rugged mountainous area, where each side has stationed tens of thousands of military personnel backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Days before Li\'s visit, top Indian and Chinese army commanders held an 18th round of talks in an attempt to work out a disengagement of troops from tense areas. Such discussions have helped lay protocols to avoid clashes but have done little to nothing to resolve the larger issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both India and China have withdrawn troops from some areas on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Galwan Valley, but continue to maintain extra troops as part of a multitier deployment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Line of Actual Control separates Chinese and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India\'s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in its entirety. As its name implies, the demarcation line divides the areas of physical control rather than territorial claims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India and China fought a bloody monthlong war over their border in 1962 and tensions have remained high in the region ever since, with the dispute at times fueling strong anti-China sentiment in India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to India, the de facto border is 3,488 kilometers (2,167-mile) long, although China promotes a considerably shorter figure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In all, China claims some 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 square miles) of territory in India\'s northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh with its mainly Buddhist population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the western sector, India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau, which India considers part of Ladakh, where the current face-off is happening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Li is visiting New Delhi to attend a meeting of the defense chiefs of the Chinese and Russian-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group, formed originally to constrain U.S. influence in the region, consists of China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 13:52:57', '2023-04-28 13:52:57'),
(6550, 6550, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today left here for Washington DC after wrapping up her four-day official visit to Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A flight of the United Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage members took off from the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo around 15.55 pm (Japan time) for Dallas International Airport in Washington DC to attend the ceremony marking a 50-year partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank in Washington DC on May 1, PM\'s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam told journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flight is scheduled to land in the Dallas International Airport around 15:50pm (USA time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador of Bangladesh to the USA Muhammad Imran will receive the Prime Minister at the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier will leave Washington DC for London on May 4 to attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on April 25, a special chartered VVIP flight (BG1403) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at the Haneda International Airport, Tokyo at 4.45pm (local time) on the first leg of her 15-day official visit to Japan, the USA and the UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan had rolled out a red carpet to welcome the Bangladeshi Prime Minister and gave her the static guard of honour at the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her visit to Japan, Dhaka and Tokyo signed eight instruments on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrade, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties; defence cooperation, ICT and cyber security cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 26, Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call on Emperor of Japan Naruhito On the same day, she also held a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida after the signing of the deals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Premier also attended an investment summit and a community reception alongside handing over the \"Friends of Liberation War Honour\" to four Japanese nationals for their contribution to Bangladesh\'s Liberation War in 1971 on April 27.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her visit in Tokyo, the prime minister attended several additional bilateral meetings, including meeting with Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and meeting with leaders of JAICA, JETRO, JEBIC, JBPFL and JBCCEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also met the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe\'s wife Akie Abe and a Japanese architect Tadao Ando.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Her sister Sheikh Rehana, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque, prime minister\'s private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman, state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid and state minister for information and communication technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak along with the relevant high level government officials accompanied the prime minister during her visit to Japan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister is expected to return home from London on May 9. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 15:34:19', '2023-04-28 15:34:19'),
(6551, 6551, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The World Bank has approved $1.2 billion financing for Bangladesh in three new projects under a new Country Partnership Framework for Bangladesh (2023-2027).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The approval came on Thursday at a meeting of the global lender\'s Board of Directors in Washington, said WB press release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Country Partnership Framework (CPF), anchored in the government’s eighth “Five Year Plan” and the “Long-Term Perspective Plan 2021–2041”, will support Bangladesh’s goal to achieve upper-middle-income country status by 2031 by helping the country address key barriers to higher and sustainable growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will help develop a diversified and competitive private sector to create more and better jobs; promote socio economic inclusion to expand opportunities for all; and address climate and environmental vulnerabilities. These three outcomes are key priorities for Bangladesh’s growth aspirations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guided by these priorities, the CPF proposed a programme of technical and financial support focusing on eight objectives—improved business environment for broad-based private sector development; strengthened financial intermediation for long-term growth and resilience; improved effectiveness of public institutions to deliver better services; improved quality and equitable access for human capital development services; enhanced economic opportunities for women and vulnerable groups; strengthened spatial and digital connectivity for inclusive growth; improved effectiveness of delta management for accelerated climate resilience building and sustainability; and productivity in the use of natural capital for green growth and energy transition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This Country Partnership Framework builds on five decades of strong partnership between the World Bank Group and Bangladesh,\" said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“As Bangladesh aims to be more prosperous, it will need stronger institutions and policies to serve the needs of an upper-middle-income country. This CPF will support the government’s reform programs to deliver jobs and support inclusion and resilience,” said Seck.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To prepare the CPF, the World Bank Group held extensive countrywide and online consultations with key stakeholder groups, including the government, the private sector, civil society, think tanks, academia, media, and other development partners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh has an ambitious goal – to achieve upper middle income status within a short period and that too in face of the daunting challenges of climate change, \" said Junaid Kamal Ahmad, MIGA vice president of Operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Access to private capital and global financial markets will increasingly be needed to achieve this goal,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh has been one of the world’s outstanding development growth stories. Additional reforms to spur the development of a more diversified and competitive private sector will grow exports and create quality jobs,” said Martin Holtmann, IFC’s country manager for Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Financing for green investments to help tackle and mitigate climate risks will become increasingly important,” said Holtmann.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank Board of Directors yesterday also approved $1.25 billion financing in three projects to help Bangladesh achieve greener and more resilient development and greater inclusion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The $500 million “Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience” (PARTNER) project will help promote diversification, food safety, entrepreneurship, and climate resilience in the agri-food systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The $500 million “First Green and Climate Resilient Development Credit” will help the country’s transition to green and climate-resilient development. The $250 million “Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation” (SMART) project will help transform the micro-enterprise sector into a more dynamic, less-polluting, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient growth sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With these three projects approved, the International Development Association’s (IDA) total ongoing programme in Bangladesh stood at $16.3 billion. MIGA’s current programme in Bangladesh is just over $1 billion and IFC’s ongoing programme is about $1 billion. 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, '2023-04-28 15:37:57', '2023-04-28 15:37:57'),
(6552, 6552, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The WHO said Wednesday that Covid-19 deaths had dropped by 95 percent since the start of the year -- but warned the virus was still on the move.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Health Organization said Covid-19 was here to stay and countries would have to learn how to manage its ongoing non-emergency effects, including post-Covid-19 condition, or Long Covid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re very encouraged by the sustained decline in reported deaths from Covid-19, which have dropped 95 percent since the beginning of this year,\" WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"However, some countries are seeing increases, and over the past four weeks, 14,000 people lost their lives to this disease.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"And, as the emergence of the new XBB.1.16 variant illustrates, the virus is still changing, and is still capable of causing new waves of disease and death.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO\'s technical lead on Covid-19, said XBB sub-lineages were now dominant worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They have an increase in growth advantage and are also showing immune escape, meaning people can be reinfected despite having been vaccinated or previously infected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She called for increased surveillance through testing \"so that we can monitor the virus itself and understand what each of these mutations means\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That knowledge could feed into vaccine composition and inform decisions on handling the virus, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tedros reiterated that the WHO remained hopeful of declaring an end to Covid-19 as a public health emergency of international concern, with the committee that advises him on the status due to convene next month for its regular quarterly meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But this virus is here to stay, and all countries will need to learn to manage it alongside other infectious diseases,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tedros meanwhile said that an estimated one in 10 infections resulted in Long Covid, suggesting that hundreds of millions of people would need longer-term care.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WHO chief also noted how the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination programmes, with an estimated 67 million children missing out on at least one essential jab between 2019 and 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following a decade of stalled progress, vaccination rates are back to where they were in 2008, he said, leading to rising outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All countries must address \"the barriers to immunisation, whether it\'s access, availability, cost or disinformation\", he said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 16:43:47', '2023-04-28 16:43:47'),
(6553, 6553, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP is the main patron of the killers of meritorious youth and heroic freedom fighter Sheikh Jamal, son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is sorrowful but true that they (killers) are still active in making evil efforts,\" he said while talking to journalists after paying tributes to Sheikh Jamal by placing wreaths at his grave at Banani graveyard marking his birthday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 15 in 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country\'s architect, with most of his family members, including Sheikh Jamal, was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan said today is the birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Jamal. \"I am praying for eternal peace of his soul on his birthday. I am paying profound tributes to his memories,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Jamal was under house arrest at their Dhanmondi residence along with his other family members including Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Bangabandhu\'s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana and Sheikh Russel, during the great Liberation War in 1971.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Sheikh Jamal fled from their Dhanmondi residence and joined the Liberation War after reaching Agartala, India after a very risky journey on foot, he mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Jamal took part in the Liberation War for entire nine months and he fought from the frontline, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, he joined Bangladesh Army and subsequently, he received training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom (UK) and later he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, the information minister said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Sheikh Jamal was a brilliant youth. At the same time, he liked to do cultural activities. He had a deep passion for sports too,\" Hasan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the killing of Sheikh Jamal, Bangladesh had lost a meritorious youth, he observed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan said Sheikh Jamal, a promising youth who could serve the country a lot and make contributions to the nation building, was assassinated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AL Deputy Publicity Secretary Syed Abdul Awal Shamim, party\'s National Committee Member Balaram Poddar and Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad General Secretary Dr Kamrul Hasan were present, among others. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 17:15:13', '2023-04-28 17:15:13'),
(6554, 6554, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Law Minister Anisul Haque said that health care and safety at the workplace is a fundamental right of every worker.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He highlighted the importance of a safe and decent working environment for the realization of this right, while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting on \'National Occupational Health and Safety Day\' organized by the Ministry of Labor and Employment.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year\'s theme for the day was \'Ensure a decent working environment, build a smart Bangladesh.\'</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He stressed that the observance of safety rules at workplaces and ensuring a decent working environment is crucial for sustainable development.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that ensuring occupational safety in factories and establishments is not solely the responsibility of the government or factory owners. Instead, it has become a liability for the factory owners.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Labor Act and Bangladesh Labor Regulations mandate that workplaces be safe and dignified for workers, and this requirement is now recognized internationally, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As Bangladesh moves towards becoming a developed country, occupational safety should be given great importance, he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister urged all stakeholders, including workers, owners, and the government, to work together to establish occupational health and safety as a national culture.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized the need for joint initiatives to ensure a decent working environment, including the proper implementation of the Bangladesh Labor Act and Bangladesh Labor Rules.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called for working sincerely towards ensuring a decent working environment for workers.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The implementation of these measures will go a long way in protecting workers\' rights and promoting sustainable development in Bangladesh, he added. 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, '2023-04-28 17:48:24', '2023-04-28 17:48:24'),
(6555, 6555, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak\'s mother-in-law, Sudha Murty said that her daughter, Akshata Murty, \"made her husband a Prime Minister.\"</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rishi Sunak\'s quick ascension to power has been highlighted before but his mother-in-law claims it was her daughter who made that possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His mother-in-law, Sudha Murty, has claimed in a video circulating online that because of her daughter, Rishi Sunak became the youngest prime minister of UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the video, Ms Murty can be heard saying: \"I made my husband a businessman. My daughter made her husband Prime Minister of the UK.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The reason is the glory of the wife. See how a wife can change a husband. But I could not change my husband. I made my husband a businessman, and my daughter made her husband a Prime Minister,\" said Sudha Murty in an Instagram post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rishi Sunak married Akshata Murty in 2009, and the Prime Minister made a quick rise to power in the years that ensued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The daughter of one of the world\'s wealthiest billionaires and with an estimated personal fortune of around Pound 730 million, Akshata Murty is a powerful woman. Her parents, who are from India and own a tech company worth billions, similarly kept out of the limelight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Narayana Murthy, father of Akshata Murty is one of India\'s richest men and founder of the Infosys tech company.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Sunak is the youngest prime minister of UK in modern history at age 42, as well as the MP who became the Prime Minister in just seven years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the video of Ms Murty\'s mother, she also speaks about how her daughter has influenced the prime minister\'s life in other ways, particularly his diet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Murthy family, she says, have long followed a tradition of fasting every Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Yes, what should be started on Thursday, they started Infosys on Thursday, not only that! Not only that, but our son-in-law, who married our daughter, has been in England for 150 years from their ancestor\'s time, but they are very religious. After getting married, he asked why you start anything on Thursday. They said that we will go to Raghavendra Swami. He fasts every Thursday after just saying good day. Our son-in-law\'s mother fasts every Monday but our son-in-law fasts on Thursdays,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rishi Sunak and his wife have been subject to repeated scrutiny over the last four years due to the billionaire status of his wife\'s father, which has raised questions about whether he has declared the full extent of his family\'s financial interests. ANI</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 18:12:03', '2023-04-28 18:12:03'),
(6556, 6556, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Armed Police Battalion (APBN) detained four members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) with a huge amount of arms and ammos in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Friday morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The detainees, identified as Md Jobayer, 20, Nur Mohammad, 25, Jamila Begum, 48 and Bibi, 16, are residents of different blocks of the Rohingya camps in the upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to an APBN media release signed by Syed Harunur Rashid, commander of 14-APBN, the battalion conducted a drive at block G in camp No.7 on information that 10 to 15 ARSA members including terrorist Chhamiuddin were staying there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the miscreants allegedly opened fire on the APBN members forcing them to retaliate with bullets, it said, adding that a terrorist sustained bullet injuries in the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a consequence of the gunfight, the APBN members also conducted another drive at block C in camp No.5 when they came to know that the ARSA operatives including Chhamiuddin were staying there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Though terrorists including Chhamiuddin managed to flee the scene , sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the four people including the bullet-hit one were detained with the arms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Four locally-made one-shooter guns, 30 rounds of bullets of Chinese rifle, 27 rounds of pistol bullets, five cartridges of shotgun, three blank magazines, four walkie talkies, five mobile phone sets and one knife were recovered from the house, according to the APBN.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A process was underway to file a case against them in this connection at the local police station, it added. 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, '2023-04-28 18:18:48', '2023-04-28 18:18:48'),
(6557, 6557, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A new gas well, named Ilisha-1, has been discovered in Bhola, capable of extracting 20 to 22 million cubic feet of gas daily.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BAPEX, the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, has successfully extracted gas experimentally from the well, bringing the total number of wells discovered in the district to nine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If everything goes well, gas extraction will officially begin on May 15th, according to BAPEX.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has taken various steps to increase domestic gas production to eliminate the energy crisis in the country. The discovery of the Ilisha-1 gas field in Bhola brings hope amidst the high global fuel gas prices and the crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">International company Gazprom of Russia conducted the well drilling based on the BAPEX design and location, which was successfully completed on April 24th through Drill Stem Test in three levels at a depth of 3,436 meters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BAPEX\'s General Manager of Geophysical Department, Alamgir Hossain, estimates that initially, 20 to 22 million cubic feet of gas will be available from this well daily, with 180 to 220 BCF of gas reserves.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, further testing will be conducted to determine the actual production per day. The gas reserves in these wells are 1.7 TCF cubic feet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently, only four wells are extracting gas, with 140 MMcf of gas being extracted per day but not fully utilised. 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, '2023-04-28 19:10:37', '2023-04-28 19:10:37'),
(6558, 6558, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB have arrested a man allegedly carrying six gold bars worth over Tk 50 lakh in Dhamoirhat upazila of Nagaon district along the India border.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrestee is identified as Kibria, 38, son of Md Alauddin of Chakbadal village under the upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BGB-14 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Hamid Uddin at a press conference at the battalion’s headquarters in Naogaon said tipped-off a special team of the border force conducted a drive at Chakilam village under the upazila along the India border on Thursday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Man arrested with 6 gold bars worth over Tk 50 lakh in Naogaon&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kibria was detained following his suspicious movement from the border, he said, adding that the six gold bars weighing around 700 grams were recovered from his possession during the drive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The market price of the seized gold bars is estimated over Tk 53, the BGB officer said, adding that the gold bars were handed over to the exchequer. 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, '2023-04-28 19:13:42', '2023-04-28 19:13:42'),
(6559, 6559, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The country is experiencing scattered rain and thunderstorms in different parts of the country due to the impact of a localized low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This weather condition is expected to persist for the next few days, said the weather office on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the regular bulletin of Met office, rain/thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Baishal, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Dhaka, the weather is expected to remain mostly cloudy with a possibility of scattered rain and thunderstorms throughout the day. The highest temperature is likely to be around 33 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperature is expected to be around 26 degrees Celsius. The humidity level is expected to be moderate to high.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the northern region of Bangladesh, the weather is expected to remain mostly cloudy with occasional rain and thunderstorms in some areas. The temperature is likely to range between 23 to 28 degrees Celsius with moderate to high humidity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The central regions of the country are also experiencing scattered rain and thunderstorms with cloudy weather. The temperature is expected to range between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius with moderate humidity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the southern region of Bangladesh, the weather is expected to remain cloudy with occasional rain and thunderstorms. The temperature is likely to range between 26 to 31 degrees Celsius with moderate to high humidity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest temperature was recorded at 38.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The highest temperature today is expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius in some areas, and the lowest temperature is likely to be around 25 degrees Celsius. The humidity level is expected to vary from moderate to high.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised people to take necessary precautions during the rain and thunderstorms and to stay indoors as much as possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Furthermore, it also advised fishermen and maritime ports to exercise caution and remain alert for possible rough to very rough sea conditions in the Bay of Bengal. 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, '2023-04-28 19:51:24', '2023-04-28 19:51:24'),
(6560, 6560, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">National Legal Aid Services Day was observed on Friday with a view to ensure the rule of law, fundamental human rights and justice for everyone.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Different programs were taken across the country marking the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A procession was brought out from the premises of the Directorate of Registration in the capital at 10 am. Secretary of Law and Justice Division Md Golam Sarwar and other senior officials joined the rally, which was also participated by employees of different organizations under the division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Law and Justice Division took different steps to further expand legal aid services activities under the leadership of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq. All should work jointly to ensure equal legal safety for the poor and underprivileged people of the society,\" Md Golam Sarwar said on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Various programs including holding discussions, meetings, legal aid fairs, publication and distribution of magazines, souvenirs and posters, have been organized at the district levels. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 20:54:28', '2023-04-28 20:54:28'),
(6561, 6561, '<div><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said Bangladesh Police is ready to follow instructions of the Election Commission (EC) to make the upcoming city elections free and fair.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Police do not see any challenge centering elections to five city corporations. But, the police are prepared to deal with any situation during the polls,\" he told reporters after visiting the Mazar Sharif of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA).</div><div><br></div><div>Claiming that police have enough experience and training in holding elections, the IGP said during the elections, police work under the EC. \"We will work according to the instructions given by the Election Commission,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Today (Friday), Al-Mamun visited the shrine after offering Jummah prayers at the Dargah Mosque. Then he visited the graves of his parents.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Sylhet Range Md Mizan Shafiur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) Commissioner Ilias Sharif, Sylhet District Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Mamun, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (traffic) Muhammad Abdul Wahab and Deputy Commissioner (North) Azbahar Ali Sheikh were, among others, present. BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 21:03:47', '2023-04-28 21:03:47'),
(6562, 6562, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the international community to lend more support for Rohingya refugees who have fled from native country Myanmar to Bangladesh.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier made the urge in an interview with NHK, a Japanese public broadcaster, in Tokyo on Thursday, as she was on a four-day state visit to Japan. She left Tokyo this afternoon for Washington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina met Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Wednesday. They agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh saw the largest influx of the Rohingyas from neighboring Myanmar in 2017, who fled their homeland to escape the military crackdown.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the interview, said the cost of operating refugee camps for about one million Rohingya is rising as energy and food prices have soared on the back of the Ukrainian situation.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government has already started discussions with the Myanmar military about returning the refugees. Myanmar has agreed to take them back, but nothing has materialized so far, she added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier also said that she wants to conclude an economic partnership agreement with Japan by 2026.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh, she said, has a large population of young people, and there are huge markets in South and Southeast Asia. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-28 22:12:59', '2023-04-28 22:12:59');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6563, 6563, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government has taken measures to bring back Bangladeshi citizens stranded in Sudan, through Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said that at first the Bangladeshi nationals will be taken to Port Sudan from Khartoum, and from there they will be taken to Jeddah.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, they will be brought to Bangladesh by several flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Embassy in Khartoum has already arranged nine buses to take the Bangladeshi nationals to Port Sudan from Khartoum and adjacent cities and a team from Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah will reach there to assist them.</div><div><br></div><div>All the Bangladeshis, stranded in Sudan, will be taken to Port Sudan by May 2.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladeshi nationals are likely to reach Jeddah by May 3 or May 4.</div><div><br></div><div>Two Bangladeshi schools in Jeddah are providing food, drink, medicine and temporary accommodation for the Bangladeshi nationals being brought from Sudan.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, on April 25, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said a decision has been made to evacuate Bangladeshi nationals from Sudan through other countries.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Bangladesh Embassy in Khartoum has already started spreading this message among the Bangladeshis living there,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister urged the Bangladeshi nationals in Sudan to follow the instructions provided by the embassy and complete registration.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, a number of Bangladeshi nationals were evacuated by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 420 people, including at least 291 civilians, have been killed and over 3,700 wounded since the fighting erupted between Sudanese military and the country’s largest paramilitary force last week, AP reports.</div><div><br></div><div>United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the situation in Sudan a “catastrophic conflagration” that could engulf the whole region. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 11:40:35', '2023-04-29 11:40:35'),
(6564, 6564, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dismissing all speculations about the party’s subtle strategy to take part in city polls, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday categorically said their party is not joining the upcoming elections to five city corporations in any way.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We have made it very clear that we are not going for any kind of local government elections. Especially in the city corporation polls, our party won’t vie for any post of mayor or commissioner.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman together with the leaders of the newly formed Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal committee.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said Awami League wants to establish a one-party Baksal rule by destroying democracy as the party does not believe in elections and democracy.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that the ruling party made the national election in 2014 a complete farce by depriving people of their right to franchise.</div><div><br></div><div>“Similarly, in 2018, they usurped power by stuffing ballots the night before the election day and people didn\'t participate in that polls either,\" the BNP leader observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Even, he said people are not participating in the local government elections under the current government. “Only 14% of people went to vote in the recent by-polls polls (in Chattogram). So people understand and the entire world understands that there will never be any fair election if this regime stays in power,” reports&nbsp; UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said people will also not participate in the next national election if it is held under the Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the Prime Minister is talking about fair elections after going abroad to mislead people and repair her government’s dented image.</div><div><br></div><div>\"But the country’s people have now woken up. We believe that the people will defeat this regime through a fierce movement and establish a truly democratic system in the country,” Fakhrul said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 15:31:13', '2023-04-29 15:31:13'),
(6565, 6565, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A massive fire broke out in&nbsp; a tyre warehouse at Dewanhat in Chattogram port city on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The fire broke out in the warehouse, adjacent to Dhaka-Chattogram rail track around 12:45 pm and spread soon, said deputy assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense Abdul Hamid.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, 11 firefighting units rushed to the spot and are trying to bring the fire under control.</div><div><br></div><div>However, what caused the fire could not be known immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>People also joined with fire service men to extinguish the blazed.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, train communication of Chattogram with Dhaka and other parts of the country remained suspended following the fire as the Chattogram-bound ‘Sonar Bangla’ express train failed to enter the Chattogram station, said Chattogram Railway Master Zafar Alam.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, two trains-Bijoy and Mahanagar Express trains- remained stuck at Marshal Yard. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 15:37:10', '2023-04-29 15:37:10'),
(6566, 6566, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Mango farmers in Sharsha Upazila of Jashore are facing huge losses due to the nor\'wester that hit the area on Thursday (April 27).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The storm caused complete destruction of the mango orchards in the area, with 40-50% of the mangoes falling to the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>According to reports, there are 9 thousand hectares of mango orchards, with about 3,140 big and small mango orchards in the Upazila, and almost all gardens were affected by the storm.</div><div><br></div><div>Mango farmers are now struggling to recover from this loss, with some reporting losses of up to TK 15 lakh.</div><div><br></div><div>Mango farmer Zafar Sheikh reported a loss of TK 10 to 15 lakh due to the kalbaishakhi, while Delbar of Baguri village said that his dream of getting a good price for mangoes this year was shattered.</div><div><br></div><div>Sharsha Upazila Agriculture Officer Pratap Kumar Mondal expressed concern over the huge damage caused to the mango farmers in the area, stating that the farmers could suffer significant losses</div><div><br></div><div>The extent of the damage caused by the storm is yet to be determined, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On Thursday evening, around 5:30 pm, a Kalboishakhi hit the area. The fallen mangoes covered the orchards like a carpet, leaving most of the orchards with significant losses. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 15:42:57', '2023-04-29 15:42:57'),
(6567, 6567, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Coastguards have recovered the dead of 41 migrants off the coast of Tunisia, as the number of people dying trying to reach Europe from Africa continues to rise.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to a senior official, almost 200 people have drowned in the last ten days, reports BBC.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Tunisian morgues were running out of room, he said, and officials were struggling to keep up with the spike in attempted crossings.</div><div><br></div><div>\"On Tuesday, we had more than 200 bodies, well beyond the capacity of the hospital, which creates a health problem,\" said Faouzi Masmoudi, justice official in the port city of Sfax where the central morgue for an area of around a million people is sited.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There is a problem with large numbers of corpses arriving on the shore. We don\'t know who they are or what shipwreck they came from and the number is increasing.\"</div><div><br></div><div>According the UN\'s migration agency, a total of roughly 300 individuals died during the previous week and a half, and 824 people have died this year, with those leaving from the Libyan coast are included.</div><div><br></div><div>Houssem Eddine Jebabli of the national guard told Reuters, the decomposed condition of the recovered bodies indicated that they had been submerged for several days.</div><div><br></div><div>According to him, the total number of fatalities in such a short period was unprecedented.</div><div><br></div><div>Tunisia has become a transit point for irregular migrants, primarily from Sub-Saharan Africa, attempting to reach Europe by sea.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of migrant deaths at sea has varied, with the UN\'s Missing Migrants Project reporting that 300 migrants died in the Central Mediterranean in the last 10 days alone. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 16:12:58', '2023-04-29 16:12:58'),
(6568, 6568, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2023 will begin on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 20,72,163 candidates are likely to sit for this year’s SSC and equivalent exams.</div><div><br></div><div>In order to ensure a fair and peaceful environment no one except the candidates will be allowed within 200 yards of the examination halls during the examinations, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said in a press release on April 27.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, all coaching centres in the country will remain closed from April 26 to May 23 for holding the examinations smoothly, said Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Tuesday, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Dipu Moni said that the examinations will be held on a short syllabus this year.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 16:36:39', '2023-04-29 16:36:39'),
(6569, 6569, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Afghanistan is grateful for Saudi Arabia’s help in evacuating its nationals from Sudan, the chief spokesman of the Taliban administration told Arab News on Friday after the first batch of Afghan evacuees reached Jeddah.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, at least 120 Afghan citizens were trapped in Sudan when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces on April 15.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 500 people have been killed since and at least 4,200 injured as clashes continued despite a ceasefire that started on Monday and has been extended until the end of Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign nationals have been evacuated by land to neighboring Egypt and by sea to Saudi Arabia, as major airports have become battlegrounds.</div><div><br></div><div>Afghan evacuees, who arrived from Port Sudan to Jeddah on Thursday, were among the nearly 2,800 people brought to safety by Saudi forces, which are spearheading rescue efforts.</div><div><br></div><div>The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it was “deeply grateful” to Saudi Arabia for its assistance, while Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, said it was not the first time Afghans received critical aid from the Kingdom.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has struggled a lot to evacuate a number of Afghans trapped in Sudan. With the coordination of Saudi Arabia, efforts are underway for the safe evacuation of the remaining Afghans too,” Mujahid told Arab News.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported Afghans and Afghanistan. We want to thank it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Local media estimated there were about 70 people in the first group of Afghan evacuees.</div><div><br></div><div>Afghan authorities were not immediately available for comment on how many more were going to be brought back from Sudan. The Foreign Ministry said its efforts were ongoing. Source: Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 17:18:04', '2023-04-29 17:18:04'),
(6570, 6570, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Nine students have died by suicide in Andhra Pradesh after results of class 11 and 12 exams were declared on Wednesday by the Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Examination.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Two other students are said to have attempted suicide.</div><div><br></div><div>As many as 10 lakh students appeared for the exam. The pass percentage in class 11 was 61, and it was 72 per cent in class 12.</div><div><br></div><div>Reports say a 17-year-old boy killed himself in Srikakulam district by jumping in front of a train. The student of the intermediate first year, hailing from Dandu Gopalapuram village of the district, was said to be disheartened after failing in most of the papers.</div><div><br></div><div>A 16-year-old girl died by suicide at her residence at Trinadhapuram under Malkapuram police station limits. She hails from the Visakhapatnam district, and was reportedly upset after failing in some subjects of the intermediate first year.</div><div><br></div><div>Another 18-year-old ended his life by hanging at his residence in the Kancharapalem locality of Visakhapatnam. He had failed in one of the subjects in the intermediate second year.</div><div><br></div><div>Two 17-year-old students from the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh died by suicide after failing in the AP intermediate exam. A girl student killed herself by jumping into a lake, while a boy in the same district died after consuming a pesticide.</div><div><br></div><div>Another 17-year-old student hanged himself to death at his residence in Anakapalli. He was said to be depressed over securing low marks in the intermediate first year.</div><div><br></div><div>The shocking news comes amidst a spate of suicides in India\'s premiere colleges. Four students have died in suspected suicides this year at various campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).</div><div><br></div><div>Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had in February expressed concern over instances of alleged suicides by students and said his heart goes out to the bereaved family members of the victims. He said he was wondering where our institutions are going wrong, that students are forced to take their life. Source: NDTV</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 17:36:54', '2023-04-29 17:36:54'),
(6571, 6571, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said taking care of the elderly parents and guardians is a social and legal responsibility of children.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"Not providing maintenance to helpless and sick parents or to leave them on the streets is a punishable offence,\" he said while visiting the \'Child and Old Age Care\' at Dakkhin Paikpara in city\'s Mirpur.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister visited Selim Master, a teacher of his upazila at Ranguniya in Chattogram, at the center and talked with him. He asked the authorities concerned to find out his children.</div><div><br></div><div>Selim told the minister that he wanted to go to his village to campaign in favour of Dr Hasan Mahmud in the next polls.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan also visited other inmates of the care center and handed over gifts to them. He handed over a cheque to Miltan Samaddar, founder of the \'Child and Old Age Care Foundation\'.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan said every child must take care of parents till their death. The government has also passed a law to this end, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the persons who are not taking care of their parents are doing social injustice and it is a punishable offence. This crime is unpardonable, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>Praising the role of Miltan Samaddar, the minister said it is an extraordinary work, reports BSS&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"As a citizen and a minister of the country, I\'m extending my gratitude and congratulations to Miltan. The government has already awarded him and he got youth award and a social welfare award for his outstanding contribution. We will provide more assistance if needed,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister hoped that many would come forward for doing social work like Miltan.</div><div><br></div><div>Miltan said that he established the center in 2014 after bringing a helpless old person to his home. Now, there are 15 orphan children, 20 children with disabilities and 135 elderly persons in the center.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 18:18:47', '2023-04-29 18:18:47'),
(6572, 6572, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Most markets under Dhaka\'s two city corporations are at fire risk - major reasons being breaching the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) plan and not maintaining fire service standards.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>More fire incidents can occur if Rajuk and other relevant authorities do not respond promptly.</div><div><br></div><div>Mouchak and Anarkali markets in Dhaka’s Malibagh, Siddheshwari areas are adjacent to each other. Almost every floor of the Mouchak market has more shops than the original plan accommodates. The shops’ designs have also been altered.</div><div><br></div><div>Shops have even been set up in spaces that were marked as passageways within the market. From the bottom of these two markets to the four sides, there is no room in the corner. Furthermore, the entry and exit points are quite small, making these two markets prone to fire incidents.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Chandni Chawk market near New Market is also at fire risk. Condition at Chandni Chawk is similar to Mouchak’s. The Rajuk plan and requirements were not implemented at this market either.</div><div><br></div><div>It should be mentioned that a fire at New Supermarket — next to New Market and opposite Chandni Chawk — was devastated by a fire on April 15.</div><div><br></div><div>In Sayedabad Supermarket, Phulbaria Sundarban market, Nagar Plaza, City Plaza, and other markets and shopping centres, there are many more shops than the original Rajuk-approved plans allow.</div><div><br></div><div>Fires are also likely to occur in crowded markets with no fire extinguishing system.</div><div><br></div><div>Similarly, Rajuk Uttara Shopping Complex has significantly more shops than the market is meant to accommodate, according to the development authority\'s plan. There are illegal structures everywhere, including the basement, as well as the market\'s entrance.</div><div><br></div><div>A fire service team recently visited Gausia Market and found that Rajuk rules were not followed. If a fire occurs as a result of breaching the plans, not enough people will be able to come down the stairs. Electrical wires were also seen unconcealed everywhere in the market. There is no fire alarm system either.</div><div><br></div><div>Except for shopping malls like Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and Jamuna Future Park, almost all markets in Dhaka city are at fire risk.</div><div><br></div><div>Local influential people, according to the fire department, have set up marketplaces and allotted shops at their discretion.</div><div><br></div><div>These markets, according to city planner Adil Mohammad Khan, were constructed without regard to any standard or regulation. The tin-shed markets are also quite risky.</div><div><br></div><div>If not closely monitored, there will be more fire incidents in the future, he warned.</div><div><br></div><div>The city planner also said Dhaka city corporations and the concerned authorities need to increase proper supervision. This situation has emerged due to lack of proper supervision, for example, the fire that happened in Bangabazar, he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>In this respect, Brig Gen Md Moin Uddin, director general of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense, told UNB that fire incidents occur as a result of markets failing to maintain proper fire safety systems. In addition, unplanned market construction is one of the causes of fire.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said there are several risky markets in Dhaka, including Gausia and Rajdhani Super Market. These markets are at risk of fire because they were built in an unplanned manner.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to another query, the fire service DG stated that action will be taken by identifying hazardous markets in the capital. The fire service department and civil defense have already begun a campaign to identify markets that are vulnerable to fire and danger.</div><div><br></div><div>“We began the market survey on April 6 and are currently issuing notices to these markets. We are alerting them. These markets must have several access and exit points as well as fire fighting measures, according to the national code,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajuk Chairman Anisur Rahman Mia informed UNB that Rajuk\'s proposal was correct. However, the markets were developed and shops were alloted in violation of the rules, and despite the markets’ conditions, there is no safety system, resulting in accidents.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to another query, he said, \"Although there is no continuous monitoring with limited manpower, we are taking action as soon as we receive any complaint,\" reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>There are other additional departments involved in market construction. There should be a consensus on this, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 18:35:47', '2023-04-29 18:35:47'),
(6573, 6573, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Speakers at a discussion arranged by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) were of the opinion that taxing the digital economy and curbing tax evasion of both domestic and non-resident multinational companies will help improve the tax-GDP ratio in line with the IMF programme for Bangladesh.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s tax-GDP ratio can reach 9.4% from the current 7.8% over the next 3 years through digital adaptation of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) along with raising the capacity of tax officials, they pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>The speakers made the observations at a discussion on “Taxing the Digital Economy: Trade-offs and Opportunities’’, organised by CPD and sponsored by the European Union (EU) on the occasion of 50 years of EU-Bangladesh partnership.</div><div><br></div><div>Professor Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow, CPD, gave a presentation on the topic — highlighting some areas of taxing the digital economy and a scope of increasing revenue, desired by 2026.</div><div><br></div><div>He illustrated that despite setting high revenue and tax collection targets in various policy plans, Bangladesh has consistently failed to meet them. For instance, the tax-GDP target set in the 7th five-year plan for FY 2019-20 was 14.1 percent, but the actual ratio was down, and was below half of that.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh has to earn an additional revenue of Tk 2.34 lakh crore by 2026. As per IMF recommendation, the tax-GDP ratio is to improve by 0.5 percent in FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and 0.7 percent in FY 2025-26, which is two-thirds more than the current fiscal year’s tax collection target.</div><div><br></div><div>The presentation recommended that non-resident tech giants such as Facebook, Google, Amazon and Netflix be brought under taxation system along with strengthening the monitoring of NBR against tax evasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Former finance secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the number of individual taxpayers is quite low in the country in contrast to those who should be paying taxes. It can introduce old age benefits for individual taxpayers to encourage people to pay income tax, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Former NBR Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Mazid said the government and the parliament should study first why the tax-GDP ratio is not increasing. After finding the gaps, measures can be taken to resolve it.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the Digital Security Act is also a barrier to freedom of growing the digital economy, so the government can keep provisions of other acts to protect from cybercrime.</div><div><br></div><div>CPD’s distinguished fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya gave five points for increasing the tax revenue from the digital economy and said that ensuring transparency, neutrality, fearlessness, efficient human resources and simplicity in the method of collecting tax will help to increase tax collection.</div><div><br></div><div>Kazi Nabil Ahmed MP, member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Finance, was present at the function as the chief guest.</div><div><br></div><div>Ahsan Adelur Rahman MP, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Estimates, and Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, senior vice-president of FBCCI, were present as special guests.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive director of CPD, moderated the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>EU officials, former NBR chairmen, former finance secretaries, economists, representatives of different trade bodies were present at the CPD discussion. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-29 19:19:29', '2023-04-29 19:19:29'),
(6574, 6574, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">People watching the Coronation will be invited to join a \"chorus of millions\" to swear allegiance to the King and his heirs, organisers say.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The public pledge is one of several striking changes to the ancient ceremony revealed on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a coronation full of firsts, female clergy will play a prominent role, and the King himself will pray out loud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Christian service will also see religious leaders from other faiths have an active part for the first time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Coronation on Saturday will be the first to incorporate other languages spoken in Britain, with a hymn set to be sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite changes designed to reflect other faiths, the three oaths the King will take and form the heart of the service remain unchanged, including the promise to maintain \"the Protestant Reformed Religion\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Full details of the Westminster Abbey service - the theme of which is \"called to serve\" - have been published by Lambeth Palace.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Archbishop of Canterbury said it would \"recognise and celebrate tradition\" as well as contain \"new elements that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The public will be given an active role in the ceremony for the first time, with people around the world set to be asked to cry out and swear allegiance to the King.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This \"homage of the people\" replaces the traditional \"homage of peers\" where hereditary peers swear allegiance to the new monarch. Instead everyone in the Abbey and watching at home will be invited to pay homage in what Lambeth Palace described as a \"chorus of millions\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The order of service will read: \"All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will be followed by the playing of a fanfare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Archbishop of Canterbury will then proclaim \"God save the King\", with all asked to respond: \"God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A spokesman for Lambeth Palace, the archbishop\'s office, said: \"The homage of the people is particularly exciting because that\'s brand new.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"That\'s something that we can share in because of technological advances, so not just the people in the Abbey, but people who are online, on television, who are listening, and who are gathered in parks, at big screens and churches.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our hope is at that point, when the Archbishop invites people to join in, that people wherever they are, if they\'re watching at home on their own, watching the telly, will say it out loud - this sense of a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the oaths - which have remained unchanged for centuries - will retain their Protestant pledge, Lambeth Palace said the Archbishop of Canterbury will \"contextualise\" them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will say beforehand that the Church of England will seek to create an environment where \"people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The religious and cultural context of the 17th Century was very different to today\'s contemporary, multi-faith Britain,\" a Lambeth Palace spokesperson said. \"So, for the first time there will be a preface to the Oath.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BBC\'s religion editor Aleem Maqbool said over the years, there has been much speculation about whether the King would change his oaths to reflect an aspiration to protect the practice of all faiths and beliefs, though it would have been a move that would have caused consternation among some Church of England traditionalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added that it may appear a neat solution to leave the oaths unchanged and have the Archbishop of Canterbury express that forward-looking sentiment, but progressives will be left wondering why the protection of the practice of all beliefs could not be part of the oral contract with the nation that the King enters into. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 07:49:22', '2023-04-30 07:49:22'),
(6575, 6575, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sudan\'s former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok on Saturday warned that the conflict in the turbulent African nation could deteriorate to one of the world\'s worst civil wars if not stopped early.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 500 people have been killed since battles erupted on April 15 between the forces of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They have agreed to multiple truces but none has effectively taken hold as the number of dead civilians continues to rise and chaos and lawlessness grip Khartoum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many people in this city of five million inhabitants have been trapped in their homes without food, water, and electricity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"God forbid if Sudan is to reach a point of civil war proper... Syria, Yemen, Libya will be a small play,\" Hamdok said in a conversation with Sudan-born telecoms tycoon Mo Ibrahim at an event in Nairobi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think it would be a nightmare for the world,\" he said, adding that it would have many ramifications.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current conflict was a \"senseless war\" between two armies, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is nobody who is going to come out of this victorious. That is why it has to stop.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 75,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Khartoum as well as in the states of Blue Nile and North Kordofan, as well as the western region of Darfur, according to the UN.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fighting has also triggered a mass exodus of foreigners and international staff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamdok was the premier of Sudan\'s fragile transition to civilian rule before being ousted and detained in a coup. Although he was then reinstated, he resigned in January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Burhan and Daglo -- commonly known as Hemeti -- seized power in a 2021 coup that derailed Sudan\'s transition to democracy, established after hardline president Omar al-Bashir was ousted following mass protests in 2019.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the two generals fell out, most recently over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomatic pressure has ramped up for a ceasefire. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 08:36:31', '2023-04-30 08:36:31'),
(6576, 6576, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;Top-ranked Masters champion Jon Rahm charged into contention with a spectacular 10-under par 61 on Saturday to lie two strokes behind leader Tony Finau at the US PGA Tour Mexico Open.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spain\'s Rahm, the defending champion, matched his career-best PGA round score, barely putting a foot wrong in a round that featured 10 birdies without a bogey for a course record at Vidanta Vallarta.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today, everything just seemed perfect,\" Rahm said. \"Made a lot of great swings and the ones that weren\'t great, still gave myself a good result.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finau, who started the day with a one-shot lead, didn\'t bow to the pressure, carding a six-under par 65 for 19-under 194 and a two-shot lead over Rahm and 21-year-old American Akshay Bhatia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bhatia had eight birdies and an eagle at 18 in his eight-under par 63 to join Rahm on 17-under.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahm, making his second start since he claimed a second career major at Augusta National this month, started the day six adrift but wasted no time in making up ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He rolled in a 39-foot birdie putt at the first and a 26-footer at the second before rattling in a birdie from two feet at the fourth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He birdied three in a row from the sixth through the eighth, then put together another burst of three at the 12th, 13th and 14th, where he sandwiched birdie putts of seven and five feet around a 24-footer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a possible sub-60 round in sight, Rahm parred the 15 and 16 -- missing a seven-footer at the latter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He rolled in a 37-foot birdie at the par-three 17th, but his hopes of bettering his own career best were dented when his tee shot at the par-five 18th ended up under the lip of a fairway bunker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He had to punch out and his 30-foot birdie putt never threatened the hole.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahm said he couldn\'t be too disappointed after a round in which he rolled in putts totalling more than 156 feet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The fact that I made three putts over 30 feet -- one is already a great bonus, to do it twice, three times, is amazing,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Aggressive mindset -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahm said he didn\'t focus on the fact that he was closing in on a possible sub-60 round, but was just trying to keep pace with Finau.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I know I was behind so I knew birdies were the only thing I had in mind,\" he said. \"I tried to stay as aggressive as I could and I did a really good job at that.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finau, who finished tied for second behind Rahm at Vidanta last year, opened with a birdie at the first and tapped in for another at the seventh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A chip to two feet set him up for a birdie at the 12th and he chipped in from the greenside rough at the par-three 13th before making it three in a row with a birdie at the par-five 14th.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That put him one ahead of Rahm, and he padded that lead with birdies at 16 and 18 around his only bogey of the day at 17.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The highlight was the chip-in on 13,\" said Finau, who is chasing his sixth PGA Tour title. \"I hit a great chip on 12 to get it to tap-in and then missed the tee shot on 13, so I thought that gave me some nice momentum on a day where I was hitting it really nicely, wasn\'t getting that much out of my round.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 08:51:38', '2023-04-30 08:51:38'),
(6577, 6577, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Texas man went next door with a rifle and fatally shot five of his neighbors, including an 8-year-old boy, after they asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep, authorities said Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, remained at large more than 18 hours after the shooting and authorities warned that he might still be armed. The attack happened just before midnight Friday near the town of Cleveland, north of Houston, on a street where some residents say it is not uncommon to hear neighbors unwind by firing off guns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said Oropeza used an AR-style rifle, and as the search for him dragged into Saturday evening, authorities had widened their efforts to as far as “10 to 20 miles\" from the murder scene. He said Oropeza may still have a weapon but that he believes authorities have the rifle used in the shooting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capers said they found clothes and a phone while combing a rural area that includes dense layers of forest but that tracking dogs had lost the scent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“He could be anywhere now,” Capers said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capers said the victims were between the ages of 8 and 31 years old and that all were believed to be from Honduras. All were shot “from the neck up,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack was the latest act of gun violence in what has been a record pace of mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, some of which have also involved semiautomatic rifles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mass killings have played out in a variety of places — a Nashville school, a Kentucky bank, a Southern California dance hall, and now a rural Texas neighborhood inside a single-story home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capers said there were 10 people in the house — some of whom had just moved there earlier in the week — but that that no one else was injured. He said two of the victims were found in a bedroom laying over two children in an apparent attempt to shield them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of three children found covered in blood in the home were taken to a hospital but found to be uninjured, Capers said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">FBI spokesperson Christina Garza said investigators do not believe everyone at the home were members of a single family. The victims were identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 8.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The confrontation followed the neighbors walking up to the fence and asking the suspect to stop shooting rounds, Capers said. The suspect responded by telling them that it was his property, Capers said, and one person in the house got a video of the suspect walking up to the front door with the rifle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The shooting took place on a rural pothole-riddled street where single-story homes sit on wide 1-acre lots and are surrounded by a thick canopy of trees. A horse could be seen behind the victim\'s home, while in the front yard of Oropeza\'s house a dog and chickens wandered.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rene Arevalo Sr., who lives a few houses down, said he heard gunshots around midnight but didn\'t think anything of it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It\'s a normal thing people do around here, especially on Fridays after work,” Arevalo said. “They get home and start drinking in their backyards and shooting out there.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capers said his deputies had been to Oropeza\'s home at least once before and spoken with him about “shooting his gun in the yard.” It was not clear whether any action was taken at the time. At a news conference Saturday evening, the sheriff said firing a gun on your own property can be illegal, but he did not say whether Oropeza had previously broken the law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capers said the new arrivals in the home had moved from Houston earlier in the week, but he said he did not know whether they were planning to stay there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the U.S. since Jan. 1, there have been at least 18 shootings that left four or more people dead, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today, in partnership with Northeastern University. The violence is sparked by a range of motives: murder-suicides and domestic violence; gang retaliation; school shootings; and workplace vendettas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Texas has confronted multiple mass shootings in recent years, including last year\'s attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde; a racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019; and a gunman opening fire at a church in the tiny town of Sutherland Springs in 2017.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Republican leaders in Texas have continually rejected calls for new firearm restrictions, including this year over the protests of several families whose children were killed in Uvalde.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A few months ago, Arevalo said Oropeza threatened to kill his dog after it got loose in the neighborhood and chased the pit bull in his truck.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I tell my wife all the time, ‘Stay away from the neighbors. Don’t argue with them. You never know how they\'re going to react,\'” Arevalo said. “I tell her that because Texas is a state where you don\'t know who has a gun and who is going to react that way.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 09:43:06', '2023-04-30 09:43:06');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6578, 6578, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said Bangladesh has taken a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a \"breathing space\" while the global lender assured of continuing to provide such support in future.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have taken the loan from the IMF as breathing space,\" quoting the Prime Minister as saying Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told a news briefing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister made the remarks when an IMF delegation led by its Managing Director (MD) Kristalna Georgieva paid a courtesy call on her at the meeting room of The Ritz-Carlton hotel here this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF had recently approved a loan of 4.7 billion US dollar for Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister said that the IMF MD has highly praised the unprecedented advancement of Bangladesh in various sectors under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina which makes Bangladesh economy stable after the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh is a role model in the world (in terms of its overall development) which makes its economy even after the Coronavirus pandemic,\" Momen said quoting the IMF managing director.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF chief said leadership like Bangladesh Prime Minister is necessary to go ahead towards prosperity confronting all the hurdles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress due to establishing massive infrastructure development, well connectivity and maintaining the law and order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kristalna also hailed the maintaining stability in the macro economy even in the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s Prime Minister apprised the IMF chief of her government initiatives to make sure the overall development of her country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The development of the country has not made in a day rather it\'s a result of longtime planning,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said that she prepared the plan on how she wanted to develop Bangladesh while she was in jail after the changeover and started working with the plan after assuming power for the second time in 2009.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She apprised the IMF boss of Bangladesh\'s measures to fight the adverse impact of the climate change and women empowerment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister hailed the role of IMF in the journey of Bangladesh\'s development and wish continuation of the support in future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the briefing, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder said the IMF has always stand by Bangladesh in the last 14 years to maintain stability in the macro economy and also gave required advices as the country never derailed from it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is currently engaged with a programme of 4.7 billion US dollar with IMF which Bangladesh has got only two weeks negotiation despite the fact many countries cannot avail the loan after negotiation of years, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"IMF will continue such kind of cooperation in future,\" Rouf said quoting the IMF chief.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finance Division Senior Secretary Fatima Yasmin and Economic Relations Division Secretary Sharifa Khan were present during the briefing. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 09:52:19', '2023-04-30 09:52:19'),
(6579, 6579, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dives Sunday into the final two-week stretch before a momentous election that has turned into a referendum on his two decades of divisive but transformative rule.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 69-year-old leader looked fighting fit as he strutted back on stage after a three-day illness and tossed flowers to rapturous crowds at an Istanbul aviation fest on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was the perfect venue for reminding Turks of all they had gained since his Islamic-rooted party ended years of secular rule and launched an era of economic revival and military might.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was flanked by the president of Azerbaijan and the Ankara-backed premier of Libya -- two countries where drones built by his son-in-law\'s company helped swing the outcome of wars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Istanbul itself has become a modern and chaotic megalopolis that has nearly doubled in size since Erdogan came to power in 2003.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But hiding beneath the surface are a more recent economic crisis and fierce social divisions that have given the May 14 parliamentary and presidential polls a powder keg feel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Political coup attempt\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nation of 85 million appears as splintered as ever about whether Erdogan has done more harm than good in the only Muslim-majority country of the NATO defence bloc.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polls show him running neck-and-neck against secular opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his alliance of six disparate parties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The entry of two minor candidates means that Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu will likely face each other again in a runoff on May 28.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But some of Erdogan\'s more hawkish ministers are sounding warnings about Washington leading Western efforts to undermine Turkey\'s might through the polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu referred Friday to US President Joe Biden\'s 2019 suggestion that Washington should embolden the opposition \"to take on and defeat Erdogan\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"July 15 was their actual coup attempt,\" Soylu said of a failed 2016 military putsch that Erdogan blamed on a US-based Muslim preacher.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"And May 14 is their political coup attempt.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Splintered society -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Erdogan continues to be lionised across more conservative swathes of Turkey for unshackling religious restrictions and bringing modern homes and jobs to millions of people through construction and state investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Turkey is now filled with hospitals and interconnected with airports and highways that stimulate trade and give the vast country a more inclusive feel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He empowered conservative women by enabling them to stay veiled in school and in civil service -- a right that did not exist in the secular state created from the Ottoman Empire\'s ashes in 1923.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And he won early support from Turkey\'s long-repressed Kurdish minority by seeking a political solution to their armed struggle for an independent state that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But his equally passionate detractors point to a more authoritarian streak that emerged with the violent clampdown on protests in 2013 -- and became even more apparent with sweeping purges he unleashed after the failed 2016 coup attempt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Erdogan turned against the Kurds and jailed or stripped tens of thousands of people of their state jobs on oblique \"terror\" charges that sent chills through Turkish society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His penchant for campaigning and gift for public speaking enabled him to keep winning at the polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the current vote is turning into his toughest because of a huge economic crisis that erupted in late 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Democratic traditions -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Erdogan\'s biggest problems started when he decided to defy the rules of economics by slashing interest rates to fight inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lira lost more than half its value and inflation hit an eye-popping 85 percent since his experiment began.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Millions lost their savings and fell into deep debt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polls show the economy worrying Turks more than any other issue -- a point not lost on Kilicdaroglu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 74-year-old former civil servant pledges to restore economic order and bring in vast sums from Western investors who fled the chaos of Erdogan\'s more recent rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kilicdaroglu\'s party will send out 300,000 monitors to Turkey\'s 50,000 polling stations to guarantee a fair outcome on election day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Opposition security pointman Oguz Kaan Salici sounded certain about a smooth transition should Erdogan lose.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Power will change hands the way it did in 2002,\" he said of the year Erdogan\'s party first won.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Western diplomatic source pointed to Turkey\'s strong tradition of respecting election results.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Erdogan\'s own supporters turned against him when the Turkish leader tried to annul the opposition\'s victory in 2019 mayoral elections in Istanbul.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the source observed a note of worry among Erdogan\'s rank and file.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"For the first time, (ruling party) deputies are openly evoking the possibility of defeat,\" the source said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 10:14:55', '2023-04-30 10:14:55'),
(6580, 6580, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Napoli can finally end a 33-year wait for the Serie A title on Sunday when they take on Salernitana with potentially one more win enough to take them over the line.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Authorities in Naples are steeling themselves for a wave of partying should the current crop of stars emulate Diego Maradona and seal a third Scudetto for Napoli, with fans ready to unleash an explosion of joy after three decades of pent-up frustration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In order to win the league a record-breaking six matches before the end of the season, Napoli have to hope closest challengers Lazio do not to win at Inter Milan in Sunday\'s early kick-off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Luciano Spalletti\'s side will then seal the deal if they beat Salernitana in what will be a colourful stadium named after their Argentine icon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Whether it comes on Sunday, midweek against Udinese or the following weekend against Fiorentina, Spalletti says Napoli need to emulate icon Diego Maradona, the talisman behind their previous two titles in 1987 and 1990, and give fans the chance to let loose in southern Italy\'s biggest city over May Day weekend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s above all about them who we should be thinking about... Let\'s think about them because they\'ve had the joy of watching a group of committed players who give everything for them,\" added Spalletti.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They have shown a lot for us, and have been really important in us having such an exciting end of season.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The match with Salernitana was pushed back a day as a security measure due to a number of other events happening in the city, including a major comic book convention being held all weekend a stone\'s throw from the Stadio Maradona.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Party time -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision angered Salernitana owner Danilo Iervolino, who told the Gazzetta Dello Sport on Saturday that it \"sets a very dangerous precedent\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iervolino is livid as his team, who are not safe from relegation, have one day less to prepare for Wednesday\'s home match with Fiorentina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"No-one has thought about our needs,\" said Iervolino.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The dignity of one team has been trampled on in favour of another team\'s... I hope it never happens again.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a 17-point lead at the top there is next to no chance of Napoli not winning the league, even if it doesn\'t come this weekend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As such, Naples has been raring to party for weeks, with flags, banners and cardboard cutouts of players dotted around the city that is preparing for an invasion of supporters from all over Italy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Enthusiasm is such that some fans have even floated the idea of celebrating by setting off a small artillery\'s worth of flares on the summit of Mount Vesuvius to simulate an eruption of Europe\'s last remaining active volcano.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Opposition supporters often insult Naples and Neapolitans with offensive chants about Vesuvius \"washing with fire\" the city, taunts that Napoli fans have reappropriated and thrown back at their rivals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plan has been blasted by the Vesuvius National Park Authority, who called the idea \"dangerous and not feasible\" and asked local authorities to stop any intrusion on the volcano\'s fragile ecosystem. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 10:45:10', '2023-04-30 10:45:10'),
(6581, 6581, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality continued to be in the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 153 at 9 am, the capital of Bangladesh ranked fourth in the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Nepal’s Kathmandu, and China’s Wuhan occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 162, 159, and 157, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. 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, '2023-04-30 11:09:16', '2023-04-30 11:09:16'),
(6582, 6582, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The White House Correspondents\' Association dinner — known for its fun albeit ferocious jabs at Washington — took a more solemn tone this year as what many see as the brazen attack on press freedom across the globe was on painful display.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Upon arriving at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden met privately with the parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March. He was charged with spying, despite strong denials from his employer and the U.S. government. Some guests wore buttons with “Free Evan” printed on them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also among the 2,600 people attending the gala is Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, who has not been heard from since disappearing at a checkpoint in Syria in 2012. U.S. officials say they operate under the assumption that he is alive and are working to try to bring him home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They are among hundreds of journalists around the world who are wrongfully detained for the simple act of doing journalism — which is not a crime,” said Tamara Keith, a White House correspondent for NPR and the association’s president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bidens also made a beeline for Brittney Griner, the WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist who was detained in Russia for nearly 10 months last year before her release in a prisoner swap. Griner is attending with her wife, Cherelle, as guests of CBS News.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The black-tie dinner draws a wide array of celebrities and media moguls to Washington, with parties being held across the capital. Among those in attendance are actor Liev Schreiber, singer John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, the model and television personality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opened the dinner with a pre-taped video about the importance of a free and independent press. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are seated on the stage along with comedian Roy Wood Jr., a correspondent for “The Daily Show,” as the featured entertainer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wood gave a preview of where his jokes were headed, predicting that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wasn’t likely to end his culture clashes or stop his feud with Disney just because of a few jibes. The comedian told CNN not to expect DeSantis to say, \"\'You know what, man, you’re right. Go ahead and put Black history back in them books.’ ... He’s fighting Mickey Mouse. You can’t change that person’s mind with a joke.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The venue is a familiar one for Biden, who attended several as vice president to Barack Obama. The Washington event returned last year after being sidelined by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Biden was the first president in six years to accept the invitation after Donald Trump shunned the event while in office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden took the opportunity last year to take aim at his many critics, including Republicans and the leader of their party: Trump. This year, he is coming not only as the commander in chief but as a presidential contender. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 11:38:00', '2023-04-30 11:38:00'),
(6583, 6583, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Leader of the opposition in parliament Rowshan Ershad has urged the government to take steps to immediately bring back expatriate Bangladeshis stranded in Sudan as war rages on in the African country.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, she said that about 3,000 Bangladeshi nationals are stranded in Sudan since the war broke out. They are now spending their days in fear, having no money and food with them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The opposition leader also urged the foreign ministry and the ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment to take measures to move the stranded Bangladeshis from the Sudanese capital Khartoum and arrange food and a safe place for them. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 12:12:23', '2023-04-30 12:12:23'),
(6584, 6584, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams for 2023 began today (April 30, 2023) across Bangladesh.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">SSC exams began at 10 am with Bangla 1st Paper.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 20,72,163 candidates are sitting for this year’s SSC and equivalent exams.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In order to ensure a conducive and peaceful environment, no one except the candidates will be allowed within 200 yards of the exam halls during the SSC exams, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said in a press release on April 27.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Meanwhile, all coaching centres in the country will remain closed from April 26 to May 23, for holding the SSC examinations smoothly, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said on Tuesday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">SSC exams are being held on a short syllabus this year. UNB</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 12:46:03', '2023-04-30 12:46:03'),
(6585, 6585, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Actor Salman Khan has revealed that he had plans to become a father. In a new interview, Salman said that he once thought about having a child but was unable to because of \'the laws in India\'. He also spoke about his wedding plans.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Salman\'s love for kids is known to all. In several pictures and videos, he is often seen spending time with his nieces and nephews. The actor\'s sister Arpita Khan has two children--Ayat Sharma and Ahil Sharma. Salman\'s other sister Alvira Khan also has two kids--Alizeh Agnihotri and Ayaan Agnihotri. His brothers Sohail and Arbaaz also have sons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with India TV\'s show Aap ki Adalat, Salman spoke about planning for a child. \"Abhi kya bolu woh toh plan tha. Plan tha. Bahu ka nahi tha, baccha ke tha. Lekin ab woh law ke hisaab se woh toh Hindustan mein ho nahi sakta. Toh ab dekhenge kya kare (What to say, that was the plan. It wasn\'t for a daughter-in-law, it was for a child. But according to the Indian laws, it\'s not possible. Now we\'ll see what to do).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Salman also reacted to filmmaker Karan Johar being a father to two children. The actor said, \"Wahi main koshish karraha tha lekin woh law shayad change hogaya hai. Toh ab dekhenge. Bachchon ka bada shaukh hai mujhe. I love kids. Lekin kids jab aate hai toh maa bhi aati hai. Maa unke liye bohut acchi hai, lekin humare ghar mein maa hi maa padi hai sir. Humare paas pura zila hai, pura gaon hai.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Woh unka accha khayal rakh lengi. Lekin unki maa, jo real maa hongi, woh meri patni hogi (makes a face) (That\'s what I was trying to do. But, that law may have changed, so let\'s see. I am very fond of children. But when kids come then their mother also comes. A mother is good for them but we have a lot of mothers at home. We have the whole district, the whole village. They will take care of them. But my kid\'s real mother will also be my wife).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fans saw Salman recently in the action entertainer film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Helmed by Farhad Samji, the film also stars actors Pooja Hegde, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari, Sidharth Nigam, Venkatesh Daggubati, Bhumika Chawla, Raghav Juyal and Jassie Gill in pivotal roles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Salman will be next seen in the upcoming action thriller film Tiger 3 opposite actor Katrina Kaif. The film is all set to hit the theatres on the occasion of Diwali 2023. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 13:18:32', '2023-04-30 13:18:32'),
(6586, 6586, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">You\'re still not over your ex: If you\'re still pining after your ex or comparing everyone you meet to them, you\'re not ready for a new relationship. It\'s not fair to the person you\'re interested in, and it\'s not healthy for you to be holding onto feelings that aren\'t reciprocated.(Unsplash)</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">You have a history of unhealthy relationships: If you\'ve been in a string of toxic or emotionally abusive relationships, it\'s important to take a step back and work on your own emotional well-being before pursuing a new relationship. Otherwise, you\'re likely to repeat the same patterns of behavior.(Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">You don\'t prioritize your own needs: If you\'re the type of person who always puts other people\'s needs first, you might not be ready for a relationship. Being in a relationship requires a balance of give and take, and you need to be able to advocate for your own needs and set healthy boundaries.(Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">You\'re not comfortable being alone: If the idea of spending an evening by yourself fills you with anxiety, you might not be ready for a relationship. It\'s important to be comfortable with your own company before embarking on a relationship, so you don\'t rely on your partner to fill a void in your life.(Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">You don\'t have a clear idea of what you want: If you\'re not sure what you\'re looking for in a relationship, you might not be ready to be in one. Take some time to figure out what your goals and values are, so you can find someone who aligns with them.(Unsplash) HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 13:30:53', '2023-04-30 13:30:53'),
(6587, 6587, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Eleven people have died following an industrial gas leak in India, an official said Sunday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Eleven dead and four in hospital. Rescue operation is on,\" the official, who asked not to be named, told AFP after the incident in the northern city of Ludhiana. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 14:05:02', '2023-04-30 14:05:02'),
(6588, 6588, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) predicted rain or thundershowers in eight divisions of the country in 24 hours starting from 9 am on Sunday (April 30, 2023).</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram &amp; Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places,” BMD said in its latest bulletin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mild heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Madaripur, Rajshshi, Pabna, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga, Barishal, Patuakhali &amp; Bhola districts and it may abate from some places.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, said the bulletin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The highest temperature was recorded at 38 degrees Celsius in Bandarban and Khulna&nbsp; on Saturday while the lowest temperature was recorded at 20 degrees Celsius at three spots in the country on Sunday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The weather office recorded the highest 31 mm rainfall in Jashore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, a Trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. 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, '2023-04-30 14:15:51', '2023-04-30 14:15:51'),
(6589, 6589, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The nomination paper of Gazipur City Corporation’s (GCC) former mayor Jahangir Alam was cancelled today in primary scrutinization, as he is a “loan defaulter”.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the nomination of his mother Zaida Khatun was declared valid at the same time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faridul Islam, returning officer of the GCC election, announced the cancellation of nomination papers of three candidates, including Jahangir Alam, during scrutinizing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, nomination papers of nine out of the 12 mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Advocate Azmat Ullah Khan, were declared valid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former Gazipur mayor was the guarantor of an industrial organization. Jahangir was declared a loan defaulter along with the organization, the returning officer said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Though the former mayor and his counsel submitted documents demonstrating paying off the loan along with the nomination paper, the returning officer cancelled his nomination during the scrutinization.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Terming the role of election officers “biased”, Jahangir said he will move the court to get justice in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, the candidates whose nominations were declared valid termed the process “just and fair”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the mayoral candidates whose nominations were declared valid are Jatiya Party\'s MM Niaz Uddin; independent candidates Abdullah Al Mamun Mandal, Sarkar Shahnur Islam and Md. Harun-or-Rashid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deadline for the submission of nomination papers was April 27, while the date for the scrutinization of nomination papers was today, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been set on May 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Information from the Office of Returning Officer shows 13 candidates withdrew their nomination papers. Meanwhile, 290 submitted nominations for the post of general councillors and 82 for the post of reserved women councillors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the district election office, the total number of registered voters in the 57-ward Gazipur City Corporation is 11,843,363. The voters will choose their next mayor through electronic voting machines (EVMs) on May 25. 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, '2023-04-30 14:48:02', '2023-04-30 14:48:02'),
(6590, 6590, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Fighting has intensified in Sudan\'s capital, Khartoum, shattering the latest ceasefire aimed at allowing people to flee to safety.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday the army said it was attacking the city from all directions, with air strikes and heavy artillery, to flush out its paramilitary rivals.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest truce was due to end late on Sunday. Millions remain trapped in the capital, where food is running short.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign countries have been evacuating their nationals amid the chaos.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 500 people have been reported killed since fighting erupted on April 15 between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). But the number of dead and injured may be much higher.</div><div><br></div><div>Army commander Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF chief Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, are vying for power - and disagree in particular about plans to include the RSF into the army.</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday night\'s agreement to extend an uneasy ceasefire followed intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, the US, UK and UN. But the 72-hour extension has not held.</div><div><br></div><div>By Saturday evening, heavy fighting had resumed in Khartoum. The army said it had conducted operations against RSF troops north of the city centre.</div><div><br></div><div>Eyewitnesses told Reuters news agency that army drones had targeted RSF position near a major oil refinery.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We woke up once again to the sound of fighter jets and anti-aircraft weapons blasting all over our neighbourhood,\" one resident told AFP news agency on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>BBC diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams, who is monitoring events from Nairobi in Kenya, says the army will find it difficult to expel the RSF from Khartoum.</div><div><br></div><div>For all the army\'s superior firepower, the RSF are highly mobile and more suited to urban warfare, our correspondent adds.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday the UK government has ended its evacuation operation. The Foreign Office said the last flight left Khartoum at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT), and in total nearly 1,900 people were flown out.</div><div><br></div><div>A US-organised convoy has reached Port Sudan to evacuate more US citizens by ship to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. It said hundreds of Americans had already left, in addition to the diplomats evacuated by air a week ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Also on Saturday Sudanese former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok warned that the conflict could become worse than those in Syria and Libya. Those wars have led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and caused instability in the wider regions.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking in Nairobi, he said: \"I think it will be a nightmare for the world. This is not a war between an army and small rebellion. It is almost like two armies.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, there are chaotic scenes in Port Sudan where people are desperate to board ships, some of which are heading to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. According to BBC reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 16:36:50', '2023-04-30 16:36:50'),
(6591, 6591, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced businessman Salim Prodhan, who ran illegal casino business, to eight years’ imprisonment in a case over amassing illegal wealth and money laundering.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Special Judge Court-8 Judge Md Badrul Alam Bhuiyan also fined the convict Tk 8 lakh, in default of which he will have to serve seven months’ more in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>For acquiring wealth illegally, he was given four years’ imprisonment and fined Tk one lakh, in default of which he will have to serve one month more imprisonment.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also sentenced him to four year’s jail with fine of Tk 6 lakh, in default, to suffer six months’ more jail for money laundering.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also ordered the authorities concerned to confiscate all his properties.</div><div><br></div><div>The court in its observation said the corruption can’t be removed from the society only by verdict.</div><div><br></div><div>It urged people not to attend the invitation by corrupt people and marry off their children with such people. Corrupts will have to be boycotted socially, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case statement, Anti-Corruption Commissioner’s Deputy Director (DD) Anwar Prodhan filed the case against Salim on charge of amassing over Tk 12.27 crore illegally on October 27, 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>The DD submitted the chargesheets against Salim on January 17, 2021, alleging that he acquired wealth over Tk 57.79 crore beyond the known sources of income and laundered over Tk 21.99 core to Thailand and the US.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 31 of the same year, Dhaka Special Jude Court-6 ordered&nbsp; framing the charges against him. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 17:03:30', '2023-04-30 17:03:30'),
(6592, 6592, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Sunday urged the Bangladesh nationals to get registered with Bangladesh Embassy in Sudan as the evacuation will begin within a couple of days.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said there are 1500 Bangladesh nationals in Sudan, and so far, 700 of them have registered with Bangladesh Embassy in Sudan.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister briefed media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the current situation in Sudan and evacuation of the Bangladesh citizens.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 35 Bangladesh nationals safely left Sudan so far, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"On May 2, we hope to bring all 700 Bangladesh nationals who are already registered,\" he said, adding that there are arrangements.</div><div><br></div><div>Before the meeting, he had a coordination meeting at the Ministry with the relevant senior officials.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladeshis will first move to Jeddah Port from Port Sudan, and their return to Bangladesh depends on quick return to Jeddah. According to UNB reports.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 17:18:28', '2023-04-30 17:18:28'),
(6593, 6593, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Actor Jiah Khan\'s mother \"destroyed the case of the prosecution\" by giving contradictory statements and withholding facts, the special CBI court which cleared the movie star\'s boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi of driving her to suicide, has said in its judgment.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The complainant (Rabia Khan) in her evidence directly blamed both the investigating agencies stating that they had not conducted a proper and correct investigation. By giving such open contradictory evidence, the complainant himself has destroyed the case of the prosecution,\" the court said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The complainant openly shown distrust on the prosecution.&nbsp; When the case of prosecution was of suicide, the complainant stated it was murder case. However, there is no charge of murder in this case. In fact, the complainant herself denied the prosecution\'s case and disowned her earlier statement. Inspite of the said fact, the prosecution requested to declare her hostile and continue the trial with such handicap evidence,\" it observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The CBI court also observed that Jiah Khan\'s mother Rabia Khan raised doubts on everyone except herself.</div><div><br></div><div>\"When expert witnesses gave their opinion regarding cause of death of the deceased as suicidal, the complainant took exactly contradictory view stating that doctors have given a wrong opinion. The complaint raised doubts even on the doctor who conducted postmortem examination. The complainant raised doubts on everyone except herself.The evidence given by the complainant is found to be full fledged with improvements and constrictions,\" CBI court judge AS Sayyad said in the 53-page order.</div><div><br></div><div>The CBI court also raised doubt on a letter, allegedly written by Jiah Khan on her deteriorating relationship with Mr Pancholi. The letter was found \"all of sudden\" by Rabia Khan, four days after Jiah Khan\'s death, in her own notebook, the order said. The court also observed that Rabia Khan refused to hand over the letter for investigation, but got it published in the media.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The circumstances as above creates serious suspicion regarding the actual author of the said letter,\" the judge observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The judge also questioned the delay in filing the First Information Report, or FIR, in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Sooraj Pancholi was acquitted on Friday by the special CBI court in Mumbai.</div><div><br></div><div>Reacting to the verdict, Rabia Khan reiterated that her daughter was killed and said she will approach the high court. \"The verdict is on alleged suicide, but I have always maintained that Jiah was murdered. This, in fact, strengthens my case\",\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Jiah Khan, 25, was found dead at her Juhu home in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. Source: NDTV</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 17:32:14', '2023-04-30 17:32:14');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6594, 6594, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Lauding the unprecedented advancement of Bangladesh, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said leadership like Bangladesh Prime Minister is necessary to go ahead towards prosperity confronting all the hurdles.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Bangladesh is a role model in the world, it has made unprecedented advancement in various sectors under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina,\" said the IMF chief while paying a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister at the meeting room of The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Washington.</div><div><br></div><div>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief led a delegation at the meeting, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters during a press briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina is now on an official visit to the US mainly to attend the celebration of Bangladesh\'s 50 years of partnership with the World Bank, scheduled for Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said that the IMF chief said the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina has made Bangladesh economically stable after the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div><br></div><div>Leadership like Bangladesh Prime Minister is needed to go ahead towards prosperity confronting all the hurdles, said Georgieva.</div><div><br></div><div>She also lauded maintaining stability in the macro economy even during the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div><br></div><div><div>She said Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress due to establishing massive infrastructure development, well connectivity and maintaining the law and order.</div><div><br></div></div><div>Bangladesh\'s Prime Minister apprised the IMF chief of her government\'s initiatives to make sure the overall development of her country.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;\"The development of the country has not made in a day rather it\'s a result of longtime planning,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Finance Division Senior Secretary Fatima Yasmin and Economic Relations Division Secretary Sharifa Khan were present during the briefing, according to BSS reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 19:36:49', '2023-04-30 19:36:49'),
(6595, 6595, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been kept under close observation of physicians in a cabin at Evercare Hospital in the capital for various ailments, said her personal physician Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Madam (Khaleda) is under close observation and supervision of doctors in a cabin. Her condition has improved a little as she has been given treatment as per the advice of her medical board,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Saturday night, the BNP chief was admitted to Evercare Hospital for some medical tests and required treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Zahid said the medical board had a meeting on Saturday night following Khaleda’s admission to the hospital and they suggested various medical tests.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ve already got the reports of some tests and the medical board will sit this (Sunday) evening again to review the reports and decide the next course of her treatment. The medical board gave her initial treatment after observing her condition yesterday (Saturday),” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Zahid said some members of the medical board examined her physical condition also in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>About the reason behind her admission to the hospital, he said the BNP chief’s health check-ups and treatment were necessary as some new symptoms appeared along with her previous diseases.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is not right to talk about the patient\'s illness in the media. I can only say she has been suffering from various diseases, including heart, liver, and kidney complications… some of them have deteriorated a little. That’s why she’s admitted to the hospital for check-ups and treatment,” the physician said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Zahid said specialist doctors and nurses have been properly taking care of Khaleda in the cabin.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked how long Khaleda can stay in the hospital, he said, \"It will depend on the decision of the medical board and her physical condition. So nothing can be said at this moment.”</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from local doctors, Zahid said some physicians from the USA and Australia and Khaleda’s daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman are there in the medical board.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda’s another daughter-in-law and her late son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Sharmila Rahman Shinthi has also been staying with her at the hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda, a 77-year-old former prime minister, has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.</div><div><br></div><div>She visited the same hospital for health check-ups on February 27 last. Khaleda received treatment at the hospital six times since she was infected with Coronavirus in April 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>In November 2021, Khaleda Zia was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.</div><div><br></div><div>On June 10 last, the BNP chief suffered a heart attack due to a 95 percent block in her left artery, and a stent was placed there by removing the blockage at the same hospital the following day.</div><div><br></div><div>Doctors also found two more blocks in her blood vessels, but they could not remove those due to her health complications. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 20:06:28', '2023-04-30 20:06:28'),
(6596, 6596, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Not every one of us wakes up fresh and is ready to face the day. Being fresh and stress free can make you more productive and successful throughout the day. </b></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The moment we wake up in the morning, we should do something which we should never miss. According to Hansa, Director of the Yoga Institute, these are the things which should be included in our daily routine to have a stress-free day, The Statesman reported.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>* Always remember to thank God for whatever we have in our lives, and it is important to have full confidence that God is there with us and that if we are doing everything right, then no one can stop us. Starting the day with positive strength is very important. It will make the day stress free.</div><div><br></div><div>* Do breathing exercises in the morning. It is important to breathe fresh air which flows in the morning. People with anxiety issues then breathing efficiently in the morning makes the body energized and also healthy. </div><div><br></div><div>Becoming aware of your breath while deep breathing is an important thing. Long inhalation and exhalation for 10 seconds and start concentrating on the abdomen because we have to evacuate all the bad feelings and thoughts which are not required. Doing this will make us energetic to start the day stress-free.</div><div><br></div><div>* The stomach is important to get empty as it contains toxins which should be released from the body in the morning. If the stomach gets constipated, then we feel stressed the whole day. This can be released by doing certain exercises or yoga which will make our digestive system strong and ultimately release all the stress.</div><div><br></div><div>* Planning out the day quickly and doing everything accordingly can make the day stress free. Preplanning can seek the day with no confusion; it can make a person organised and happy. Our brain is efficient in the morning which helps us to make better decisions. Making a to-do list must be the thing which can make the day soughted and stress-free.</div><div><br></div><div>* It is very important for everyone that the moment a person leaves a beck, the first thing is to drink a glass of warm water so that the gums become softer, and the throat becomes a little relaxed and removes toxins. </div><div><br></div><div>Drinking water helps the body to maintain itself overall. If the body is fully maintained it will ultimately make us fully charged and happy.</div><div><br></div><div>All these things will not take much time. It can be finished in a few minutes and doing it step by step is the key to starting a stress-free day and can bring positivity around you. </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 20:27:01', '2023-04-30 20:27:48'),
(6597, 6597, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ninety percent boro paddy have been harvested so far in the flood-prone haor areas in the country, said Agriculture Minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thirty three percent boro paddy have been harvested across the country so far which is a good start, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that boro season is the main season of paddy, Razzaque, said every year, 48-49 lakh hectares of land are brought under boro cultivation but this year, 50 lakh hectares of land have been brought under boro cultivation exceeding the target.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the total cultivation, 9.50 lakh hectares of land in haor areas have been brought under boro cultivation with a production target of 38 lakh tonnes of paddy, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Recalling the previous experiences during the harvesting time of boro paddy, the minister said haro areas always see flash flood during boro season. “But this year, 90 percent of paddy have been harvested in haro areas and we have made it possible as we encouraged the farmers to harvest their paddy earlier.”</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, boro growers in Sunamganj used 1000 combine harvester and 668 reapers to harvest paddy, which is a great achievement, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“This year, the government has set a target to produce 2.15 crore tonnes rice but we hope that we will be able to produce 2.20-2.25 crore tonnes,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also hoped that there will be no crisis of food as the weather seems to be favorable till now.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that the price of paddy is better than the previous year and no complaint has been found yet from the farmers in this regard. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 21:15:58', '2023-04-30 21:15:58'),
(6598, 6598, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Bangladesh national cricket team is set to depart for England tonight for their three-match series against Ireland, part of the World Cup Super League. Tamim Iqbal and his team will be playing all their matches in Chelmsford.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>To acclimatize to the conditions in England, the team held a three-day practice camp in Sylhet prior to their departure. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha had noted that the conditions in Sylhet are similar to those in Chelmsford.</div><div><br></div><div>Notably, Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan will not be joining the team on their flight.</div><div><br></div><div>While Shakib is currently in the USA with his family, Mustafizur is busy playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both players are expected to join the team separately.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh team for the Ireland series: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Yasir Ali, Rony Talukdar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, and Hasan Mahmud. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 21:42:29', '2023-04-30 21:42:29'),
(6599, 6599, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A 4.6 magnitude earthquake shook Chattogram and some other parts of the country on Sunday noon, said the US Geological Survey (USGS).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The tremor was felt around 12:56 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the USGS the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 98.8 kilometers (61.39 miles) near Mawlaik, Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>However, no casualties have been reported so far.</div><div><br></div><div>The earthquake also jolted various districts of south and south-east parts of the country including Dhaka, said Patenga Meteorological office.</div><div><br></div><div>Meghnad Tanchangya, assistant meteorologist at the Patenga Met Office, said a mild earthquake was felt in Chattogram and surrounding areas of Dhaka at noon. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 22:12:05', '2023-04-30 22:12:05'),
(6600, 6600, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh may soon prefer to set the petroleum fuel prices in line with with the international market prices.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Such an idea was floated by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division during its meeting with the visiting team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Sunday, said a source at the division.</div><div><br></div><div>According to sources, the IMF has been pressing the government to follow a specific formula to set its petroleum fuel prices as per the prices in the international market as part of the lending agency’s $4.7 billion loan agreement, as it does with the LPG price at present.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, at the beginning of every month the government announces the LPG price as per the global market rate.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, no subsidy is being given on LPG.</div><div><br></div><div>But the government has to provide a huge subsidy in the petroleum sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Officials said the IMF has been pressing the government to withdraw its subsidy by liberalising the petroleum fuel price like the LPG price.</div><div><br></div><div>The IMF team was led by Rahul Anand, the head of the Asia Pacific Region of the lending agency, while energy secretary Dr Khairuzzaman Majumder led the Energy and Mineral Resources Division at the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Official sources said the officials of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division briefed the IMF teams about the measures taken by the division in the energy sector following the government’s loan agreement with the lending agency.</div><div><br></div><div>They said that earlier the government had to raise the prices of gas, petroleum and electricity as per conditions of the IMF to receive the $4.7 billion in loan.</div><div><br></div><div>“But the lending agency wants Bangladesh fully pursue a policy in setting the energy prices under which it should not need to provide any subsidy,” said a senior official of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.</div><div><br></div><div>However, energy secretary Dr Khairuzzaman Majumder was not available to comment on the issue. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-30 22:58:29', '2023-04-30 22:58:29'),
(6601, 6601, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pope Francis has urged Hungarians to \"open doors\" to migrants, ending his visit to the country led by a nationalist anti-immigration cabinet.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at an open-air mass in the capital Budapest, the pontiff said it was \"sad and painful\" to see doors closed to people who were \"unlike us\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Up to 100,000 people attended the mass, including Prime Minister Viktor Orban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Orban has criticised migration, building a barbed-wire border fence to stop migrants crossing into Hungary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing the crowd near the Hungarian parliament building on Sunday, Pope Francis pleaded to everyone - including \"those with political and social responsibilities\" - to be more open.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was speaking about \"the closed doors of our selfishness with regard to others... the doors we close towards those who are foreign or unlike us, towards migrants or the poor\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the mass, the Argentinian pontiff, 86, also referred to Russia\'s full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched more than a year ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He prayed for the \"beleaguered Ukrainian people and the Russian people\" and for \"a future of hope, not war\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three-day visit was Pope Francis\' first trip to Hungary since he became Pope 10 years ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What kept him away was the tough anti-migrant stance of Mr Orban, in contrast to his own compassion for all refugees, says the BBC\'s Nick Thorpe in Budapest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What brought him to the country, besides his support for Catholics, was the war in Ukraine, our correspondent adds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hungary and Ukraine share a 134km (85-mile) border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unlike other leaders of the European Union, Mr Orban has refused to back military aid for Ukraine and maintained relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the carefully calibrated visit to Hungary, the Pope met people of all spheres of society, including youths, the poor, politicians and academics, our correspondent says. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 07:50:12', '2023-05-01 07:50:12'),
(6602, 6602, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Turkish forces have killed the suspected leader of Islamic State (IS) in Syria, Turkey\'s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abu Hussein al-Qurayshi is said to have taken over the group after his predecessor was killed last autumn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Erdogan told broadcaster TRT Turk the IS leader was \"neutralised\" in a Turkish MIT intelligence agency operation on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">IS has so far made no comment on the reported operation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BBC has been unable to independently verify President Erdogan\'s claim.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The MIT intelligence agency had been following Qurayshi for a \"long time\", Mr Erdogan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We will continue our struggle with terrorist organisations without any discrimination,\" he added, providing no further details.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Syrian sources quoted by Reuters news agency said the operation took place in the northern town of Jandaris, close to the Turkish border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last November, the jihadist group announced the death of its leader, Abu al-Hassan al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi. The US said he was killed in an operation by the rebel Free Syrian Army in south-west Syria in mid-October 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He took over the group after previous leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi set off a blast killing himself and his family as US special forces rounded on his hideout after a gunfight in February 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That operation \"removed a major terrorist threat to the world\", US President Joe Biden said at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">IS once held 88,000sq km (34,000sq miles) of territory stretching from north-eastern Syria across northern Iraq and imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group was driven from its last piece of territory in 2019, but the UN warned in July that it remained a persistent threat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is estimated to have between 6,000 and 10,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq, who are based mostly in rural areas and continue to carry out hit-and-run attacks, ambushes and roadside bombings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">IS regional affiliates also pose threats in other conflict zones across the world. The UN said the most vigorous and well-established networks were based in Afghanistan, Somalia and the Lake Chad basin. BCC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 09:45:00', '2023-05-01 09:45:00'),
(6603, 6603, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The top United Nations humanitarian official is heading to the Sudan region due to the rapidly unfolding impact of the war there and its wider fallout, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The announcement came shortly after rival Sudanese forces announced the extension of a truce they have largely violated, as warplanes roared overhead and fighting continued on the ground in Sudan\'s capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The scale and speed of what is unfolding is unprecedented in Sudan. We are extremely concerned by the immediate as well as long-term impact on all people in Sudan, and the broader region,\" Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for Guterres, said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the UN chief was \"immediately\" sending Martin Griffiths, his emergency relief coordinator, to the area \"in light of the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deadly hostilities between the army and heavily-armed paramilitaries in Khartoum and other parts of the country have entered a third week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest widely-breached ceasefire was scheduled to formally expire at midnight (2200 GMT) before the rival forces announced an extension for 72 hours that the Sudanese army said came due to \"US and Saudi mediation\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 500 people have been killed and tens of thousands of people forced to leave their homes for safer locations within the country or abroad since battles erupted on April 15.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fighting pits the forces of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his ex-deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses on Sunday evening reported continued armed clashes as well as fighter jets soaring above various parts of the capital and its twin city Omdurman, across the Nile River.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The civil aviation authority on Sunday announced Sudan\'s airspace would remain closed until May 13, with the exception of aid and evacuation flights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There has been very heavy fighting and loud gunfire,\" a southern Khartoum resident told AFP earlier in the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Further complicating the battlefield, Central Reserve Police, a paramilitary unit, were being deployed across Khartoum to \"protect citizens\' properties\" from looting, the Sudanese police said, confirming an army statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police said Central Reserve had arrested 316 \"rebels\", a reference to the RSF, which did not confirm the information and had previously warned police against joining the fight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington last year sanctioned the Central Reserve for \"serious human rights abuses\" related to its use of \"excessive force\" against pro-democracy protests after the October 2021 coup that brought Burhan and Daglo to power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Daglo\'s RSF is descended from the Janjaweed unleashed by former strongman Omar al-Bashir in Sudan\'s western Darfur region, leading to war crimes charges against Bashir and others. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 09:52:03', '2023-05-01 21:01:30'),
(6604, 6604, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 18 Mexican tourists died and two dozen were injured when their tourist bus plunged into a ravine in the western state of Nayarit, a local official told AFP on Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bus, from a private company, was transporting tourists on a 220-kilometer (136-mile) journey from Guadalajara in the neighboring state of Jalisco to the beach destination of Guayabitos in Nayarit when it went off the road, according to civil protection official Pedro Nunez.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cause of the accident late Saturday was not known.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All the passengers were Mexican nationals, said Nunez. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 09:58:28', '2023-05-01 21:01:50'),
(6605, 6605, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could face disciplinary action after accusing the referee in Sunday\'s dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham of bearing a grudge against his team.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diogo Jota\'s stoppage-time strike sealed victory at Anfield, just 99 seconds after Spurs thought Richarlison\'s first Premier League goal for the club had rescued a point after the visitors had been 3-0 behind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Klopp, however, was so incensed by the officiating throughout the match that he charged down the touchline to celebrate wildly in front of fourth official John Brooks -- and injured himself in the process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Klopp then lambasted referee Paul Tierney.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have our history with Tierney, I really don\'t know what he has against us, he has said there is no problem but that cannot be true,\" Klopp told Sky Sports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"How he looks at me, I don\'t understand it. My celebration was unnecessary, but what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not OK.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The German boss, asked what Tierney had said, replied: \"I will not say anything about it. The refs don\'t say what is said so I don\'t say what is said.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That did not stop Klopp from going on to reference Tierney\'s performance during Liverpool\'s 2-2 draw away to Spurs last season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Paul Tierney didn\'t give Harry Kane a red card but Robbo (Liverpool\'s Andy Robertson) got a red card. It was not the first time, there are so many things.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Professional Game Match Officials Limited said in a statement that, having checked audio of the game, Tierney \"acted in a professional manner\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney\'s actions were improper,\" the statement added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Klopp explained his touchline antics following Jota\'s winning goal by saying: \"Of course, we are emotional in these moments. It\'s difficult. It is not OK, we shouldn\'t do that.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I didn\'t say a bad word to the fourth official -- not at all -- but I pulled my hamstring probably in that moment so, fair enough, I\'m already punished.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tottenham\'s Ryan Mason was also unhappy with the officials, particularly the VAR, following a defeat that left Spurs sixth in the table, two points behind Liverpool.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim head coach wanted to know why Jota was still on the pitch after a head-high challenge on Oliver Skipp only led to a yellow card.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn\'t (a red card),\" said Mason. \"I can understand referees on the pitch missing it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added: \"We want the VAR to help the official on the pitch at that moment, but an experienced referee and VAR haven\'t given it... It was a big decision, a crucial decision and one you can\'t really miss.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 10:07:23', '2023-05-01 21:02:38'),
(6606, 6606, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The exchange rate of US dollar has been increased by Tk1.0 and fixed at Tk 108 and Tk 106 for inward remittances and repatriation of export income respectively.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result, the remitter will get Tk 110.5 against a dollar including the government declared incentive of Tk2.5 and exporter will get Tk 106 against per dollar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Till today (Sunday) the price of a dollar against inward remittance was Tk107 and against repatriated export income was Tk105.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision was taken at a joint meeting of Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) and Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers Association (BAFEDA) on Sunday. The new exchange rate will be executed from Monday (May 1).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting held at the head office of Sonali Bank was attended by the chairman of BAFEDA and the managing director (MD) and CEO of Sonali Bank Afzal Karim, Chairman of ABB and Managing Director (MD) of BRAC Bank Salim RF Hossain and Managing Directors of various commercial banks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the previous instruction of Bangladesh Bank (BB), the exchange rate will be fixed by the ABB and BAFEDA consultation with the central bank. 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, '2023-05-01 10:24:00', '2023-05-01 10:24:00'),
(6607, 6607, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sudan\'s army and its rival paramilitary said Sunday they will extend a humanitarian cease-fire a further 72 hours. The decision follows international pressure to allow the safe passage of civilians and aid, but the shaky truce has not so far stopped the clashes.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In statements, both sides accused the other of violations. The agreement has deescalated the fighting in some areas but violence continues to push civilians to flee. Aid groups have also struggled to get badly needed supplies into the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conflict erupted on April 15 between the nation’s army and its paramilitary force, and threatens to thrust Sudan into a raging civil war. The U.N. warned on Sunday that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan was at “a breaking point.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented,” the UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said in as statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said water and food are becoming increasingly hard to find in the country’s cities, especially the capital, Khartoum, and that the lack of basic medical care means many could die of preventable causes. Griffiths said that “massive looting” of aid supplies has hindered efforts to help civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Sunday, an aircraft carrying eight tons of emergency medical aid landed in Sudan to resupply hospitals devastated by the fighting, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which organized the shipment. It arrived as the civilian death toll from the countrywide violence topped 400 and aid groups warned that the humanitarian situation was becoming increasingly dire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than two-thirds of hospitals in areas with active fighting are out of service, a national doctors\' association has said, citing a shortage of medical supplies, health workers, water and electricity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The air-lifted supplies, including anesthetics, dressings, sutures and other surgical material, are enough to treat more than 1,000 people wounded in the conflict, the ICRC said. The aircraft took off earlier in the day from Jordan and safely landed in the city of Port Sudan, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The hope is to get this material to some of the most critically busy hospitals in the capital” of Khartoum and other hot spots, said Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, which monitors casualties, said Sunday that over the past two weeks, 425 civilians were killed and 2,091 wounded. The Sudanese Health Ministry on Saturday put the overall death toll, including fighters, at 528, with 4,500 wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the deadliest battles have raged across Khartoum. The fighting pits the army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, against Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The generals, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudan\'s fitful transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ordinary Sudanese have been caught in the crossfire. Tens of thousands have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad and Egypt, while others remain pinned down with dwindling supplies. Thousands of foreigners have been evacuated in airlifts and land convoys.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, fighting continued in different parts of the capital where residents hiding in their homes reported hearing artillery fire. There have been lulls in fighting, but never a fully observed cease-fire, despite repeated attempts by international mediators.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over the weekend, residents reported that shops were reopening and normalcy gradually returning in some areas of Khartoum as the scale of fighting dwindled after yet another shaky truce. But in other areas, terrified residents reported explosions thundering around them and fighters ransacking houses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Youssef, the ICRC official, said the agency has been in contact with the top command of both sides to ensure that medical assistance could reach hospitals safely.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“With this news today, we are really hoping that this becomes part of a steady coordination mechanism to allow other flights to come in,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Youssef said more medical aid was ready to be flown into Khartoum pending necessary clearances and security guarantees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sudan’s healthcare system is near collapse with dozens of hospitals out of service. Multiple aid agencies have had to suspend operations and evacuated employees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, a second U.S.-government organized convoy arrived in Port Sudan, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller. He said the U.S. is assisting American citizens and “others who are eligible” to leave for Saudi Arabia where U.S. personnel are located. There were no details on how many people were in the convoy or specific assistance the U.S. provided.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most of the estimated 16,000 Americans believed to be in Sudan right now are dual U.S.-Sudanese nationals. The Defense Department said in a statement on Saturday it was moving naval assets toward Sudan\'s coast to support further evacuations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Britain has announced that an extra evacuation flight will depart from Port Sudan on Monday, extending what it called the largest evacuation effort of any Western country from Sudan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government asked British nationals who wish to leave Sudan to travel to the British Evacuation Handling Centre at Port Sudan International Airport before 12:00 Sudan time. The flight comes after an evacuation operation from Wadi Saeedna near Khartoum, involving 2,122 people on 23 flights. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 11:14:40', '2023-05-01 11:14:40'),
(6608, 6608, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">May Day is being observed in Bangladesh, as elsewhere across the world, with due respect.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">May Day, also known as the International Workers\' Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of workers in Chicago, USA at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday in the late nineteenth century.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">May Day is a public holiday in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year, the theme of the day in Bangladesh is \"Sramik-malik oikya gori, smart Bangladesh gore tuli\'\' (roughly translated: “Let’s develop workers-employers unity, build smart Bangladesh”).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Newspapers published special supplements while radio and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Different organizations and political parties have chalked out various programmes to observe the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On May 1, 1886, 10 workers were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration in the US city of Chicago, demanding an eight-hour workday instead of a 12-hour shift. The authorities had to accept the workers\' demand and the eight-hour day was introduced universally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 14, 1889, an international workers\' rally in Paris declared May 1 as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers\' sacrifice and achievement and since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Md Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages ahead of the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President said the progress of the country\'s industries and trade needs an investment-friendly environment, workers’ concentration and good relations between workers and employers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Through positive participation of workers and employers, stability and productivity in the labour sector will increase, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I hope that all concerned will play their respective roles to improve their standard of living and protect their just rights,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister in her message said, “I believe that inspired by the ideals of the great May Day, workers and employers will be dedicated to increase national production by maintaining good relations with each other. We will build a developed and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangladesh’ as dreamt by the Father of the Nation by working for the welfare of working people and the country\'s overall development.\" 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, '2023-05-01 11:33:14', '2023-05-01 11:33:14');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6609, 6609, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to attend a programme here this morning at the invitation of World Bank (WB) President David Malpass marking the 50-year partnership between Bangladesh and WB.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will address the plenary session on \"Reflection on 50 years of World Bank-Bangladesh Partnership\" held at the Preston Auditorium of the WB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s Information and Communication Technology Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Planning Minister MA Mannan, and PM\'s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, among others, will be present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">WB President David Malpass and its Former Chief Economist Kausik Basu will speak at the programme while the global lenders VP Martin will provide the closing remarks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier will later attend a high level business luncheon after the plenary session with WB president, MDs and VPs at East Dining Room of the World Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will also address a meeting with the WB Board members at Shihata Conference Room at WB headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On her arrival in the WB headquarters in Washington DC, the Bangladesh prime minister will be welcomed by its Country Director for Bangladesh Abdoulaye Seck and its SAR VP Martin Raiser with a flower bouquet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the outset of the programme, the premier with the WB president will jointly open a photo exhibition and will walk-through of some key elements of the exhibition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina later will witness a dance performance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A video presentation on \"Bangladesh-World Bank 50 Years of Partnership\" will also be screened at the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister earlier on April 28 reached Washington DC to attend the WB programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After her six-day visit to Washington DC, she will leave the USA for London on May 4 to attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as the King and the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on April 25, a special chartered VVIP flight (BG1403) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at the Haneda International Airport, Tokyo at 04.45pm (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan had rolled out a red carpet to welcome the Bangladesh prime minister and gave her the static guard of honour at the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her visit to Japan, Dhaka and Tokyo signed eight instruments on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgradation, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties; defence cooperation, ICT and cyber security cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 26, Sheikh Hasina had a courtesy call on the Emperor of Japan Naruhito.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the same day, she also held a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida after the signing of the deals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier also attended an investment summit and a community reception alongside handing over the \"Friends of Liberation War Honour\" to four Japanese nationals for their contribution to Bangladesh\'s Liberation War in 1971 on April 27.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her visit to Tokyo, the prime minister attended several additional bilateral meetings with Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and leaders of JAICA, JETRO, JEBIC, JBPFL and JBCCEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also had meetings with the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe\'s wife Akie Abe and Japanese architect Tadao Ando. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 12:41:11', '2023-05-01 12:41:11'),
(6610, 6610, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air quality is ‘moderate’ this morning as few vehicles are on the road during the May Day holiday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 82 at 10:43 am, Dhaka ranked 18th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal’s Kathmandu,Indonesia\'s Jakarta and Vietnam\'s Hanoi occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 153, 151 and 137, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. 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, '2023-05-01 12:44:52', '2023-05-01 12:44:52'),
(6611, 6611, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">On the occasion of International Labour Day (May Day), all activities including the import and export of goods between Bangladesh and India through Hili land port in Dinajpur have been stopped.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdur Rahman Liton, president of the Banglahili Customs C&amp;F Agents Association, said, \"May Day is being observed across the world today. Therefore, it has been decided to stop the import-export activities between the two countries through Hili land port today as it is a transport-labour-based operation, and this is a public holiday. All port operations will resume on Tuesday.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">SM Haider, assistant manager of Panama Hili Port Link Limited, a private operator, said the land port authority has organized a discussion with the workers at 11 am. There will be a doa mahfil and food will be distributed among the workers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Ashraful, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hili Immigration Check-post, said immigration activities are normal from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm every day of the week, and they are exempt from public holidays. On May Day, the import and export of goods, including the activities of the land port, will be closed, but using the check post, travelers will be able to move between Bangladesh and India with valid visas. 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, '2023-05-01 12:47:41', '2023-05-01 12:47:41'),
(6612, 6612, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian strikes killed one person and wounded three others in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, a regional official said Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow also launched a hail of missiles across Ukraine early on Monday, with Kyiv reporting it had shot down most of the projectiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Over the past day, the enemy carried out 39 shellings, firing 163 shells from heavy artillery, Grads, UAVs and aviation. The enemy shelled the city of Kherson 8 times,\" said Oleksandr Prokudin, of the military administration for Kherson, in Ukraine\'s south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a result of Russian aggression, one person died and three others, including a child, were injured.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia still controls part of the Kherson region, having withdrawn from the eponymous regional capital last November.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this week, regional authorities said Russian shelling killed a 57-year-old woman and wounded three other people in the village of Bilozerka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow recently renewed heavy missile attacks on Ukraine, killing 23 people in the city of Uman on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It launched another volley from about 2:30 am Monday, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Tonight, the enemy carried out another massive air attack on Ukraine,\" the military administration for the capital Kyiv said on Telegram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian Air Force said on Telegram that 18 missiles were launched from planes, with 15 of them destroyed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shelling wounded 25 people in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast and damaged dozens of buildings in the city of Pavlohrad, according to the regional administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s air defence systems have been bolstered in recent months by delivery Western equipment, including the American Patriot systems received in April.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest Russian attacks came as Kyiv prepares for a long-awaited counteroffensive, having vowed to expel Russian forces from territory they seized in the east and south following their 2022 invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday a pre-dawn Ukrainian strike on a Russian border village killed four people and wounded two others, officials there said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 13:23:10', '2023-05-01 13:23:10'),
(6613, 6613, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Midday naps can be blissful after a full meal and nothing is quite as refreshing as a few minutes of shut-eye when the afternoon slumber takes over. One may get rid of the sluggishness, the irritability and the tiredness mostly due to sleep deficit of the past night and feel all refreshed and full of energy for the rest of the day.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, stretch this a little longer to little more than half-n-hour and the benefits may reverse, and one is at risk of feeling groggy all day. This is not it. Your unhealthy addiction to afternoon naps every day can make you susceptible to diseases like diabetes, heart issues, high blood pressure among others. Here\'s what experts told HT Digital.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Researchers believe that longer midday naps of more than 30 minutes may be related to a higher BMI, higher blood pressure, and diseases associated with heart disease and diabetes. However, those who took \'power naps\' - 30-minute or less midday naps - were less likely to have high blood pressure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DANGERS OF MID-DAY NAP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Researchers from Brigham and Women\'s Hospital in Boston analysed over 3,000 people from a Mediterranean community where midday naps known as \'siestas\' are widespread in a new study published in the journal Obesity. The researchers investigated the link between siestas and their duration and obesity and metabolic syndrome,\" says Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker, Bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon, Saifee, Apollo Spectra, Namaha and Currae Hospitals, Mumbai.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"People who took siestas of 30 minutes or longer were found to have a higher BMI, higher blood pressure, and other conditions associated with heart disease and diabetes when compared to those who did not nap. It could also be the other way around as the people who did not get a proper sleep in the night due to factors like obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, sleep disorders etc may tend to take longer naps during the day. More research is needed in this area. Furthermore, those who took short naps were less likely to have elevated systolic blood pressure than those who did not take siestas,\" adds Dr Aparna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">People are more likely to benefit from afternoon naps if they are sleep deprived. However, sleeping for more than the required hours can do more harm than good. Besides, sleeping in daytime can affect the quality of night-time sleep which is more important.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Sleep is essential to maintain the functionality of the human body and to allow the various organ systems to work in perfect harmony and in an optimal state. An optimal night sleep duration for a healthy lifestyle in adults ranges from 7-8 hours. Sleeping less is associated with tiredness, fatigue and lack of motivation and zeal. Many people tend to compensate for a lack of sleep at night by taking naps in the midday or afternoon,\" says Dr Sanjay Verma, Director - Minimal Access, Bariatric and GI Surgery, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 13:49:50', '2023-05-01 13:49:50'),
(6614, 6614, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 30 homes were gutted in a massive fire at the Tulatali slum in Rajakhali area of Chattogram city on Monday morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Seven fire service units brought the fire under control with the help of locals after an hour of frantic efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Assistant Director of Chattogram region Fire Service, Md. Abdullah, confirmed the matter and said that after receiving information about the fire in Tulatali slum in the morning, seven units of Lamar Bazar and Nandankanan stations reached the spot and were able to bring the fire under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire couldn’t be known immediately, he added. 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, '2023-05-01 14:22:00', '2023-05-01 14:22:00'),
(6615, 6615, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 16 people, including workers, were injured in an explosion today at the Cotton Club BD Limited factory in the Jarun area of Kashimpur in Gazipur.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>They were rescued and brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said DMCH Police Outpost In-Charge Inspector Bachchu Miah.</div><div><br></div><div>According to eyewitnesses and fire service, the explosion occurred around 8:30 am today, in the compressor room of the factory. Fire erupted immediately after the explosion. During this time, the wall of the room collapsed, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Police and fire service personnel visited the spot after the incident, said GM (Operation) of the factory, Aminul Islam, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>About 3,500 people work in the factory, but the entire factory was closed on May Day. However, a foreign buyer delegation is scheduled to arrive at the factory tomorrow. That is why security personnel, some staffers and workers were staying in the factory, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>At the time of the incident, it is believed that the explosion was caused by excessive pressure in the gas line, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the injured, seven suffered burn injuries. All those injured are out of danger and all arrangements have been made for their treatment from the factory, added the GM.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 16:00:09', '2023-05-01 16:00:09'),
(6616, 6616, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A man was beaten to death by his brother-in-law with an iron rod at Dhaka’s uhrawardy Udyan early Monday.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was identified as Shakil, 18, son of late Babul Mia, a resident of Kamrangirchar’s Asrafabad area.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He used to sell juice in the park.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Shahin, elder brother of Shakil, said, \"In the morning I heard that my brother Shakil and brother-in-law Babu had a fight.\"</div><div><br></div><div>At one point, Babu hit Shakil in the back with an iron rod, critically injuring him, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakil was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH Police Outpost, confirmed the matter. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 17:07:17', '2023-05-01 17:07:17'),
(6617, 6617, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Regulators seized troubled First Republic Bank early Monday and sold all of its deposits and most of its assets to JPMorgan Chase Bank in a bid to head off further banking turmoil in the U.S.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>San Francisco-based First Republic is the third midsize bank to fail in two months. It is the second-biggest bank failure in U.S. history, behind only Washington Mutual, which collapsed at the height of the 2008 financial crisis and was also taken over by JPMorgan.</div><div><br></div><div>First Republic has struggled since the March collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and investors and depositors had grown increasingly worried it might not survive because of its high amount of uninsured deposits and exposure to low interest rate loans.</div><div><br></div><div>The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said early Monday that First Republic Bank\'s 84 branches in eight states will reopen as branches of JPMorgan Chase Bank and depositors will have full access to all of their deposits.</div><div><br></div><div>Regulators worked through the weekend to find a way forward before U.S. stock markets opened. Markets in many parts of the world were closed for May 1 holidays Monday. The two markets in Asia that were open, in Tokyo and Sydney, rose.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our government invited us and others to step up, and we did,\" said Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase.</div><div><br></div><div>As of April 13, First Republic had approximately $229 billion in total assets and $104 billion in total deposits, the FDIC said.</div><div><br></div><div>At the end of last year, the Federal Reserve ranked it 14th in size among U.S. commercial banks. The FDIC estimated its deposit insurance fund would take a $13 billion hit from taking First Republic into receivership. Its rescue of Silicon Valley Bank cost the fund a record $20 billion.</div><div><br></div><div>Before Silicon Valley Bank failed, First Republic had a banking franchise that was the envy of most of the industry. Its clients - mostly the rich and powerful - rarely defaulted on their loans. The bank has made much of its money making low-cost loans to the wealthy, which reportedly included Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg.</div><div><br></div><div>Flush with deposits from the well-heeled, First Republic saw total assets more than double from $102 billion at the end of 2019\'s first quarter, when its full-time workforce was 4,600.</div><div><br></div><div>But the vast majority of its deposits, like those in Silicon Valley and Signature Bank, were uninsured - that is, above the $250,000 limit set by the FDIC. And that worried analysts and investors. If First Republic were to fail, its depositors might not get all their money back.</div><div><br></div><div>Those fears were crystalized in the bank\'s recent quarterly results. The bank said depositors pulled more than $100 billion out of the bank during April\'s crisis. San Francisco-based First Republic said that it was only able to stanch the bleeding after a group of large banks stepped in to save it with $30 billion in uninsured deposits.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the crisis, First Republic has been looking for a way to quickly turn itself around. The bank planned to sell off unprofitable assets, including the low interest mortgages that it provided to wealthy clients. It also announced plans to lay off up to a quarter of its workforce, which totaled about 7,200 employees in late 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Investors remained skeptical. The bank\'s executives have taken no questions from investors or analysts since the bank reported its results, causing First Republic\'s stock to sink further.</div><div><br></div><div>And it\'s hard to profitably restructure a balance sheet when a firm has to sell off assets quickly and has fewer bankers to find opportunities for the bank to invest in. It took years for banks like Citigroup and Bank of America to return to profitability after the global financial crisis 15 years ago, and those banks had the benefit of a government-aided backstop to keep them going. According to AP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 18:39:02', '2023-05-01 18:39:02'),
(6618, 6618, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Tim David smashed an unbeaten 45 to trump Yashasvi Jaiswal\'s century as Mumbai Indians stunned Rajasthan Royals by six wickets in the Indian Premier League\'s 1,000th match on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Chasing 213 for victory, Mumbai\'s Suryakumar Yadav hit 55 before David smashed a hat-trick of sixes in the last over from Jason Holder in his 14-ball blitz to steer the team home with three balls to spare.</div><div><br></div><div>David starred in an unbeaten 62-run stand with Tilak Varma, who hit 29, for a record chase at Mumbai\'s Wankhede Stadium in the second match of the day that ended close to midnight.</div><div><br></div><div>Skipper Rohit Sharma praised David\'s hitting prowess after the Australian batsman was compared to former Mumbai big-hitter Kieron Pollard, who is now the team\'s batting coach.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Big shoes to fill, Polly for so many years won us so many championships,\" Rohit, winner of five IPL trophies with Mumbai, said after the win.</div><div><br></div><div>\"But Tim has so much ability and power. In the back end, having that power keeps the bowler thinking.\"</div><div><br></div><div>On a day of big chases, Zimbabwe batsman Sikandar Raza earlier helped Punjab Kings pull off a stunning last-ball win to edge out Chennai Super Kings by four wickets in the first match that also recorded over 400 runs.</div><div><br></div><div>But the fireworks were reserved for the second match of the day, which began with a ceremony to mark the 1,000-match landmark.</div><div><br></div><div>The left-handed Jaiswal turned on the heat with a six off Cameron Green and then Jofra Archer as he went on to score 124 off 62 balls -- his maiden T20 ton.</div><div><br></div><div>The 21-year-old Jaiswal, who sold street food and lived in tents to pursue his cricket dream, steered the inaugural IPL champions to 212-7 after he reached his 100 off 53 balls.</div><div><br></div><div>The effort seemed a fitting knock for the special match until Suryakumar, a T20 sensation who has endured an ordinary tournament so far, came to life with his 50 off 24 balls.</div><div><br></div><div>The T20 sensation smashed eight fours and two sixes until a superb catch by Sandeep Sharma, who sprinted from short fine-leg to hang on to the ball, ended his innings.</div><div><br></div><div>But David and the left-handed Varma kept up the charge on a big-scoring day.</div><div><br></div><div>Jaiswal was still the man of the match choiceand credited his hard work and hours in the gym for the on-field result.</div><div><br></div><div>- Razor-sharp Raza -</div><div><br></div><div>Mumbai lost Rohit for three on his 36th birthday, before Ishan Kishan (28) and Green (44) set up the chase in their partnership of 62.</div><div><br></div><div>In Chennai, chasing 201 for victory, Liam Livingstone (40), Sam Curran (29) and Jitesh Sharma (21) played attacking cameos before Pakistan-born Raza sealed Punjab\'s win with his unbeaten 13.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was tasked with bowling the final over, with Punjab needing nine to win. Raza got three runs off the final ball, his arms outstretched in celebration.</div><div><br></div><div>Punjab moved to fifth in the 10-team table, one below Chennai. Holders Gujarat Titans top the standings.</div><div><br></div><div>Devon Conway\'s 92 off 52 balls proved to be in vain after the left-handed New Zealand opener steered Chennai to 200-4, having elected to bat first, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The last few overs when we were batting, we could have gotten 10-15 more,\" said Chennai skipper M.S. Dhoni, who finished the innings with two big sixes in his 13-run blitz. \"Our bowling needed some cushion.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 18:57:24', '2023-05-01 18:57:24'),
(6619, 6619, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Moves to check Beijing\'s aggressive expansion into the trade routes and strategic islands of the South China Sea will headline talks Monday between President Joe Biden and his Philippines counterpart Ferdinand Marcos at the White House.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Marcos is on a four-day trip that follows last week\'s state visit to Washington by President Yoon Suk Yeol and a meeting at the White House between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in January.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is clear that we\'re in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagements,\" a senior US official told reporters ahead of Marcos\' arrival.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s really the first kind of meeting at this level and intensity between United States and the Philippines in decades,\" said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.</div><div><br></div><div>Alarm bells are ringing for Washington and its Asian allies as China moves ever more confidently to assert claims to sovereignty over almost the whole South China Sea -- ignoring an international ruling that this has no legal basis.</div><div><br></div><div>The tension, combined with constant saber rattling over Taiwan -- the democratically run island that Beijing claims but Washington vows to help defend -- has prompted the Biden administration to rapidly bolster its military capabilities.</div><div><br></div><div>The Philippines, which lies close to key sea lanes and Taiwan, is of particular interest.</div><div><br></div><div>This month, the Philippines identified four military bases -- in addition to five existing sites -- where US forces will be given access, including one located near the tense Spratly Islands. The two allies also carried out their largest-ever military maneuvers in recent weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>That has alarmed China, which accuses Washington of trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Manila.</div><div><br></div><div>In a reminder of how diplomatic tensions can quickly echo in the real world, a Chinese ship on April 23 narrowly missed colliding with a much smaller Philippine Coast Guard vessel in the Spratly Islands.</div><div><br></div><div>- New military muscle -</div><div><br></div><div>The focus of talks between Biden and Yoon last week was on another regional flashpoint: nuclear-armed, communist North Korea.</div><div><br></div><div>Expressing disappointment that China has not done more to rein in North Korea, US officials announced that a US nuclear submarine would make a visit to South Korea soon -- the first in decades.</div><div><br></div><div>During Kishida\'s visit, Biden also underlined the US treaty commitment to defend Japan. Tokyo is meanwhile on a shopping spree to buy an arsenal of US-made Tomahawk missiles.</div><div><br></div><div>The senior official briefing journalists ahead of Marcos\' visit said Manila is likewise \"looking for reassurance and a strong desire to maintain peace and stability in this complex period.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Recent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary steps to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between United States and the Philippines.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Although giving few details, the official said new \"bilateral defense guidelines\" would see \"a series of steps to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The shifting geostrategic situation will feature when Biden visits Japan for a meeting of the G7 in May, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The US official said Biden would also meet separately during that trip in a trilateral format with the leaders of Japan and South Korea. He then heads to Australia for a session of the Quad group: Australia, India, Japan and the United States.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 19:42:36', '2023-05-01 19:42:36'),
(6620, 6620, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and World Bank president David Malpass on Monday jointly inaugurated a photo exhibition marking the 50-year partnership between Bangladesh and the WB.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The exhibition at the Atrium of the World Bank headquarters kicked off the dayling celebration of the 50 years of relation between Bangladesh and the WB</div><div><br></div><div>The PM went around the show and also witnessed a dance performance.</div><div><br></div><div>A video presentation on \"Bangladesh-World Bank 50 Years of Partnership\" was screened at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, On her arrival in the WB headquarters in Washington DC, Sheikh Hasina was welcomed by WB Country Director for Bangladesh Abdoulaye Seck and its SAR VP Martin Raiser with a flower bouquet.</div><div><br></div><div>Later in the day she is due to attend an informal interaction with the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank, address the plenary session on \"Reflection on 50 years of World Bank-Bangladesh Partnership\" and attend a high-level business luncheon with WB president, MDs and VPs. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 20:23:18', '2023-05-01 20:23:18'),
(6621, 6621, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced e-visa, eliminating visa stickers for work, visits, and transit.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan made the announcement at the Embassy in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Saudi government has plans to introduce a similar e-visa system in a few countries, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We choose Bangladesh as the first country to implement the new technology,\" said the Saudi Ambassador while talking to journalists at the Embassy.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>With the decision, Bangladeshi nationals do not need to get a sticker visa of any category including work visa for travelling to the oil-rich Kingdom. The KSA hosts more than two million Bangladeshi expatriate workers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Introduction of error-free e-visa, using both Arabic and English language, will reduce hassle, cost and time to get Saudi visas, the envoy hopes.</div><div><br></div><div>The Saudi government spends a huge amount of money to issue sticker visas and printing of such stickers is a difficult task.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It will be a win-win situation for the intending Bangladeshi workers and other stakeholders including the recruiting agencies,\" the Ambassador said, adding that his country is keen to work with Bangladesh for betterment of the expatriate Bangladeshi workers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Saudi Arabia had introduced e-visa facilities only for Umrah visa.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The ambassador said the introduction of e-visa will help the embassy in Dhaka to manage a huge number of visa applications.&nbsp; Currently the Saudi mission in Dhaka issues 7000 to 8000 visas per day.</div><div><br></div><div>Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Shahidul Alam also spoke on the occasion. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 20:39:17', '2023-05-01 20:39:17'),
(6622, 6622, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Bangladesh has never defaulted in repaying loans and fallen into a \"debt trap\", calling upon the global development partners including the World Bank (WB) to continue their investments in the digital and physical infrastructures to transform the country into a \"Smart Bangladesh\" by 2041.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"The present situation gives an indication of our economy\'s growth opportunities and absorptive capacity and Bangladesh has never defaulted on its debt repayment, or fallen into a so-called \"debt trap\",\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said this in an informal interaction for 50 Years Partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank with the board of executive directors at the Shihata Conference Room at the WB headquarters here this (Monday) morning.</div><div><br></div><div>World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer, its Managing Director Anna Bjerde and Alternative Executive Director Dr Ahmad Kaikaus also poke at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said her government is looking for enhanced partnership with the World Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We now wish to look into the future of our partnership. The World Bank must remain focused on its core purpose of poverty alleviation and development financing,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The World Bank is actively engaged in our digital transformation. Our government has kept its words to our people by building together a \'Digital Bangladesh\' by 2021. We have set our next target to become a knowledge-based \'Smart Bangladesh\' by 2041,\" Sheikh Hasina said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Premier called upon the development partners like the World Bank to continue investing in our digital and physical infrastructure.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We also seek international support for trade diversification, investment promotion and domestic resource generation,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Premier said the World Bank is now committed to 53 different projects in Bangladesh, involving USD 15 billion, adding that this is part of the grants and loans of USD 39 billion so far offered by the Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our strong performance in human capital formation is matched by our investment in infrastructure mega-projects. The construction of the 6.1 km Padma Multipurpose Bridge with Bangladesh\'s own financial and technical resources is a sign of our economic maturity,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In Bangladesh, the Premier said they have made impressive gains in food security, free and affordable housing, community healthcare, compulsory primary education, women\'s empowerment, financial inclusion, access to electricity, and disaster preparedness.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We wish to achieve our targets on universal health coverage, quality education, child welfare, skills promotion, urban development, sustainable industrialization, environmental protection and effective institution building,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Premier said they need the WB to scale up its concessional financing for developing countries to allow them to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</div><div><br></div><div>\"I look forward to the World Bank sharing its concrete ideas on this at the UN SDG Summit in New York in September,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Premier will later attend a high level business luncheon after the plenary session with WB President, MDs and VPs at East Dining Room the World Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>She later gave a talk on \"Reflection on 50 years of World Bank- Bangladesh Partnership\" at Preston Auditorium in the World Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>On her arrival at the WB headquarters in Washington DC, Bangladesh Prime Minister was received by Country Director of World Bank to Bangladesh Abdoulaye Seck and its SAR VP Martin Raiser with a flower bouquet.</div><div><br></div><div>At the outset of the programme, the Prime Minister with World Bank President David Malpass jointly opened a photo exhibition and walked-through some of the key elements of the exhibition.</div><div><br></div><div>The Premier also witnessed a dance performance.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said the World Bank must invest further in building state capabilities and knowledge for sustainable development.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is encouraging that the World Bank is giving added emphasis on climate financing. For a climate vulnerable country like Bangladesh, we need adequate financing for both mitigation and adaptation,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Since 2009, she said that Bangladesh has financed 800 projects from its own climate trust fund.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are launching a Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to fast-forward our green transition in key sectors. We shall need USD 230 billion by 2050 only for adaptation. The Climate Financing Summit in Paris in June will be an opportunity for the World Bank to give us some meaningful assurance on these,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister expressed her happiness to have this meeting with the World Bank Board of Governors, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are witnessing some major shifts in geo-economics this year. These have implications for Bangladesh as an economy in transition. I believe the World Bank is also making itself ready for the future,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that Bangladesh is the world\'s largest active delta situated on the world\'s largest Bay - the Bay of Bengal, saying, \"This is a location at the heart of what is termed as Indo-Pacific.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to some internationally influential economy, she said, \"We are now the world\'s 35th largest economy with a GDP of USD 460 billion. In South Asia, we are the second biggest economy and an emerging growth engine. We are graduating from the UN Least Developed Country (LDC) status, having qualified in all three criteria\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"In 2022, our headcount poverty came down to 18.7%, with a sharp decline in extreme poverty to 5.6%. All this has happened despite the multi-dimensional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Europe, and the deepening climate crisis,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The biggest asset of Bangladesh is its resilience, she said, adding that we achieved our independence through a genocide, and a ruined economy in 1971, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Development journey has been far from smooth. Bangladesh experienced repeated military takeovers, extremist threats, and deadly natural disasters. In the last one and a half decade, the nation finally started turning around by tackling these challenges, and ensuring political and economic stability,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"These ensure equal treatment without discrimination based on religion, race or gender. The people\'s representatives responsible for governance are subject to different layers of accountability,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The WB\'s support to repatriate Rohingya, she said that the World Bank has extended grant support for the 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Their prolonged presence is becoming a huge challenge for us,\" Sheikh Hasina said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"Bangladesh has shown that it can deliver on its commitments. I am confident that our young people will take our nation forward in the right political environment. We wish to further expand our role as a responsible and contributing member of the comity of nations,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said they continue to pursue Bangladesh\'s economic diplomacy based on our foreign policy principle of \"Friendship to All, Malice towards None\", reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>She also hoped that Bangladesh\'s international partners will stay focused on the positive aspects of our march forward and join us in a promising development journey ahead.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 21:33:19', '2023-05-01 21:33:19'),
(6623, 6623, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United Nations food relief agency has suspended aid deliveries to Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region amid an internal investigation into the theft of food meant for hungry people, according to four humanitarian workers.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The World Food Program is responsible for delivering food from the U.N. and other partners to Tigray, the center of a devastating two-year civil war that ended with a ceasefire in November.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 5 million of the region’s 6 million people rely on aid.</div><div><br></div><div>WFP informed its humanitarian partners on April 20 that it was temporarily suspending deliveries of food to Tigray amid reports of food misappropriation, one of the four humanitarian workers told AP. Three other aid workers confirmed this information. They all insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to a journalist on this matter.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, AP reported that the WFP was investigating cases of food misappropriation and diversion in Ethiopia, where a total of 20 million people need humanitarian help due to drought and conflict</div><div><br></div><div>A letter sent by the WFP’s Ethiopia director on April 5 asked humanitarian partners to share “any information or cases of food misuse, misappropriation or diversion that you are aware of or that are brought to your attention by your staff, beneficiaries or local authorities.” At the time, two aid workers told AP that the stolen supplies included enough food to feed 100,000 people. The food was discovered missing from a warehouse in the Tigray city of Sheraro. It was not clear who was responsible for the theft.</div><div><br></div><div>Tigray’s new interim president, Getachew Reda, said last month he discussed “the growing challenge of diversion &amp; sale of food aid meant for the needy” with senior WFP officials during a visit by the agency to Mekele, the regional capital.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesperson for the WFP in Ethiopia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to AP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-01 22:41:44', '2023-05-01 22:41:44');
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(6624, 6624, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">More than 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in fighting in Ukraine since December, the US estimates.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A further 80,000 have been wounded, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, citing newly declassified intelligence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Half of the dead are from the Wagner mercenary company, who have been attacking the eastern Bakhmut city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia has been trying to take the small city since last year in a grinding war of attrition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow currently holds most of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian troops are still control a small portion of the city in the west. The fierce battle has taken on huge symbolic importance for both sides.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian officials have also said they are using the battle to kill as many of Russia\'s troops as possible and wear down its reserves.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Russia\'s attempt at an offensive in the Donbas [region] largely through Bakhmut has failed,\" Mr Kirby told reporters. \"Russia has been unable to seize any real strategic and significant territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We estimate that Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The toll in Bakhmut accounts for losses since the start of December, according to the US figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The bottom line is that Russia\'s attempted offensive has backfired after months of fighting and extraordinary losses,\" Mr Kirby said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added he was not giving estimates of Ukrainian casualties because \"they are the victims here. Russia is the aggressor\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BBC is unable to independently verify the figures given and Moscow has not commented.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The capture of the city would bring Russia slightly closer to its goal of controlling the whole of Donetsk region, one of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine annexed by Russia last September following referendums widely condemned outside Russia as a sham.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Analysts say Bakhmut has little strategic value, but has become a focal point for Russian commanders, who have struggled to deliver any positive news to the Kremlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Wagner mercenary group - which widely uses convicts and has become notorious for its often inhumane methods - has taken centre stage in the Russian assault on Bakhmut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has staked his reputation, and that of his private army, on seizing the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he recently threatened to pull his troops out of Bakhmut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a rare in-depth interview to a prominent Russian war blogger, he vowed to withdraw Wagner fighters if they were not provided with much-needed ammunition by the Russian defence ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wagner fighters could be redeployed to Mali, he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has often clashed with Russia\'s defence ministry during the war, accusing officials of not providing his fighters with enough support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Prigozhin also called upon the Russian media and military leadership to \"stop lying to the Russian population\" ahead of an expected Ukrainian spring counteroffensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need to stop lying to the Russian population, telling them everything is all right,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He praised the Ukrainian military\'s \"good, correct military operations\" and command.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A top Ukrainian general said on Monday that counterattacks had ousted Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut, but the situation remained \"difficult\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Russian units, including paratroopers and fighters from Wagner, are being \"constantly thrown into battle\" despite taking heavy losses, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine\'s ground forces, said on Telegram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But the enemy is unable to take control of the city,\" he said. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 08:13:54', '2023-05-02 08:13:54'),
(6625, 6625, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 108 police officers have been injured in clashes across France with protesters angry at pension reforms, the interior minister has said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gérald Darmanin said such a large number of police wounded was extremely rare, adding that 291 people had been arrested during the unrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of thousands have been taking part in May Day demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron\'s reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most were peaceful but radical groups threw petrol bombs and fireworks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police responded with tear gas and water cannon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is not clear how many protesters have been injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne tweeted that the violence was \"unacceptable\", while also praising the \"responsible mobilisation and commitment\" of demonstrators in numerous cities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is the latest day of mass action against changes that raise the state pension age from 62 to 64. Trade unions want them withdrawn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Interior Ministry put the overall number of demonstrators at 782,000, including 112,000 in the capital Paris, but the CGT union say the figure is three times that number.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Union leaders were adamant that months-long opposition to the reforms was not waning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The page is not going to be turned as long as there is no withdrawal of this pension reform. The determination to win is intact,\" said CGT leader Sophie Binet, quoted by AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Paris, one police officer suffered serious burns to his hands and face when struck by a petrol bomb, Mr Darmanin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Violence also broke out in Lyons, Toulouse and Nantes, where vehicles were set on fire and businesses attacked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were also reports that protesters briefly occupied a luxury hotel in the southern city of Marseille. Monday was the first time since 2009 that France\'s top eight trade unions had backed calls for a protest, AFP news agency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Darmanin accused far-left groups known as black blocs and numbering a few thousand of being behind the violence and urged that \"those who attacked the police and public property be severely punished\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There has been a violent element to the protests ever since March, when the government decided to force the legislation through the lower house of parliament - where it lacks an absolute majority - without a vote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Macron says the reform is a necessity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He signed the reform into law on 15 April, hours after France\'s Constitutional Council broadly backed the changes, but opinion polls show a large majority of the population opposes the higher pension age.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reforms are expected to come into force by September.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has promised further talks but the unions are determined to get the changes repealed, and it is not clear where a compromise could be found. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 08:20:20', '2023-05-02 08:20:20'),
(6626, 6626, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday discussed long-term defense cooperation, the two leaders said.</b></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"For as long as it takes. That\'s how long we\'re going to provide Ukraine with support,\" Trudeau tweeted, following a phone call with Zelensky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You have my word,\" he told the Ukraine leader. \"Canada will continue to be there with military, humanitarian, and financial aid.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky, also in a tweet, said they had discussed \"the program of long-term defense cooperation\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month Canada sent eight Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to help the war-torn country fend off Russia\'s invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ottawa had announced in February it would double the number of tanks pledged to Kyiv the month before. The German-made 55,000-kilogram beasts are the backbone of and among the most advanced in the Canadian military\'s arsenal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Canada has also extended its mission to train Ukrainian combat engineers to October and is also deploying medical trainers, Trudeau said in March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ottawa has committed more than Can$1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine over the past year, including armoured vehicles, surface-to-air missiles, howitzers and munitions as well as the Leopard 2 tanks. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 08:43:08', '2023-05-02 08:43:08'),
(6627, 6627, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Joe Biden scrapped expedited asylum screenings during his first month in office as part of a gutting of Trump administration border polices that included building a wall with Mexico. Now he is preparing his own version.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Donald Trump’s fast-track reviews drew sharp criticism from internal government watchdog agencies as the percentage of people who passed those “credible fear interviews” plummeted. But the Biden administration has insisted its speedy screening for asylum-seekers is different: Interviews will be done exclusively by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, not by Border Patrol agents, and everyone will have access to legal counsel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision to use fast-track screenings comes as COVID-19 asylum restrictions are set to expire on May 11 and the U.S. government prepares for an expected increase in illegal crossings from Mexico. The Texas border cities of El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville have declared local states of emergency in recent days to prepare for the anticipated influx.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Normally, about three in four migrants pass credible fear interviews, though far fewer eventually win asylum. But during the five months of the Trump-era program, only 23% passed the initial screening, while 69% failed and 9% withdrew, according to the Government Accountability Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those who get past initial screenings are generally freed in the United States to pursue their cases in immigration court, which typically takes four years. Critics say the court backlog encourages more people to seek asylum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To pass screenings, migrants must convince an asylum officer they have a “significant possibility” of prevailing before a judge on arguments that they face persecution in their home countries on grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the Biden administration’s fast-track program, those who don’t qualify will be deported “in a matter of days or just a few weeks,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The expedited screenings will be applied only to single adults, Mayorkas said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the administration’s assurances that people will have access to legal services, some immigrant advocates who were briefed by the administration are doubtful. Katherine Hawkins, senior legal analyst at the Project on Government Oversight, noted that advocates were told attorneys would not be allowed inside holding facilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Trump administration used fast-track reviews from October 2019 until March 2020, when it began using a 1944 public health law known as Title 42 to expel immigrants on the grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The speedy screenings were among Trump-era immigration polices that Biden rolled back in a February 2021 executive order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unlike the Trump administration, the Biden administration won’t limit migrants to just one phone call. But it’s unclear how many calls U.S. authorities can facilitate, especially if there is no answer and attorneys call back, Hawkins said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Screenings initially will be limited to Spanish-speaking countries to which the U.S. has regular deportation flights, according to Hawkins and others briefed. The administration began limited screening this month in Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, and later expanded to large tents in other border cities, including San Diego; Yuma, Arizona; and El Paso, Texas. Migrants will get a video presentation to explain the interview process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mayorkas, a former federal prosecutor, didn’t speak in detail about access to legal counsel in remarks Thursday about a broad strategy that, in addition to the screenings, includes processing centers in Guatemala, Colombia and potentially elsewhere for people to come legally to the U.S. through an airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have expanded our holding capacity and set up equipment and procedures so that individuals have the ability to access counsel,” Mayorkas said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Homeland Security Department’s inspector general took issue with lack of legal representation under Trump’s expedited screening. There were four cordless phones for migrants to share when screenings began in El Paso. Guards took them to a shack to consult attorneys.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Phone booths were later installed but didn’t have handsets for safety reasons, forcing migrants to speak loudly and within earshot of people outside, the inspector general said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Facilities built under Biden are more spacious with plenty of phone booths, according to people who have visited.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are rows of cubicles, enclosed,” said Paulina Reyes, an attorney at advocacy group ImmDef who visited a San Diego holding facility in March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The administration has not said how many attorneys have volunteered to represent asylum-seekers. Hawkins said officials told advocates they are reaching out to firms that offer low- or no-cost services to people in immigration detention centers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Erika Pinheiro, executive director of advocacy group Al Otro Lado, which is active in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico, said she has not been approached but would decline to represent asylum-seekers in expedited screenings. They arrive exhausted and unfamiliar with asylum law, hindering their abilities to effectively tell their stories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We know what the conditions are like. We know people are not going to be mentally prepared,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Biden administration aims to complete screenings within 72 hours, the maximum time Border Patrol is supposed to hold migrants under an agency policy that’s routinely ignored.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It’s a tall order. It currently takes about four weeks to complete a screening. Under Trump’s expedited screenings, about 20% of immigrants were in custody for a week or less, according to the GAO. About 86% were held 20 days or less.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has identified 480 former asylum officers or those with training to assist about 800 on the expedited screenings, said Michael Knowles, a spokesman for the American Federation of Government Employees Council 119, which represents asylum officers. Despite the staffing surge, Knowles said officers worry about the pace of the work, “like an assembly line, ‘hurry up, hurry up,’ when you have lives at stake.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“All hands will be on this deck for the foreseeable future,” Knowles said. “We don’t know how long.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 08:58:23', '2023-05-02 08:58:23'),
(6628, 6628, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;The World Bank (WB) has agreed to provide a loan of 2.25 billion US dollars to Bangladesh for its five development schemes on regional trade and connectivity, disaster preparedness and environmental management.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A loan agreement was signed between Bangladesh and the global lender at the WB headquarters here on Monday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and WB President David Malpass witnessed the exchange of the agreement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The five projects are: Resilient Infrastructure Building Project (RIVER), Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST), Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) –Bangladesh Phase-1, First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development (GCRD) and Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the projects, the resilient infrastructure scheme with USD 500 million for adaptation and vulnerability reduction will be the first major investment programme to support Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 as it will help improve disaster preparedness against inland flooding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second project on Bangladesh environmental sustainable and transformation worth about USD 250 million will help Bangladesh strengthen environmental management and promote private sector participation in green investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The third one on accelerating transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia-Bangladesh phase-1 with USD 753.45 million will help Dhaka improve regional trade and connectivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The forth project on first green and climate resilient with USD 500 million will help the country’s transition to green and climate resilient development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fifth and the last scheme on sustainable micro enterprise and resilient transformation involving USD 250 million will help transform the micro enterprise sector to be more dynamic, less polluting, resource efficient and climate resilient growth sector. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 09:31:49', '2023-05-02 09:31:49'),
(6629, 6629, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">World Bank will provide USD 2.25 billion as loan to Bangladesh to develop various sectors, including regional trade and connectivity, disaster preparedness and environmental management.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A loan agreement was signed on Monday (May 01, 2023) between Bangladesh and the World Bank for implementing five projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and World Bank President David Malpass witnessed the exchanges of the financing agreement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This loan agreement comprises five projects:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Accelerating transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) – Bangladesh Phase-1 Project worth USD 753.45 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">USD 500 million Resilient Infrastructure Building Project (RIVER) for resilience, adaptation and vulnerability reduction that will be the first major investment to support Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100. It will help improve disaster preparedness against inland flooding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">USD 500 million First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development (GCRD) project is the first such credit that will help the country’s transition to resilient development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">USD 250 million Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project aims to help transform the microenterprise sector into a more dynamic, less polluting, resource efficient and climate resilient growth sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">USD 250 million Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) project to help strengthen environmental management and promote private sector participation in green investment. 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, '2023-05-02 10:09:21', '2023-05-02 10:09:21'),
(6630, 6630, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>After May Day holiday yesterday, Dhaka’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 175 at 9:20 am today, making it the most polluted in the world on the list.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia’s Jakarta and Myanmar’s Yangon occupied the second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 173 and 140, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘poor’, while a reading of 301+ is considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. 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, '2023-05-02 10:55:09', '2023-05-02 10:55:09'),
(6631, 6631, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thousands of Hollywood television and movie writers will go on strike Tuesday, their union said, after talks with studios and streamers over pay and other conditions ended without a deal.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike means late-night shows could immediately grind to a halt, and television series and movies scheduled for release later this year and beyond may face major delays.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Writers Guild of America (WGA) board members \"acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, have voted unanimously to call a strike,\" the organization tweeted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Studios\' responses to its demands had been \"wholly insufficient given the existential crisis writers are facing,\" the writers\' union said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It came after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing studios including Disney and Netflix, said in a statement that negotiations \"concluded without an agreement.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The last time Hollywood writers laid down their pens and keyboards, in 2007, the strike lasted for 100 days, costing the Los Angeles entertainment industry around $2 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This time, the two sides are clashing as writers demand higher pay and a greater share of profits from the boom in streaming, while studios say they must cut costs due to economic pressures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WGA accused studios of seeking to create a \"gig economy,\" in which writing would be \"an entirely freelance profession.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AMPTP said it had offered a \"comprehensive package proposal\" including higher pay for writers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But it was unwilling to improve that offer further \"because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the Guild continues to insist upon.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Streaming \'residuals\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Writers say it is becoming impossible to earn a living, as salaries have flatlined or declined after inflation, even as employers reap profits and fatten executives\' paychecks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More writers than ever are working at the union-mandated minimum wage, while shows hire fewer people to script ever-shorter series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AMPTP statement said WGA demands for \"mandatory staffing\" that would require studios to hire a set number of writers \"for a specified period of time, whether needed or not\" was a major sticking point.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another key issue on the table is reworking the formula that calculates how writers are paid for streaming shows, which often remain on platforms like Netflix years after they were written.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For decades, writers have been paid \"residuals\" from each reuse of their material, such as television reruns or DVD sales.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With streaming, writers simply get a fixed annual payout -- even if their work generates a smash hit like \"Bridgerton\" or \"Stranger Things,\" streamed by hundreds of millions of viewers around the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These amounts remain far too low for the global reuse of WGA-covered programming on these massive services,\" says the guild.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The negotiations will \"determine how we are financially compensated by streamers,\" not just now but well into the future, one Los Angeles-based TV writer told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WGA also wants to address the future impact of artificial intelligence on writing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Challenged\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AMPTP says that overall residuals paid to writers hit an all-time high of $494 million in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That was up by almost half, from $333 million, a decade earlier, largely thanks to the boom in writing jobs driven by the explosion of streaming content.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also dispute suggestions that studios are falsely claiming economic hardship to bolster their negotiation position.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the spendthrift past few years, when rival streamers chased subscriber growth at any cost, bosses are now under intense pressure from investors to curb spending and deliver profits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Do you think that Disney would be laying 7,000 people off for fun?\" said a source familiar with the AMPTP\'s position.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There\'s only one [streaming] platform that\'s profitable right now, and that\'s Netflix. The movie industry... that\'s a pretty challenged segment as well.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Nerve wracking\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a possible olive branch, the studios\' statement said they remained \"willing to engage in discussions with the WGA in an effort to break this logjam.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the industry fears a ripple effect.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several other Hollywood unions have voiced solidarity with writers, including the actors\' SAG-AFTRA, and the directors\' DGA. Both will hold their own talks with studios this summer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stars at New York\'s Met Gala on Monday night expressed support for writers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everything changed with streaming, and everybody needs to be compensated for their work,\" actress Amanda Seyfried told Variety.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s... easy! I don\'t get it. Whatever. Fingers crossed.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 11:22:15', '2023-05-02 11:22:15'),
(6632, 6632, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>When it comes to releasing the antioxidant lutein from spinach in smoothies, different market goods have extremely variable results. Only four of the 14 common dairy and plant-based products studied by researchers at Linkoping University in Sweden increased lutein liberation. Some drinks had a negative effect on the lutein content of spinach smoothies when compared to water.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most individuals are aware that spinach is beneficial to one\'s health. Lutein, for example, is a chemical present in spinach and kale. Several experimental studies have shown that lutein can suppress inflammation-related processes, and there is now abundant evidence that chronic low-grade inflammation is an important risk factor in cardiovascular disease.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Lutein is a bioactive substance. We investigated lutein in the same way that we would investigate a pharmaceutical medication. \"We looked at lutein liberation from fresh spinach in this study,\" explains Rosanna Chung, assistant professor at Linkoping University\'s Department of Health, Medicine, and Caring Sciences, who led the study published in Nutrients.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As our bodies cannot produce lutein, the researchers behind the study were interested to find out how to optimise lutein intake from foods. The research group previously showed that preparation methods where the spinach is heated break down some of the lutein, whereas mixing it into a smoothie makes more lutein available for absorption.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The type of liquid used in the smoothie can also affect lutein content. As lutein dissolves in fat but not in water, it needs gastric juice and/or other food components to be liberated from the plant material and absorbed by our intestines. The researchers suspected that some components in our food, such as fat, carbohydrates, proteins and fibres, can affect the amount of lutein available for absorption. The effect of products such as yoghurt may also differ due to fermentation. However, products widely available on the market are rarely examined in scientific studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers have examined the effects of various products available from food shops on the amount of lutein liberated in smoothies. Both dairy and plant-based liquids were tested.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers blended spinach with various products. They then used a method simulating human digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, by adding digestive enzymes. Finally, the amount of lutein available for the body to absorb in smoothies made with various products was compared to that in smoothies made with just water.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We could see that only 4 of the 14 examined products increased the liberation of lutein from spinach compared to water. Cow\'s milk with a high-fat content as well as coconut milk improved lutein liberation. Yoghurt, however, which is regarded as comparable to cow\'s milk and is often used in cafes and similar, did not show particularly good results,\" says Rosanna Chung.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact that yoghurt is not that good at liberating lutein may have to do with the fermentation process. It also turned out that plant-based drinks, often made from nuts, legumes or oats, showed significantly different results. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 11:33:50', '2023-05-02 11:33:50'),
(6633, 6633, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The US does not want to comment on Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, noting that it is an “internal, domestic election.”</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I don’t have anything else to get into that beyond as it’s an internal, domestic election,” Deputy Principal Spokesperson at US Department of State Vedant Patel has said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He came up with the remarks when a journalist wanted to know how the US would navigate a situation where, in Bangladesh, another party refuses to participate in a national election and may later claim it to be an “unfair and unjust election.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patel, however, said, as it relates to elections, US want them to be free and fair and to be reflective of the will of the Bangladeshi people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I will say broadly, though, is that the US and Bangladesh last year celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, and we look forward to continuing to deepen those relationships,” he said at a regular media briefing at the US Department of State on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patel said that Dhaka and Washington have a number of areas where they have the possibility for immense cooperation and engagement – whether that be climate change, whether that be the economy, addressing the humanitarian crisis, and other things as well. 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, '2023-05-02 12:05:13', '2023-05-02 12:05:13'),
(6634, 6634, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian cricket star Virat Kohli was fined on Tuesday for the second time in this IPL after a post-match altercation with former national team-mate Gautam Gambhir.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both were docked their entire match fee, the Indian Premier League said, while Naveen-ul-Haq was fined 50 percent of his for breaching the league\'s code of conduct.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kohli and Afghan bowler Naveen were seen having sharp words on the field during a tense match between Kohli\'s Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kohli, who has often run into trouble with his aggressive approach, had to be restrained by opposition batsman Amit Mishra during the match. Bangalore eventually won by 18 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afterwards, Lucknow\'s Kyle Mayers had to be led away from an exchange with Kohli before other players tried unsuccessfully to stop a visibly furious Gambhir, Lucknow\'s team mentor, from confronting him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gambhir and Kohli, who played together when India won the 2011 World Cup, had a shouting match before Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis intervened.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former national team-mates were also involved in an ugly on-field exchange in a 2013 IPL match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 41-year-old Gambhir has become an MP for India\'s Hindu-nationalist ruling BJP party since retiring from cricket in 2018.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was Kohli\'s second offence this season after he was fined 10 percent of his match fee for his conduct during Bangalore\'s loss to Chennai Super Kings last month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite being one of the best batsmen of the modern game, \"King Kohli\" and Bangalore have never won the Indian Premier League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He quit the RCB captaincy at the end of the 2021 season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He went through an extended batting slump in 2021 and 2022, during which time he lost the Indian captaincy, one of the most high-pressure jobs in world sport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kohli, 34, has spoken about his mental health struggles during his dry phase, including how he had been \"snappy\" to his Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has had numerous run-ins with opposing players and was once reprimanded after hitting a plastic chair with a bat following his dismissal during an IPL match. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 13:15:15', '2023-05-02 13:15:15');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6635, 6635, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As a long-standing partner, World Bank Group President David Malpass has said that they will support Bangladesh as it navigates a challenging global environment on its way to reaching upper-middle-income status by 2031.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am confident that with the right set of policies and timely action, Bangladesh can achieve its growth aspirations,” he said while speaking at the celebration of 50 years of partnership with Bangladesh on May 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank president said Bangladesh’s remarkable journey was made possible by the indomitable energy and resilience of its people and a national will to build a prosperous nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the celebration, Malpass also tweeted: “Many countries can learn from Bangladesh’s innovative approaches to reducing poverty, empowering women, and adapting to climate change.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are proud of our partnership and look forward to opening the next chapter together with you,” he said at the celebration, addressing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three lessons stand out from Bangladesh’s development experience and can inspire other countries: empowering women and girls, investing in people and connectivity, and moving decisively on climate adaptation and resilience, said the World Bank President.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and World Bank Group President David Malpass celebrated 50 years of partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank at the institution’s headquarters in Washington DC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The partnership has helped lift millions of Bangladeshis out of poverty and supported the country’s economic growth and development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank is providing Bangladesh with $2.25 billion of financing to improve regional connectivity, boost disaster preparedness to address inland flooding, transition to green and climate-resilient development, strengthen environmental management and green investment, and help the micro-enterprise sector become less polluting and more climate-resilient.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has transformed from one of the poorest countries to achieving lower-middle income status in 2015. The country is now among the world’s fastest-growing economies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In 1971, when Bangladesh was born, many development experts were sceptical about the country’s future. The aspirations germinated by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and, our people have shown the world that with determination, it is possible to overcome even the hardest challenges. Bangladesh has transformed its economy and made it more resilient as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The journey was not always easy, but we have never lost courage. In the past 50 years, the World Bank remained a steadfast development partner and supported our aspirations. We hope to work together with the World Bank as Bangladesh progresses to achieve higher-income country status by 2041,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malpass reaffirmed the World Bank’s strong support for Bangladesh and its people as the country navigates unprecedented global challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“As Bangladesh’s largest development partner, we welcome its progress in income growth and poverty reduction. We are committed to continuing our support to enable the private sector, create new job opportunities, broaden the tax base, strengthen the financial sector, and build the country’s resilience to economic and climate shocks,” said Malpass.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Many countries can learn from Bangladesh’s development successes. The country stands out for its innovative approaches to reducing poverty in record time, empowering women, achieving wide-spread electricity access, and adapting to climate change,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister and the World Bank President inaugurated a multimedia photo exhibition depicting Bangladesh’s development story over the past five decades and joined a seminar to reflect on 50 years of partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World bank President also thanked the Prime Minister and the Bangladeshi people for hosting the displaced Rohingya people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh’s provision of shelter to more than 1.1 million Rohingya who fled from violence in Myanmar since 2017 saved thousands of lives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We will continue to work with you in providing support to the Rohingya,” he said, adding that the World Bank has mobilized US$590 million in grant financing, with support from Canada and in close collaboration with the UN family and others, to help provide local communities in Cox’s Bazar, and the displaced Rohingya population, with healthcare, education, basic services, and infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Several steps can improve the sustainability and impact of the programs: enhanced livelihood and education opportunities, resilient shelters, stronger inclusion of the Rohingyas into the national systems for service delivery, and leveraging government investments on the island of Bhasan Char,” the World bank President said. 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, '2023-05-02 13:50:16', '2023-05-02 13:50:16'),
(6636, 6636, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The White House on Monday announced a May 11 end to Covid-19 vaccine requirements for travelers to the United States and for government employees across the world\'s biggest economy.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Today, we are announcing that the administration will end the Covid-19&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">vaccine requirements for federal employees, federal contractors, and&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">that the Covid-19 public health emergency ends,\" a statement said.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">More than a million people died from Covid-19 in the United States. However, the White House noted that the pandemic had been all but stopped, leading to the government lifting restrictions dating back from when the disease was ravaging entire communities and forcing crippling economic shutdowns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Since January 2021, Covid-19 deaths have declined by 95 percent and&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">hospitalizations are down nearly 91 percent. Globally, Covid-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic,\" the statement said.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the White House, \"vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation, and our broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">While demanding proof of a Covid vaccination for foreigners boarding US-bound flights mirrored the practice of many countries, the domestic government vaccination mandates sparked sometimes fierce political backlash at home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">In addition to ending the vaccine rules, President Joe Biden announced in&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">April he was officially calling an end to the national health emergency that&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">for more than three years had underpinned a series of extraordinary&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">government measures.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These included lavish funding for free Covid testing and vaccinations across the country. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 14:18:49', '2023-05-02 14:18:49'),
(6637, 6637, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>People squeezed by inflation and demanding economic justice took to streets across Asia, Europe and the Americas on Monday to mark May Day, in an outpouring of worker discontent not seen since before the worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">French police charged at radical protesters and troublemakers smashing bank and shop windows and setting fires as unions pushed the president to scrap a higher retirement age. South Koreans pleaded for higher wages as did others around Latin America. Spanish lawyers demanded the right to take days off. Migrant domestic workers in Lebanon marched in a country plunged into economic crisis.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">While May Day is marked worldwide as a celebration of labor rights, this year\'s rallies tapped into broader frustrations. Climate activists spray-painted a museum in Paris, and protesters in Germany demonstrated against violence targeting women and LGBTQ+ people.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Celebrations were forced indoors in Pakistan, tinged with political tensions as in Turkey, as both countries face high-stakes elections. Russia\'s war in Ukraine overshadowed scaled-back events in Moscow, where Communist-led May Day celebrations were once massive affairs.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Across the globe, this year’s May Day events unleashed pent-up frustration after three years of COVID-19 restrictions.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Across France, some 800,000 people marched, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. They mobilized against President Emmanuel Macron’s recent move to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Organizers see pension reform as a threat to hard-fought worker rights, while Macron argues it\'s economically necessary as the population ages.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">While marchers were largely peaceful, violence by radicals, an ever-present reality at French marches, marred the message, notably in Paris. A Paris police officer was seriously injured by a Molotov cocktail, among 108 officers injured around France, Darmanin said. It wasn\'t known how many protesters were potentially injured. Clashes also marked protests in Lyon and Nantes.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“Violence is increasingly strong in a society that is radicalizing,” the interior minister said on BFM-TV news station, blaming the ultra-left. He said some 2,000 radicals were at the Paris march.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Tear gas hung over the end point of the Paris march, Place de la Nation, where a huge black cloud lofted high above the trees after radicals set two fuel cans afire outside a building renovation site, police said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">French union members were joined by groups fighting for economic justice, or just expressing anger at what is seen as Macron\'s out-of-touch, pro-business leadership. Labor activists from abroad were present, among them Hyrwon Chong of the South Korean Metal Workers’ Union.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“Today we see rising inequality throughout the world, terrible inflation,\" she said, adding that Macron\'s government was trying \"to tear down a pillar of the social system which is the pension system.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Northern Macedonia’s capital Skopje, thousands of trade union members protested a recent government decision granting ministers a 78% raise. The minimum monthly wage in one of Europe’s poorest countries, is 320 euros ($350), while the hike will put ministers\' wages at around 2,300 euros ($2,530). “We are here, not only (to mark) Labor Day, but also to warn that if there is no social justice, there will be no social peace either,\" said union leader Jakim Nedelkovski.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Turkey, police prevented demonstrators from reaching Istanbul’s main square, Taksim, and detained around a dozen of them, independent television station Sozcu reported.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The square has symbolic importance for Turkey’s trade unions after unknown gunmen opened fire on a May Day celebration at Taksim in 1977, causing a stampede that killed dozens. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has declared Taksim off-limits to protests, though small groups were allowed to enter to lay wreaths at a monument.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Pakistan, authorities banned rallies in some cities because of a tense security and political atmosphere. In Peshawar, in the restive northwest, labor organizations and trade unions held indoor events to demand better workers’ rights amid high inflation.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Sri Lanka’s opposition political parties and trade unions held workers’ day rallies protesting austerity measures and economic reforms linked to a bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Protesters demanded the government halt moves to privatize state-owned and semi-government businesses. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in history and has suspended foreign debt repayments.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In South Korea, tens of thousands of people attended rallies in its biggest May Day gatherings since the pandemic began in early 2020.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“The price of everything has increased except for our wages. Increase our minimum wages!” an activist at a Seoul rally shouted at the podium.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Tokyo, thousands of labor union members, opposition lawmakers and academics demanded wage increases to offset the impact of rising costs as they recover from damage from the pandemic. They criticized Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s plan to double the defense budget, saying the money should be spent on welfare, social security and improving people’s daily lives.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Indonesia, demonstrators demanded the government repeal a job creation law they argue would only benefit business.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Taiwan, thousands of workers protested what they call the inadequacies of the self-ruled island’s labor policies, putting pressure on the ruling party before the 2024 presidential election.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Protests in Germany kicked off with a “Take Back the Night” rally organized by feminist and queer groups on the eve of May Day to protest against violence directed at women and LGBTQ+ people. On Monday, thousands more turned out in marches organized by Germany labor unions in Berlin, Cologne and other cities, rejecting recent calls by conservative politicians for restrictions on the right to strike.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">More than 70 marches were held across Spain, and powerful unions warned of “social conflict” if low salaries compared to the EU average don’t rise in line with inflation. The Illustrious College of Lawyers of Madrid urged reforms of historic laws that require them to be on call 365 days of the year, regardless of the death of family members or medical emergencies. In recent years, lawyers have tweeted images of themselves working from hospital beds on IV drips to illustrate their plight.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Italy’s far-right premier, Giorgia Meloni, made a point of working on Monday — as her Cabinet passed measures on Labor Day that it contends demonstrates concern for workers. But opposition lawmakers and union leaders said the measures do nothing to increase salaries or combat the widespread practice of hiring workers on temporary contracts. Many young people say they can’t contemplate starting families or even move out of parents’ homes because they only get temporary contracts.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In war-ravaged Ukraine, May Day is associated with Soviet-era celebrations when the country was ruled from Moscow — an era that many want forgotten.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“It is good that we don’t celebrate this holiday like it was done during the Bolshevik times. It was something truly awful,” said Anatolii Borsiuk, a 77-year-old in Kyiv.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Alla Liapkina described the flowers and balloons of Soviet May Day gatherings, but said it’s time to move on. “We live in a new era,\'\' she said. ‘’We don’t need to go back to such a past.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Venezuela, which has suffered rampant inflation for years, thousands of workers demonstrated to demand a minimum wage increase at a time when the majority cannot meet basic needs despite their last increase 14 months ago. “Decent wages and pensions now!” protesters chanted in the capital, Caracas. Many also alluded to U.S. sanctions against the socialist-led government of Nicolás Maduro, chanting, “This is not a blockade, this is looting.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Bolivia, leftist President Luis Arce led a Labor Day march in La Paz with a major union and announced a 5% increase in the minimum wage. Arce said his government “is strong because the unions are strong.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In Brazil, the focus was not only on traditional labor unions but on parttime workers and those in the informal sector, with the government of new leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announcing a work group on proposals to regulate that sector after the president recently described those workers as “almost like slaves.” AP/UNB</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 14:31:33', '2023-05-02 14:31:33'),
(6638, 6638, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Salman Mohammad Muqtadir, the very first successful YouTube celebrity in Bangladesh, has finally settled down and got married.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The popular social media celebrity shared some of the images from his wedding photoshoots across his verified profiles on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday, and the caption suggested that the couple got married on April 30.</div><div><br></div><div>However, name of his bride is yet to be revealed by the YouTube superstar.</div><div><br></div><div>A fashion clothing brand named Safiya Sathi was tagged on Salman\'s post, which congratulated him on its Facebook post stating \"Salman Muqtaqir is wearing our couture white Sherwani to match the dazzling bride\'s ensemble.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Although some netizens seemingly took it as a prank or some sort of sponsored promotional activity, people from celebrities to his regular followers are showering the newlyweds with love and best wishes.</div><div><br></div><div>10 Minutes School CEO and content creator Ayman Sadiq wrote, \"I never thought I would see this day. So glad to see you guys happy.</div><div><br></div><div>Wish both of you a happy &amp; peaceful journey together.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Popular presenter and host Rafsan Shabab wrote, \"From seeing your heart and mind suffer to seeing your heart being won by a beautiful partner - could not be more happy. May this be the beginning of a new story, filled with love, peace and happiness. Congratulations to you two &lt;3 .\"</div><div><br></div><div>Salman started his YouTube journey in 2012 under the name \"SalmoN TheBrownFish\" and has subsequently become one of the most popular YouTubers in Bangladesh. Aside from his works as a successful YouTube content creator, he also acted in several television drama and music videos. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 17:39:01', '2023-05-02 17:39:01'),
(6639, 6639, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday urged India to take more effective steps in persuading Myanmar to take the Rohingyas back home from Bangladesh for resolving the issue.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The president made the call when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma met him at Bangabhaban. Verma became the first foreign envoy to meet the president since he took office on April 24 last.</div><div><br></div><div>Press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>President Shahabuddin said that Bangladesh has sheltered Rohingyas for humanitarian reasons, and their prolonged stay is creating problems not only for Bangladesh but for the entire region.</div><div><br></div><div>He expressed his gratefulness to India for the crucial support it had given to Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971 led by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>He also shared his experience as a freedom fighter during the Liberation War and the training in India.</div><div><br></div><div>Shahabuddin stated that Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its relations with India which is so closely linked by geographical proximity, shared history and sacrifices.</div><div><br></div><div>He noted with satisfaction that India can now permanently use ports in Chattogram and Mongla for transporting goods from the mainland to its north-eastern states</div><div><br></div><div>\"This will help boost the trade volume alongside the socio-economic development,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the two countries will continue working together in diverse areas for mutual benefit of their people and would also contribute in bringing peace and prosperity in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>He stated that Bangladesh-India bilateral ties have been strengthened by the unprecedented state visits by both the President and the Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the two countries would amicably resolve the unsettled issues between them, including the water sharing of common rivers, for greater benefit of the two peoples.</div><div><br></div><div>He also hoped that the trade deficit and the issues of trade barriers, would be addressed in a balanced manner.</div><div><br></div><div>The president said that the excellent relations between the two neighbourly countries would be elevated to an even newer height in the coming days and the two countries will continue to cooperate at different regional and multilateral forums.</div><div><br></div><div>In his remarks, the Indian high commissioner said India attaches highest importance to the relationship with Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The connectivity between the two countries has increased manifold over the last 15 years. People of both countries are enjoying this,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Praising Bangladesh\'s zero tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy, he said this&nbsp; has brought stability in this region and is playing a positive role in economic development. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 18:07:39', '2023-05-02 18:07:39'),
(6640, 6640, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">India is now home to the world’s tallest railway bridge. Some 35 meters (over 10 feet) taller than the Eiffel Tower, the Chenab Bridge sits 359 meters (around 109 feet) above the Chenab River in India’s contentious Jammu and Kashmir region.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>After decades of construction, the bridge in northern India will be open to visitors by the end of December 2023 or January 2024, the Ministry of Railways said in a March press release.</div><div><br></div><div>The 1,315 meter-long (4,314 feet) bridge is part of a broader project to make the Kashmir Valley accessible by the Indian Railway network. In addition to the Chenab Bridge, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project involves what will become the country’s longest transportation tunnel and Indian Railways’ first cable bridge.</div><div><br></div><div>For India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swept to power in 2014 on a ticket of nationalism and a promise of future greatness, investments in infrastructure like the Chenab Bridge and the broader rail link project can be seen as a powerful tool for social integration and political influence, connecting disparate regions with key cities, reports CNN</div><div><br></div><div>“The bridge and the greater connectivity it’s meant to create will be projected by New Delhi as another big victory for the region’s development,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 20:47:32', '2023-05-02 20:47:32'),
(6641, 6641, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The number of unemployed people has increased by 2.70 lakh to 25.90 lakh in the first quarter of current year (2023), said a survey on labour force conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The BBS disclosed the survey report in a press conference at the conference hall of National Economic Council (NEC) on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the BBS, there are 25.90 lakh people unemployed in the country in the first quarter (January-March) of 2023, while the number was 23.20 lakh in the last quarter (October-December) of the previous year (2022).</div><div><br></div><div>Disclosing the report, Dr Shamsul Alam,  State Minister for Planning, said that there are less job opportunities during winter, especially in the agricultural sector. Now the paddy harvesting season has started and job opportunities have increased with it.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, the number of unemployed people will decrease again, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Labour Force Survey, 2022, the total number of unemployed people in the country was 26.30 lakh. Among them, the number of male was 16.90 lakh and the number of female was 9.40 lakh.</div><div><br></div><div>The survey data revealed, unemployment rate in the country was 3.51 percent in the first quarter of 2023. The unemployment rate among men is 3.54 percent and among women it is 3.46 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Labor Force Survey 2023, the total population employed in the country is 7.36 crore during January to March and the employed population is currently 7.11 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>Population outside the labour force is 4.62 crore and the labour force participation rate is 61.37, according to the report.</div><div><br></div><div>It said 3.19 crore people are engaged in agriculture sector, 1.22 crore in the industrial sector, 2.69 lakh in the service sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from this, the country\'s youth labour force is 2.73 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>The total employable population is 7.36 crore, which is 20.15 percent of the country\'s total labour force.</div><div><br></div><div>According to BBS, the unemployed population consists mainly of those who have not worked for at least one hour in the past seven days, but were willing to work in the past seven days and have sought work for wages. According to BSS reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 21:32:19', '2023-05-02 21:32:52'),
(6642, 6642, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government is trying to bring back home BNP\'s convicted acting chairman Tarique Rahman to implement the court verdict,&nbsp; but it all depends on the UK government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“He is there (UK). Whoever the criminal is, they should be brought back and their sentence should be carried out. We are making our efforts in this regard. But now it totally depends on the British government. Will they keep him there or allow the punishment to be executed? It totally depends on them,” she told Voice of America Bangla service in an interview in Washington.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said initiative is always there from the Bangladesh government side. She mentioned a number of cases including money laundering, arms smuggling, corruption and also the 21 August grenade attack. “Many more such cases are pending against them.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said Tarique left the country during the caretaker government period signing a bond. “So we want him to be brought back as soon as possible to implement the verdict in this case.”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the VoA journalist wanted to know whether the prime minister had any discussions with the UK government about taking Tarique back to Bangladesh, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the PM also said, “Of course. At one point we repeatedly contacted the UK government.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 21:42:31', '2023-05-02 21:42:31'),
(6643, 6643, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Eleven lakh doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, a new type of vaccine that provides protection against both the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19, have been brought to the country,&nbsp; while another 20 lakh will arrive \'in a short period of time\', Health Minister Zahid Maleque said Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>They will be administered as booster doses to tackle Covid-19, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bivalent COVID-19 vaccines include a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against COVID-19 and a component of the omicron variant to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bivalent is being brought from World Health Organisation (WHO) and it worked as an antidote of omicron and delta variant of Covid-19 and people more than 12 years old will be brought under this vaccination programme which will be started soon,” said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister came up with this information while speaking at a press briefing held at the ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has taken training programmes to make the activities of the ministry dynamic and also considering how to best train up the physicians abroad and locally, and in which subject, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the ministry is taking preparation to organise a conference that will be held every year with the participation of 700 people including physicians, civil surgeons, professors and directors of different hospitals, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>It will also help to encourage the physicians, said the minister, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that the institutional practice is going on in full swing, Zahid said the physicians and patients are satisfied with that and the evening service will be launched in more than 100 institutions within next week.</div><div>The government is planning to make its Universal Health Coverage programme more dynamic and the process is underway, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The base of the Universal Health Coverage is to provide medical services to the people at free of cost and we should work on how to bring the cost of medical services to a minimum in private hospitals and If it works then Universal Health Coverage will be implemented in a major portion,” added Zahid.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-02 21:47:58', '2023-05-02 21:47:58'),
(6644, 6644, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Authorities near Houston say they have caught a man suspected of killing five of his neighbors, including a 9-year-old boy, with an AR-style rifle after the family confronted him late at night about firing rounds in his yard.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Francisco Oropeza, 38, was arrested Tuesday, four days after the shooting late Friday in the town of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Houston, according to Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Oropeza was was arrested without incident near Conroe, which is roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the home authorities say Oropeza fled after shooting his neighbors and setting off a widening manhunt that had grown to more than 250 people from multiple jurisdictions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sheriff would not say whether Oropeza was armed or how authorities figured out where he was.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police had used drones and scent-tracking dogs during the wide search for Oropeza that included combing a heavily wooded forest a few miles from the scene. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott offered $50,000 in reward money as the search dragged late into the weekend and the FBI acknowledged that they had little indication as to Oropeza’s whereabouts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alleged shooter is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, according to U.S. immigration officials. The gunman was first deported in March 2009 and last in July 2016. He was also deported in September 2009 and January 2012.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said that prior to the shooting deputies had been called to the suspect’s house at least one other time previously over shooting rounds in his yard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All of the victims were from Honduras. Wilson Garcia, who survived the shooting, said friends and family in the home tried to hide and shield themselves and children after Oropeza walked up to the home and began firing, killing his wife first at the front door.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Garcia said Oropeza came running over to their house loading an AR-15 after he and two other people had asked him to stop firing off rounds late at night because a baby inside was trying to sleep. Garcia said Oropeza told him he could do what he wanted on his property.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In offering the reward, Abbot called the victims “illegal immigrants,” a partially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for Monday after drawing wide backlash over drawing attention to the immigration status of the victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victims were identified as Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 08:59:38', '2023-05-03 08:59:38'),
(6645, 6645, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Bangladesh wants the United States as a long-term productive partner for increasing global competitiveness, and expand the export base to become a \"developing\" country in 2026.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We shall need support to increase our global competitiveness and expand the export base. I am optimistic that the United States would become our long-term productive partner in this challenging venture through trade, investment, technology transfer, and by creating a smooth and predictable supply chain for mutual benefits,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister made the appeal while speaking at a business roundtable on “US-Bangladesh Economic Partnership: Shared Vision for Smart Growth” at US Chamber of Commerce here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US-Bangladesh Business Council organised the event with important US business leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier is here on a six-day visit to celebrate the 50 years of the partnership between the World Bank and Bangladesh. She arrived in Washington DC on April 29.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the roundtable, Hasina also invited the US businesses to invest in Bangladesh’s many vibrant and high-potential sectors, such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobile, pharmaceuticals, light and heavy machineries, chemical fertilisers, ICT, marine resources, and medical equipment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government is setting up 100 ‘Special Economic Zones’ (SEZs) and 39 Hi-tech Parks in different parts of the country. With more than 600,000 free-lancing IT professionals, Bangladesh is just the right destination for IT investments. Moreover, access to young, skilled vibrant workforce at a competitive wage will continue to be an added advantage in Bangladesh, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier repeated her offer of a dedicated ‘Special Economic Zone’ solely for the US investors in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She called on the US business leaders to explore opportunities and invest in Bangladesh. “I also call on you here today to remain and be with us as partners in our journey to a developed, prosperous, and Smart Bangladesh by 2041,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said the United States is a major economic and development partner of Bangladesh. Both countries have intensive engagements in many areas, including trade and investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our shared aim is to achieve mutual benefit and prosperity for our peoples. This shows in our growing bilateral trade, and people-to-people interaction.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2021-2022, Bangladesh exported commodities worth US$ 10.42 billion to the United States, and imported goods worth US$ 2.8 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stating that Bangladesh is a market of 170 million and its geographical location puts it in the heart of a market of 3 billion, she said, “Since connectivity brings prosperity, we promoted and established connectivity with our neighbours.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Bangladesh has now emerged as an ideal place for trade and investment in the region, and beyond. An example is Japan’s proposal to develop an industrial hub in Bangladesh along the coastal belt.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She mentioned that now the focus of Bangladesh is to promote economic and commercial relations with regional and global partners, including the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the physical, legal, and financial infrastructures of Bangladesh are being improved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our efforts to sustain overall growth through investments in infrastructure are visible across the country. Last year, over the large Padma River, we built with our own fund, our longest bridge, now an important feature in regional development,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Bangladesh has also built metro rail, and improved port infrastructure, including deep seaport. “These have heightened domestic and regional connectivity.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said the climate responsible growth policy, labour reforms, and improvement in labour safety standards of Bangladesh deserve appreciation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government\'s efforts have led to Bangladesh making remarkable socio-economic growth over the last 14 years. “It is now universally acknowledged as a “Role Model of Socio-Economic development.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This has also been possible due to the continuity of good governance, rule of law, and stability; investment in rural economy; empowerment of women; and ICT that led to Digital Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government’s vision is to build a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041. This vision is beyond becoming a high income developed country by 2041. Smart Bangladesh is about being inclusive and founded on its smart citizens, smart economy, smart government, and smart society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh\'s most liberal investment policy status in the region. It includes foreign investment protection by law; tax holiday; remittances of royalty; unrestricted exit policy; full repatriation of dividend and capital on exit and others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I assure you that we are giving topmost priority to improving our investment environment. In this regard, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority is implementing the Bangladesh Investment Climate Improvement Programme”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She opined that the United States can be the most robust partner of Bangladesh. It is currently the largest single country destination of exports, largest source of foreign direct investment, a long-standing development partner, and an important source of training and technology.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“I hope that the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council will play a significant role in advancing trade and investment cooperation between our two friendly countries.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the event, she inaugurated the US Bangladesh IT Connect portal (us.itconnect.gov.bd) to facilitate b2b matchmaking and to make it easier for US businesses to find their right ICT partner in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s ICT&nbsp; Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also spoke at the high-level roundtable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Planning Minister MA Mannan, and PM\'s Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Chairman of Board of Directors of U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Board and also president of Excelerate Energy Steven Kobos, President of U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Ambassador Atul Keshap, Global Chair Emeritus of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Hans-Paul Bürkner, Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy and Indo-Pacific Policy Operations at Mastercard Ravi Aurora, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of bKash Kamal Quadir, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh Eric Walker and Global Head of Exploration and New Venture at ExxonMobil Dr John Ardill were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister earlier attended two separate meetings with USBBC senior executives and the President and CEO of the US Chamber and Commerce at the Briefing Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce here. 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, '2023-05-03 09:10:32', '2023-05-03 09:10:32');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6646, 6646, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Washington did not warn Kyiv about the top-secret documents leaked to internet chat rooms -- containing sensitive information about Ukraine\'s war effort -- before the news broke in the media last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Washington Post.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The embarrassing security breach revealed US unease about a coming counteroffensive by Kyiv\'s forces against Russian troops as well as concerns about Ukrainian air defenses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I did not receive information from the White House or the Pentagon beforehand,\" Zelensky told the newspaper in an interview in Kyiv Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We did not have that information. I personally did not. It\'s definitely a bad story,\" he said, calling the situation \"unprofitable.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking on CNN, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder would not confirm or deny Zelensky\'s claim, saying only that Washington remains \"committed to working very closely with Ukraine and our international allies to ensure that they have the security assistance they need to be able to defend their country.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old IT specialist with the US Air Force National Guard, is accused of posting classified material online in the most damaging government leak in a decade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month, he was arrested and charged on two counts over the breach, which the Pentagon has said poses a \"very serious risk\" to national security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is not beneficial to the reputation of the White House, and I believe it is not beneficial to the reputation of the United States,\" Zelensky told the Post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The documents also contained information on Russian and Ukrainian troop casualties and equipment losses, details about NATO observation flights over the Black Sea, and accounts which point to American surveillance of close partner Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Anything that informs our enemy in advance in one way or another is definitely a minus for us,\" Zelensky told the Post, while refusing to confirm or deny the veracity of any of the exposed material.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the newspaper, Zelensky said he must prioritize the larger war effort over his personal feelings on the lack of communication by the United States, which has contributed billions of dollars in support since Russia\'s invasion in February 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I cannot risk our state,\" he told the newspaper.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Where I can speak frankly, I do it. But there are high risks,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Teixeira is suspected of posting the documents, some dated as recently as early March, to a private chat group on the social media platform Discord over a period of months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the documents later appeared on other sites, including Twitter, 4Chan and Telegram, with some also showing Washington had apparently spied on allies Israel and South Korea. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 09:53:40', '2023-05-03 09:53:40'),
(6647, 6647, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said world must speak with one voice — stop lies and disinformation, and stop targeting truth and truth-tellers.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands with them,\" he said in a message marking World Press Freedom Day that falls on May 3.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For three decades, on World Press Freedom Day, the international community has celebrated the work of journalists and media workers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. And as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights,\" Guterres said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy, the UN chief said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations, and an increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Guterres said, journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and offline as they carry out their vital work. They are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained and imprisoned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 67 media workers were killed in 2022 — an unbelievable 50 percent increase over the previous year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nearly three quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online, and one in four have been threatened physically.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ten years ago, the United Nations established a plan of action on the safety of journalists to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The world must stop the threats and attacks, the UN chief said. \"Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs.\" 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, '2023-05-03 09:56:40', '2023-05-03 09:56:40'),
(6648, 6648, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Denouncing oppsition BNP and Jamaat as arson terrorists Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to the people to prevent them from coming to the power again.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The arson terrorist BNP-Jamaat alliance, the killers, the anti-liberation forces and war criminals must not come to power again in this land (Bangladesh),” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said this on Tuesday while speaking at a civic reception accorded to her at Ritz Carlton hotel here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM is now in Washington on a six-day official visit to the United States during which she attended the celebration of 50 years of Bangladesh\'s partnership with the World Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that BNP-Jamaat nexus drove Bangladesh to the verge of destruction during their regime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that her Awami League government has been able to put Bangladesh on the \"highways of development\" through hard work over the last 14 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh will keep marching forward. Bangladesh will be built as the developed and prosperous Golden Bengladesh of the Father of the Nation, and that is our aim. We will work keeping that target in our mind,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina said that the government has built the country as Digital Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Taking advantage of digital Bangladesh they (BNP-Jamaat) are engaged in spreading lies against us. please do not pay heed to their propaganda,” she told her audience. 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, '2023-05-03 10:53:55', '2023-05-03 10:53:55'),
(6649, 6649, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Indian batsman Aman Khan\'s defiant 51 and inspired bowling helped Delhi Capitals edge out holders Gujarat Titans by five runs in a low-scoring Indian Premier League thriller on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aman hit his maiden fifty to lift his team from a precarious 23-5 to 130-8 in a clash billed as David v Goliath between bottom-placed Delhi and table-toppers Gujarat in Ahmedabad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gujarat pace spearhead Mohammed Shami\'s bowling figures of 4-11 -- his IPL best -- went in vain but was named man of the match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delhi bowlers led by left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma limited Gujarat to 125-6 despite an unbeaten 59 by skipper Hardik Pandya and Rahul Tewatia\'s seven-ball 20.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our bowlers were absolutely amazing,\" Delhi skipper David Warner said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our bowlers were amazing. Our batters struggled but credit to the way Shami bowled. We just find ways to lose wickets in clumps, I don\'t know what\'s happening with our batting.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The left-handed Tewatia, called \"iceman\" for his ability to hit sixes in pressure situations, smashed Anrich Nortje for three straight hits over the fence in the 19th over but fell in the 20th.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ishant returned figures of 2-23 and held his nerve in the final over with Gujarat needing 12 to win and falling short.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gujarat, who had a fairytale IPL debut after they won the crown last season, remain strong to make the play-offs with six wins in nine matches.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delhi, coached by Ricky Ponting, are have registered their third win in nine matches to keep their play-off hopes alive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was Aman\'s 44-ball knock that made Delhi fightback as he put on key partnerships including fifty-plus stands with Axar Patel (24) and Ripal Patel (23) to give his team a total, which ultimately made them win their third match in nine outings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aman smashed three fours and three sixes in his 44-ball knock before falling to Rashid Khan\'s leg spin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shami got Phil Salt for a first ball duck and then Rilee Rossouw, for eight, in his two overs before a double strike in his third.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In reply, Khaleel struck in the first over and soon Gujarat were in deep trouble when South African big-hitter David Miller fell for a duck.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pandya attempted to turn it around in a 62-run partnership with Abhinav Manohar, who made 26, but the effort was not enough as Delhi defended their lowest total ever. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 11:41:42', '2023-05-03 11:41:42'),
(6650, 6650, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>When visting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina saw a group of BNP-Jamaat supporters protesting outside Ritz Carlton hotel amid cold and pouring rain, she invited them to come inside to talk about their problems.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the demonstrators poured cold water on her good gesture and left the place. This happened here on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Prime Minister\'s speech writer M Nazrul Islam when Hasina was coming to hotel Ritz Carlton to attend a civic reception she saw that some supporters of BNP-Jamaat were demonstrating in front of the hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The Prime Minister saw it and at that time it was raining and biting cold outside,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina said since they (BNP-Jamaat supporters) are demonstrating outside in cold, let their representatives come in, according to Nazrul.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Let them come in here to say what they want,” he quoted the PM as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier then asked her PS-II Al Mamun Murshed and one official from the the Bangladesh mission to bring them to the hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But police officials here at first denied to allow them without the permission from the hotel authority, then the officials took the permission from the hotel authority for taking them inside. But the demonstrating BNP-Jamaat supporters left the place spurning the good gesture of the Prime Minister,” Nazrul mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister sincerely wanted to listen to them, he said. 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, '2023-05-03 12:01:45', '2023-05-03 12:01:45'),
(6651, 6651, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">To move things forward, the European Union and Sweden, currently holding the EU presidency, will host the second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm on May 13.</b><br></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting, co-chaired by the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström, and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, takes place against the backdrop of turbulent international relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The world’s geopolitical architecture and the multilateral systems are under threat, while the global economy is hampered by inflation and stretched supply chains – not to mention the profound impact that the climate crisis has in particular on littoral states such as Bangladesh,\" said Charles Whiteley, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, and Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh, in a joint article.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 24, Bangladesh launched its Indo-Pacific Outlook.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The outlook highlights stability and prosperity in the region as essential pillars when it comes to translating the vision of Bangladesh’s future as a modern, knowledge-based developed country by 2041 into reality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The text chimes well with the European Union’s (EU) own 2021 Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to contribute to the stability, security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region,\" the article reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh and the EU attach importance to the same crucial principles: respect for international law and the UN Charter, freedom of navigation and overflight, maritime security and safety, it says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, both approaches place great emphasis on connectivity in all its incarnations, including energy, trade and digital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Furthermore, there is a common understanding of the global environmental challenges related to climate change, biodiversity and disaster risk reduction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The European Union has a clear interest in engaging in the Indo-Pacific region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Together with Indo-Pacific nations we represent a majority of the world’s population, economy, and trade. This gives us the potential to shape global conditions, be it by securing supply chains or by setting up sustainable infrastructure networks,\" the two envoys wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is among the first countries in the Indo-Pacific region that features a Global Gateway flagship initiative, promoting green energy transition through renewable power generation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the security domain, the EU’s CRIMARIO programme, securing critical maritime routes in the Indo-Pacific region, has strengthened cooperation in maritime surveillance by sharing information, building capacity and providing training for its members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm will address these key areas and explore opportunities for further cooperation between two of the most dynamic economic areas in the world, according to the article.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook delivers a welcome contribution to these joint efforts and is a very timely initiative indeed: in the current year, which celebrates 50 years of Bangladesh-EU relations, the need for closer relations between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region has never been greater,\" the envoys wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the aim of strengthening the partnership between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region, the meeting will bring together around 60 foreign ministers from the Indo-Pacific region and the EU, along with representatives of Indo-Pacific regional organisations and other partners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In many ways, the Indo-Pacific region is where the future of our planet and of history will be decided. How the region develops is of direct interest to us. We have a stake in each other’s security and a shared interest in upholding the rules-based international order. Today, both partners are facing similar challenges, not just in security, but in trade and aid. In a globalised world, there is no ‘faraway’ and conflicts cannot be separated,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region is of great geopolitical and economic importance. Growing tensions are putting pressure on trade, technology and foreign and security policy, underscoring the need for Sweden and the EU to deepen partnerships and political dialogues with the Indo-Pacific. It is my hope and belief that this meeting will lead to even stronger cooperation,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Indo-Pacific region accounts for two thirds of global growth and, together with the EU, 70 percent of global trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Discussions during the meeting will centre on common challenges with respect to security, trade, global value chains, digitalisation, the green transition and energy security. 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, '2023-05-03 12:26:47', '2023-05-03 12:26:47'),
(6652, 6652, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Lionel Messi was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain for taking a trip to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The person would not specify the length of the suspension, though French media reported it to be two weeks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A two-week suspension would mean Messi would miss PSG’s next two games. L’Equipe and RMC Sport both reported the suspension without citing sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The person told the AP that the World Cup champion won’t be allowed to train or play with the team and won’t be paid during his suspension.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PSG had denied Messi’s request to make the trip, the person said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 35-year-old Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in the Middle Eastern country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The suspension comes at a delicate time as the French club had hoped to extend the Argentine star’s contract beyond this season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi’s trip followed PSG’s surprise 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, leaving the defending champions with a five-point lead over Marseille with five games left in the season. Messi played the full game.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">L’Equipe had reported that PSG coach Christophe Galtier pledged to give his players two days off — Monday and Tuesday — if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained on Monday and had Tuesday off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The forward joined PSG from Barcelona two years ago on hopes he could lead the team to an elusive Champions League title. Instead, the Qatari-backed club was eliminated in the round of 16 in consecutive seasons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The has been speculation about where he would play next, especially after reports that contract talks with PSG had broken down. Some PSG fans have even booed Messi amid the team’s inconsistent campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December. He’s scored 15 league goals and leads the French league with 15 assists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi hasn’t commented publicly about the suspension on his social media accounts. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 12:41:54', '2023-05-03 12:41:54'),
(6653, 6653, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin will host a reception for the Buddhists community members at Credential Hall of Bangabhaban here tomorrow afternoon on the occasion of the Buddha Purnima, the greatest religious festival of the Buddhists.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Head of the State along with his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana will exchange greetings with the Buddhists community commemorating the Buddha Purnima, the birthday of Gautama Buddha.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buddha Purnima, the most sacred festival of the Buddhists, will be celebrated tomorrow with much enthusiasm and solemn devotion in the capital and elsewhere across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur U Shwe Sing, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan and secretaries concerned to the Bangabhaban will be present there, President\'s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 1650 people, including over eight hundred invited guests, are expected to join the ceremony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaders of Buddhists community, foreign diplomats and heads of the international agencies in Bangladesh will attend the function scheduled to continue from 4:00pm to 4:45 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the exchange of greetings, Buddhist religious song with music will be played there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Buddhist religious leaders will also greet President Shahabuddin by presenting a bouquet to him on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President will also deliver a short greeting speech on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">History reveals that the emergence of Lord Buddha took place on this day 2,559 years ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prince Siddhartha Gautam was born on the full moon day at Lumbini of Nepal in 563 BC. He attained supreme enlightenment after six years rigorous meditation at Bodhgoya as Buddha and passed away on the same day at Kushinagar, India. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 13:15:03', '2023-05-03 13:15:03'),
(6654, 6654, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Expressing satisfaction over the discussion between the PMs of Bangladesh and Japan during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent official visit, Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori today said the two countries are focusing on a “very comprehensive and targeted-oriented” partnership.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our relationship has been elevated to strategic partnership from comprehensive partnership. Strategic partnership does not mean only political and security issues,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Japanese embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador, who returned from Tokyo on Tuesday, said the two countries should have mutually beneficial cooperation on economic front.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said the two countries agreed to further enhance the existing defence cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook, the ambassador said there are many similarities between that and Japan’s views on the Indo-Pacific region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Japanese side appreciated the idea but it is a “little premature” to evaluate the outlook at the moment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the summit meeting in Tokyo, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio welcomed the initiation of negotiations concerning the transfer of defence equipment and technology, recognising future potential.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They decided to “elevate” the bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” as a guiding principle to lead the two countries’ journey into the next 50 years and beyond.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also read: Japan can mediate to return the Rohingyas back to Myanmar: PM Hasina</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both leaders shared the determination to enhance cooperation specifically in three major areas: cooperation for peace and stability in the region and beyond, deepening economic cooperation for mutual benefit and regional prosperity, and expansion of cultural cooperation and people to people exchanges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the invitation of the Japanese Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina made an official visit to Japan and had a summit meeting on April 26. 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, '2023-05-03 13:31:45', '2023-05-03 13:31:45'),
(6655, 6655, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Mamunul Haque, former joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, in five separate cases over clash with police and vandalism filed with Paltan and Hathazari Police Stations.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order after separate petitions were filed by Mamunul’s counsel Advocate Helal Uddin Molla in four cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All the cases were filed in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advocate Helal said 41 cases were filed against the former Hefajat leader. Mamunul earlier secured bail in 12 cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the 41 cases—four were filed at Motijheel Police Station, nine with Paltan Police, three with Sonargaon police, three with Siddhirganj police, eight with Hathazari Model police, one each with Khulna Sonadanga police, Cumilla Chandina Police, Bhatara police and Mohammadpur police, five with Darus Salam Police and three with Mirpur Model Police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, two more cases were filed at Dhaka Special Tribunal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was arrested from Mohammadpur Jamia Rahmania Arabia Madrasha on April 18, 2021 and since then he is in jail. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 14:13:08', '2023-05-03 14:13:08'),
(6656, 6656, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Recenctly a toal of five female students of Comilla University (CoU) have been selected for the Prime Minister Gold Medal-2019 by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in recognition of their outstanding acadamic results.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The selected students are: Sonia Akter (3.97) of Statistics department from Faculty of Science, Nur E Jahan Tahin (3.46) of English department from Faculty of Arts and Humanities , Mst Taslima Akter (3.82) of Archeology department from Faculty of Social Science, Taspia Jahan (3.88) of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from Faculty of Engineering and Ripa Akter (3.98) of Finance and Banking from Faculty of Business Studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Comilla University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AFM Abdul Moyeen congratulated them for their brilliant success. He also said, it is really a good news for us.I hope that this number of PM Gold Medal will be increased in future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Comilla University Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 14:50:48', '2023-05-03 14:50:48'),
(6657, 6657, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Near-death experience accounts that include stories of white light, visitation from deceased loved ones, hearing voices, among other characteristics, grab our imagination and are ingrained in our culture.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact that these reports have so many similarities makes one wonder if there is something fundamentally real underlying them. It is also possible that those who have survived death are revealing glimmers of a consciousness that persists even after the heart has stopped beating.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, provides early evidence of a surge of activity correlated with consciousness in the dying brain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The study, led by Jimo Borjigin, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Molecular &amp; Integrative Physiology and the Department of Neurology, and her team is a follow-up to animal studies conducted almost ten years ago in collaboration with George Mashour, M.D., Ph.D., the founding director of the Michigan Center for Consciousness Science.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similar signatures of gamma activation were recorded in the dying brains of both animals and humans upon a loss of oxygen following cardiac arrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"How vivid experience can emerge from a dysfunctional brain during the process of dying is a neuroscientific paradox. Dr. Borjigin has led an important study that helps shed light on the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms,\" said Mashour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The team identified four patients who passed away due to cardiac arrest in the hospital while under EEG monitoring. All four of the patients were comatose and unresponsive. They were ultimately determined to be beyond medical help and, with their families\' permission, removed from life support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Upon removal of ventilator support, two of the patients showed an increase in heart rate along with a surge of gamma wave activity, considered the fastest brain activity and associated with consciousness.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Furthermore, the activity was detected in the so-called hot zone of neural correlates of consciousness in the brain, the junction between the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes in the back of the brain. This area has been correlated with dreaming, visual hallucinations in epilepsy, and altered states of consciousness in other brain studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These two patients had previous reports of seizures, but no seizures during the hour before their deaths, explained Nusha Mihaylova, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical associate professor in the Department of Neurology who has collaborated with Dr. Borjigin since 2015 by collecting EEG data from deceased patients under ICU care. The other two patients did not display the same increase in heartrate upon removal from life support nor did they have increased brain activity. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 14:59:59', '2023-05-03 14:59:59'),
(6658, 6658, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin today asked all officers and employees of Bangabhaban to ensure neutrality, transparency and accountability at all levels of their respective assignments.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have to ensure impartiality, transparency and accountability at all levels . . . We have to think of enhancing reputation of Bangabhaban,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Head of State said this while exchanging greetings with all military and civil officers and employees of Bangabhaban at its Durbar Hall here this noon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Every officer and employees of Bangabhaban will perform their duties with devotion, honesty and sincerity and strive to shine the image of Bangabhaban, he expected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, \"So every activity of you (Bangabhaban officials-employees) should be such service-oriented so that people can put trust and confidence in you.\" BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 15:06:00', '2023-05-03 15:06:00'),
(6659, 6659, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russia says it downed two drones that were targeting the Kremlin in Moscow last night and accused Ukraine of attempting to kill President Vladimir Putin.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Kremlin said the drones were disabled by special services using electronic radar assets.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the state news agency, adding there was no material damage to buildings.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine says it is making no comment.</div><div><br></div><div><iframe frameborder=\"0\" src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/fcvGHIRDHlo\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"note-video-clip\"></iframe><br></div><div>Unverified footage on Russian social media showed smoke over central Moscow in the early hours of Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, the Kremlin said: \"Last night, the Kyiv regime attempted to carry out a strike on the Kremlin residence of the President of the Russian Federation with unmanned aerial vehicles.\"</div><div><br></div><div>It said it regarded this \"as a planned terrorist act and an assassination attempt on the president\", and Russia \"reserves the right to take retaliatory measures wherever and whenever is deemed necessary\".</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Putin had not been hurt and his schedule would continue as normal, the statement said. Fragments of the drones had fallen on the Kremlin site but no-one had been hurt, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Kremlin also noted the incident had come shortly before Russia\'s 9 May Victory Day parade, which foreign dignitaries were expected to attend.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ukrainian presidential office told the BBC it was not commenting at this time. According to BBC reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 19:59:19', '2023-05-03 19:59:19'),
(6660, 6660, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh Dr. Lilly Nicholls paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Director Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Political Counsellor Bradley Coates and Trade Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission Md. Kamal Uddin were also present on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, their discussion focused on various issues of mutual interest aimed at enhancing trade between Bangladesh and Canada, said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>They discussed how Bangladesh could increase its share of RMG exports to the Canadian market, especially high-value garments and attract investment in different potential sectors like value-added and non-cotton textiles along with others.</div><div><br></div><div>BGMEA President Faruque Hassan gave an overview of the readymade garment industry including its current status, opportunities and ongoing efforts to realize its potential.</div><div><br></div><div>He briefed the High Commissioner about the vast progress made by Bangladesh\'s RMG industry in terms of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers\' rights and welfare, adding that the industry is committed to continue the achievements.</div><div><br></div><div>He laid emphasis on the importance of ethical buying practices and fair price to build a more resilient supply chain where the issue of workers\' rights and welfare is considered with high importance.</div><div><br></div><div>The BGMEA President appraised the Canadian envoy of the industry\'s vision and preparedness to meet the future challenges and enhance the competitiveness and reputation of Bangladesh as a safe and sustainable apparel sourcing hub in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>In the meeting, he also highlighted the future priorities of Bangladesh\'s RMG industry including increased emphasis on shifting to value-added garments, especially those made from non-cotton and technical textiles, technological up gradation, skills and efficiency enhancement in order to continue the sector\'s growth momentum.</div><div><br></div><div>BGMEA has established a Center of Innovation, Efficiency and Occupational Health and Safety (CIEOSH) to support the RMG industry of Bangladesh with knowledge, skills and technological know-how in becoming more advanced and competitive in the global market.</div><div><br></div><div>He, through the High Commissioner, sought cooperation of Canada in developing knowledge and skills of the students of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) in textile, apparel, fashion, design and business through collaboration with leading Canadian fashion institutes and universities.</div><div><br></div><div>Faruque Hassan expressed high optimism about more cooperation between Bangladesh and Canada to reap more mutual benefits. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 20:52:09', '2023-05-03 20:52:09'),
(6661, 6661, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Washington DC for London tomorrow to attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as the king and the queen of the United Kingdom (UK) and the other Commonwealth realms.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A United Airlines flight carrying the prime minister and her entourage members will depart from the Dulles International Airport in Washington DC around 08:25 Washington time.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador of Bangladesh to the USA Muhammad Imran will see off the prime minister at the airport.</div><div><br></div><div>The flight will land at the Heathrow International Airport in London at 20:55 (local time) where Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Saida Muna Tasneem will receive the Prime Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>During her stay in London, she will also attend a programme of Commonwealth Leaders, an event foxed by the Cambridge University and a civic reception.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister attended a programme marking 50 years of Bangladesh-World Bank partnership and some side events that include a roundtable with US business leaders and several meetings with WB\'s incoming President Ajay Banga and a civic reception.</div><div><br></div><div>She arrived in Washington DC on April 28 wrapping up her four-day official visit to Tokyo in Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on April 24, a special chartered VVIP flight (BG1403) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at the Haneda International Airport, Tokyo at 4:45pm (local time).</div><div><br></div><div>Japan had rolled out a red carpet to welcome the Bangladeshi prime minister and gave her the state guard of honour at the airport.</div><div><br></div><div>During her visit to Japan, she signed eight instruments on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrade, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties, defence cooperation, ICT and cyber security cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>On 26 April, Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call on the Emperor of Japan Naruhito. Then on the same day, she held a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida after the signing of the deals.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier also attended an investment summit and a community reception alongside handing over the \"Friends of Liberation War Honour\" to four Japanese nationals on 27 April for their contribution to Bangladesh\'s Liberation War in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>During her visit to Tokyo, the prime minister attended several additional bilateral meetings with Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as well as leaders of JAICA, JETRO, JEBIC, JBPFL and JBCCEC.</div><div><br></div><div>She also met the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe\'s wife Akie Abe and Japanese architect Tadao Ando.</div><div><br></div><div>Her sister Sheikh Rehana, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque, prime minister\'s private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman, state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid and state minister for information and communication technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak along with concerned high level government officials accompanied the prime minister during her visit to Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister is scheduled to reach Dhaka from London on 9 May.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 21:13:46', '2023-05-03 21:13:46');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6662, 6662, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA), the largest body of sports journalists in Bangladesh, has suspended the honorary membership of Kazi Salahuddin, the President of the Bangladesh Football Federation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to a BSPA notice, Salahuddin\'s membership was suspended after he insulted the journalists by saying that journalists should submit photos of their parents to the BFF in order to enter its headquarters, with their father\'s shoes visible in the image.</div><div><br></div><div>Salahuddin made these disparaging comments just before a press conference at the BFF, and the comments were recorded on a device that journalists had set up to record the press conference.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the public release of his cheap comments on social media, Salahuddin faced widespread criticism from the public. He subsequently offered an apology to the journalists.</div><div><br></div><div>“How much they hate journalists is revealed in their words,” the BSPA statement read. “BSPA offered honorary membership to Salahuddin in 2012. Now, after his disrespectful comments to journalists, we have decided to remove him from our organization.”</div><div><br></div><div>Salahuddin and BFF have recently landed in hot water after FIFA banned its secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag for involving in corruption. BFF, however, denied the allegation but did not come up with an explanation.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Union of Journalists(DUJ) and Dhaka Reporters Unity(DRU) also condemned remarks made by Salahuddin. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 21:36:26', '2023-05-03 21:36:26'),
(6663, 6663, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Wicket-keeper batter Liton Das reached Chelmsford, England to join Bangladesh team to play a three-match ODI series against Ireland.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Liton who had to leave the IPL prematurely due to family emergency left the country at the early hour (1.40AM) on Wednesday. In his first stint in IPL, Lion just played only one match for Kolkata Knight Riders and scored 4 runs.</div><div><br></div><div>Another player Mustafizur Rahman, who is the part of Delhi Capitals in IPL is expected to reach country today. He is scheduled to board UK flight tomorrow (Thursday).</div><div><br></div><div>Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who is now in the USA with his family will also join the side very soon, team management sources said.</div><div><br></div><div>The team management however expected all of the players to join the team ahead of Bangladesh\'s practice game against Ireland A, slated to be held on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>The three ODIs against Ireland are scheduled on May 9, 12 and 14. All of the matches will be held in Essex Country Club\'s home ground Chelmsford.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, after a rest day, Bangladesh started their practice session for the series today.</div><div><br></div><div>The series is the part of ICC ODI Super League and is crucial particularly for Ireland as they need to win all of the three matches to directly qualify for the ODI World Cup in India in next October-November.</div><div><br></div><div>Ireland are playing the series in England as the weather back in their country will remain inclement in this month.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh however had already qualified to the World Cup but they want to keep the winning momentum going on after beating Ireland at home in March by 2-0. Bangladesh also won a one-off Test and three-match T20 series against Ireland at home.</div><div><br></div><div>Squad: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Liton Das, Rony Talukdar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 22:04:23', '2023-05-03 22:04:23'),
(6664, 6664, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said Digital Security Act (DSA) will not be repealed.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"I want to say it clearly that the DSA will not be repealed. Like all other acts, this one too will have provision for the protection of the honest journalists,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said these while addressing a discussion titled \"Shaping A Future of Rights\" organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) marking World Press Freedom Day in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The present government is working to stop the misuse of the DSA. I am telling this once again, this act was formulated only to tackle cyber-crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>I can assure you that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will never curb the freedom of press,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister further said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had recognised the freedom of press as a fundamental rights in his constitution and his worthy daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also believes in this.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after assuming office for the first time in 1996, gave approval to the country\'s first private television channel. She has formulated Right to Information Act, gave approval to more than 40 television channels, 22 FM radios and 17 community radios,\" Anisul mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>Emphasising on the need of an act like DSA, the law minister also said cyber-crimes are being committed worldwide through new media and many countries have similar acts under different names.</div><div><br></div><div>Conducted by TOB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, the discussion was also addressed, among others, by National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis, according to BSS reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 22:16:40', '2023-05-03 22:16:40'),
(6665, 6665, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the freedom of press and the expansion of media in Bangladesh are examples for other developing countries.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We believe in free media, we believe in media freedom. The mass media hasn’t expanded in many neighboring countries and doesn’t enjoy such unfettered freedom,” he said at a discussion in the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here as the chief guest.</div><div><br></div><div>The JPC organized the discussion titled ‘Role of Mass Media in Protecting Human Rights and Expanding Democracy’, marking the World Press Freedom Day with its President Farida Yasmin in the chair.&nbsp;</div><div>Dainik Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, Dainik Samakal Editor Mozammel Hossain, senior journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul and JPC Joint Secretary Md Ayub Bhuiyan also spoke at the event, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Hasan told if there is the responsibility with freedom, mass media can operate properly. But if the freedom is exercised avoiding responsibility, then in many cases the society as well as the state is harmed, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The mass media is the fourth pillar of the state and democracy and the mass media are complement to each other, he said, “Without freedom and transparency of media, democracy can never be operative and democratic social system cannot survive. Therefore, freedom of media and freedom of expression are definitely necessary to consolidate the democracy”.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-03 22:23:51', '2023-05-03 22:23:51'),
(6666, 6666, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The US central bank has raised interest rates to the highest level in 16 years as it battles to stabilise prices.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Federal Reserve increased its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points - its 10th hike in 14 months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Fed signalled that Wednesday\'s rise may be its last one for now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The moves have pushed its benchmark rate to between 5% and 5.25% - up from near zero in March 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Higher rates have sharply raised borrowing costs across the world\'s largest economy, spurring a slowdown in sectors such as housing and playing a role in the recent failures of three US banks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re no longer saying that we anticipate\" additional interest rate increases, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said at a press conference after the announcement, calling it a \"significant change\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, he refused to rule out further action, saying: \"We\'ll be driven by incoming data.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bank started raising interest rates aggressively last year when prices in the US were soaring at the fastest pace in decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Central banks around the world, including in the UK and in Europe, have taken similar action.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Higher interest rates make it more expensive to buy a home, borrow to expand a business or take on other debt. By increasing those costs, officials expect demand to fall and prices to cool off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the Fed started its campaign, price increases in the US have shown signs of moderating.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March, inflation, the rate at which prices rise, stood at 5% - the lowest level in nearly two years - though still uncomfortably high for the Fed, which is targeting a 2% rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, said he thought the Fed would be \"prudent\" to pause now, noting that the risks to the economy as activity slows are growing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The fear of a recession is very much present in the economy today,\" he said. \"I don\'t think the inflation battle is over, but we are in a situation where we\'re seeing gradual disinflation and we\'re also in an environment where interest rates are high and elevated and therefore should be constraining business activity, which should lead to further disinflation in coming months.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At Ball Chain Manufacturing, a family-owned firm in New York, customers have become more cautious in recent months due to economic worries, says president Bill Taubner. His company has also cut back on replenishing its supplies in response to still-rising prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he said his firm did not face imminent borrowing needs and he remained hopeful that any slowdown would be mild and relatively short-lived.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We realise there is some softness in the marketplace because of inflation and obviously the interest rate issues,\" he said. \"But long term, we\'re very positive.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The recent bank failures, and an anticipated pullback in lending as a result, are likely to weigh on the economy, Mr Powell said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he added that he remained hopeful that the US would avoid a recession, noting that hiring has remained strong and unemployment low.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I continue to think that it\'s possible…that this time is really different,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Fed\'s decision to raise rates on Wednesday was unanimous and widely expected by financial markets, which are looking for clues as to what the bank may do next.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a written statement, the bank scrapped previous guidance it provided in March when it said \"some additional policy firming may be appropriate\" to bring inflation under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the press conference, Mr Powell said the bank was \"getting close or maybe even there\" when it came to pausing its rate-hike campaign but was prepared to do more if warranted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Whitney Watson, global co-head of fixed income and liquidity solutions at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said the Fed could still raise rates, depending on what happens in the coming months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Inflation is trending in the right direction, but progress has been bumpy,\" she said. \"A pause in rate actions is therefore appropriate, but further tightening is plausible should inflation prove sticky.\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 07:51:29', '2023-05-04 07:51:29'),
(6667, 6667, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Lionel Messi\'s future at PSG was plunged into doubt on Wednesday after he was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club\'s permission.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A source with knowledge of the disciplinary procedure told AFP that Argentina\'s 35-year-old World-Cup winning captain, who is out of contract at the end of the season, would be sidelined for \"several days\", while various media in France reported that he would be suspended for two weeks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He cannot train, cannot play, and will not be paid while disciplinary measures are in place,\" the source added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another source, also speaking on condition they were not identified, indicated that the seven-time Ballon d\'Or winner would \"probably\" be sidelined for a fortnight, noting that \"nobody is more important than the club\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi played the whole game in PSG\'s 3-1 home defeat by Lorient in Ligue 1 on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He then travelled to Saudi Arabia to fulfil commercial commitments in his role as a tourism ambassador for the Gulf state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Saudi Tourism Authority said in a press release on Wednesday that Messi had \"returned to Saudi for a second time, this time with his family\" and had been treated to a demonstration of palm weaving and had fed Arabian gazelles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result of the trip, Messi missed a training session scheduled for Monday following the weekend defeat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PSG squad were given a day off on Tuesday and Messi did not take part in training on Wednesday either.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Fed up with mercenaries\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PSG are due to return to league action away at struggling Troyes on Sunday, a game that Messi may now miss.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If he were to be sidelined for two weeks he would also sit out a home match against Ajaccio on May 13.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The disciplinary measures make the prospect of Messi staying in the French capital after his two-year deal expires at the end of this season even more remote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Having at one point looked set to extend his stay for another year, a source close to the club told AFP last month that he was now \"much more likely\" to depart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi arrived from Barcelona, the club where he had spent the majority of his career, in 2021 but has struggled to reproduce his best form at Qatar-backed Paris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite that, he has scored 31 goals in 71 appearances in all competitions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was recently jeered by a section of the PSG support, who see him as a symbol of all the club have done wrong in focusing on superstar signings while failing to build a genuinely competitive team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and is the leading assist provider in Ligue 1, with 15.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, his form since leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar has declined along with that of most of the PSG team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their insipid performance against Lorient was a sixth defeat in 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They remain five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table with five games left, and are therefore still on course for a record 11th French title.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, they were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Bayern Munich and also went out of the French Cup at the same stage to Marseille.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile hundreds of fans gathered at the club to protest over PSG\'s current form and the Messi saga.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re fed up with mercenaries! We must sack Messi! We must sack Nasser Al-Khelaifi (the club\'s Qatari president),\" supporters chanted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are sincerely worried about the future and the sustainability of our club,\" the team\'s \'ultras\' supporters said in a statement, adding \"is there still a pilot on the plane?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, several videos posted on Twitter appeared to show a group of supporters, dressed in black gathered in front of the home of Neymar, shouting abuse at their injured Brazilian superstar. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 09:44:17', '2023-05-04 09:44:17'),
(6668, 6668, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Getting vaccinated against Covid-19 does not make women more likely to seek medical attention for menstrual problems, the largest study conducted on the subject said on Thursday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since Covid vaccination campaigns began nearly two and a half years ago, some women have reported changes in their menstrual cycle after getting the mRNA shots from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This led to the European Union\'s drug watchdog recommending that heavy periods be listed as a possible side effect of the vaccines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It has also been greatly exaggerated by anti-vaccine campaigners seeking to spread misinformation online about the supposed dangers of getting inoculated, according to experts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new study looked at patient data from Sweden\'s health registry which included nearly three million women, around 40 percent of the country\'s female population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rickard Ljung, a professor at the Swedish Medical Products Agency and lead author of the new study, told AFP that it was \"by far\" the largest carried out on the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was also the first to use independent data on whether women contacted healthcare professionals over their menstrual problems, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previous research has used self-reported data -- including information from apps that track periods -- to indicate that some women have changes in their menstrual cycle after getting vaccinated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"What we show is that it does not seem that these (potential) disturbances are so severe that they have led to the women seeking medical attention,\" Ljung said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers acknowledged that self-reported data could include menstrual problems which were not quite bad enough for patients to seek help but were still \"sufficiently disturbing\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also pointed out that self-reported data can be \"stimulated by media attention\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The study looked at first, second and third doses of the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines in Swedish women aged 12-74 from December 2020 to February 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For women who had not yet been through menopause, there was no link between vaccination and menstrual disturbances once variables had been adjusted for, the study said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For post-menopausal women, there was a slight increase in seeking medical attention for menstrual problems after the third dose of Pfizer and Moderna\'s vaccine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the study said the link between the two factors was \"weak and inconsistent\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Overall, the study, published in the BMJ journal, said its \"findings do not provide substantial support for a causal association\" between Covid vaccines and seeking medical attention for menstrual or bleeding disorders. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 09:48:28', '2023-05-04 09:48:28'),
(6669, 6669, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The next time NASA goes to the Moon, it intends to stay. Under the Artemis program, the US space agency plans to maintain a human presence, for the very first time, on a celestial body other than Earth.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But building a lunar base is no small feat. It will need power generators, vehicles and habitats, and the space industry is racing to meet the technological challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s the Super Bowl of engineering,\" Neal Davis, lead systems engineer for the Lunar Terrain Vehicle at space company Dynetics, told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dynetics revealed its prototype design for a Moon rover last month at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But it probably won\'t be until later Artemis missions -- 7 onwards -- \"where we\'re starting to look at adding permanent habitations on the surface,\" said NASA associate administrator Jim Free.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Artemis 3, the first planned landing, won\'t happen until later this decade, so habitat building wouldn\'t start before the 2030s.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The base would likely comprise multiple sites, he added, to diversify the targets of scientific exploration and to offer more flexibility for the landings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Power and communications -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite this distant timeline, companies are already chomping at the bit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Step zero is communications,\" Joe Landon, CEO of Crescent Space, a new subsidiary of Lockheed Martin dedicated to lunar services, told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Think about when you move into a new apartment, you\'ve got to hook up your phone and your internet first.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Starting out with a pair of satellites, the company wants to become the Moon\'s internet and GPS provider.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This would relieve the strain on NASA\'s Deep Space Network, which threatens to overheat in the face of all the upcoming missions, including private ones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Landon estimates the value of the lunar market will be \"$100 billion over the next 10 years.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Next up: switching on the lights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Astrobotic, with 220 employees, is one of three companies selected by NASA to develop solar panels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They need to be placed vertically because at the Moon\'s south pole -- the intended destination because it has water in the form of ice -- the Sun barely peeps above the horizon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 60 feet (18 meters) high, the Astrobotic panels will be connected by cables running several miles (kilometers), said Mike Provenzano, the company\'s director of lunar surface systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The solar arrays will be fixed to vehicles that can run them out to different locations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Vehicles -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For its scientific expeditions, NASA has tasked industry with developing an unpressurized -- that is to say, open top -- rover for two people, ready by 2028.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unlike the Apollo missions\' rovers, it will also have to operate autonomously for outings without an astronaut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This means surviving frigid lunar nights, which can last two weeks, with temperatures dropping to around -280 degrees Fahrenheit (-170 Celsius).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many companies have made a start.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lockheed Martin has partnered with General Motors, leaning on the auto giant\'s expertise in electric and off-road vehicles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dynetics, a subsidiary of engineering behemoth Leidos, has joined forces with Nascar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Its prototype, which will achieve a top speed of nine miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour), includes a robotic arm and metal wheels that are braided like textiles to maximize traction on the sandy surface and deal with any rocks they encounter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But at the same time, they actually have a lot of openings to the outside so that they don\'t collect that sand and carry it with us,\" Davis said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moon dust, or regolith, poses a major challenge because, lacking erosion by water or wind, it is almost as abrasive as glass.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NASA has yet to announce the selected company or companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the longer term, NASA is working with the Japanese space agency JAXA on a pressurized vehicle, in which astronauts won\'t need to keep their suits on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Habitats -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finally, the crew will need a place to hang up their helmets and call home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NASA has awarded a $57.2 million contract to the Texas-based company Icon, which specializes in 3D printing, to develop the technology needed to build roads, landing strips on the Moon, and ultimately, dwellings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The idea is to use lunar soil as a material. Other companies, such as Lockheed Martin, are developing inflatable habitat concepts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The beautiful thing is you can land it on the moon and inflate it and now there\'s a much larger volume for the crew to live in and work in,\" Kirk Shireman, vice president for the Lockheed Martin Lunar Exploration Campaign, told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inside would be bedrooms, a kitchen, a space for scientific instruments, etc. -- all mounted on a frame, so the habitat can be mobile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The basic concept behind returning to the Moon under Artemis is to help NASA prepare for much more distant missions to Mars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Whatever money we have to spend to go develop these systems on the moon, we want those same systems to be applicable to go to Mars,\" said Shireman. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"5\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 10:00:36', '2023-05-04 10:00:36'),
(6670, 6670, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;A drone attack in southern Russia caused a fire at an oil refinery, the state-run TASS news agency reported on Thursday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alleged incident joins a string of recent drone attacks announced by Russia, including what it said was an attempt to assassinate President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire at the oil refinery\'s reservoir, in the southern Krasnodar region\'s Ilsky settlement, started after an attack by \"an unidentified drone\", an emergency services official told TASS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said the refinery fire had been localised to a 400-square-metre (4,300-square-foot) area and was quickly extinguished by emergency services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the nearby village Volna, a similar blaze at an oil reservoir engulfed 1,200 square metres, with officials blaming a drone crash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That same day, Moscow said it shot down two drones aimed at Putin\'s residence and accused Ukraine of attempting a \"terrorist act\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv insisted it had \"nothing to do\" with the alleged drone attack, suggesting instead it was \"staged\" by Moscow, while the United States expressed scepticism about any allegations made by Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The spate of apparent sabotage attacks has been used to underscore Russia\'s exposure to enemy blows as the Kremlin gears up for important anniversary celebrations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The May 9 victory lap that commemorates the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II has become a central event during Putin\'s rule. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 10:32:24', '2023-05-04 10:32:24'),
(6671, 6671, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, is being celebrated in the country on Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buddha Purnima marks Gautama Buddha\'s birth, enlightenment and death. On this day in 563 BC, Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Kapilabastu at the foothill of the Himalayas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He attained supreme enlightenment at the age of 35 and finally departed into “nirvana” at the age of 80 in 483 BC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the Buddhist community on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Shahabuddin said, “Buddhist civilisation and its culture have been deeply intertwined with the people of Bengal since ancient times. Paharpur and Mainamati Shalban Bihar are its shining examples.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Gautam Buddha always sought welfare for mankind and he tried his best to make the whole world peaceful and prosperous.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We hope that the Buddhist community will continue their efforts for the development of the country by practicing this tradition and upholding the great ideals of the Buddha,\" President Shahabuddin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister urged all to work to further strengthen the practice and bond of harmony in Bangladesh in future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is necessary to follow the teachings of Buddha in today\'s world to suppress the brute forces driven by violence, prevent the degradation of values and build a peaceful society,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in her message.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I hope that by upholding and nurturing the ideals of Gautam Buddha, everyone will play a role in building Bangladesh as a peaceful country,” she said. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 10:51:21', '2023-05-04 10:51:21'),
(6672, 6672, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The densely populated capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, has once again topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka\'s air quality was recorded at 159 at 8:55 am on Thursday, according to Air Quality Index (AQI).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India’s Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the next two spots, with AQI scores of 158 and 157, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be ‘unhealthy’ while 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 to 400 is ranked \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. 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, '2023-05-04 10:54:24', '2023-05-04 10:54:24'),
(6673, 6673, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Police on Wednesday evening arrested a man accused of opening fire inside the waiting room of an Atlanta medical practice, killing one woman and wounding four others earlier in the day.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities had swarmed the city’s bustling midtown neighborhood shortly after noon in search of the suspect, who fled after the shooting. Police said in a statement that the gunman, who they identified as 24-year-old Deion Patterson, was captured in Cobb County, just northwest of Atlanta.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities said Patterson shot five women on the 11th floor of a Northside Medical building, which is in a commercial area filled with office towers and high-rise apartments. News of the shooting prompted workers and lunchgoers to shelter in place for hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patterson had an appointment at the medical practice and shortly after arriving shot the first victim, law enforcement officials said at a news conference Wednesday night. The shooting lasted approximately two minutes before Patterson left the building and went to a Shell gas station and took a pickup truck that had been left running and unattended, authorities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said a 39-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. The Fulton County medical examiner’s office identified her as Amy St. Pierre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The four wounded victims were also women, aged 25, 39, 56 and 71. Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said they remained in critical but stable condition Wednesday night. Their names were not immediately released.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hampton declined to discuss any details of the investigation or possible motive, saying, “Why he did what he did, all of that is still under investigation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patterson’s mother, Minyone Patterson, who police said had accompanied her son to the medical office, told The Associated Press by phone that her son, a former Coast Guardsman, had “some mental instability going on” from medication he received from the Veterans Affairs health system that he began taking on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her son had wanted Ativan to deal with anxiety and depression but that the VA wouldn’t give it to him because they said it would be “too addicting.” She’s a nurse and said she told them he would only have taken the proper dosage “because he listened to me in every way.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Those families, those families,” she said, starting to sob. “They’re hurting because they wouldn’t give my son his damn Ativan. Those families lost their loved ones because he had a mental break because they wouldn’t listen to me.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She ended the call without saying what medication her son had been taking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are horrified and saddened to hear of the active shooter situation in Atlanta today,” Veterans Affairs Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said in an emailed statement. “Due to patient privacy, we cannot discuss the Veteran’s personal information without written consent.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, the U.S. Coast Guard said Patterson had joined the service in 2018 and was discharged from active duty in January. He was an electrician’s mate second class at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens applauded the fact that Patterson was arrested and taken into custody alive so he can be prosecuted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Right now, we’ve had a successful end to a traumatic day,” Dickens said, while also advocating for tougher gun laws and stressing the importance of police training.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I hope the city, the region, rests easy that he is in custody, but I also hope that we will stay vigilant to continue to look at a future where individuals who shouldn’t have a gun in possession won’t have one, and also that individuals are brought to justice, and also that we deal with these things that are mental health or easy access to guns,” Dickens said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement that he was “heartbroken” by the shooting and praying for victims, going on to praise law enforcement, saying officers “demonstrated yet again their professionalism, courage and unwavering dedication.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said technology played a huge role in finding the suspected shooter, saying even as recently as four years ago they may not have been able to find him so quickly. He said the department had acquired some technology tools and those along with the Department of Transportation’s cameras and community members calling with information, led to the arrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Those tools are really what got us the clues that we we needed to make this successful — and the people getting those clues,” VanHoozer said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The pickup truck was found in a parking garage near the Battery, a mixed-use development that is next to the stadium where the Atlanta Braves play. Video aired by WSB-TV showed Patterson was arrested near a tennis court and swimming pool in a wooded condominium complex about a half-mile (less than a kilometer) to the north.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Around the time of the shooting, Cassidy Hale, a medical device representative, said she was driving to the facility to check on a machine in the building’s 12th floor outpatient surgery center.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hale saw firetrucks but didn’t realize anything was wrong until after she parked and found the elevator wasn’t working. Hale said she called the operating room manager, who told her there was an active shooter and she should go back to her car.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hale said police kept her from leaving the parking garage and later checked each car and escorted her out to be interviewed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She gathered with other employees and patients in a building across the street, where she said “everyone was really in shock” and “trying to process what was going on.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The shooting comes as cities around the U.S. have been wracked by gun violence and mass shootings in 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shortly after the shooting, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia took to the Senate floor to decry gun violence and to urge his colleagues to advance gun reform.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There have been so many mass shootings ... that, tragically, we act as if this is routine,” the Democrat said during a 12-minute speech. “We behave as if this is normal. It is not normal.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Atlanta pastor added: “I shudder to say it, but the truth is, in a real sense, it’s only a matter of time that this kind of tragedy comes knocking on your door.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Georgia’s other U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, also a Democrat, echoed his colleague in a statement: “The level of gun violence in America today is unconscionable and unacceptable, and policymakers at all levels have a responsibility to ensure public safety and implement long-overdue reforms.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 11:37:57', '2023-05-04 11:37:57');
