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(10651, 10651, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Jubilant crowds will bid farewell to the hottest year on record Sunday, closing a turbulent 12 months marked by clever chatbots, climate crises and wrenching wars in Gaza and Ukraine.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The world’s population — now over eight billion — will see out the old and usher in the new, with many hoping to shake the weight of high living costs and global tumult.</div><div><br></div><div>In Sydney, the self-proclaimed “New Year’s capital of the world,” more than a million partygoers are expected to pack the city’s foreshore, despite uncharacteristically dank weather.</div><div><br></div><div>Eight tons of fireworks will light the fuse on 2024, a year that will bring elections concerning half the world’s population and a summer Olympiad celebrated in Paris.</div><div><br></div><div>The last 12 months brought “Barbiegeddon” at the box office, a proliferation of human-seeming artificial intelligence tools and a world-first whole-eye transplant.</div><div><br></div><div>India outgrew China as the world’s most populous country, and then became the first nation to land a rocket on the dark side of the moon.</div><div>It was also the hottest year since records began in 1880, with a spate of climate-fueled disasters striking from Australia to the Horn of Africa and the Amazon basin.</div><div><br></div><div>Perhaps more than anything, 2023 will be remembered for Hamas’s October 7 assault on southern Israel — and Israel’s ferocious reprisals.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations estimates that almost two million Gaza residents have been displaced since Israel’s siege began — about 85 percent of the peacetime population.</div><div><br></div><div>With once-bustling Gaza City neighborhoods reduced to rubble, there were few places left to mark the new year — and fewer loved ones to celebrate with.</div><div><br></div><div>“It was a black year full of tragedies,” said Abed Akkawi, who fled the city with his wife and three children.</div><div><br></div><div>The 37-year-old, now living in a UN shelter in Rafah, southern Gaza, said the war had obliterated his house and killed his brother.</div><div>But still, he clings to modest hopes for 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>“God willing this war will end, the new year will be a better one, and we will be able to return to our homes and rebuild them, or even live in a tent on the rubble,” he told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>In Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion grinds toward its second anniversary, there was defiance and hope in the face of a renewed assault from Moscow.</div><div><br></div><div>“Victory! We are waiting for it and believe that Ukraine will win,” said Tetiana Shostka as air raid sirens blared in Kyiv.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will have everything we want if Ukraine is free, without Russia,” the 42-year-old added.</div><div><br></div><div>Some in Vladimir Putin’s Russia are also weary of the conflict.</div><div>“In the new year I would like the war to end, a new president, and a return to normal life,” said 55-year-old theater decorator and Moscow resident Zoya Karpova.</div><div><br></div><div>Putin is already his country’s longest-tenured leader since Joseph Stalin and his name will again be on the ballot paper when Russians vote in March.</div><div><br></div><div>Few expect the vote to be fully free or fair, or for the former KGB man to return to the shadows.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia’s is just one of several pivotal elections scheduled, with 2024 looming as the year of the ballots.</div><div><br></div><div>In all, the political fate of more than four billion people will be decided in contests that could reshape Britain, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Venezuela and a host of other nations.</div><div><br></div><div>But one election promises consequences for the entire world. In the United States, Democrat Joe Biden, aged 81, and Republican Donald Trump, aged 77, appear set to rerun their divisive 2020 election race this November.</div><div><br></div><div>As the incumbent, Biden has at times appeared to show his advancing age and even his supporters worry about the toll of another bruising four years in office.</div><div><br></div><div>But if there are worries about what a second Biden administration would look like, there are at least as many concerns about a return of Trump, who faces prosecution on several counts.</div><div><br></div><div>Voters could yet decide whether the bombastic self-proclaimed billionaire goes to the Oval Office or to jail. - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 13:51:18', '2023-12-31 13:51:18'),
(10652, 10652, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#634aa5\"><b>The BNP started 2023 much as they had ended 2022, active on the streets and on the march with regular programmes throughout the country, their supporters infused with high hopes of ousting the incumbent Awami League-led government and returning to power after 17 years through a free and fair election, that they maintained could only be held under a neutral administration.&nbsp;</b></font></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Everything the BNP did all year was aimed at securing this outcome ahead of the country’s 12th parliamentary election, which they hoped to participate in - but not if it was to be held under a government led by Sheikh Hasina. The posturing by some important foreign governments, most notably in Washington, served to put even more wind on the party’s sails towards achieving their objective.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>But ultimately the year ended in great dismay for the BNP, with a renewed crackdown on their activities in the last two months leading to almost their entire top leadership either ending up in jail or on the run.</div><div><br></div><div>As the party is boycotting the 12 parliamentary polls slated for January 7 following its failure to force the government to accept its demand for a polls-time-neutral administration, political analysts believe it will be very challenging for BNP to stage a comeback in politics and revitalise its rank and file in the coming years.</div><div><br></div><div>They also fear that the party is likely to face a serious leadership crisis in the days to come, as around 1500 leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies have already been convicted in different political cases from years ago getting raked up again, while around 26,000 others have landed in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>Political analysts think BNP should come up with well-thought-out plans and strategies to continue their anti-government movement peacefully by drumming up more public support alongside overhauling the party.</div><div><br></div><div>Analysing BNP’s politics in 2023, Professor Ali Riaz, a distinguished professor of political science at Illinois State University (USA), said although the BNP’s non-violent movement did not succeed in achieving its goal to force the incumbent to resign and having a neutral interim government to conduct the election, it has succeeded in popularising the demand, making it a demand of almost all opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>“The large public participation in its rallies showed that its support has increased. Despite various efforts from the government to split the BNP, keeping the party united is a big success of the leadership,” he observed.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Riaz said the actions of the government, especially after October 28 (see below) reflect that they in fact wanted to hold an election keeping the BNP out of it.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Therefore, whether BNP wanted to boycott or not seems irrelevant,” he said. “We should underscore that the BNP alone is not boycotting the election. The absence of the BNP has exposed that the ‘election’ is a stage-managed show.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the BNP is facing a serious challenge due to thousands of activists being jailed and more than 1500 leaders and activists being convicted. “This is not by accident but because of a plan to make the party leaderless. Its programs since 28 October are losing traction, but we will have to wait to see what strategy it adopts after 7 January.”</div><div><br></div><div>The internationally reputed political analyst thinks BNP needs to get back to the street and engage in public mobilisation, however difficult it is.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP’s future is connected to how the political landscape looks after January 7. Its future will not be different from other opposition parties. Anyone who wants to suggest that the BNP is a spent force is bound to be wrong,” he viewed.</div><div><br></div><div>Nurul Amin Bepari, a former professor of Dhaka University’s Political Science Department, said the BNP waged a peaceful movement with tremendous public support till at least October 28, as the government gave them political space under the pressure of Western countries.</div><div><br></div><div>“As the government thought it would not be able to stay in power if the BNP remained active on the streets, it again squeezed the political space for the BNP by resorting to a serious crackdown. BNP’s politics was on the right track and the party could drum up public support in favour of its demand through peaceful programmes,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Echoing Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Bepari said BNP needs to intensify its movement on the streets braving all obstacles, as he believes the ‘lopsided election’ set for January 7 will not receive acceptance at home or abroad.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP can still succeed if it can continue the movement with proper strategy,” he maintains.</div><div><br></div><div>Evolution of BNP’s movement</div><div><br></div><div>Considering 2023 as the election year, BNP started taking preparations for waging a tougher movement with different programmes like rallies and demonstrations from early January. The party also overhauled its different units and associate bodies to strengthen its organisational capacity.&nbsp; The party gained success as it held a series of programmes in a peaceful manner with the huge support of the people until October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP, which has been moving forward with different street programmes, announced a one-point simultaneous movement on July 27, intending to remove Awami League from the power to hold the upcoming national elections under a neutral government. BNP along with over three dozen parties observed various programmes, including road marches, simultaneously to press home their one-point demand.</div><div><br></div><div>With time, the presence of supporters of the BNP and other like-minded parties increased on the streets significantly. BNP also held some rallies in the capital staging a big showdown in favour of its one-point demand. The opposition’s movement also got momentum in September with a series of street programmes amid growing public support, encouraging the party to hold a grand rally on October 28 to announce its final course of action before the announcement of the election schedule of the 12th parliamentary polls.</div><div><br></div><div>October 28: The turning point</div><div><br></div><div>Buoyed by the party’s success in previous programmes, BNP announced to hold a public rally on October 28 in front of its Nayapaltan central office. The rally also began unprecedentedly with the participation of tens of thousands of people but it was foiled halfway through following violent clashes between police and the BNP supporters, killing three people, including a police constable, and injuring several hundred others.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the clashes, law enforcers launched a crackdown on the BNP leaders and workers and arrested BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and many other senior leaders, forcing most party leaders and workers to go into hiding to avoid arrest. It ultimately weakened the movement in the absence of BNP leaders and workers on the streets.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP’s Nayapaltan central office and most other offices across the country remained locked for over two months following the events of October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Though thousands of BNP leaders and workers brought out a V-Day rally on December 16 in Nayapaltan, they did not reopen their central office.</div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested around 24, 000 BNP leaders and workers over the last two months while 25 leaders and activists were killed by law enforcers during the period, according to BNP’s statistics.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, over 1,500 BNP leaders and workers, including three vice chairmen of the party, were sentenced in different political cases dating from five to ten years ago, that were revived and moved with unusual speed through the courts.</div><div><br></div><div>Hartals and blockades return</div><div><br></div><div>Since BNP’s movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers on October 28, the party took harsher programmes like hartal and blockade after a long time.</div><div><br></div><div>The opposition parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29. Finally, the opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20, which virtually failed to evoke any response from people.</div><div><br></div><div>The party will end 2023 and start 2024 by observing a countrywide mass contact and leaflet distribution programme to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election and not cooperate with the Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>Election Boycott</div><div><br></div><div>The Chief Election Commoner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the schedule of the 12th parliamentary polls on November 15, But BNP turned down it and declared to boycott the polls as its demand for a polls-time neutral government was not met. It is for the second time the party is boycotting the national election demanding a caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>Though BNP and like-minded opposition parties boycotted the election, (now former) BNP Vice Chairman Shahjahan Omar and around 24 mid-level leaders, decided to participate in the polls violating the party decision.</div><div><br></div><div>Shahjahan Omar, who was arrested in a case in connection with the October 28 violence, joined Awami League a day after he was freed from jail on bail and submitted his nomination papers as the ruling party’s candidate. He said he had had enough of election boycotts, and criticised the party for forgoing polls.</div><div><br></div><div>Of BNP’s alliance partners, only Kalyan Party chairman Syed Mohammad Ibrahim participated in the election.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP leaders claimed that the government tried to split their party with its efforts to bring many party senior leaders to the election either alluring them with different benefits or intimidating them with dire consequences.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP leaders said it was the success of the party that no major leader, except Shahjahan Omar, quit BNP under pressure.</div><div><br></div><div>Concerns over Khaleda Zia’s health</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems, received treatments several times throughout the outgoing year.</div><div><br></div><div>The 78-year-old former prime minister was admitted to the hospital for the last time on August 9 for various health complications. She has still been staying there.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 26, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda’s condition improved since she underwent a successful hepatic procedure by the US doctors, but doctors did not discharge her as she is still not out of danger. ‍Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 14:12:26', '2023-12-31 14:12:26'),
(10653, 10653, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>More than 4,360 people, including combatants and civilians, were killed in Syria’s civil war in 2023, in the thirteenth year since fighting began, a war monitor said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The figure is an increase from 2022 in which 3,825 people were killed.</div><div><br></div><div>That was the lowest annual death toll since the conflict began in 2011 with the government’s brutal crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.</div><div><br></div><div>This year’s count included 1,889 civilians, with 241 of them women and 307 children among them, according to the UK-based Observatory, which has a network of sources inside Syria.</div><div><br></div><div>Syrian government forces accounted for almost 900 of the dead this year, with other fighters including from the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, pro-Iran groups, Islamist factions, Islamic State group jihadists, and foreign combatants accounting for the rest.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the years, the country’s conflict spiralled dramatically. It pulled in foreign armies, militias, and jihadists, killed more than 500,000 people, displaced millions, and ravaged the country’s infrastructure and industry.</div><div><br></div><div>With Iranian and Russian support, Damascus has clawed back much of the territory it lost earlier in the conflict, although large parts of the country’s north remain outside government control.</div><div><br></div><div>Frontlines have mostly quietened in recent years and annual death tolls dropped to lower levels.</div><div><br></div><div>Nevertheless, violence persists. The Observatory reported that several people including a fighter and a child were killed yesterday in government bombardment of “residential areas and a market” in the city of Idlib.</div><div><br></div><div>Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group led by Al-Qaeda’s former Syria branch, controls swathes of Idlib province and parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces – the last major bastion of armed opposition in Syria.</div><div><br></div><div>A ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey was declared in Idlib after a Syrian government offensive in March 2020, but it has been repeatedly violated.</div><div><br></div><div>Also yesterday, 25 pro-Iran fighters were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria “likely” carried out by Israel, the Observatory said, raising an earlier toll of 23.</div><div><br></div><div>The dead included five Syrians, six Iraqi fighters, four from Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, and 10 other non-Syrian combatants, the Observatory said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel, which has launched hundreds of strikes on Syrian territory since the war began, rarely comments on individual attacks but has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch-foe Iran to expand its presence in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has intensified its strikes in Syria since its war with Hamas began on Oct 7. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 14:17:52', '2023-12-31 14:17:52'),
(10654, 10654, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China’s president Xi Jinping today said the foundation of Sino-Russian ties had grown stronger in 2023, as he exchanged New Year greetings with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, state media reported.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Beijing and Moscow are staunch allies and have strengthened their relationship even as Western countries have turned their backs on Russia over its military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Both sides have also made much of the personal relationship between the two leaders, and Xi has referred to Putin as his “good friend”.</div><div><br></div><div>Xi said that “the material and public opinion foundation of our relationship has become stronger” in his recap of the year to Putin today, according to state broadcaster CCTV.</div><div><br></div><div>“In the face of changes unseen in a century and a turbulent regional and international situation, China-Russia relations have maintained healthy and stable development and moved steadily in the right direction,” Xi said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Under our joint leadership, political mutual trust between the two sides has further deepened, strategic coordination has drawn closer, and mutually beneficial cooperation has continued to achieve new results,” the Chinese leader was quoted as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>Xi noted that the volume of bilateral trade exceeded US$200 billion ahead of schedule, and said Beijing was looking forward to marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties in 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>During a visit to Beijing by Russia’s prime minister Mikhail Mishustin this month, Xi said maintaining close ties with Moscow was a “strategic choice”. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 14:20:45', '2023-12-31 14:20:45'),
(10655, 10655, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A sub-inspector of Baniachong Police Station has been withdrawn in connection with the custodial death of Golam Rabbani, an accused in a theft case, who died at Baniachong Police Station in Habiganj on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Additional Superintendent of Habiganj Police Hasibur Rahman, said the punitive action was taken against Manirul Islam, sub-inspector of Habiganj Police Station on Saturday following a complaint lodged by the family members of Rabbani.</div><div><br></div><div>Manirul was attached to the Habiganj Police Lines, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 28, a three-member probe committee was formed over the death of Golam Rabbani.</div><div><br></div><div>Headed by Habiganj Additional Superintendent of Police (admin and finance) Hasibul Islam, the other two members of the committee are Additional Superintendent of Police (Baniachong circle) Palash Ranjan Dey and Court Police Inspector Md Kamrul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>Rabbani, 26, was a resident of the Nandipara area of Baniachong Sadar upazila. Baniachong Police Station Officer-in-Charge Delwar Hossain said he was arrested on charges of stealing an autorickshaw on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>He was found hanging from the ceiling fan inside a room of the police station in Baniachong around 7:30pm the same day, said the OC.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, he was taken to the Baniachong Upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead after an examination.</div><div><br></div><div>OC Delwar Hossain said an unnatural death case has been filed in the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>There were seven to eight theft cases against Rabbani. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 14:23:13', '2023-12-31 14:23:13'),
(10656, 10656, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes shook western areas.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Japan Meterological Agency reported a quake hitting Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, one of them measuring a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.</div><div><br></div><div>It issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the northwestern coast of the island of Honshu.</div><div><br></div><div>Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet) and urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible.</div><div><br></div><div>Reports of damage were not immediately available. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 08:36:15', '2024-01-01 08:36:15'),
(10657, 10657, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 121st birth anniversary of famous poet and litterateur Jasimuddin, widely revered as the “Polli Kobi”, is being observed on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The poet was born on this day in 1903 at his maternal uncle’s house in Tambulkhana village in Faridpur district.</div><div><br></div><div>UNB Faridpur correspondent reports: On the occasion of the day, students of Ansaruddin High School, a school founded by the poet, brought out a procession. Then they paid homage to the poet\'s graveyard with flowers.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the celebration, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Kamrul Ahsan Talukdar, Superintendent of district Police Morshed Alam, and and freedom fighter commander Abul Foyez Shanewaz, among others, paid floral tributes to the poet’s graveyard at Ambikapur.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, people from all walks of life and members of different cultural and social organisations paid their respect to the poet.</div><div><br></div><div>A discussion meeting and a doa mahfil were held at the yard of the poet’s house. DC Kamrul addressed the event as the chief guest.</div><div><br></div><div>Different aspects of the poet’s life and creations were discussed at the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Two of his legendary works, ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) and ‘Sojan Badiar Ghat’ (Gypsy Wharf) are considered two masterpieces in Bengali literature and has been globally translated.</div><div><br></div><div>Being a versatile writer, Jasimuddin is also respectfully remembered for his numerous other creative works including poems, ballads, songs, dramas, novels, stories, memoirs, travelogues and more.</div><div><br></div><div>As an esteemed lyricist, Jasimuddin penned many popular Bengali songs including “Amar sonar moyna pakhi,” “Prano shokhi re,” “Amay eto raate,” “Nishithe jaiyo fulobone,” “Amar haar kala korlam re,” “Amay bhaisaili re,” and others.</div><div><br></div><div>For his remarkable literary works, Jasimuddin was awarded the President\'s Award for Pride of Performance in 1958, DLitt. by Rabindra Bharati University, India in 1969, Ekushey Padak in 1976 and Independence Day Award (posthumously) in 1978.</div><div><br></div><div>In January 2018, Bangla Academy announced Jasimuddin Literary Award, a biennial award to be given for lifetime contribution to Bangla literature. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 09:04:07', '2024-01-01 09:04:07'),
(10658, 10658, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">On the first day of the new year, 2024, Dhaka topped the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 244 at 8:40 am.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>On the last day of 2023, Dhaka also topped the list with the worst air quality.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, Dhaka’s air was classified as \'very unhealthy’, posing serious health risks to residents, according to the air quality index.</div><div><br></div><div>India’s Delhi, China’s Chengdu and Ghana’s Accra occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 222, 216 and 216 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div><br></div><div>The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div><br></div><div>The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div><br></div><div>As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 09:09:00', '2024-01-01 09:09:00'),
(10659, 10659, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court has sentenced Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months’ jail, with fine of Tk 25000 each, in a case over violation of labor law.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka 3rd Labor Court Judge Sheikh Merina Sultana pronounced the judgment.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Yunus reached the court around 2:45 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>The court set January 1 to pronounce the verdict in the case after hearing the arguments of both the prosecution and the defence on December 24, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>On June 6, 2023, Dhaka Labor Court-3 framed charges against the four accused.</div><div><br></div><div>The others accused in the case are: Ashraful Hasan, CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust; trustee Nurjahan Begum; and managing director M Shahjahan.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Yunus and the three others filed a petition challenging the legality of the charge framing and seeking a stay order on trial proceedings in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>The High Court on July 23 last year issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the indictment order against the four should not be scrapped.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 3, the Appellate Division directed the High Court to dispose of the rule questioning the charge framing against Dr Yunus and others by the lower court in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 9, 2021, Labour Inspector Arifuzzaman, of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, filed the case with Dhaka’s 3rd Labor Court.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case, during an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom, inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff members who were supposed to be permanent were not made so.</div><div><br></div><div>No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five percent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the law. Upon a complaint, a criminal case was filed under sections 4, 7, 8, 117, 234 of the Labor Act. According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 09:53:47', '2024-01-01 14:58:07'),
(10660, 10660, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ferry service on Chandpur-Shariatpur route resumed on Monday morning after nearly six hours of suspension due to dense fog in the Meghna River.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The authorities concerned were forced to suspend the ferry services from 3 am to 9 am on Monday to avert possible accidents.</div><div><br></div><div>Hundreds of vehicles waiting to cross the river remained stuck at the both ends of the river, causing suffering of passengers.</div><div><br></div><div>Faisal Alam Chowdhury, manager of Harina ferry ghat in Chandpur, said the ferry service resumed around 9 am after the invisibility caused by the dense fog improved, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Passengers said that launches operating on the Dhaka-Chandpur route are taking more travel time than usual due to the dense fog in the river.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 10:14:50', '2024-01-01 10:14:50'),
(10661, 10661, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Dhaka court that sentenced Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months’ jail in a case over violation of labor law has granted them conditional bail.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka 3rd Labor Court Judge Sheikh Merina Sultana pronounced the judgment.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Yunus’ lawyer Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun said the court granted bail to all for one month on condition of appeal.</div><div><br></div><div>Expressing dissatisfaction, Barrister Mamun said, “We did not get justice and will file an appeal petition with the High Court.”</div><div><br></div><div>The others accused in the case are: Ashraful Hasan, CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust; trustee Nurjahan Begum; and managing director M Shahjahan.</div><div><br></div><div>The court set January 1 to pronounce the verdict in the case after hearing the arguments of both the prosecution and the defence on December 24, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>On June 6, 2023, Dhaka Labor Court-3 framed charges against the four accused.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Yunus and the three others filed a petition challenging the legality of the charge framing and seeking a stay order on trial proceedings in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>The High Court on July 23 last year issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the indictment order against the four should not be scrapped.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 3, the Appellate Division directed the High Court to dispose of the rule questioning the charge framing against Dr Yunus and others by the lower court in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 9, 2021, Labour Inspector Arifuzzaman, of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, filed the case with Dhaka’s 3rd Labor Court.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case, during an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom, inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff members who were supposed to be permanent were not made so.</div><div><br></div><div>No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five percent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the law. Upon a complaint, a criminal case was filed under sections 4, 7, 8, 117, 234 of the Labor Act. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 10:26:48', '2024-01-01 10:26:48'),
(10662, 10662, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">There are 2146 polling centers in the capital and half of those are considered vulnerable, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman said today.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“DMP has undertaken a plan for security arrangements, considering half of the polling centers out of 2146 to be vulnerable,” he said while talking to reporters after attending the textbook giveaway at Rajarbagh Police Lines School and College.</div><div><br></div><div>He also claimed that the security arrangements taken by DMP are strong.</div><div><br></div><div>All preparations centering the upcoming January 7 election are going on in full swing and voting will be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner, he said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside police, Ansar members will remain to maintain law and order inside the polling centers while patrol teams and striking force will perform their duties outside the centre, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 11:17:26', '2024-01-01 11:17:26'),
(10663, 10663, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b style=\"\">Thousands of Israeli soldiers are being shifted out of the Gaza Strip, the military said Monday, in the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began as forces continued to bear down on the main city in the southern half of the enclave.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The troop movement could signal that fighting is being scaled back in some areas of Gaza, particularly in the northern half where the military has said it is close to assuming operational control. Israel has been under pressure from its chief ally, the United States, to begin to switch to lower-intensity fighting.</div><div><br></div><div>Word of the drawdown came ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region and after the Biden administration bypassed Congress for the second time this month to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>But fierce fighting continued in other areas of Gaza, especially the southern city Khan Younis and central areas of the territory. Israel has pledged to charge ahead until its war aims have been achieved, including dismantling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years.</div><div><br></div><div>The military said in a statement Monday that five brigades, or several thousand troops, were being taken out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest.</div><div><br></div><div>In a briefing Sunday that first announced the troop withdrawal without specifying how many forces were leaving, army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari did not say whether the decision meant Israel was launching a new phase of the war.</div><div><br></div><div>“The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has vowed to crush Hamas’ military and governing capabilities in its war, which was sparked by the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people. Roughly 240 people were taken hostage.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel responded with a blistering air, ground and sea offensive that has killed more than 21,800 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel says more than 8,000 militants have been killed, without providing evidence. It blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, saying the militants embed within residential areas, including schools and hospitals.</div><div><br></div><div>The war has displaced some 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Palestinians are left with a sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.</div><div><br></div><div>BATTLES IN THE SOUTH</div><div><br></div><div>In Khan Younis, where Israel is believed to have thousands of troops, residents reported airstrikes and shelling in the west and center of the city. The military and the militant group Islamic Jihad reported clashes in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian Red Crescent said on X, formerly Twitter, that it transported several dead and injured following a strike late Sunday in the Beach Street in Khan Younis. It posted nighttime footage showing medics carrying casualties to ambulances.</div><div><br></div><div>Combat was also reported in urban refugee camps in central Gaza, where Israel expanded its offensive last week.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s our routine: bombings, massacres and martyrs,” said Saeed Moustafa, a Palestinian from the Nuseirat camp. He said he could hear sporadic explosions and gunfire in Nuseirat and in the nearby Bureij and Maghazi camps.</div><div><br></div><div>“Just as we speak, there is a big explosion not far from my home,\" he said in a phone call Monday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>The military said an airstrike killed Adel Mismah, a regional commander of Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces, in the central city of Deir al-Balah.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas fired a large barrage of rockets toward Israel, including at its commercial hub Tel Aviv, as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve.</div><div><br></div><div>‘A DIFFERENT MODE OF OPERATION’</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has said the war will last for months. It has argued that it needs time to clear Gaza of militants\' weapons and infrastructure and to prevent Hamas from being able to stage more attacks. Israel has resisted international calls for a long-term cease-fire, saying doing so would amount to a victory for Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>Shlomo Brom, a retired brigadier general once in charge of strategic planning in the Israeli military, said the troop changes may be a result of the U.S. pressure. He said it indicated a shift in how Israel was conducting the war in some areas.</div><div><br></div><div>“The war is not stopping,” said Brom. “It is the beginning of a different mode of operation.”</div><div><br></div><div>Israelis still largely support the wars aims, even as the cost in soldiers\' lives is mounting.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the weekend, the military said that of the soldiers killed since the ground operation began — as of Monday, 172 in total — 18 were killed by friendly fire while another 11 died by weapons or equipment malfunctions or accidents. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 11:30:30', '2024-01-01 11:30:30'),
(10664, 10664, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>New Year’s Day arrived to cheers from tens of thousands of beaming people in New York’s Times Square who were showered with confetti and hugs and kisses after watching the descent of the colorful ball marking the birth of 2024 with hope for some, even as the world’s ongoing conflicts subdued celebrations and raised security concerns across the globe.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“It’s beautiful,” Corin Christian of Charlotte, North Carolina, said of the scene seconds past midnight as Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared from speakers in the square and many in the crowd held cell phones in the air, trying to capture the spectacle.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s going very well so far,” said Jacob Eriksson of Salt Lake City, Utah, with the earliest assessment of the New Year.</div><div><br></div><div>The march of midnight from time zone to time zone brought 2024 first to places like Australia, where more than 1 million people watched a pyrotechnic display centered around Sydney’s famous Opera House and harbor bridge — a number of spectators equivalent to 1 in 5 of the city’s residents. It would be another 16 hours before New York finished 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>There were snapshots of joy from country to country as the new year was welcomed with optimism that its days will bring more joy than sorrow.</div><div><br></div><div>Before midnight arrived in Times Square, December Lee, 26, and Shadayah Lawrence, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, said their New York visit highlighted four years of traveling the globe.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is a good way to bring in the new year,” Lee said.</div><div><br></div><div>Also in Times Square, Tyrell Jacobs, 27, and Sarah Crayton, 26, arrived from New Orleans 15 hours before midnight and got engaged in streets packed with tens of thousands of people counting first the hours and then the minutes until midnight.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s definitely a must-see,” Crayton said of the colorful cast of strangers nearby in tall hats and blowing noisemakers even before the ball dropped. “At least go once, you know, just to experience the magic.”</div><div><br></div><div>A small army of thousands of police officers worked to keep New York City safe, just as heightened security had done in the cities midnight hit first. New York has seen near-daily protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war.</div><div><br></div><div>Some 90,000 police and security officers were deployed around France including along Champs-Elysees Avenue, where large crowds took in a multidimensional light show projected onto the Arc de Triomphe showcasing the history of Paris and sports on the menu for next year’s Summer Olympics in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>While New Year’s Eve concerts were plentiful across America on Sunday night, CNN news personality Anderson Cooper followed a tribute to entertainers who died in 2023 by acknowledging the network’s jovial New Year’s Eve program with co-host Andy Cohen might also be a sad occasion for some viewers.</div><div><br></div><div>“There’s a lot of people who feel like they can’t celebrate,” he said in the final minutes of a year that claimed the lives of Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Sinéad O’Connor, Jimmy Buffett, Burt Bacharach and David Crosby, among others. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 11:54:07', '2024-01-01 11:54:07'),
(10665, 10665, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A long-awaited European Union’s visa liberalization scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to travel to Europe’s borderless zone without a visa came into force on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The new regime, which came into force at midnight (2300 GMT Sunday), enables Kosovars to travel to the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.</div><div><br></div><div>Kosovo, with a population of 1.8 million, was the last of the six countries in the Western Balkans to get the waiver.</div><div><br></div><div>The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step toward full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country that proclaimed independence in 2008 to join the EU.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, Kosovo by 2018 met all the needed criteria for the visa-free regime, including border and migration management.</div><div><br></div><div>But the approval has been held up by France and the Netherlands, that were concerned about the possibility of new migration waves as well as by five other EU members - Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.</div><div><br></div><div>The five do not recognize Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, neither does the latter.</div><div><br></div><div>Before the EU lifted the visa regime with Kosovo, its passport holders could travel without a visa only to 14 countries all over the world.</div><div><br></div><div>During the past few months, the government in Pristina has been conducting a public awareness campaign urging people not to misuse the freedom of travel by looking for jobs in the EU.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on Monday, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who leads the campaign himself, is to address the first Kosovo residents who will travel from the Pristina airport to the EU without a visa. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 12:06:55', '2024-01-01 12:06:55'),
(10666, 10666, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israel must increase humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza as the aid entering the enclave meets only 10% of its needs, according to the Israeli media.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli newspaper Haaretz wrote on Sunday: “Half of Gaza\'s population is in a state of severe or extreme hunger, and 90% of Gaza\'s more than two million residents are going a whole day without food, often.”</div><div><br></div><div>“The 190 trucks that enter Gaza daily with Israel\'s approval provide only about 10% of the needs of Gazans,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>“Israeli media is largely hiding from the public the extent of the destruction, death, and humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip as a result of the war,” the newspaper said.</div><div><br></div><div>Gazans grapple with catastrophic humanitarian and health conditions, as approximately 1.4 million out of 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has restricted access to food, water, medications, and electricity amid intense bombardment.</div><div><br></div><div>The aid entering the Gaza Strip does not meet the needs of the population, given the stringent blockade imposed by Israel on the Palestinian territory since 2006.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Oct. 26 that the years-long Israeli blockade of Gaza has left 80% of the Palestinians in Gaza dependent on international aid.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 150 Palestinians were killed and another 286 wounded in the past 24 hours as Israeli forces continued their onslaught in the besieged Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli army\'s ongoing attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 21,822, with 56,451 wounded, the ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities claim the Hamas attacks have killed around 1,200 Israelis. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 12:21:48', '2024-01-01 12:21:48');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10667, 10667, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The death toll in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv from Russian air strikes targeting multiple regions of the country on Friday has risen to 28, local officials declared on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Unfortunately, the bodies of those killed as a result of the missile strikes are still being found. Rescuers retrieved another body from under the rubble,\" Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, announced in a statement on Telegram.</div><div><br></div><div>In an earlier statement, Popko said that the number of those killed had risen to 27 after four more bodies were recovered from under the rubble.</div><div><br></div><div>Indicating that search and rescue operations in the capital are still ongoing, Popko further said that 30 people were injured in the airstrikes.</div><div><br></div><div>Separately, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (DSNS) said that it found the bodies of eight people in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district during the past day.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 40 people were killed in various regions of Ukraine after a massive air attack by Russian forces on Friday, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as the \"heaviest attack\" so far by Moscow.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that a day of mourning would be observed in the capital on Jan. 1. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 12:31:52', '2024-01-01 12:31:52'),
(10668, 10668, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Thousands of people gathered on Monday for an event titled \"Mercy for our martyrs, support for Palestine, curse on Israel” in mosques during the morning prayers to join a procession organized by Türkiye’s NGO TUGVA and National Will Platform.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The event involved the participation of 308 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). After the morning prayers at Hagia Sophia Mosque, Eminonu New Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque, and Suleymaniye Mosque, the participants rallied in the mosque courtyards, offering prayers for the martyrs and Palestinians who lost their lives in Israeli attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>The participants assembled in Hagia Sophia Square after the prayers and chanted slogans such as \"Martyrs never die, the homeland will not be divided,\" \"Collaborator traitors will be held accountable, killer Israel will be held accountable,\" \"Killer Israel, get out of Palestine,\" \"Our blood, our lives sacrificed for Al-Aqsa,\" and \"Greetings to Hamas, resistance will continue.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, former Turkish parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop, and the president of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and a member of the High Advisory Board of TUGVA, Bilal Erdogan, were among the participants.</div><div><br></div><div>Prayers were also offered for the 12 Turkish soldiers killed in the Claw-Lock Operation zone in northern Iraq and for those killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>After the prayers, the participants began marching towards the Galata Bridge, carrying signs in Turkish, Arabic, and English. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 12:42:20', '2024-01-01 12:42:20'),
(10669, 10669, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">The BNP on Monday further extended the ongoing mass contact and leaflet distribution programme for three more days until Thursday.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi&nbsp;</span>said this while speaking at a virtual press briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir announced the fresh programme, which is meant to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election and not cooperate with the Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said, \"Our mass contact and leaflet distribution programme is going on across the country. The BNP and like-minded parties will again observe the mass contact and leaflet distribution programme from Tuesday to Thursday.”</div><div><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ruhul Kabir</span>&nbsp;called upon the opposition leaders and workers to make the programme successful with their spontaneous support.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand,&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">On December 24, the party announced a three-day mass contact and leaflet distribution programme beginning on December 26.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>The BNP and nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 13:22:45', '2024-01-01 13:38:17'),
(10670, 10670, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In 2023, Bangladesh grappled with persistent volatility in its foreign exchange market, despite concerted efforts by Bangladesh Bank to stabilize the situation through significant dollar sales from its reserves.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Economists have pinpointed policy missteps as the root cause, warning that without a shift in Bangladesh Bank\'s strategy, the foreign exchange crisis could extend into 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>To counter market instability, Bangladesh Bank dispensed a substantial USD $6.7 billion from its reserves in the first half of the fiscal year 2023-24. During this period, it also purchased approximately one billion dollars from various commercial banks, as confirmed by the central bank’s concerned department.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, a former senior economist at the IMF, expressed to UNB his concerns regarding Bangladesh Bank’s conservative exchange rate policies. \"The increasing demand for foreign exchange is artificial, largely driven by trade-based capital flight. A more competitive exchange rate could significantly curb this trend,\" Dr Mansur explained.</div><div><br></div><div>He further noted that market-based exchange rates could incentivize expatriates and exporters to increase remittances and repatriate export proceeds.</div><div><br></div><div>Prof Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at CPD, highlighted another challenge: the deferred payment of foreign liabilities, exacerbating the strain on foreign exchange reserves.</div><div><br></div><div>Prof Mustfiz emphasized, “Effective monitoring to prevent capital flight, coupled with competitive exchange rates, is crucial for minimizing the dollar shortage.”</div><div><br></div><div>Md Mezbaul Haque, Bangladesh Bank’s spokesperson and executive director, outlined the dire situation: \"Our import costs are not being offset by export income, and remittances are below expectations. This has led to an acute foreign exchange crisis.\"</div><div><br></div><div>To mitigate this, the central bank sold large volumes of dollars from its reserves, primarily to import fuel, fertilizers, and food. Simultaneously, the bank has been purchasing dollars to bolster reserves, a requirement for securing IMF loans. Yet, the dollar crisis persists, with banks struggling to manage their dollar transactions.</div><div><br></div><div>Banks currently buy dollars from expatriates and export earnings at Tk 109.50, while selling to importers at Tk 110 officially. However, many banks are charging over Tk 110 per dollar for sales. Some even buy expatriate income at rates as high as Tk 123 per dollar.</div><div><br></div><div>As of November 30, 2023, Bangladesh\'s foreign exchange reserves stood at $25.02 billion, or $19.40 billion according to the IMF\'s BPM6 formula. By December 28, reserves had climbed to $27.04 billion, thanks to IMF loan installments, ADB budget support, and various project disbursements.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite these increases, upcoming bill payments in early January, 2024 are expected to diminish these reserves once more, highlighting the continuing challenges facing Bangladesh\'s foreign exchange market. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 14:19:43', '2024-01-01 14:19:43'),
(10671, 10671, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the people to give a befitting reply to arson violence, BNP and Jamaat by casting their votes in the January-7 general election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Don’t only cast your vote, but also protect your vote. Give a befitting reply to arson violence, militant and terrorist BNP and Jamaat,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief said this while addressing an election rally, arranged jointly by AL Dhaka City South and North units at Kalabagan Krirachakro Field in the city’s Dhanmondi area.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked the people of Bangladesh to stay vigilant always against arsonists BNP and Jamaat as they want to destroy the country, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP and Jamaat want to snatch your votes in the upcoming election by resorting to arson violence,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Sheikh Hasina urged the voters to go to polling stations and cast their votes in the morning on January 7 so that none can snatch away their voting rights and election.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 14:47:29', '2024-01-01 14:47:29'),
(10672, 10672, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court on Monday sentenced 18 leaders and activists of BNP to three years jail each in a case filed over a clash with police in 2019.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Begum Afnan Somi passed the order.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also fined them Tk 5,000 each, in default to suffer one month jail in two separate sections under the case.</div><div><br></div><div>The convicts are-- Joint secretary of Dhaka South City unit BNP Anwar Pervez Badal, joint general secretary of Jubo Dal Central Committee Mir Newaz Ali Newaz, Jubo Dal Chawkbazar unit convener Sabha Karim Lucky, President of No 59 ward BNP Syed Hossain Sohel, general secretary of No 24 ward unit BNP Tasaddek Hossain Bablu, BNP leaders Shafiuddin Ahmed Sentu, Aminul Islam Amin, Arman Ahmed, Farhad Hossain Bunty, Riazuddin Badsha, Rafiqul Islam Russel, Nazimuddin Naju, Maniur Rahman Monir, Tipu Sultan, Rafiqur Islam, Liton and Muhin.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also acquitted Mir Ashraf Ali as allegations brought against him could not be proved.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 8, 2019, the leaders and activists of the BNP brought a procession in the Chawkbazar area demanding the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>A clash took place between the BNP men and police during the procession.</div><div><br></div><div>Sub-inspector Gias Uddin of Chwkbazar Model Police Station filed a case against 19 people.</div><div><br></div><div>Police submitted a chargesheet against them on November 18, 2020. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 15:06:59', '2024-01-01 15:06:59'),
(10673, 10673, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Actor Alia Bhatt welcomed New Year 2024 with her husband-actor Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Raha Kapoor. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Alia shared a bunch of photos also featuring Ranbir and Raha.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In the first photo, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia hugged each other as he gave a kiss on her cheek while clicking the selfie. She smiled and made a face in the photo. In the next picture, Alia smiled while sitting at a table wearing a string dress and a funky hairband.</div><div><br></div><div>Wrap up the year gone by &amp; gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here</div><div>Alia holds Raha in new photo</div><div>Alia held Raha, who waved in the next photo as they stood by the sea, seemingly at sunset. A scuba gear was also seen kept on a deck in the next picture. Alia wore a pink outfit as she clicked a selfie in another photo. She also posted a picture of her feet against the blue sky.</div><div><br></div><div>Alia wishes fans on New Year</div><div>The actor shared her video blowing a whistle. In another clip, she gave a glimpse of trees on a windy evening. She captioned the pictures, \"2024 to do - keep it wholesome &amp; soul-some. Happy New Year to you all (sun, sparkles, light blue heart and upside-down face emojis).\"</div><div><br></div><div>Recently, Alia shared a video on Instagram of her accomplishments in 2023. It featured a bunch of pictures from memorable moments of the year. She captioned it with, \"2 0 2 3.\'\' After her post, Ranveer Singh posted a heart emoji. The video started with her look from Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. - Hindustan Times&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 15:21:44', '2024-01-01 15:21:44'),
(10674, 10674, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Nobel peace laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus on Monday stressed that he has been punished for a crime he didn’t commit.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“I have been punished for a crime that I haven’t committed,” Yunus told reporters after he was convicted in a case over violation of labor law. “If you want to call it justice, you can.”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this afternoon, a Dhaka court sentenced Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months’ jail, with fine of Tk 25000 each, in a case over violation of labor law.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The others accused in the case are: Ashraful Hasan, CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust; trustee Nurjahan Begum; and managing director M Shahjahan.</div><div><br></div><div>They were accused of not making 101 workers and employees of Grameen Telecom permanent, not encashing public leave, and not depositing certain dividends to the Workers Welfare Foundation.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the 84-page verdict, the judge said the charges of violating labor laws were proved against them.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Rejecting the verdict, Yunus\'s lawyer Abdullah-Al-Mamun told reporters that they would appeal against the judgment.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We did not get justice and will file an appeal petition with the High Court,” said Barrister Mamun.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>However, Professor Yunus and three others accused in the case will not have to go to jail for the time being as the court granted one-month bail to them on the condition of appeal.</div><div><br></div><div>After the verdict, Yunus was taken out of the court amid tight police security.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In an immediate reaction, Yunus said, \"Many of my friends have come to hear the verdict today, whom I have not met for a long time. It was a pleasure to see them today. ”</div><div><br></div><div>\"Everyone was waiting for the verdict. We were punished for the crime we didn\'t commit. I got hurt on a happy day,” said Yunus.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Many prominent citizens were present in the court to hear the verdict including human rights activist and United Nations Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, Irene Khan, BLAST Executive Director Barrister Sara Hossain, prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam and Dhaka University Professor Asif Nazrul.</div><div><br></div><div>Irene Khan told reporters that she was shocked by the verdict and further called it “a travesty of justice.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"On the first day of 2024, I am shocked and I am terrified to see what is happening to the rule of law in this country where a labour tribunal has been weaponised against a nobel peace laureate while labour laws are broken and violated in the most severe ways everyday in Bangladesh and the government does nothing. A social activist and Nobel laureate who brought honour and pride to the country is being persecuted on frivolous grounds. For me that is a travesty of justice,\" said the human rights activist.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka 3rd Labor Court Judge Sheikh Merina Sultana started reading the verdict after 2:00 pm on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Dr Yunus is not being tried today as a Nobel Laureate. Here he is being judged as the chairman of Grameen Telecom,” said the judge.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>While the verdict was being read out, Yunus\' lawyer Barrister Mamun told the judge several times that their contentions were not included in the verdict.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“This raises questions about the impartiality of the court,” he told the court.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the verdict, the judge said, \"The defence lawyer has said that there are other directors in the case who have not been accused. They also said that only the close ones of Dr. Yunus have been accused in the case, which is not true. It has appeared to the court that the labor law has been violated.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case, during an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom, inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff members who were supposed to be permanent were not made so.</div><div><br></div><div>No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five percent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the labour law. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-01 16:18:32', '2024-01-01 16:18:32'),
(10675, 10675, '<div><b><font color=\"#a54a7b\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Despite relaxed conditions for net reserves by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bangladesh could not meet the foreign exchange reserves target at the end of 2023.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the IMF loan documents, the actual reserves were supposed to be USD $17.78 billion at the end of December 2023. However, as the year ended, the actual reserves stood at about $16.75 billion.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Bank could not meet the reserves target as per IMF conditions by September-end as well. Later, the global lender reduced the reserves conservation target at the request of Bangladesh. Even the revised target could not be achieved by the end of December 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>According to IMF\'s new conditions, the real reserves are expected to be $19.26 billion in March and $20.10 billion in June 2024. However, financial sector stakeholders cannot determine whether this goal will be achieved.</div><div><br></div><div>The real reserve is the reserve that is calculated after excluding the SDR of the IMF, the dollars kept as foreign exchange clearing by the banks, and the dollars deposited for the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) bills.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from this, there are two other accounts of reserve. One of them is total reserve. Another IMF accounting system is reserves maintained under BPM6.</div><div><br></div><div>At the end of the year 2023, total forex reserves increased to $27 billion. However, what the IMF considers is only net or real reserves.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Mezbaul Haque, spokesperson and executive director of Bangladesh Bank told UNB that the central bank worked to keep the reserves above $17 billion, as per the IMF-set target.</div><div><br></div><div>Former IMF economist Dr Ahsan H Mansur told UNB that it is unexpected that the IMF-set target could not be met even after reducing the previous target, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He also doubted that Bangladesh Bank will be able to maintain IMF’s foreign exchange reserves target in March 2024, if the central bank does not change its policies.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 08:53:25', '2024-01-02 08:53:25'),
(10676, 10676, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#e79439\">A series of powerful earthquakes hit western Japan, leaving at least 48 people dead and damaging thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats, with officials warning people in some areas on Tuesday to stay away from their homes because of a risk of more strong quakes.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area on Monday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Forty-eight people were confirmed dead in Ishikawa, officials said. Sixteen others were seriously injured, while damage to homes was so great that it could not immediately be assessed, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said 17 people were seriously injured and gave a slightly lower death tally, while saying he was aware of the prefecture\'s tally.</div><div><br></div><div>Water, power and cellphone service were still down in some areas, and residents expressed sorrow about their destroyed homes and uncertain futures.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It’s not just that it’s a mess. The wall has collapsed, and you can see through to the next room. I don’t think we can live here anymore,” Miki Kobayashi, an Ishikawa resident, said as she swept around her house.</div><div><br></div><div>Their house was also damaged in a 2007 quake, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan’s military dispatched 1,000 soldiers to the disaster zones to join rescue efforts, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle against time,” he said. “It is critical that people trapped in homes get rescued immediately.”</div><div><br></div><div>A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook the Ishikawa area as he was speaking.</div><div><br></div><div>Firefighters were able to bring a fire under control in Wajima city which had reddened the sky with embers and smoke.</div><div><br></div><div>Nuclear regulators said several nuclear plants in the region were operating normally. A major quake and tsunami in March 2011 caused three reactors to melt and release large amounts of radiation at a nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>News videos showed rows of collapsed houses. Some wooden structures were flattened and cars were overturned. Half-sunken ships floated in bays where tsunami waves had rolled in, leaving a muddied coastline.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, as well as for the northern island of Hokkaido.</div><div><br></div><div>The warning was downgraded several hours later, and all tsunami warnings were lifted as of early Tuesday. Waves measuring more than one meter (3 feet) hit some places.</div><div><br></div><div>The agency warned that more major quakes could hit the area over the next few days.</div><div><br></div><div>People who were evacuated from their houses huddled in auditoriums, schools and community centers. Bullet trains in the region were halted, but service was mostly restored by Tuesday afternoon. Sections of highways were closed.</div><div><br></div><div>Weather forecasters predicted rain, setting off worries about already crumbling buildings and infrastructure.</div><div><br></div><div>The region includes tourist spots famous for lacquerware and other traditional crafts, along with designated cultural heritage sites.</div><div><br></div><div>U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that his administration was “ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the last day, the nation has experienced about a hundred aftershocks. - abcNews</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 09:11:54', '2024-01-02 09:11:54'),
(10677, 10677, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Armed forces will remain deployed across the country for eight days from Wednesday to assist the local civil administration in holding a free, fair and peaceful election scheduled for January 7, 2024 as per Section 126 of the constitution\'s \"In Aid to the Civil Power\".</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The armed forces will provide assistance to the Election Commission (EC) and local civil administration from January 3 to 10 countrywide to ensure peace and order before, during and after the election day, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Members of the armed forces will be stationed at nodal points and other convenient places in every district, upazila and metropolitan areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Upon request from the returning officers concerned and through coordination with stakeholders, the area-base deployment has been completed, said the ISPR.</div><div><br></div><div>Members of Bangladesh Army have been assigned in 62 districts while Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) alone will perform duty in 45 upazilas.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, the army in coordination with the BGB and Coast Guard will perform duty in 47 bordering upazilas and 4 coastal upazilas respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The members of Bangladesh Navy will remain deployed in 19 coastal upazilas including in Bhola and Barguna districts.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Air Forces (BAF) will provide helicopter assistance to polling stations in the hilly remote areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, a sufficient number of helicopters of the BAF have been kept ready to provide electoral assistance.</div><div><br></div><div>A cell in coordination with several ministries, divisions, and representatives from the law enforcing agencies has been set up at the armed forces division, which will remain effective till January 10.</div><div><br></div><div>The armed forces have taken all-out preparation to provide necessary assistance to ensure peace and order centering the 12th national parliamentary election. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 12:58:25', '2024-01-02 12:58:25'),
(10678, 10678, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been increased to Tk 119.40 per kg for the month of January, from Tk 117.02 in December, said BERC.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Retail consumers will have to pay an additional Tk 2.41 per kg of LPG from 6 pm on Tuesday, according to Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).</div><div><br></div><div>The energy regulator announced the new price, saying that retail consumers will now have to play Tk 1433 (including VAT) for a 12 kg cylinder of LPG. The previous price of a 12 kg LPG cylinder was Tk 1,404.</div><div><br></div><div>Prices of other LPG cylinders – from 5.5 kg to 45 kg – will go up rationally, Md Nurul Amin, chairman of BERC, said on Tuesday at a press briefing at the BERC office in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the BERC decision, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also increased to Tk 65.76 per litre (including VAT) from Tk Tk 64.43 per litre.</div><div><br></div><div>The price of LPG, marketed by the state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>BERC officials said LPG price will witness an increase in the local market due to increase in the prices of Saudi CP (contract price).</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladeshi LPG operators normally import their products from the Middle-eastern market on the basis of Saudi CP.</div><div><br></div><div>LPG witnessed the highest price at Tk 1,498 (per 12 kg cylinder) in the local market in February last year following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February. Accoding to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 13:17:16', '2024-01-02 13:17:16'),
(10679, 10679, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Martial arts, a term encompassing various physical disciplines, are not just about physical prowess but also about mental discipline and spiritual growth. Central to many of these arts is the martial arts belt ranking system. These belts are more than colorful accessories; they signify the milestones one has achieved and the challenges that lie ahead.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Which Martial Arts Use Belt Ranking System?</div><div>Karate&nbsp;</div><div>This martial art is renowned for its robust strikes and powerful kicks. Karate adopts a structured belt progression system, beginning with the symbolic white belt and culminating in the prestigious black belt. As practitioners advance through various levels, each belt color marks a new stage of expertise and understanding.</div><div><br></div><div>Taekwondo</div><div>Characterized by its swift and dynamic kicks, Taekwondo follows a similar belt system to Karate. It encompasses a progression from white to black belts, each representing the stages of skill and personal development within the art.</div><div><br></div><div>Judo</div><div>A grappling-focused martial art, Judo emphasizes throws and takedowns. It employs a belt system starting from white, advancing through different levels until brown. The highly regarded black belt is awarded at the pinnacle of mastery, symbolizing a deep understanding of Judo\'s principles and techniques.</div><div><br></div><div>Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu</div><div>Recognized for its emphasis on ground fighting techniques, Jiu-Jitsu features a belt system encompassing white, blue, purple, brown, and black belts. Significantly, within each belt level, practitioners may earn stripes, marking progress and skill refinement.</div><div><br></div><div>Others</div><div>Various other martial arts also incorporate belt ranking systems. Aikido, for instance, moves practitioners from white to black belts, symbolizing a journey of growth and learning. Kung Fu, known for its diverse styles, follows varied belt systems, each reflective of its unique philosophy and technique.</div><div><br></div><div>Martial Arts Belts Colors in Order</div><div>White Belt</div><div>In many martial arts, the journey begins with the white belt. It symbolizes purity and the start of the student\'s path. Representing an empty canvas, it signifies the initiation into the world of martial arts, where the basics form the foundation of future mastery.</div><div><br></div><div>Yellow Belt</div><div>The yellow belt, representing the first step beyond the beginner stage, signals an understanding of basic techniques. It symbolizes sunlight, the dawn of knowledge and skill in the martial arts journey.</div><div><br></div><div>Orange Belt</div><div>The orange belt denotes a deeper commitment. It represents a progression in learning, where the practitioner starts building upon the basic skills and demonstrates growing self-discipline.</div><div><br></div><div>Green Belt</div><div>The green belt stands for further growth and progress. It symbolizes the lush green of flourishing plants, indicating that the practitioner is developing greater control, stamina, and strength.</div><div><br></div><div>Blue Belt</div><div>As practitioners advance to the blue belt, it marks a significant transition. It indicates further improvement in skills and techniques and reflects the emergence of leadership qualities within the student.</div><div><br></div><div>Purple Belt</div><div>The purple belt is indicative of a higher level of expertise and dedication. This royal color symbolizes advanced skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide and mentor others in martial arts.</div><div><br></div><div>Brown Belt</div><div>Approaching the pinnacle, the brown belt signifies an advanced understanding and near mastery of the martial art. It represents maturity, high proficiency, and preparation for the final challenges before reaching the black belt.</div><div><br></div><div>Black Belt</div><div>The black belt is a symbol of ultimate achievement and expertise in martial arts. It represents a deep understanding and high skill level, but importantly, it also signifies the beginning of a new phase where the focus shifts to continuous improvement and mastery of finer aspects of martial arts.</div><div><br></div><div>Bottom Lines</div><div>The belt ranking system in martial arts is a deeply ingrained part of these disciplines, representing the dedication, skill, and growth of practitioners. While the specific belt colors and their meanings might vary slightly among different martial arts styles and schools, the core concept remains consistent: they are a tangible representation of one\'s progress and a source of motivation in the journey toward martial arts mastery. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p>Martial Arts Belts<br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 13:43:07', '2024-01-02 13:43:07'),
(10680, 10680, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged the people to keep vigil against the conspiracies of the anti-liberation forces.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“There are so many conspiracies around. Those who did not support our liberation war have not stopped their conspiracies yet,” she told a mammoth election rally of her party at the Government Rajendra College Field here this afternoon.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Hasina said these conspirators are stepping up their plots as they know Bangladesh never bows to anyone.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am the daughter of the Father of the Nation, I never bow to anyone and will never do that,” she declared.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that although the Awami League government already has done massive development works across the country there are more to be done.</div><div><br></div><div>“We need to build ourselves as a developing country. Who do you need for this? Just tell me,” she asked the audience before saying, \"Only boat can do it.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Boat is the election symbol of Awami League which is seeking a fourth straight five-year term in the January 7 national polls.</div><div><br></div><div>“If only boat gets votes I will be able to come to the power again and it will be possible to build Bangladesh as the developing country,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that Bangladesh will never fall back.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Only the boat will give you the solutions. You all have to remember that,” she told the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that by 2041 Bangladeshi will be a smart nation.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh will be hunger-and-poverty-free developed and prosperous Smart Golden Bengal which was the dream of the Father of the Nation,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said Smart Bangladesh means a smart government, smart people, smart economy and smart society.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that having lost everything she has found the people of Bangladesh as her family.</div><div><br></div><div>“So whatever I\'ve I have sacrificed for the people of the country,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked the audience to promise that they will vote for boat.</div><div><br></div><div>The cheering crowd raised their hands in support and chanted slogans for boat.</div><div><br></div><div>She also introduced candidates from Faridpur, Rajbari and Magura seeking votes for them.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League presidium member and Awami League nominated candidate from Faridpur-1 Abdur Rahman, cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, who is contesting from Magura-1 constituency as Awami League nominated candidate and Awami League nominated candidate from Faridpur-3 constituency Shamim Huq also spoke.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>From the stage Hasina waved national flag to the crowd. In response the audience also waved the miniature flags they carried.</div><div><br></div><div>A festive mood was seen everywhere in Faridpur city as well as in the entire district on the occasion of the visit of the prime minister, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Hasina reached Faridpur by road crossing the Padma Bridge. She arrived at the rally ground at about 3:15pm.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 13:46:32', '2024-01-02 13:46:32'),
(10681, 10681, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The price of Bitcoin on Tuesday rose above $45,000, the first time it has hit that level since April 2022.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The increase fueled hopes that the US this year may implement the Bitcoin exchange traded fund (ETF), which would enable investors to purchase products mirroring the price of bitcoin, eliminating the need to have cryptocurrency.</div><div><br></div><div>The price of Bitcoin was at $45,838 on Tuesday at 0948GMT, a daily increase of 7.34%, according to US-based Forbes business.</div><div><br></div><div>Bitcoin’s competitors also followed suit, with Ethereum – its top challenger – posting a rise of 5.05% to $2,416.38 as of 1000GMT, according to data from the digital asset price-tracking website CoinMarketCap.</div><div><br></div><div>The total value of the crypto market was up 6.7% to $1.85 trillion at the time, 50.83% of which belonged to Bitcoin, the data showed. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 14:05:26', '2024-01-02 14:05:26'),
(10682, 10682, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Narail-2 Awami League candidate for the 12th Parliamentary Election, Mashrafe bin Mortaza MP, has said that the future of the next generation depends on the January 7 election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"This is not just an election, the future of the next generation depends on this election on January 7,\" the former cricket star said, addressing a street rally at Ragurathpur Primary School grounds in Ghoshbari on Monday morning. The school is near the Dattapara bus stand in Auria Union of Narail Sadar.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Go to the polling centre with all the family members and vote for boat. Your duty is till January 7. I will take all responsibility for you and your future generations from January 8. This much I promise you,” the former Bangladesh captain, renowned as a natural leader of men among peers, pleaded.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Many mega projects are still underway, those should not stop. In the last five years, I have been with you and tried to develop as much as possible,” he said, directly addressing the voters.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, he held further rallies at Fedi Bazar, Chalitatala Bazar and Ratdanga Bazar of Chandibarpur Union.</div><div><br></div><div>Auria UP Chairman SM Palash, Chandibarpur Union Chairman Azizur Rahman and leaders and workers of district, upazila and union Awami League and associate organizations were present at the time. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 14:56:09', '2024-01-02 14:56:09'),
(10683, 10683, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that the BRICS group of major emerging economies is attracting further support from “like-minded countries” sharing its underlying principles as his country assumed the bloc\'s chairmanship for 2024.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a statement published by the Kremlin, Putin said these underlying principles are “sovereign equality, respect for the chosen path of development, mutual consideration of interests, openness, consensus, the aspiration to form a multipolar international order and a fair global financial and trade system, and the pursuit of collective solutions to top challenges of our time.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said the motto for BRICS under Russia’s chairmanship will be “Strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security.”</div><div><br></div><div>He added that Moscow will focus on positive and constructive cooperation with all countries concerned while following the motto.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will spare no effort to ensure that, while preserving traditions and being guided by the experience gained by the association in years past, we facilitate the harmonious integration of new participants in all formats of its activities,” said Putin.</div><div><br></div><div>He stressed that they will consider the degree to which around 30 countries are prepared to join its multidimensional agenda “in one form or another,” adding they will start working on the modalities of a new category for partner countries.</div><div><br></div><div>Putin said that Russia will continue promoting all aspects of the BRICS partnership in three key areas: politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian contacts.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our priorities include promoting cooperation in science, high technology, health care, environmental protection, culture, sports, youth exchanges, and civil society,” he said, noting that more than 200 events “of different levels and types” will be held in Russian cities as part of its chairmanship.</div><div><br></div><div>“We encourage representatives of all countries interested in cooperating with our organization to take part in them. The BRICS Summit in (the Russian city of) Kazan in October will be the culmination of our chairmanship. As Russia assumes its chairmanship, it looks forward to working productively with all countries in the BRICS orbit,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>BRICS, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, with five new members -- Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia -- formally becoming full-fledged members of the bloc, contains more than 40% of the world’s population and over 30% of global gross domestic product (GDP).</div><div><br></div><div>Argentina was also due to join BRICS on Jan. 1 after receiving an invitation in August. However, newly elected President Javier Milei announced last Friday that the country would not take part in the bloc, fulfilling his campaign promise to shift his country’s foreign policy to seek closer ties with the West. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 14:58:17', '2024-01-02 14:58:17');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10684, 10684, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In a complete departure from the Israeli narrative, Dan Halutz, a former Israeli military chief, has suggested that Israel has lost the war against the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He criticized the current Israeli military and political strategy, expressing concerns over the future of Israel in an interview aired on local broadcaster Channel 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel can only win this war if it succeeds in destroying Hamas. However so far, it is proving very “difficult” to even dislodge it.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas is much more than a movement; it is an idea, and the fundamental problem is that one cannot destroy an idea, according to Paul Rogers, an emeritus professor of peace studies at the University of Bradford.</div><div><br></div><div>Destroying Hamas would not solve the problem for Israel, as even if they appear to destroy it, then “it will just rise in a different form in maybe two or three years’ time, maybe a little bit more. But it doesn\'t solve the underlying problem of the position of the Palestinians. And they are not going to go away,” Rogers told Anadolu.</div><div><br></div><div>The professor argued that the war between the Israeli military and Hamas is a battle of time, as the Israelis only have a certain amount of time in which they can defeat Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>Because otherwise, the pressure from the international community, and particularly from the United States, will force Israel to bring the war to an end, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The sheer loss of life on the Palestinian side is causing “huge problems” internationally for Tel Aviv, said Rogers, pointing out that Israel is slowly but steadily losing support, possibly even in the US, as since the beginning of the war on Gaza, Israeli forces have in their brutal military campaign killed nearly 22,000 Palestinians and wounded over 56,000.</div><div><br></div><div>“So the issue is that you can\'t defeat a group like Hamas in the first place. But you can\'t keep on trying either, as the patience of even the closest ally would run out.”</div><div><br></div><div>“This is why the whole issue is, in a sense of time, urgent, and time is against the Israelis on this,” said Rogers, who is also a global security consultant at Oxford Research Group (ORG).</div><div><br></div><div>Israel spreading false narrative</div><div><br></div><div>Tel Aviv, however, is still spreading a false “narrative of a severely weakened Hamas” by claiming that the war in northern Gaza is mainly completed and that victory in southern Gaza would follow soon.</div><div><br></div><div>“The official narrative has been that Hamas is weakened, but in reality, the IDF’s doctrine of massive force is falling,” said Rogers, referring to the Israeli army.</div><div><br></div><div>He raised doubts about the idea that Israel is making any significant progress in the war.</div><div><br></div><div>At one point, official casualty figures have shown more than 460 soldiers killed in Gaza, Israel and the occupied West Bank and about 1,900 injured. However, other reputable sources suggested much higher numbers.</div><div><br></div><div>Even a department within the Israeli Ministry of Defense which deals with rehabilitation reported different figures to the ministry, giving a figure of around 5,000 injuries, whereas the official line was closer to 2,500.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the rehabilitation department, over 2,000 military personnel had been registered as disabled since Oct. 7 – with 58% of all those it had treated suffering from severe injuries to their hands and feet, which is a lot higher than the official figure.</div><div><br></div><div>“So there are actually differences within the military itself as to the numbers that they\'re releasing,” and one suspects that in fact, “the number of injuries is very much higher than is being said,” Rogers noted.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas is fighting on its own territory with thousands of young fighters prepared and ready to die, which is a huge advantage for the military group, many analysts have suggested.</div><div><br></div><div>This makes it “extremely difficult” for a more conventionally organized country to defeat such groups.</div><div><br></div><div>Rogers pointed out that Hamas is “certainly more efficient” in some of its use of weapons in current circumstances than what analysts would have expected.</div><div><br></div><div>As far as its tunnel network is concerned, it is even more extensive and more organized than it was assumed by the Israelis, he said, adding that Hamas has succeeded in hiding hostages despite a very high level of surveillance and intelligence on the Israeli side.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israelis have developed airpower to a very sophisticated level, but whenever Israel sent in ground troops to Lebanon for instance, they found it much more difficult to handle paramilitary groups such as Hezbollah or Hamas on the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>It would be even more so difficult if part of the fighting was to happen underground, Rogers asserted, adding there is a suspicion that Hezbollah has developed a similar kind of system of underground tunnels in southern Lebanon, which according to him will be very tough to handle.</div><div><br></div><div>The reality is that any modern army fighting this kind of guerrilla war, in an urban environment with many ruins and many obstacles around, “is going to find it very difficult,” he said, adding this is as true for the Israelis as it was for US special forces and others in recent wars including Russia in terms of its fighting in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel unable to win war</div><div><br></div><div>Yitzhak Brick, a major general (reserve) in the Israeli army and former ombudsman for the occupation forces, raised an alarm months ago that Hamas could launch an attack on Israel and that the country must prepare for a multi-front war, given the situation on the Lebanese border, but his claims were dismissed by the defense establishment and the political leadership.</div><div><br></div><div>He referred to Hamas as equipped, trained fighters who will cross the border on foot and attack with an aim to take back Palestinian land and conquer settlements.</div><div><br></div><div>Brick warned that the Israeli army has turned into a primarily air-based military, unable to win a war and fight effectively on the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>He accused the leadership of completely trying to avoid losing on the battlefield, suggesting that this “completely loses the deterrence of the army and the ability to win the war.”</div><div><br></div><div>“We have lost the ability to field an effective army and have become a one-dimensional aerial power that cannot win a war on its own.”</div><div><br></div><div>The current situation of the land forces “is tragic; they are not ready for war,” he told local broadcaster Channel 12 last May.</div><div><br></div><div>“The truth is that an imaginary reality has been created by the general staff and spread throughout the army. The soldiers have lost their motivation and fighting spirit in recent years, and many are not ready to go into battle,” he said, adding that technology, which Israel heavily relies on, is not enough to win the war.</div><div><br></div><div>Things however are not looking that great for the Israeli Air Force either, as former Israeli Air Force chief Major General Amikam Norkin warned last year that the country no longer enjoys unfettered superiority and freedom of action in Lebanon’s skies, stressing that this reality was apparent to the Israeli military after Hezbollah began manufacturing its own drones, he told public broadcaster KAN.</div><div><br></div><div>Brick essentially suggested that Israel is unable to win the war against Hamas alone. But according to Rogers, it is unlikely that the United States will want to get involved on the ground to help the Israeli army because they have experienced problems with this kind of warfare themselves when fighting in the Middle East, reports Anadolu Agency.</div><div><br></div><div>Consequently, the US Army would be “really strongly opposed to this and would resist any attempt to do so,” and in this sense, “Israel is in this on its own as far as the ground troops are concerned,” said Rogers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 15:03:03', '2024-01-02 15:03:03'),
(10685, 10685, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Yemen’s Houthis have threatened to turn the Red Sea into a “hell” for the US in response to American marines killing 10 fighters on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The official Houthi news agency ran an editorial under the headline “America has opened the door to hell for itself” on Monday, vowing vengeance for US Navy attacks on their boats in the Red Sea, accusing the US of supporting Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza by preventing them from imposing their ban on Israel-linked ships sailing through the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>The news agency said that the US Navy performed “a foolish act by targeting three boats, as a result of which ten members of the Yemeni naval forces martyred, thus opening the door of hell upon itself, its ships, and its military bases in the region.”</div><div><br></div><div>The US Navy destroyed three of four Houthi boats in the Red Sea on Sunday, killing the crews after they tried to hijack a commercial ship and opened fire on the helicopters.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Houthis, 10 of their men were killed in the US Navy attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Houthi leader Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti said the group would attack the US ships that killed their troops and would continue to prohibit ships traveling to Israel from crossing the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is an attack on Yemen, and there must be retaliation, and America must suffer the repercussions of this attack and crime,” Al-Bukhaiti told France 24 Arabic TV on Sunday night.</div><div><br></div><div>On Nov. 19, the Houthis launched their Red Sea attacks by hijacking a commercial ship called Galaxy Leader and rerouting it to the coast of Yemen’s western city of Hodeidah.</div><div><br></div><div>In the days that followed, they launched drones and ballistic missiles at commercial and navy ships to force them to avoid the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the Houthis’ strong threats of retaliation, some analysts believe that regional actors such as Oman may step in to persuade the Houthis to de-escalate so as not to jeopardize the present promising UN-led efforts to forge a plan to end the conflict in Yemen.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammed Al-Basha, a senior Middle East analyst at the Navanti Group, said that public pressure is mounting on the Houthis to retaliate and that, should they choose to do so, they would launch explosive-laden suicide boats at US Navy ships while simultaneously launching massive drones and missiles designed to overwhelm the US Navy’s air defenses.</div><div><br></div><div>“The effectiveness of the US Navy’s defense mechanisms could prompt the Houthis to contemplate a coordinated swarm offensive, involving joint drone attacks, Water-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, and anti-ship missiles, with the aim of targeting a destroyer,” Al-Basha told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, Yemeni conflict expert Nadwa Al-Dawsari said that the same Western countries that pressed the Yemeni government in late 2018 to halt the military offensive that was poised to expel the Houthis from Hodeidah are now rushing to launch airstrikes on the Houthis, adding that the Houthis would exploit any US military action to recruit people.</div><div><br></div><div>“Now it seems the West is rushing to war,” she said on social media platform X, adding: “Airstrikes might undermine Houthis missile capability in the short term, but won\'t address their threat. They will reinforce their propaganda that they are being punished for defending Palestine, a cause that most Arabs consider their first priority. This will help Houthis recruit fighters for future wars that will extend beyond Yemen.” - Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 15:17:50', '2024-01-02 15:17:50'),
(10686, 10686, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Five people were killed when a Japan Airlines aircraft hit a coastguard plane as it came into land on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, erupting in a ball of flames.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dramatic video footage shows the moment the plane was coming into land and struck the coastguard aircraft that was carrying relief aid for victims of yesterday\'s earthquake, at about 5:55 p.m. local time.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan Airlines flight 516, an Airbus A350,&nbsp; was arriving from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, according to NHK.</div><div><br></div><div>Miraculously, all 367 passengers and 12 crew were evacuated from the passenger jet.</div><div><br></div><div>The crash comes just a day after a massive earthquake ripped through Ishakawa, Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>Footage shared on social media showed passengers shouting inside the smoke-filled cabin.</div><div><br></div><div>Only one person has been accounted for from the coastguard aircraft that was carrying aid to parts of the country hit by yesterday\'s earthquake.</div><div><br></div><div>Firefighters are tackling the blaze and it is believed all 400 passengers have been evacuated from the passenger jet.</div><div><br></div><div>Japanese news agency JNN said people who appear to be passengers could be seen escaping from the aircraft.</div><div><br></div><div>Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio instructed relevant agencies to coordinate to assess the damage swiftly and provide information to the public, according to his office, reports Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>Haneda has closed all runways following the incident, a spokesperson for the airport added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 15:23:17', '2024-01-02 15:23:17'),
(10687, 10687, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Turkey today announced the detention of 33 people suspected of planning abductions and spying on behalf of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said the suspects were rounded up in raids across eight provinces in and around Istanbul.</div><div><br></div><div>It was not immediately clear if they were Israeli nationals or locals allegedly working with Mossad.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will never allow espionage activities to be conducted against the national unity and solidarity of our country,” Yerlikaya said on social media.</div><div><br></div><div>Yerlikaya’s office released video footage showing armed security service agents breaking down doors and handcuffing suspects in their homes.</div><div><br></div><div>The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office said 13 additional suspects remained at large.</div><div><br></div><div>Relations between Turkey and Israel imploded following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war nearly three months ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has turned into one of the world’s harshest critics of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.</div><div><br></div><div>The Turkish leader last week compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and demanded that Israel’s Western allies drop their support for the “terrorism” being conducted by Israeli troops.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan has also recalled Ankara’s envoy to Tel Aviv and pushed for the trial of Israeli commanders and political leaders at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.</div><div><br></div><div>The president’s ruling Islamic conservative party AKP also led tens of thousands of protesters out on the streets of Istanbul on Monday for one of Turkey’s biggest anti-Israel rallies of the entire war. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 15:34:30', '2024-01-02 15:34:30'),
(10688, 10688, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Nobel peace laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Prof. Muhammad Yunus described a labour court’s verdict against him as “contrary to all legal precedent and logic.”</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, Labour Court No.3 of Dhaka, sentenced the microfinance pioneer and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months’ jail, with a fine of Tk 25000 each, in a case over violations of the labour law.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement published by Yunus Centre, Dr Yunus said, “As my lawyers have convincingly argued in court, this verdict against me is contrary to all legal precedent and logic.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Nobel peace laureate pledged to serve the countrymen and the social business movement to the best of his ability.</div><div><br></div><div>“I will continue to serve the people of Bangladesh and the social business movement to the best of my ability,” the statement reads.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Yunus called on the people to speak out against injustice and in favour of democracy and human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>“I call for the Bangladeshi people to speak in one voice against injustice and in favour of democracy and human rights for each and every one of our citizens,” said the 83-yr-old.</div><div><br></div><div>Yunus, along with three Grameen Telecom officials, managed to avoid prison, as they were granted bail on the condition of appeal yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>After coming out of court following the verdict, Professor Yunus said he had been punished for a crime he didn’t commit, reprots UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “I have been punished for a crime that I haven’t committed,” Yunus told reporters during a brief interaction. “If you want to call it justice, you can.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 15:50:28', '2024-01-02 15:50:28'),
(10689, 10689, '<div><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladeshi expatriates sent home just 2.95 percent more in remittances in 2023 than they did in the previous year (2022), despite a record jump in the number of economic migrants going abroad. Data released by Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday revealed that expatriate Bangladeshis sent home around $21.92 billion through official channels in calendar year 2023, compared to $21.29 billion in 2022.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>Although a record number of workers from the country went abroad this year, remittances or expatriate income did not increase as expected. The month-by-month remittance figures for 2023 revealed as much.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>There is also a view that a lag should be expected before the greater numbers going abroad as economic migrants is reflected in remittance flows.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the latest data from the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment, 12.1 lakh, or 1.21 million workers went abroad from Bangladesh in the first 11 months of 2023. In 2022, this number was 11.4 lakh, or 1.14 million.&nbsp; With a month\'s figures still to be added, the number had jumped by 6.1 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>“The remittance inflow has not increased in the same proportion that manpower is being exported from the country,” said economist Dr Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the expatriates are encouraged to send remittances through hundi or informally because they can get a significantly better price for the dollar outside the formal banking system, and the process of sending is easier. This is causing remittances to dry up and failing to meet expectations.</div><div><br></div><div>Remittances sent home by some 1.2 crore expatriates are enriching the country\'s economy. Bangladesh ranks sixth in the list of number of expatriate workers abroad, but seventh in terms of expatriate income - a large part of it being remittances - in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Bank data released on Tuesday revealed that Bangladesh received $ 1.99 billion in remittances in December 2023, identical to the November figure. The previous year in December 2022, the expatriates sent remittances of $1.70 billion. That is, compared to the same month of the previous year, the remittance increased by $290 million.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking at the inward remittance figure for the last six months, we see that the situation has just started to get back on its feet. In the year\'s last quarter (Oct-Dec) we see remittances stabilising very close to the $2 billion mark, just a whisker below. Although it hasn\'t breached the $2bn mark&nbsp; limit again yet, the situation is much improved from August-September, when it fell steeply.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Md Mezbaul Haque BB spokesperson said that inward remittances flow increased slightly in December, and the overall trend of remittance sending is stable so far due to the initiative of the central bank.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the central bank instructed banks to provide additional incentives from their financial resources, to play a role in increasing the flow of inward remittances through the legal channel.</div><div><br></div><div>With the government\'s 2.5 percent incentive on expatriate income, banks can buy dollars at an additional 2.5 percent higher price. Then 5 percent is getting incentives in remittances.</div><div><br></div><div>The executive director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) Dr. Salim Raihan said that attracting remittances through incentives would yield no long-term benefits.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the government should take a sustainable policy by introducing a market-based exchange rate of US dollars, which would lead to increased remittances through the formal channel.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Raihan said,”To increase remittances, hundi should be stopped. If you want to stop hundi, you have to introduce smart policy.”</div><div><br></div><div>The SANEM chief believes the Hundi network is able to incentivise its use just as banks do for theirs. Most importantly, no incentive in the world can at present compete with the dollar rate offered by the hundi specialists&nbsp; - at times reportedly hovering Tk 12-13 above the official dollar rate.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As long as the hundi remains rampant, the expected remittances will not come through legal or official channels. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 16:13:40', '2024-01-02 16:13:40'),
(10690, 10690, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh\'s readymade garment (RMG) export reached US$ 47.39 billion, which is US$ 1.68 billion more than 2022, according to the year-end export data for 2023 published by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>During this year, Bangladesh’s total export earning increased by 2%, meaning that this growth is mostly contributed by the RMG export.</div><div><br></div><div>This growth in RMG export was solely contributed by the growth of knitwear export which grew by 7.47%, while woven export declined by 0.81%.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Since the growth curve of global clothing trade falters every year, we believe that 2024 will be a year of turnaround since 2023 was a weaker year for this industry globally, and there are some indications that consumption and spending may rebound,\" said Mohiuddin Rubel, Director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>The positive side is that despite all the challenges the industry continued its commitment and efforts toward sustainability, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The minimum wage was declared which came into effect from 1 December 2023; the transformation of green industrialization continues with more robust performance; and the industry is making visible progress in reducing emission.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The diversification in export diversification in terms of markets, products and fiber makes us confident about the future. We hope that more strategic investments will continue flowing in in this year, and a qualitative shift toward a more innovative and technology-based industry will be visible,\" Rubel said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said there are certain challenges that our economy is facing currently. \"I believe 2024 will bring a breath of fresh air in it as we expect a positive shift in our our. We do have new opportunities, which the industry is pursuing and exploring further; and we do have new challenges as well.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We need continued support and collaboration from all stakeholders including government, development partners and others,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The month-wise export performance for the year 2023 shows that the year started well with modest growth in January and February. After having consecutive dips in March and April, the positive trend in growth was restored and maintained during May-September, and the export performance in the final quarter of the year went below the level of 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Though the year ended with a decline of 2.35% in December, export in this single month was US$ 4.56 billion. The decline in November and December happened primarily because of the unusually higher export in November and December 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Detailed data on country-wise export performance is yet to be published, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Let me put in record the export performance for July-December of the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. During the mentioned period, Bangladesh’s RMG export reached US$ 23.39 billion, and the growth came down to 1.72%,\" Rubel said.</div><div><br></div><div>The RMG export turnover in 2023 remains historic in a single year, and considering the global economic and geo-political crisis, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I would say Bangladesh did fairly well. However, imports of our major markets declined as most of the advanced economies are struggling due to high inflation and impact on consumers due to monetary policy measures taken to contain inflation,\" Rubel said.</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-02 16:17:32', '2024-01-02 16:17:32'),
(10691, 10691, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The country’s overall power generation, combining grid capacity and off-grid (mainly captive) power, increased by about 5000MW in 2023 to reach a new benchmark of 30,700MW, although with demand failing to keep up, this is expected to lead to higher capacity payments for the government.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>This is disclosed in available data from the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda).</div><div><br></div><div>The BPDB data shows that of the 5000MW new power generation, some 3,343MW was added to the national grid by the import electricity from India and production from newly set up local power plants while about 1400MW came from off-grid captive and off-grid solar power.</div><div><br></div><div>It also shows that the country’s installed grid-connected power generation capacity has reached to 25,951 MW on December 30 in 2023 from 22,608 MW in 2022 showing a capacity enhancement of 3343 MW.</div><div><br></div><div>Beyond the national grid, as per BERC data, the captive power generation has increased by 1379MW to reach 4760 MW in 2023 from 3,381MW in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>The captive power plants were mainly set up by industries for their own consumption to get uninterrupted power supply as the grid power does not guarantee uninterrupted supply.</div><div><br></div><div>Sources in the power sector said that despite more than 40 percent surplus power generation in the country, still many industries prefer to use their captive power for uninterrupted supply.</div><div><br></div><div>A huge number of applications remain pending with the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to set up more captive plants.</div><div><br></div><div>The power generation from non-conventional, or renewable sources also witnessed an increase in 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) statistics show that the solar power generation capacity reached 1200MW in 2023 from 700MW in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the 1200 MW, the off grid is 366.76 MW while ongrid is 601.02 MW. However, the country’s hydroelectric capacity of 230 MW is included in the Sreda statistics.</div><div><br></div><div>Together the new off-grid captive power and grid-connected power has pushed up the country’s total power generation capacity to 30,711 MW in 2023 from about 25,700 MW at the end of 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>BPDB officials said that the import of 1600 MW from the Adani Group’s plant for Bangladesh in Godda, Jharkhand, has played a major role in increasing the power generation capacity of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from the import, the commercial operations of a number of base-load power plants played a significant role in raising power generation capacity.</div><div><br></div><div>These new power plants include 600 MW second unit of Rampal Power Plant, and 1200 MW Banshkhali power plant of S Alam Group. There is also a 200 MW Solar power plant in Khulna by Orion Group.</div><div><br></div><div>Although this capacity enhancement in power generation is a pleasing development on the face of it, especially given the country’s long history of struggle with power shortages, BPDB officials are also quick to point out that the growing surplus capacity would also lead to a rise in capacity payments, whereby IPPs get paid even for the electricity the government doesn’t need from them.</div><div><br></div><div>They said that the new power plants being added to the grid were set up by the IPPs, or independent power producers (the private sector firms investing in the power sector, by building and often operating the plants), and the BPDB has an obligation to purchase power from them - to not let their investment go to waste or end in loss. Having them exit the power sector due to losses would be a bigger blow to BPDB\'s long-term vision.</div><div><br></div><div>The increasing burden of capacity payments may pinch the government, as well as the consumer, harder if the dollar crisis prevailing in the country persists. According to the Centre for Policy Dialogue, a Dhaka-based think tank, capacity payments to private, rental, and quick rental power plants have increased from Tk 5,376 crores in FY2017 to as high as an estimated Tk 28,000 crores in FY 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2024, surplus electricity generation capacity is projected to rise to 50 percent from the existing 40 percent, as the country’s peak hour demand is about 16,000 MW, according to a top BPDB official.</div><div><br></div><div>It would mean even at peak demand, half the plants would be surplus to requirements, and thus lie idle. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 08:53:15', '2024-01-03 08:53:15'),
(10692, 10692, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin today exercised his franchise through postal ballot for the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls slated for January 7 next, urging the countrymen to fulfill their civic duty by voting.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Let\'s vote ourselves and encourage others to cast vote,\" the president told the journalists this noon after casting his vote at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban here.</div><div><br></div><div>President\'s wife Dr Rebeka Sultana also exercised her voting rights through postal ballot there as they are the voters of their hometown Pabna.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Voting is the democratic rights of the people. As a citizen, it is our duty to vote. People give their democratic verdict through casting their respective votes,\" President Shahabuddin said.</div><div><br></div><div>Voting is the most acceptable method in selecting leadership in a democratic manner, he also pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>The president hoped that the election will be held in a peaceful and festive environment with the participation of all.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Article 27 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the head of the state is able to cast the vote through the postal ballot.</div><div><br></div><div>Registered voters, those are imprisoned or in legal custody, Bangladeshi expatriates and polling officers, can exercise their rights to vote through postal ballots in the upcoming general polls as well, according to the Election Commission Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Four types of voters, who are unable to go to the polling centers, can exercise their rights to vote through postal ballots. This provision has been introduced since the 9th Jatiya Sangsad Election.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has campaigned to encourage voting through postal ballot in this year\'s parliamentary elections.</div><div><br></div><div>In an inter-ministerial meeting held recently, the EC directed all concerned, including the Bangladesh mission abroad, to encourage casting vote through the postal ballots.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the EC notification, a person, who is interested in exercising the rights to vote, has to apply to the returning officer of his constituency for a postal ballot paper.</div><div><br></div><div>The application must contain the voter\'s name, postal address and serial number of the voter list, it stated.</div><div><br></div><div>The Returning Officers will consider the postal votes received by them within the time limit and declare the final result after counting those votes.</div><div><br></div><div>The EC wants to popularize the issue of postal ballot by applying presidential vote.</div><div><br></div><div>President\'s Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attached) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were also present on the occasion. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 09:12:44', '2024-01-03 09:12:44'),
(10693, 10693, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Amid the surge of new JN.1 Covid variant globally, the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 has suggested the authorities concerned to take necessary initiatives, including mask wearing, to prevent spread of the virus.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The committee came up with four recommendations in its 65th meeting held on Tuesday with Dr Mohammad Shahidullah, president of the NTAC, in the chair, said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>An elaborate discussion was held at the meeting about the latest situation of the surge of JN.1 variant, advice of World Health Organisation (WHO) about the new variant.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that the Covid situation is under control and the new variant has not been identified yet in the country, the committee suggested taking precautionary measures including wearing of masks specially in high risk areas including hospitals and by individuals with low immunity.</div><div><br></div><div>It also suggested the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) to strengthen surveillance through reviewing the global reports to monitor the infection situation and take necessary preparation for quick treatment including Covid test and ICU in case of emergency in future.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the committee also recommended screening of travellers coming from abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>It also suggested taking decision about Covid vaccine through regular examination of scientific data and advised people with high-risk to take 4th dose of Covid vaccine.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting also suggested Covid test before any surgery if the patient&nbsp; has any symptom. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 09:20:17', '2024-01-03 09:20:17'),
(10694, 10694, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh speedster Taskin Ahmed is working on his recovery from a shoulder injury. The pacer said he is upbeat about making a comeback in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but expressed regret over missing the IPL chance.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The pacer was included in the IPL draft — the cash-rich T20 event in India. However, at the last moment, his name was withdrawn by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), marking the thrid time he missed an IPL opportunity.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“As a cricketer, I always want to play in franchise leagues,” Taskin said. “With this, I missed the IPL chance three times.”</div><div><br></div><div>Taskin also missed the opportunity to play in the recently-concluded New Zealand series due to the shoulder injury.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“I would have enjoyed it if I was on this tour. It\'s always great to bowl in New Zealand,” he said. “I would have witnessed Bangladesh\'s success if I were there. Bangladesh played really well. It\'s our team, and the pride is always ours.”</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s pace-bowling unit performed well in New Zealand, making the most of the conditions. During the tour, Bangladesh won an ODI and a T20I, marking the first instances of Bangladesh winning white-ball international matches against New Zealand on Kiwi soil.</div><div><br></div><div>The right-arm pacer mentioned that he has started to bowl with full strength and is expected to make a return with BPL.</div><div><br></div><div>“I’m feeling much better now and have started bowling,” he said. “We still have two weeks to go before BPL, so I believe I can make a comeback fully fit.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 09:55:57', '2024-01-03 09:55:57'),
(10695, 10695, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Independent candidate for Sylhet-3 constituency Dr Ehteshamul Haque Chowdhury’s election rally came under attack, allegedly from campaigners of the AL-nominated candidate, on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Ehteshamul&nbsp; alleged that the attackers were activists of Awami League candidate and the incumbent MP, Habibur Rahman Habib.</div><div><br></div><div>During the election rally in the Nayabazar area of Fenchuganj upazila, some people vandalized the rally venue.</div><div><br></div><div>Saleh Ahmed, member secretary of Ehteshamul\'s Fenchuganj upazila election steering committee, alleged that Ghilachora Union Parishad Chairman Saiful Islam Mona and his associates attacked their rally in the evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Ehteshamul said, “General voters, including my campaigners, have become scared after the attack. Jealous of my popularity, my rival candidate\'s activists have started violent attacks. They are openly threatening my supporters.”</div><div><br></div><div>After the incident, he filed a complaint with the returning officer, the deputy commissioner of Sylhet, and assistant returning officer (Fenchuganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer), reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Habibur Rahman Habib, the AL candidate for the constituency, said that these are false allegations. I heard about it. None of my supporters can do that. Besides, I have told my campaigners that no one should behave unfairly during the election campaign. They made these allegations to grab attention.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 10:24:41', '2024-01-03 10:24:41'),
(10696, 10696, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that the Election Commission is able to act independently and authoritatively, which is why the electoral code of conduct is being strictly maintained.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking this afternoon at the party president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, he further said that wherever the electoral code of conduct is being violated, the Election Commission is taking action. There is no interference or obstruction from the government, and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firm on this matter, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader said, on January 7, the world will witness a great election in Bangladesh with the spontaneous presence of the people, where the public opinion will be victorious, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that BNP and Jamaat, having failed in their movements, are now distributing leaflets. “They are stuck in the quicksand of failure and mistakes, and they cannot come out. Their negative agendas, violence, and blockades have been ignored by the people. Even if BNP now says they will not resort to violence, there is no way to say if it’s true or not. Because they say one thing and do another. We are receiving news that they are secretly conspiring,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The road, transport and bridges minister also criticized the “double standards” of Amnesty International. He told, “Amnesty International talks about human rights in Bangladesh, and the verdict in Dr. Yunus’ case, but why don’t they speak about the massacres that Israel is carrying out in Gaza, Palestine? They have not said a single word against Israel.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 10:58:40', '2024-01-03 10:58:40'),
(10697, 10697, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Japanese rescuers scrambled to search for survivors Wednesday as authorities warned of landslides and heavy rain after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 62 people.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The 7.5 magnitude quake on January 1 that rattled Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu triggered tsunami waves more than a meter high, sparked a major fire and tore apart roads.</div><div><br></div><div>The Noto Peninsula of the prefecture was most severely hit, with several hundred buildings ravaged by fire and houses flattened.</div><div><br></div><div>The regional government announced late Tuesday that 55 people had been confirmed dead and 22 severely injured.</div><div><br></div><div>But the toll was expected to climb as rescuers battle aftershocks and poor weather to comb through rubble.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 31,800 people were in shelters, they added.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government was due to hold a meeting of an emergency task force Wednesday morning to discuss responses.</div><div><br></div><div>Kishida reiterated Tuesday night that “it’s a race against time” given how many people may have been caught in the collapsed buildings, according to public broadcaster NHK.</div><div><br></div><div>The operation was given extra urgency as the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a heavy rain warning for Noto.</div><div><br></div><div>“Be on the lookout for landslides until the evening of Wednesday,” the agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>In the coastal city of Suzu, mayor Masuhiro Izumiya said there were “almost no houses standing.”</div><div><br></div><div>“About 90 percent of the houses (in the town) are completely or almost completely destroyed... the situation is really catastrophic,” he said according to broadcaster TBS.</div><div><br></div><div>A woman at a shelter in the town of Shika told TV Asahi that she “hasn’t been able to sleep” due to aftershocks.</div><div><br></div><div>“I’ve been scared because we don’t know when the next quake will hit,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 34,000 households were still without power in Ishikawa prefecture, the local utility said.</div><div><br></div><div>Many cities were without running water.</div><div><br></div><div>Shinkansen bullet trains and highways have resumed operations after several thousand people were stranded, some for almost 24 hours.</div><div>The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 7.5, while the JMA measured it at 7.6, triggering a major tsunami warning.</div><div><br></div><div>The powerful quake was one of more than 210 to shake the region through Tuesday evening, the JMA said.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan lifted all tsunami warnings after waves at least 1.2 meters (four feet) high hit the city of Wajima and a series of smaller tsunamis were reported elsewhere.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year and the vast majority cause no damage.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of earthquakes in the Noto Peninsula region has been steadily increasing since 2018, a Japanese government report said last year.</div><div><br></div><div>The country is haunted by a massive 9.0 magnitude undersea quake off northeastern Japan in 2011 which triggered a tsunami that left around 18,500 people dead or missing.</div><div><br></div><div>It also swamped the Fukushima atomic plant, causing one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 11:35:36', '2024-01-03 11:35:36'),
(10698, 10698, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#731842\">The High Court has postponed the hearing on a rule on the bail of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a case over the vandalism of the Chief Justice\'s residence until next week.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The HC bench of Justice Md Saleem and Justice Shahed Nuruddin deferred the hearing on Wednesday after Fakhrul\'s lawyer Waliur Rahman sought more time to prepare for the hearing, citing \'personal circumstances\'.</div><div><br></div><div>Advocate Waliur Rahman stood for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while Deputy Attorney General BM Abdur Rafel represented the state.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on December 7, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why Fakhrul should not be granted bail in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>The government was asked to respond to the rule within a week.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 17, the High Court fixed January 3 for hearing on the rule.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police Station on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice\'s residence during a BNP rally on October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul was arrested in the case on October 29 and has been in jail since then. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 11:55:19', '2024-01-03 11:55:19');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10699, 10699, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said she wants that January 7 national election will be free, fair and neutral setting a milestone in the country’s democratic history.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“People will cast votes for their favourite candidates and make them victorious. That is our target,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the prime minister, was delivering her introductory speech through videoconferencing at the party’s campaign rallies in five districts and one upazila from Awami League office of Dhaka District Unit.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that this election it will widen the path of the country’s advancement to further economic development.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that all have to remember that this election is critically important for Bangladesh. “Because many people want to play many games with Bangladesh”</div><div><br></div><div>The PM reiterated that those who do not believe in the spirit of the Liberation War, banned Joy Bangla slogan and Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech will just destroy the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“They will play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of this country. So, our aim is to ensure that no one can play such game again,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that people have to cast their votes peacefully for their desired candidates.</div><div><br></div><div>“Here, no one can resist any one. I do not want any kind of confrontation,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the slogan of Awami League is: ‘Will cast my vote and whoever I want’.</div><div><br></div><div>“So please cast your votes as you like, but I do not want any kind of disturbance. Let not there be any unwanted incident and everyone should show utmost patience. There should not be any confusion about it,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She hoped that everyone will cast their own vote peacefully. “And we have to maintain that environment.”</div><div><br></div><div>She once again accused BNP-Jamaat of carrying out destructive activities, including in the railway sector. The people of Bangladesh have to reply the mischief of BNP-Jamaat, she stated.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will be successful in January 7 election and the people will be the victorious,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She again urged the people to cast their ballots for boat, the election symbol of Awami League and ensure the party’s victory in a befitting reply to BNP-Jamaat atrocities.</div><div><br></div><div>“Voting for boat is also necessary to continue the development momentum in the country. That’s what we want,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that Awami League has its candidates in nearly all constituencies and it has also opened the contest for the party’s aspirants who failed to get nomination.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she talked to a cross section of people from Gaibandha, Rajshahi, Tangail, Brahmanbaria and Cumilla districts and Sandwip upazila of Chattogram district, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>She also witnessed colourful cultural programmes during the on-line event.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 12:26:28', '2024-01-03 12:26:28'),
(10700, 10700, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 15 people were injured after police baton-charged a procession brought out by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in support of the ongoing non-cooperation movement in Barishal city.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Eight people, including Barishal south district BNP convener Abul Hossain Khan, were arrested during the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah, a member of the party\'s national executive committee, said party leaders and activists to bring out a protest march in support of the non-cooperation movement from the party office on Sadar Road.</div><div><br></div><div>Leaders were distributing leaflets calling on the people to boycott the January 7 election from the procession, said the BNP leader.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“When the protest march reached Ashwin Kumar Hall in the city, police started baton-charging to disperse the procession.”</div><div><br></div><div>Abul Kalam Shahin, member secretary of Barishal south district BNP, accused police of charging batons and dragging the leaders and activists into police vans.</div><div><br></div><div>At that time, 15/20 leaders and activists of the party, including the party’s central assistant organising secretary, Akon Kuddusur Rahman, were injured, said Abul Kalam.</div><div><br></div><div>ATM Anisul Haque, officer-in-charge of Barisal Kotwali Model Police Station, however, denied the claims of police action, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We dispersed the BNP leaders and activists who gathered without any prior permission from the spot as they were blocking the road and disrupting traffic. The police did not act violently.” OC Anisul said “We have arrested several people on the spot. The details will be provided later.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 12:47:34', '2024-01-03 12:47:34'),
(10701, 10701, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Explosions at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike in 2020 have killed at least 73 people and wounded over 170 others, state-run media in Iran reported Wednesday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A senior official called the blasts a \"terroristic\" attack, without elaborating on who could be behind them amid wider tensions in the Mideast over Israel\'s ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. No group immediately claimed responsibility.</div><div><br></div><div>Iranian state television quoted Babak Yektaparast, a spokesman for the country\'s emergency services, for the casualty figure.</div><div><br></div><div>The blasts struck an event marking the the fourth anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard\'s elite Quds Force. who died in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. The explosions occurred near his grave site in Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities said some people were injured while fleeing afterward. Footage suggested that the second blast occurred some 15 minutes after the first. A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to target emergency personnel responding to the scene and inflict more casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>People could be heard screaming in state TV footage.</div><div><br></div><div>Kerman\'s deputy governor, Rahman Jalali, called the attack \"terroristic,\" without elaborating. Iran has multiple foes who could be behind the assault, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors. Iran has supported Hamas as well as the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Yemen\'s Houthi rebels.</div><div><br></div><div>Soleimani was the architect of Iran\'s regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Iran\'s theocracy. He also helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assad\'s government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional, war that still rages today.</div><div><br></div><div>Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimani\'s popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing over his help arming militants with penetrating roadside bombs that killed and maimed U.S. troops.</div><div><br></div><div>A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran\'s most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.</div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, a drone strike launched by the Trump administration killed the general, part of escalating incidents that followed America\'s 2018 unilateral withdrawal from Tehran\'s nuclear deal with world powers.</div><div><br></div><div>Soleimani\'s death has drawn large processions in the past. At his funeral in 2020, a stampede broke out and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 13:46:36', '2024-01-03 13:46:36'),
(10702, 10702, '<div><font color=\"#3984c6\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday warned that Awami League will no longer be able to cling to power by holding a deceptive election.</span><br></b></font></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets in front of the Jatiya Press Club, he also alleged that the government has annihilated democracy in Bangladesh with a crackdown on the BNP’s peaceful rally on October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>“People ask me what will we do after the January 7 election? I would like to clearly say this government needs to understand that 2024 and 2014 are not the same. It won’t happen this time that they (govt) will confirm the power for 5 years again by holding a fake and depictive election,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Stating that the people of Bangladesh sacrificed their blood for independence and democracy, he said the BNP would bring back democracy for the country’s 18 crore people by facing bullets and sound grenades on the streets.’</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said the lopsided election has already been held on the day the candidates filed nomination papers.&nbsp; “The government has already decided who will be MPs in which seats.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said Awami League is moving ahead with a plan to form a one-party parliament and government with the fake results of a fake election. \"They’re staging a farce and a drama in the name of election…all the famous media outside the country are saying in one word that the election being held in Bangladesh is nothing but a farce as the current regime wants to prolong its power with it.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their party wants to see the change of power through a free and fair election. “BNP does not believe in the politics of violence using sticks and oars. “We never believe in the politics of conflict and the politics of weapons. We want the people of Bangladesh to bring change in this country through a peaceful systematic democratic movement, to restore democracy.”</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen along with the leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal distributed leaflets among the pedestrians to drum up public support in favour of BNP’s call for boycotting the January-7 election, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also distributed leaflets at AGB Colony Bazar in the capital’s Motijheel area in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 13:49:30', '2024-01-03 13:49:30'),
(10703, 10703, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the journalist community to stay alert against any rumour.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She made the call when two delegations of noted journalists met her separately at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier also asked the journalists to make them prepared to cope with the modern era.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Online news media are now flourishing rapidly. People are now increasingly browsing online to read news items instead of print newspapers posing a challenge for the print media. They should take preparation for facing the challenge,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Focusing on various measures taken by her government for the overall development of the journalist community, Hasina said her government has formed the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust by providing the seed money. \"If I am voted to power again, I will again donate money to the trust,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She reiterated her call to the owners of the media houses to donate to the trust fund.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, the prime minister patiently listened to journalist leaders. The journalists placed several demands, including formation of the 10th wage board in accordance with the Awami League\'s election manifesto of 2024 and then taking proper measures to implement the wage board.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said her government has opened the banks, insurances and media for the private sector mainly to generate employment.</div><div><br></div><div>She said her government has done everything possible to give the countrymen a developed and improved life.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said she has no (foreign) master but for the people, adding that the people are her only strength and their support only matters to her, nothing else.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) president Omar Faruk and President of Editors Guild Bangladesh Mozammel Babu led their respective delegations during the meetings.</div><div><br></div><div>BFUJ secretary general Dip Azad moderated the BFUJ meeting with the PM.</div><div><br></div><div>Other BFUJ delegation members included former BFUJ presidents Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Abul Kalam Azad and Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul and former BFUJ secretary general Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Jatiya Press Club (JPC) General Secretary Shyamal Dutta, former president of Jatiya Press Club Saiful Alam, President and General Secretary of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Sohel Haider Chowdhury and Akter Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>The delegation members of the Editors Guild Bangladesh included Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)’s Managing Director Abul Kalam Azad, Daily Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, Bangladesh Protidin Editor Naem Nizam, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Gazi TV Editor-in-chief Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Bangladesh Journal Editor Shahjahan Sardar and DBC TV Editor-in-chief Manzurul Islam. According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 14:23:51', '2024-01-03 16:34:36'),
(10704, 10704, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladeshi troops were deployed on the country’s streets on Wednesday to maintain order ahead of the Jan. 7 parliamentary election, which is set to be boycotted by the main opposition party.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The nation of nearly 170 million people will vote this coming Sunday after a string of anti-government protests led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the last few months called for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and the polls to be held under a neutral caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>With those demands rejected by the government, the ruling Awami League is widely expected to win its fourth straight parliamentary term.</div><div><br></div><div>“The armed forces have been deployed nationwide from 3 to 10 January 2024 to ensure peace and order before polling, on polling day and after polling,” the Bangladesh Army said in a statement ahead of the deployment.</div><div><br></div><div>Army troops were deployed in 62 districts across the country, with nearly 100 sub-districts covered by officers from the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh, some of whom will be on joint duties with the military.</div><div><br></div><div>A number of helicopters have also been set aside to “provide electoral assistance in case of emergency,” the Army said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The upcoming 12th National Parliament election is going to be held on 7 January 2024 … the armed forces have taken all-out preparations to provide any necessary assistance to maintain peace and order,” the statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is the longest-serving leader in the country’s history, a predominantly Muslim nation strategically located as a link between South Asia and the rest of the Indo-Pacific.</div><div><br></div><div>While Hasina’s government insists that the upcoming election is inclusive and fair, her main rival, the BNP, is boycotting the polls and saying that the incumbent administration cannot ensure a fair vote.</div><div><br></div><div>Many leaders of Bangladesh’s opposition parties are currently jailed, and violence has marred a number of rallies they held to demand the government’s resignation.</div><div><br></div><div>As Bangladeshis head to the polls to choose 300 MPs, the premier who has been in power since 2009 appears set to secure her fourth consecutive and fifth overall term in office.</div><div><br></div><div>Ahead of the parliamentary election, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also an Awami League member, is calling on Bangladeshis to cast their vote on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Let’s vote ourselves and encourage others to cast their vote,” Shahabuddin told reporters on Wednesday, reports Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “Voting is a democratic right of the people. As citizens, it is our duty to vote.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 14:42:29', '2024-01-03 14:42:29'),
(10705, 10705, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Algerian international footballer Youcef Atal was handed an eight-month suspended sentence by a French court today for inciting religious hatred in a social media post about the conflict in Gaza.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The 27-year-old defender, who plays for Ligue 1 side Nice, must also pay a fine of €45,000 for sharing a video calling for a “black day for the Jews”, the Nice criminal court ruled.</div><div><br></div><div>He will further pay for details of his conviction to be published in regional daily Nice-Matin and national newspaper Le Monde.</div><div><br></div><div>The comments at issue came in a video of a preacher, Mahmoud Al Hasanat, which Atal posted to his 3.2-million-follower Instagram account five days after Hamas’s bloody Oct 7 assault on Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel in response launched a campaign against the group which has cost over 22,000 lives according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>After speaking about the children killed in the bombardments, Al Hasanat called on god to send a “black day for the Jews” and “guide the hand” of Gazans striking back.</div><div><br></div><div>Atal was with the Algerian national team in his home country when he shared the video.</div><div><br></div><div>He withdrew it the following day when Nice warned him it was likely to attract controversy, offering his apologies.</div><div><br></div><div>Atal had apologised again to the court during the hearings, saying he had wanted to send a “message of peace” and did not watch the entire 35-second video before posting it.</div><div><br></div><div>That argument did not convince prosecutors or plaintiffs, mostly Jewish organisations and the Professional Football League (LFP).</div><div><br></div><div>“Sharing a video means being party to its message and lending it visibility,” prosecutor Meggi Choutia told the court.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is no talk of peace at any moment in these 35 seconds,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Nice have suspended Atal from playing “until further notice”, while he received a seven-match ban – since expired – from the LFP.</div><div><br></div><div>He has however appeared for Algeria’s Fennecs three times, he is in their squad for the upcoming African Nations Cup tournament, and received support in his home country. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 15:02:13', '2024-01-03 15:02:13'),
(10706, 10706, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>France today described as “provocative” comments made by far-right Israeli ministers calling for Palestinians to emigrate from Gaza and Jewish settlers to return to the besieged territory.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“France condemns the comments of Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“We call on Israel to refrain from such provocative declarations, which are irresponsible and fuel tensions.”</div><div><br></div><div>Ben-Gvir on Monday called for promoting “a solution to encourage the emigration of Gaza’s residents” and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>His comments came the day after Smotrich also called for the return of settlers to Gaza, adding that Israel should “encourage” the territory’s approximately 2.4 million Palestinians to leave.</div><div><br></div><div>“The forced transfer of populations constitutes a grave violation of international law,” the French foreign ministry warned.</div><div><br></div><div>“The future of the Gaza Strip and its inhabitants will lie in a unified Palestinian state living in peace and security side-by-side with Israel.”</div><div><br></div><div>Israel unilaterally withdrew the last of its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005, ending a presence inside Gaza that began in 1967 but maintaining near complete control over the territory’s borders.</div><div><br></div><div>The US yesterday also denounced the ministers’ controversial comments as “inflammatory and irresponsible”.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not officially suggested plans to evict Gazans or to send Jewish settlers back to the territory since the war broke out in October.</div><div><br></div><div>The fighting erupted after Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, killing around 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.</div><div><br></div><div>The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says more than 22,000 people have been killed in the war, mostly civilians, while relentless strikes have left much of the territory in ruins.</div><div><br></div><div>The vast majority of Gaza’s residents have been forced out of their homes by nearly three months of fighting between Hamas and Israel. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 15:17:22', '2024-01-03 15:17:22'),
(10707, 10707, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sweden today recorded its coldest January night in 25 years, with a reading of -43.6°C in the far north as a cold snap hit the country and neighbouring Finland.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“To put that into perspective, that is the lowest January temperature in Sweden since 1999,” Mattias Lind, meteorologist at Sweden’s national weather agency SMHI, told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>In January 1999, a temperature of -49°C was recorded in Sweden, which then tied the record set in 1951.</div><div><br></div><div>Lind said that today’s measurement was made at the Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka station in Sweden’s far north.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is the lowest temperature that has been recorded in this specific spot since measurements began” at the site in 1888, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Several other stations recorded temperatures of below -40°C in Sweden’s northern parts.</div><div><br></div><div>While the region is used to seeing freezing temperatures, the recent cold snap has forced local bus operators to cancel services, and train operator Vy said yesterday that it had cancelled all trains north of the city of Umea for several days.</div><div><br></div><div>Trains were also disrupted in neighbouring Finland, where a seasonal record of -38.7°C was recorded yesterday evening in the northern Lapland region.</div><div><br></div><div>Several instances of frozen water pipes were also reported, and Finnish broadcaster YLE said around 300 people in the city of Tampere were left without running water yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>The cold front is expected to move south over the next few days, with residents of the Finnish capital Helsinki already seeing temperatures rise to -15°C today. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 15:30:08', '2024-01-03 15:30:08'),
(10708, 10708, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Wednesday that a tide of the election has been created across the country and the BNP\'s tone against the election has become soft.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The BNP\'s anti-election campaign has been washed away in the Padma, Jamuna, and Karnaphuli rivers across the country. Now the BNP supporters are also waiting to vote in this election,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister made the comment when he addressed a public rally as the chief guest on the Kuddus Market premises in Shilk Union of Rangunia upazila of Chattogram on Wednesday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Rangunia Upazila Awami League Vice President Akhter Kamal Chowdhury presided over the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Quoting BNP leader Dr Moyeen Khan, the minister said they no longer campaigned against the election, and they are not talking about resisting it, but they are talking about boycotting the election.“It shows that their tone has softened now,” said Hasan, also the Awami League’s joint general secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>“The BNP had earlier said the election would be resisted. For that purpose, they threw petrol bombs at people, killing people in their sleep, truck drivers, and helpers. Petrol bombs were thrown at a mother and child while they were sleeping. By doing all these, they found that it did not benefit them; people were not afraid. People have joined the election tide,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Elections are now a festival in our country, people are now celebrating that festival. The situation is such that the BNP will say after a few days that there is no problem if ‘our’ supporters participate in the election. Whatever they do, the BNP supporters are participating spontaneously in the election at the field level,” said the AL leader, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP leaders are announcing to boycott the election, but their grassroots workers and supporters do not support it. Many BNP supporters also attended this rally and will vote for the boat symbol. Local BNP leaders also spoke at the rally because they understood the reality. The enthusiasm we are seeing in this year\'s election in Rangunia is unimaginable,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan said, “Bangabandhu\'s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, never differentiated between the Awami League and the BNP in terms of benefiting the people and developing the country. That\'s what we learn from her. In my development activities in Rangunia, I never considered who belongs to which party or ideology.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-03 16:33:42', '2024-01-03 16:33:42'),
(10709, 10709, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader&nbsp; on Thursday said and their party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not care about visa policy&nbsp; or any foreign sanction.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Sheikh Hasina does not care about threat or warning from any foreign power. She is only afraid of God. She loves the people of Bangladesh,” he said while addressing an event marking the 76th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League at Dhaka University, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The country will run well if good people are elected, otherwise misrule is inevitable, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"Tarique Rahman has ordered to create panic by exploding bombs. This BNP has to be shown the red card forever.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 08:36:47', '2024-01-04 08:36:47'),
(10710, 10710, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Different areas in Chattogram city have been experiencing shortage or low pressure in gas supply for the past one and a half months, hampering the household chores and production at industrial units.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>City dwellers said although the gas crisis started in the mid October, it has intensified recently. Some of them alleged that they do not get any gas even in 24 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), the gas shortage in Chattogram port city turned acute due to suspension of gas supply from one of the two LNG terminals in Moheshkhali.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the authorities also suspended gas supply in households due to maintenance purposes.</div><div><br></div><div>KGDCL authorities said Chattogram used to some 310-400 million cubic feet of gas from the national grid during normal time but on January 3 it reveived only 280 million cubic feet.</div><div><br></div><div>The city dwellers have been experiencing the gas crisis since October 22 and gas supply remains suspended from 9 am to 3 pm in most of the areas.</div><div><br></div><div>KGDCL authorities said the gas shortage may continue for a long time due to low pressure of gas supply from Moheshkhali LNG gas terminal.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Omar Hazzaz, president, Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI), urged State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid to take necessary steps to mitigate the sufferings of the consumers.</div><div><br></div><div>He also sent a letter to the minister on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Chattogram needs 400-450 million cubic feet of gas but only 280 million cubic feet is available now. Of the total gas, nearly 100 million cubic feet gas is used in two fertilizer factories and one thermal power plant while the rest are being distributed to the residents, industries and CNG filling stations, which is not sufficient,” the letter reads.</div><div><br></div><div>The rest of the gas is being distributed to a large number of residential consumers in the city, factories and CNG stations using various strategic methods. As a result, the factories and households are facing a serious gas crisis, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>Managing director of KGDCL (operation division), Engineer Aminur Rahman, said the people of Chattogram port city depend on LNG gas supply and the supply of gas has reduced remarkably.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is difficult to say how long the crisis will stay,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to some residents in Lalkhan Bazar, Kazir Dewri, Askar DighirPar, Khulshi, Jamal Khan lane, Dewanji Pukur Par, Dewan Bazar, Hem Sen Lane, Shulokbohor, Ghat Farhadbegh, Bakolia, Chawkbazar and others area, this UNB correspondent found that people of those areas are passing their days in misery during this winter.</div><div><br></div><div>Many residents of the areas said it is not new. Every year they experience gas crisis from November to February.</div><div><br></div><div>Shahnur Sultana, an employee of a bank, said “Now I have to leave my house in the morning without having any breakfast as there is no gas in my house in the morning. We have to buy food from a local hotel.”</div><div><br></div><div>KGDCL authorities said the gas supply to the domestic consumers has been disrupted as they have to supply gas to Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KFCL).</div><div><br></div><div>Raid Uddin Ahmed, General Manager (Marketing, South Division) of KGDCL, said two Moheshkhali LNG terminals supply a total of 800-900 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid but now supply from one of them has been suspended due to maintenance work.</div><div><br></div><div>The supply situation will improve after the completion of the maintenance work, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>There are 6,01,914 consumers under KGDCL and of these, 5,97,516 connections are given to households. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 09:21:07', '2024-01-04 09:21:07'),
(10711, 10711, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Three people, including a 40-year-old woman and her 11-year-old daughter, were dead and two people were injured when a boiler exploded at a rice mill in Daspara of Thakurgaon\'s Sadar upazila earlier today.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Dipti Rani, wife of Sagar Roy, her daughter Puja, and Palak, 12, son of Umakanta, of the area.</div><div><br></div><div>ABM Firoz Wahid, officer-in-charge of Thakurgaon Police Station, said the incident occurred at 9:15 am when the boiler of the rice mill, owned by one Saidur Rahman, exploded.</div><div><br></div><div>A fire also broke out at the rice mill following the explosion. A firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze immediately. The injured were taken to Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 09:40:28', '2024-01-04 09:40:28'),
(10712, 10712, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The anticipation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s return to Narayanganj city after 15 years has created a festive atmosphere as crowds started to gather at the rally ground early today, despite the cold weather.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>From 10 am this morning, Awami League leaders and activists were seen marching towards the rally venue, Shamsuzzoha Sports Complex, shouting the \"Joy Bangla\" slogan.</div><div><br></div><div>People were spotted arriving at the rally venue by motorbikes, pick-up vans, and on foot, all in anticipation of the Awami League president\'s campaign rally. Meanwhile, the anticipation of the upcoming national election has sparked enthusiasm among the Awami League leaders and activists, which was evident as the rally venue is already brimming with party supporters.</div><div><br></div><div>After the announcement of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina\'s arrival, local leaders and activists started preparing to welcome the prime minister after 15 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Processions and public gatherings were seen in several places of the city, including on Link Road, Maleh Road, College Road, Kalibazar, Hospital Road. Most of them are headed to Shamsuzzoha Sports Square.</div><div><br></div><div>Narayanganj\'s Link Road and the surrounding areas of the public rally venue have been covered with festoons, posters and banners.</div><div><br></div><div>Shamsuzzoha Sports Complex has been decorated on the occasion of the prime minister’s public rally. Separate areas for men and women have been arranged for the rally. Loudspeakers have been installed on various electric poles in the city outside the public rally ground. The streets have been cleaned, and the whole city has been decorated with posters. ‍According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 10:16:33', '2024-01-04 15:29:54'),
(10713, 10713, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">BNP on Thursday called a 48-hour nationwide hartal from Saturday morning to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held on Sunday. With the announcement of the fresh programme of BNP, the 12th parliamentary election will be held amid the shutdown.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir said that the hartal will begin at 6am on Saturday and end at 6am on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, at another virtual press briefing, Ruhul Kabir said their party will bring out processions and conduct mass contacts across the country on Friday in protest against the election.</div><div><br></div><div>Their programme is meant to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call to boycott the Januray-7 election, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said other like-minded opposition parties will also observe a similar programme on Friday, just two days before the election day.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi called upon the opposition leaders and workers to make the programme a success with their spontaneous support.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 11:39:51', '2024-01-04 11:39:51'),
(10714, 10714, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>About 80 lakh first-time voters are going to exercise their voting rights in the 12th national election. As the deadline for election campaigning nears, Awami League nominated candidates are stepping up to attract these new voters.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In the past two elections, the absence of the BNP resulted in reduced competition, negatively impacting the engagement of youth. To address this, Awami League\'s election manifesto includes several promises regarding employment, aiming to involve and engage the younger population in the electoral process.</div><div><br></div><div>The Awami League, which has been in power for three consecutive terms, announced its manifesto for the 12th parliamentary election, promising a \'Smart Bangladesh\', titled “Visible Development, Increased Employment Opportunities.”</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to the presence of such a large number of voters, their verdict is one of the considerations for any candidate. Therefore, Awami League has given priority to the needs of the youths from the beginning of their election campaign.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission has included 79.83 lakh new voters in the voter list, who will be able to vote for the first time in the upcoming parliamentary election. This includes 40.72 lakh men and 39.10 lakh women.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Awami League has prioritized popular candidates to appeal to young voters. This strategy includes nominations such as former Bangladesh cricket team captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza from Narail-2, renowned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from Magura-1, popular actor Ferdous Ahmed from Dhaka-10, and well-known face on political talk shows, M Arafat from Dhaka-17.</div><div><br></div><div>The nominations of these popular candidates have garnered attention from young people, who are actively expressing their interest through various channels, notably on social media. These celebrities are now canvassing door-to-door to secure votes.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader emphasized that the party\'s primary focus in the 12th parliamentary election is the young voters, particularly those voting for the first time.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League candidate for the Narail-2 constituency, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, expressed, \"I am committed to shouldering the responsibilities of the future generation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This election isn\'t just about today; it shapes the future of the next generation. No one should stay home. Spare a moment and head to the polling centers with your entire family and cast your votes for the boat,” said Mashrafe. “Your responsibility extends until January 7. I commit to shouldering your responsibilities and those of future generations after January 8. Have your faith in me,\" he added. </div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, on December 29, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader encouraged the young, first-time voters, stating, \"The envisioned Smart Bangladesh, the dream of new voters, will be crafted by the hands of our youth. Get ready for that.\"</div><div><br></div><div>On January 2, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina asked Shakib Al Hasan, the Awami League candidate for Magura-1 constituency, to “hit sixes” in the election like in the field.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister made these remarks while presenting the Awami League candidates during an election rally at Government Rajendra College ground in Faridpur.</div><div><br></div><div>“If we secure votes for the \'boat\' symbol, we can propel Bangladesh towards becoming a developed country,” said the Awami League president. </div><div><br></div><div>Acknowledging numerous conspiracies against the nation, she highlighted that despite adversaries\' attempts, Bangladesh stands resolute, refusing to yield to external pressures.</div><div><br></div><div>Like many of the party’s candidates, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s election campaign is also geared towards the young voters. </div><div><br></div><div>At a campaign rally in Dhaka’s Kalabagan, the AL chief called on the new voters to cast their votes for the Awami League in the 12th parliamentary election to keep the country’s development trend going. </div><div><br></div><div>In her address to the youths, the Awami League president urged, \"Cast your vote for the boat, and together, we will build a Smart Bangladesh by 2041. This election marks the initial strides toward realizing that vision of a smarter Bangladesh,\" reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 11:56:09', '2024-01-04 12:52:01'),
(10715, 10715, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Carbon dioxide emissions in Germany, Europe\'s biggest economy, dropped to their lowest level in seven decades as the use of coal declined unexpectedly sharply in 2023 and economic pressures weighed down production by energy-intensive industry, according to a study released Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Germany aims to cut its emissions to net zero by 2045 and is working to ramp up the use of solar and wind power and other renewable sources.</div><div><br></div><div>The Agora Energiewende think tank said its preliminary calculations show that Germany emitted 673 million metric tons of CO2 last year, a decline of 73 million metric tons compared with 2022 and the lowest level since the 1950s. The figure was 46% below the country\'s emissions in 1990.</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, Germany\'s Federal Network Agency said that renewable energy sources accounted for more than half of the country\'s energy production in 2023. Renewables rose to 56% of energy production, from 47.4% in 2022. At the same time, electricity production using black coal dropped to 8.9% from 12.8%, and lignite-fired electricity declined to 17.4% from 21%.</div><div><br></div><div>Germany switched off its last three nuclear power plants in April — a long-planned move, though some argued for a rethink after energy prices spiked because of the war in Ukraine. Nuclear power accounted for 1.5% of energy production in 2023, down from 6.7% the previous year.</div><div><br></div><div>More than half of last year\'s reduction in emissions — some 44 million metric tons — was down to coal-fired electricity production falling to its lowest level since the 1960s, Agora said. That in turn was caused by a drop in electricity demand and increased imports from neighboring countries, around half of which came from renewable energy sources.</div><div><br></div><div>Also, emissions from industry declined considerably as energy-intensive companies reduced production as a result of economic weakness and international crises, the think tank said.</div><div><br></div><div>Germany, the worst-performing major developed economy in recent months, has been weighed down by high energy prices, global economic weakness and interest rate hikes to fight inflation. The country is home to many energy-intensive companies, including in the chemical and metal industries.</div><div><br></div><div>Agora calculated that only about 15% of last year\'s emissions savings constitute “permanent emissions reductions resulting from additional renewable energy capacity, efficiency gains and the switch to fuels that produce less CO2 or other climate friendly alternatives.” It said that “most of the emissions cuts in 2023 are not sustainable from an industrial or climate policy perspective.”</div><div><br></div><div>Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck, a member of the environmentalist Green party who is also vice chancellor, said Germany has laid the foundations for future growth in renewable energy by moving to expand solar and wind generation.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are making visible progress on the road to climate-neutral electricity supply,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>As for industry, “it is good that investments are being made in climate production and energy efficiency,” he said in a statement. But “it isn\'t good that Russia\'s war of aggression on Ukraine and the price crisis that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wanted are leading to declines in production.”</div><div><br></div><div>Habeck pointed to government efforts to reduce electricity prices for industry. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 12:29:17', '2024-01-04 12:29:17'),
(10716, 10716, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An election observer mission from Japan will be in Bangladesh from January 5 to 9 to oversee the general election scheduled for January 7, 2024.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The mission, to be dispatched by the government of Japan, will be headed by Watanabe Masato, former Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, and will consist of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh as well as an outside expert.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to observing the casting and counting of votes, the mission will exchange views and information with the Bangladesh Election Commission and election observer missions from other countries, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The dispatch of the election observer mission is part of Japan\'s cooperation for the consolidation of democracy in Bangladesh in response to the Bangladesh Election Commission’s announcement that it would welcome international election observers.</div><div><br></div><div>With the opposition BNP boycotting the January 7 polls, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party are all but guaranteed a fourth consecutive term. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 12:58:21', '2024-01-04 12:58:21'),
(10717, 10717, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the people to exercise their voting rights in Sunday\'s election to prove that democracy prevails in Bangladesh</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Go to polling stations and cast votes to foil conspiracies against the polls,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief was addressing a grand election rally at AKM Shamsuzzoha Krira Complex Ground in Fatullah under Narayanganj, her last public meeting ahead of January 7 parliamentary vote.</div><div><br></div><div>She said Bangladesh has witnessed a massive development due to the continuation of a democratic trend in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president asked all the people to maintain peace during the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7 as many conspiracies were hatched regarding this election.</div><div><br></div><div>“These plots still continue so that this election won’t be held,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Criticising BNP for unleashing violence, the PM said there is no humanity among them.</div><div><br></div><div>“They have not joined the election. It is their wish. But the people of this country would never accept the obstruction on voting rights,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Stressing that the election must be held on January 7,&nbsp; Hasina urged all to stay alert so that they (BNP) won\'t destroy the public assets.</div><div><br></div><div>In the rally, the PM sought votes for her party-nominated candidates —Golam Dastagir Gazi (Narayanganj-1 constituency), Shamim Osman (Narayanganj-4), Nazrul Islam Babu (Narayanganj-2) and Abdullah Al Kaiser (Narayanganj-3)---&nbsp; in the January-7 election.</div><div><br></div><div>AL general secretary Obaidul Quader and Narayanganj-4 MP Shamim Osman&nbsp; spoke at the rally, presided over by Narayanganj District AL President Abdul Hye. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 14:28:10', '2024-01-04 14:28:10');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10718, 10718, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has \"categorically\" said there is no pressure on the voters to go to vote centres to cast vote but pressure is seen regarding distribution of leaflets urging people not to go to vote centres.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“There is no such pressure from the Election Commission, even he has no evidence of as such,\" Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen quoted the CEC as saying during a briefing arranged for the diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC made remarks when one of the diplomats wanted to know his comments regarding pressure on voters to go to vote centres.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC, however, gave a counter reply mentioning distribution of leaflets by a political party (BNP) which is boycotting polls and urging people not to go to vote centres.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said over 50 diplomats and representatives from international organisations joined the briefing hosted by the Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>CEC Awal gave an update regarding preparations of January 7 polls which was followed by a question-and-answer session.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said such a opportunity is rare for the foreign diplomats as national election takes place in every five years.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the briefing will help the diplomats to let know their respective countries know about the election through their comprehensive reports, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The diplomats remain in touch with the EC and they remain updated through frequent exchanges, Masud Momen said.</div><div><br></div><div>The diplomats are kept fully informed and that is why there were not too many questions, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said the international observers and journalists have started arriving in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>They can observer polls in Dhaka and other places across the country if they feel convenient, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 14:42:42', '2024-01-04 14:42:42'),
(10719, 10719, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed some restrictions on vehicular movement with a view to holding the January 7 parliamentary election in a free, fair and peaceful manner, reports UNB.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to a media release signed by DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman on Thursday evening restrictions have been imposed on the movement of taxi cabs, pickups, microbuses, trucks and so on in Dhaka metropolitan area from 12 am on January 6 to midnight on January 7 ahead of the national election.</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, a ban has also been imposed on the movement of motorcycles from midnight on January 5 to midnight on January 8, reads the release.</div><div><br></div><div>The restrictions will be relaxed on the issues mentioned below:</div><div><br></div><div>1. The vehicles carrying law enforcement agencies, armed forces, administration and permitted observers.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Vehicles engaged in emergency services and all types of vehicles carrying medicines, health-medical and similar goods and newspapers.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Vehicles used for going to the airport for relatives, passengers or relatives from the airport to their own residence or relatives\' homes (showing tickets or similar proof) and any vehicle for local level travel as well as long-route passengers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;4. One car each (jeep, car, microbus, etc.) for the candidate contesting in the election and his election agent upon showing proper appointment letter or identity card and permission to ply on the vehicle subject to sticker display.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Allowing movement of journalists, observers or motorcycles used for emergency work with the approval of the returning officer.</div><div><br></div><div>6. Permission to ply motorcycles for election officials or employees or any other person engaged in election work with the approval of the Election Commission;</div><div><br></div><div>7. Vehicles engaged in the assistance of voters with disabilities.</div><div><br></div><div>8. Restrictions will be relaxed on important roads, highways and connecting main roads for exit or entry from Dhaka metropolis or all such roads.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 15:28:39', '2024-01-04 15:28:39'),
(10720, 10720, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Thursday condemned “terror attacks” in Iran that left more than 80 people dead on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Expressing “sadness” over the attacks, a TRNC Foreign Ministry statement said: “We condemn this terrorist attack and extend our condolences to the relatives of those who have lost their lives as well as to the Government and people of Iran and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”</div><div><br></div><div>At least 84 people were killed and 220 others injured in twin explosions that ripped through the southeastern city of Kerman on Wednesday, in close vicinity to the cemetery where Iran\'s former top military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani was buried.</div><div><br></div><div>Many of the injured people are still in critical condition, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said.</div><div><br></div><div>Thousands of people had gathered there to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Soleimani, the former chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps\' Quds Force, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>The cause of the explosions is still being investigated by security agencies. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest in the post-1979 history of Iran. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 15:41:36', '2024-01-04 15:41:36'),
(10721, 10721, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a decree on providing citizenship to foreigners contracted to the country’s military since the start of the Ukraine war.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The decree, published on the government portal, said foreign citizens that have entered into a contract with the armed forces or other \"military formations\" since the start of the “special military operation” in February 2022 will have the right to apply for Russian citizenship.</div><div><br></div><div>Soldiers who were dismissed from the military during this period due to various reasons, including health issues, age and the end of their contract, will also be able to apply, while the spouse, children and parents of those eligible under the decree will also be able to do so.​​​​​​​</div><div><br></div><div>The decree, in effect immediately, stipulates that soldiers that apply for citizenship must submit their contract showing they have served for a period of at least one year.</div><div><br></div><div>It declared two previous decrees on the matter, signed in September 2022 and May 2023, as invalid. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 15:49:49', '2024-01-04 15:49:49'),
(10722, 10722, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The death toll from a large Russian airstrike on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv last week rose to 32, local authorities announced on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Update on the consequences of the missile strike on Dec. 29, 2023. Investigators of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during the examination, discovered two more dead,” Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said on Telegram.</div><div><br></div><div>The ongoing investigation into the missile strike on Kyiv found that 32 people were killed and 30 others were injured, Popko added.</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday, the Kyiv City Military Administration announced that the death toll had risen to 30, while 29 people were receiving medical care.</div><div><br></div><div>On Dec. 29, at least 40 people were killed due to massive air attacks by Russia on the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes as the \"heaviest attack\" by Moscow on the country. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 15:53:41', '2024-01-04 15:53:41'),
(10723, 10723, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A senior official in the US Education Department stepped down on Wednesday, citing President Joe Biden’s handling of the conflict in Gaza, the latest sign of dissent in the administration as deaths continue to grow in the war.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Also on Wednesday, 17 Biden re-election campaign staffers issued a warning in an anonymous letter that Biden could lose voters over the issue.</div><div><br></div><div>Tariq Habash, special assistant in the Education Department’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, said: “I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives, in what leading human rights experts have called a genocidal campaign by the Israeli government.”</div><div><br></div><div>Habash, a Palestinian-American and an expert on student debt, was appointed early in Biden’s presidency as part of a build-out of the Education Department’s student loan expertise.</div><div><br></div><div>The 17 anonymous Biden re-election campaign staffers, in their letter, published on Medium, urged Biden to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>“Biden for President staff have seen volunteers quit in droves, and people who have voted blue for decades feel uncertain about doing so for the first time ever, because of this conflict,” the staffers wrote in the letter.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</div><div>State Department spokesman Matthew Miller earlier on Wednesday said that the US has not observed acts in Gaza that constitute genocide. His remarks were in response to proceedings launched by South Africa at the International Court of Justice over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.</div><div>Israel also has denied claims of genocide in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Josh Paul, a former State Department official, resigned from the Biden administration in October in protest over what he called the administration’s “blind support” for Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>In November, more than 1,000 officials in the US Agency for International Development (USAID), part of the State Department, signed an open letter urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate cease-fire.</div><div><br></div><div>After at least three cables criticizing the administration’s policy were filed with the State Department’s internal “dissent channel,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged disagreements</div><div>in a November letter.</div><div><br></div><div>In December, some staff in the Biden administration held a vigil near the White House to demand a cease-fire in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Palestinian Islamist group Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Some 240 hostages were also taken back to Gaza. The total recorded Palestinian death toll from Israel’s retaliatory offensive had reached 22,313 by Wednesday, almost 1 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, the Gaza health ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli bombardments have flattened much of the densely populated enclave, leaving most Gazans homeless, with food shortages threatening famine.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States has publicly slammed the rhetoric of some Israeli ministers and pushed Israel to curb civilian deaths in Gaza. Critics argue that Washington is not using its leverage as a major supplier of arms and aid to influence Israeli policy. -&nbsp; Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 16:02:18', '2024-01-04 16:02:18'),
(10724, 10724, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#3984c6\"><b>Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Thursday made an impassioned appeal to the people to return her party to power for a straight fourth term by casting votes in Sunday’s general election.</b></font></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Today I’ve appeared before you to ask for votes in favour of the symbol, boat,” she said in a televised address to the nation, her final campaign speech before the January 7 national election to form the country’s 12th parliament. The speech was aired at 7 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>“The call has come, it’s time to take the road”, Hasina said quoting from poet Sukanta Bhattacharya’s poem, Udayachal (From the east).</div><div><br></div><div>In her over 24 minute speech the prime mister said she is seeking another five-year term in office to make the development sustainable, work for improving people’s living standard and build a developed smart Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said during her Awami League government’s three consecutive terms (2009-2023) the country has witnessed the continuation of a “democratic trend and stability” in the process of building a people’s welfare-oriented society based on “equality and justice.”</div><div><br></div><div>“If we can form the government again by getting your valuable votes we will be able to continue with the implementation of the programmes taken by us,” she said adding that this will give “us an opportunity to further improve your living condition.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina thanked people of the country for giving her Awami League an opportunity to serve them by voting for the boat symbol in the past.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said whatever she has achieved in this long journey “would not have been possible without your support,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“If I have made any mistakes along the way, my request to you is to look at the matter in the eyes of forgiveness. If I can form the government again, I will get a chance to correct the mistakes. Give me an opportunity to serve you by voting for the \'boat\' in the January 7 election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She requested the people to keep confidence on her as she considers them as her family.</div><div><br></div><div>“Let\'s all make this Bangladesh a smart Golden Bangla and fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she appealed to the people.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM urged all political parties and institutions that believe in democracy and the rule of law not to pamper and fuel any idiosyncratic ideas that will disrupt the constitutional process of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The ruling party chief said that her party is expecting a free, fair and impartial election on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she said that this is the first time in Bangladesh that the Election Commission has been formed under a law passed by the parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Election Commission has been given financial independence. The administration and law enforcement agencies are now placed under the Election Commission,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister also said that the EC is conducting the election independently.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our government is giving all kinds of support to the Election Commission for conducting fair and peaceful elections,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned the Awami League is party of the mass people and whenever it comes to power it ensures economic and social development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has ensured food, safety, health services, housing, education, and employment to the people besides making massive infrastructure development, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about her party’s election manifesto, Hasina mentioned listed 12 priorities for the socio-economic development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>These are:</div><div><br></div><div>1. To protect and promote the practice of democratic system at all levels.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Making every effort to keep prices within the purchasing power of all.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Ensuring employability education and youth employment.</div><div><br></div><div>4. Building smart Bangladesh based on modern technology.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Mechanization of integrated agricultural system and taking measures to preserve the produce with the aim of increasing production.</div><div><br></div><div>6. Development of agricultural products and food processing industries.</div><div><br></div><div>7. To create employment opportunities by developing infrastructure and industries up to the village level.</div><div><br></div><div>8. To increase efficiency and capacity of bank insurance and financial sector.</div><div><br></div><div>9. Making health services affordable to low income people.</div><div><br></div><div>10. Ensuring individual and social security by including all in the universal pension system.</div><div><br></div><div>11. Making law enforcement agencies efficient in the use of modern technology and ensuring their accountability.</div><div><br></div><div>12. Eradication of communalism and all forms of terrorism and militancy.</div><div><br></div><div>Briefly describing the overall development of the country in the last 15 years, Hasina said that the growth reached 7.25 percent, per capita income increased 5 times, budget size increased 12 times and the Annual Development Program increased 13 times, GDP size increased 12 times, foreign exchange reserve increased 36 times, export earnings increased 5 times, annual remittance increased 6 times, foreign investment increased 5 times.</div><div><br></div><div>Wages of workers increased 9 times, foreign exchange reserve increased 36 times while export earnings increased 5 times, she noted.</div><div><br></div><div>She also mentioned that poverty rate declined from 41.51 percent to 18.7 percent while extreme poverty rate reduced by 5 times.</div><div><br></div><div>Drinking water coverage increased from 55 percent to 98.8 percent. Sanitary latrines increased from 43.28 percent to 97.32 percent. Infant mortality decreased from 84 per thousand to 21. Maternal mortality decreased from 360 per lakh to 156. The average human lifespan is 72.8 years now.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that power generation capacity increased 8 times in the last 15 years while electricity consumption rate increased from 28 percent to 100 percent. Literacy rate increased to 76.8 percent while 22 times enhancement in technical education.</div><div><br></div><div>The grain production increased 4 times, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have built Padma Bridge with our own funding. We launched metro rail in Dhaka, constructed elevated expressway, and inaugurated subway construction. We set up the country\'s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur,” she went on.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been inaugurated.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have constructed South Asia\'s first underground road - \'Bangabandhu Tunnel\' in Chattogram. Dhaka-Cox\'s Bazar rail route has been established with an eye-catching railway station in Cox\'s Bazar. \'Bangabandhu Satellite-1\' has been launched.”</div><div><br></div><div>In any economic index, she said, the economy of Bangladesh has excelled in 2023 with a multifold growth compared to 2009. In 2009, the GDP was only 102 billion US dollars. In 2023, the GDP will increase to more than 450 billion US dollars.</div><div><br></div><div>The ruling party chief mentioned that during the Awami League government, the total amount of bank loans increased more than 7 times. As of June 2009, there were bad loans of Tk 22,000 crore; which is 10.5 percent of the total loan. At the end of September 2023, there were bad loans of Tk 1.55 lakh crore, which is 9.9 percent of the total disbursed loans.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to critics she said, “It is a pity that they do not present the correct information to the nation. It is their character to mislead people with false information against the country. It seems that these people get frustrated when they see the socio-economic development of the country,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that there is a huge difference between Bangladesh of 15 years ago and today\'s Bangladesh. People\'s quality of life has improved. The people today dream a better life.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Hasina said that Bangladesh wants peace and shuns war.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want an end to the wars in Palestine and Ukraine. We want an end to the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Bangladesh is always with the people of Palestine,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-04 16:07:37', '2024-01-04 16:07:37'),
(10725, 10725, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Six people including Nabiullah Nabi, joint convener of Dhaka south unit of BNP, were arrested in connection with Friday’s arson attack on Benapole Express train in Dhaka’s Gopibagh area that left four people dead.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The identities of the other arrestees could not be known immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>Chief of Detective Branch (DB) of police and also the Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Harun-or-Rashid, shared this information while speaking at a press briefing held at DMP media centre today.</div><div><br></div><div>Nabiullah along with five others were directly involved in the arson attack on the train, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Some 10-11 BNP leaders and activists joined a video conference before the arson attack where all of them planned to carry out the attack,” the DB chief said during the briefing after interrogation.</div><div><br></div><div>At least four people were killed as arsonists set fire to Benapole Express train in the capital\'s Gopibagh area on Friday night.</div><div><br></div><div>Arsonists torched four coaches of the Benapole Express train at 9:05 pm. Three coaches of the Dhaka-bound train were completely burnt.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Railways has formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident. The committee has been formed following the directive from Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) to identify the reason behind the incident and fix responsibility. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 09:09:08', '2024-01-06 09:09:08'),
(10726, 10726, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Denouncing the arson attack on the Benapole Express Train that killed four passengers, BNP on Saturday said the government is playing with fire to make political gains by blaming the opposition.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“The government has again started playing with fire. They\'ve resorted to the old game as they played in the past to hold a one-sided national election,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.</div><div><br></div><div>He made the remarks while picketing in support of their party’s 48-hour hartal that began 6m today to protest against Sunday’s \'dummy\' election.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi claimed that the ruling party tried to gain political advantage earlier by resorting to a hellish rampage of arson.</div><div><br></div><div>“People believe that yesterday\'s (Friday\'s) Benapole Express train fire and casualties were part of the government\'s old game,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>As the people have come up with a massive response to the movement of the BNP and other opposition parties for democracy, he said the ruling quarter is playing with people\'s lives by indulging in arson violence, and terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>“The government has been hatching plots one after another to arrange the election like an authoritarian country, and putting the blame onto the opposition,” Rizvi alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the government aims to stay in power by eliminating the opposition parties, especially BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>Stating that the arson on the Benapole Express Train was an ill-motivated, the BNP leader once again demanded an international investigation into the incident under the supervision of the United Nations.</div><div><br></div><div>On the first day of their 48-hour hartal, Rizvi along with some party leaders and workers brought out a procession from Shahbagh crossing towards Banglamotor in the capital around 7:3pm as part of picketing to enforce the shutdown.</div><div><br></div><div>At this time, the BNP activists set fire to tires and staged a demonstration there in support of the hartal.</div><div><br></div><div>A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow, is underway. The hartal began at 6 am and will end at 6 am on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The night before the scheduled hartal, miscreants torched the four coaches of the Benapole Express train at 9:05pm on Friday, killing at least four people.</div><div><br></div><div>.BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.</div><div><br></div><div>However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29 amid the incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 09:18:18', '2024-01-06 09:18:18'),
(10727, 10727, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Police in a drive recovered a “time-bomb” like object from a Cox’s Bazar-bound bus on Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Mouchak in Siddhirganj upazila of Narayanganj district early Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Md Hasan, supervisor of the bus, said a passenger boarded the bus from Dhaka’s Gabtoli area and some boarded at Sayedabad.</div><div><br></div><div>When the bus reached Jatrabari’s Hanif Flyover, they found one passenger missing from the bus and recovered a time bomb like object from the bag of the passenger at 10:30 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>They informed the matter to police through calling the emergency no 999.</div><div><br></div><div>Abu Bakar Siddique, officer-in-charge of Siddhirganj Police Station, said a bomb disposal unit from the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit (CTTC) members rushed to the spot and defused it, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Golam Mostafa, superintendent of Narayanganj Police, said a timer was set on the bomb and the passengers were safe due to the prompt action of the authorities concerned.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 09:45:05', '2024-01-06 09:45:05'),
(10728, 10728, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As winter rolls in, it brings cold waves and fog. In chilly weather, kids may catch cold and fall ill more frequently. However, there are some secret weapons to combat these seasonal maladies: immunity-boosting winter drinks! Discovering tasty and healthy options to fortify children\'s immunity can make winter an enjoyable journey. Let\'s explore palatable winter drinks that not only tantalise the taste buds of children but also serve as shields against sickness during the cold months.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>10 Delicious Immunity-Booster Winter Drinks for Children</div><div>Turmeric Milk </div><div>Turmeric milk is known for its medicinal properties. This drink blends the beneficial properties of turmeric and warm milk. To prepare, heat a cup of milk first. Then add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder, a pinch of black pepper, and a dash of honey to the milk. Simmer the mixture for a few minutes, then strain before consumption.</div><div><br></div><div>This golden elixir boasts curcumin which is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Consuming turmeric milk helps bolster the immune system, aiding in the prevention of winter ailments like colds and flu. Its natural healing properties provide relief from sore throats, coughs, and other seasonal maladies. </div><div><br></div><div>Vegetable Soup</div><div>Vegetable soup, a wholesome blend, incorporates an array of vegetables like carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and onions. Simmer these veggies in a broth, then season with some herbs and spices. This nutritious soup is filled with a plethora of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, fortifying kids\' natural immune systems and aiding in preventing colds and flu.</div><div><br></div><div>The warmth, nourishment, and hydration provided by this soup make it an appealing and immunity-boosting choice to keep kids healthy while relishing an appetizing meal. </div><div><br></div><div>Orange Carrot Juice</div><div>A vibrant and refreshing drink, orange carrot juice is a burst of immunity-boosting nutrients. Combine equal parts of carrot and orange juices for a rich blend of vitamin C and beta-carotene. These ingredients can fortify the immune system, essential in shielding kids from winter ailments.</div><div><br></div><div>The juice\'s high vitamin content bolsters immunity, warding off cold and flu during colder months. The antioxidants in this juice act as a defence mechanism, aiding in preventing illnesses, while its delicious taste makes it kid-friendly.</div><div><br></div><div>Pumpkin Seed Milk</div><div>Pumpkin seed milk is another delightful way to keep winter ailments at bay for the little ones. This remedy involves blending soaked pumpkin seeds with water and straining the mixture. Rich in zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3s, it safeguards kids against winter sickness. </div><div><br></div><div>This nutritious vegan delight acts as a shield against seasonal ailments by fortifying the body\'s defence mechanisms. Its high zinc content aids in immune response, while antioxidants combat free radicals. Providing a wealth of nutrients, including magnesium and vitamin E, pumpkin seed milk contributes to overall health, offering an extra layer of winter protection.</div><div><br></div><div>Fruit Smoothies</div><div>Organic fruits are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. Preparing smoothies involves blending a variety of fruits such as berries, bananas, and oranges, with a splash of yoghurt or milk. Each sip is a celebration of the body\'s strength.</div><div><br></div><div>The fruit medley provides a powerhouse of vitamins C and E, crucial for fortifying their defences and warding off colds. Its richness in antioxidants aids in fighting off infections, ensuring a tasty and convenient way for kids to stay healthier during colder months.  </div><div><br></div><div>Hot Chocolate</div><div>Hot chocolate, a comforting winter indulgence, is a blend of rich cocoa and milk. To prepare, heat milk in a saucepan, add dark chocolate (cocoa content 70% or higher) and sugar, whisk until smooth, then stir in vanilla. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra immune boost and warm spice. </div><div><br></div><div>This creamy concoction can not only warm the souls of youngsters but also offer potential health benefits. The antioxidants in cocoa may aid in boosting immunity, while the milk provides essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, fortifying children’s immunity against winter sickness.  </div><div><br></div><div>Strawberry and Kiwi Juice</div><div>Strawberry and kiwi juice is a vibrant blend combining fresh strawberries, ripe kiwis, lime juice, and honey. To prepare this health-boosting drink, blend hulled strawberries, peeled kiwis, lime juice, and honey until the mixture gets smooth. This tropical fruit juice is a powerhouse of vitamin C, essential for bolstering the immunity of kids. </div><div><br></div><div>The blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals present in strawberries and kiwis may aid in shielding from winter wrath. Loaded with nutrients, this combination is a delectable way to keep the youngsters’ infection-defending capacity strong and their taste buds happy.</div><div><br></div><div>Spiced Apple Delight</div><div>This winter, you can treat your little angel to the cosy aroma of spiced apple cider. Spiced apple delight infuses a blend of fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, a hint of nutmeg, and a touch of honey. To prepare this comforting winter drink, simmer sliced apples with water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg together until the mix gets tender. Sweeten the drink with honey and blend to a smooth texture. </div><div><br></div><div>This classic winter drink brims with antioxidants and vitamins, aiding in immune function. The apples offer vitamin C, while spices like cinnamon and cloves possess antimicrobial properties that may fend off winter ailments. This concoction not only delights taste buds but also serves as a natural immune booster for youngsters during chilly months.</div><div><br></div><div>Honey & Lemon Soother</div><div>It is a simple yet effective remedy to ease winter illnesses for children. To prepare this drink, mix hot water with freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey until dissolved. </div><div><br></div><div>This soothing blend harnesses the antibacterial properties of honey and vitamin C-rich lemon to potentially alleviate winter ailments. The honey and lemon soothe comforts sore throats, while the vitamin C aids immunity function. Its antimicrobial properties may help fight infection, potentially boosting the immunity of children during the cold season</div><div><br></div><div>Dates-Nuts Milkshake</div><div>The Dates and Nuts milkshake is a wholesome blend of energy and immunity boosters. To prepare this energy-boosting winter drink, soak dates and nuts (such as almonds or walnuts). Then, blend the nuts and dates with milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until the mix is creamy. This nutritious elixir is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. </div><div><br></div><div>Dates offer natural sugars and essential nutrients, while nuts provide healthy fats and proteins. The shake\'s warmth soothes throats, and its nutrient-rich profile aids in strengthening the kids’ immune systems, offering a nourishing shield against seasonal illnesses, and winter sickness.</div><div><br></div><div>Bottom Line</div><div>Incorporating these delicious and nutritious drinks into kids\' daily routines during winter is not just about taste; it is about safeguarding their health. The nutrients and antioxidants of these beverages would potentially bolster the body\'s immunity system ensuring kids a satisfying and nutritious winter treat. With these immunity-booster winter drinks for kids, you can turn the cold season into an opportunity to boost their immunity naturally while delighting their taste buds, according to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p><font color=\"#397b21\"><b>Boost Kids\' Immunity </b></font><br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 10:13:40', '2024-01-06 10:15:36'),
(10729, 10729, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In preparation for the upcoming 12th national election on Sunday, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has deployed 700 personnel across the country to ensure security.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>RAB Director General M Khurshid Hossain stated that coordinated efforts with other law enforcement agencies, including police and intelligence services, have been undertaken to implement sufficient security measures.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have worked as a striking force throughout the country. Tomorrow, 700 RAB personnel will be working on election duty,\" said the RAB DG after overseeing security arrangements in Dhaka\'s Mirpur today.</div><div><br></div><div>He emphasised that comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure a fair and peaceful election. Khurshid further expressed confidence in the preparedness of the election centres and urged citizens to exercise their democratic rights.</div><div><br></div><div>\"People have the opportunity to vote. We are prepared to ensure that they can exercise their voting rights without hindrance,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the collaboration between RAB, other law enforcement agencies, and the Cyber Team, the RAB DG detailed the deployment of specialised units, including the dog squad, bomb disposal unit, and, if necessary, RAB helicopters. He also mentioned a new device named OIVS, which will help identify intruders in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>In various districts, meetings have been held with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination. The RAB chief assured that a high level of coordination exists and that everyone is working together for a fair and peaceful election.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to concerns about potential disruptions during the election, Khurshid warned of strict action against anyone attempting to impede the voting process. He mentioned recent incidents of violence on a train and ongoing political strikes, emphasising the need for citizens to vote without fear.</div><div><br></div><div>The RAB chief urged journalists to assist in maintaining civic order by providing accurate information and fostering democratic values. He called for cooperation from the media and the public to ensure a free and fair election.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding recent incidents of violence, Khurshid mentioned that investigations are ongoing and arrests have been made. He reassured the public that law enforcement is working to address any threats and maintain a secure environment for the election. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 11:22:57', '2024-01-06 11:22:57'),
(10730, 10730, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">Bangladesh is set to hold the 12th parliamentary election on Sunday with the ruling Awami League’s victory is guaranteed for a historic fourth consecutive term amid an opposition boycott.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The main opposition BNP and several other parties are sitting out of the polls, which are being participated by the Awami League and 27 other political parties.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks to the opposition boycott the AL is expected to sweep the polls to again form the government and extend its 15-year rule for another five years until 2029, according to analysts.</div><div><br></div><div>The opposition is staying out of the race after Hasina’s government rejected its demand to transfer power to a non-partisan administration to oversee a free and fair vote.</div><div><br></div><div>In a new development in the country’s electoral history the ruling party is facing tough fight mainly from the party’s own members contesting as independents.</div><div><br></div><div>In a televised address to the nation wrapping up her election campaign on Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  appealed to the voters to go to polling centres early in the morning. She asked them to cast their ballots for boat, her party’s election symbol.</div><div><br></div><div>But the opposition BNP and its like-minded parties have called for a 48-hour hartal (general strike), including on the Voting Day.</div><div><br></div><div>Security has been stepped up across the country after a series of arson attacks on polling centres and fire on a moving train, Benapole Express, on Friday night that left four people, including children charred to death.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, election officials fanned across the country to reach election materials – expect ballots – to the polling centres, said the EC. The ballots, however, will be sent to the centres in the morning of the voting day.</div><div><br></div><div>The balloting will start at 8am and continue till 4pm non-stop in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies. Voting in Naogaon-2 constituency has been postponed following the death of an independent contender, according to the Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>Some 1,970 candidates, including 436 independent contenders are running in the general election.</div><div><br></div><div>In 80 to100 constituencies, tough fights are expected to be seen between AL candidates and its own rivals who are running as independent contestants.</div><div><br></div><div>The ruling party nominated candidates are vying in the election with \'boat\' symbol in 266 seats, while the party is sharing 26 seats with Jatiya Party and six seats with three partners of its 14-party alliance – three for Jasod, two for Workers’ Party and one for Jatiya Party (JP-Manju).</div><div><br></div><div>There is no AL candidate in Barishal-4 and Cox\'s Bazar-1 as the candidacies of its nominated contestants were cancelled in the two constituencies. AL MP Pankaj Nath as an independent candidate is running in Barishal-4 and Kalyan Party Chairman Syed Muhammad Ibrahim in Cox\'s Bazar-1.</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party nominated contenders are officially contesting in 265 seats. The 265 JP candidates include 26 ones who are vying for the election as candidates of the AL-led alliance. However, some Jatiya Party contestants have unofficially quitted the electoral race.</div><div><br></div><div>Out of 44 political parties registered with the Election Commission, 16 parties are out of the electoral race.</div><div><br></div><div>There are 11,93,32,934 voters –-6,05,92,197 males, 5,87,39,889 females and 848 transgenders – who have voting rights under 260,856 booths of 42,024 polling stations in the constituencies, according to the EC.</div><div><br></div><div>In the January-7 election, some 10,000 polling stations are being considered as vulnerable centres (though the Election Commission called such stations as important polling centres). The tighter security measures have been taken for the vulnerable polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>Some eight lakh security men are there on election duty to maintain the electoral atmosphere by checking violation of codes of conduct throughout the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, 38,154 Army personnel, 2,827 Navy personnel (19 districts), 44,912 (1151 platoons) BGB personnel, 2355 (70 platoons) Coast Guard personnel, 600 Rab teams and 95 Rab reserve teams, 174,767 police personnel and 5,14,288 Ansar men.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, 653 judicial magistrates and some 2,000 (1970) executive magistrates are in the field to punish the violation of electoral code of conduct.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Election Commission, some nine lakh polling officials including 42024 presiding officers, 260,856 assistant presiding officers and some 522,000 polling officers are there to cast the ballot throughout the country.</div><div><br></div><div>There are 66 returning officers – 64 deputy commissioners and 2 divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram—and 590 assistant returning officers – 493 upazila nirbahi officers (UNO), 56 upazila election officers, 14 deputy directors of Local Government, 8 additional deputy commissioners, 11 zonal executive officers, five cantonment executive officers, 2 assistant commissioners (Land) and one circle officer – to conduct the election.</div><div><br></div><div>A team of 15-17 security members will be posted to protect each polling station as the Election Commission has designed separate security plans for the polling stations located outside the metropolitan area and the stations located inside the metropolitan areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Outside the metropolitan areas, a team of 15-16 security men including two police with arms, one ansar with arms, one ansar with arms or stick, 10 ansar with sticks, one or two village police members with sticks will protect each normal polling station. But in case of each important polling station (which is considered as vulnerable stations), there will be a team of 16-17 security men including three police with arms. Inside the metropolitan area, a 15-member security team consisting of three police members with arms, one ansar with arms, another ansar with arms or stick and 10 others ansar members with sticks will ensure security for each polling station.</div><div><br></div><div>The 26 JP candidates who are running as AL-led alliance contenders are in Thakurgaon- 3, Nilphamari- 3 and 4, Rangpur- 1 and 3, Kurigram- 1 and 2, Gaibandha- 1 and 2, Bogura- 2 and 3, Satkhira-2, Patuakhali -1, Barishal- 3, Pirojpur- 3, Mymensingh- 5 and 8, Kishoreganj- 3, Manikganj- 1, Dhaka- 18, Habiganj- 1, Brahmanbaria- 2, Feni- 3, Chhatogram- 5 and 8, and Narayanganj- 5.</div><div><br></div><div>Three Jasod candidates running as AL-led alliance contenders are in Bagura- 4, Kushtia- 2 and Laxmipur- 4, while two Workers party candidates in Barishal- 2 and , Rajshahi -2, and one Jatiya Party-JP candidates in Pirojpur- 2.</div><div><br></div><div>On November 15, 2023, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the schedule to hold the 12th general election on January 7, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>The deadline for submission of nomination papers was November 30, 2023 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature was December 17, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The last 11th parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018 with participation of two largest political parties Awami League and BNP. According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 11:37:51', '2024-01-06 11:38:39');
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(10731, 10731, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#085294\">The Bangladesh Nationalist Party\'s (BNP) response to the Commonwealth Secretary-General\'s press statement on 5th January 2024.</font></span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>BNP Senior Joint Secretary-General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said this in a press release on 6 January (Saturday).</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir said that the Commonwealth SG’s call shocked the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh who have been disenfranchised by the regime for more than a decade.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"It has come to the attention of the people of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP that the honorable Commonwealth Secretary-General (SG), in a press release issued on 5 January, only 2 days ahead of the much-disputed lopsided dummy election scheduled on 7 January 2024, being held against the will of the people, called on all political and civic leaders in Bangladesh to contribute to a \'conducive environment for citizens to peacefully exercise their right to vote\' on 7 January.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Honorable SG’s call misses many crucial issues surrounding the upcoming farcical 7 January election. The SG’s statement does not reflect the ground reality in Bangladesh. We believe her statement contradicts the desires and aspirations of the pro-democracy Bangladeshis who have been striving for a free, fair, inclusive, and credible election for more than a decade, said Rizvi.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said, \"The SG Scotland must be aware that the upcoming election is being boycotted by all the major pro-democracy political parties in Bangladesh. Only the ruling party-chosen dummy/independent candidates and fake opposition with ruling party blessings are made to participate in the election.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Since the election result is already predetermined and the people have no real options to choose from among genuine contenders, there is no congenial environment and level playing field; the voters have also rejected the one-sided polls.\" He said, \"The regime has now taken various unethical steps to demonstrate the presence of people, voter or no voters, at the polling center under coercion and intimidation, to make it look like participatory.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He also said, \'These stories are well covered by the local media (despite restrictions), social media, and the well-esteemed international print and electronic media. The Commonwealth Secretariat and the visiting CET must also be aware of the state of terror and fear created by the regime through extreme human rights violations like extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and rampant arbitrary arrests in the last 3 months. More than 27,000 opposition dissidents, including BNP Secretary-General and its top leaders, languishing in prison upon fictitious charges. Scores of people have been killed, tortured, and died in police custody.\'</div><div><br></div><div>All the pro-democracy world and our international partners who believe in the rule of law and liberal values have also expressed their opinion for a free, fair, inclusive, and credible election of international standard in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, forcing all the pro-democracy political parties out of the election, creating a culture of fear, and designing a staged election by dummy candidates, dummy election observers, and dummy voters, the ruling autocratic regime of Bangladesh is conducting a sham election, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, \"The people of Bangladesh acknowledge the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. If the SG genuinely wants to echo the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh, as she mentioned in her statement, the people expect her to play a proactive role for the realization of the people’s right to vote under a neutral government and administration. The SG\'s statement is out of touch with the ground reality, given that this farcical exercise on 7th January does not even meet the minimum qualification to be recognized or termed as an election of any standard, under the UN Declaration of Human Rights article 21 and 21 (3) or the International Covenant on political and civil rights. The Secretary-General’s statement tends to support the renewal of the current autocratic regime through a highly fraudulent election that goes against the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for the restoration of democracy through a genuinely inclusive and credible election.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir hopes, \"We expect that SG Scotland understands that the pro-democracy people, civil society, and political parties want the Commonwealth to side with the people of Bangladesh and not with the current autocratic regime. As the people of Bangladesh strive for the restoration of their voting rights and fundamental liberties, the support of the Commonwealth will be highly appreciated.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Senior Reporter', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 12:38:26', '2024-01-06 12:38:26'),
(10732, 10732, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP has again urged the voters to boycott Sunday\'s voting for the staged 12th parliamentary election&nbsp; to ensure the fall of the incumbent \"fascist Awami League government.\"</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing on Saturday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also urged the country’s people to peacefully observe their party’s second-day hartal on the voting day by not going to the polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>“The darkest chapter of another lopsided stage-managed election in the history of Bangladesh is going to be written tomorrow (Sunday) on January 7. So, our call to every democracy-loving voter is to boycott at least for a day on Sunday those who have denied your rights for the last 15 years,” Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>He further said, “Believe me, the grave of this fascist government in Bangladesh will be ensured just because of your one-day decision,”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader called upon the&nbsp; people to spend time with their families during voting hours instead of visiting the polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>“Let’s establish democracy and voting rights and make the two-day all-out strike a success. Let’s all boycott the January 7 voting and raise our voices in favour of boycotting the polls. Avoid going to polling stations,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also called upon the pro-democratic forces to encourage their family members, relatives, friends and neighbours to boycott the \'monkey’s play\' in the name of voting and refrain from going to voting centres.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that a dangerous game has been arranged to retain power again as it has been for the past 15 years through an inventory model of dummy election drama.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said Awami League along with their subservient and partisan state apparatus have laid once again the web of deception to snatch the voting rights of people, ignoring the people of the country and the international community, especially the democratic world.</div><div><br></div><div>“Already this farcical election has been rejected worldwide. World media, including BBC, Al Jazeera, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, branded this election as a farce of Sheikh Hasina\'s ascension to dictatorship and monarchy,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite that, Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina has been ‘shamelessly’ indulging in the farcical game using all powers and making efforts to show the democratic world voter turnouts by force as he has become blind out of her lust for power.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is set to hold the 12th parliamentary election on Sunday amid a boycott by major opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, BNP and like-minded opposition parties enforced a 48-hour hartal at 6am Saturday to protest the 12th parliamentary election. The hartal will end at 6 am on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29 amid incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 15:45:09', '2024-01-06 15:45:09'),
(10733, 10733, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The UAE is to put 84 people on trial for terror-related offences, state media said today, a decade after a similar mass trial of government critics.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Gulf state’s attorney-general ordered the trial of “mostly members of the terrorist organisation of (the) Muslim Brotherhood”, official news agency WAM said.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2013, the UAE tried 94 activists, lawyers, students, teachers and other government critics, accusing them of membership of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.</div><div><br></div><div>Rights groups denounced the proceedings at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>The trials resulted in jail time for 69 people, many of whom remain in prison.</div><div><br></div><div>According to WAM, at least some of them are to be charged in the new trial.</div><div><br></div><div>The defendants are accused of “establishing another clandestine organisation for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil”, the news agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The defendants had concealed this crime and its evidence before they were arrested and tried” in 2013, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>A six-month investigation uncovered “sufficient evidence” for the attorney-general to pursue the new trial, WAM said.</div><div><br></div><div>Human Rights Watch said in December that the defendants were being persecuted “in retaliation for forming an independent advocacy group in 2010”.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the New York-based rights group, charges were also brought against other imprisoned dissidents including human rights campaigner Ahmed Mansour.</div><div><br></div><div>He was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in prison for criticising the government and tarnishing the country’s image on social media.</div><div><br></div><div>“Levelling new charges based on peaceful advocacy over a decade ago seems nothing more than a shameless pretext to keep these men behind bars,” said HRW’s deputy regional director Michael Page.</div><div><br></div><div>Emirati authorities said today that the defendants had been given legal representation, and that the state security court had “begun hearing witnesses and the public trial procedures are ongoing”. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 15:50:21', '2024-01-06 15:50:21'),
(10734, 10734, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>New York City’s historic, two-year snow drought may come to an end this weekend with the arrival of a winter storm system that should begin rolling through the most populous city in the US and across the East Coast today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The city’s 8.5 million residents have not seen more than 2.54cm of snow fall in Central Park since Feb 13, 2022, a record-long streak of 692 days.</div><div><br></div><div>The incoming low pressure system threatens to dump up to 7.6cm of wet snow in parts of the city, the national weather service said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We stand a pretty good chance of getting close to breaking” the streak, said Bill Goodman, a meteorologist based in New York.</div><div><br></div><div>“This winter started off on the mild side, but I think we’re about to switch gears toward a more typical winter.”</div><div><br></div><div>The storm could produce more snow than fell all last winter in New York City, where just 5.84cm fell, the lowest amount in recorded history.</div><div><br></div><div>It was also expected to bring icy rain to parts of the city and wind gusts of up to 72kph, the weather service said in its forecast.</div><div><br></div><div>In a city where snowfalls of more than 30cm are not uncommon – at least until recently – New Yorkers should have little trouble coping with whatever this weekend’s storm dishes out.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts say the lack of snow in New York is one more sign of how climate change is affecting weather patterns around the world.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Southwest, for example, experienced a record stretch of extreme heat last summer.</div><div><br></div><div>Although the forecast calls for at least some snow accumulation, the storm may also just produce freezing rain across the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The downpours, which could total 3.8cm, could cause minor urban flooding and leave an icy glaze on roadways, the weather service warned.</div><div><br></div><div>Either way, New York City is likely to escape the brunt of the weekend storm.</div><div><br></div><div>It threatens to dump as much as 20cm of snow in interior portions of New York state, New Jersey and northeast through New England along and just north of Interstate 95.</div><div><br></div><div>Some areas could see as much as a foot of snow, the weather service said.</div><div><br></div><div>The agency and state officials urged the 16 million people who were under a winter storm watch across the region to stay vigilant as the snow from the storm could cover roads and topple trees and electrical lines, making travel treacherous and knocking out power.</div><div><br></div><div>“Now is a good time to make plans and avoid travel during the duration of the storm,” Connecticut governor Ned Lamont said on social media platform X.</div><div><br></div><div>Boston, home to about 650,000 people, was expected to get as much as 18cm of snow.</div><div><br></div><div>Mayor Michelle Wu cautioned residents to be careful over the weekend but said the storm appeared unlikely to disrupt the start of the workweek.</div><div><br></div><div>“Nothing is quite predictable here in New England, but the timing of this so far – fingers crossed – does mean that it should have less of an impact on the normal rhythms of our weekday commutes and school pickups and drop-offs,” she said at a news briefing yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>Winter weather was also on tap for parts of eastern California and the West Coast, where some communities across region could get as much as 30cm of snow and wind gusts of more than 64kph, causing whiteout conditions on roadways, the weather service warned. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 15:54:41', '2024-01-06 15:54:41'),
(10735, 10735, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Alaska Airlines has grounded dozens of Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets for safety checks after a cabin panel blowout forced a brand-new airplane loaded with passengers to make an emergency landing.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Airline CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement the 65 similar planes would be returned to service only after precautionary maintenance and safety inspections, which he expected to be completed in the “next few days”.</div><div><br></div><div>Flight 1282 had reached 16,000 feet bound for Ontario, California, before returning to Portland, Oregon, where it landed safely at 5.26pm yesterday with 171 passengers and six crew, according to the airline and FlightRadar24.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’d like to get down,” the pilot told air traffic control, according to a recording posted on liveatc.net.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are declaring an emergency. We do need to come down to 10,000,” the pilot added, referring to the initial staging altitude for such emergencies, below which breathing is considered possible for healthy people without extra oxygen.</div><div><br></div><div>Social media posts also showed oxygen masks deployed and a portion of the aircraft’s side wall missing.</div><div><br></div><div>Passenger photos appeared to show that a panel that can be used for an optional rear mid-cabin exit door had been torn away, leaving a door-shaped gap.</div><div><br></div><div>The extra door is typically installed by low-cost airlines using extra seats that require more paths for evacuation.</div><div><br></div><div>However, those doors are permanently “plugged”, or deactivated, on Alaska Airlines jets.</div><div><br></div><div>“While this type of occurrence is rare, our flight crew was trained and prepared to safely manage the situation,” Alaska said.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the depressurisation incident.</div><div><br></div><div>The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also said the crew had reported a pressurisation issue, and that it would investigate.</div><div><br></div><div>The new MAX 9 was delivered to Alaska Airlines in late October and certified in early November, according to FAA data.</div><div><br></div><div>Boeing said it was looking into the emergency landing.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are aware of the incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282,” the company said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are working to gather more information and are in contact with our airline customer.”</div><div><br></div><div>Production snags</div><div><br></div><div>“Whenever you have a rapid decompression such as this, it’s a major safety event,” said Anthony Brickhouse, an air safety expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.</div><div><br></div><div>“I can’t imagine what these passengers experienced. It would have been loud. The wind would be rushing through that cabin. It was a probably pretty violent situation, and definitely a scary situation.”</div><div><br></div><div>The incident shows the importance of passengers keeping their seatbelts buckled while seated in an airplane, even if the fasten seatbelt light is off, Brickhouse said, noting that the oxygen mask system appeared to have functioned properly.</div><div><br></div><div>Reports said the seat next to the left-hand panel, which contains an ordinary passenger window, was unoccupied.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is a very, very serious situation and it could have been a lot worse,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“If someone had been sitting in that seat, and they weren’t buckled in, it would have been a different situation.”</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, Boeing said it was urging airlines to inspect all 737 MAX airplanes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system.</div><div><br></div><div>The FAA said it was closely monitoring Boeing 737 MAX inspections and would consider additional action if more loose or missing hardware was found.</div><div><br></div><div>The 737 MAX was grounded for 20 months worldwide after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 linked to poorly designed cockpit software killed 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia.</div><div><br></div><div>Boeing is awaiting certification of its smaller 737 MAX 7 and larger MAX 10.</div><div><br></div><div>China’s aviation regulator is conducting an emergency meeting to consider a response to the incident, including a possible grounding of the Boeing Max fleet in the country, Bloomberg news reported today.</div><div><br></div><div>The FAA has carefully scrutinised the MAX for years, saying in 2021 it was tracking all 737 MAX airplanes using satellite data.</div><div><br></div><div>The fuselage for Boeing 737 planes, its most popular model, is made by Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems.</div><div><br></div><div>In August, Boeing identified a quality problem involving Spirit that resulted in improperly drilled holes on the aft pressure bulkhead.</div><div><br></div><div>Spirit was not immediately available for comment on the Alaska incident. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 16:03:46', '2024-01-06 16:03:46'),
(10736, 10736, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Facing a Mideast region in crisis and a number of pressing bilateral issues, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with issues before them including the ongoing carnage in Gaza, final steps to complete Türkiye’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO bid, and US approval for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The meeting, held at Istanbul’s Vahdettin Mansion, also included Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) head Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogan\'s chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic and US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake.</div><div><br></div><div>No further information was shared about the closed-door meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, Fidan and Blinken had met one-on-one.</div><div><br></div><div>\"At the meeting, Ministers discussed the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Sweden\'s NATO accession process, bilateral and regional issues,\" the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on X.</div><div><br></div><div>Following his visit to Türkiye, through Jan. 11, Blinken is set to proceed to Greece, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt.</div><div><br></div><div>During his regional tour, according to the US State Department, Blinken will stress protecting civilian lives, releasing hostages, delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, restoring essential services, and preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>He will also address urgent steps to reduce violence, calm rhetoric, and ease tensions, including deterring Houthi attacks in Yemen and avoiding escalation in Lebanon.</div><div><br></div><div>Blinken will reaffirm the US commitment to work with partners for Middle East peace, emphasizing progress towards a Palestinian state alongside Israel, said the department.</div><div><br></div><div>His visit comes amid a rising human catastrophe in the Gaza Strip due to both Israeli attacks and its blockade on the besieged strip.</div><div><br></div><div>Fidan and Blinken have held several phone calls and meetings since Oct. 7 to discuss Gaza among other bilateral issues, including Sweden\'s NATO accession and the US sale to Türkiye of F-16 fighter jets.</div><div><br></div><div>The toll from the Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 totals 22,600 dead and 57,910 injured, most of them women and children.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities claim the attacks by Hamas have killed around 1,200 Israelis.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 16:06:16', '2024-01-06 16:06:16'),
(10737, 10737, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Following South Africa\'s lawsuit, Tel Aviv is concerned and anticipating a possible verdict from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) compelling Israel to halt its ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated in a brief statement on Friday that Tel Aviv fears the issuance of a decision by the court in The Hague ordering the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, without providing further details.</div><div><br></div><div>South Africa suspended relations with Israel on Nov. 21, in response to its army’s intensified attacks on the Gaza Strip. And later on Dec. 29, it filed a petition with the ICJ to initiate genocidal proceedings against Tel Aviv.</div><div><br></div><div>It requested that Israel immediately cease all acts and measures in violation of its obligations as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention.</div><div><br></div><div>The application was filed \"concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,\" the ICJ said in a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>South Africa is using photo evidence captured by Turkish global news agency Anadolu to show that Israel committed war crimes in its onslaught on the Gaza Strip as it brings its genocide case against Tel Aviv at the ICJ.</div><div><br></div><div>In the case file submitted by South Africa to the international court based in The Hague, photos by Anadolu, also featured in a report by Amnesty International, are serving as evidence to help prove Israel\'s use of banned white phosphorus munitions in Gaza, one of the most densely populated regions in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Israel has engaged in, is engaging in, and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza,\" the African country said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 22,185 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring around 58,000 others, according to local health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli attacks have left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 16:08:55', '2024-01-06 16:08:55'),
(10738, 10738, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A total of 137 arson attacks have been reported in two city corporations of Dhaka in 71 days since October 28, Fire Service and Civil Defence said in a report on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Of them, 89 fire attacks were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation while 48 in Dhaka North City Corporation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A total of 303 arson attacks were reported across the country during this period, leaving eight people dead and five injured,” said Talha Bin Jashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence\'s media cell.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the fire service, out of 303 arson attacks across the country, 194 incidents occurred in Dhaka division, 35 in Chattogram, 38 in Rajshahi, 9 in Barishal, 10 in Rangpur, 5 in Khulna, 6 in Mymensingh and 6 in Sylhet division.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 176 buses, 49 trucks, 25 covered vans, 5 trains, 3 microbuses, 3 private cars, 21 motorcycles, 1 ambulance, 10 pickup trucks, 3 CNG-run auto rickshaws, 1 human hauler, 3 Lagunas, 1 fire service water truck, 1 police van were torched during this period.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the 23 establishments,&nbsp; nine educational institutions,&nbsp; 5 BNP offices, 1 Awami League office, 1 police box, 1 councilor office, 2 electricity offices, 1 bus counter, 2 showrooms, and 1 Buddhist monastery were burnt during this time, according to fire service.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the statistics, arson attacks happened in 47 days of the 71 days. And no fire attack was reported in 24 days.</div><div><br></div><div>Analysing the incidents, the fire service found that there were more arson attacks during the night compared to daytime.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 2,959 members of 539 firefighting units worked to douse the fire across the country during this period.</div><div><br></div><div>On 28 October, both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami called rallies in the capital which were marred by violence.</div><div><br></div><div>Many vehicles were torched and two people died, including a police constable. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 16:13:12', '2024-01-06 16:13:12'),
(10739, 10739, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">German-born Hollywood actor Christian Oliver was killed along with his two young daughters as their small plane plummeted into the Caribbean Sea moments after takeoff, local police said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Oliver, who appeared on the big screen with George Clooney in \"The Good German\" and in 2008 action-comedy \"Speed Racer,\" died aboard a privately owned, one-engine aircraft Thursday, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Fishermen, divers and coast guard immediately went to the scene, where four bodies were recovered.</div><div><br></div><div>Oliver, 51, died along with his daughters Madita, 10, and Annik, 12, and pilot Robert Sachs.</div><div><br></div><div>The plane was travelling from Bequia, a small island in the Grenadines, to St Lucia shortly after midday Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The family appeared to be on vacation, with Oliver posting on Instagram days earlier an image of a tropical beach and the caption: \"Greetings from somewhere in paradise! To community and love... 2024 [here] we come!\"</div><div><br></div><div>Oliver, born Christian Klepser, had over 60 movie and TV credits to his name, including a minor part in Tom Cruise movie \"Valkyrie.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Early-career roles included TV series \"Saved by the Bell: The New Class\" and movie \"The Baby-Sitters Club.\"</div><div><br></div><div>In his native Germany, Oliver starred for two seasons in popular cop show \"Alarm fur Cobra 11.\" - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 16:15:06', '2024-01-06 16:15:06'),
(10740, 10740, '<div><font color=\"#634aa5\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday expressed hope that the 12th parliamentary election will be credible nationally and internationally.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>“Credibility is a relative matter. But we from our part would try making the election a widely credible one. We are optimistic that the election would be credible at home and abroad,” he said while addressing a pre-election briefing in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission arranged ‘Meet the Press: The 12th parliamentary election 2024’ at Bangabandhu International Conference for local and international journalists and election observers.</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to a question, the CEC said the commission may face a challenge in the peaceful arrangement of this election as a major political block is strongly campaigning against the vote.</div><div><br></div><div>“This time there are some challenges ahead because several incidents have already occurred. A major political party together with alliance parties is formidably campaigning against the election,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Habibul Awal, however, said the commission would be able to conduct this election with participation of the people amid opposition resistance.</div><div><br></div><div>“A crisis may be seen to some extent in the case of holding the election in a peaceful manner as one group is opposing the election, boycotting it and openly declaring to resist it. We don’t deny this reality,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>But the Election Commission has taken preparations, he said asserting that “We will be able to arrange this election with participation of the people and voters despite having opposition and resistance.”</div><div><br></div><div>Pointing at all the opposition political parties who are campaigning against the election Habibul Awal said, “You may peacefully campaign against the election to form public opinion not to go to polling stations but it will be an offense if you physically resist the election preventing voters from going to the polling stations.”</div><div><br></div><div>He again said the commission will have to face a challenge if the opposition political parties resort to arson and physical force to resist the election.</div><div><br></div><div>When his attention was drawn that many election experts thought it wouldn’t be an actual election, rather a selection amid the boycott of BNP and 15 other parties, the CEC said it is not EC’s job to involve in any political debate and it has a mandate just to hold the election. “The debate will remain in the political landscape and it is the politicians who may solve it one day,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Habibul Awal asked the candidates to put their polling agents in every polling booth for the sake of holding this election in a fair manner.</div><div><br></div><div>Answering a question about the possible voter turnout, he said it was difficult right now to predict the percentage of voter turnout.</div><div><br></div><div>But he said if the voter turnout is less than even one percent, it would be legally correct, though it may face a legitimacy crisis, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC said the EC has one minor duty to encourage the voters to come up to the polling station to cast votes. “I think it is a minor duty,” he said, adding that voters are always very interested to come out due to the persuasion of the candidates.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the CEC added, “Had BNP participated in the election, the election would have been more competitive, more inclusive and more festive. This is a reality.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-06 16:23:52', '2024-01-06 16:23:52'),
(10741, 10741, '<div><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the ballot boxes were stuffed at night even in the one-sided election.&nbsp;</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>“The lopsided election is being held today. There are no voters at the polling stations,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a brief rally near Kurmitola Bus Stand area, he said people have rejected the dummy election.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“People are not going to polling stations. They (AL) stuffed the ballot boxes in this one-sided election late at night to show fake turnouts,” Rizvi said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said their ongoing movement will continue until the fall of illegal Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader urged the country’s people to peacefully observe the hartal and make it a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Rizvi along with some leaders and activists brought out a procession in support of the hartal.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The voting of the 12th parliamentary election began at 8am today (Sunday) amid a boycott by major opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, BNP and like-minded opposition parties enforced a 48-hour hartal at 6am Saturday to protest the 12th parliamentary election. The hartal will end at 6 am on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29 amid incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-07 08:03:48', '2024-01-07 08:03:48'),
(10742, 10742, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said voter turnout is relatively higher in rural areas compared to Dhaka, and expressed optimism over healthy turnout of voters as the day progresses.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I couldn\'t cast my vote for many years as I was abroad. My father used to come with my mother. As my father passed away few years back, I came here to cast my vote with my mother,” he told reporters after casting his vote at the Teachers Training Centre under Dhaka-10 constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, the Foreign Secretary said foreign observers are monitoring the polls since this morning and they are willing to share their impressions after voting is completed.</div><div><br></div><div>Over 127 foreign observers are monitoring the polls apart from journalists from overseas.</div><div><br></div><div>\"So far, the environment is peaceful,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission is confident about holding the election through a transparent process, the Foreign Secretary said.</div><div><br></div><div>Turnout is a key factor but it needs to be seen whether the entire process was transparent and smooth, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked about Western countries’ impression over the possible low voter turnout, the Foreign Secretary said it is for them to consider.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If there is healthy turnout, it will go in favor of the election and its credibility,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Secretary also said the foreigners who interacted with him personally expressed their concerns over the deaths of people in arson attacks on trains.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign observers and some of the diplomats are monitoring the polls. They will talk to the media after 5 pm today. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-07 08:08:07', '2024-01-07 08:08:07'),
(10743, 10743, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Voting for the 12th National Parliamentary Election is underway since this morning with reports of low voter turnout and sporadic violence across the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>UNB correspondents from Dhaka and across the country including Dinajpur, Chattogram, Bhola, Chapainawabganj and Khulna have reported low voter turnout than previously expected.</div><div><br></div><div>While visiting the Gulshan Model School and College center in Gulshan-2 area of Dhaka, a UNB correspondent reported that only 35 out of the 13,000 registered voters had cast their votes in the first three hours till 11 am.</div><div><br></div><div>However, after 10 am, there were sudden queues for 5 to 10 minutes.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, only 50 votes were cast at the Udayan School centre in Dhaka-8 constituency (Ramna-Motijheel) in the first two hours of balloting, said presiding officer Liton Das.</div><div><br></div><div>“Voting is proceeding smoothly,” said Das.</div><div><br></div><div>According to data from the Election Management apps, only 8% of votes were cast within the first four hours of balloting across three centers in the Dhaka-8 constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, 50 voters — out of 898 — cast their votes in two booths of Tejgaon Adarsha School &amp; College in Dhaka-12 constituency in the four and a half hours of voting.</div><div><br></div><div>The situation at Uttara High School and Collage in Dhaka-18 was also similar.</div><div><br></div><div>Tofazzal Hossain, presiding officer of the polling centre, said under centre-3 which is designated for male voters, the number of total registered voters is 2158 but only 120 votes have been cast till the filing of this report around 12 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>However, voter turnout started seeing an increase in centers under Dhaka-16 constituency.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Low voter turnout was also observed outside the capital in the first four hours of voting.</div><div><br></div><div>Until 10 am, there was notably low voter presence at polling centres in Dinajpur. The election officials expressed optimism that voter turnout will improve once the effects of fog and cold weather diminishes.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, supporters of candidates have congregated in front of the centers, shouting slogans.</div><div><br></div><div>Lower-than-expected voter turnout was also observed in Cumilla, Bagerhat, Barishal and Habiganj in the first half ofElection Day.</div><div><br></div><div>One killed amidst reports of sporadic violence across the country</div><div><br></div><div>Sporadic violence was reported all over the country as the 12th National Parliamentary Election is underway.</div><div><br></div><div>A supporter of the Awami League candidate was stabbed to death allegedly by supporters of the independent candidate at Tengor in Mirkadim of Munshiganj’s Sadar upazila this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Violence was reported in multiple places in Chattogram.</div><div><br></div><div>In Chattogram-10 constituency, two people were shot in a clash between supporters of Awami League candidate and independent candidate at Kalshi-Pahartali area.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, a clash broke out between police and BNP activists in the Chandgaon area of Chattogram city this morning after leaders and activists of the opposition party tried to bar voters from casting their votes.</div><div><br></div><div>Crude bomb explosion was reported at a polling centre in Jashore an hour before voting began that injured a member of Bangladesh Ansar.</div><div><br></div><div>Clashes were reported in Barishal-5 constituency as well.</div><div><br></div><div>In Barisal-5 (Sadar) constituency, independent candidate Salahuddin Ripon accused supporters of the Awami League candidate of attacking his supporters, driving out agents from the center and obstructing voting.</div><div><br></div><div>Alleged irregularities</div><div>Voting at a polling centre in Narsingdi-4 constituency (Monohardi-Belabo) has been cancelled due to allegations of irregularities.</div><div><br></div><div>District Returning Officer Dr Badiul Alam said the voting was cancelled due to allegations of ballot-stuffing.</div><div><br></div><div>Allegations of ballot-stuffing were reported in Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) as supporters of Awami League were accused of stamping the boat symbol on ballot papers.</div><div><br></div><div>In a video on social media that has gone viral, numerous pages of the ballot book show the boat symbol.</div><div><br></div><div>Assistant presiding officers and officials present during the incident mentioned that some individuals arrived, forcibly stamped the “boat” symbol, and left.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, two candidates in Mymensingh’s Gafargaon constituency and one candidate of Jatiya Party in Narsingdi-2 have boycotted the election alleging irregularities.</div><div><br></div><div>Two independent candidates in Mymensingh’s Gafargaon constituency announced to boycott the election alleging vote rigging and irregularities.</div><div><br></div><div>Independent candidate Abul Hossain Dipu with eagle symbol and truck symbol candidate Kaiser Ahmed said they boycotted the voting as the polling agents of most of the polling centres in 15 unions and municipal areas of the upazila were forced out of the polling centers.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Rakiqul Alam Selim, the Jatiya Party candidate for the Narsingdi-2 constituency, has withdrawn from the election, citing irregularities.</div><div><br></div><div>Voting for the 12th parliamentary election began this morning with the ruling Awami League set for a historic fourth consecutive term amid an opposition boycott.</div><div><br></div><div>Voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-07 08:13:13', '2024-01-07 08:13:13'),
(10744, 10744, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal claimed that Sunday\'s national election has been free, fair and neutral thanks to the government\'s political will, sincerity and cooperation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Since the government has sincerity…..and we received the assistance as assured by the government, the election was held in free, fair and neutral manner through a coordinated effort under the partisan government,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC made the remarks at a post-polls press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>He said though there is some challenge to hold election under a partisan government as the political will of the government is needed to make the polls free, fair and non-partisan.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC said the voter turnout might be some 40 percent in the 12th Parliamentary election.</div><div><br></div><div>“Some 40 percent voters cast their vote in today\'s balloting. But it may vary after gleaning all data in this regard (the final estimation),” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to a question, Habibul Awal said it can\'t be said right now if this election would be credible nationally and internationally, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Whether this election would be credible nationally and internationally may be known later after the publishing its results. You people would judge it,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-07 13:16:39', '2024-01-07 13:16:39');

INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10764, 10764, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 25 people have been killed after a bus collided with a truck in Bahia state in northeastern Brazil, state firefighters said today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A video, recorded during the night, showed the truck surrounded by blue boxes filled with mangoes and scattered on the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>Several firefighters could be seen working at the scene.</div><div><br></div><div>“Military firefighters responded to an incident that left 25 dead” about 250km from the capital of Bahia state, Salvador.</div><div><br></div><div>Five people were also injured in the accident last night, according to Brazilian press reports, which published images of the twisted fuselage of the truck.</div><div><br></div><div>The cause of the accident is still unknown.</div><div><br></div><div>The bodies of the victims have been handed over to police for identification.</div><div><br></div><div>The mayor’s office of Jacobina, a city close to the accident, declared three days of official mourning today and is preparing a “collective wake” for the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>“The prefecture expresses its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims in this moment of unprecedented sadness and pain,” it said in a note posted on Instagram.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the latest crash involving a bus and multiple fatalities in Brazil.</div><div><br></div><div>Last August seven fans of Sao Paulo-based Corinthians were killed on a highway in the southeast of the country after attending a match of their team against Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte.</div><div><br></div><div>And at least 10 people were killed and two dozen injured in March 2022 when a bus carrying a group of workers plunged off a highway in southern Brazil. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 15:24:07', '2024-01-08 15:24:07'),
(10765, 10765, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Claiming that people turned down Sunday’s voting, BNP on Monday demanded the cancellation of the 12th parliamentary election and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, the party also renewed its demand for a fresh election under a non-party polls-time government to establish a legitimate and accountable government.</div><div><br></div><div>To mobilise public support for their demands, the BNP also announced a two-day mass contact programme for Tuesday and Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>“The country’s people unilaterally and spontaneously rejected the \'dummy election\' of January 7.&nbsp; So, we first of all congratulate the freedom-loving and democracy-loving people of the country on behalf of 63 pro-democracy political parties, including BNP, said party Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the government failed to take voters to the polling stations with various threats and intimidation. “Despite various abuses of state power, use of dummy election commission or controlled media and various excuses, the reality is that the people of the country unilaterally rejected the January 7 fake election.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said there was no voting and election on January 7. “What happened was vote robbery and vote rigging. “Both the election results and the percent of voter turnout were predetermined by the government. The Election Commission announced the percentage of voter turnout exactly as the government says. It’s a meaningless figure.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said they will continue their movement peacefully until an accountable and elected government is established.</div><div><br></div><div>Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said their party wanted to establish a government elected by people’s vote and accountable to them.</div><div><br></div><div>“A free and fair election is necessary for it what didn’t happen yesterday (Sunday). So, people have turned down this election. Everyone is saying the voter turnout which was shown (by the EC) was fake,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, BNP and other political parties who have on a movement for the restoration of democracy demand the immediate cancellation of the dummy election of January 7, resignation of Sheikh Hasina and formation of a polls-time non-party neutral government for holding a national election,” Nazrul said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said people’s ownership of the state must be restored and all enforced disappearance, killing, and ghost cases must be stopped and people will have to be protected from his repressive regime.</div><div><br></div><div>“These are now people’s demands. We congratulate and thank people as they made sacrifices in the face of various pressures and allurement and foiled the government’s evil efforts to show a huge turnout by taking them to the voting centres.</div><div><br></div><div>About Sunday’s election scenario, Dr Moyeen Khan there were many centers across the country where not even a single vote was given throughout the day while only a handful of votes were cast in many other polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that no vote was cast in 19 centres in Khagrachari, the BNP leader said almost every constituency in the country has centres where not even a single vote was given or only 10/20 votes were cast throughout the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resorted to subterfuge to increase voter turnout in polling stations. “Awami League, unprecedentedly, fielded ‘dummy\' candidates of its party against one of its nominees. But such artificial competition among themselves could not help ensure the presence of voters in the polling stations.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said the people of the country believe that election under Sheikh Hasina means vote robbery and vote fraud. “Which candidate will be declared winner or defeated in this fake election was predetermined.”</div><div><br></div><div>Had the people believed in this government and the Election Commission, Moyeen said they would have come to the polling stations. “But the people boycotted the vote, sending out a clear message that this government and this Election Commission are all fake ones.”</div><div><br></div><div>About the voter turnout, he said the Commission announced it as per the estimate fixed by the government.</div><div><br></div><div>“People don\'t want North Korea-style elections… We said earlier, that there can never be a free, fair and impartial election under Sheikh Hasina. That is why, for the sake of establishing the voting rights of the country\'s 12 crore voters, the pro-democratic opposition parties demand that the national elections be held under a non-partisan, neutral electoral government, keeping Sheikh Hasina out of state power,” the BNP leader said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Moyeen said their party thinks the democracy-loving people have expressed their solidarity with the demands of the opposition parties by boycotting the polling stations braving the threats and intimidation of the fascist government.</div><div><br></div><div>He said people gave a mass verdict in favour of the opposition’s demands by boycotting the farcical election.</div><div><br></div><div>“If Sheikh Hasina tries to form a government through dummy elections of January 7, it will be \'the government of the dummy by the dummy for the dummy\'. People want an accountable and elected government, not a dependent \'dummy one.</div><div><br></div><div>“The statement of BNP and 63 pro-democratic political parties is clear. Even if Awami League tries to legitimise itself through farce in the name of the January 7 elections, Sheikh Hasina\'s government will be considered illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional by the democratic people as before,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said a foreign election observer hired by the government commented that Bangladesh is moving towards the North Korean system through the current electoral process.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the BNP believes in the power of the people. “We have taken the streets with the people to restore the rights of the people, we were on the streets, still on the streets and we will be there in the future until we can return the true rights of the people to the people. This is the promise of BNP,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Moyeen said they will conduct mass contacts on Tuesday and Wednesday and then they will announce the fresh course of action.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 15:26:44', '2024-01-08 15:26:44'),
(10766, 10766, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said it is not up to her to pardon Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus who has recently been sentenced to six months in jail for violation of labour law.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question if she would consider granting pardon to Muhammad Yunus as she celebrates her election victory, the PM said she has nothing to do here as the labour court passed the judgement.</div><div><br></div><div>The question was asked by an Indian journalist during a post-polls courtesy meeting with visiting foreign observers and media people as well as local journalists at Ganobhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said Yunus violated the labour law and deprived his own employees who filed a case at the labour court. “I have nothing to do with that,” she said adding that he seek pardon to his employees whom he deprived.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question from a BBC journalist if she believes that Bangladesh can be considered a vibrant democracy with the absence of any opposition party, the AL chief said each and every party has the right to take their own decision. The woman journalist also mentioned that 60 percent of the voters did not cast their ballots in Sunday’s election.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM answered that if a particular party doesn’t participate in the election, it doesn’t mean there is no democracy. “You have to consider whether people participated or not,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The party didn’t participate in the election and they tried to prevent people from casting votes. But the people didn’t listen to them,” she said amid applause by some in the audience.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that she doesn’t know if there is any other definition of democracy, she said the participation of the people is the main thing here.</div><div><br></div><div>Coming down heavily on BNP for unleashing violence and arson violence, Hasina threw a counter question to the journalist as to how does she defines a democratic party. “They are a terrorist party,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Answering a question regarding her foreign policy, the premier said Bangladesh has a good relationship with every country as the motto of its foreign policy is ‘Friendship to all and malice towards none.’</div><div><br></div><div>Describing India as a great friend of Bangladesh, she appreciated that Bangladesh has a wonderful relationship with neighbours.</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to another question she said she does not want to be compared with the great women leaders like Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher and Srimavo Bandarnaike.</div><div><br></div><div>“There were great ladies,” she said adding “I’m a simple person.” She said she does not consider herself as a woman or man when she works for the people of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>In replying to a question she said “Our relationship is wonderful with every country, even the United States of America. So, from our part there is no problem. We’ve a good relationship. Now it depends on you and your government.” The question was from an US citizen who arrived to observe the January 7 general election.</div><div><br></div><div>Answering a question regarding her foreign policy, the premier said Bangladesh has a good relationship with every country as the motto of its foreign policy is ‘Friendship to all ..malice towards none.’</div><div><br></div><div>Describing India as a great friend of Bangladesh, she appreciated that Bangladesh has a wonderful relationship with neighbours.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our relationship is wonderful with every country, even the United States of America. So, from our part there is no problem. We’ve a good relationship. Now it depends on you and your government,” she said responding to a question from an US observer, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said the goal of her next government will be to smoothen the journey of Bangladesh as a developing country (from 2026), sustain electricity generation, to ensure food security, nutrition security, improve connectivity further, alleviate poverty further, eradicating extreme poverty, making the country free from homeless and finally continue the progress of country and working for building the country as Smart Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, “The economic progress and ensuring a better life for the people is my main aim,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 15:58:53', '2024-01-08 15:58:53'),
(10767, 10767, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized on Monday Israel’s policy of constructing and expanding illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territories.</b></span><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">“The construction of settlements is illegal. It undermines lasting peace and endangers the two-state solution and thereby endangers Israel\'s security,” Baerbock told reporters during her visit to a village in the West Bank.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Palestinians must be able to live in security, dignity and self-determination, in their own land,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister underlined that a lasting peace can only be achieved by a two-state solution, which would enable a secure Israel and an independent, democratic Palestinian state to exist peacefully side by side.</div><div><br></div><div>During her visit, Baerbock met Palestinians living in the Al-Mazra\'ah al-Qibliyah village, which is surrounded by several Israeli settlements.</div><div><br></div><div>She called on Israeli authorities to take measures to protect Palestinians from attacks by extremist Israeli settlers.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is the responsibility of the Israeli government to implement and enforce the rule of law when there are attacks on people who live here legitimately,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have soared to its highest level since the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Extremist settlers carried out 2,410 attacks last year, according to the Palestinian authorities. At least 22 Palestinians were killed by settlers, 10 victims were killed over the past three months. Hundreds of Palestinians were also forcibly displaced from their lands. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 16:15:44', '2024-01-08 16:15:44'),
(10768, 10768, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Anyone can challenge the percentage of voter turnout in 12th national polls held on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"If anyone thinks that the number of casting votes have been increased, you are most welcome to check it and test our honesty,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC&nbsp; made the remarks at a media briefing at the Election Commission (EC) media centre in Dhaka this afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The percentage we received at the middle of the day or just after the end of voting cast, that definitely won\'t reflect the real scenario, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the final results,&nbsp; a total of 41.8 percent vote was cast in the national election, the CEC informed.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday\'s voting, while independent candidates - most of them allied to AL- won 62 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Jatiya Party got victorious in only 11 seats and three single candidates from three parties – Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party— secured victory in their respective constituencies.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday’s balloting was held in 299 constituencies out of 300 ones as the Election Commission earlier postponed the election to Naogaon-2 following the death of a candidate. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 16:27:54', '2024-01-08 16:27:54'),
(10769, 10769, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Though the overall voter turnout was 41.99 percent in the 12th parliamentary election held on Sunday (January 07, 2024), more than 60 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in 21 constituencies and less than 30 percent voted in at least 52 constituencies, according to Election Commission data.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The highest 87.24 percent votes were cast in Gopalganj-3 and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected from the constituency, according to the data.</div><div><br></div><div>The lowest turnout was 13.04 percent in Dhaka-15. State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumdar won the election from the constituency as an AL contender.</div><div><br></div><div>In the national election held amid boycott of a major political party BNP, ruling Awami League secured 222 seats, while Jatiya Party obtained only 11 seats. Independent candidates clinched victory in 62 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasod) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party each won a seat. The election result of Mymensingh-3 was postponed.</div><div><br></div><div>Out of the country’s 300 seats, Sunday’s balloting was held in 299 seats as the election to Naogaon-2 was earlier postponed by the commission following the death of a valid candidate there.</div><div><br></div><div>The five constituencies with more than 70 percent voter turnout are: Gopalganj-3 (87.24% turnout; AL candidate Sheikh Hasina won), Gopalganj-2 (83.20%; AL candidate Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim won), Brahmanbaria-6 (76%, AL’s AB Tajul Islam won), Chattogram-6 (73.24%; AL’s ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury won) and Sirajganj-1 (72.32%; AL candidate Tanvir Shakil Joy won).</div><div><br></div><div>The constituencies having over 60 percent voter turnout include Naogaon-1, Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2, Bagerhat-4, Barishal-1, Jamalpur-1, Mymensingh-10, Faridpur-4, Gopalganj-1, Madaripur-1, Cumilla-7, Cumilla-8, Feni-2, Noakhali-6, Chattogram-7 and Bandarban.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim secured the highest 295,291 votes for the ‘boat’ symbol in Gopalganj-2.</div><div><br></div><div>Tanvir Shakil Joy got the second highest, 278,971 votes, in Sirajganj-1.</div><div><br></div><div>Mirza Azam received 276,453 votes in Jamalpur-3 and Dipankar Talukdar got 271,373 votes in Rangamati.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the elected candidates, independent candidate Awlad Hossain secured victory obtaining the lowest number of 24,775 votes in Dhaka-4.</div><div><br></div><div>Candidates who won even after getting less than 40,000 votes are: AL nominated Muhammad Shafikur Rahman (36,458 votes) in Chandpur-4, independent contestant Saddam Hossain Pavel (39,321 votes) in Nilphamari-3 and AL’s Kamal Ahmed Majumdar (39,632 votes) in Dhaka-15.</div><div><br></div><div>Less than 20 percent votes were cast in five constituencies, which are Dhaka-15 (13.04%), Dhaka-17 (16.66%), Dhaka-8 (18.70%), Sylhet-1 (19.30%) and Dhaka-16 (19.88%). In Sylhet-1, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was elected.</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader and Secretary General Mujibul Haque won amid low turnout of voters in their constituencies.</div><div><br></div><div>GM Quader ran the election from Rangpur-3 where the voter turnout was only 22.36%. Mujibul Haque who contested the polls from Kishoreganj-3 witnessed voter turnout of 29.33%.</div><div><br></div><div>The constituencies that witnessed voter turnout of 20-29 percent also include Rangpur-3, Kurigram-1, Kurigram-2, Kurigram-3, Gaibandha-1, Gaibandha-3, Bogura-2, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Chapainawabganj-3, Rajshahi-2, Patuakhali-1, Barishal-5, Mymensingh-5, Mymensingh-6, Mymensingh-8, Kishoreganj-3, Manikganj-1, Dhaka-4, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-6, Dhaka-7, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-11, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-14, Dhaka-18, Dhaka-19, Gazipur-2, Sylhet-5, Sylhet-6, Habiganj-1, Chandpur-3, Chandpur-4, Noakhali-3, Noakhali-4, Lakshmipur-1, Lakshmipur-3, Lakshmipur-4, Chattogram-5, Chattogram-8, Chattogram-10, Chattogram-11, Chattogram-15 and Cox’s Bazar-1.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 4,99,65,467 votes out of 11,89,89,241 were cast in 298 constituencies in the January-7 general election. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 08:53:27', '2024-01-09 08:53:27'),
(10770, 10770, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Jatiya Party (JaPa) Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu today said that those elected from his party won’t participate in tomorrow’s oath-taking ceremony, as most of them are still outside Dhaka.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He came up with the announcement while talking to UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will take oath later, after holding a meeting with party chairman GM Quader upon return of elected members from their areas,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League (AL)-backed candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday\'s general election, while independent candidates -- most belonging to AL -- won 62 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>JaPa candidates won only 11 seats and three candidates from three parties each -- Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party -- secured victory in their respective constituencies. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 09:13:14', '2024-01-09 09:13:14'),
(10771, 10771, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China is prepared to work with the new government of Bangladesh to carry forward the long-established friendship, says its spokesperson today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>China reiterated to promote “high-quality” Belt and Road cooperation, and pursue greater progress for China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>“As an amicable and close neighbour of Bangladesh, China firmly supports Bangladesh in implementing the political agendas in accordance with its law after the election,” Mao Ning, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing held in Beijing.</div><div><br></div><div>The spokesperson mentioned China’s principles of mutual respect, equal footing, mutual benefit and non-interference in other country’s internal affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>China congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her election victory and for successfully holding the 12th National Parliamentary Election as planned. China also felicitated the Awami League for winning the election, accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 09:38:16', '2024-01-09 09:38:16'),
(10772, 10772, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Sunday\'s parliamentary election will be written in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"A free, fair, neutral and participatory election was held with spontaneous participation of the people,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina made the remarks when the&nbsp; Awami League leaders and activists gathered at her official residence Ganabhaban to greet her on the party\'s landslide victory on January 7 12th parliamentary election.</div><div><br></div><div>The victory has paved the way for her to become the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term and overall fifth term in office.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina thanked the Election Commission for holding a wonderful election with support from law enforcement forces, the armed forces and other people involved in it.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that BNP cannot survive in Bangladesh as they follow the advice of their foreign masters.</div><div><br></div><div>\"BNP was out to foil the national election. They have some masters. They don\'t know the people of Bangladesh. It will not be possible to survive in Bangladesh by following the advice of these masters,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection she said that Awami League has no foreign masters as the people are their strength.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that BNP-Jamaat clique hatched many conspiracies to foil the election.</div><div><br></div><div>She said this election has been the most free, fair and disciplined, participatory and competitive of all the polls held after the 1975.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have proved that the election can be held in a free and fair manner under the Awami League government,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister asked the party leaders and workers to work in unison forgetting everything for the welfare of the people of the country and its people.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL President said many of the party nominated candidate have been defeated by independent candidates despite they were confident of their win.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that conspiracies are being hatched to cash in on the conflicts among the party men.</div><div><br></div><div>\"So, work shoulder to shoulder for the welfare of the country and its people forgetting everything by obeying the people\'s mandate,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that the non-participation of some political parties in the election doesn\'t matter as the participation of the masses matters.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If the people don\'t want the Awami League in power, we will show that by their mandate,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she recalled that the mass people had overthrown BNP government within one and a half months as they assumed power through rigging in February 15, 1996 election.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The people of Bangladesh never accept any injustice,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Younger daughter of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and sister of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Rehana presented a flower bouquet to her elder sister.</div><div><br></div><div>General Secretary of the AL Obaidul Quader also spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the central executive body of the AL led by its general secretary greeted prime minister and the party president Sheikh Hasina with a flower bouquet, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 10:21:21', '2024-01-09 10:21:21'),
(10773, 10773, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court today set January 10 (Wednesday) for hearing the bail petitions in several cases filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Sohagh Uddin set the date when Fakhrul’s lawyer Joynul Abedin filed a petition seeking his bail in nine cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Fakhrul was shown arrested in nine separate cases filed with Paltan and Ramna police stations.</div><div><br></div><div>The court accepted the petition to show Fakhrul arrested in the cases. The BNP leader was produced before the court at 11:40 am.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 31, 2023, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Rezaul Karim set January 9 for hearing the bail petitions of Fakhrul in nine separate cases filed with Ramna and Paltan police stations.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul in connection with the October 28 grand rally of BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>Of these, eight were filed with Paltan Police Station and three with Ramna Police Station.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police Station on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice\'s residence during the BNP rally on October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from Mirza Fakhrul, 59 BNP leaders and activists, including standing committee member Mirza Abbas, were accused in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul was arrested in the case on October 29 and has been in jail since then. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:33:18', '2024-01-09 11:33:18'),
(10774, 10774, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An Israeli army drone on Tuesday struck a car in southern Lebanon, leaving several people injured, according to the Lebanese official news agency NNA.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The car was hit with a guided missile near the Ghandouriyeh town, the agency reported, adding that ambulances rushed to the scene to evacuate the injured. It did not provide further details about the condition and the number of injured people.</div><div><br></div><div>The Lebanese health authorities are yet to comment on the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>The development comes as the Israeli army on Monday assassinated Wissam al-Tawil, a senior military commander in the Hezbollah group. Last week, it also assassinated the deputy chief of the Hamas group Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut.</div><div><br></div><div>Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.</div><div><br></div><div>The border clashes come amid an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:44:53', '2024-01-09 11:44:53'),
(10775, 10775, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 57 bodies and 65 injured were brought to Gaza\'s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The ministry, however, did not provide further details on the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring nearly 59,000 others, according to local health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>About 85% of Gazans have been displaced, while all of them are food insecure, according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands of people are living without shelter, and ⁠less than half of aid trucks are entering the territory than before the start of the conflict. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:46:40', '2024-01-09 11:46:40'),
(10776, 10776, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Egypt is not cooperating with Israel regarding the Philadelphia Corridor, a narrow buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza, Egyptian media reported Monday.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Egyptian news outlet Al-Qahera News quoted an Egyptian official who said such reports were “completely false.”</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, Israeli reports claimed that Israel had asked Egypt for more security measures to be enforced and more surveillance equipment to be installed along the Philadelphia Corridor in order to notify Israel if weapons were being smuggled in and to detect the use of tunnels by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>The Philadelphia Corridor is a 14-kilometer (8.69-mile) long corridor which is guaranteed by the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty of 1979.</div><div><br></div><div>It has been patrolled by Egyptian security forces after Israeli forces pulled out of Gaza in 2005.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel\'s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said several times that the corridor must be under Israeli control, a move that if carried out would separate Gaza from Egypt.</div><div><br></div><div>There has been no official comments from Egypt or Israel on the reports.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 23,084 Palestinians have since been killed and 58,926 others injured, according to Gaza’s health authorities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicines. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:49:53', '2024-01-09 11:49:53'),
(10777, 10777, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the main task of the new government will be to take appropriate steps to implement the promises made in the election manifesto.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this at a joint meeting organized at the office of Dhaka District Awami League at Tejgaon on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said the newly elected MPs will take oath at 10 am on Wednesday. The leader of the House will also be determined on this day. The new cabinet will take oath at Bangabhaban at 7pm on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>“The journey of a new Bangladesh begins in 2024. We want to take the country a long way under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party leaders and workers will have to move with a cool head to take forward the country\'s continuous development journey irrespective of party and opinion. There should be no violence or conflict anywhere. The speech that the leader has given to the leaders and activists should be followed word by word. We have to overcome the expectations of the people of the country and the challenges of running the country,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader also urged the party leaders and activists not to engage in any violence after the parliamentary elections. Regarding the BNP\'s movement, he said these are a ploy to keep its leaders and activists energized. The people of the country have voted. Voters boycotted those who called for a boycott.</div><div><br></div><div>“We need to increase our focus against mischief in the future. We don\'t do politics of vengeance. But the BNP does. This will increase their level of public isolation. We are always careful not to do any harm. Facing everything, Awami League is in the centre of today\'s victory. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is steadfast in discharging the responsibilities entrusted to her,” he also said.</div><div><br></div><div>About the statements of some foreign countries in the election, the Awami League general secretary said, “Observers of America, Commonwealth and OIC were present here in this election of Bangladesh. I think those who are making different statements will also understand this based on the positive comments that observers will make from their country after observing the election.”</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League leaders Dr Abdur Razzak, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Dr Dipu Moni, among others, were present at the meeting, According to UNB reports&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 14:19:54', '2024-01-09 14:19:54'),
(10778, 10778, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said that Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves remain in a stronger position amid a volatile situation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking with reporters at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday Kamal said, “The government tries to keep up the forex reserves over USD $30 billion in this year, which was around $26 billion in the last year.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the inward flow of remittances could double from the existing volume if the illegal hundi could be stopped.</div><div><br></div><div>Kamal said that fulfilling the IMF’s conditions of the foreign reserves target for Bangladesh could not be met considering the realistic situation of the economy.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the rate of higher inflation, he said that inflation is important for the economy, and those who do not care about the economy may not want inflation.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to the question of what could be the main challenge for the new government, the finance minister said, \"The new government knows that.\"</div><div><br></div><div>However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government\'s challenge will be the economy. So, the economy will be given importance, he pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>Kamal said that the decision to fix the interest rate of the bank was correct.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"If the interest rate had been kept at the previous level, it would have gone up to 22-24 percent now.\"</div><div><br></div><div>About the interest rate increase again, the finance minister said, \"The interest rate is increasing, that\'s right.\" If the market can take it, why not increase it?</div><div><br></div><div>But the interest rates were fixed at single digits because it was not possible to pay for small, medium, and even large industries considering the situation of then.</div><div><br></div><div>After that, when defaulted loans increased, “We did not allow them to increase by extending the repayment period,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding unusual transactions in the banking sector in his tenure Kamal said, “I have learned from the newspapers that there have been unusual transactions in some cases, it will not be longer.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 14:32:20', '2024-01-09 14:32:20'),
(10779, 10779, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said there is no reason to worry about the US and UK statements on Bangladesh’s election, as they respect people\'s verdict.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The election was held in a free, fair, credible and non-violent manner. That\'s it. We are very happy with it,\" he told reporters when his attention was drawn to the statements from two of Bangladesh’s important partners.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>After attending a “meet and greet” event at State guesthouse Sugandha with diplomats stationed in Dhaka, Momen said the foreign observers also described the election as free, fair and peaceful.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said the people of the country have again exercised their right to vote.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said the people of the country have given their verdict and they need nothing else.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said the foreign observers also thanked the Election Commission for holding the election fairly and peacefully.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Indian High Commission\'s representative, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis, and high commissioners and ambassadors from various other countries were present.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen described the event as just a standard “meet and greet.” “We look forward to seeing better partnership, better cooperation and better accommodation. This is essential to us,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Bangladesh has made many achievements due to cooperation and collaboration.</div><div><br></div><div>The 12th Parliamentary Election marks the continuation of a democratic Bangladesh polity that remains firmly committed to contribute to regional and global peace and security and to eliminate terrorism, counter radicalization and extremism, while championing international development objectives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.</div><div><br></div><div>“With the initiation of the new government, Bangladesh would be geared at further enhancing cooperation with its neighbours to ensure shared economic prosperity in South Asia through promotion of greater regional security, integration and connectivity,” according to a briefing note circulated among the diplomats after Momen’s remarks.</div><div><br></div><div>“Alongside our economic strides, Bangladesh will also succeed in building a democratic society which our future generations will take pride in,” the briefing note reads, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>At the national level, the 12th Parliamentary Election results will usher in a fresh opportunity to infuse further dynamism into the impressive socio-economic performance sustained by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government during its past three tenures. Political stability under democratic rule has contributed a lot to these achievements, it said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 15:15:21', '2024-01-09 15:15:21'),
(10780, 10780, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Saturday that \"the military structure of Hamas has been completely disbanded\" in the northern Gaza Strip.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hagari shared details about the ongoing attacks of the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip at a news conference and indicated that the army is focused on \"disbanding Hamas\" in the central Gaza Strip and the south.</div><div><br></div><div>Hours earlier, the Israeli military stressed in a statement a soldier was killed and another seriously injured in fighting in northern Gaza.​​​​​​​</div><div><br></div><div>Since Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, Israel has continued relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 22,722 Palestinians and injuring 58,166, said health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 9,280 children have been killed in the Israeli onslaught, according to data released by the Gaza Media Office on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli authorities claimed that the Hamas attacks have killed around 1,200 Israelis.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army announced that 510 soldiers have been killed since Oct, 7, when attacks on Gaza began -- 176 during the land invasion process.</div><div><br></div><div>On Nov. 24, a total of 81 Israeli and 240 Palestinian prisoners were released during a \"humanitarian pause,\" which was granted for four days in the fighting and later extended for another three days.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Israel has continued to detain and imprison thousands of Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>Since Oct. 7, a total of 326 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli forces and illegal Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.</div><div><br></div><div>In the ongoing clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border since Oct. 8, a total of 28 Lebanese civilians, 148 Hezbollah members, five Israeli civilians and nine Israeli soldiers died. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 15:36:57', '2024-01-09 15:36:57'),
(10781, 10781, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the citizens of the country have rejected the call to boycott the elections, demonstrating enthusiasm in casting their votes.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The minister made the remarks while talking to journalists in the ministry\'s conference room in the Secretariat on Tuesday noon.</div><div><br></div><div>“Despite the BNP\'s campaign against the polls, the violent attacks on trains on January 5, and sporadic assaults on various polling centers from January 4 to 6, the people have rejected their politics of terror and arson. The country is witnessing a virtual election festival,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the ‘despair’ of the BNP and its like-minded parties for not participating in the election, he said, “They now realize that boycotting the election has harmed them, not the country. The march towards democracy continues unabated.”</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding international observers, including those from the USA, various European Union countries, India, SAARC countries, and OIC countries, the minister said that they held a press conference praising the fair, free, and neutral nature of the election.</div><div><br></div><div>They also paid a courtesy call on the prime minister on Monday afternoon to convey their congratulations, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights\'s statement on the election, Hasan commented, “The statement lacks mention of arson, petrol bombs, and harm to individuals. While addressing human rights and arrests, it fails to acknowledge that those arrested are involved in arson terrorism.”</div><div><br></div><div>When questioned about the US State Department\'s negative statement on the election, Hasan noted, “Prominent figures, including former White House chief of staff, congressmen, CBS News chief news editor, and former members of parliaments from Germany and the European Union, attended a press conference praising the fairness and festive atmosphere of Bangladesh\'s election.”</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the positive reception from India, China, and Russia, and mentioning their rivalry with the USA Hasan said, “Representatives from these countries congratulated the prime minister, expressing their opinion that the election was fair. This support from major nations indicates the credibility of our election, and the US State Department\'s statement would likely have been different without their endorsement,” reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“We collaborate on various issues, including security with the US and they are our significant development partner. The statement also suggests a commitment to improving our relationship and continued collaboration,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 16:02:01', '2024-01-09 16:02:01');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10782, 10782, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">GM Quader, chairman of the Jatiya Party, expressed his commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people and announced his intention to take oath and join the parliament at his residence in Senpara, Rangpur division on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>During a meeting with various MP candidates from Rangpur division on Tuesday evening, Quader stated, \"Since we have participated in the elections, we will not step back from taking the oath at this moment. We will go to the parliament to speak for the people and work towards fulfilling their expectations.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the integrity of the government in the current election, GM Wuader mentioned, \"Where the government aimed to conduct a fair and impartial election, they have succeeded. However, in places where they aimed to win over the people, they have resorted to force and defeated our people.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the meeting\'s agenda, the JP chairman said, \"Many of the candidates of the Jatiya Party in Rangpur division were disheartened by the election results. Therefore, I sat with everyone, listened to their concerns, and collected written statements. These pieces of information will be used for future follow-ups.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Present at the meeting were JAPA Co-Chairman and Rangpur Mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, JAPA Metropolitan General Secretary and Presidium member SM Yasir, and JAPA District General Secretary Haji Abdul Rajjak, among other leaders. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 16:45:28', '2024-01-09 16:45:28'),
(10783, 10783, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told her party’s newly elected MPs that their highest priority should be the welfare of the people.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Therefore, every MPs will have to work for the people in their respective constituencies. You [MPs] will have to ensure that balanced development is done in their areas,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina was addressing at the maiden meeting of Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) of the 12th Parliament at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. She spoke soon after she was elected the leader of the ALPP.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting started at around 12:00pm and continued for around one hour.</div><div><br></div><div>“In her speech Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said democracy and people have won in the January 7 national election,” AL MP Tanvir Shakil Joy quoted Hasina as saying at the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>She, however, didn’t say anything about who is going to be the opposition party in Parliament, Joy told reporters emerging from the ALPP meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>In the ALPP meeting, AL MP Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was nominated as Speaker of the House, AL MP Matia Chowdhury was nominated as deputy leader of the House while Noor E Alam Chowdhury Liton was nominated as chief whip of parliament, Joy told reporters. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 09:22:42', '2024-01-10 09:22:42'),
(10784, 10784, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Three-metre tsunami waves were recorded at, but did not damage, a nuclear plant in Japan in the recent earthquake, its operator told AFP today more than a week after the incident.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The revelation served as a reminder of the risks associated with nuclear power in Japan 13 years after a tsunami wrecked the Fukushima facility in one of the world’s worst atomic disasters.</div><div><br></div><div>The 7.5-magnitude jolt on New Year’s Day and its powerful aftershocks killed at least 203 people in the central Ishikawa region, flattening houses, wrecking infrastructure and leaving thousands without power.</div><div><br></div><div>A tsunami as high as a metre was registered near the Shika plant shortly after 4.30pm on Jan 1, roughly 20 minutes following the original quake, Hokuriku Electric Power said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our analysis has indicated that waves as high as three metres came around 5.45pm,” a spokesman for the utility told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The plant is 11m above sea level and is also protected by a 4m-high seawall built after the 2011 Fukushima accident, he said, stressing the safety of the Shika plant.</div><div><br></div><div>The analysis of the tsunami became available after Hokuriku Electric collected data from an offshore measuring device that had stopped transmitting its records after the quake.</div><div><br></div><div>Minor damage was reported at other nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan shoreline after the earthquake, including leaks of water used to cool nuclear fuel and a partial power shutdown at one plant.</div><div><br></div><div>The plant operators said there was no danger of damage to the environment or the nuclear power stations themselves.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan, one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, took its more than 30 nuclear reactors offline after the 2011 disaster but around a dozen are now back in operation.</div><div><br></div><div>In total, 68 people still remained unaccounted for late yesterday after the Jan 1 quake, according to local authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Almost 3,500 people were still stuck in isolated communities, with almost 30,000 in government shelters, almost 60,000 households without running water and more than 15,000 without electricity. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 10:20:24', '2024-01-10 10:20:24'),
(10785, 10785, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ecuador’s president gave orders yesterday to “neutralise” criminal gangs after gunmen opened fire in a TV studio and bandits threatened random executions on a second day of terror in the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At least 10 people have been killed in a series of attacks blamed on gangs as the country exploded in what President Daniel Noboa called an “internal armed conflict”.</div><div><br></div><div>He ordered military operations to “neutralise” criminal gangs after gangsters declared war following the prison escape on Sunday of one of Ecuador’s most powerful narco bosses.</div><div><br></div><div>Eight people were killed and three were wounded in attacks in the port city of Guayaquil, and two officers were “viciously murdered by armed criminals” in the nearby town of Nobol, police said yesterday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Long a peaceful haven sandwiched between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as rival gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control.</div><div><br></div><div>After the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka “Fito” – leader of Ecuador’s biggest gang Los Choneros – Noboa on Monday declared a countrywide state of emergency and nightly curfew.</div><div><br></div><div>Gangs retaliated, taking police officers hostage, setting off explosions in several cities, and yesterday storming a studio of state-owned TC Television in Guayaquil with guns and explosives.</div><div><br></div><div>Hooded attackers fired gunshots during a live TC broadcast as a woman could be heard pleading, “Don’t shoot, please don’t shoot.”</div><div><br></div><div>The intruders forced terrified crew members onto the ground and a person could be heard screaming as the studio lights went out but the broadcast continued.</div><div><br></div><div>Police entered the studio after about 30 minutes of chaos.</div><div><br></div><div>‘You will get war’</div><div><br></div><div>Noboa, 36, who was elected last year on a pledge to fight drug-related violence, later ordered the military operations against gangs he described as “terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors.”</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities reported multiple explosions and cars set alight yesterday, including in the capital Quito, and said seven police officers had been kidnapped.</div><div><br></div><div>A video circulating on social media showed three of the kidnapped officers sitting on the ground with a gun pointed at them as one was forced to read a statement addressed to Noboa.</div><div><br></div><div>“You declared war, you will get war,” the visibly terrified officer read.</div><div><br></div><div>“You declared a state of emergency. We declare police, civilians, and soldiers to be the spoils of war.”</div><div><br></div><div>The statement added that anyone found on the street after 11pm local time “will be executed.”</div><div><br></div><div>There was panic on the streets, with shops and businesses in various cities closing early and residents rushing home as face-to-face classes were suspended nationwide until Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat for Latin America, said Washington was “extremely concerned” by the violence and kidnappings, and pledged to provide assistance and “remain in close contact” with Noboa’s team.</div><div><br></div><div>Peru yesterday put its border with Ecuador under a state of emergency.</div><div><br></div><div>China’s embassy and consulates in Ecuador announced today that services to the public were suspended.</div><div><br></div><div>“The reopening to the public will be announced in due course,” the embassy said in a statement shared on Chinese social media.</div><div><br></div><div>Chile, Colombia, and Brazil sent messages of support for Noboa yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Return peace to all Ecuadorans’</div><div><br></div><div>A manhunt is under way for Fito, who had been serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking, and murder.</div><div><br></div><div>The 44-year-old is believed to have escaped just hours before police arrived to conduct an inspection of the Guayaquil prison where he was held.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, officials said another narco boss – Los Lobos leader Fabricio Colon Pico – also escaped since his arrest last Friday for alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Ecuador’s attorney-general.</div><div><br></div><div>Unrest has broken out at several penitentiaries, and yesterday the SNAI prisons authority said 125 guards and 14 administrative officers were being held by inmates in five cities.</div><div><br></div><div>Unverified videos circulating on social media purported to show captives armed with knives executing at least two guards.</div><div><br></div><div>The SNAI has not commented on the images.</div><div><br></div><div>The security forces in turn have sent out videos of numerous prison raids since Sunday, with hundreds of inmates amassed in courtyards in their underwear, hands on their heads.</div><div><br></div><div>Noboa had vowed on Monday to “not negotiate with terrorists nor rest until we return peace to all Ecuadorans.”</div><div><br></div><div>Drug violence has taken a heavy toll on the South American country since it became a key stop on the US and Europe-bound cocaine trade.</div><div><br></div><div>The murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022 and a record 220 tonnes of drugs were seized last year.</div><div><br></div><div>Since February 2021, clashes between prisoners have left more than 460 dead, many beheaded or burnt alive. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 10:46:55', '2024-01-10 10:46:55'),
(10786, 10786, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Jatiya Party Chairman and newly elected Member of Parliament from Rangpur-3 Golam Mohammad Quader on Wednesday said he was in the opposition party and wants to stay the same.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The feeling of coming to Parliament is always good. In that sense, it is a matter of pleasure to come to Parliament again,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Just after he took oath as the MP, GM Quader was about the opposition party in the newly elected Parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>He replied, \"I don\'t know exactly what the rule is. But we were in opposition, and want to be in opposition. We are public welfare oriented and we want to do what is good for the people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the protests in the party office over the alleged failure of leadership he said, these are pre-planned things.</div><div><br></div><div>“Some people are trying to tarnish our party\'s image. What had been done was done in consultation with everyone,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about the party getting fewer seats this time he said that things don’t remain the same all the time.</div><div><br></div><div>“This election was not the right election. In some cases it was good. But in most cases, our activists have been harassed in various ways and polling booths were captured,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>GM Quader also said that the election did not really reflect his party’s popularity or its base with the people.</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party secured only 11 seats this time compared to 23 bagged in the 2018 election, according to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 10:55:45', '2024-01-10 10:55:45'),
(10787, 10787, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Israeli army early on Wednesday announced one more Israeli soldier was killed and another seriously injured in fighting with Palestinian groups in the central Gaza Strip.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli public broadcaster KAN identified the slain soldier as Sgt. First Classm Elkana Newlander, 24, a combat medic in the 99th Division, who was killed in fighting yesterday in the central Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 186 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli ground operation in Gaza on Oct. 27.</div><div><br></div><div>The death toll of the Israeli army since the start of the Israeli onslaught against Gaza on Oct. 7 has risen to 520.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 23,210 Palestinians, and injuring 59,167 others, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:08:17', '2024-01-10 11:08:17'),
(10788, 10788, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An attack, which was later claimed by a Sunni Muslim extremist group, killed a policeman in restive southeastern Iran today, state media reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sistan-Baluchistan province, where the attack took place, is one of the few mainly Sunni provinces in Shiite-dominated Iran and has seen persistent unrest involving drug-smuggling gangs and rebels from the Baluchi ethnic minority as well as jihadists.</div><div><br></div><div>“In an exchange of fire this morning between forces from a police station in Rask and members of an armed group, one of the policemen was killed,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.</div><div><br></div><div>The news agency said the firefight lasted around three hours before the arrival of police reinforcements prompted the assailants to withdraw.</div><div><br></div><div>The attack was claimed by the jihadist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) in a brief statement on its Telegram channel. Jaish al-Adl was formed in 2012 and is blacklisted by Iran as a “terrorist” group.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the second deadly attack on security forces in Rask claimed by the group in recent weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 11 officers were killed in a similar attack on a police station in the town before dawn on Dec 15.</div><div><br></div><div>Sistan-Baluchistan province borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and has long been regarded as a key access point for militant groups, drug smugglers, and irregular migrants.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, interior minister Ahmad Vahidi announced new measures to firm up security along the porous border, following twin suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group that killed more than 90 people at a high-profile state event in the southern city of Kerman.</div><div><br></div><div>Vahidi said authorities had identified “priority points to block along the border”. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:25:53', '2024-01-10 11:25:53'),
(10789, 10789, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Expelled Awami League presidium member elected from Tangail-4 (Kalihati) constituency and former minister, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, said that it is not his intention to “turn up the heat,” rather he says what he feels is right.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Latif Siddiqui said this to reporters after taking oath as a member of the 12th Parliament, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that he does not go beyond the relevant topic.</div><div><br></div><div>“I say what I believe is right, even if it seems wrong to others. I don’t say anything beyond that. And I don’t mean to just turn up the heat,” Latif Siddiqui said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:32:08', '2024-01-10 11:32:08'),
(10790, 10790, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Both oil benchmarks saw modest rises on Wednesday, fueled by optimism over US demand, as investors braced for impending economic data signaling the Federal Reserve\'s (Fed) next policy shift, despite the robust US dollar capping gains.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The international benchmark crude Brent traded at $77.84 per barrel at 0717 GMT, a 0.32% increase from the closing price of $77.59 a barrel in the previous trading session on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>The American benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), traded at the same time at $72.53 per barrel, up 0.40% from Tuesday\'s close of $72.24 per barrel.</div><div><br></div><div>The American Petroleum Institute (API) late Tuesday announced an estimated decline of nearly 5.2 million barrels in US crude oil inventories, against the market expectation of a draw of 1.2 million barrels.</div><div><br></div><div>If the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms the stock fall when it releases actual oil stock data later on Wednesday, prices are expected to rise further in the hopes of strengthening demand in the world’s largest oil-consuming country.</div><div><br></div><div>Investors are also keenly awaiting the US Bureau of Labor Statistics\' release of the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Jan. 11. This critical indicator of consumer inflation could heavily influence the Federal Reserve\'s upcoming interest rate decisions.</div><div><br></div><div>In their latest meeting in December, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) acknowledged that the central bank had made clear progress on cooling inflation. However, officials noted that inflation was still above the committee\'s longer-run goal and that there was a risk that progress toward price stability could stall as inflation approaches the Fed\'s 2% target.</div><div><br></div><div>The Fed\'s decisions will be data-dependent, with a focus on inflation and economic indicators. Fed officials, meanwhile, are signaling a potential shift towards rate cuts this year, depending on the trajectory of inflation and economic data.</div><div><br></div><div>The Fed\'s next meeting will be held on Jan. 30-31, and experts expect the policymakers\' approach to be careful and data-dependent.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the strengthening dollar has played its part in restraining crude oil gains. Higher US yields and the country\'s robust economic performance have bolstered the dollar\'s value, which in turn is making oil, priced in dollars, more expensive for holders of other currencies.</div><div><br></div><div>Further dampening oil price momentum is Saudi Arabia\'s strategic move to cut its crude oil prices by $2 a barrel for its Asian clients, a response to calls for more competitive pricing amid intense rivalry in the region. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:50:02', '2024-01-10 11:50:02'),
(10791, 10791, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#6ba54a\">Bangladesh Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday declared from now on none can hinder the advancement of the country as her party is resuming power again following its landslide victory in the January-7 general election.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Since Awami League can come to power again, none can disrupt the current progress of Bangladesh anymore,” she said while addressing a rally at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Awami League arranged the rally in observance of the historic homecoming day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the 1971 Liberation War.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Hasina, who presided over the programme, said many wanted to stop this election, but failed.</div><div><br></div><div>“The voter turnout is 41.8 percent in this election even after there were attempts to prevent the voters from casting their votes, which is a very big matter, \" she said, adding that a particular party was trying to resist the election when AL and its like-minded parties joined it.</div><div><br></div><div>She said none can question the 12th parliamentary election as it was held in fair, free and neutral manners.</div><div><br></div><div>“None can say that the votes were cast at night instead of daytime in this election. None has the power to say anything that the votes were rigged because the election was held in very transparent, free and neutral manners,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>.AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, its presidium members Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Qamrul Islam, among others, spoke at the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader on AL’s behalf greeted Sheikh Hasina with flowers as she is going to be the five-time prime minister through AL’s landslide victory in the January-7 general election.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 10, 1972 Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail during the country’s Liberation War. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 13:25:29', '2024-01-10 13:25:29'),
(10792, 10792, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United Nations (UN) has reiterated its call to all parties in Bangladesh to reject any form of violence and ensure that everyone’s human rights and rule of law are fully respected.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I think, as we’ve told you earlier, the Secretary-General calls on — and very publicly — for all parties to reject all forms of violence and to ensure that everyone’s human rights and everyone’s access to the rule of law are fully respected,\" Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric told reporters during a regular briefing in New York on January 9, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that it is essential for the consolidation of democracy and economic prosperity in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"And he’s, of course, concerned about reports of the violence that we’ve seen,\" said the Spokesperson.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 15:28:55', '2024-01-10 15:28:55'),
(10793, 10793, '<div><font color=\"#3984c6\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammad Shahabuddin has invited Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to form the government as she has gained the confidence of the majority of the members of the Parliament.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>The invitation came after she went to meet him at the Bangabhaban on Wednesday afternoon, said Press Secretary to the president Joynal Abedin.</div><div><br></div><div>On her arrival at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, President Shahabuddin welcomed the premier with a bouquet.</div><div><br></div><div>The press secretary told the news briefing that during the meeting, President Shahabuddin conveyed his sincere greetings and warm congratulations to Sheikh Hasina for having absolute victory in the 12th national elections.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that this victory is a reflection of public opinion to continue the trend of democracy and development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The head of the state said that through this election, the people have given a verdict in favour of independence, the spirit of liberation war, development and progress.</div><div><br></div><div>President Shahabuddin hoped that under the leadership of premier Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will become a smart Bangladesh as well as the golden Bengal of Bangabandhu\'s dream.</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside, President Shahabuddin wished the prime minister all success.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, the prime minister expressed her gratitude to the people of the country for giving Awami League a landslide victory in the national elections. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 15:32:21', '2024-01-10 15:32:21'),
(10794, 10794, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh has retained the status of the top exporter of garment items in the UK market in consideration of quantity in the period of January–October 2023.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) revealing the UK’s import data showed Bangladesh exported 178.39 million kilogrammes (kgs) of garment items to the UK while China shipped 159.25 million kg.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan told UNB that considering the performance of the UK sourcing countries, China is at the top. It is followed by Bangladesh, Turkey, India, and Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh had secured its position as the top garment supplier in Europe in terms of volume (quantity) in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our position in the UK market remains the same because, in 2022, the UK\'s imports from Bangladesh exceeded imports from China, and this trend continues in the first 10 months of 2023,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Bangladesh\'s share of the UK\'s total apparel imports is 23 percent in terms of value and 28 percent in terms of volume, said Faruque.</div><div><br></div><div>“So far, we have been able to secure our position through potential cost savings, timely product delivery, and maintaining quality, which has kept us ahead of the competition in the fashion world,” said BGMEA President.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the UK market still has opportunities as they approach the saturation point, and the global trade policy and competitive landscape will change over the coming decades. The key to capturing more global market share and sustaining growth will be to shift to higher-value products and higher-value markets by acquiring capabilities in backward and forward linkage industries.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh can add higher value by moving into the mid-high price segment of the market, where a T-shirt or a polo shirt can fetch higher FOB revenue only because of the complex process (e.g., advanced fabrication, embroidery, printing, even functionality), he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Incidentally, it would also like to mention that, considering the average price of UK apparel imports, Bangladesh offers the lowest price compared to other competitors, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our average price is 21.39 percent lower than China, 32 percent lower than Turkey, and even 26.75 percent lower than India. This not only proves that we are not competitive in the global market, but at the same time, our absence in the mid-high price segment of the market is starkly evident. At this point, we need to strategise to capture the mid-high price segment to take the industry forward,” said BGMEA President.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 15:52:08', '2024-01-10 15:52:08'),
(10795, 10795, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will return home from Evercare Hospital on Thursday (11 January) after receiving treatment for over five months, said her physician and party vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Madam (Khaleda) will be taken back home tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. The medical board has decided to discharge her from the hospital,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Zahid said the medical board has also decided to provide Khaleda with necessary treatment at her Gulshan\'s residence from Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>“All preparations have been made there in this regard,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 9 last year, she was admitted to the Evercare Hospital as she suddenly fell sick. The BNP Chief has been undergoing treatment there since then for various health complications.</div><div><br></div><div>The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 26, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div><div><br></div><div>The US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades, and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University\'s School of Medicine--went to Bangladesh on October 25 and decided to complete the TIPS procedure after assessing Khaleda’s health condition and test reports.</div><div><br></div><div>TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the pressure of blood flowing through the diseased liver and can help stop bleeding and fluid backup. A TIPS also relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending Khaleda abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP chief’s family also sought permission from the government on different occasions, but the Law Minister said Khaleda has no scope to go abroad for treatment as she was released on conditions suspending her sentence in corruption cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Since her conditional release from jail 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>Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years\' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, on condition that she stays in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 16:07:00', '2024-01-10 16:07:00'),
(10796, 10796, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The year 2023 has been monumental in the realm of health and medical science. As we continually strive to overcome health challenges, the relentless pursuit of medical advancements has yielded significant breakthroughs. These innovations not only promise enhanced healthcare but also showcase the power of science in improving lives globally. In this article, we delve into the top eight medical breakthroughs of 2023, each a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the scientific community.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Biggest Medical Breakthroughs of 2023</div><div>A Leap Forward in Alzheimer’s Disease Management</div><div>In a ground-breaking development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Leqembi, a monoclonal antibody, in July 2023. This medical breakthrough targets the core cause of Alzheimer\'s disease – the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain. These plaques, formed by abnormally proliferating proteins, disrupt neural synapses and cause memory loss. Leqembi intervenes by inhibiting plaque formation, thus preserving cognitive function.</div><div><br></div><div>A pivotal study revealed that administering Leqembi early could delay severe Alzheimer’s progression by up to 30 years, marking a significant stride in medical science.</div><div><br></div><div>Advancing Brain Science with Comprehensive Mapping</div><div>In a collaborative effort, an international team of over 20 scientists achieved a significant medical breakthrough by mapping the brain of a fruit fly, a process that spanned five years.</div><div><br></div><div>This achievement surpasses previous efforts which were limited to simpler organisms with fewer synapses. The complexity of the fruit fly’s brain, comprising around 3000 neurons and half a million synapses, parallels aspects of machine learning mapping, hinting at broader applications in understanding complex brains and advancing AI technologies.</div><div><br></div><div>Deciphering the Mystery Behind Greying Hair</div><div>A team from New York University made significant strides in understanding hair greying. Their research focused on melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. They discovered that these cells cease to traverse the full length of the hair with age, leading to greying. This insight into the melanocyte lifecycle opens up potential medical advancements for reversing the greying process, a development that holds both cosmetic and scientific significance.</div><div><br></div><div>Unveiling the Bacterial Role in Cancer Progression</div><div>A pivotal study published in the Nature journal revealed that certain bacteria can assist cancer cells in evading anti-cancer drugs, marking a crucial medical breakthrough. This discovery challenges the previous assumption that cancer cells operate independently. The bacteria achieve this by breaking down the medication before it reaches the cancer cells. This insight has led to significant alterations in existing anti-cancer medication protocols, highlighting the intricate interplay between microbiology and oncology.</div><div><br></div><div>AI-Driven Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer</div><div>Danish scientists leveraged AI to significantly advance pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Utilizing medical records of 6.2 million patients, they developed an algorithm that identified disease patterns preceding pancreatic cancer.</div><div><br></div><div>This model successfully anticipated 24,000 patterns in patients who later developed pancreatic cancer. When applied to U.S. veterans, the algorithm correctly identified 4,000 cases three years before clinical diagnosis, a monumental step in early cancer detection and treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Pioneering Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy</div><div>2023 saw a major advancement in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe condition impacting children. This medical breakthrough involves replicating the gene responsible for producing dystrophin, a protein essential for muscle integrity and growth. This gene therapy signifies hope for affected individuals, offering a potential route to mitigate muscle wastage and irregular muscle formation.</div><div><br></div><div>Innovating Treatment for Postpartum Depression</div><div>The FDA\'s approval of a new oral medication for postpartum depression marks a significant advancement in mental health treatment. This drug, effective in just three days, offers a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional psychotherapy and intravenous infusions, enhancing postpartum care and support for new mothers.</div><div><br></div><div>Enhancing Pulmonary Embolism Treatment</div><div>The development and FDA approval of the Bashir Endovascular catheters represent a major medical breakthrough in treating pulmonary embolism, a leading cause of cardiovascular deaths. These catheters, equipped with microneedles, facilitate blood flow through clots while enabling targeted anti-clot medication delivery. This innovation promises more efficient, less invasive treatment options for patients.</div><div><br></div><div>Concluding Thoughts on Medical Advancements</div><div>As we embrace another year, the remarkable medical breakthroughs of 2023 stand as beacons of hope and innovation. These advancements not only underline the ongoing evolution in medical science but also spotlight the relentless pursuit of knowledge and technology in bettering human health. Each breakthrough, from Alzheimer\'s management to AI-driven cancer diagnosis, signals a new era in medical science, where the integration of technology and research continues to revolutionize healthcare and save countless lives. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 16:14:32', '2024-01-10 16:14:32'),
(10797, 10797, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#3984c6\">The United States has said \"nothing has changed\" about their desire to see that the aspirations of Bangladeshis are met.</font></span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We obviously still believe in the importance of viable, vibrant democratic institutions all over the world,\" National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters during a media briefing at White House on January 10.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is set to see the formation of a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s foreign friends and partners have already congratulated the Prime Minister and her party, Awami League, on election victory.</div><div><br></div><div>India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the OIC, and other South Asian countries have congratulated her, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,\" US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller earlier said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 08:56:55', '2024-01-11 08:56:55'),
(10798, 10798, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) central office in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan was reopened on Thursday morning, nearly two and a half months after closure following clashes with police during the party’s grand rally on October 28, 2023.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Some BNP leaders and activists, led by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, unlocked the collapsible gate of the office around 10:42am.</div><div><br></div><div>They entered the office while shouting various slogans in the name of party founder Ziaur Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>“We entered BNP’s central office by breaking the lock. A massive rally was foiled through a brutal crackdown by the government’s subservient law-enforcement agencies on October 28…later police locked the office,” said Rizvi.</div><div><br></div><div>He said BNP’s standing committee members, led by Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, will hold a press conference — on the national election held on January 7 — at the office at 3 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said they will now clean the office for holding the press meet.</div><div><br></div><div>After the party’s grand rally was foiled halfway through on October 28 at Nayapaltan amid clashes with police, the collapsible gate of the BNP\'s office was closed with the deployment of a huge number of law enforcers in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>Members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) marked the areas in front of the main gate of the BNP office with the crime scene tape inscribed with \"Do not cross” to collect evidence for investigation into severe political violence.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the CID\'s Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the site and later removed the crime scene tape.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the clashes, law enforcers launched a crackdown on senior BNP leaders and activists, and arrested BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several other leaders, forcing most of them to go into hiding to avoid arrest.</div><div><br></div><div>Though thousands of BNP leaders and activists brought out a Victory Day rally on December 16 in Nayapaltan, they did not reopen their central office.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP finally reopened the office four days after the 12th parliamentary election that was boycotted by most opposition parties. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 09:01:05', '2024-01-11 09:01:05'),
(10799, 10799, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#634aa5\"><b>Cold weather conditions are likely to prevail across the country due to fog, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said today.</b></font></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Lowest temperature in the country today was recorded at 10.3°C, at Nikli in Kishoreganj, according to the Met Office.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperature may rise after two days on Saturday, said Afroza Sultana, assistant meteorologist of BMD.</div><div><br></div><div>Moderate to thick fog may occur over the country during midnight to morning and it may continue till noon in places, the Met Office said.</div><div><br></div><div>In Dhaka, the temperature was recorded at 14.2°C today.</div><div><br></div><div>Air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may be disrupted temporarily due to fog.</div><div><br></div><div>Night temperature may fall slightly over the country and day temperature may fall slightly over the southern part and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>UNB’s Kurigram correspondent reported that daily life is disrupted in the district due to bone-chilling cold.</div><div><br></div><div>People on the streets were seen lighting fires to keep themselves warm as the sun remains invisible due to dense fog.</div><div><br></div><div>The temperature was recorded at 11.5 degrees Celsius today in the district, said Subal Chandra Sarkar, in-charge of Rajarhat Weather Observatory, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“The cold day situation may prevail for two more days,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 09:08:19', '2024-01-11 09:08:19'),
(10800, 10800, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, has been elected as the President of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, and UNOPS for 2024 at the elections held at United Nations Headquarters.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The member states also elected the Ambassadors of Colombia, Germany, Romania and Ethiopia as Vice-Presidents of the Executive Board.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>With this election, Bangladesh takes up the Presidency of the Executive Board of these three very important agencies of the United Nations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As the President of the Board, Bangladesh will be able to contribute further to the work of the UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, who have specific mandates to support the countries achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh will also be able to work closely with the other board members and the leaderships of these three vital UN Agencies and provide them with strategic guidance.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In his inaugural statement, Ambassador Muhith thanked the members of the Executive Board for electing him as the President. He also expressed his appreciation to UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS for their remarkable contributions in empowering people around the world and advancing their development aspirations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“In the context of the difficult challenges that the development agenda of the United Nations suffered due to the pandemic and ongoing humanitarian and climate crises, UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS need to prepare themselves to deliver better, based on new and reinvigorated multilateral commitments and through coordinate efforts and engagement with all stakeholders,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“And the Executive Board will remain ready to provide those agencies with necessary direction and resources so that they can continue to be at the forefront of all such efforts,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The election of Ambassador Muhith as the President of the Board comes as a demonstration of the trust and confidence Bangladesh enjoys in the UN as well as recognition of Bangladesh’s unique success in achieving sustainable development through innovative means under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>Since joining this Mission as the Permanent Representative in July 2022, Ambassador Muhith has served as the Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the President of the Executive Board of UN-Women and the Vice-President of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS.</div><div><br></div><div>The Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, composed of 36 members, was created by General Assembly resolution in 1993.</div><div><br></div><div>The Executive Board superseded the 48-member Governing Council on 1 January 1994.</div><div><br></div><div>The Executive Board is responsible for providing inter-governmental support to and supervision of the activities of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council, and the responsibilities set out in the United Nations Charter. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 09:34:29', '2024-01-11 09:34:29');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10801, 10801, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">The Papua New Guinea government worked to restore order Thursday after at least 15 people were reportedly killed during rioting and looting that left the country’s two biggest cities in flames.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The unrest began in the capital, Port Moresby, on Wednesday after hundreds of police officers, soldiers, prison staff and public servants walked off their jobs in protest over a pay dispute.</div><div><br></div><div>The Papua New Guinea government attributed the pay cut to an administrative glitch.</div><div><br></div><div>Similar riots also caused damage in Lae, the second-biggest city in the southwestern Pacific country. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that at least 15 people died in Port Moresby and Lae.</div><div><br></div><div>An additional 180 defense personnel flew into Port Moresby on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Tensions in the country have risen amid high unemployment and increased living costs.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said Port Moresby was “under stress and duress” but that violence had eased.</div><div><br></div><div>“Police were not at work yesterday in the city and people resorted to lawlessness — not all people, but in certain segments of our city,” Marape said in a news conference on Thursday. ”(The) situation report as of this morning shows tension in the city has subsided.”</div><div><br></div><div>Many shops and banking services were closed Thursday as business owners repaired damage.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation of mostly subsistence farmers where some 800 languages are spoken. It is in a strategically important part of the South Pacific. With 10 million people, it the most populous South Pacific nation after Australia, which is home to 26 million.</div><div><br></div><div>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appealed for calm. He said his government had not received any requests for help from its closest neighbor.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea and Australia last month signed a bilateral security pact.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our high commission in Port Moresby are keeping a very close eye on what is occurring there, making sure Australians are looked after,” Albanese told reporters Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea struggles to contain escalating tribal violence and civil unrest in remote regions and has a long-term aim to increase its police numbers from 6,000 officers to 26,000. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 10:49:13', '2024-01-11 10:49:13'),
(10802, 10802, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sheikh Hasina was on Thursday sworn-in as the prime minister of Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive term – the fifth overall - after she led her Awami League party to a massive victory in last weekend’s parliamentary election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin conducted the oath of office and secrecy to the 76-year-old prime minister at a ceremony watched by foreign diplomats, high civil and military officials and elite of the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The oath-taking ceremony took place a day after the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) unanimously elected Hasina as the Leader of the House paving the way for her to become the prime minister for an overall fifth term, a record in Bangladesh history.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, the elder daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won from the Gopalganj-3 parliamentary with a huge margin in the January 7 election. She never lost from this seat in her home district since her first contest in 1986.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana survived the August 15, 1975 mayhem that saw the assassination of Bangabandhu along with most members of his family. They were then on vacation in Germany. From Germany the two sisters, the only survivors of Bangabandhu’s family, went to India for about six years of exiled life.</div><div><br></div><div>Still in exile in India Hasina was elected the president of Awami League at the age of 34. She returned home from India on May 17, 1981 and immediately launched a campaign against the rule of military ruler Ziaur Rahman for restoration of democracy.</div><div><br></div><div>Later she led a pro-democracy movement against the autocratic rule of HM Ershad leading to her downfall in 1990. However, in the general election held in 1991 the Awami League lost to its arch rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>The Awami League, led by Hasina, won the June 1996 parliamentary elections returning to power for the first time since the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2001 Hasina became the first leader to step down peacefully after serving full five-year term in office and handed over power to a caretaker administration as per the constitution. Her party though was defeated in the 2001 election conducted by a caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>She again led her party to an absolute win in the 2008 election overseen by a military-backed interim government. She took office for the second time in 2009. She also won the next three elections in 2014, 2018 and the latest on January 7, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2014, Hasina’s party won 153 of the 300 parliamentary seats without a contest thanks to a BNP-led opposition boycott. Though BNP joined the 2018 polls, it was tainted by allegations of massive irregularities, denied by the Awami League. The BNP also stayed away from the January 7 polls after the government rejected its demand to hold the vote under a neutral caretaker administration.</div><div><br></div><div>The January 7 election the Awami League secured 222 seats. The independent candidates, largely from AL bagged 62 and the Jatiya Party, led by GM Quader, got only 11 seats. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 15:27:16', '2024-01-11 15:27:16'),
(10803, 10803, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A total of 36 ministers took oath as members of the new cabinet on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to the ministers held at Bangabhaban at 7pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, 25 members of the parliament took oath as ministers while 11 as state ministers.</div><div><br></div><div>A gazette notification, signed by Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, was issued in regards to their appointment this evening, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The 25 ministers are: AKM Mozammel Haque (Ministry of Liberation War Affairs), Obaidul Quader (Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges), Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun (Ministry of Industries), Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (Ministry of Home Affairs), Dr. Hasan Mahmud (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Dr. Dipu Moni (Ministry of Social Welfare), Tajul Islam (Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives), Farooq Khan (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism), Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali (Ministry of Finance), Advocate Anisul Haq (Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs), Abdus Shaheed (Ministry of Agriculture), Sadhan Chandra Majumder (Ministry of Food), RAM Ubaidul Mokhtadir Chowdhury (Ministry of Housing and Public Works), Abdur Rahman (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock), Narayan Chandra Chanda (Ministry of Land), Abdus Salam (Ministry of Planning), Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel (Ministry of Education), Farhad Hossain (Ministry of Public Administration),&nbsp; Faridul Haque Khan (Ministry of Religious Affairs), Zillul Hakim (Ministry of Railway), Saber Hossain Chowdhury (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), Jahangir Kabir Nanak (Ministry of Textiles and Jute), Nazmul Hasan Papon (Ministry of Youth and Sports), Yeafesh Osman (Ministry of Science and Technology) and Dr. Samanta Lal Sen (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, Yeafesh Osman and Dr. Samanta Lal Sen will serve as technocrat ministers.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Mohammad A. Arafat took the oath as the State Minister for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Other ministers who also took oath include Zunaid Ahmed Palak (Information and Communication Technology Division), Nasrul Hamid (Power Division), Simeen Hossain (Rimi) (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), Rumana Ali (Ministry of Primary and Mass Education), Ahsanul Islam (Titu) (Ministry of Commerce), Shafikur Rahman Chowdhury (Ministry of Expatriates\' Welfare and Overseas Employment), Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury (Ministry of Shipping), Zahid Farooq (Ministry of Water Resources), Kujendra Lal Tripura (Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs), and Mohibbur Rahman (Ministry of Labour and Employment).</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 15:48:57', '2024-01-11 15:48:57'),
(10804, 10804, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has chosen an experienced politician - Mohammed Hasan Mahmud - to oversee her government\'s foreign policy- friendship to all, malice towards none - in a changed scenario globally amid intensified geopolitics and big powers rivalry.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud, who served as Information and Broadcasting Minister in the last tenure, has been appointed as next foreign minister.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The portfolio was distributed after the oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban on Thursday evening.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud replaced AK Abdul Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>He was elected from Chattogram-7 this time though he was elected the Jatiya Sangsad member from Chittagong-6 constituency during 2008–2018.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He was appointed as the state minister for foreign affairs in January 2009 in Sheikh Hasina\'s cabinet but 6 months later he was moved to the position of state minister for environment and forests.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In November 2011, he was promoted to the full minister of environment and forest. Dr. Hasan, who ran in the general elections from Chittagong-6 constituency, pledged to take initiative to rebuild Mariamnagar embankment to save all the unions from the Karnaphuli erosion. He also said that he would try to make Rangunia free of terrorists and would build road and other infrastructures.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Hasan was elected from Chittagong-7 constituency in the 10th parliamentary elections in 2014 and in the 11th parliamentary elections in 2018. He became the Information Minister in the fourth cabinet of Sheikh Hasina in the Eleventh Parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud completed his BSc Honours and Masters in Chemistry from Chittagong University (CU) in 1987 and 1989 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister obtained his higher degree on international politics from Geneva in 1996. He did another post-graduation in Environmental Science from Breeze University of Brussels in Belgium in the same year.</div><div><br></div><div>He obtained his PhD degree in Environmental Chemistry from Limburg University in the years of 2000-2001. He has been involved with politics since his student life. He was the senior vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) unit at CU in 1986 and president in 1989-90.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Hasan performed as the general secretary of Belgium chapter of Awami League (AL) since 1995 until he returned home in 2001.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He had been the assistant personal secretary (APS) to AL Chief Sheikh Hasina since November 2001.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, he was also the central secretary for forest and environment affairs of the party.</div><div><br></div><div>During 1996–2001, Mahmud served as the political and parliamentary affairs adviser to then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>Political Background:</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Hasan Mahmud is also Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League and served as Secretary, Publicity &amp; Publications, Bangladesh Awami League (December 2012 to 2019).</div><div><br></div><div>He has been actively performing political activities since his student life. He was involved in politics both at home and abroad bearing a very successful leadership background at local and national level politics.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1977, he was involved with student league of Zamal Khan ward in Chattogram City.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1978, he started his political career as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Student League at Government Intermediate College, Chattogram.</div><div>In 1979, he was elected as the founding General Secretary of Bangladesh Student League of Government Hazi Mohsin College, Chattogram.</div><div><br></div><div>He was also in charge of educational Secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan Student League.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1986, he took over the responsibility of Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Student League at Chattogram University.</div><div>In 1988, he became the President of Bangladesh Student League at Chattogram University.</div><div><br></div><div>Under his able leadership, All-Party Student Unity got a landslide victory in the election of Chattogram University Students Union in 1990.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1992, Dr. Mahmud became the youngest member of Bangladesh Awami League, Chattogram North District.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1992, he went to Brussels, Belgium for higher study.</div><div><br></div><div>He served as an elected President of Bangladesh Students Association as well as International Students Association represented by more than 60 countries while studying at Birje University during 1993-94 and 1994-95 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1993 and (1995-2000), he was in charge of Senior Vice-President and General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Belgium respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2001, Dr. Hasan Mahmud was appointed as special assistant to the Leader of the Opposition and President of Bangladesh Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2002, he was appointed as Secretary, Environment and Forest affair’s of Bangladesh Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2007, when the President of Bangladesh Awami League Sheikh Hasina was arrested by the Army backed government, Dr. Hasan Mahmud worked as the spokes man of the party and it was much appreciated by the workers and followers.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2008, He was elected as Member of the Parliament (MP) for the first time as defeating the Political leader Salahuddin Kader Chodhury.</div><div><br></div><div>In (2009-2013), He was appointed as Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest. Prior to this appointment, he was appointed as State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment and Forest respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>Being the youngest member in the working committee of Bangladesh Awami League, he was nominated as Environment affairs secretary in 2002.</div><div><br></div><div>Special Award:</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Hasan Mahmud, MP is a well-known environmentalist both in home and abroad. He was awarded with the “Certificate of Honorable Mention” by Green Cross International”- an Environmentalist organization for his strong role of global climate change.</div><div><br></div><div>As the President of Parliamentary Standing Committee of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of National Parliament he worked very successfully to tackle the country’s environmental and climate threatening issues. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 16:03:57', '2024-01-11 16:03:57'),
(10805, 10805, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former US president Donald Trump arrived at a New York court today to observe closing arguments in a civil fraud trial that could hobble his business empire, as a threat against the judge overseeing the case prompted the court to bolster security.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The New York Times reported that authorities in suburban Nassau County responded to a bomb threat at the home of Justice Arthur Engoron, who has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism.</div><div><br></div><div>A court spokesman confirmed that Engoron had been threatened and a Nassau County spokesman confirmed that police had responded to a security incident at a residence at 5.30am local time, without providing further details.</div><div><br></div><div>Security has been an issue throughout the months-long trial. Engoron’s top staffer faced threats after Trump criticised her as politically biased, prompting the judge to issue a gag order barring him from disparaging court staff. Trump was fined US$15,000 for twice violating the order.</div><div><br></div><div>Most recently, Engoron yesterday denied Trump’s bid to deliver his own closing arguments after the former president would not accept ground rules barring him from making a “campaign speech.”</div><div><br></div><div>Trump has criticised the trial as a “witch hunt” and complained that he was not being allowed to make his case.</div><div><br></div><div>“I really have no rights,” Trump said as he arrived at the court. “We’ll see whether or not the judge allows me to speak.”</div><div><br></div><div>The state is seeking nearly US$370 million in penalties from the former US president for overstating his net worth to banks.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawsuit by New York’s attorney-general Letitia James alleges Trump and his associates inflated the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure better loan terms and other financial benefits for more than a decade.</div><div><br></div><div>Some onlookers cheered and chanted “Thank you, James” as she arrived at the courthouse.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the November election, has denied wrongdoing. He has complained that the trial is interfering with his campaign but has used occasional court appearances to rally support with inflammatory remarks to news cameras assembled outside.</div><div><br></div><div>Republican voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will be the first to decide their preferred nominee this month in contests that are seen as bellwethers for the wider race.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawsuit is one of many legal troubles Trump faces, though none have diminished his commanding lead over party rivals.</div><div><br></div><div>Engoron presided over the trial in Manhattan and will issue a verdict at a later date without a jury. He found Trump liable for fraud in September, leaving the trial to focus largely on how much money Trump should surrender as ill-gotten gains.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump has appealed Engoron’s prior order and is almost certain to appeal any verdict against him, which could delay a final judgment for many months to a year or more.</div><div><br></div><div>Throughout the trial, the state’s lawyers sought to show that Trump consistently overvalued many of the towers, golf clubs, and other assets that burnished his reputation as a business mogul before he entered politics.</div><div><br></div><div>During defiant and meandering testimony in November, Trump defended the valuations of his properties, boasted of his business acumen, and accused James and Engoron of being political partisans.</div><div><br></div><div>The trial featured a tense face-to-face reunion between Trump and his one-time lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who had not seen his former employer in person since their acrimonious break five years ago. Cohen said Trump directed him to change asset values on his financial statements to arrive at whatever arbitrary net worth he desired.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump’s lawyers said Cohen lacked credibility because of his past felony convictions and open animosity toward Trump. That was the basis for one of their several bids for an immediate verdict in their favour, all of which Engoron denied.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump’s adult children Donald Jr, Eric, and Ivanka Trump also testified, saying they had little or no involvement in preparing their father’s financial statements while running the Trump Organization. All three have denied wrongdoing.</div><div><br></div><div>Unlike her brothers, Ivanka Trump is not a defendant.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump faces four potential criminal trials this year. He has been charged in Washington and Georgia for his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss, in Florida for his handling of classified documents, and in New York for hush money he paid to a porn star.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump has pleaded not guilty in all those cases. - Reuters</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 16:14:39', '2024-01-11 16:14:39'),
(10806, 10806, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid homage&nbsp; to the martyrs of the Liberation War, a day after taking oath to form the government for the fourth consecutive term and fifth overall.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hasina as the prime minister first placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of the capital city around 11 in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Flanked by the new cabinet colleagues the PM also placed another wreath at the altar of the National Memorial.</div><div><br></div><div>After laying the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the independence of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while bugle played the last post on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Sheikh Hasina signed the visitors’ book kept on the National Memorial premises.</div><div><br></div><div>PM\'s younger sister Sheikh Rehana was also present.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister with her new cabinet members earlier in the morning paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi in the capital in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fifth term,foure&nbsp; days after the Awami League secured a landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7 bagging 222 parliamentary seats out of 298.</div><div><br></div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Sheikh Hasina and her new ministers at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7.06pm on Thursday. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-12 07:13:00', '2024-01-12 07:13:00'),
(10807, 10807, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">The new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mausoleum marking installation of her government for the fourth consecutive term and the fifth overall.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister first paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his grave in Tungipara.</div><div><br></div><div>A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while bugle played the last post on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Flanked by the new cabinet colleagues, Hasina, also the Awami League president, placed another wreath at the altar of the mausoleum.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina joined a special munajat and offer fateha seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she placed another wreaths taking leaders of Kotalipara and Tungipara Awami League.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Awami League registered a landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7 bagging 222 parliamentary seats out of 298, according to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 09:18:02', '2024-01-13 09:18:02'),
(10808, 10808, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said, “They (the opposition) are looking towards their foreign friends to ensure that this government cannot stay in power. However, our Prime Minister does not care about any sanctions or visa policies.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He made these remarks during an exchange of views with journalists after paying tribute at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation in Tungipara, Gopalganj.</div><div><br></div><div>At this time, he also mentioned that the opposition is hoping for sanctions like those in Cambodia. “But our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not worry about these sanctions or visa policies.” According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 09:42:15', '2024-01-13 09:42:15'),
(10809, 10809, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Around 4.5 kg of gold was recovered from underneath the seat of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram by National Security Intelligence (NSI) and customs detectives on Saturday morning.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Joint Director of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID), Md Saifur Rahman, confirmed the matter.</div><div><br></div><div>Acting on a tip-off, NSI and CIID officials raided Biman\'s BG-152 flight from Sharjah that landed at the airport around 8:40 am on Saturday, said the CIID official.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, they recovered the gold wrapped in four packets from underneath the seats of the aircraft.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 69 gold bangles, 11 chains, two lockets, and three rings weighing 4.5 kg, or 385.93 tolas, were found in the four packtes.</div><div><br></div><div>CIID officials said the market value of the gold is around Tk 3.85 crore, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Legal action is being taken regarding the matter, they said.&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 10:37:18', '2024-01-13 10:37:18'),
(10810, 10810, '<div>Hebrew news site, Walla, said late Friday that 4,000 Israeli soldiers have become disabled since the beginning of the war against the Gaza Strip in October, with estimations suggesting that the number could rise to 30,000.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The country is preparing to receive a large number of disabled Israeli soldiers, and after 100 days of the war, around 4,000 soldiers have already been acknowledged as having disabilities,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The site considered Hamas\' attack on Oct. 7 as having \"led Israel into a war that it had not previously experienced in terms of the number of soldier injuries, but more importantly, the injuries are extremely severe.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Thanks to the devoted and high-quality care provided by rescue teams and medical teams, those with severe injuries survive,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The site added that the Israeli army \"does not provide all data about the wounded to the public, for fear that it will lower people\'s morale.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Currently, about 4,000 soldiers (with disabilities) have been recognized according to classification 3, meaning they are entitled to all treatments and rights enjoyed by a disabled person in the Israeli army without being officially recognized in this way,\" said Walla.</div><div><br></div><div>It noted that salaries are being paid to injured soldiers and their treatment without the need to prove anything and that the rehabilitation process \"will begin soon to reintegrate them into life.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The site quoted Idan Kaliman, chairman of the Israel Defense Forces Organization for the Disables, who said: \"I have been in the organization for 30 years, and I have never encountered such a large number of severely wounded individuals. There are many wounded with amputated limbs, blindness, or paralysis.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Kaliman pointed out that there are \"many wounded who have had their limbs amputated, as well as those who were blinded and paralyzed.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army announced the conscription of 360,000 reservists in the ongoing war against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, while the ground operation began Oct. 27.</div><div><br></div><div>As of early Friday, the number of officers and soldiers killed in the ranks of the army since the beginning of the war hit 520, including 186 since the start of the ground war in Gaza. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 11:18:53', '2024-01-13 11:18:53'),
(10811, 10811, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 135 Palestinians have been killed and 312 others injured in the last 24 hours, as the Israeli forces continued their onslaught on the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said on Saturday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The Israeli occupation (forces) committed 12 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 135 deaths and 312 injuries during the past 24 hours,” a ministry statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli army\'s ongoing attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 23,843, with 60,317 injured, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities claim the attacks by Hamas have killed around 1,200 Israelis.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 13:33:51', '2024-01-13 13:33:51'),
(10812, 10812, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Algeria described the US-British airstrikes in Yemen on Friday as a \"dangerous escalation\" that will undermine UN “efforts to find a solution to the conflict” in the country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement the \"deep concern and regret\" about the airstrikes \"that targeted several cities in the sisterly Republic of Yemen.\"</div><div><br></div><div>It emphasized that the security of the Red Sea cannot be resolved by ignoring the clear relationship between the attacks on commercial ships by the Houthis and the massacres committed by Israel in Gaza for the last three months.</div><div><br></div><div>The statement said the Algerian government is against military interventions that could have catastrophic consequences for world peace.</div><div><br></div><div>It called on all parties to cease escalating the problem disproportionately and dangerously and to delve into the roots and real causes of the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>US and British warplanes carried out airstrikes on targets in the cities of Sanaa, Hodeidah and Taiz in Yemen early Friday. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 13:49:40', '2024-01-13 13:49:40'),
(10813, 10813, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Russian energy giant Gazprom announced on Saturday that it set a new record for daily gas deliveries to China on Jan. 12.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The supply via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline has again exceeded the company\'s daily contractual obligations,\" the company said in a statement, without specifying how many hydrocarbons were supplied.</div><div><br></div><div>Gazprom said deliveries via the Power of Siberia are made under the terms of a bilateral long-term agreement with Chinese energy company CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation).</div><div><br></div><div>The Power of Siberia pipeline, built by Gazprom in Eastern Siberia between 2015 and 2019, transports natural gas from Russia\'s Yakutia region to China. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 14:08:20', '2024-01-13 14:08:20'),
(10814, 10814, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#634aa5\">Russia has said the leadership of Bangladesh should be recognised for creating favourable conditions for the free expression of voters’ will despite external attempts to influence the election outcome.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"External attempts to influence the election’s outcome were observed, as we mentioned on November 22 and December 15, 2023,\" Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the parliamentary elections and appointment of a new government in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Local observers and over 200 international observers, including those from Russia, have confirmed the legitimacy of the election and its adherence to generally accepted standards, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Andrey Shutov, a member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, headed the Russian delegation in Bangladesh during the election.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 11, a new government was formed in Bangladesh, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being reappointed to the position she previously held.</div><div><br></div><div>President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin extended their congratulations to her on assuming office.</div><div><br></div><div>The ruling Bangladesh Awami League secured 222 out of the 300 seats in the parliament, winning the majority of votes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful outcome of the election,\" said Maria Zakharova, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, she said, some opposition parties chose not to participate in the election process.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 14:25:00', '2024-01-13 14:25:00'),
(10815, 10815, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A brilliant former law student of Rajshahi University (RU), who claims to have topped both his undergratuate and post-graduate classes, announced he is returning the prizes he received from the government for outstanding academic performances, including the ‘Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal Award’.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Md Nurul Huda, who is currently practicing in the Supreme Court as a lawyer, framed his action as a surrender in the face of the \'corruption, irregularities and nepotism\' he encountered in the teacher recruitment process at RU, when he tried to join its law faculty and pursue a career in academia.</div><div><br></div><div>He also announced that he would return RU’s gold medal award on the same ground.</div><div><br></div><div>Former student Md Nurul Huda came up with the announcements at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Huda said he \"lost to the graft and nepotism in the recruitment of teachers\" when applying for a post in the university, despite securing outstanding results in his Honours and Masters.</div><div><br></div><div>He stood first in both LLB and LLM examinations and secured a CGPA of 3.64 out of 4.</div><div><br></div><div>He obtained the ‘University Gold Medal’ in 2017 and the ‘Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal’ in 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>Calling education the backbone of a nation, he alleged that financial transactions, nepotism and irregularities in such important issues as recruitment of teachers in the universities, can only spell the destruction of the country\'s education system.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am rejecting the Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal protesting corruption, irregularities and nepotism in the recruitment of teachers in different universities of the country, including Rajshahi University,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Relaying his own experience with corruption in the recruitment process for three teachers for his department in 2018, Huda alleged that the then pro vice chancellor (Pro VC) and also one of the members of the recruitment board, Chowdhury Mohammad Jakaria, proposed a recruitment scheme that would generate kickbacks for a clique within the faculty.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, another member of the recruitment board and the then chairman of the law department, Prof Abdul Hannan, took Tk 2 lakh from him as loan, he alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>Though the then-VC Abdus Sobhan,who was chairing the recruitment board, was informed about the issue, he didn’t take any action, Huda alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>“On the recommendation of the recruitment board consisting of questionable and privileged members, three teachers were appointed, all of whom had worse results than me,” said Huda, now a practising lawyer instead of perched in the academic world.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that the investigation committee of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has declared the recruitment board illegal, Huda and his wife appeared before the investigation committee formed under the direction of the Prime Minister\'s Office and the Ministry of Education in September 2020, and submitted evidence of the teacher recruitment business and various irregularities.</div><div><br></div><div>The UGC investigation committee\'s report said the allegations of teacher recruitment trade and various irregularities were proved while calling the recruitment board an illegal entity.</div><div><br></div><div>The committee’s report also recommended cancellation of the appointment of 34 teachers, including VC Abdus Sobhan\'s daughter and son-in-law, who were appointed according to the teacher recruitment policy of 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>The UGC mentioned in the report that even the Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal recipients have to run behind the teachers, or transact money for the appointment of teachers.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet after three years of publication of the investigation report by UGC, no visible steps were taken to address the situation, including no action against those involved in corruption.</div><div><br></div><div>Calling it tantamount to rejecting the Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal, Huda confirmed there were no further consequences for the perpetrators of a diabolical recruitment scheme in the education sector, leading to his actions today, in a mark of protest. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 14:39:22', '2024-01-13 15:58:27'),
(10816, 10816, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said their party is formulating fresh programmes to gear up the movement demanding a fresh election under a non-partisan government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Surely, we’re (thinking of) various programmes...our leaders are sitting almost every day...we’ll inform you once our programmes are finalised,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also said their party is still continuing its movement with various programmes. “We have the political parties with us... we have issues to talk to them... we will talk to everyone and formulate the fresh programmes, and then inform you.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the ruling party is now celebrating by forming a government with illegal entities. “Such a festival of the ruling party will one day be the festival of the people through their (AL’s) defeat and through their fall.\"</div><div><br></div><div>New AL govt is \"blackest artificial regime\": Rizvi</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said that the ruling party is rejoicing by depriving the people of their right to vote by conducting one-sided elections, just as ferocious and bloodthirsty animals like wolves and lions catch prey and feast on it.</div><div><br></div><div>“The pleasure they take in preying on people will one day lead to dire consequences for them. On that day the people will be victorious,” he warned.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said people\'s justified movement for justice and democracy will never go in vain. “It is a record of history and it is a testimony of history. The people are not defeated...evil forces can restrain the wave of people for a while but they won’t be able to stop it.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that their party’s jailed leaders and workers have been staying in a suffocating atmosphere as the prisons have become Hitler\'s concentration camps.</div><div><br></div><div>“The highest level of oppression has been applied there (in jails), taking away all basic human rights of (the prisoners belonging to the opposition parties),” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also claimed jailed senior BNP leaders, including its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas and Amir Khosru Mahmud</div><div><br></div><div>“The highest record number of people died in custody in a few weeks. Sheikh Hasina\'s jail is only comparable to the brutal persecution of Hitler\'s concentration camps,\" the BNP leader observed, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>He said the dummy government felt the warmth of illegal power by unleashing the law enforcers against the common people, but the farmers, labourers, day laborers and low-income people are going through serious ordeals due to shivering cold, especially in the northern part of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“I call upon the rich people and the leaders and workers of BNP to stand by the helpless people,” Rizvi added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 15:14:23', '2024-01-13 15:14:23'),
(10817, 10817, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the new tenure of her government would give foremost priority on keep rolling the development spree alongside containing the price hike of essential commodities and increasing people’s purchasing power.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Our prime task would be keep continuing the ongoing development, contain price of essentials and increase purchasing power of the people,” she said while speaking at a post-election greetings and views exchange meeting with leaders and activists of her constituency (Gopalganj-3) in Tungipara at Awami League office here.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League won 12th parliamentary election with landslide victory and formed the government for fourth consecutive term.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that there is no scarcity of food items in the market, she said, “I don’t see any major problem in rural areas, however people of limited income group living in capital Dhaka are suffering due to higher prices of various items.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina, also President of Awami League, observed that a vested quarter is responsible for price increase to multiply the sufferings of the people, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>She also laid emphasis on increasing production and strengthening supervision on supply chain.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 15:47:36', '2024-01-13 15:47:36'),
(10818, 10818, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the prime task of her new government will be to continue the development trend, control the price hike and enhance the purchasing power of the people.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while speaking at a post-election greetings exchange meeting with leaders and activists of her own constituency (Gopalganj-3) in Tungipara at Awami League office here.</div><div><br></div><div>“I do not see any major problem in rural areas, but the people who have limited income and people in Dhaka city are suffering more with the prices of various items,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the chief of the ruling Awami League, said that there is no scarcity of food in the market.</div><div><br></div><div>“But it seems that some are intentionally increasing prices of essentials to harass people. We have to increase our supervision properly for this. We have to increase our production,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She apprehended that another blow over the global economy might come due to the attack on Houthis in Yemen by the USA and the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that conspiracy against her government is still on.</div><div><br></div><div>“This conspiracy is divided into two parts. In one group are the killers or their perpetrators, war criminals whose trial was ensured, and they are hatching a conspiracy. Another one is from the international level,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said that 90 percent people of the country are muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>“And I am a woman. Being a woman I am in power for five times that is not being accepted by many countries,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that due to the geographical position many countries have their evil eyes on Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>She asserted that she will not allow anyone to unleash terrorist attacks on another country sitting in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are an independent and sovereign country, we will move independently, we might be small in size, but we have a huge population, and they are my biggest strength.”</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that there was a conspiracy for preventing her from coming to power again.</div><div><br></div><div>“They will put ( in power) anyone who will be under their extreme control so that they would play with this country. People of the country gave a befitting reply to that through the election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that it was natural that BNP would not participate in the election.</div><div><br></div><div>“It was known. Where is their leader? They have no one as leader. But BNP wanted to foil the election,\" she stated. In this connection she mentioned about the arson terrorism by BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister mentioned about the heinous acts of setting fire to trains that caused deaths of innocent people.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that the new government has to move with utmost caution in the coming days.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to BNP’s criticism of forming cabinet quickly, she said that what would have been the justification for delaying the formation of the cabinet.</div><div><br></div><div>“We never hesitate to take decision. We knew election will he held, it was planned what will we do if we win the election or lose in the election, why should we take time, why will I waste time,” she asked.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that she wanted to use every single day as she wanted to continue the development spree of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>She sought blessings from everyone to defy all kinds of conspiracies for the continuation of country’s development to materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to establish Golden Bengal free from hunger and poverty. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 15:52:48', '2024-01-13 15:52:48');
