INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5514, 5514, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Gas supply will remain suspended for 8 hours from 2 pm to 10 pm on Thursday for all kinds of consumers in different areas in the capital due to emergency tie-up works of pipelines.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The areas include Mintoo Road, Eskaton, Pirbagh, Habibullah Road, Karwan Bazar, Old Elephant Road and areas adjacent to PG Hospital, Birdem Hospital, Dhaka Club, Holy Family Hospital, Dhaka University and Buet, said the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited.</div><div><br></div><div>Regretting for the temporary inconveniences the Titas Gas authorities said the consumers&nbsp; in&nbsp; other adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 11:24:29', '2023-03-01 11:24:29'),
(5515, 5515, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh will temporarily halt booster shots from tomorrow (March 2) following shortage of vaccines, according to media reports.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Professor Dr Ahmedul Kabir, additional director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), confirmed the development on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>People will be able to get the 3rd and 4th doses again after the vaccines are available.</div><div><br></div><div>The WHO first declared a so-called PHEIC as what was then called the novel coronavirus began to spread outside China on January 30, 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>Though declaring a PHEIC is the internationally agreed mechanism for triggering a global response to such outbreaks, it was only after Tedros described the worsening Covid situation as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, that many countries realised the danger.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 11:51:51', '2023-03-01 11:51:51'),
(5516, 5516, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Most house owners in Dhaka have connected their sewage discharge pipes to the surface drains of the City Corporation instead of sewage management networks.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>This results in severe pollution to the lakes in and around the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Campaigns will be conducted in every ward in Dhaka North City Corporation to block those illegal sewage lines, the city corporation mayor Atiqul Islam told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Sewage networks should not be connected to the city corporation\'s surface drains in any way. The house owners should immediately disconnect those illegal lines. If not, it will be permanently disconnected by the city corporation authorities, the Mayor alerted the house owners.</div><div><br></div><div>“Campaign will continue in every ward of the city corporation in phases and no compromise will be made in this regard,” Atiq said.</div><div><br></div><div>To make the campaign successful, Mayor Atiqul put emphasis on creating awareness among the house owners. Besides, ward councilors and city corporation officials will perform their respective duties to resolve the problem, added the Mayor.</div><div><br></div><div>“We repeatedly asked the house owners not to connect their sewage lines to the surface drains but they did not pay any importance. We have even given public notification to be aware in this regard but we did not get any positive response from them. So we have been compelled to conduct a drive,” he said. “Strict action will be taken against those who are involved in these illegal activities.\"</div><div><br></div><div>“We had a meeting with the representatives of Baridhara and Gulshan Society over the issue but no one is paying attention even after saying it again and again”, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mayor Atiqul Islam said, \"Illegal sewage connections in elite areas is a matter of great regret. The wastes of these houses are supposed to flow through separate WASA lines. Where there are no water lines, ETP plants should be installed by the house owners to manage the wastes.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “We have conducted a ground survey in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan areas of the city and the findings are appalling. According to the survey, about 85 percent of the houses have sewage lines in surface drains. It is verily alarming in such VIP areas. It is polluting the canal and lake water. To save the city, the authorities were forced to plug these connections.”</div><div><br></div><div>At least 3,830 houses were surveyed in these four areas. Of these houses, 3,265 houses discharged sewage directly into surface drains and lakes. </div><div><br></div><div>Only 41 houses have proper sewerage connection and 524 houses have partial sewage management. As a result, the natural beauty of the lake is being destroyed and mosquito infestation is increasing.</div><div><br></div><div>Out of 550 houses in Baridhara, which is known as the most elite area of the country, 342 houses have connected their sewage lines to surface drains. </div><div><br></div><div>The survey report found, only 5 houses in Baridhara have not been connected to surface drains out of eight level criteria laid down while 203 houses met few of the conditions. On the other hand, 342 houses did not fulfill a single condition, whose house sewage line is connected to the surface drain.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the drive, the city corporation placed banana trees in the drains to stop the flow of waste coming from the sewerage lines of four houses in the Baridhara-11 area.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the DNCC, the Sanitation Compliance Committee comprising the chief waste management officer of DNCC in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan areas, former professor of BUET Md Mujibur Rahman, representatives of Dhaka Wasa, International Training Network Centre (ITN-BUET), housing society and UNICEF supervised the survey work.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) started an operation this month to stop the connection of sewage to surface drains, canals or lakes. As part of the campaign, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam took part in the campaign and stopped the sewage connection of two houses from the surface drain on Road No. 104 and 112 of Gulshan-2.</div><div><br></div><div>Additionally, the lake\'s high water contamination makes it impossible to cultivate the fish. Therefore, natural repellents to kill mosquitoes are not possible due to the inability to farm fish, Mayor Atiq said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"As we do not have any scheduled campaign at this moment, we are creating awareness among the house owners, especially the owners of newly constructed buildings over the issue\", Md Mizanur Rahman, CEO of Dhaka South City Corporation, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Besides, we are giving time to disconnect all the old houses which are already connected to the sewerage line of the City Corporation and transfer them to WASA drainage,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 12:33:23', '2023-03-01 12:33:49'),
(5517, 5517, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has requested the deputy commissioners to take immediate steps to stop operation of illegal brick kilns to prevent air pollution in the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A letter from Environment Pollution Control Wing-1 of the Ministry was sent to the DCs in this regard on Wednesday and requested them to inform the ministry by taking necessary measures in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter asked the DCs to close all illegal brick kilns in the country, especially the more harmful ones on priority basis, said the ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>DCs have been asked to strengthen enforcement activities against new brick kilns constructed without any licence.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The deputy commissioners of those districts where the number of illegal brick kilns are more than the legal ones have been asked to inform the ministry after conducting special drives.</div><div><br></div><div>In another letter issued today, DCs have been requested to take measures to stop the use of dingle-use or disposable plastic products in all government offices in the district, including the deputy commissioner\'s office, and in coastal areas.</div><div><br></div><div>To prevent plastic and polythene pollution, DCs have been requested to organise monthly meetings and regular discussion meetings with stakeholders and to launch public awareness programmes. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 13:36:36', '2023-03-01 13:36:36'),
(5518, 5518, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday approved Tk 227,566.09-crore Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) for the current fiscal year (FY23), cutting Tk 18,500 crore from the allocation of foreign sources portion in the original ADP outlay.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Out of the total RADP allocation, Tk 153,066.09 crore will be drawn from the local sources while the rest of Tk 74,500 crore will come from the foreign sources. The funding from the local sources remained intact in the RADP.</div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from the NEC meeting chaired by NEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC Conference Room in the city\'s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the original layout of ADP was finalised at Tk 246,066 crore. Of the amount, Tk 153,066 crore was estimated to come from the local sources, while Tk 93,000 crore from foreign sources as project assistance. But now the funding from external sources was slashed by Tk 18,500 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>“In the revised ADP, the overall allocation of the concerned autonomous bodies and corporations remained intact at Tk 8,994.58 crore. So, with the allocation of the autonomous bodies and corporations, the overall size of RADP in the current fiscal year reached Tk 2,36,560.67 crore,” said State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam at a press briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of projects in the RADP reached 1,525, including 1,410 investment projects and 115 are technical assistance projects, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>If 102 projects from the autonomous bodies and corporations are added, then the total number of projects in the RADP would reach 1,627 ones.</div><div><br></div><div>About the performances of the major macroeconomic indicators, the state minister said the inward remittance has been witnessing an uptrend since October 2022, while the export earnings have also been witnessing buoyant performances since September 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, he said the general point to point inflation has been witnessing a downtrend since August 2022, while the foreign currency reserve on February 22, 2023 was more than US$32 billion.</div><div><br></div><div>Planning Division Secretary Satyajit Karmakar said they prioritized food security, agriculture and agro-based industries, poverty alleviation, employment generation, human resource development and ensuring balanced development while framing the revised ADP for the current fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question, he said although the government has much capacity in utilisation of local resources, it still lacks capacity to some extent in utilization of funds from the foreign sources.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The compliance factor of the development partners is a bit complex and their bureaucracy is very strong. There are many barriers from their side also. For that, we often lag behind in implementing allocation of funds from foreign sources. Moreover, the foreign aid in the pipeline is now nearly $52 billion,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The planning secretary informed that some 21 ministries and divisions have witnessed increased allocation in the RADP while some 37 ministries and divisions have witnessed cut in allocation in the RADP. Besides, some 343 projects are scheduled for completion in the current fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>In the revised ADP, the 10 sectors with the highest allocation are transport and communication with Tk 61,810 crore (27.16pc), power and energy with Tk 38,317 crore (16.84pc) and housing and community amenities with Tk 25,939 crore (11.40pc).</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, local government and rural development with Tk 20,231 crore (8.89pc), education with Tk 18,431 crore (8.10pc), health with Tk 12,745 crore (5.60pc), environment, climate change and water resources with Tk 12,600 crore (5.54pc), agriculture with Tk 9,394 crore (4.13pc), industry and Economic services with Tk 4,689 crore (2.06pc and religion, culture and entertainment sector with Tk 4,271 crore (1.18 pc).</div><div><br></div><div>In terms of ministry and Division wise allocation, the Local Government Division received the highest RADP allocation of Tk 39,563 crore (17.68pc) followed by Road Transport and Highways Division with Tk 29,897 crore (13.36pc) and Power Division with Tk 25,247 crore (11.28pc). According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 14:42:29', '2023-03-01 14:42:29'),
(5519, 5519, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The judge court in India\'s Shillong has upheld a magistrate court’s verdict that acquitted BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed in a case filed against him over trespassing into India in 2015.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“A Shillong magistrate court earlier acquitted me. Later the Indian government appealed against the verdict. The judge court acquitted me disposing of the appeal on Tuesday,” Salahuddin told UNB over the phone.</div><div><br></div><div>In the short order, he said the judge court also asked the Indian government to take necessary steps to send him to back to Bangladesh.</div><div>Replying to a question, the BNP leader said he is eagerly waiting to return home.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the Indian government and local administration will take immediate steps in line with the court order.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on October 26, 2018, the court of the first class judicial magistrate, DG Kharshiing, acquitted Salahuddin Ahmed in the case and asked the state government to take necessary steps for his immediate repatriation.</div><div><br></div><div>After remaining missing for around two months, Salahuddin, a former state minister, was found in Shillong, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya on May 11, 2015.</div><div><br></div><div>He was arrested for entering India without any valid documents. A case was filed against him under the Foreigners Act.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Shillong police pressed charges against him in the case.</div><div>However, BNP claimed that Salahuddin was picked up from a house in the city\'s Uttara area on March 10, 2015 allegedly by unidentified men who introduced themselves as detectives. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 14:56:17', '2023-03-01 14:56:17'),
(5520, 5520, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dawid Malan scored a hundred under pressure to guide England to a thrilling three-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first one-day international in Dhaka on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Malan hit an unbeaten 114 off 145 balls as England reached their target with eight balls to spare after the hosts had them reeling with Jos Buttler, Jason Roy and James Vince all out cheaply.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier England bowled out Bangladesh for 209 with Moeen Ali, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid each claiming two wickets and Najmul Hossain scoring 58, his maiden ODI half-century.</div><div><br></div><div>The hosts made a decent start after electing to bat first, with skipper Tamim Iqbal making 23. But after Chris Woakes earned the first breakthrough with the wicket of Liton Das, England struck whenever a partnership was developing.</div><div><br></div><div>Tamim was bowled by Wood before spinners were called into action, as England got valuable South Asian practice ahead of their defence of the ODI World Cup crown in India later this year.</div><div><br></div><div>Moeen bowled Shakib Al Hasan for eight before Rashid picked up the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim.</div><div><br></div><div>Najmul and Mahmudullah Riyad (31) forged a 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket before they fell in successive overs.</div><div><br></div><div>Debutant Will Jacks claimed the wicket of Afif Hossain three overs later to kill off Bangladesh\'s remaining chance of putting up a big total.</div><div><br></div><div>England made a poor start with the bat, with Taijul Islam picking up 3-54 and complemented brilliantly by other bowlers as Bangladesh made a match out of low scores.</div><div><br></div><div>With help from Shakib, Mehidy Miraz and Taskin Ahmed, the visitors were reduced to 103-5 halfway through the innings with Roy, Buttler and Vince all out for single-digit scores.</div><div><br></div><div>Jacks made a valiant 26 and then Moeen provided Malan with some support in a vital 38-run sixth wicket stand before Mehidy dismissed him for 14.</div><div><br></div><div>However Malan, who along with Moeen participated in the recent Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament, hung on to keep England in the hunt.</div><div><br></div><div>Tamim took a fine diving catch at mid-on to dismiss Woakes off Taijul for seven to give the game some tension with England still needing 49.</div><div><br></div><div>But Malan, who came to the crease in the second over after Shakib dismissed Roy for four, guided tail-ender Rashid (17 not out) to complete the win.</div><div><br></div><div>Player of the match Malan earlier brought his fourth hundred in ODIs with a boundary off Taskin. He struck eight fours and four sixes overall.</div><div><br></div><div>\"(I) spent a fair bit of time in Bangladesh, especially at this ground. Told Jos it would have been tough to chase if they\'d have got 30-40 more,\" Malan said afterwards.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Satisfying to get over the line, handling pressure is part of the job.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"These are tough conditions. Malan\'s innings is an example for us on how to play on these wickets,\" Buttler said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There\'s plenty of areas to work and improve. It\'s about small partnerships on wickets like these.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Tamim said his side \"should have scored at least 30-35 more\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"Have to give it to Malan,\" he conceded. \"We tried everything in our bowling option.\" - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 15:40:02', '2023-03-01 15:40:02'),
(5521, 5521, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday called upon the doctors to work with the spirit of service.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He made this call at a function at President Abdul Hamid Medical College in Karimganj, Kishoreganj in the afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The President said that establishing a medical college should not only do business, it should serve people.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that instead of turning the medical college into a money making machine, it should be ensured that people get quick medical care at low cost and easily.</div><div><br></div><div>President Hamid hoped that everyone including the teaching staff will make relentless efforts to keep the reputation of this medical college intact.</div><div><br></div><div>President\'s wife Rashida Khanam, President of the Medical College Board of Directors and Prof. Dr. A. N. M. Naushad Khan, Principal of the College spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid enjoyed a cultural programme at Mithamain, Kishoreganj, on freedom fighter Abdul Haque Government College grounds last night.His family members were present at that time.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>President reached his ancestral home on February 27 on a five-day tour. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-01 16:22:09', '2023-03-01 16:22:09'),
(5522, 5522, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The number of children without access to social protection is increasing year-on-year, leaving them at risk of poverty, hunger and discrimination, according to a new report released today by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the report, an additional 50 million children (aged 0-15) missed out on a critical social protection provision – specifically, child benefits (paid in cash or tax credits) – between 2016 and 2020, driving up the total to 1.46 billion children under 15 globally.</div><div><br></div><div>“Ultimately, strengthened efforts to ensure adequate investment in universal social protection for children, ideally through universal child benefits to support families at all times, is the ethical and rational choice, and the one that paves the way to sustainable development and social justice,” Shahra Razavi, director of Social Protection Department at the ILO, said.</div><div><br></div><div>Child and family benefit coverage rates fell or stagnated in every region in the world between 2016 and 2020, leaving no country on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving substantial social protection coverage by 2030, as per the report.</div><div><br></div><div>In Latin America and the Caribbean, for example, coverage fell significantly from approximately 51 percent to 42 percent. In many other regions, coverage has stalled and remains low.</div><div><br></div><div>In Central and South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, and North Africa coverage rates have been at around 21 percent, 14 percent, 11 percent and 28 percent respectively since 2016.</div><div><br></div><div>Failure to provide children with adequate social protection leaves them vulnerable to poverty, disease, missed education, and poor nutrition, and increases risk of child marriage and child labour.</div><div><br></div><div>Globally, children are twice as likely as adults to live in extreme poverty – those struggling to survive on less than US$ 1.90 (PPP*) a day – approximately 356 million children.</div><div>A billion children also live in multidimensional poverty – meaning without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation, or water.</div><div><br></div><div>Children living in multidimensional poverty increased by 15 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic, reversing previous progress in reducing child poverty and highlighting the urgent need for social protection.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, the pandemic highlighted that social protection is a critical response in times of crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly every government in the world either rapidly adapted existing schemes or introduced new social protection programmes to support children and families, but most fell short of making permanent reforms to protect against future shocks, according to the report.</div><div><br></div><div>“As families face increasing economic hardship, food insecurity, conflict, and climate-related disasters, universal child benefits can be a lifeline,” said Natalia Winder-Rossi, UNICEF Director of Social Policy and Social Protection.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is an urgent need to strengthen, expand and invest in child-friendly and shock-responsive social protection systems. This is essential to protect children from living in poverty and increase resilience particularly among the poorest households.”</div><div><br></div><div>The report emphasizes that all countries, irrespective of their level of development, have a choice: whether to pursue a “high-road” strategy of investment in reinforcing social protection systems, or a “low-road” strategy that misses out on necessary investments and will leave millions of children behind.</div><div><br></div><div>To reverse the negative trend, ILO and UNICEF urge policymakers to take decisive steps to attain universal social protection for all children, including:</div><div><br></div><div>Investing in child benefits which offer a proven and cost-effective way to combat child poverty and ensure children thrive.</div><div><br></div><div>Providing a comprehensive range of child benefits through national social protection systems that also connect families to crucial health and social services, such as free or affordable high-quality childcare.</div><div><br></div><div>Building social protection systems that are rights-based, gender-responsive, inclusive, and shock responsive to address inequities and deliver better results for girls and women, migrant children, and children in child labour for example.</div><div><br></div><div>Securing sustainable financing for social protection systems by mobilizing domestic resources and increasing budget allocation for children.</div><div><br></div><div>Strengthening social protection for parents and caregivers by guaranteeing access to decent work and adequate benefits, including unemployment, sickness, maternity, disability, and pensions. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 09:06:30', '2023-03-02 09:06:30'),
(5523, 5523, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A 25-year-old woman, who was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital with symptoms of Nipah virus infection, died on Wednesday, 20 days after her father-in-law had died of the same virus.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was identified as Farida Begum, wife of Abdul Khalek of Chakoar village in Manda upazila of the district.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the mother-in-law of Farida has been undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital with the same symptoms.</div><div>Dr Bijoy Kumar, Manda Upazila Health Officer, said Farida was admitted to Manda Upazila Health Complex on Sunday with fever and cold.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the hospital authorities took samples suspecting that she was infected with Nipah virus and sent the sample to Dhaka for test.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, she was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital where she breathed her last around 5 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Local people said Abdul Khalek along with his family took raw date juice on February 4. On February 6, Khalek caught fever and cold. He was taken to Naogaon Sadar hospital the next day and later he died on way to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital on February 8.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Bijoy Kumar Roy said already a medical team has been sent to the area and process is on to take necessary steps.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of five people died of Nipah virus across the country this year, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on January 29.</div><div><br></div><div>Healthy people who come in contact with the infected ones also have possibility of being infected with the virus and it spreads from person to person quickly which is a matter of concern, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has taken steps to prevent the spread of Nipah virus, said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>According to icddr,b in Bangladesh, Nipah virus is usually acquired through consumption of date palm sap contaminated with bat saliva or urine.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 29, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said a total of five people died of Nipah virus across the country this year.</div><div><br></div><div>Eight people were infected with the Nipah virus and of them five people died, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Nipah virus is usually acquired through consumption of date palm sap contaminated with bat saliva or urine, according to icddr,b in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 09:33:00', '2023-03-02 09:33:00'),
(5524, 5524, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated her call to put special focus on medical science research, urging all to take the country forward with fresh inventions to cope with the new global technologies.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I can\'t but say with a sorrow that research on agriculture and science is going on, but our research on medical science is fewer in number. So give special attention to medical science research,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister was distributing cheques of \"Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship,\" \"National Science and Technology Fellowship\" and special research donations among teachers, scientists, researchers and students of different universities.</div><div><br></div><div>The Science and Technology Ministry arranged the ceremony at Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister expressed a bit dismay saying a section of physicians either joins the government services or politics after obtaining MBBS degrees shunning practices and research.</div><div><br></div><div>And another section is busy with income, for which, they do government services and private practices at the same time, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Fewer people are doing research on medical sciences. Research on medical science has increased a little bit after I have told it time and again,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said her government aims at reaching the scientific and technological advancement to a new height. So, she wants vigorous efforts from scientists and researchers to help the country cope with newer global technologies, she continued.The scientists and researchers will have to give commendable returns to the nation to prepare people worthy of working in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), she said, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Technology has changed over times and we are now at the era of the 4IR as we need new technologies to be further developed and to make efficient manpower to overcome the challenges of the new era,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 11:20:33', '2023-03-02 11:20:33'),
(5525, 5525, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed to distribute OMS rice through cards, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said on Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The distribution process through cards will begin soon, he said while replying to a question from reporters after inspecting the ongoing open market sales (OMS) activities at Kapali Bazar under Porsha upazila of Naogaon this morning, according to a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Sometimes, a person will repeatedly take OMS rice and later sell it outside, while many do not get it. If distributed through cards, this trend can be curbed and everyone can then avail the OMS products. One can buy OMS rice once a week using the card,\" said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question on whether rice will be imported from abroad to reduce the market price, he said there is adequate stock of rice in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The Aman rice production has been good. Cultivation of Boro crops has started. Farmers will not get a fair price if rice is imported. They have to be paid fair price, the food minister added.</div><div><br></div><div>Saying that low-income people will not have any problem, the minister said OMS rice is being provided at Tk 30 per kg. Food-friendly programme will be launched this month.</div><div><br></div><div>Fifty lakh families will get 30 kg rice once a month. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 11:41:06', '2023-03-02 11:41:06'),
(5526, 5526, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">According to the Election Commission\'s final updated electoral roll, the number of voters in the country has now increased to 119,151,440 following inclusion of some new voters last year.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The EC disclosed the updated voter numbers this morning, on the occasion of National Voter Day.</div><div><br></div><div>According to EC\'s factsheet, a total of 5,864,430 new voters were enlisted in the country\'s voter list.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the total voters, 60,445,724 are male and 58,704,879 are female.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, 837 transgender voters were incorporated under the identity of the third gender in the updated roll, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>According to EC, the voter growth is 5.18%.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 12:09:16', '2023-03-02 12:09:16'),
(5527, 5527, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged G20 foreign ministers to overcome their divisions and focus on the needs of the developing world.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We are meeting at a time of deep global divisions. We have a responsibility to those not in this room,\" he told the ministers in Delhi.</div><div>India wants to use its G20 presidency to raise issues of developing countries known as the Global South.</div><div><br></div><div>But divisions within the group over the Ukraine war will test Indian diplomacy.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, G20 finance ministers failed to reach a consensus on a closing statement at their meeting in Bangalore (Bengaluru) city, in the first ministerial meeting in the run up to the summit later this year.</div><div><br></div><div>It was left to India to release a chair\'s summary which noted \"different assessments of the situation\" in Ukraine within the group. The foreign ministers\' talks on Thursday are likely to face similar hurdles.</div><div><br></div><div>It was evident from Mr Modi\'s speech on Thursday that India wanted to deliver agreements that could help the developing world and fuel its global ambitions.</div><div><br></div><div>\"After years of progress, we are at risk today of moving back on the sustainable development goals. Many developing countries are struggling with unsustainable debts while trying to ensure food and energy security,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They are also most affected by global warming caused by richer countries. This is why India\'s G20 presidency has tried to give a voice to the Global South.\"</div><div><br></div><div>G20, which includes the world\'s 19 wealthiest nations plus the European Union, account for 85% of global economic output and two-thirds of its population. - BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 12:42:36', '2023-03-02 12:42:36'),
(5528, 5528, '<div><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off on Thursday to the International Space Station carrying two NASA astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut and the second Emirati to voyage to space.</span></b><br></div><div><br></div><div>The SpaceX Dragon Crew-6 mission launched at 12:34 am (0534 GMT) Thursday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\'s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a livestream of the launch showed.</div><div><br></div><div>The launch had been scrubbed on Monday just minutes before liftoff because of a clog in a filter that supplies ignition fluid to start the rocket engines.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Congratulations to the NASA and SpaceX teams for another history-making mission to the International Space Station!\" NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The Dragon crew capsule, dubbed Endeavour, is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 1:17 am (0617 GMT) on Friday after a 24-hour voyage.</div><div><br></div><div>NASA\'s Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg, Russia\'s Andrey Fedyaev and Sultan al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates are to spend six months on the orbiting station.</div><div><br></div><div>Neyadi, 41, will be the fourth astronaut from an Arab country and the second from the oil-rich UAE to journey to space; his compatriot Hazzaa al-Mansoori flew an eight-day mission in 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>Neyadi, Hoburg, the Endeavour pilot, and Fedyaev, the Russian mission specialist, will all be making their first space flights.</div><div><br></div><div>Fedyaev is the second Russian cosmonaut to fly to the ISS aboard a SpaceX rocket. NASA astronauts fly regularly to the station on Russian Soyuz craft.</div><div><br></div><div>Space has remained a rare venue of cooperation between Moscow and Washington since the Russian offensive in Ukraine placed them in sharp opposition.</div><div><br></div><div>Bowen, a veteran of three space shuttle missions, said politics rarely come up while in space.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'re all professionals. We keep focused on the mission itself,\" he said. \"It\'s always been a great relationship we\'ve had with cosmonauts once we get to space.\"</div><div><br></div><div>- Rescue capsule -</div><div><br></div><div>While aboard the ISS, the Crew-6 members will conduct dozens of experiments including studying how materials burn in microgravity and researching heart, brain and cartilage functions.</div><div><br></div><div>The current crew is the sixth to be transported by a SpaceX rocket to the ISS. The Endeavour capsule has flown into space three times previously.</div><div><br></div><div>NASA pays SpaceX to ferry astronauts to the ISS roughly every six months.</div><div><br></div><div>The agency expects Crew-6 to have a handover of several days with the four members of Crew-5 who have been on the ISS since October. Crew-5 will then return to Earth.</div><div><br></div><div>Also aboard the ISS are cosmonauts Dmitry Petelin and Sergei Prokopyev and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio.</div><div><br></div><div>They had been scheduled to return to Earth on March 28 but the cooling system of their Soyuz MS-22 capsule was damaged by a tiny meteoroid in December while docked with the ISS.</div><div><br></div><div>An uncrewed Russian Soyuz capsule, MS-23, was launched from Kazakhstan last month to bring them home. They are now scheduled to return in September.</div><div><br></div><div>Construction of the ISS began in 1998 at a time of increased US-Russia cooperation following the Cold War space race.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia has been using the aging but reliable Soyuz capsules to ferry astronauts into space since the 1960s.</div><div><br></div><div>But in recent years, Russia\'s space program has been beset by a litany of problems that have led to the loss of satellites and vehicles. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 13:22:05', '2023-03-02 13:22:05'),
(5529, 5529, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government has placed two proposals seeking assistance from international community to relocate more Rohingya people to Bhashan Char island from camps in Cox’s Bazar for the wellbeing of the displaced Myanmar nationals.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the proposals Dhaka wants foreign countries and agencies to bear the expenses of the Rohingya relocation and provide assistance to construct more infrastructures in Bhashan Char to make the remaining two-third areas of the island livable for the displaced people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah placed the proposals at a meeting with the foreign diplomats and representatives stationed in Dhaka, held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The representatives from 17 countries and agencies, including Australia, US, UK, France, Germany and UNHCR attended meeting.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“We’ve told the international community that the more people we can bring to Bhashan Char in a very quick time, the more their safety and the betterment of their children will be ensured. So, now we’ve given them two proposals,” the principal secretary told the media after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the first proposal, he said housing for one lakh people was built in Bhasan Char and only 30,000 people have so far been moved there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Now we want to shift 70,000 more people to the place, which is an expensive matter. We ask the friendly countries who work with us to bear the cost of taking these people from Cox\'s Bazar to Bhashan Char. The Prime Minister seriously wants it,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about the second proposal, Tofazzel said only one-third of land of the Bhashan Char was used (for infrastructure to house one lakh Rohingya) and now the Prime Minister wants the infrastructures to be constructed in the remaining two-third land and more Rohingyas to be taken there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“So, Bangladesh has sought assistance (from foreign friends) to construct new infrastructures,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the meeting, the foreign countries and agencies were asked to put importance to the Rohingya issue in different international forums, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The principal secretary said Rohingya people will get better life and livelihood in Bhashan Char as they get skill development training and opportunities for agricultural works including raising chickens and ducks, and rearing cows and goats.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He mentioned that the Rohingyas taken to Bhashan Char are brought to the mainland camps to meet their relatives in Cox\'s Bazar regularly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Turning to the sufferings of the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, he said several social problems, including internal conflict, infighting, arson violence, killing and trafficking are being created due to the stay of Rohingyas in Cox\'s Bazar.&nbsp; Many of them are involved in drug business, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the fund to conduct humanitarian activities for Rohingyas is not being received as per commitment of the donors, Tofazzel said Bangladesh received some US$ 586 million which is 62 percent of the committed amount of US$ 876 million in 2022. So, Bangladesh asked the friendly countries to provide the increased amount.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government spent some Tk 3,100 crore only to prepare Bhashan Char.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Brewer, Canadian High Commissioner Lilly Nicholls, EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley, UK High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, US Ambassador Peter D. Haas, French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy, German Ambassador Achim Troster, Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde, UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis, UNHCR Representative Johannes van der Klaauw, WFP Resident Representative Dom Scalpelli, Chargés d\'affaires of Switzerland embassy Suzanne Mueller, Deputy Head of Japanese Mission Machida Tatsuya, Deputy Chief of Netherlands Embassy Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Chief of Turkish Embassy Batuhan Gurhan, Head of Cooperation for Rohingya Refugees and Host Communities Program of Canadian High Commission Vivek Prakash and Regional Refugee Coordinator of the US Embassy Mackenzie Rowe attended the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">High officials from different ministries concerned including the senior secretaries of the Foreign Ministry and the Public Security Division, and the secretaries of Relief and Disaster Management Ministry and the PMO, were present in the meeting. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 13:38:39', '2023-03-02 13:38:39'),
(5530, 5530, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said despite the recent hike in the price of electricity in the country, the tariff of power still remains less than in many countries.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The increase in electricity price has exceeded cent per cent in the United Kingdom. It (price) has exceeded 20 to 100 per cent in European Union countries . . . It is 21 per cent in Germany and 95 per cent in Belgium. In this context, the increase in electricity prices in our country is comparatively less. The tariff has increased twice by 5 per cent recently,\" he said replying to reporters while exchanging views with them at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan said the per unit price of electricity in Bangladesh is Taka 7.32 while it is Taka 11.15 in Delhi, Taka 11.33 in Maharashtra and Taka 8.63 in Punjab in India. Per unit price is Taka 18.31 in the USA, Taka 41.93 in Germany, Taka 46.46 in Belgium and Taka 25.74 in Japan.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The unit price of electricity is less in Bangladesh than in other countries even from India\", he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said inflation has taken place all over the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The inflation in European Union countries is more than 10 per cent while inflation has exceeded 20 to 22 per cent in some countries.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The overall inflation exceeded 10 per cent in the UK while it is 11.8 per cent in Russia, 60 per cent in Turkey (it was 80 per cent a few days ago) 32 per cent in Pakistan, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But, the inflation is 8.30 per cent in our country. And it (inflation) is less than many developed nations and even our neighbouring countries,\" said Hasan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But, he said, the leaders of the opposition party (BNP) is trying to create confusion among the people hiding the real scenario of the world. Even, they are trying to raise an allegation of corruption regarding the price hike of electricity, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ruling party leader said the country became a champion in corruption five consecutive times during the tenure of BNP. Begum Khaleda Zia was convicted for corruption and consequently she was sent to jail.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Begum Zia is now out of prison and staying at her home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown her unprecedented generosity towards her. Besides, the party\'s acting chairman is also convicted of corruption and siphoning off money, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"People laugh when they (BNP) talk about corruption,\" said Hasan. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 13:43:10', '2023-03-02 13:43:10');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5531, 5531, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The registration for Joy Bangla concert kicked off today with an overwhelming rush among youth music lovers to enjoy the unique blend to bring alive Bangladesh\'s history through music.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year the concert will take place on March 8 at Army Stadium in the capital, under the supervision of Centre for Research and Information (CRI), Young Bangla, one of the leading youth networks of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Young Bangla has been holding the rock concert since 2015 to rejuvenate the spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh among youths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Concert goers are requested to log into - ticket.youngbangla.org-- , to avail their e-tickets.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For registration, the participants will require their passport-sized photos and images of their ID cards with photos. Besides NIDs, ID cards of their educational institutions, passports, and driving licenses will also be accepted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Keeping up with the previous years\' unique trend, the concert this year is set to feature iconic and emerging bands of the country such as Artcell, Avoid Rafa, Lalon, Chirkutt, Cryptic Fate, Karnival, Meghdol, Nemesis and Arekta Rock Band.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The youths who jumped, screamed, and danced to the western-influenced rock genre and the wartime patriotic melodies are now upbeat about relishing that electrifying vibe that the pandemic halted for last two years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The last edition in 2020 is a memorable experience for me-that concert so vividly recreated the unique blend of history and music what made that a memorable one-The idea of rendering songs that were aired on the wartime secret radio station called Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra 50 years ago inspired the Freedom Fighters to free the country is really exemplary,\" said Rajin, a university student.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In no better way than this tribute to the historic March 7 speech by the father of the nation could make it relevant and interesting for our generation... Expecting a bigger and better return this time\", added another university student Sujon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a call to roar like March 7, favourite bands presented several Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra songs before an audience of this generation at previous editions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Started in 2015, in successive years, the country\'s biggest concert for youths added some special features such as presentation of the coloured version of the speech in 2016.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The speech, transformed from black and white into colour, appeared onscreen before an audience of 30,000 youths at the concert. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 13:54:42', '2023-03-02 13:54:42'),
(5532, 5532, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister\'s Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman has urged businessmen of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to invest more in Bangladesh.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh government is ensuring all sorts of support to the investors in the country. The government is providing investment-friendly policies and various benefits to the investors,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM\'s adviser said this while meeting with Saudi Investment Minister Engineer Khalid Al-Falih in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, said a press release here today.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Salman praised the recent unprecedented socio-economic development of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He expressed hope that the investment and trade between the two countries will increase in the coming days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;At this time, the Saudi investment minister reiterated the assurance of Saudi Arabia\'s continued support to Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Salman F Rahman met Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund Prince Sultan bin Khalid Al Saud. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 14:08:50', '2023-03-02 14:08:50'),
(5534, 5534, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Muslims observe this sacred month of Ramadan to mark when Allah sent an angel to Prophet Muhammad to reveal the Quran, the Islamic holy book, in 610 AD. This revelation is known as the “night of power” or ‘Laylat Al Qadar’ in Arabic.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Much can be said about the Holy Month of Ramadan. There are volumes upon volumes written on the subject, which is why it is hard to come across something about Ramadan that hasn’t already been said before in a different setting, occasion or event.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Ramadan is the month of forgiveness; the month of countless blessings; the month in which Lailat-ul-Qadr resides and so much more.</div><div><br></div><div>During Ramadan, Muslims aim to grow spiritually and become closer to Allah and their loved ones. They do this by fasting and abstaining from pleasures like smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset each day. Ramadan is also a time for unity and spiritual reflection and Muslims spend time praying, reciting the Quran and doing good deeds. They donate to charity, spend time with loved ones, and avoid lying, gossiping and fighting.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?</div><div>Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslim to devote themselves to their faith, get closer to Allah and learn patience and compassion. It’s about nourishing your soul, rather than only focusing on your physical body. It’s also one of the Five Pillars of Islam which are the foundation of how Muslims live their lives (the others are faith, prayer, charity and pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca).</div><div><br></div><div>Fasting is usually done by all Muslims except those who are sick, pregnant, lactating, menstruating, elderly or travelling. If you miss fasting days you can make up for them throughout the year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Can you drink water during Ramadan?</div><div>The fasting is done between sunrise and sunset. During this time, practicing Muslims are not allowed to drink water. Muslims usually wake up before dawn and eat a light meal known as suhoor. They drink plenty of water at this time to see them through the day. After the sun fully sets, the fast is typically broken with water and dates, followed by prayers and a meal called iftar. Source: The real word&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 14:52:26', '2023-03-02 14:52:26'),
(5535, 5535, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged the G20 countries to take corrective actions to reverse the trend of global warming and advocate for fulfilling the global commitments of financing and technology transfer to fight climate change.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called on the G20 leadership to allocate sufficient funds and means of implementation to achieve the SDGs by 2030.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen was speaking at the G20 Foreign Ministers\' Meeting (G20FMM) in New Delhi on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s \"zero-tolerance\" policy towards terrorism continues to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen called upon the international community to ensure the early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar to avert the growing security threats posed by their protracted presence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign minister also discussed the impacts of the contemporary global challenges which resulted in inflation, price increases for food and fuel, disruption of trade and supply chains and instability of international financial architecture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka urges G20 countries to take corrective actions to reverse trend of global warming Meetings on sidelines</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the morning, India\'s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed Momen at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre premises before the G20FMM.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the afternoon, Momen met Catherine Colonna, foreign minister of France, José Manuel Albares, foreign minister of Spain and Lee Do-hoon, vice minister of foreign affairs of South Korea, on the sidelines of the G20FMM.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meetings, they discussed the ways and means to further deepen bilateral collaboration and address the ongoing geopolitical issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh foreign minister also joined a group call on India\'s Prime Minister Narendra Modi with other foreign ministers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also, he had informal interactions with his counterparts from Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Türkiye, the UK, Japan, the USA, and other countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka urges G20 countries to take corrective actions to reverse trend of global warming Momen is expected to attend the opening session of the 8th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, India\'s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the inauguration of the dialogue, he will join a dinner to be hosted by the Indian prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh foreign minister is now in New Delhi to attend the G20FMM at the invitation of his Indian counterpart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Almost all foreign ministers from the G20 members and guest countries participated in the meeting. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 14:55:51', '2023-03-02 14:55:51'),
(5536, 5536, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President M Abdul Hamid called upon the lawyers to perform their respective professional duties beyond the politics as he exchanged views with members of Kishoreganj District Bar Council.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There may be political differences among the lawyers . . . but they (lawyers) must keep up their professional duties above the political identities,\" the head of state said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to it (law) a noble profession, Abdul Hamid said the lawyers must be careful in their jobs so that no justice-seekers get frustrated with the behavior of lawyers anyway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid requested all members of Kishoreganj District Bar Council to work together irrespective of party affiliations to brighten the image of the association here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, he visited the \"Bangabandhu Corner\" set up at the newly constructed Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kishoreganj.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President also planted a sapling on the court premises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, President Hamid also held a view-exchange-meeting with the judges, where Senior District and Sessions Judge Saidur Rahman Khan informed the President about the overall activities of the Judiciary Department of the district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President urged the judges to perform their duties more sincerely so that the litigants can get speedy justice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;During the meeting, the judges demanded for the establishment of an \"Electricity Court\" in Kishoreganj to ease the suffering of the people coincided with the power related cases. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 15:18:35', '2023-03-02 15:18:35'),
(5537, 5537, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">One in ten early deaths could be prevented if everyone managed at least half the recommended level of physical activity, says a team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a study published today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers say that 11 minutes a day (75 minutes a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity - such as a brisk walk - would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke and a number of cancers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cardiovascular diseases - such as heart disease and stroke - are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 17.9 million deaths per year in 2019, while cancers were responsible for 9.6 million deaths in 2017. Physical activity - particularly when it is moderate-intensity - is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the NHS recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To explore the amount of physical activity necessary to have a beneficial impact on several chronic diseases and premature death, researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis, pooling and analysing cohort data from all of the published evidence. This approach allowed them to bring together studies that on their own did not provide sufficient evidence and sometimes disagreed with each other to provide more robust conclusions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In total, they looked at results reported in 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants from 94 large study cohorts, to produce the largest analysis to date of the association between physical activity levels and risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers found that, outside of work-related physical activity, two out of three people reported activity levels below 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity and fewer than one in ten managed more than 300 min per week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Broadly speaking, they found that beyond 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity, the additional benefits in terms of reduced risk of disease or early death were marginal. But even half this amount came with significant benefits: accumulating 75 min per week of moderate-intensity activity brought with it a 23 per cent lower risk of early death. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 16:05:22', '2023-03-02 16:05:22'),
(5538, 5538, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Cyber Police Centre of CID arrested five alleged members of an organised syndicate involved in making fake birth and death registration certificates by illegal intrusion into BDRIS (Birth &amp; Death Registration Information System) server.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The arrestees were identified as Md Mahbub Ali,24, Md Shah Alam, 25, Md Hasan Tarek,47, vaccinator Kohinoor Sultana,45 and Md. Faisal,19.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Several birth certificates, eight files with fake documents for making birth certificates, three hard disk and four mobile phones were seized from their possessions.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Cyber Police Center of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been carrying out regular cyber patrolling and monitoring in the cyber space of Bangladesh and have also taken necessary legal measures to eliminate and prevent any crime.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Cyber Police Centre got a complaint from&nbsp; Md. Rashedul Islam, Registrar General, Directorate of Birth and Death Registration, on February 7.&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In his complaint, he mentioned that someone has been preparing fake birth and death registration certificate by hacking into the birth and death registration server BDRIS (Birth &amp; Death Registration Information System) illegal.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Based on the complaint, the Cyber Police Center (CPC) started investigation into the matter and identified a Facebook group called \'Birth Registration Help Desk\' where they are saying, \" collect the birth/death certificate of any district of the country within one day.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The CPC identified the group who contacted the victim about the birth registration along with the admin of the Facebook group.&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Later, Cyber Intelligence and Risk Management Branch conducted an operation at Pallabi in Dhaka and arrested two admins of the Facebook group identified as Md. Mahbub Ali and Md. Shah Alam, recently. Later, according to their confession, two Dhaka&nbsp; North City Corporation (DNCC) employees--Sprayman Md Hasan Tarek and Vaccinator Kohinoor Sultana were arrested. During their arrest, Md. Faisal , a member of this syndicate came to submit files with fake documents for birth registration to Md. Hasan Tarek, was also arrested.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Although the government fee for birth registration is only Tk 50, but they take Tk 550 to Tk 1000 for each fake certificate.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Various identity cards including NIDs and passports are being issued on this fake birth registration certificate which is an extreme threat to national security, said a senior officer of the CID.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The officer requesting anonymity also said that a case has been registered against the accused under Digital Security Act at Paltan police station recently. UNB</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-02 16:22:02', '2023-03-02 16:22:02'),
(5539, 5539, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Kremlin on Thursday accused Ukrainian saboteurs of crossing into western Russia and firing on villagers. Ukraine denied the claim and warned that Moscow could use the allegations to justify stepping up its own attacks in the ongoing war.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The exact circumstances of the reported attack in the Bryansk region were unclear, as was the strategic purpose of such an assault. The regional governor said two civilians were killed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If confirmed, it would be another indication following drone attacks earlier this week that Kyiv may be intensifying pressure against Moscow by exposing Russian defensive weaknesses, embarrassing the Kremlin and sowing unease among Russian civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukrainian “terrorists” for the incursion, claiming that they deliberately targeted civilians, including children in “yet another terror attack, another crime.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They infiltrated the area near the border and opened fire on civilians,” Putin said during a video call. “They saw a civilian vehicle with civilians, with children in it, and they fired on them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alleged incursion came just days after Putin ordered the Federal Security Service to tighten controls on Russia’s border with Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Russian war hawks have expressed dismay with what they see as Putin’s reluctance to declare martial law and launch a sweeping mobilization of soldiers, the Russian leader’s comments Thursday did not appear to signal any such moves.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin blamed the attack on “neo-Nazis” and said it confirmed that Russia did the right thing by invading Ukraine. “I repeat again: They will not succeed, and we will finish pushing them out,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When he ordered the invasion, the Russian leader vowed to “denazify” Ukraine, alleging falsely that radical neo-Nazi groups dominate the country led by a Jewish president. Kyiv and its Western allies dismissed his assertion as a bogus cover for an unprovoked act of aggression.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine’s military intelligence representative, Andrii Cherniak, saw the Russian claims as evidence that Moscow is facing an uprising among its own disgruntled people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This was done by the Russians; Ukraine has nothing to do with it,” he told The Associated Press.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A group calling itself the Russian Volunteer Corps claimed it crossed the border into Russia in a video that also urged Russians to rebel. The group’s statement did not explain what actions it took or what specific objectives it wanted to achieve.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian Volunteer Corps described itself as “a volunteer formation in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” Little is known about the group, and it was not immediately clear if it has any ties with the Ukrainian military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group was founded in August and consists mostly of anti-Putin far-right Russian extremists who have links with Ukrainian far-right groups, according to Michael Colborne, a researcher for the investigative website Bellingcat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Colborne said on Twitter that Ukrainian military intelligence “very likely” approved the incursion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak described the Russian claims as “a classic deliberate provocation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia “wants to scare its people to justify the attack on another country (and) the growing poverty after the year of war,” he tweeted, suggesting that Russian partisans were behind what happened in Bryansk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bryansk Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said the attackers killed two civilians and wounded a child in the village of Lyubechane.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia’s Federal Security Service said it acted together with the military to “eliminate armed Ukrainian nationalists who violated the state border.” The agency claimed later that the attackers had been pushed back into Ukraine “where a massive artillery strike was inflicted on them.” It was not possible to verify the claim.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin canceled a planned trip to southern Russia because of the attack. He is set to chair a weekly meeting of the Russian Security Council on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked by reporters whether the activity could warrant a change in the status of the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “I can’t say for now.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The raid in the Bryansk region followed a spate of drone attacks. On Tuesday, drones that the Kremlin said were launched by Ukraine flew deep inside Russian territory, including one that got within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of Moscow. The Russian Defense Ministry also said Wednesday that the military repelled a drone attack on Crimea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Ukraine’s southern city of Zaporizhzhia, three people were killed and six others were wounded early Thursday when a Russian missile hit a five-story apartment building, destroying several floors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Russian drone attack hit people standing in line for humanitarian aid in a village in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region, wounding nine people, including a 16-year-old, the regional administration said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia “wants to turn every day for our people into a day of terror,” adding that “evil will not reign in our land.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian artillery, drones and missiles have pounded Ukrainian-held areas in the country’s south and east for months. Moscow denies aiming at civilian targets, but its indiscriminate shelling has wrought wide destruction in urban centers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war largely slowed to a grinding stalemate during the winter months, although a fierce battle continued for control of Bakhmut, a key eastern stronghold where Ukrainian officials say they might strategically withdraw.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian military’s general staff reported that Russian forces “continue to advance and storm the city,” but Kyiv’s troops repelled some of the attacks. Capturing the city would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraine’s supply lines and allow the Kremlin’s forces to press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In other developments, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov talked briefly Thursday at a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 20 nations. It was the first high-level meeting in months between Russia and the U.S.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A senior U.S. official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation, said Blinken had “disabused” Lavrov of any idea that U.S. support for Ukraine is wavering. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 07:04:41', '2023-03-03 07:04:41'),
(5540, 5540, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka has again topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality this morning (March 3, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 221 at 8:40am, the capital ranked first in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered \"unhealthy,\" 201 and 300 \"very unhealthy,\" and 301 to 400 is considered \"hazardous,\" posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vietnam’s Hanoi, Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Myanmar’s Yangon occupied the second, third and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 207, 198 and 196, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person\'s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 07:09:35', '2023-03-03 07:09:35'),
(5541, 5541, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The installation of new leaders and the need to shore up a flagging economy will dominate the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament that kicks off Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nearly 3,000 delegates attending the meeting of the largely powerless National People\'s Congress will hear reports on the work of government that lay out the ruling Communist Party’s priorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Don’t expect open debates or criticism. All documents, decisions and appointments are expected to receive unanimous support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Below are some of the issues surrounding the roughly 10-day event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT THIS YEAR?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year’s gathering comes at the start of China’s latest five-year political cycle, as an addendum to the ruling Communist Party’s 20th annual congress in October.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That event saw the appointment of a new Politburo Standing Committee, the apex of political power in China, led by Secretary General Xi Jinping, China’s president who has eliminated term limits to allow him to rule for life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The congress will see Xi renamed head of state along with the replacement of Li Keqiang as premier and the appointment of other top members of the State Council, China’s Cabinet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China’s economy was battered by pandemic-related lockdowns, quarantines and other harsh measures imposed under the “zero-COVID” strategy, adding to the woes of a hugely indebted real estate sector and the precarious state of local government finances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite optimistic talk from Beijing, many analysts say the economy is in serious trouble.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the same time, China’s assertive, often adventurous foreign policy has put it at odds with the U.S. and its allies over issues from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to threats against Taiwan and even the banning of the Chinese short video app TikTok by foreign governments on national security grounds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">WHAT ARE SOME OTHER THEMES?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The gathering is expected to pick up on a move to increase centralization — always a key priority for communist states — by shifting responsibilities from government bodies to those directly under the party’s Central Committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That could be most pronounced in the security field, where the responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Security in charge of the police, and the Ministry of State Security that handles foreign and domestic intelligence, could by taken over by party commissions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similar moves have been proposed for the semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong, where the party has steadily ratcheted up control since months of anti-government protests in 2019 and a subsequent crackdown on civil liberties and political opposition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Measures to boost a flagging birthrate are also expected to be discussed, following the abandonment of the much-criticized and highly punitive one-child policy in 2016. That followed the announcement in January that the population fell by 850,000 last year as a result of a cratering birthrate and aging population, the first decline in 61 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local governments are offering subsidized childcare, cash payments of 5,000 yuan ($700) or more and even free apartments to couples who decide to start families, especially if they’re having more than one child.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Sichuan province, authorities this year moved to legally recognize children born to unwed mothers. More localities are expected to follow. Previously, women were not banned from having children on their own, but faced bureaucratic hurdles making it almost impossible to register them for school and other social services. IVF services are being expanded, although surrogacy remains illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The issue of Taiwan, which split from the mainland in 1949 and has never been governed by the Communist Party, is also seen as growing more pressing, especially given heightened tensions with Taiwan’s top ally, the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the NPC’s passage in 2005 of an “anti-secession law,” leaders have debated enacting tougher measures to back up Beijing’s threat to use force to annex the island it considers its own territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Now, of course, some people may think (the NPC) is more conservative. That’s true,” said Cheng Li, an expert on Chinese politics and leadership issues at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, D.C.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xi has shifted policy so that “the top priority is state security. It’s national security at a time that war becomes more likely,” Cheng said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">WHAT IS THE NPC AND WHAT DOES IT DO?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Made up of regional delegations and one from the People\'s Liberation Army, the National People’s Congress is technically the highest law-making body in China, although the vast majority of its legislative work is performed by its 175-member Standing Committee that meets year-round.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Its annual gathering at the hulking Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing is the main public forum for communicating the government’s priorities and goals, both economic and political.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A key document is the premier’s work report that will set the GDP growth target and the defense budget.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is also a limited opportunity for feedback, as top officials meet with the various delegation heads, but there is none of the open discussion or tabling of bills typical of other legislatures. That is also the case with the congress’ advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which meets concurrently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The purpose of the annual session is a signaling exercise of what the leadership’s goals are and what they want everyone to think about going forward,” said Scott Kennedy, an expert on the Chinese economy at the Center for Strategic &amp; International Studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">WHAT’S IT SAY ABOUT CHINA’S POLITICAL SYSTEM?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NPC delegates almost all belong to the ruling Communist Party, which has brooked no opposition and very little criticism since seizing power amid civil war in 1949.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delegates are generally far better traveled, better educated and more politically astute than in the past. Yet, that hasn’t produced any apparent desire to turn the NPC into a more representative body that could act as a check on government and the ruling party. With few exceptions, the NPC has been a loyal adjunct to the party leadership, offering a patina of democracy to an increasingly authoritarian one-party police state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And in case there is any question, the party routinely issues decrees and takes real steps to quash any push for reform smacking of Western-style liberalism. Dissidents have been imprisoned, exiled or intimidated into silence, while human rights lawyers and legal activists have been under massive pressure since a sweeping 2015 roundup.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just days before the NPC’s opening, the party’s General Office issued a directive telling law professors and their students to “oppose and resist Western erroneous views such as ‘constitutional government,’ ‘separation of three powers,’ and ’independence of the judiciary.\'” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 07:15:07', '2023-03-03 07:15:07'),
(5542, 5542, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The U.S. is expected to announce a new package of military aid for Ukraine Friday, including —for the first time — eight armored vehicles that can launch bridges and allow troops to cross rivers or other gaps, U.S. officials said Thursday.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The officials said the total cost of the package will be about $400 million and will also include large amounts of ammunition, such as rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. It comes just a week after the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as Ukrainian forces are preparing for a spring offensive.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package has not yet been publicly announced.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The so-called Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge is a portable, 60-foot folding metal bridge that is carried on top of a tank body. Providing that system now could help Ukrainian troops as they launch the expected offensive, and make it easier for troops to cross rivers to get to Russian forces.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Including this latest package, the U.S. has now provided more than $32 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The vehicle bridges and ammunition in the package will be taken from Pentagon stocks through the presidential drawdown authority, so they will be able to be delivered quickly to the warfront.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The aid will also include an undisclosed amount of rounds for howitzers, other ammunition, demolition munitions and other equipment to clear obstacles, spare parts and equipment for vehicle maintenance and repair.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The announcement comes on the heels of a brief meeting Thursday between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 20 nations in New Delhi. It was the highest-level in-person talk between the two countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But there was no indication of any movement toward easing the intense tensions between the two nations.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Blinken said he told Lavrov the U.S. would continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Lavrov, who did not mention speaking with Blinken when he held a news conference after the meeting, told reporters Moscow would continue to press its action in Ukraine.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The war had largely slowed to a grinding stalemate during the winter months, but both sides are expected to be preparing to launch offensives in the spring. AP/UNB</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 07:53:16', '2023-03-03 07:53:16'),
(5543, 5543, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian multi-billionaire Gautam Adani\'s embattled business empire says it has secured $1.87bn (£1.6bn) of investment from a US-based asset management firm.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Florida-headquartered GQG Partners has bought shares in four of the group\'s companies, Adani told investors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It marks the first major investment made public by the firm since it was accused of engaging in stock market manipulation and financial fraud by short-seller Hindenburg Research.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adani Group has denied the allegations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adani Group\'s seven stock market-listed companies had an estimated $135bn wiped off their value since Hindenburg Research\'s report was published on 24 January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The GQG investment will be split across four Adani companies, including flagship firm Adani Enterprises. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 08:06:15', '2023-03-03 08:06:15');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5544, 5544, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Khulna doctors\' strike protesting the \"attack\" on one of their colleagues by a policeman and others entered its third day on Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Healthcare services came to a grinding halt at all government and private hospitals, except for emergency care, in the district due to the strike, causing immense suffering to patients and others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Baharul Alam, president of the Khulna unit of the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), said a high-level delegation of the Directorate General of Health Services already arrived in Khulna to discuss the withdrawal of the strike.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The delegation will hold a meeting with the BMA, clinic owners and physicians to address the issue,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Healthcare seekers said the appointments with specialist physicians, who come from Dhaka and practice privately at clinics, were cancelled on Thursday night due to the strike as the physicians \"expressed solidarity with the protesters.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\'Attack\' on Khulna physician: Patients continue to suffer as doctors\' strike drags into 3rd day&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On February 25, Dr Sheikh Nishat Abdullah, head of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department of Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital, was allegedly physically assaulted, by a patient\'s relatives, including Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Naim, at a nursing home in Sheikhpara of Khulna city during surgery.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Protesting the attack, the BMA Khulna unit decided to observe a 24-hour work abstention from Wednesday to Thursday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Baharul Thursday said they would continue the strike as long as the ASI is not arrested, and a case filed against the physician is not withdrawn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, ASI Naim, who was earlier posted at a police station in Satkhira, was attached to the district\'s police lines after his withdrawal from his workplace Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kazi Moniruzzaman, superintendent of Satkhira police, said actions will be taken against him if the allegations are found to be true after an investigation, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nusrat Ara Moyna, wife of the policeman, held a press conference on Thursday at Khulna Press Club seeking the intervention of the Prime Minister to resolve the problem, saying: \"I have video footage of that night which shows no evidence of assault and vandalism.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moyana also demanded justice for \"harassment against her\" and implicating Naim in a \"false case.\" UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 08:22:25', '2023-03-03 08:22:25'),
(5545, 5545, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has said Bangladesh\'s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman\'s legacy remains a \"guiding light\" for Bangladesh-India relationship and the driving force for India\'s steadfast partnership with Bangladesh on its journey towards progress and prosperity.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The high commissioner and his wife visited Tungipara and paid tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mausoleum Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The high commissioner also laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum to pay homage to Bangabandhu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his written remarks at the mausoleum, Verma highlighted the importance of March in the history of Bangladesh and underlined Bangabandhu\'s vision for the development of the Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The high commissioner also took a guided tour of the museum, which showcases Bangabandhu\'s life and legacy, and the supreme sacrifices that he made for the independence and progress of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu\'s fight for democracy, inclusivity and social justice continues to inspire people across the world, said Verma. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 08:33:06', '2023-03-03 08:33:06'),
(5546, 5546, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">England opener Jason Roy smashed his 12th ODI century in the second match of the three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thanks to his century, England are aiming for a big total on the scoreboard. At the end of 32 overs, England reached 165 for three.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Roy completed his century off 104 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">England\'s batting approach on the tricky Mirpur surface appeared to be working well. They did not appear overly aggressive against Bangladesh\'s attack, instead scoring runs in a manner more suited to the conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz each took a wicket for Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh lost the first match of the series by three wickets, making the second match a must-win affair for the hosts if they hope to win the series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first, in an attempt to maintain their record of not losing an ODI series in the past seven years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh fielded an unchanged playing XI, while England made two changes. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 09:39:42', '2023-03-03 09:39:42'),
(5547, 5547, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bollywood star Deepika Padukone will present an award at the upcoming Oscars 2023, where India is nominated in three categories -- Original Song, Documentary Feature and Documentary Short.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Academy unveiled the list of presenters on Thursday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will be joining the likes of Emily Blunt, Samuel L Jackson, Glenn Close, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B Jordan, Janelle Monae, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Connelly, Riz Ahmed and Melissa McCarthy among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 95th Academy Awards will be held on March 12 at Los Angeles’ Dolly Theatre. This year is significant for India at the Oscars as ‘Naatu Naatu,’ the hit dance track from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR, is the frontrunner in the Original Song category.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shaunak Sen\'s All That Breathes is nominated for the Documentary Feature award, while Guneet Monga-backed Elephant Whisperers is competing in the Documentary Short category.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deepika has previously represented India on a jury at the 75th-anniversary celebration of the Cannes Film Festival 2022. She also unveiled the FIFA World Cup trophy in Lusail Stadium on December 18 before the final between Argentina and France.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The actor is riding high on the success of her film Pathaan, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. She is currently filming for a sci-fi movie, tentatively titled Project K, which also features Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan. PTI</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 09:43:28', '2023-03-03 09:43:28'),
(5548, 5548, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has assured of the international organisation\'s continuous humanitarian support to deal with the needs of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This crisis is not forgotten. The EU remains one of the largest humanitarian donors, with €287 million since 2017,\" he said after his meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in New Delhi on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They discussed today\'s global crises – climate change and vulnerabilities of the LDCs as well as the Rohingya refugees hosted by Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Great to meet Josep Borrell, high representative of foreign affairs of the EU, to talk about the bilateral relationship and world affairs, including the Rohingya crisis,\" said Shahriar. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 09:52:45', '2023-03-03 09:52:45'),
(5549, 5549, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A business-to-business (B2B) match-making event will be held in the last week of May to expand business between Bangladesh and Japan.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JBCCI), UNIDO ITPO Tokyo and Haison International Limited will jointly organise the event in Japan, said a press release here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The weeklong event is likely to take place from May 22-26 in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, the release added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a meeting organised by JBCCI in Dhaka on Thursday, UNIDO ITPO Industrial Development Officer Ikue Toshinaga called upon businesses to participate in the event and find new ways of opportunities to initiate business between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"B2B events help business communities of both the countries to find out new ways of expanding businesses and it has been a successful event so far,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the meeting, the JBCCI President Hikari Kawai also briefly talked about JBCCI and its contribution to promoting bilateral trade relations.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">JBCCI board members, past presidents, members and other distinguished guests attended the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also discussed how the B2B event in Japan can be more effective and how they can attract more Japanese investors to invest in Bangladesh. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 11:14:01', '2023-03-03 11:14:01'),
(5550, 5550, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistani rupee suffered a big blow against the US dollar as the greenback was traded at a historic low of 285.09 rupees in the interbank market on Thursday, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It marks a 6.66-percent drop from Wednesday\'s closing price of 266.11 rupees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking to Xinhua, Khurram Schehzad, chief executive officer of Alpha Beta Core, a Pakistani financial advisory and investment strategy firm, said that the core reason for this dramatic fall is the lack of confidence in the market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Uncertainty arose as Pakistan\'s International Monetary Fund program is still pending, he said, adding that the country\'s foreign exchange reserves are also shrinking due to the near future debt repayments. Xinhua</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 11:18:58', '2023-03-03 11:18:58'),
(5551, 5551, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Doha on Saturday to participate in the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), to be held on March 5-9.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier is visiting Qatar at the invitation of the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said her office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her stay in Qatar till March 08,&nbsp; Hasina will lead a high-level delegation and will hold bilateral meeting with her Qatari counterpart apart from her participation at the LDC5 conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will also have a meeting with the Emir of Qatar. Bilateral issues including cooperation in the areas of energy sector will come up for discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to PMO a VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier and her entourage, will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11am on Saturday, which is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport, Doha at 2:30pm local time (Doha time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday afternoon, PM Hasina will have separate meetings with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, UNGA President Csaba Korosi and UNDP administrator Achim Steiner at Qatar National Convention Centre (QCC).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 5, the PM will deliver a speech at the opening plenary meeting of the LDC5 Conference as a special guest at the QCC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Next she will have separate meetings with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Rwanda President Paul Kagame, Secretary General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan and Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan-Martin there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the prime minister will also deliver a speech at a side event titled “Sustainable and Smooth Transition for the Graduating Cohort of 2021,” which will be arranged jointly by Bangladesh, Laos and Nepal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 6, Sheikh Hasina will speak as the chief guest at a business summit, titled “The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potential of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh” in the St. Regis Doha, will have meeting with Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and participate in a side event tiled “Investment in Research and Development in LDCs for Smart and Innovative Societies” in the QCC, and join the Regional Envoy Conference at the place of residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 7, the PM will attend a high-level dialogue on “Enhancing the participation of LDCs in International Trade and Regional Integration,” hold meeting with Denmark Minister for Development Cooperation Dan Jorgensen, attend event titled “Global Partnership for Smooth and Sustainable Graduation: Marching towards Smart Bangladesh” as the special guest in the QCC as well as join a civic reception to be hosted by Bangladeshi community living in Qatar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Hasina is scheduled to leave Doha for Dhaka in the morning on March 8 (Wednesday).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the LDC5 Conference in Doha, world leaders will gather with the private sector, civil society, parliamentarians, and young people to advance new ideas, raise new pledges of support, and spur delivery on agreed commitments, through the Doha Programme of Action. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 12:38:25', '2023-03-03 12:38:25'),
(5552, 5552, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A number of youths representing different groups or forums today said they find Bangabandhu\'s 7th March speech as a beacon to set their course and actions with the spirit of justified protest and justice.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We can get the inspiration to make impossible thing to possible from Bangabandhu\'s epoch-making speech of March 7. It also inspires us not to bow down to any injustice,\" Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain said while talking to BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the speech interconnected the nation\'s past, present and future as Bangabandhu mentioned the nation\'s history, heritage and struggle and the then suppression on Bangalee nation by Pakistani rulers as well as the nation\'s future dreams.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"March 7 speech is also a unique example of undisputed leadership and implementation of directives. Responding to the call of Bangabandhu, Bangalee nation started non-cooperation movement and thus jumped into the great Liberation War to free the nation from the Pakistani subjugation,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka University Debating Society\'s general secretary Fouad Hosen said March 7 speech still remained and would always remain as a great source of inspiration to youths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It (the speech) encourages all not to tolerate any injustice or exploitation,\" said Hosen, a post graduate student of international relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called the speech \"time-winning\" and said the speech visibly relieved the nation from a sense of fright and instill into them a spirit to jump into the Liberation War against the strong and well armed Pakistani occupation forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"His logical words and outstanding gesture mesmerized the nation . . . the speech united the entire nation,\" Hosen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saddam, also a law student of Dhaka University, the speech simultaneously showed the ways to wage democratic movement along with drawing the blueprint for guerrilla warfare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing Bangabandhu\'s remarks \"Despite our majority, we would still listen to any sound ideas from the minority\", Saddam said, Bangabandhu, in the speech, redefined democracy by giving the rational and justified ground more priorities in democracy over majority rejecting populist policy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saddam said formulating policies giving utmost priorities to the concern of majority has been becoming popular in contemporary politics which ultimately bring sufferings and suppression of minority concerns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Bangabandhu, long before, set examples of giving priorities to justice over the populist political practice of serving majorities, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Shahriar, president of Jahangirnagar University-based recitation troupe Dhwani, said March 7 speech is very momentous to describe the significance and background of the Great Liberation War to the new generation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said without the landmark speech, it is not possible to realize in which context Bangabandhu uttered the words, \"\"The struggle this time, is a struggle for our liberty. The struggle this time, is a struggle for our independence.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The social, political and economic discrimination suffered by the people of East Pakistan in the long 24 years since the birth of the state of Pakistan, Bangabandhu presented an illustrated scenario of the discrimination in his historic speech on 7th March, said Imran, also an MBA student of Marketing Department at JU.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The significance of the March 7 speech is undeniable in making the young generation aware of the deprivation and discrimination inflicted on the people of East Pakistan by the West Pakistani military government, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran said even after 52 years of independence, the significance of the historic speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 7th March has not faded a little bit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In the backdrop of the series of political agitations that took place on March 7 in 1971, finally that fury gave us the taste of freedom,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our young generation is still inspired by Bangabandhu\'s 7th March speech. That speech of Bangabandhu transmits energy to the minds of all generations of youths,\" Imran said. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 13:21:45', '2023-03-03 13:21:45'),
(5553, 5553, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday alleged the government has been indulging in unabated looting in the power sector in the name of capacity charge.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The government has again increased the price of electricity. They said they’re adjusting the price as no subsidy can be given in the sector,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also alleged that the ruling party leaders have already siphoned Tk10,000 crore off abroad by indulging in looting and corruption.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The country is now on the brink of destruction due to widespread corruption and plundering. “They’re now adjusting the the money that they looted from powe sector by cutting public pockets through repeatedly hiking the power tariff,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader said the way the Prime Minister and her colleagues are behaving it appears that Bangladesh has become their paternal property.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaled Zia, ssenior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other arrested party leaders and activists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that the government has signed a power deal with Indian Adani Group where the coal price was fixed at ($400/MT) against the actual price at $200/MT. “This is how plundering is going on in the power sector.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said no one, except a clique who are involved in corruption, bribery and looting, is now safe in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The Prime Minister is the kingpin of that clique and the corrupt elements are around her who depleted the banks through plundering. Banks are on the verge of bankruptcy. We have to remember that no one is safe in this country until a government is formed removing Hasina,” the BNP leader observed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said the current undemocratic government is least bothered about public suffering since it has no patriotism and responsibility toward people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life and all the democratic political parties to put up a strong resistance against the current despotic regime to restore democracy in the country and establish a government of people. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-03 14:49:48', '2023-03-03 14:49:48'),
(5554, 5554, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indonesian rescuers and firefighters on Saturday searched for possible victims under the rubble of charred houses and buildings after a large fire broke out at a fuel storage depot in the capital, killing at least 15 people and leaving 16 others missing.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil and gas company Pertamina, is near a densely populated area in the Tanah Merah neighborhood in North Jakarta. It supplies 25% of Indonesia’s fuel needs.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 260 firefighters and 52 fire engines managed to extinguish the blaze just before midnight on Friday after a fire spread through the neighborhood for more than two hours, fire officials said. They were working to secure the area on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Video of the fire broadcast on television late Friday showed hundreds of people in the community running in panic while thick plumes of black smoke and orange flames filled the sky and firefighters battled the blaze.</div><div><br></div><div>A preliminary investigation showed the fire broke out when a pipeline ruptured during heavy rain, possibly from a lightning strike, said Eko Kristiawan, Pertamina’s area manager for the western part of Java.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents living near the depot said they smelled a strong odor of gasoline, causing some people to vomit, after which thunder rumbled twice, followed by a huge explosion around 8 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Haryati, a mother of three children, said the fire began to spread in their neighborhood about 20 minutes later, causing sudden panic among residents.</div><div><br></div><div>“I was crying and immediately grabbed our valuable documents and ran with my husband and children,” Haryati said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said she heard smaller blasts that echoed across the residential neighborhood as orange flames jumped from the depot compound and columns of black smoke billowed.</div><div><br></div><div>Data from the Indonesian Red Cross’ command center said the death toll had been revised to 15 from 17 after authorities found that some victims were counted twice. Rescuers continued searching for 16 people who were reported missing or separated from their families amid the chaos. About 49 people were receiving treatment in five hospitals, some of them in critical condition.</div><div><br></div><div>Acting Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono said about 600 displaced people were being taken to temporary shelters at government offices, a Red Cross command post and a sport stadium.</div><div><br></div><div>Pertamina’s president director Nicke Widyawati apologized for the incident and said the company would provide help to affected communities.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the company is working closely with related institutions and law enforcement to investigate the cause of the fire at the depot.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will carry out a thorough evaluation and reflection internally to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” Widyawati said in a statement, adding that the company ensured the supply of fuel oil will be safe.</div><div><br></div><div>The company will utilize fuel supplies from a number of Pertamina’s fuel terminals on Java island and support the Cilacap and Balongan refineries, which are channeled by sea to Tanjung Priok terminal in North Jakarta.</div><div><br></div><div>As investigators tried to piece together what happened, grieving relatives went to a police hospital’s morgue in eastern Jakarta Saturday morning to identify loved ones. Officials said all of the bodies were burned beyond recognition.</div><div><br></div><div>“The condition of corpses made them hard to recognize ... they could only be identified through DNA and dental data,” said Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, the Jakarta Police spokesperson.</div><div><br></div><div>Friday’s fire was the second large blaze at the Plumpang fuel depot. In 2014, a fire engulfed at least 40 nearby houses, but no casualties were reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Fahmi Radhi, an energy analyst from Gajah Mada University, urged Pertamina and the government to immediately move the depot away from the nearby community settlements.</div><div><br></div><div>“Pertamina has been negligent by not using international standard security systems,” he said in an interview with Kompas TV. He said that since the 2014 fire there have been no efforts to put such a system in place and that regular inspections should be conducted to avoid future fires.</div><div><br></div><div>“Pertamina’s board of directors should be held responsible for this deadliest fire by being dismissed immediately,” Radhi said.</div><div><br></div><div>An oil spill in 2018 caused a fire that killed five people and sickened hundreds in the port city of Balikpapan. Authorities said it came from a broken pipe that Pertamina was using to transfer crude oil.</div><div><br></div><div>In March 2021, a fire at Cilacap gasoline storage facility at the largest oil refinery on the main island of Java prompted the evacuation of 80 nearby residents and injured at least 20 people. Cilacap is one of six Pertamina refineries with a processing capacity of 270,000 barrels a day. Eight months later, more than 900 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at the Pertamina Balongan Refinery in West Java province. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 08:46:39', '2023-03-04 08:46:39'),
(5555, 5555, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha this morning to attend the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), to be held on March 5-9.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the prime minister and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11.15 am. The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport, Doha at 2:30 pm local time.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM is visiting Qatar at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.</div><div><br></div><div>During her stay in Qatar till March 8, Sheikh Hasina will lead a high-level delegation and will hold bilateral meetings with her Qatari counterpart apart from her participation at the LDC5 conference.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She will also have a meeting with the Emir of Qatar. Bilateral issues including cooperation in the areas of energy sector will come up for discussion.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday afternoon, Sheikh Hasina will have separate meetings with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, UNGA President Csaba Korosi and UNDP administrator Achim Steiner at Qatar National Convention Centre (QCC).</div><div><br></div><div>On March 5, the PM will deliver a speech at the opening plenary meeting of the LDC5 Conference as a special guest at the QCC.</div><div><br></div><div>Then she will have separate meetings with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Secretary General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan, and Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan-Martin.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the prime minister will also deliver a speech at a side event titled “Sustainable and Smooth Transition for the Graduating Cohort of 2021,” which will be arranged jointly by Bangladesh, Laos and Nepal.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 6, Sheikh Hasina will speak as the chief guest at a business summit, titled “The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potential of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh” at the St. Regis Doha, will have meeting with Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, and participate in a side event tiled “Investment in Research and Development in LDCs for Smart and Innovative Societies” in the QCC. She will also join the Regional Envoy Conference at the place of residence.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 7, the PM will attend a high-level dialogue on “Enhancing the participation of LDCs in International Trade and Regional Integration,” hold meeting with Denmark’s Minister for Development Cooperation Dan Jorgensen, attend an event titled “Global Partnership for Smooth and Sustainable Graduation: Marching towards Smart Bangladesh” as the special guest in the QCC as well as join a civic reception to be hosted by the Bangladeshi community living in Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Doha for Dhaka in the morning on March 8 (Wednesday).</div><div><br></div><div>At the LDC5 Conference in Doha, world leaders will gather with the private sector, civil society, parliamentarians, and young people to advance new ideas, raise new pledges of support, and spur delivery on agreed commitments, through the Doha Programme of Action. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 09:07:07', '2023-03-04 09:07:07'),
(5556, 5556, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two people sustained severe burn injuries in an air conditioner (AC) blast in an apartment at Dhaka’s Niketan area early this morning (March 4, 2023).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The injured are 28-year-old Gopal Mollick and 20-year-old Mizanur Rahman, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Rashed Bin Khalid, a duty officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters, said the AC might have exploded from an electric short-circuit, on the fifth floor of the six-storey building on road 6 in Niketan around 6:15 am, leaving the duo critically injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Being informed, three firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire around 6:53 am, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The injured were sent to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 09:30:50', '2023-03-04 09:30:50'),
(5557, 5557, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sushmita Sen, who is referred to as one of the fittest in tinsel town, shared a news about herself that shocked fans. On Thursday, the actress took to Instagram and informed fans that she suffered a heart attack a couple of days back. She also had to get an angioplasty done. However, she is doing fine now, India Today reported.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Sushmita Sen is an inspiration for all fitness enthusiasts. However, she suffered a heart attack a couple of days back.</div><div><br></div><div>Taking to Instagram, she wrote, “Keep your heart happy &amp; courageous, and it’ll stand by you when you need it the most Shona” (Wise words by my father @sensubir ) I suffered a heart attack a couple of days back.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Angioplasty done. stent in place and most importantly, my cardiologist reconfirmed ‘I do have a big heart’ Lots of people to thank for their timely aid &amp; constructive action. will do so in another post!</div><div><br></div><div>This post is just to keep you (my well wishers &amp; loved ones) informed of the good news. That all is well &amp; I am ready for some life again!!! I love you guys beyond!!!! #godisgreat #duggadugga (sic).\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 09:46:42', '2023-03-04 09:46:42'),
(5558, 5558, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Rohingya youth was shot dead by miscreants at Ukhiya Rohingya camp on Friday afternoon.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was identified as Rafiq, 35, son of Dil Mohammad and resident of A/9 block of Ukhiya Rohingya camp-19.</div><div><br></div><div>Farooq Ahmad, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Farooq Ahmad of APBN-8, said that 10-15 armed miscreants abducted Rafiq from his own block of camp-19 and shot him to death on the spot.</div><div><br></div><div>The body was handed over to the police after recovery, said the ASP adding that efforts are going on to identify and arrest those involved in the incident. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 10:17:34', '2023-03-04 10:17:34'),
(5559, 5559, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Gunmen in military uniforms fatally shot a governor and five civilians on Saturday while the provincial leader was meeting villagers at his home in the central Philippines, in the latest brazen assault on local politicians in the country, police said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>At least six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-style camouflage and bullet-proof vests alighted from three SUVs and opened fire on Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, hitting him and at least five other people in front of his home in Pamplona town. The province has a history of violent political rivalries.</div><div><br></div><div>Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the wife of the slain governor, said in a Facebook video that the five villagers also died.</div><div><br></div><div>She demanded justice and said her husband “did not deserve that kind of death. He was serving constituents on a Saturday along with his department heads.”</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 10 suspects were seen fleeing the scene and later abandoned the SUVs, police said. Police set up security checkpoints and launched a province-wide search for the suspects.</div><div><br></div><div>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the mid-morning attack, which took place as impoverished villagers gathered in front of Degamo’s house to seek medical and other aid.</div><div><br></div><div>“My government will not rest until we have brought the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous crime to justice,” Marcos said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Marcos said without elaborating that authorities had gathered “much information and now have a clear direction on how to proceed to bring to justice those behind this killing.” He addressed the mastermind and the killers, saying, “We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option.”</div><div><br></div><div>Degamo’s killing underscores that even local politicians are not immune from high-profile gun violence that has persisted despite the government’s pledge to combat it.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of southern Lanao del Sur province was wounded and four of his bodyguards killed in an attack on their convoy. Police said they killed one of the suspects in a clash.</div><div><br></div><div>In a separate recent attack, unidentified men reportedly wearing police uniforms fired at the van of northern Aparri town Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda, killing him and five companions in northern Nueva Vizcaya province. The suspects remain at large.</div><div><br></div><div>Crimes, decades-long Muslim and communist rebellions, and other security concerns are some of the major problems inherited by Marcos, who took office in June last year. According to AP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 10:20:38', '2023-03-04 10:20:38'),
(5560, 5560, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today arrived in Qatar\'s capital Doha to attend 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5: From Potential to Prosperity).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A special VVIP flight (BG-325) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage members landed Hamad International Airport, Doha around 01:30pm local time.</div><div><br></div><div>High level representatives of Qatar government and Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md Nazrul Islam received the prime minister.</div><div>Later, Sheikh Hasina was escorted to the place of residence in a ceremonial motorcade.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the Biman flight took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka for Doha at 11:15am local time. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 11:50:56', '2023-03-04 11:50:56'),
(5561, 5561, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday slammed the world\'s rich countries and energy giants for throttling poor nations with \"predatory\" interest rates and crippling fuel prices.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking in the Qatari capital, Doha, Guterres told leaders of more than 40 of the most deprived states that wealthy nations should provide $500 billion a year to help others \"trapped in vicious cycles\" that block efforts to boost economies and vital services.</div><div><br></div><div>The summit of Least Developed Countries (LDC) is normally held every 10 years but has twice been delayed since 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.</div><div><br></div><div>Afghanistan and Myanmar, two of the poorest countries, are not present at the Doha meeting of 46 LDC states because their governments are not recognised by UN members.</div><div><br></div><div>No leader from any of the world\'s major economies attended.</div><div><br></div><div>At a leaders\' summit ahead of the start of the general LDC conference on Sunday, Guterres hit out straight away at the way poor nations are treated by the more powerful.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Economic development is challenging when countries are starved for resources, drowning in debt, and still struggling with the historic injustice of an unequal COVID-19 response,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The LDCs have complained that they did not get a fair share of the Covid vaccines that went mainly to Europe and North America.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Combatting climate catastrophe that you did nothing to cause is challenging when the cost of capital is sky-high\" and the financial help received \"is a drop in the bucket\", said Guterres.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Fossil fuel giants are raking in huge profits, while millions in your countries cannot put food on the table.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres said the poorest nations were being left behind in the \"digital revolution\" and the Ukraine war had fuelled their food and fuel prices.</div><div><br></div><div>- Broken promises -</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our global financial system was designed by wealthy countries, largely to their benefit,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Deprived of liquidity, many of you are locked out of capital markets by predatory interest rates,\" the UN leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>A host of presidents and ministers hit out at financing conditions for LDCs, whose debt has more than quadrupled in a decade to an estimated $50 billion in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>East Timor\'s President Jose Ramos-Horta called interest rates \"rapacious\" and \"insensitive\".</div><div><br></div><div>Malawi\'s President Lazarus Chakwera, the summit chairman, highlighted \"broken promises\" and said that aid was not \"an act of charity\" but a \"moral responsibility\".</div><div><br></div><div>Wealthy nations had failed to keep a promise to give 0.15-0.20 percent of their Gross National Income to LDCs, the UN chief said.</div><div><br></div><div>With poorer states trapped in a \"perfect storm for perpetuating poverty and injustice\", Guterres said LDCs required a \"minimum\" $500 billion a year to overcome their problems, build up job creating industries and repay debts.</div><div><br></div><div>He added that the United Nations would also \"keep pushing\" richer countries to hand over hundreds of billions of dollars promised separately to help poorer states battle climate change.</div><div><br></div><div>Under proposals a so-called Doha Programme of Action, a food stockholding system, will be set up to help countries facing hunger crises through drought and high prices.</div><div><br></div><div>It also calls for new efforts to help LDCs attract foreign funding and lower interest rates to ease the impact of their debts.</div><div><br></div><div>Bhutan will this year become one of seven countries -- along with Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe and the Solomon Islands to \"graduate\" out of LDC status by 2026.</div><div><br></div><div>But they will gradually lose trade and aid privileges. Guterres said they risk becoming \"victims of the cruelest sleight-of-hand trick -- support systems vanishing before their eyes\" and would need help after they move up the wealth scale. ‍Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 12:57:29', '2023-03-04 12:57:29');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5562, 5562, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A massive fire broke out at an oxygen plant following an explosion&nbsp; in Kadam Rasul (Keshabpur) area of Chattogram\'s Sitakunda upazila on Saturday afternoon.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The fire started at Seema Oxygen Plant around 4:30 pm after a big bang, Sitakunda Fire Service officer Md Fazle Rabbi said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, three firefighting units rushed to the spot and are trying to bring the blaze under control, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the reason behind the blast and fire could not be known immediately, said the fire official.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 13:03:49', '2023-03-04 13:03:49'),
(5563, 5563, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Khulna city turned into a living volcano since March 1 in 1971 as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was virtually</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>running the country from Road No-32 of Dhanmondi in Dhaka when the then Pakistan president Yahia Khan\'s rule became irrelevant to the Bangalees in the East Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>While describing the situation of Khulna during the March period of 1971, Sheikh Quamruzzaman Tuku, Commander of Mujib Bahini (BLF) during Liberation War, told BSS that they took mental preparation to form Khulna Chhatra Sangram Parishad (CSP) as per the directive received from the central leaders of Shwadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangram Parishad.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;\"Thousands of people took to the streets in the city chanting slogans against the Pakistani centrists, demanding handing over of power to Bangabandhu, the leader of the majority party Awami League, which won the highest number of seats in the National Assembly in 1970 polls,\" he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;Tuku said an eight-member convening committee was formed at a meeting held at Shaheed Hadis Park.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;Also the Chairman of Bagerhat Zila Parishad, Tuku said senior Awami League leaders were guiding the committee members to launch non-cooperation movement against the Pakistani rulers in the Khulna region.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;\"Public and private offices as well as business activities came to a complete halt while the educational institutions suspended academic activities to join the non-cooperation movement against the Pakistani rule”, he said.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Both public and private jute mills as well as other industries including shrimp factories in the region remained off from production.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>To gear up the movement, Khulna Chhatra Sangram Parishad took a bold decision to hoist the flag of independent Bangladesh in the morning on March 23, 1971 at Shaheed Hadis Park.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life under the banner of CSP joined the flag hoisting ceremony.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Meanwhile, CSP followed the decision of central leaders and observed hartal, blockade, rally and protest procession.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Different political parties including labour and student organizations expressed their solidarity with all CSP programmes.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>In the industrial belts of Khalishpur, Daulatpur and Khanjahan Ali thana areas, the workers played a very vital role in carrying forward the non-cooperation movement.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>\"I looked after all the movements in this zone since the 1966 six point movement of Bangabandhu\", he said.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>At that time, Tuku said Khulna was divided into 12 Unions and Zones and the freedom movement was being led by 12 conveners of CSP as per the directive of Khulna central CSP.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>\"Khulna Betar Kendra and Desher Dak, a weekly newspaper, published by Lutfar Rahman Zahangir, played a vital role in raising public opinion at that time,\" said veteran Freedom Fighter and the then joint convener of CSP S M Babar Ali.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Babar, also the former chairman of Paikgachha upazila parishad, told BSS that the freedom loving people attended all CSP programmes, set ablaze the Pakistani flags elsewhere and showed their mental preparation to say goodbye to Pakistan for an independent Bangladesh.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Recalling the history of the mass movement of March in 1971, Babar became emotional while saying that Hadis, an employee of a laundry shop, was the first martyr (Shaheed) in Khulna before the start of the War of</div><div>Liberation.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Hadis was killed and 50 others were injured when the Pakistan police opened fire on a procession of CSP that paraded from Bangladesh Bank intersection to the then Gandhi park in the first week of March.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;\"At a meeting, it was decided that the park should be named after the first martyr of Khulna. Ultimately, the park has been named as Shaheed Hadis Park,\" Babar said.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Awami League used to hold meetings at this park every day afternoon after the killing of Hadis. All latest news along with directives about the non-cooperation movement would have to be circulated from the park everyday at that time. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, '<p><br></p>', '2023-03-04 13:35:33', '2023-03-04 13:35:33'),
(5564, 5564, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In a bizarre incident, a married woman ran away with another man and her husband married her lover\'s wife to get revenge in Bihar\'s Khagaria district.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to ETV Bharat, the woman, named Ruby Devi, tied the knot with a man named Neeraj in 2009. The couple had four children together. However, a few years later, Mr Neeraj discovered that his wife was having an extra-marital affair with a man named Mukesh.</div><div><br></div><div>In February 2022, Ms Ruby and Mr Mukesh got married. When Ms Ruby\'s husband found out, he filed a police complaint against Mr Mukesh for kidnapping his wife. As per the outlet, Mr Neeraj, in his complaint, claimed that a village panchayat was held to settle the matter but Mr Mukesh refused to comply and has been on the run since then.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Mukesh was also married and had two children. Interestingly, it turned out his wife\'s name was also Ruby. In order to take revenge, Mr Neeraj decided to marry Mr Mukesh\'s wife. The couple tied the knot in February 2023. Source: NDTV</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 13:51:56', '2023-03-04 13:51:56'),
(5565, 5565, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Residents have searched through the remains of their charred homes after a fuel storage depot fire in Jakarta killed at least 17 people, including two children.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The fire, which started at approximately 8pm (01:00 GMT) on Friday from a fuel pipe at Pertamina’s Plumpang fuel storage depot in capital Jakarta, quickly spread to nearby houses and sent residents in the densely populated area into a panic.</div><div><br></div><div>Sixty people were injured, with many severely burned, while hundreds more living in residential areas near the depot had to be evacuated.</div><div><br></div><div>The North Jakarta Red Cross said 342 people had been evacuated and that four tents were set up for the displaced.</div><div><br></div><div>Three people were still missing after the blaze, with Indonesian officials the next day calling for an audit of “all fuel facilities and infrastructures” in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Vice President Ma’ruf Amin visited the scene on Saturday and confirmed 17 people were killed and 60 more injured.</div><div><br></div><div>He suggested the depot should be moved away from residential neighbourhoods.</div><div><br></div><div>“I hope this depot can be relocated … so it will be safer and this area will be rearranged so it meets the requirements of a proper neighbourhood in the capital,” he told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>Footage broadcast on Friday night showed people screaming and fleeing through narrow roads with an inferno lighting up the sky behind them.</div><div>A fireball could be seen across the skyline of north Jakarta with sirens wailing in the background.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdul Syukur, who also lives nearby, told Kompas TV that residents said they could smell the fuel about 30 minutes before the fire.</div><div><br></div><div>“The smell was so strong there were people throwing up and some nearly fainted,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Another witness, Swastono Aji, told AFP news agency that the smell “was so strong that we could hardly breathe”. - BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 14:47:58', '2023-03-04 14:47:58'),
(5566, 5566, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A neurosurgical training centre will be introduced in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU) as part of providing neurosurgical treatments to patients, said its vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He announced initiatives to introduce modern technology and machinery for ensuring neurosurgical treatments.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have taken the initiative to introduce modern technology and machinery for neurosurgical treatment. A neurosurgical training centre will be established to train the young neurosurgeons,” he said while addressing the first International Hybrid Conference and Workshop-2023 in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the hospital had already succeeded in liver and cadaveric transplants.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Mohammad Hossain, dean of the surgery faculty of BSMMU and president of the Bangladesh Society of Neurosurgeons, said they held workshops on how to use modern technology through live surgery.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 200 neurosurgeons from Japan, USA, Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh took part in the conference. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 14:58:54', '2023-03-04 14:58:54'),
(5567, 5567, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A state of emergency has been declared in Vanuatu as Category 4 Cyclone Kevin brought gale-force winds and torrential rain to the Pacific nation battling its second large cyclone in a week and was also rattled by two earthquakes.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Spread across 13 principal islands in the southwestern Pacific, Vanuatu has already been battered by Cyclone Judy, which hit the capital Port Vila on Wednesday, cutting power and forcing some residents to evacuate.</div><div><br></div><div>As the country cleared roads and restored power lines cut by Cyclone Judy, residents were jolted early on Friday by twin earthquakes and told to hunker down as Cyclone Kevin approached.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s crazy. Vanuatu is used to natural disasters but I think this is the first time it has had two cyclones back to back,” Eric Durpaire, of the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, told the Agence France-Presse news agency.</div><div><br></div><div>Hundreds of thousands of people in Vanuatu are estimated to be affected by the two massive Category 4 cyclones, which slammed across the island nation within 24 hours, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>The government declared a state of emergency on Friday and Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau said officials were working to assess the damage, according to Radio New Zealand.</div><div><br></div><div>UNICEF Pacific said it was deeply concerned about the effects of two cyclones on vulnerable children and was working with the government to respond to urgent needs of families. The UN agency also said it was shipping emergency supplies to Vanuatu from Fiji to support disaster relief.</div><div><br></div><div>Cyclone Kevin passed over the capital late on Friday and was moving across the southern island province of Tafea on Saturday morning, bringing wind gusts above 230km (142.92 miles) per hour, according to the meteorology department. A red alert was in effect for Tafea province, home to just more than 30,000 people, according to the National Disaster Management Office. All boats were advised to avoid going to sea.</div><div><br></div><div>Winds were expected to weaken over the next six to 12 hours as Cyclone Kevin continues moving southeast, away from Vanuatu.</div><div><br></div><div>Adding to the nation’s woes, magnitude 6.5 and 5.4 earthquakes were reported on Friday but there were no immediate reports of casualties. The situation on outlying islands remains unclear.</div><div><br></div><div>“People on (Espiritu) Santo felt the earthquake but couldn’t go outside to assess the damage because of the high winds,” Dickinson Tevi, secretary general of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“They told me they didn’t sleep well as the earthquake hit when they were already awake from the cyclone,” Tevi said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Access to affected communities has been hampered as most roads have been damaged and fallen power lines have also caused power outages, making communication to remote communities difficult. Tanna island in the province of Tafea is expected to be the worst affected,” Tevi said later in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Disaster response agencies are braced for further damage from Cyclone Kevin and a long recovery ahead.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s like a car crash – first there is the big shock, then long-term problems come afterwards,” UNICEF’s Durpaire said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Medical centres, hospitals and schools will have been affected. Some children may not be able to go to school for weeks, maybe months.”</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Australia said it would send a 12-person assessment team to Vanuatu along with emergency supplies like shelters and water purification equipment. The Royal Australian Air Force will also help with aerial damage assessments.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Australian Defence Force as a part of the whole-of-government effort is coordinating closely with the Pacific family to provide the best support possible to the Ni-Vanuatu people,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Friday. Source: Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 15:28:14', '2023-03-04 15:28:14'),
(5568, 5568, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two intense Shah Rukh Khan fans decided to take matters in their own hands and tried to breach security by breaking into the superstar’s home. They could only scale the outer wall before they were caught by guards. The police was contacted and a case has been registered against the young men.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the Hindustan Times, the men claimed during the police enquiry that they had come from Gujarat and wanted to meet SRK. As per news agency ANI, they are aged between 20 and 22. A case has been registered against them for trespassing and other relevant offences under the Indian Penal Code.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2022, Mannat got a new entrance gate and a new LED nameplate that illuminates after dark. It is a popular location which fans often frequent and take photos of, and King Khan makes appearances on his balcony on special occasions too, to the delight of fans.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan is currently revelling in the success of his latest release Pathaan, which became the biggest opener in the history of Indian cinema. Indian media reported that the film made INR 530 million at the Indian box office on its first day. The actor’s comeback to the silver screen after four years was not only welcomed by fans but also haters who burnt posters and protested against the movie’s content.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan’s upcoming movie Jawan, produced by his own production company Red Chillies Entertainment, will release worldwide in theatres on June 2. He will also be part of Rajkumar Hirani’s next project Dunki along with Taapsee Pannu. According to Dawn reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 15:59:36', '2023-03-04 15:59:36'),
(5569, 5569, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least six people were killed and 50 others injured as a massive fire broke out at an oxygen plant following an explosion.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The incident took place in Kadam Rasul (Keshabpur) area of Chattogram\'s Sitakunda upazila on Saturday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Nurul Alam, in-charge of Chittagong Medical College Hospital police outpost, said to media that the identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>The fire started at Seema Oxygen Plant around 4:30 pm after a big bang, Sitakunda Fire Service officer Md Fazle Rabbi said.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, Nine firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control at 5:40pm, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the reason behind the blast and fire could not be known immediately, said the fire official, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>According to locals, they saw huge flames after they heard a huge bang at the plant.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, on 4 June last year, a devastating fire at BM Container Depot killed 51 people and injured more than 250 people.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 16:16:06', '2023-03-04 16:16:06'),
(5570, 5570, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>After staging consecutive road-march programmes from the cities to unions across the country for over a month, BNP and like-minded parties on Saturday announced to form human chains in all divisional cities and district towns on March 11 to press home their 10-point demand.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The fresh programme of the simultaneous movement came from the opposition’s march programme observed in all thanas under 13 organisational divisional cities, including Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir launched the programme around 2:45p by taking part in a road march of Uttara East Thana unit BNP in front of Uttra Public College.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the next course of the simultaneous movement, the BNP Secretary General announced the human chain programme in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka and in all district towns on March 11 to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current regime and holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.</div><div><br></div><div>The programme is also meant for mounting pressure on the government to reduce the prices of daily essential commodities and power and other utility services.</div><div><br></div><div>The leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies in all thanas under Dhaka south and north city units arranged separate rallies and brought out processions as part of their road march programme in all divisional cities.</div><div><br></div><div>Party standing committee members and senior ones led a similar programme in all thanas in the capital and all other divisional cities.</div><div><br></div><div>In the capital, Dhaka south and north city units of BNP staged the road march in 51 thanas of the capital almost peacefully, except for the ruling party\'s reported attacks on the opposition activists in Hazaribagh and Turag areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, police arrested former Jubo Dal President Saiful Islam Nirob after BNP’s march programme in Tejgaon area in the capital</div><div><br></div><div>Jubo Dal north unit ex-president SM Jahangir said police arrested Nirob when a road march reached the Tejgaon Rail Line area from Karwan Bazar.</div><div><br></div><div>In a press release, BNP alleged that police also arrested its leaders and activists from Khilgaon, Kamrangirchar, Uttar Bhatara areas during the road march programme.</div><div><br></div><div>The party also claimed that the ruling party activists attacked the vehicles of BNP media cell convener Zohiruddin Swapan and assistant human rights affairs secretary Syeda Ashifa Ashrafi Papia and the house of BNP’s Dhaka north city unit joint convener Mostafa in Turag area, leaving at least 25 people injured</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from BNP, Ganotantra Mancha arranged the march programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club while LDP in Panthapath, Badda, Jatrabari, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in Bijoynagar and Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote in Purana Paltan in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>They announced the human chain programme in all divisional cities, including Dhaka, on March 11 to press home their different demands, including the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next polls under a non-party administration.</div><div><br></div><div>From December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement to bring down the government, or at least realise the all-important caretaker or non-party provision ahead of the next election.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme in five areas in the capital since January 28.</div><div><br></div><div>The party also arranged a similar programme in all unions, districts and divisional cities across the country to press home their 10-point demand. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-04 16:20:53', '2023-03-04 16:20:53'),
(5571, 5571, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Xi Jinping is set to deepen his control of China\'s government and economy, as lawmakers meet this week in Beijing to pass far-reaching reforms.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National People\'s Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, will confirm Mr Xi\'s third term as president, and the appointments of his top team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They will also name a new premier, the second-in-command after Mr Xi, as the incumbent Li Keqiang departs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Two Sessions, as the meetings are known, are an annual affair.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But this year\'s sessions are particularly significant as delegates are expected to reshape several key Communist Party and state institutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They will also tighten control over bodies overseeing the finance sector and scientific and technology work, while \"strengthening party-building work\" in private businesses, according to state media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The moves will likely further blur the lines between the Chinese Communist Party and the government, and consolidate the party\'s control of the private sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This comes amid an ongoing corruption crackdown which has seen a string of high-profile businessmen disappear in recent years. The latest person to go missing was one of China\'s top dealmakers in the tech sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This week\'s NPC meeting will also formalise Mr Xi\'s leadership of the country, as he will be elected president of China and head of the armed forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He secured his position in the echelons of Chinese power in October last year, when the Communist Party re-elected him as their leader for a third term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was a break from decades-long tradition, as no other party leader besides Communist China\'s first leader, Mao Zedong, will have served for this long. In the 2018 NPC meeting, lawmakers had approved the removal of term limits on the presidency, effectively allowing Mr Xi to remain leader for life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Xi\'s appointment comes as he faces domestic pressure to turn around an economy battered by his zero-Covid strategy and crackdowns in various business sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abroad, he is navigating worsening ties with the US over the Ukraine war and the recent spy balloon saga, even as he warms his embrace of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NPC will also unveil the new Premier, China\'s equivalent of a prime minister who traditionally oversees the economy and administrative aspects of governance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Li Qiang, one of Mr Xi\'s most trusted colleagues, is expected to assume the role. As the Shanghai party secretary, he oversaw a prolonged and painful Covid lockdown that angered locals and made international headlines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Outgoing premier Li Keqiang, who was ousted in the leadership reshuffle at October\'s party congress, will deliver his last work report speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The political appointments for the rest of the Politburo Standing Committee, the equivalent of Mr Xi\'s cabinet, will also be announced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many will be watching to see who fills several key positions, such as the commerce minister, head of the national development and reform commission, propaganda chief, and head of state security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Observers say the team was picked more for their loyalty to Mr Xi and the party, rather than for their expertise. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 02:32:20', '2023-03-05 02:32:20'),
(5572, 5572, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A short drive from Ukraine\'s southern border, hundreds of Russian troops guard a vast Soviet-era ammunition depot in Moldova\'s breakaway region of Transnistria.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This depot, these soldiers and this pro-Russian separatist region are under increasing global scrutiny.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past few weeks, accusations have flown between Russia, Ukraine and Moldova over alleged plots to destabilise Moldova, and warnings about the potential for conflict to erupt here again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moldova\'s prime minister, Dorin Recean, has said Russian troops should be expelled from the region, amid warnings from President Maia Sandu that Moscow is planning to topple her pro-western government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia, meanwhile, has been talking up the threat of a \"false flag\" attack by Ukrainian forces - and warned that any attack on its troops in Transnistria would be seen as an attack on Russia itself.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many western analysts point out that Transnistria could provide Russia with another entry point into Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian troops away from other areas of fighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So Transnistria - controlled by pro-Russian separatists since Moldova\'s civil war in 1992 - is being closely watched globally, but also by those much closer to home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The warnings and threats about fresh conflict here hang heavy over the village of Molovata Noua.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is a tiny Moldovan enclave, jammed up against Transnistrian territory and separated from the rest of Moldova by the River Dneister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If residents of Chisinau feel vulnerable, residents of Molovata Noua feel completely exposed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many of the older men here fought pro-Russian separatists for this land 30 years ago. They\'re wondering now if they\'ll have to fight here again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Friday, veterans of that conflict gathered in Molovata Noua for an annual pilgrimage across the line of control into Transnistria, to honour those who died.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two dozen men in military fatigues, bright medals on their chests and darkness behind their eyes. Among them, 62-year-old Vlad Untila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re lucky that Ukraine is defending us at the moment,\" he said, \"but if it kicks off in Moldova, we\'re ready to defend this territory again.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their convoy of cars makes its way down the deserted dirt road from Molovata Noua into the breakaway pro-Russian territory - crossing into enemy territory as they did three decades ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"See how they look at us,\" Vlad growls, as his car approaches the Russian checkpoint.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A gaggle of armed soldiers eye the convoy, as it carries men in Moldovan military fatigues into separatist territory, turning a blind eye to this eye-catching annual ritual.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Look around you,\" Vlad says, \"this is where we fought - it was all a battlefield.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now the narrow dirt road cuts through the silent countryside, flanked by brown fields and broken winter trees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s hard because I feel I\'m in my own country,\" his friend Constantin joins in. \"It\'s my own land, and yet I can\'t walk freely here.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A short drive beyond the checkpoint, hidden in brambles by the side of the road, is the first stop on the pilgrimage - a simple blue cross made from metal poles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It marks the spot, 31 years ago, where a local mayor was killed. The veterans gather round with a garland of flowers and a plastic bottle full of wine, to toast their fallen comrades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They follow the trail of pale blue monuments dotted through this territory, repeating the ritual at every stop, honouring their comrades, siblings, and friends.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We were both snipers,\" Vlad remembers, at the spot his friend Vasea was killed. \"They were shooting at us from that hill over there, from a tank. One of the shrapnel fragments hit him in the neck. He fell to the ground and died in my arms.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the veterans pass a local Moldovan school, pupils come out to greet them, led by their headmistress Tatiana Rosca.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There were big battles here in 1992,\" Tatiana says. \"And there are still deep wounds in the souls of the people. We\'re very afraid: we know what war means and we don\'t wish it on anyone.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of her pupils says she\'s ready to take up arms if conflict erupts again, as her father and grandfather did 30 years ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But loyalties here - as in the rest of Moldova - are complicated by history, geography and economics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here on the other side of the River Dniester, the pull of Moldovan identity is set against the pull of subsidised Russian gas from Transnistria. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 02:57:22', '2023-03-05 02:57:22'),
(5573, 5573, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka continued to occupy the top spot in the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality for the fourth consecutive day this morning (March 5, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 322 at 9 am, Dhaka’s air quality remained in the ‘hazardous’ zone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China’s Beijing, Pakistan’s Lahore, and India’s Mumbai occupied the second, third, and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 214, 210, and 197, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered \"unhealthy,\" 201 and 300 \"very unhealthy,\" and 301 to 400 is considered \"hazardous,\" posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person\'s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections, and cancer, according to several studies. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 04:22:39', '2023-03-05 04:22:39'),
(5574, 5574, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to take a special initiative to stop the Russia-Ukraine war soon.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She made the call at a meeting with António Guterres at the bilateral meeting Room of Qatar National Convention Centre here in Doha.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said the world’s people are suffering due to the war, particularly economic sanctions as the disturbance in the international commodity supply raised inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“She has asked the UN Secretary-General to take a special initiative for stopping the war soon,” said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while briefing reporters after the meeting.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said it will be good for all if the war can be stopped as soon as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Those who make much profit because of the war should help the affected countries,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing some 10 million people with food at subsidized prices in Bangladesh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM praised the UN Secretary-General for his ‘Black Sea Grain Initiative’ (the Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports) and his initiatives taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the Rohingya issue, both the PM and the UN Secretary-General agreed that the displaced Rohingya people should return to their homeland soon, not waiting for the political changeover in Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the time of political change in Myanmar is an uncertain matter, Sheikh Hasina asked António Guterres to take a special initiative for the repatriation of the Rohingya people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also sought assistance from the United Nations and the international community to relocate more Rohingya people to Bhashan Char Island from camps in Cox’s Bazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Housing for one lakh people was built in Bhasan Char with the own fund of Bangladesh and only 30,000 people have so far been moved there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said Bangladesh prepared accommodation for Rohingyas with its own funds and still there is huge land in Bhashan Char to create housing for the displaced Myanmar nationals there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If you help us, we can shift many more people to the place (Bhashan Char),” she was quoted.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this context, the UN Secretary-General said the Bangladesh PM can take an initiative in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Turning to extremism, he said fanaticism is being carried out in the name of religion in different places.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, the PM said those who are fanatics have no religion and no boundary. So, all should work together to fight fanaticism, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the climate issue, she said focus should be given on the disbursement of the committed climate fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, António Guterres highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her unprecedented successes in development, diplomacy and in tackling the Covid pandemic. It (the achievement) is very encouraging, he said&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the UN Secretary General said they are proud of a leadership like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who very successfully tackled the Covid situation and advanced Bangladesh even facing the crisis due to the Ukraine war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the Bangladesh premier sat in a separate meeting with President of the UNGA-Csaba Korosi at Qatar National Convention Center.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the meeting, Sheikh Hasina proposed to form an international forum with foreign development ministers of the South-South countries to find the problems and potentials and then cooperate among the southern countries in this regard as the developed nations do not help as per their commitments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, she sought cooperation of the UNGA in holding a daylong international conference on this issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, the UNGA President opined that the initiative should be taken before July next as they would be engaged in the pre-activities of the next general assembly session from July-September.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the UNGA President also highly lauded the economic progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina saying it is a miracle and the economic progress of Bangladesh is very good even amid the tough time in the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other issues like water management and climate change came up for discussion.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign (Sr) Secretary Masud Bin Momen was present at the press briefing. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 04:33:08', '2023-03-05 04:33:08'),
(5575, 5575, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indonesian rescuers and firefighters on Sunday searched for three people who were still missing under the rubble of charred houses and buildings, after a large fire spread from a fuel storage depot in the capital and killed at least 19 people.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil and gas company Pertamina, is near a densely populated area in the Tanah Merah neighborhood in North Jakarta. It supplies 25% of Indonesia’s fuel needs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 260 firefighters and 52 fire engines extinguished the blaze just before midnight on Friday after it tore through the neighborhood for more than two hours, fire officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Footage showed hundreds of people running in panic as thick plumes of black smoke and orange flames filled the sky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">National police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said a preliminary investigation showed the fire was caused by a technical problem involving excess pressure as the depot received fuel from Pertamina’s Balongan Refinery in West Java province.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It was found that a fire occurred during a filling of Pertamax fuel,” Listyo told a news conference late Saturday, referring to a type of fuel oil produced by Pertamina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He didn’t elaborate as investigators from Pertamina and the police were still working to establish the cause of the fire, including by questioning dozens of witnesses and examining video recordings from surveillance cameras.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Residents living near the depot said they smelled a strong odor of gasoline, causing some people to vomit, after which thunder rumbled twice, followed by a huge explosion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sri Haryati, a mother of three, said the fire began to spread about 20 minutes later, causing panic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I was crying and immediately grabbed our valuable documents and ran with my husband and children,” Haryati said, adding that she heard smaller blasts that echoed across the neighborhood as orange flames jumped from the depot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescuers were still searching for three people who were reported missing. About 35 people were receiving treatment in five hospitals, some of them in critical condition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Listyo said more than 1,300 people were displaced and taking shelter in 10 government offices, a Red Cross command post and a sport stadium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pertamina\'s head Nicke Widyawati apologized and said the company would provide help to the community and cooperate in the investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We will carry out a thorough evaluation and reflection internally to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” Widyawati said in a statement, adding that the company ensured the safe supply of fuel oil.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday, grieving relatives gathered at a police hospital’s morgue in eastern Jakarta to try to identify their loved ones. Officials said the victims were burned beyond recognition and could only be identified through DNA and dental records.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2014, a fire at the same fuel depot engulfed at least 40 houses, but no casualties were reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia’s State Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir told reporters that the government will remap safe zones for residential areas away from vital objects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the incident showed the Plumpang area is not safe for the community, and the government is planning to move the fuel storage depot to Tanjung Priok port in northern Jakarta. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 04:39:53', '2023-03-05 04:39:53');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5576, 5576, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Three Hong Kong activists from a now-defunct group that organized annual vigils commemorating China’s 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters were convicted on Saturday for failing to provide authorities with information on the group in accordance with a national security law.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong were arrested in 2021 during a crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement following massive protests more than three years ago. They were leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China before it disbanded under the shadow of the Beijing-imposed law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alliance was best known for organizing candlelight vigils in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the Chinese military’s crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests. Critics say its shutdown has shown freedoms that were promised when Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 are eroding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the group voted to disband, police had sought details about its operations and finances in connection with alleged links to democracy groups overseas in August 2021, accusing it of being a foreign agent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the group refused to cooperate, arguing police were arbitrarily labeling pro-democracy organizations as foreign agents. It added the police did not have a right to ask for its information because it was not a foreign agent and the authorities did not provide sufficient justification.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the security law’s implementation rules, the police chief can request a range of information from a foreign agent. Failure to comply with the request could result in six months in jail and a fine of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,740) if convicted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday, principal magistrate Peter Law ruled the defendants were obliged to answer the notice served to them, which he called “sound and legal,” and their non-compliance was unjustified.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alliance had been actively operating with various entities and people abroad, Law said, so it was necessary to explore their dealings and connections to determine their affiliation and ultimate purpose.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Such requirement for information was nothing like a broad-brush fishing exercise but rather was constrained in terms of periods of time and nature,” he said. “The police had taken an abstemious and self-restrained approach.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During previous legal proceedings, the court ordered a partial redaction of some information after prosecutors argued that a full disclosure of information would jeopardize an ongoing probe into national security cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The undisclosed details in a redacted police report submitted to the court include the names of groups that were alleged to have links with the alliance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Leaking of secret information, such as identities, strategies and interim investigation results of others would definitely seriously jeopardize the ongoing investigation,” Law said on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The annual vigil organized by the alliance was the only large-scale public commemoration of the June 4th crackdown on Chinese soil and was attended by massive crowds until authorities banned it in 2020, citing anti-pandemic measures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chow, along with two other former alliance leaders, Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho, were charged with inciting subversion of state power under the security law in 2021. The alliance itself was charged with subversion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The national security law criminalizes secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces to intervene in the city’s affairs as well as terrorism. Apart from the activists, pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai is also facing collusion charges under the law, which has already jailed or silenced many dissidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Beijing, Wang Chao, spokesperson for the National People’s Congress, China\'s legislature, hailed the enactment of the law in 2020 as an important milestone in the practice of the “one country, two systems” governing principle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The principle promises the former British colony the right to retain its own political, social and financial institutions for 50 years after the 1997 handover.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Hong Kong has had a major turn from chaos to stability,” he said. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 04:58:06', '2023-03-05 04:58:06'),
(5577, 5577, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pressure from Russian forces mounted Saturday on Ukrainians hunkered down in Bakhmut, as residents attempted to flee with help from troops who Western analysts say may be preparing to withdraw from the key eastern stronghold.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A woman was killed and two men were badly wounded by shelling while trying to cross a makeshift bridge out of the city in Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian troops who were assisting them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Ukrainian army representative who asked not to be named for operational reasons told The Associated Press that it was now too dangerous for civilians to leave Bakhmut by vehicle and that people had to flee on foot instead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bakhmut has for months been a prime target of Moscow’s grinding eastern offensive in the war, with Russian troops, including forces from the private Wagner Group, inching ever closer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AP team near Bakhmut on Saturday saw a pontoon bridge set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help the few remaining residents reach the nearby village of Khromove. Later they saw at least five houses on fire as a result of attacks in Khromove.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian units over the past 36 hours destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route, according to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.K. defense ministry said in the latest of its regular Twitter updates that the destruction of the bridges came as Russian fighters made further inroads into Bakhmut’s northern suburbs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed late on Friday that Kyiv\'s actions may point to a looming pullout from parts of the city. It said Ukrainian troops may “conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut,” while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraine’s supply lines and allow the Kremlin’s forces to press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Civilians spoke about daily struggles as the fighting raged on nearly nonstop, reducing much of Bakhmut to rubble. Husband and wife Hennadiy Mazepa and Natalia Ishkova, who chose to remain in the city, said they lack food and basic utilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Humanitarian (aid) is given to us only once a month. There is no electricity, no water, no gas,\" Ishkova told AP on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I pray to God that all who remain here will survive,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the United Nations on Friday, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said U.N. humanitarian staff reported “intensive hostilities” near Bakhmut and the few humanitarian partners on the ground were focusing on evacuating the most vulnerable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also Saturday, Russia’s defense chief traveled to eastern Ukraine to inspect troops and award them with state decorations, the Defense Ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a command post where he was briefed by regional commander Rustam Muradov, according to a video published by the ministry. It did not disclose the command post\'s location.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Elsewhere, Ukraine’s emergency services reported in the morning that the death toll from a Russian missile strike that hit a five-story apartment building in southern Ukraine on Thursday rose to 11.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emergency services said in an online statement that rescuers pulled three more bodies from the wreckage overnight, some 36 hours after a Russian missile tore through four floors of the building in the riverside city of Zaporizhzhia. A child was among those reported killed, and the rescue effort was ongoing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian shelling on Saturday also killed two residents of front-line communities in the surrounding Zaporizhzhia region, the local military administration reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 57-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man also died in Nikopol, a town farther west near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as Russian forces fired artillery shells and rockets at Ukrainian-held territory across the Dnieper river, regional Gov. Serhiy Lysak reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the western city of Lviv, hundreds of kilometers from the front lines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Saturday with the head of the European Union parliament. Hours earlier, Zelenskyy held talks with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and top European legal officials on how to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a joint press briefing with Zelenskyy, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that “all those responsible” for suspected Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, must be brought to justice before a durable peace is achieved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Metsola voiced support for the EU’s announcement Thursday that an international center for the prosecution of the crime of aggression — the act of invading another country — would be set up in The Hague.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also called for Ukraine to start negotiations on joining the 27-nation bloc as early as this year and urged Western nations to keep arming Kyiv as it battles Russian forces in the east and south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The EU agreed in June to put Ukraine on a path toward membership, setting in motion a process that could take years or even decades. However, Moscow’s invasion and Ukraine’s request for fast-track consideration have lent urgency to the negotiations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Ukraine’s future is in the European Union. We will walk all the way with you,” Metsola said on Twitter late Friday. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 05:04:22', '2023-03-05 05:04:22'),
(5578, 5578, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia\'s defence minister has inspected troops in frontline regions in eastern Ukraine, after the United States offered more support to Kyiv whose forces are struggling in Bakhmut.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sergei Shoigu inspected an advance command post in the direction of the south of the Donetsk region, the defence ministry said, without specifying exactly where or when.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It put out a rare video of the Russian defence minister travelling in a helicopter and talking to a soldier in front of damaged buildings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shoigu handed state awards to servicemen and held a meeting with his deputies \"on organising the uninterrupted provision of troops with armaments, military hardware and ordnance\", his ministry later said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visit came with fierce fighting ongoing around Bakhmut, the longest battle of the conflict, which has further exposed rivalries between the conventional army and the Wagner paramilitary group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wagner chef Yevgeny Prigozhin said Friday his fighters had \"practically encircled\" Bakhmut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Well-versed in social media, Prigozhin has for weeks been publicising the advances of his men towards the eastern city, whose symbolic importance outstrips any military significance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prigozhin regularly posts videos of himself alongside mercenaries, on the ground or even in a fighter jet, in contrast with Russian generals criticised for shirking the frontline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his latest video Friday, Prigozhin directly called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to abandon Bakhmut, which Russia is determined to seize as part of the wider aim of capturing the entire Donetsk region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Allies support -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky has pledged to defend \"fortress Bakhmut\" for as long as possible, calling on allies to intensify their support to help his men do so.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola visited Ukraine, where she met Zelensky and called for the country to be allowed to begin its EU membership negotiations this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The task is to actively prepare everything for our country\'s EU membership, increase the supply of weapons to Ukraine, and strengthen sanctions against Russia,\" Zelensky said in his daily address after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joe Biden on Friday hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his first visit since the offensive, a display of partnership after friction over supplying tanks to Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the meeting, the Kremlin warned that Western weapon deliveries to Kyiv would only \"prolong the conflict and have sad consequences for the Ukrainian people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States responded by offering another $400 million in security assistance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new security package features ammunition -- including for the HIMARS precision rocket system that Ukrainian forces have used to devastating effect against Russian troops and supply dumps.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov praised the package as \"a solid investment in the future success of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield\", where Western military aid has been key to Kyiv\'s ability to hold out and to even regain ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Intense fighting\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the east however, Zelensky and several Ukrainian officials recognised an increasingly difficult situation around Bakhmut this week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sergiy Cherevaty, a spokesman for Ukrainian forces, said the situation was \"difficult but under control\" in the city he described as a \"priority target for the enemy\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s general staff update said on Saturday evening that its forces had repelled Russian troops \"unsuccessfully trying to encircle the town of Bakhmut\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The British defence ministry\'s intelligence update on Saturday however said Ukraine was \"under increasingly severe pressure, with intense fighting taking place in and around the city\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It added that \"Ukrainian-held resupply routes out of the town are increasingly limited\" and Wagner\'s troops and the Russian military had advanced in the northern suburbs of the city, which was now \"vulnerable to Russian attacks on three sides\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The intelligence update also said that two key bridges in the town had been destroyed, including a vital bridge connecting the city to the last main supply route from Bakhmut to the city of Chasiv Yar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the epicentre of the fighting is in the east of Ukraine, the death toll from a strike this week on an apartment block in southern Zaporizhzhia has now risen to 11.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow says its regions bordering Ukraine are routinely shelled by Ukrainian forces, but on Thursday it reported a rare instance of fighting inside Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian security services said a group of Ukrainian combatants had crossed into the southern Bryansk region and opened fire on a car, killing two civilians and wounding a child.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv dismissed the claims as a \"deliberate provocation\". AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 05:44:57', '2023-03-05 05:44:57'),
(5579, 5579, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Happiness is an emotion that all people strive to experience. It\'s a feeling that can consume people’s minds and bodies, making them laugh, cry, and even infect others with positive vibes. However, the science behind this sensation is far from simple. Complex chemical reactions occur within human bodies to induce those moments of joy and elation, and it\'s not just the balance of different hormones that affect mental health. The role of \'happy hormones\' is equally vital in shaping the emotional state. In this article, we\'ll unveil the secrets of boosting dopamine secretion in your body, so you can unlock a world of happiness and contentment.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Dopamine: The Happiness Hormone</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of various cognitive and physiological processes, including movement, motivation, reward, and pleasure. It is produced in several parts of the brain, including the substantia nigra, the ventral tegmental area, and the hypothalamus, and is involved in complex interactions with other neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dopamine\'s role in human happiness is complex, as it is involved in both positive and negative emotional states. While dopamine is responsible for generating feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and reward, it can also be involved in negative emotions such as fear and anxiety. This is because dopamine is also involved in the processing of aversive stimuli, such as pain and punishment, and is thought to play a role in the motivation to avoid these unpleasant experiences.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Low levels of dopamine have been linked to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Conversely, high levels of dopamine have been associated with conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which are characterized by mood swings and hyperactivity. However, the relationship between dopamine and these conditions is complex and still not fully understood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">There are several ways to increase dopamine levels naturally, including engaging in activities that are pleasurable and rewarding, such as listening to music, exercising, and spending time with loved ones. A healthy diet that includes foods high in tyrosine, an amino acid that is a precursor to dopamine, can also help increase dopamine levels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Exercise Regularly</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost dopamine levels naturally. Physical activity promotes the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that can improve mood, motivation, and cognitive function. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, to support healthy dopamine production. Engaging in outdoor activities can be particularly beneficial, as exposure to natural light and fresh air can further enhance the mood-boosting benefits of exercise.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Get Enough Sleep</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sleep is crucial for healthy dopamine production, and lack of sleep can deplete dopamine levels in the brain. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night to support healthy dopamine levels and improve overall well-being. Establishing a regular sleep routine, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the hours leading up to bedtime, and creating a calm and comfortable sleep environment can all help promote healthy sleep and dopamine production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Consume a Balanced Diet</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eating a balanced diet that is rich in protein and includes foods that are high in tyrosine, such as almonds, bananas, and avocados, can help support healthy dopamine production. Avoid processed foods and excessive sugar, which can have a negative impact on dopamine levels. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet can provide essential nutrients that support brain health and dopamine production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Listen to Music</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Music can stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, particularly when listening to music that is pleasurable and emotionally rewarding. Create a playlist of your favorite tunes and enjoy the mood-boosting benefits of music. Experiment with different genres and styles of music to find what works best for you, and consider attending live music events or learning to play an instrument for an even greater dopamine boost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Engage in Creative Activities</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Participating in hobbies and activities that are creative and rewarding can boost dopamine levels by promoting feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. Whether it\'s writing, painting, or playing an instrument, find an activity that you enjoy and make time for it regularly. Engaging in creative pursuits can also help reduce stress and promote relaxation, further supporting healthy dopamine levels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Practice Mindfulness and Meditation</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mindfulness and meditation practices have been shown to increase dopamine levels in the brain and promote feelings of calm and well-being. Try incorporating a daily mindfulness or meditation practice into your routine to support healthy dopamine levels. Whether it\'s a simple breathing exercise or a more structured mindfulness meditation, taking time to quiet your mind and focus on the present moment can be incredibly beneficial for your mood and overall well-being.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Spend Time in Nature</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spending time in nature can boost dopamine levels by promoting feelings of pleasure and reward. Whether it\'s a hike in the woods or a walk in the park, make time to connect with nature regularly. Exposure to natural light and fresh air can also promote healthy sleep and physical activity, further supporting healthy dopamine levels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Connect with Others</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Social interaction and connection can boost dopamine levels by promoting feelings of pleasure and reward. Make time to connect with friends and loved ones regularly, whether in-person or virtually. Joining clubs or organizations that align with your interests can also be a great way to meet new people and promote healthy social connections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Taking regular breaks and engaging in self-care practices can help support healthy dopamine levels by promoting feelings of relaxation and stress relief. Whether it\'s a hot bath, a massage, or simply taking a few moments to breathe deeply, find ways to prioritize self-care in your daily routine. This can also include setting boundaries around work and other obligations and making time for activities that you enjoy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Challenge Yourself</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Engaging in activities that challenge you can boost dopamine levels by promoting feelings of accomplishment and reward. Whether it\'s learning a new skill, taking on a new project at work, or challenging yourself physically, finding ways to step outside of your comfort zone can be incredibly beneficial for your mood and overall well-being. Set achievable goals and celebrate your progress along the way, and don\'t be afraid to push yourself a little further than you thought possible. The sense of accomplishment and reward that comes with meeting a challenge can be a powerful boost to your dopamine levels and your overall sense of well-being.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Conclusion</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dopamine plays a crucial role in the brain\'s reward and pleasure system, influencing motivation, focus, mood, and overall well-being. While dopamine levels can be influenced by genetics and other factors, there are several simple lifestyle changes and habits that can help increase dopamine production and release. From exercise and healthy eating to socializing and engaging in creative activities, incorporating these dopamine-boosting habits into your daily routine can help improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and enhance your overall quality of life. By making these small changes, you can start to enjoy the many benefits of a healthy and balanced dopamine system, leading to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 05:58:57', '2023-03-05 05:58:57'),
(5580, 5580, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kylian Mbappe became Paris Saint-Germain\'s all-time top scorer with his 201st goal for the club as the Ligue 1 leaders warmed up for their crunch trip to Bayern Munich with a 4-2 win over Nantes on Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The France superstar had equalled Edinson Cavani\'s previous record mark of 200 goals with a brace in last week\'s win at Marseille and went one better by netting in stoppage time at the Parc des Princes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PSG had earlier squandered a two-goal lead, with Lionel Messi putting them ahead and a Jaouen Hadjam own goal making it 2-0 inside 17 minutes before Nantes fought back to draw level.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ludovic Blas pulled one back for the visitors and Ignatius Ganago equalised, but Mbappe set up Danilo Pereira to put PSG back in front on the hour mark and then claimed his record-breaking goal late on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe reached the record in just 247 appearances since signing from Monaco aged 18 in 2017.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Uruguay star Cavani needed 298 games, and seven years, to establish the previous record in 2020.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 24-year-old Mbappe was handed a trophy by the club after the game to mark his record in an on-field presentation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I play to make history and I have always said I wanted to make history in France, in the capital of my country, in my city, and I am doing that. It\'s magnificent, but there is still a lot to be done,\" Mbappe, who finished the game as captain, told broadcaster Canal Plus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"For me, as a native Parisian, this is special. If someone had said to me I would score the goal to beat the record while wearing the captain\'s armband, I would not have believed it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The result saw PSG open up a lead of 11 points at the top of Ligue 1 before nearest rivals Marseille play on Sunday, and before the Qatar-owned club go to Bayern for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PSG trail 1-0 from the first leg against the Bavarians and failure to progress to the quarter-finals in Europe would put a major dampener on the end of their season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Hakimi watches from stands -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Injured Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi watched from the stands at the Parc des Princes a day after he was charged with rape following accusations made by a 24-year-old woman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Neymar was also a spectator and will not be back for the match against Bayern, while centre-back Presnel Kimpembe is set to miss the remainder of the season with an achilles injury.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Coach Christophe Galtier lost two more defenders to injury in the second half against Nantes, with skipper Marquinhos and stand-in right-back Nordi Mukiele both having to come off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the game there was a minute\'s applause for Just Fontaine, the legendary former France striker who scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup and who passed away on Wednesday aged 89.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fontaine also coached PSG, leading them to promotion to the top tier of French football in 1974.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Parisians went ahead in the 12th minute, with Messi turning in a deflected low cross from Nuno Mendes to score his 13th Ligue 1 goal this season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The unfortunate Hadjam\'s own goal had PSG cruising, but a Blas shot that surprised Gianluigi Donnarumma just after the half-hour mark brought Nantes back into the game and Cameroonian forward Ganago\'s header made it 2-2 before the break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PSG had also blown a two-goal lead in their last home game against Lille a fortnight ago before recovering to win 4-3, and they repeated the feat here with Mbappe playing a starring role.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His assist was headed in by Danilo to make it 3-2 just before the hosts were awarded a penalty for a foul on Mukiele, only for a VAR check to rule that the contact had taken place outside the box.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It looked like Mbappe would be made to wait for his record before he struck right at the end with a finish on the turn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Lens missed the chance to climb above Marseille into second place as they drew 1-1 at home to northern rivals Lille, for whom Canada star Jonathan David grabbed the equaliser. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 06:09:11', '2023-03-05 06:09:11'),
(5581, 5581, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two alleged drug peddlers with 12.2 kgs of hemp from sadar upazila in the district last night.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrested persons were Md Ripon Mondol, 27, of Uttar Shrirampur village and Md Sohag Sardar alias Hamidul, 28, of Uttar Shrirampur Sardarpara both under Manda upazila in Naogaon district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">RAB said, an operation team of RAB-5 on detective information, conducted a raid in Shantimore area in Chapainawabganj town at around 8 pm and arrested the duo with the hemp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Later, the elite force handed them over to the police of Chapainawabganj sadar thana with a case, the sources added. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 06:56:15', '2023-03-05 06:56:15'),
(5582, 5582, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least three people were killed and 14 others injured when a building partially collapsed due to an \"explosion that triggered a fire\" at Dhaka\'s Science Lab area.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three-storey building collapsed partially after the explosion at around 10:52 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Confirming the development, Anwarul Islam, Warehouse Inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters, said that four units of fire service were working on the spot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quoting locals, he said that the injured people were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire was brought under control at around 11:13 am.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 07:16:39', '2023-03-05 07:16:39'),
(5583, 5583, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a floral wreath his portrait&nbsp; at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Executive Chairman of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Blair was received at the museum by Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, MP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Blair had also a tour of the museum and signed the visitors’ book on Saturday. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 07:48:12', '2023-03-05 07:48:12'),
(5584, 5584, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pathaan has now become the highest grossing Hindi film in India after beating the collections of Baahubali: The Conclusion\'s Hindi version at the domestic box office. Baahubali: The Conclusion co-producer Shobu Yarlagadda congratulated the Pathaan team and expressed his happiness that it was none other than Shah Rukh Khan who went on to break the record held by his 2017 blockbuster.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As film trade analyst Taran Adarsh announced that Pathaan has surpassed the Hindi collections of Baahubali The Conclusion in India, Shobu reacted to his post on Twitter, \"Congratulations to @iamsrk sir, Siddharth Anand @yrf and the entire team of Pathaan on crossing @BaahubaliMovie 2 Hindi NBOC. Records are meant to be broken and I am happy it was none other than @iamsrk who did it!\" Taran Adarsh called Shobu\'s tweet ‘a magnanimous gesture’ on Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to Shobu\'s tweet, the official Twitter handle of Yash Raj Films wrote, \"Nothing more thrilling than seeing how Indian cinema is thriving!!… Thank you @Shobu_ for giving us a landmark film like @BaahubaliMovie directed by the visionary @ssrajamouli - it has inspired us to work harder. @iamsrk @deepikapadukone @TheJohnAbraham #SiddharthAnand.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gauri Khan also took to Twitter on Saturday to share a poster of Pathaan\'s latest collections. She captioned it, “Record breaking streak…” As per the poster, Pathaan has collected ₹1026 crore gross at the worldwide box office. While it has collected ₹640 crore gross ( ₹528 crore nett) at the domestic box office, it has earned ₹386 crore gross at the overseas box office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pathaan marked Shah Rukh\'s return to the silver screen after four years. It also starred Deepika Padukone, John Abraham alongwith Ashutosh Rana and Dimple Kapadia. Salman Khan also had a cameo in the film as Tiger from his Ek Tha Tiger franchise.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On being asked about his future projects, Shah Rukh had said during an Ask Me Anything session on Twitter recently, “Next is Jawan and then Dunki. Post that I haven’t really started listening to scripts yet. Want to sit back and enjoy the release of these two films.” HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 07:56:34', '2023-03-05 07:56:34'),
(5585, 5585, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two people were dead and four were injured in a collision involving three vehicles at Munshiganj’s Gazaria upazila on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to police, the accident occurred around 3:45 am today when a microbus carrying Momen Mia (35), who lived in Saudi Arabia, and his family were heading towards Titas upazila of Cumilla from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the microbus reached Gazaria’s Boktar Kandi area, a covered van hit the vehicle from the back, pushing the microbus to the other side of the divider and into the Dhaka-bound lane.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Dhaka-bound bus carrying 40 passengers from Sajek Valley hit the vehicle a second time. The bus collided with a nearby tree after failing to control its speed. All the passengers of the bus were unharmed. They were sent to their destination in another bus, our Munshiganj correspondent reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased were identified as Dulal Mia, 60, brother-in-law of Momen Mia, and Md. Hossain, 10, the nephew of the latter. Their bodies have been kept at Bhaberchar Health Complex in Gazaria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Momen and his brother, Akhtar Hossain, are undergoing treatment and are in critical condition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bhaberchar Highway Police Outpost Sub-inspector Riyad said the covered van and the bus were seized, but the drivers fled. Police have also seized the damaged microbus. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 08:20:37', '2023-03-05 08:20:37');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5586, 5586, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) want its dues, not charity under international commitments for their real structural transformation.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I can assure you that LDCs will also keep their side of the bargain. Our nations do not ask for charity; what we seek are our dues under international commitments,\" she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier was addressing opening plenary meeting of the 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5: From Potential to Prosperity) at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Doha Programme of Action is yet another assurance of hope for the world\'s most vulnerable countries. The international community must renew its commitment for real structural transformation in LDCs,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For graduating LDCs, she said that there should be some incentives for their performance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They should enjoy the international support measures for LDCs for an extended period of time. They need enhanced investments and know-how to build their productive capacities,\" she said&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina went on saying that there can be some innovative and transitional financing mechanisms meant for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, LDCs need sustained support to double their share of global trade, she said, adding ODA targets for LDCs from developed countries deserve to be fulfilled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said the International Financial Institutions have the means to support debt sustainability in LDCs.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Climate financing for LDCs should be made flexible and predictable. Technology transfer to LDCs needs to be tangible and meaningful. Our migrant workers need protection for their rights and well-being. We cannot fail the 226 million youth in LDCs,\" she added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister told the meeting that the pandemic and then the war in Ukraine have dealt a major blow to LDC economies.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rise in food and fuel price in international markets has caused inflations in most LDCs, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said, \"Much of the Bangladesh story owes to international support measures we negotiated for LDCs\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The duty-and-quota-free access we secured from most developed and emerging economies helped our private sector build a solid manufacturing base,\" she said&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said the patent waivers provided under TRIPS Agreement allowed us to locally meet 98 percent of our pharmaceutical needs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The exemptions under other WTO agreements enabled us to boost agricultural production and combat hunger and malnutrition,\" she said&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She went on saying that the international technical assistance we received helped us make concrete development plans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, she said that they are dealing with 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar with no immediate solution.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said, \"I am happy to be with you at this august gathering. I thank the government and the people of Qatar for their generous hospitality. I appreciate the forward-looking words we have just heard,\" she said&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 1974, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh became a member state of UN under the leadership of her father, the country\'s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the time, Bangladesh, recognised as an LDC, was struggling to rebuild the war-ravaged economy, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The following year, the premier said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, along with most of his family members, was brutally assassinated.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"To carry forward his (Bangabandhu) legacy, we vowed that Bangladesh will continue to champion the LDC causes. Bangladesh feels proud to have often acted as an LDC spokesperson in the last five decades. I attended the previous LDC conferences in Brussels and Istanbul,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said that they are pleased that Bangladesh qualifies for LDC graduation.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We now look forward to graduating in 2026. Bangladesh is the only LDC among the world\'s 50 largest economies in terms of GDP. Our march towards graduation is also marked by our efforts at just, inclusive and sustainable development,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said her government has cut down poverty rate from 31.5 to 20% within a decade.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are internationally recognized for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She continued that Bangladesh\'s social protection measures constitute 16.75% of our total budget.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said her government distributed about 700 thousand cost-free houses to ensure shelter for all.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We rank top in South Asia in reducing gender disparity. Our literacy rate stands at 75.2%, with near universal primary education enrolment. The average life expectancy of our people is now more than 73 years,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During COVID-19 pandemic, she said her government provided 28 stimulus packages worth 6.15% of Bangladesh\'s GDP.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our economy proved its resilience by growing at 7.10% even in 2021-22. Per capita income grew three-folds in a decade and has reached USD 2,824. Bangladesh is now a reliable partner in the international supply chain,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said Bangladesh is a fast growing digital economy and a potential regional hub for connectivity and logistics.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our next vision is to build a \'Smart Bangladesh\' by 2041,\" Sheikh Hasina said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President of the conference and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered opening statement.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of UNGA Csaba Korosi, President of the Economic and Social Council Lachezara Stoeva, and Malawi President and Chairperson of the LDC Group Lazarus McCarthy Chakawera also spoke. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 08:40:11', '2023-03-05 08:40:11'),
(5587, 5587, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Pakistan\'s police entered the residence of the country\'s former Prime Minister Imran Khan to arrest him in a case related to the illegal purchase and sale of gifts given by foreign dignitaries while he was in office, official sources and local media reported on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>An Islamabad court on Tuesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khan in connection with the illegal purchase and sale of the gifts.</div><div><br></div><div>A team of Islamabad police, with an arrest warrant, reached the northeastern city of Lahore on Sunday to take Khan into custody, official sources confirmed to Anadolu.</div><div><br></div><div>Footage aired on local broadcaster Geo News showed the policemen standing outside the main entrance of Khan\'s Zaman Park residence as the security and supporters stopped the personnel from entering the residence.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan, the country\'s only premier who was ousted through a no-trust vote in Pakistan\'s 75-year checkered political history, is facing a slew of cases against him, ranging from terrorism to attempted murder and to money laundering.</div><div><br></div><div>Most of the cases, which Khan dubs a \"sham,\" have been lodged after his ouster.</div><div><br></div><div>He was deposed as prime minister after parliament passed a no-confidence vote in April last year. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 09:39:52', '2023-03-05 09:39:52'),
(5588, 5588, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A series of tweets from Basherkella – a pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Twitter account – condemning police action to stop the violence over an Ahmadiyya religious event in Panchagarh town on Friday, has left the minority community shocked and bewildered.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, a protest march against the Ahmadiyya religious event moved towards the Ahmednagar area. As police stopped the procession at Panchagarh Chowrangi intersection, the men started throwing brickbats at the law enforcers, according to reports.</div><div><br></div><div>Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse them, witnesses said.</div><div><br></div><div>Two men died and scores sustained injuries in the clash. Some journalists covering the violence were among the injured. Shops in Panchagarh town were closed down as violence induced panic among people.</div><div><br></div><div>The angry mob also looted around 20 houses belonging to the Ahmadiyya community located in Ahmednagar.</div><div><br></div><div>Since Friday’s violence, at least eight tweets were posted from the Basherkella account with “police brutality” and “boycott Qadiani (Ahmadiyya)” in the hashtags.</div><div><br></div><div>Calling these tweets a “hate campaign” against the Ahmadiyyas, Amanur Rahman, a university graduate from the community, said that the social media platform is being used to “instigate further attacks”.</div><div><br></div><div>Amanur said that it was even more shocking that such “vitriol” against a minority community was being peddled from an account that has been verified by Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Amanur, “All these tweets asking people to boycott our community and false portrayal of police action is a clear attempt to glorify the attackers and justify the attack.”</div><div><br></div><div>One of the tweets from the verified Basherkella account lists some renowned local brands, calling them “Qadiani owned” and asks all to boycott their products.</div><div><br></div><div>Another tweet condemns law enforcers: “Taking the Qadianis’ side, Awami-backed police opened fire on anti-Qadiani protest.”</div><div><br></div><div>Shared since March 3, these tweets have been retweeted and interacted with quite massively by followers of the twitter account, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Basherkella, earned notoriety as a “Jamaat mouthpiece” for staunchly supporting war criminals, propagating religious extremism and often attacking the state machineries through its posts on social media, according to media reports.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 10:06:27', '2023-03-05 10:06:27'),
(5589, 5589, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b style=\"\"><i>A massive fire broke out at Balukhali Rohingya camp No-11 in Palongkhali union of Ukhiya upzila on Sunday.</i></b></span><br></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>In-charge of Ukhiya fire service and civil denfece Emdadul Haq said the fire originated in a house of the camp around 2:40 pm, reports UNB.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Four units of fire service and local people are working to bring the blaze under control, he said.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>bnbd24/fas</i></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 10:21:33', '2023-03-05 10:21:33'),
(5590, 5590, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The partial collapse of a building following an explosion in Science Lab area that claimed three lives is not an act of sabotage but an accident, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“No evidence of sabotage was found on the spot and the explosion might have occurred for different reasons. The law enforcement agencies are investigating it,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting the spot.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ll form a committee to probe the explosion and the probe body will take opinions from fire service officials and experts and submit a report,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question about whether the law enforcers found any sign of splinter or destructive elements, the DMP chief said, “They have not found any mark of splinter or destructive elements yet.”</div><div><br></div><div>Three people were killed and 12 others injured when a building partially collapsed following an explosion and subsequent fire in Dhaka\'s Science Lab area on Sunday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Tushar, Shafikuzzaman, and Abdul Mannan.</div><div><br></div><div>Tushar and Shafikuzzaman were computer operators, and Abdul Mannan was an office assistant in a company that has its office on the building’s second floor.</div><div><br></div><div>They succumbed to their injuries at Popular Medical College and Hospital, said Md Shahidullah, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP’s Ramna Division.</div><div><br></div><div>Five of the injured identified as Ayesha Akter Asha, Hafizur Rahman, 34, Zahur Ali, 60, Akbar Ali, 52 and Syed Ashrafuzzaman, 35.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, Ayesha received 38% burn injuries, Hafizur eight percent, Zahur with 44 percent, Akbar with 37% and Ashrafuzzaman received six percent injuries. They were taken to burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Nine others injured are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>They are Nurunnabi, 27, Tajuddin, 35, Mehedi Hasan, 25, Zakir Hossain Jewel, 26, Kamal, 40, Kabir Hossain, 25, Rabeya Khatun, 23 and Tamanna, 22 and an unidentified man aged about 25.</div><div><br></div><div>The three-storey building collapsed partially after the explosion at around 10:52 am that also triggered a fire.</div><div><br></div><div>Anwarul Islam, from Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters Media Cell, said that four units of fire service were working on the spot.</div><div><br></div><div>The fire was brought under control at around 11:13 a.m. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 10:48:54', '2023-03-05 10:48:54'),
(5591, 5591, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy warned on Sunday that the situation will turn more complex if the government tries to take BNP to the next elections without a caretaker administration.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a human chain programme, he also asked the government to forget the dream of holding the 12th parliamentary election like those in 2014 and 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP was taken to the elections in 2018, but this time it is impossible to get the party to the election without a caretaker government in place. If you try to make this impossible task possible very easily, then things will only get complicated,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said it may not be possible to get some BNP leaders to the election by luring them as no one will board the boat with cracks in the bottom only to drown.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>‘People don\'t jump into the river where there is no water.&nbsp; Now people say that if we had known earlier, we would not have boarded your broken boat.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Projonmo 71, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the human chain programme at the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu and other detained leaders and activists.</div><div><br></div><div>Gayeshwar, a member of the BNP standing committee, said people actually did not vote for the boat, the election symbol of Awami League, but police managed some votes for it through manipulation. “Keep it in your mind whether the police will manage that vote for you again.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said the ruling party knows very well that it has no ability to win a credible election.</div><div><br></div><div>“Abandon your desire to stay in power through vote rigging amid famine, misrule and plundering of public money. Go to the people with confidence that you have carried out development activities,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He, however, said the government will not be able to hold a stage-managed election this time with the help of a neighbouring country and different law enforcement agencies and by keeping BNP leaders and activists, including party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader categorically said the people of Bangladesh and the political parties will not go to the polling station if Sheikh Hasina stays in power. “No acceptable election can be held under her,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He also urged the government to think twice about whether its lackeys and brokers will be able to protect it in the face of public wrath.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So, I say, step down in time and make arrangements so that people participate in the election and cast their votes, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 11:26:25', '2023-03-05 11:26:25'),
(5592, 5592, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Police in Pakistan said officers on Sunday attempted to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan, who is battling several legal cases as he pressures the government for early elections, reports NDTV.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Officers from Islamabad arrived at Mr Khan\'s home in Lahore, which was surrounded by hundreds of his supporters, but were unable to find him.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A team of Islamabad police has arrived in Lahore to arrest Imran Khan to comply with the court orders,\" Islamabad police said in a tweet.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Imran Khan is reluctant to surrender -- the Superintendent of Police had gone into the room but Imran Khan was not present there.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The arrest warrant was issued after Mr Khan failed to appear before the court in a corruption case on February 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Imran Khan is accused of failing to declare gifts received during his time in office, or the profit made from selling them.</div><div><br></div><div>Government officials must declare all gifts but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.</div><div><br></div><div>Imran Khan later spoke to party workers in his Zaman Park house in Lahore, where police remained outside.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I am being summoned in fake cases and the nation should know about them,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It will be a bad omen for the country if the nation does not stand against the corrupt rulers.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The vice chairman of Khan\'s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told reporters in Lahore: \"We have received the notice from Islamabad police -- the notice does not contain any order for the arrest.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We will consult our lawyers and follow the legal process\".</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan\'s courts are often used to tie up lawmakers in tedious and long-winding proceedings that rights monitors have criticised for stifling political opposition.</div><div><br></div><div>Imran Khan, who was shot during a rally last year, has attempted to disrupt politics in the South Asian nation since he was forced out of office in a no-confidence vote in April.</div><div><br></div><div>He has been pushing for early polls due no later than October by holding protests, pulling out of parliament and dissolving the two provincial assemblies his party controls in a bid to force the government\'s hand.</div><div><br></div><div>The nation of more than 220 million is in dire economic straits with runaway inflation, scant foreign exchange reserves and stalling bailout talks with the IMF.</div><div><br></div><div>To pull the country out of its spiral, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is battling to revive the next tranche of a $6.5 billion loan deal sketched with the International Monetary Fund in 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 13:52:00', '2023-03-05 13:52:00'),
(5593, 5593, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to 22nd president-elect of Bangladesh Md Shahabuddin.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>In a congratulatory message to Mohammad Shahabuddin recently, the Indian Prime Minister said, “On behalf of the Government and the people of India, I wish to extend warmest congratulations to you on your election as the President of the People\'s Republic of Bangladesh.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Your contribution as a freedom fighter and experience as a jurist brings great value to this high office,” said Narendra Modi in the message.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said that the two countries have a unique bilateral relationship which is firmly rooted in countries’ shared sacrifices and is nurtured by vibrant cultural and people-to-people ties.</div><div><br></div><div>“As a close friend of Bangladesh, we remain steadfast in our commitment to further deepen this multifaceted partnership for the benefit of the people of both our countries. I am confident that under your visionary leadership our engagement will continue to grow from strength to strength,” the Indian premier added.</div><div><br></div><div>He wished the president-elect good health and success. According to UNB reports.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 13:55:38', '2023-03-05 13:55:38'),
(5594, 5594, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Condemning the communal violence in Panchagarh centring a religious event of the Ahmadiyya, BNP on Sunday alleged that the government has created the incident with evil motives.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“A very extreme communal incident took place in Panchagarh. Two people were killed while shops and houses were looted and set on fire. Our question is why the government kept silent on such a controversial issue?” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir</div><div><br></div><div>He questioned why the government gave permission to hold such an event without taking necessary security measures.</div><div><br></div><div>“Why did the police play the role of a silent spectator when the attack was made (on Ahmadiyya)? Why were they not able to resist it? The government has created the communal problem and discord. We think they have done it with very ulterior motives,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul made the comments while talking to reporters after a meeting between the liaison committee of the BNP and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that when the people of the country waged a democratic movement to restore their rights and when people and the political parties started taking to the streets against the unusual price hikes in all essentials, then the government created such a communal incident to mislead people and divert their attention to a different direction.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“They want to foil the democratic movement through such incidents and diversion.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their party thinks the government is fully responsible for the communal incident in Panchagarh. “They (govt) must be held accountable for it.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also demanded the government identify those responsible for the incident and mete out exemplary punishment to them.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, on Friday, two people were killed and at least 50 others including policemen were injured in the clash between a section of Muslim devotees and police over devotees’ demand for the closure of an Ahmadiyya community’s event in Panchagarh district town.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on Saturday, a vested interest group spread rumours in different parts of the district town and on social media saying that some Ahmidyya community members slaughtered two Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the rumours, some young people equipped with sticks and sharp weapons blocked roads, carried out arson attacks, and looted shops and houses of the Ahmadiyya community. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 14:04:38', '2023-03-05 14:04:38'),
(5595, 5595, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday sought increased energy particularly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar to meet the energy demand amid the Ukraine war.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She made the request during a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, held on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) here in Doha.</div><div><br></div><div>Now Bangladesh is importing some 40 containers of energy that means 1.8-2.5 MTA, said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen while briefing reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want your help. Bangladesh faces energy problems due to the Ukraine war. I want more…. I will renew the contract. I want more LNG,” the PM was quoted.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, the Emir of Qatar asked how much Bangladesh wants. Then he was told that Bangladesh wants another MTA that means 16-17 containers. He said his energy minister would meet the Bangladesh PM to discuss it before she leaves Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>“I want to help you. Qatar will always come to help Bangladesh,” he was quoted as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina invited the Emir of Qatar to visit Bangladesh and then Sheikh Tamim said he would visit Bangladesh this year.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said Bangladesh is setting up 100 economic zones and different countries are making investment there. Qatar can also invest in those economic zones, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>About the Bangladeshi workers in Qatar, Sheikh Hasina told the Qatar Emir to take care of them as some workers are losing their jobs here now.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, Sheikh Tamim said he always wants the welfare of Bangladesh and Bengali people.</div><div><br></div><div>In a separate meeting with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner at the Bilateral Meeting Room of the QNCC, the prime minister asked the UNDP to take lead so that the countries who are graduating from LDCs would not lose all international benefits entitled for LDCs at a time.</div><div><br></div><div>She said those who are graduating from the LDCs are being punished by withdrawing all types of facilities and benefits. UNDP should do some processing so that the country will not lose all benefits at a time.</div><div><br></div><div>“We should be rewarded for our good performance, but you are giving punishment. UNDP should take a lead,” the PM was quoted as telling him.</div><div><br></div><div>The UNDP administrator praised Bangladesh for its development, particularly the development of its rural economy and ensuring the urban facilities in the rural areas as well as its digitalisation.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the way Sheikh Hasina is building digital and smart Bangladesh is becoming a new model.</div><div><br></div><div>In a meeting with Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan-Martin at the QNCC, PM Hasina sought technical assistance to ensure cyber security.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan met the Bangladesh Prime Minister separately in the QNCC.</div><div><br></div><div>In the meeting, the PM sought support of the UNCTAD to expand and diversify the trade of Bangladesh, and raise the production capacity of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM also attended the LDC5 High-level Luncheon on Investment and partnership at the Exhibition Hall of QNCC. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 16:42:56', '2023-03-05 16:42:56'),
(5596, 5596, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Special Court in Dhaka on Sunday framed charges against former Bangladesh national team cricketer Al-Amin Hossain in a case filed over torturing his wife for dowry.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Judge Mafroja Pervin of Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-8 framed the charges rejecting the discharge petition submitted by the accused.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, a trial in the case has formally begun against Al-Amin.</div><div>The tribunal also set April 9 for recording the testimonies of the witnesses.</div><div><br></div><div>The special Public Prosecutor read out the charges and asked the accused whether he is guilty or not. The accused pleaded not guilty and asked for justice.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 1 last year, cricketer Al-Amin\'s wife Israt Jahan lodged a complaint with Mirpur Model police station against him over torturing her for dowry. Later, police registered a case, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Al-Amin demanded Tk 20 lakh as dowry from his wife and used to beat her as she disagreed to pay the amount, according to the case statement.</div><div><br></div><div>He also drove her out of the house with their two children on August 25, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-05 16:48:30', '2023-03-05 16:48:30'),
(5597, 5597, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China will increase military spending by more than 7% this year, while warning of \"escalating\" threats.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was announced at the National People\'s Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which is due to confirm President Xi Jinping\'s third term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beijing\'s military budget - around $225bn (£186bn) - is still dwarfed by that of the United States, which is four times greater.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But analysts believe China downplays how much it spends on defence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang told the NPC that \"external attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was also announced at the meeting that China would pursue a reduced economic growth target of about 5% this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Two Sessions, as the meetings are known, are an annual affair.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But this year\'s sessions are particularly significant as delegates are expected to reshape several key Communist Party and state institutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This week\'s NPC meeting will also formalise Mr Xi\'s leadership of the country, as he will be elected president of China and head of the armed forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He secured his position in the echelons of Chinese power in October last year, when the Communist Party re-elected him as their leader for a third term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The increase in military spending comes as Mr Xi is navigating worsening ties with the US over the Ukraine war and the recent spy balloon saga, even as he warms his embrace of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US officials have also repeatedly warned that China may invade Taiwan in the coming years. China has held ever-growing displays of military force in the air and seas around Taiwan, including the firing of ballistic missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing\'s control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NPC will also unveil the new premier, China\'s equivalent of a prime minister who traditionally oversees the economy and administrative aspects of governance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Li Qiang, one of Mr Xi\'s most trusted colleagues, is expected to assume the role. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 03:25:09', '2023-03-06 03:25:09'),
(5598, 5598, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thousands of people have been left without shelter after a massive fire broke out in a crowded Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blaze, which broke out on Sunday, engulfed some 2,000 shelters at a camp known as Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of people have now returned to the area to see what they can salvage from the ruins.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is estimated around 12,000 people, most of whom escaped violence in neighbouring Myanmar, are now homeless.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cause of the fire is not yet known and no casualties have been reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blaze started at about 14:45 local time (08: 45 GMT) and quickly tore through the bamboo-and-tarpaulin shelters, an official said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Some 2,000 shelters have been burnt, leaving about 12,000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals shelterless,\" Mijanur Rahman, Bangladesh\'s refugee commissioner, told AFP news agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blaze was brought under control within three hours but at least 35 mosques and 21 learning centres for the refugees were also destroyed, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Photos are now emerging that show the extent of the devastation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hrusikesh Harichandan, from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told the BBC there had been \"massive damage\" to the camp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said basic services such as water centres and testing facilities had also been affected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My shelter was gutted. [My shop] was also burnt,\" Mamun Johar, a 30-year-old Rohingya man, told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The fire took everything from me, everything.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thick black clouds were seen rising above Camp 11, one of many in the border district where more than a million Rohingya refugees live.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The camps, overcrowded and squalid, are vulnerable to fires.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Between January 2021 and December 2022, there were 222 fire incidents in the Rohingya camps including 60 cases of arson, according to a Bangladesh defence ministry report released last month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March 2021, at least 15 people were killed and some 50,000 were displaced after a huge fire tore through a camp in the settlement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The refugee camp, said to be the world\'s largest, houses people who fled from Myanmar following a military crackdown against the Rohingya ethnic minority.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rohingya are Muslims in largely Buddhist Myanmar, where they have faced persecution for generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest exodus of Rohingya escaping to Bangladesh began in August 2017, after Myanmar\'s military brutally retaliated when a Rohingya insurgent group launched attacks on several police posts.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many of those who lived there can be seen picking through the charred area, where only metal struts and singed corrugated roofing remains. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 03:36:16', '2023-03-06 03:36:16'),
(5599, 5599, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has asked for forgiveness from the families of the 57 victims of this week\'s train crash.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a Facebook message, Mr Mitsotakis said that \"in the Greece of 2023... two trains heading in different directions cannot run on the same line and no-one notice\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Protests have continued for days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Clashes with police were reported on Sunday as thousands joined a demonstration in the capital Athens.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police estimated 12,000 people attended the protest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said seven officers were hurt and five arrests were made, the AFP news agency reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some demonstrators set fire to rubbish bins and threw petrol bombs. Police responded firing tear gas and stun grenades, clearing the central Syntagma Square of the protesters within a few minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protesters also reportedly released hundreds of black balloons into the sky in memory of the dead, with some holding signs reading \"Down with killer governments\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the night of 28 February, a passenger train and a freight train that were travelling in opposite directions ended up on the same track.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first four carriages of the passenger train were derailed, and the first two caught fire and were almost completely destroyed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The train crash has been widely attributed to human error.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 59-year-old station master in Larissa, who was charged with manslaughter by negligence, appeared in court on Sunday and has been taken into custody.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His lawyer Stefanos Pantzartzidis said the station master had admitted to having a share of responsibility in the accident. He faces between 10 years and life in jail if convicted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But many in Greece see the crash as an accident that had been waiting to happen, and the railway workers\' union blamed successive governments\' \"disrespect\" towards Greek railways for leading to this \"tragic result\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A government minister told the BBC that the lack of funding was the direct result of the strict terms of international bailouts imposed after the 2010 debt crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Union members were joined by residents of Athens and Thessaloniki in taking to the streets throughout the past week, shocked by the scale of the disaster. The protests were also attended by many students - several of the passengers on board one of the trains were students in their 20s returning to Thessaloniki after a long weekend celebrating Greek Orthodox Lent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The rail network looked problematic, with worn down, badly paid staff,\" Nikos Savva, a medical student from Cyprus, told AFP news agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Train drivers in Greece have said there have been long-running problems with the electronic systems that are supposed to warn them of danger ahead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The transport minister, Kostas Karamanlis, also resigned as a \"sign of respect\" for the people who had died. Mr Karamanlis he was taking responsibility for the government\'s failure to modernise the country\'s railways in the three-and-a-half years it had been in power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Immediately after the accident, the Greek government declared three days of national mourning and said the cost of the victims\' funerals would be paid for from the public purse.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake says the crash seems to be becoming a defining political issue for Greece as it prepares to face a general election in the spring.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Media reports have given 9 April as a possible date, but analysts say that date may now be pushed back. BCC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 03:53:18', '2023-03-06 03:53:18');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5600, 5600, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As reality checks go, the humiliation Liverpool handed out to Manchester United at a joyous and almost disbelieving Anfield was as brutal as it gets.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The statistics speak for themselves.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liverpool\'s 7-0 win was a monument to the return of all the qualities that have driven success under manager Jurgen Klopp. Those same statistics piled up like rubble at the feet of a Manchester United side that simply crumbled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The biggest beating in the history of this famous fixture; the 7-0 scoreline equalling the heaviest defeat inflicted on United; Liverpool scoring six goals in a truly remarkable 45 minutes in front of The Kop.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Joy for Liverpool. Pain for Manchester United.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">United lost by the same margin to Blackburn Rovers in 1926, to Aston Villa in 1930 and to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1931.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">None of those will be mentioned in the same breath as this truly remarkable game because of who inflicted it and where.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is why this win was celebrated so wildly by Liverpool\'s baying fans. This is why Manchester United will be so badly wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This will be a day that will be remembered forever by everyone who witnessed it at Anfield - even those United supporters who will try to blank it from their memory but will find it impossible - and far beyond.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liverpool have been scratching for the old certainties this season. The intensity. The passion. The ruthlessness. The controlled fury.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unfortunately for United, it all came flooding back in a game that will go down in history. It certainly put the Red Devils\' renaissance, shown by the EFL Cup win against Newcastle United at Wembley, on temporary hold.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohamed Salah\'s two goals made him Liverpool\'s record Premier League scorer with 129, overtaking Robbie Fowler despite playing 61 fewer games.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Salah\'s record shows the seismic impact he has had from pretty much the first day he arrived at Liverpool from Roma in June 2017 - and yet here he also took his place in what Klopp is building for the future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Egyptian netted two goals, almost expected given the fact he is also Liverpool\'s record scorer against Manchester United with 12.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But of great significance was the impact of two newcomers brought in as Klopp renews the attack that has served him so superbly - Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was the sight of an Anfield evolution as the pair gave a tantalising glimpse of the future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino formed one of the most potent tridents in world football in Klopp\'s first great team but the winds of change have been blowing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mane made his exit to Bayern Munich in the summer while Firmino announced on Friday that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indeed, it was a sign of Liverpool\'s perfect scriptwriting on Sunday that the Brazilian emerged as a substitute to a rapturous reception and provided the perfect finale to this landmark game with the goal that made in 7-0 in front of The Kop in the closing moments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alongside those goals from Liverpool\'s old guard came two each from Gakpo and Nunez that hinted at the potency and promise within the next incarnation of Klopp\'s forward line.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gakpo was a target for United manager Erik ten Hag before Liverpool stepped in to snatch him away from PSV Eindhoven in January - and here you could see what the attraction was.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He provided a smooth finish from Andrew Robertson\'s perfect pass to open up what had been, as remarkable as it sounds, a tight game for 43 minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gakpo scored Liverpool\'s third with a delicate flourish after brilliant work by Salah, before he was joined on the scoresheet by Nunez, who is now getting the goals his industry has deserved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nunez diverted Harvey Elliott\'s driven cross past United keeper David de Gea to put Liverpool 2-0 up then scored with another superb header from Jordan Henderson\'s ball in for the fifth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gakpo and Nunez are still early works in progress but they possess goals, variety and flexibility. Throw in the enduring, world-class Salah and this is another threatening Liverpool strike force in the making.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the wider context, Klopp\'s side are now an ominous presence to the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle United in the fight for a top-four place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liverpool are only three points behind Spurs, who lost at Wolves on Saturday, while Newcastle look to be fading after a fine first few months of the season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Klopp flagged up just how big this week was in shaping those ambitions and it has brought a deserved home win against Wolves before United were completely overwhelmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said: \"It was the push we wanted. It puts us in the right direction. Everyone has to know we are still around.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It wasn\'t the case for a while but this was a proper show of what we can be and what we have to be from now on.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was after a 4-0 loss at Liverpool in April that then Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick announced: \"They are six years ahead of us.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">United\'s steps to recovery this season suggested the gap had been closed to an extent - but when Liverpool get it right, as they did here, it still resembles a chasm. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 03:58:48', '2023-03-06 03:58:48'),
(5601, 5601, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>It has become essential to form a separate entity to deal with matters related to importing coal for both public and private power plants.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some recent scams in coal price fixing made it even more necessary in order to protect the interests of the state, as there are various allegations against the coal-fired power plant operators.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Energy experts are of the view that only a separate and strong state agency can work effectively in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials of the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) would also prefer a separate entity to be responsible for both import of coal and also work as a monitoring body to check any untoward practices in coal purchase for the power plants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also Read: Top policymakers briefed about outcome of meeting with Adani on coal pricing: Sources</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Since coal is a pass-through item in power generation and the BPDB has to ultimately pay the bills, there should be a state-owned entity which will import the coal directly and monitor the price of coal to be imported by any private power plant operator,” a top official of the organisation told UNB, preferring not to be named.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Supporting the idea of forming a state-owned separate entity for importing coal and supervising any coal import by the private sector, eminent energy expert Dr M Tamim said such a body for coal is essential for Bangladesh, just like the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) exists for hydrocarbons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can form a body like Coal Bangladesh like Coal India in our neighbouring nation,” he told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He noted the reality that Bangladesh does not have any experience in coal import.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So if any company manipulates coal prices through underhanded dealing with suppliers, it will be difficult to identify such unfair means for non-experienced officials, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The coal price issue came into the forefront in recent days following the unearthing of the Indian Adani Group’s power purchase agreement (PPA) with the BPDB, and controversies surrounding the steep purchasing price for coal quoted to BPDB by Adani Power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adani Power recently sent a request for BPDB to issue the demand note, where the coal price was quoted at $400 per metric ton (MT) - far above what BPDB officials believe it should be given the present state of the international market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In our view, the coal price they have quoted ($400/MT) was excessive - it should be less than $250/MT, which is what we are paying for the imported coal at our other thermal power plants,\" the official said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They mentioned that the price of coal is coming down in the international market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To adjust the coal price,&nbsp; the BPDB sought a revision to the PPA it signed with Adani Power Ltd for importing electricity from its 1600 MW thermal power plant in Jharkhand, India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Against the backdrop of a heated debate over the issue, the government formed a review committee, headed by Power Secretary Habibur Rahman, to analyse the existing deals signed by the public, private and joint venture power companies, including the one with Adani, to import coal for use in power generation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 9-member high level committee was formed on January 23 and its first meeting was held on February 20.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides the Power Secretary, the committee also includes the Chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), additional secretary of Power Division (coordination), representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Finance Ministry, and Commerce Ministry; the chief engineer (power generation) of BPDB, managing directors of the power generation companies, and the deputy secretary (development) of the Power Division, who will also act as member secretary of the committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the outcomes of the review committee meeting, Power Secretary Habibur Rahman said the committee needs to sit in more meetings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s too early to give any substantial outcomes right at this moment…We need to hold more meetings”, he told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Official sources said the review committee was formed following the report that Bangladesh will incur a financial loss of Tk 700 crore per month and Tk 8,400 crore annually due to the “faulty deal” signed with Adani Power to import electricity from its coal-fired 1600 MW Godda plant in Jharkhand state of India, first reported by UNB in January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BPDB sent a letter to the Adani Group seeking a revision to the existing PPA following the request it received in relation to opening LCs (in India) to import the coal that will be used as fuel for the 1,600 MW plant in Jharkhand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BPDB sent the letter date January 23 referring to State Minister-led delegation’s recent visit to the Adani plant mentioned, “During the discussion your side also opined that suitable mechanism will be devised to reduce this inconsistency of coal price by adjusting/changing the coal pricing mechanism of the power purchase agreement (PPA)”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BPDB officials alleged that the price of coal for the Payra power plant was set at 15-16 percent higher than the market price in connivance with corrupt officials. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 04:08:05', '2023-03-06 04:08:05'),
(5602, 5602, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian shelling destroyed homes and killed one person in northern Ukraine\'s Kharkiv province, the region\'s governor said Sunday, while fighting raged in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The town of Kupiansk is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border; the region has come under frequent attacks even though Russian ground forces withdrew from the area nearly six months ago. Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said at least five homes were razed in the latest attack that left a 65-year-old man dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two civilians were killed over the past day in Bakhmut, Donetsk province Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said. Russian forces have spent months trying to capture the city as part of their offensive in eastern Ukraine, and the area has seen some of the bloodiest ground fighting of the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent days, Ukrainian units destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route, according to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Associated Press journalists near Bakhmut on Saturday saw a pontoon bridge set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help the few remaining residents reach the nearby village of Khromove. Later, the AP team saw at least five houses on fire as a result of attacks in Khromove, a nearby settlement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed last week that Kyiv’s actions may point to a looming pullout from parts of the city. It said Ukrainian troops may “conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut,” while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks but might rupture Ukraine’s supply lines and allow the Kremlin’s forces to press on toward other Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk province.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In southern Ukraine, a woman and two children were killed in a residential building in the Kherson region village of Poniativka, the Ukrainian president\'s office reported. A Russian artillery shell hit a car in Burdarky, another Kharkiv province village, killing a man and his wife, the regional prosecutor\'s office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Casualties increased from an attack earlier in the week. Ukraine’s emergency services reported Sunday that the death toll from a Russian missile strike that hit a five-story apartment building in southern Ukraine on Thursday rose to 13.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the few areas where Russia and Ukraine have cooperated during the war is grain shipments. On that front, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Sunday his country is engaged in “intense efforts” to extend an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deal, which the U.N. and Turkey brokered in July 2022 and was extended by four months in November, is set to expire March 18.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a speech at the opening of the U.N. Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar, Cavusoglu said he had discussed another extension with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The agreement, which also allows Russia to export food and fertilizers, has helped temper rising global food prices. However, Russian officials have complained that shipments of the country’s fertilizer were not being facilitated under the agreement, leaving the deal\'s renewal in question. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 04:14:39', '2023-03-06 04:14:39'),
(5603, 5603, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air quality is in the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning (March 6, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 159 at 9:40 am, the capital of Bangladesh ranked 14th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is an improvement considering Dhaka was topping the list over the last few days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China’s Beijing, Pakistan’s Karachi, and Lahore occupied the first, second, and third spots, with AQI scores of 234, 218, and 189 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201–300 is ‘’very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">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 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">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. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 04:24:00', '2023-03-06 04:24:00'),
(5604, 5604, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Nandi Kumar Barman has been successful in cultivating various vegetables on the fallow land of Thakurgaon.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He cultivated various vegetables on the 85 chhatak (over 1.5 bighas) vacant land in front of his house in the Zamindarpara of the municipal town. The vegetables produced on his land were able to meet his family’s needs and some of his neighbours\' too.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nandi also said he benefited financially by selling the extra vegetables he cultivated. He was seen watering the vegetable fields and cleaning the weeds using modern equipment. There he cultivated various leafy vegetables including spinach, various types of grass, cucumbers etc.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nandi Kumar Barman said about three bighas (150 chhatak) of land in the Zamindarpara belonged to the late Taher Jamal Chowdhury. Some land here has been rented out to a private company (SERP) with a house on it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also Read: Working at brick kiln, Thakurgaon’s Raju still managed to score GPA 5 in HSC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As about 85 chhatak of land was lying vacant for a long time, Nandi planted red amarnath, spinach, napa cabbage, cucumber, and various varieties of grass there and made a profit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Nandi’s cultivation of various vegetables on the fallow land is timely. If he wants, all kinds of support and advice would be given from the Department of Agriculture Extension,” said Md Sirajul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Thakurgaon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The target for the production of vegetables was set at 7,895 hectares of land in Thakurgaon this winter season. At present, almost all types of vegetables are in the market. Some more vegetables are under cultivation. There has been a good yield of vegetables this year and farmers are also getting fair prices, said the DAE official. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 05:00:57', '2023-03-06 05:00:57'),
(5605, 5605, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Male students trickled back to their classes Monday after Afghan universities reopened following a winter break, but women remain barred by Taliban authorities.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The university ban is one of several restrictions imposed on women since the Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021, and has sparked global outrage -- including across the Muslim world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s heartbreaking to see boys going to the university while we have to stay at home,\" said Rahela, 22, from the central province of Ghor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is gender discrimination against girls because Islam allows us to pursue higher education. Nobody should stop us from learning.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taliban government imposed the ban after accusing women students of ignoring a strict dress code and a requirement to be accompanied by a male relative to and from campus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most universities had already introduced gender-segregated entrances and classrooms, as well as allowing women to be taught only by female professors or old men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several Taliban officials say the ban on women\'s education is temporary, but despite promises, they have failed to reopen secondary schools for girls, which have been shuttered now for over a year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They have wheeled out a litany of excuses for the closure -- from a lack of funds to the time needed to remodel the syllabus along Islamic lines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reality, according to some Taliban officials, is that the ultra-conservative clerics advising the country\'s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada are deeply sceptical of modern education for women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since taking power the Taliban authorities have effectively squeezed women out of public life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women have been removed from many government jobs or are paid a fraction of their former salary to stay at home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are also barred from going to parks, fairs, gyms and public baths, and must cover up in public.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rights groups have condemned the restrictions, which the United Nations called \"gender-based apartheid\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The international community has made the right to education for women a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition of the Taliban regime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No country has so far officially recognised the Taliban government. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 05:39:34', '2023-03-06 05:39:34'),
(5606, 5606, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against England in the final game of the three-match one-day International series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last time, Bangladesh lost all of the matches of the ODI series at home was back in 2012 against Pakistan. Later in 2014, they also suffered a 2-0 defeat to India in three-match series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite being reputed to play all out cricket, England nicely changed the gear according to the condition in Bangladesh to win the first two matches.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the first match, they dealt with Bangladeshi spinners astutely to win it by three wickets and then wrapped up the series with a 132-run victory in the second game.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The venue of the third match, Chattogram had recently become a horror place for Bangladesh, mainly for its placid nature. Just three months ago, they suffered their second biggest defeat in their history at this venue when India crushed them by 227 runs after compiling 409-8.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal (capt), 2. Litton Das, 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Afif Hossain, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Ebadot Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Phil Salt, 3. Dawid Malan, 4. James Vince, 5. Sam Curran, 6. Jos Buttler (capt/wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Rehan Ahmed, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Jofra Archer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 06:01:43', '2023-03-06 06:04:40'),
(5607, 5607, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Six cases have been filed and 81 people arrested in connection with the clashes between police and Muslim devotees over ‘Salana Jalsa’ event&nbsp; of the Ahmadiyya community on Friday.</span><br></b></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among those, police filed four cases with Panchagarh Sadar Police Station, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) filed two cases and Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat another case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 31 named people and 8,200 unnamed ones were made accused in the cases on various charges including spreading rumours, attacks, vandalism, looting and obstructing government work, according to police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fazle Rabbi, 28, of the Rajnagar area and Rabbi Emon, (26) of the Satmera area of Tentulia upazila were arrested for spreading rumours on Facebook.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ismail Hossain Jhanu, 25, of the Rajangarh area of Panchagarh municipality and Rasel Hossain, 28, of the Tular Danga area of the municipality were arrested in connection with the murder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat engineer Zahid Hasan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, 77 people were shown arrested in the cases filed by the police and Rab on several charges and they were sent to jail through a court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to police and case statements, sub-inspectors Masud Rana, Saidur Rahman, Shamsuzzoha Sarker,&nbsp; Altaf Hossain, and DAD Abdus Samad on behalf of Rab-13 filed the cases at Panchagarh Sadar Police Station on March 4 night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Osman Ali, father of engineer Zahid Hasan, filed a case on behalf of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in connection with the murder. No one was named in the case, but 400 unnamed people were made accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police said two people who were allegedly directly involved in Zahid’s murder have been arrested. They gave confessional statements in connection with the murder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Panchagarh Superintendent of Police SM Sirajul Huda said the situation is under control now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh and RAB have been deployed at different points, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are investigating the incident and arresting those involved. No matter who the attackers are, they will not be spared. Raids are on to arrest the other accused,” said the SP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, on Friday, two people were killed and at least 50 others including policemen were injured in the clash between a section of Muslim devotees and police during a protest march of the devotees demanding the closure of an Ahmadiyya community’s event in Panchagarh district town.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later on Saturday, a vested interest group spread rumours in different parts of the district town and on social media saying that some Ahmidyya community members slaughtered two Muslims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the rumours, some young people equipped with sticks and sharp weapons blocked roads, carried out arson attacks, and looted shops and houses of the Ahmadiyya community. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 07:07:42', '2023-03-06 07:07:42'),
(5608, 5608, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Amitabh Bachchan said he was injured while shooting a film in southern India and is recovering at home.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 80-year-old Bollywood superstar posted on his blog Sunday night that he sustained a rib injury while working in Hyderabad on the science-fiction film “Project K.” It’s being made in Hindi and Telugu languages and is slated for release in 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bachchan wrote that he had broken rib cartilage and a muscle tear. He said the injury was “painful” and he consulted a doctor before he flew home to Mumbai, where he has been advised to rest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I shall be unable to meet the well wishers at Jalsa Gate this evening.. so do not come,” the actor said to fans who often gather outside his home in Mumbai. “All else is well,” he wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said his work on the film was suspended until he’s healed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bachchan has acted in more than 200 Indian films. His breakthrough came in the 1973 film “Zanjeer,” or “The Chain,” and he rose to superstardom playing bold characters, inspiring fans to copy his hairstyle, clothes and deep voice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hugely popular actor is also a former politician and a television host. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 07:16:41', '2023-03-06 07:16:41'),
(5609, 5609, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Condemning the Ahmadiyya community, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum issued a statement on March 5.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The statement released on Jamaat’s website says: “Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country where 90 percent people are Muslims. In this country, Qadiani (Ahmadiyya) community is committing reckless activities against Islam. The Islam-loving people will never accept it. The government’s role in this regard is questionable.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The government should resolve the Qadiani crisis permanently paying full heed to the public views and also to declare Qadiani Non-Muslim officially,” the statement added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Friday, a protest march against an Ahmadiyya religious event moved towards the Ahmednagar area in Panchagarh. As police stopped the procession at Chowrangi intersection, the men started throwing brickbats at the law enforcers, according to reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse them, witnesses said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two men died and scores, including policemen, sustained injuries in the clash. Some journalists covering the violence were also among the injured. Shops in Panchagarh town were closed down as violence induced panic among people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The angry mob also looted around 20 houses belonging to the Ahmadiyya community located in Ahmednagar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a report published in The Daily Star today, the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh district are living in fear of further attacks from hardliners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many members of the community, particularly the elderly, women and children, have left their houses and are taking shelter in educational institutions or relatives’ homes, adds the report.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, since Friday’s violence, a series of tweets were posted from the verified account of Basherkella – known as a “Jamaat mouthpiece” – with “police brutality” and “boycott Qadiani (Ahmadiyya)” in hashtags.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of the community are calling this a “hate campaign” against Ahmadiyyas. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 07:52:48', '2023-03-06 07:52:48'),
(5610, 5610, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A suicide bomber killed nine police officers and wounded 16 others on Monday in an attack on their truck in southwestern Pakistan, officials said.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The suicide bomber was riding a motorbike and hit the truck from behind,\"&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">senior police official Abdul Hai Aamir told AFP.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The incident took place at Dhadar, the main town of Kachhi district, some 120&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">kilometres (75 miles) southeast of Quetta in Balochistan.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mehmood Notezai, police chief for Kachhi district, told AFP the police were&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">returning from a week-long cattle show where they had been providing&nbsp;</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Security forces have been battling a years-long insurgency by Baloch&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">militants demanding what they say is a fairer share of the province\'s wealth,&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">as well as attacks by the Pakistani Taliban. AFP</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 08:16:44', '2023-03-06 08:16:44'),
(5611, 5611, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Shab-e-Barat is a cultural celebration celebrated in many South Asian, Central Asian, South East Asian and Middle Eastern Muslim countries, on the 15th night (the night on 15th only) of the month of Sha\'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Shab-e-Barat is observed simultaneously with the Shia Mid-Sha\'ban Mahdi birthday festival, but Barat has different origins.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some people mistake Shab-e-Barat festival as it is not a festival and Shia Mid-Sha\'ban ceremony as they take place at the same time, but Shab-e-Barat\'s rituals and styles differ from region to region, while Mid-Sha\'ban is celebrated the same everywhere. The observance of Barat involves a festive nightlong vigil with prayers. In most regions, it is a night when one\'s deceased ancestors are commemorated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shab-e-Barat is considered a major event in South East Asia, collectively worship and ask for forgiveness of their wrongdoings. It is believed to reward them with fortune for the whole year and cleanse them of their sins. In many regions, it is also a night when prayers are offered to forgive one\'s deceased ancestors.[2]&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, Twelver Shia Muslims commemorate the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi.[3][4] Salafi adherents oppose the recognition of Mid-Sha\'ban as exceptional for prayer.[5] Because there is no evidence was found that Muhammad ﷺ or his noble companions or family ever celebrated or commemorated the night of Shab-e-Barat. But according to a hadith tradition it is known that Muhammad ﷺ went into the graveyard of Baqi\' on this night and he prayed for the Muslims buried there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a study by Eiichi Imoto and Mohammad Ajam, Shab-e-Barat is rooted in pre-Islamic religions in the Middle East and Persia. Eastern Iranians traditionally preserve the Barat like the Bon Festival in Buddhism and Pitri Paksha in Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. the main goal of the ceremony is praying for the happiness of the souls of the dead. in this case it is also very similar with main proposes in doing Halloween ceremony by Christian. The study states that the Persian word brat (bright) is different from the Arabic word bara\'at.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Khorasan people call the Barat the Cheragh (light) Brat, meaning bright or light festival.[6] Al-Biruni (973 – after 1050) had written about \"a festival from 12 to 15 of the lunar month that in Arabic is Al Baiz meaning bright, and Barat also is called al Ceqe meaning Cheque.\" In some Iranian cities, people celebrate this festival by gathering in the cemeteries, lighting Peganum harmala (wild rue)—a holy plant in old Persia—placing the fire in a corner of the tombs, and pouring some salt on the fire while reading a poem saying: \"The Peganum harmala is bitter and salt is salty so the jealous eye of the enemy be blind.\"[7]</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shab-e-Barat is also known as the Night of Forgiveness or Day of Atonement.[8] Muslims observe Mid-Sha\'ban as a night of worship and salvation. Scholars like Imam Shafii, Imam Nawawi, Imam Ghazzali, and Imam Suyuti have declared praying acceptable on the night of mid-Shaban.[9] In his Majmu\'[definition needed], Imam Nawawi quoted Imam al-Shafi\'i\'s Kitab al-Umm that there are five nights when dua (prayer) is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shab-e-Barat is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Muslims believe that on the night of Shab-e-Barat, God writes the destinies of all men and women for the coming year by taking into account the deeds they committed in the past. It is of high value to Sunni Muslims,[8] and is regarded as one of the holiest nights on the Islamic calendar.[10]</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To pray for the dead and ask God for the forgiveness of the dead is a common ceremony in all cities that hold Barat ceremonies. According to a hadith tradition, Muhammad went into the graveyard of Baqi\' on this night, where he prayed for the Muslims buried there. On this basis, some clerics deem it advisable on this night to go to the graveyard of the Muslims to recite part of the Qur\'an and pray for the dead.[11]</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to some Sunni Islam traditions, this night is called Shab-e-Bara\'at (transl. \"the night of freedom\") because Allah frees those who are destined for Hell.[8]</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This occasion is celebrated all over South and Central Asia. In the Arab world, the festival is celebrated by Sufi and Shia Muslims. Salafi Arabs do not celebrate this holiday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 08:45:02', '2023-03-06 08:45:02');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5612, 5612, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangabandhu\'s landmark March 7 speech was an oath of the Bangalee nation for the Liberation War as the entire nation took oath on that day and became united to face the Pakistani occupational forces after listening the speech, said academics.</b><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Bangabandhu\'s speech was not only a historic speech rather it was an oath of <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangalee nation,\" noted academician and former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Dhaka </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">University (DU) Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique said while talking to BSS on </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">the eve of the historic March 7. </span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\"As Bangalees took oath on that day, they had jumped into the Liberation War </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">immediately after the proclamation of independence by Bangabandhu in the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">early hours of March 26,\" he added.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In his speech, Bangabandhu said: \"I call upon you to turn every home into </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">fortresses, confront the enemy with whatever you have and close all roads for </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">life even if I am not around to give orders,\" Prof Arefin mentioned.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said though Bangabandhu was giving speech at the then Race Course Maidan, <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">the seven and half crore people was listening it and they took oath on that </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">day for the Liberation War. </span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prof Arefin, also acting president of Bangabandhu Parishad, said March 7 </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">speech was not only a speech rather it was an epic poem that is why the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">international Newsweek magazine termed Bangabandhu as a \'Poet of Politics\' in </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">the cover story of its April 5, 1971 issue. </span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Bangabandhu\'s speech was Bangalee\'s promise for achieving independence, <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">proclamation of independence and Liberation War and seven and half crore </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangalee\'s oath,\" he said.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\"When Bangabandhu was sent to Pakistani jail in 1971 during the Liberation </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">War, he led the nation through this March 7 speech,\" he said, adding that in </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">absence of Bangabandhu, his speech was his presence to us.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"When the speech was aired on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and other radio <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">stations including Akash Vani, it touched the heart of every people who </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">listened,\" he said.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">DU VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said Bangabandhu\'s historic March 7 speech <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">managed to make the whole nation united and prepare them for the nation\'s </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">most anticipated freedom as it contains all the instructions and guidelines </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">for all the components, needed for a collective effort for a nation\'s fight </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">for freedom.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">With a single speech, the great man managed to bring the whole nation under <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">one umbrella and become a de facto sovereign, winning everyone\'s heart </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">regardless of their caste, creed, sex and religions.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">It was possible because each individual and community\'s concern and interest <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">no matter what class and community they belong to, was known to Bangabandhu </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">very well and thus, the great man managed to address the concern of each </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">class and community equally along with giving directives for the nation\'s </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">freedom, Akhtaruzzaman added.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The significance of the speech didn\'t end up in achieving victory in the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Liberation War rather the speech has been inspiring all the freedom-loving </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">and democratic people around the world, the VC said, adding: \"The relevance </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">and significance of the speech will be similarly effective in the days to </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">come.\"</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">DU Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Dr. Muhammad Samad said Bangabandhu\'s <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">daughter Sheikh Hasina started working on Bangabandhu\'s March 7 speech to </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">present it to the new generation after returning home in 1981.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Under her initiative, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust has been arranging seminar <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">on the speech since 2004 which played an important role to spread it to the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">people and the new generation, he said.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">At the initiative of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Permanent Mission to UNESCO <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">and Bangladesh Embassy in Paris published the book titled: \"The Historic 7th </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: A World Documentary </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Heritage\" in UN\'s six official languages Arabic, Chinese, English, French, </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian and Spanish, Prof Samad mentioned.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said Bangabandhu\'s March 7, 1971 speech has also been recognised as one of <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">the world famous speeches in the book entitled: \"We Shall Fight on the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Beaches: The Speeches That Inspired History\", by Jacob F Field, a noted </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">historian.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prof Arefin, also chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Sangbad <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sangstha (BSS), said: \"I believe, it\'s must to present the speech before the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">new generation again and again. This speech should be included in textbooks </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">and this should be taught in classrooms.\"</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">He said if that could be done, Bangabandhu\'s philosophy and personality </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">could be disseminated before the youth generations after generations through </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">this speech.</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The speech itself is a great textbook and there is the necessity to teach <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">this textbook to youths, he continued.</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The UNESCO has realised this thing and that is why it has included the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">speech in the Memory of the World International Register, Prof Arefin said, </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">adding: \"The significance of the speech now in 2023 is as important and </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">relevant as it was in 1971 and even it will be the same on March 7 in 2050, </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">when Bangalees will observe the day.\"</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"If we make psychological analysis of the speech, we find the extempore <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">speech reflected words from his hearts in a very simple way,\" he said.</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">So, it could be called a conversation not a speech as Bangabandhu made the </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">address before the nation in a conversational style as if he was talking with </span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">the people. BSS</span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 08:58:26', '2023-03-06 09:59:16'),
(5613, 5613, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged oil-rich Qatar to make investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, especially in renewable energy.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We remain open to investment proposals in our infrastructures and logistics sectors. We believe there is scope for Qatari investment in the energy sector, including in renewable energy,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was addressing the Doha Investment Summit 2023</div><div>Titled ‘The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potentials of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh’ held at Grand Ballroom of The St. Regis Doha.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that Bangladesh could benefit from Qatar’s expertise in offshore gas exploration and energy distribution system.</div><div><br></div><div>She urged the business people from Qatar to look at certain thrust sectors in Bangladesh and invited a delegation of Qatari business people to visit the country soon.</div><div><br></div><div>“I also urge the non-resident Bangladeshis based in Qatar to invest in Bangladesh. We need your participation in our nation-building efforts,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with Qatar should be readjusted based on a mutually beneficial economic partnership as there are immense untapped potentials.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh and Qatar are bound by strong brotherly ties and friendship. Our two nations need to reposition our ties based on a mutually beneficial economic partnership,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also put emphasis on setting up a Joint Committee on Trade and Investment and a Joint Business Forum to bring private sectors on a single platform.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our two governments should work on setting up a Joint Committee on Trade and Investment. There should also be a Joint Business Forum to bring our private sectors on a single platform,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that Bangladesh’s agricultural growth also creates scope for cooperation in agro-processing industries, with buy-back arrangements to Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>Read more: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs</div><div><br></div><div>“We have plans to set up three special tourism zones, where Qatar can engage in both real estate and hospitality sectors,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said that Bangladesh aspires to have at least ten Unicorns in ‘Smart Bangladesh’, and country’s vibrant start-up scene is ready to draw Qatari investment.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, she said, Qatari investors can consider portfolio investment in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission is working hard to further develop our capital markets. We have taken several steps to establish our bond market on a solid footing. We are soon going to include derivative products in our capital markets,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that the disruptions in international fuel market due to the war in Ukraine have pushed countries like Bangladesh into a hard spot.</div><div><br></div><div>In order to meet the growing energy need, she said, Bangladesh is interested in increasing its LNG imports from Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>She also requested Qatar to explore opportunities for increasing import of goods from Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that Bangladesh is now well on track to graduate from the UN LDC Group in 2026 which has been achieved by 168 million people through their hard work and commitment.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that just before the pandemic, country’s economy reached a growth rate of 8.15 percent, and even during the pandemic, it posted a growth rate of 6.94 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that Bangladesh is now the world’s 35th largest economy with a GDP of USD 460 billion while projected to become the 24th largest by the first half of the 2030s.</div><div><br></div><div>“It was during my first tenure in 1996-2001 that our government fully opened up the door of trade and business for the private sector. Now our private sector is flourishing and our government is working as a facilitator. Together, we hope to take Bangladesh to the next level of development,” the PM said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh has one of the most liberal investment regimes in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that the incentives being offered include tax holiday, concessionary duty on machinery import, remittance of royalty, technical know-how and fees, allowing 100 percent foreign equity, unrestricted exit policy, full repatriation facilities of dividend and capital on exit, etc.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is offering a number of services to foreign investors under one roof.”</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that the government is setting up 100 Special Economic Zones with coordinated facilities and there are so far five country-specific Economic Zones in the making.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are investing heavily in our infrastructures fit for a regional connectivity and logistics hub. Our mega-projects like the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge, the Karnaphuli river tunnel, the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the expanded Third Terminal at Dhaka International Airport, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Metro-rail system in Dhaka all testify to our determined march forward.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina mentioned that the government has already brought the entire nation under electricity and internet coverage while country’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I has opened up new horizons.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have a large pool of easily trainable workforce available at a competitive wage&lt;” she said, adding “Bangladesh has got the world’s second largest community of registered IT freelancers.”</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that Bangladesh has made big leaps in developing its digital backbone down to the remote areas. “Our boys and girls are preparing themselves to join the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government is gradually building 38 Hi-tech Parks, with opening for foreign investment.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that government’s vision now is to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, drawing strength from a knowledge-based society.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh offers to be a willing partner in realizing the Qatar National Vision 2030. We can equip our workforce with knowledge and skills to cater to the advanced employment market in Qatar,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She reaffirmed her commitment to fulfill Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib’s dream of building a ‘Sonar Bangla’ and said that she is confident the Qatari leadership and people will continue to stand by Bangladesh as they did in the past decades.</div><div><br></div><div>“I encourage our business peoples to keep adding new feathers to our excellent bilateral relations,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Chairman of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Prof Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam and Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hosaain Miah made two separate presentations focusing on potentials of trade and investment in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in partnership with the Foreign Affairs Ministry arranged the event. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 09:52:48', '2023-03-06 09:52:48'),
(5614, 5614, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Chapainawabganj court on Monday convicted three persons and sentenced them to death for killing a woman and her daughter over land dispute.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Additional District and Session Judge Rabiul Islam pronounced the judgment.</div><div><br></div><div>The condemned convicts were identified as Rubel, Humayun Kabir and Mahbub Alam. Of them Mahbub tried in absentia.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also fined them Tk 50,000 each.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prosecution, Nasima Begum, wife of Nasiruddin, an expatriate in Saudi Arabia, of Up-Razarampur Kumarpara of Sadar upazila and her daughter Nila were killed by the convicts following an enmity over the ownership of a piece of land on August 31, 2012.</div><div><br></div><div>Police recovered the bodies of Nasima and Nila from their house on the following day.</div><div><br></div><div>Taimur Rahman, father of Nasima lodged a complaint against six people with Sadar Police. Police registered a case later.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the six accused, one of them died during the trial proceedings.</div><div><br></div><div>After examining records and witnesses, the Additional District and Session Judge announced the judgment and acquitted two more accused as allegations brought against them could not be proved. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 10:30:37', '2023-03-06 10:30:37'),
(5615, 5615, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Detective Branch of police today pressed charges against former Ducsu vice president Nurul Haque Nur in a case filed over \"hurting religious sentiments of Awami League activists and its supporters and defaming the party with his derogatory comments\", according to media reports.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Saiful Islam, an inspector of Cyber and Special Crime Division of DB and also the investigation officer of the case, appealed to the court to issue arrest warrant against him.</div><div><br></div><div>On February 28, the IO submitted the charge sheet against Nur to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate\'s Court. In the charge sheet, Nur was shown as a \"fugitive\'\' as he did not secure bail from any court in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Meantime, CMM Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury ordered to transfer the case to the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal for its disposal today.</div><div><br></div><div>On April 18 of 2021, Singer Eleyas Hossain filed the case with Paltan Police Station under the Digital Security Act for Nur\'s comments during a Facebook live session on April 14 the same year.</div><div><br></div><div>It was alleged that Nur spoke on Facebook live on April 14 and hurt religious sentiments of Awami League activists and supporters by calling them \"fake Muslims\", according to the case statement.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 11:25:14', '2023-03-06 11:25:14'),
(5616, 5616, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Barcelona clung on with 10 men to beat Valencia 1-0 and move nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday, thanks to Raphinha\'s early header.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The champions could not find a way through against Real Betis in an entertaining 0-0 draw later on at the Benito Villamarin.</div><div><br></div><div>Brazilian winger Raphinha nodded Barca in front in the 16th minute. But after Ferran Torres missed a penalty and Ronald Araujo was sent off, the hosts were left fighting tooth and nail for the three points.</div><div><br></div><div>They retreated in the final half hour following Araujo\'s 59th minute red card but survived to beat Ruben Baraja\'s Valencia, who are 19th and two points from safety.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We suffered too much, we had many chances to score the second,\" Xavi told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It can\'t be that we have to finish games like that when we have chances. We have to learn how to close out games.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Barcelona\'s 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg triumph over Madrid on Thursday followed two consecutive defeats, and this narrow victory felt like a significant step towards a first league title since 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>Without top scorer Robert Lewandowski, midfield maestros Pedri and Gavi and winger Ousmane Dembele, the Catalans did just enough to win.</div><div><br></div><div>Valencia resisted early Barcelona pressure but came undone when Sergio Busquets lofted a pass into the area for Raphinha to meet with a cunning run and a header over Giorgi Mamardashvili.</div><div><br></div><div>Samuel Lino missed a big chance for Valencia in the first half, and early in the second Barcelona should have moved two ahead when Hugo Guillamon was penalised for handball.</div><div><br></div><div>Torres grabbed the ball to take the penalty, although Ansu Fati also wanted it and the pair exchanged words, increasing the pressure on the Spaniard, who hit the post.</div><div><br></div><div>Fati hit the woodwork himself moments later, before a mistake from Jules Kounde left Barcelona with 10 men.</div><div><br></div><div>The French defender\'s header back towards his own goal sent Hugo Duro through. Araujo dragged down the striker and saw red.</div><div><br></div><div>Valencia put pressure on Barcelona without troubling Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who kept his 18th La Liga clean sheet of the season.</div><div><br></div><div>The visitors might have been awarded a late penalty when Franck Kessie tangled with Fran Perez, but the referee waved away their desperate -- and not unfounded -- appeals.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I thought the referee was going to blow for (the penalty), he steps on him and there\'s contact,\" said Valencia\'s Hugo Guillamon.</div><div><br></div><div>- Madrid stumble -</div><div>Reigning champions Madrid forged the better openings against Betis but could not find the goal they needed to stay as close as possible on Barcelona\'s tail.</div><div><br></div><div>Karim Benzema had a free-kick strike disallowed while Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made fine saves to deny the French forward and Vinicius Junior.</div><div><br></div><div>Thibaut Courtois was also forced into two superb stops by Betis who showed why they are in contention for a Champions League place next season with a hearty performance.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s quite evident what we\'re lacking, we have to be more efficient,\" Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Sometimes opponents close up at the back, but we have the quality and we have to do it better.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The coach did not think his team\'s title defence was over, despite the setback.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s not impossible. It\'s very difficult, but we have no doubt we will try until the end,\" added Ancelotti.</div><div><br></div><div>Madrid winger Vinicius, as has become customary in La Liga, was engaged in a running battle with the Betis defence.</div><div><br></div><div>Vinicius has not scored away from home in the top flight since August, but brilliantly set up Benzema at the start of the second half with former Barcelona stopper Bravo parrying the effort.</div><div><br></div><div>It was Madrid\'s first shot on target since last weekend\'s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.</div><div><br></div><div>Los Blancos have scored just once in their last three games -- from a corner.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I\'m more upset than angry,\" said Ancelotti.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I\'m upset that this team, with this quality, can\'t score a goal in three games (from open play).\"</div><div><br></div><div>Courtois made a stunning save to thwart Borja Iglesias at the other end, when the striker seemed poised to score.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We had moments in which we had clear openings, my chance with Thibaut,\" Iglesias told Movistar.</div><div><br></div><div>\"That\'s why this guy wins what he wins -- he saves a lot.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Real Valladolid climbed to 14th with a 2-1 over Espanyol, while Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao shared a 0-0 draw. Source: AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 11:52:35', '2023-03-06 11:52:35'),
(5617, 5617, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Women have a harder time accessing work globally than previously thought, while the gender gap in working conditions and pay has barely budged in two decades, the United Nations said Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The UN\'s International Labour Organization said it had developed a new indicator that does a better job than official unemployment rates at capturing all people without employment that are interested in finding work.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It paints a much bleaker picture of the situation of women in the world of work than the more commonly-used unemployment rate,\" the ILO said in a statement, two days before International Women\'s Day.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The new data shows that women still have a much harder time finding a job than men.\"</div><div><br></div><div>According to new ILO data, 15 percent of working-age women globally would like to work, but do not have a job, compared to 10.5 percent of men.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This gender gap has remained almost unchanged for two decades,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>By contrast, official unemployment rates for women and men are very similar.</div><div><br></div><div>This, ILO said, is because the criteria used to determine if someone should officially be considered unemployed tend to disproportionately exclude women.</div><div><br></div><div>It pointed out that personal and family responsibilities, including unpaid care work, disproportionately affects women.</div><div><br></div><div>Such activities, it said, not only often prevent women from working, but also from actively searching for employment or being available to work on short notice, which are criteria for being considered unemployed.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN labour organisation found that the jobs gap was particularly severe in low-income countries, where nearly a quarter of women were unable to find a job.</div><div><br></div><div>For men, the corresponding rate was below 17 percent, ILO said.</div><div><br></div><div>Access to employment is not the only problem.</div><div><br></div><div>ILO highlighted that women tend to be overrepresented in certain types of vulnerable jobs, including helping out in relatives\' businesses rather than being in own-account work.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This vulnerability, together with lower employment rates, takes a toll on women\'s earnings,\" ILO said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Globally, for each dollar of labour income men earn, women earned only 51 cents.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The pay gap meanwhile varies widely between regions, with the figure dropping to 33 cents in low income countries, but reaching 58 cents in high-income countries, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This striking disparity in earnings is driven by both women\'s lower employment level, as well as their lower average earnings when they are employed,\" ILO said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 12:35:52', '2023-03-06 12:35:52'),
(5618, 5618, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with Türkiye on Monday to deposit $5 billion in the Turkish Central Bank.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A statement by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) said the agreement was signed by SFD chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb and bank governor Sahap Kavcioglu.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This deposit comes as an extension of the historic relations and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Türkiye and its brotherly people,\" SFD said in the statement.</div><div><br></div><div>In December 2022, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan said the oil-rich kingdom will make a deposit of $5 billion in the Turkish Central Bank. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 13:25:51', '2023-03-06 13:25:51'),
(5619, 5619, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A confidence-boosting, consolation win for Bangladesh, avoiding the series whitewash with an impressive all-round performance. Shakib Al Hasan was the star as he so often is, making a vital 75 before taking four wickets to strangle England\'s run chase, while Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Ebadot Hossain all impressed too.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Brief scores from the third one-day international between Bangladesh and England in Chittagong on Monday:</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh 246 all out in 48.5 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 75, Mushfiqur Rahim 70, Najmul Hossain 53; J. Archer 3-35, Adil Rashid 2-21, S. Curran 2-51)</div><div><br></div><div>England 196 all out in 43.1 overs (J. Vince 38, P. Salt 35, C. Woakes 34; Shakib Al Hasan 4-35, Ebadot Hossain 2-38, Taijul Islam 2-52)</div><div><br></div><div>Toss: Bangladesh</div><div>Result: Bangladesh won by 50 runs&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 14:07:23', '2023-03-06 14:07:23'),
(5620, 5620, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Monday held Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP responsible for anti-Ahmadyya violence in Panchagarh that left two people dead and dozens injured.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters at his Secretariat office the home minister said that local Jamaat activists and BNP leaders were involved in obstructing the Ahmadyyas from holding their religious event and besides torching their houses.</div><div><br></div><div>He said several thousand Ahmadyyas live in the area and their Salna Jalsa has been an annual event there.</div><div><br></div><div>“But this year, the activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP leaders obstructed them. They also carried out arson attacks on their houses and raided the venue of event,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the clashes claimed a member of the Ahmadyya community, while an activist of Jamaat-e-Islami died during the violence, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier reports said that the violence on Friday left two people killed and at least 50 others injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Already seven cases have been filed in this connection while 81 people have been arrested so far. BNP leader Fazle Rabbi was among the arrestees, said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>Following interrogation, Fazle Rabbi admitted that he was there to stop the religious event and he also led the protest from behind the scenes, said Asaduzzaman.</div><div><br></div><div>A RAB member was also injured and a vehicle of the agency was also vandalised during the violence, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the situation in the area is normal now and more cases are under way, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question about any advance information from an intelligence source about the Panchagarh incident, the minister said “Efforts are on to investigate why the members of the community got so angry this year? Whether there is any negligence on the part of law enforcers will be found out. Already a probe committee has been formed in this connection and action will be taken if we find any negligence over the issue.”</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about the BNP allegation that the government has created the incident to repress the BNP, the minister said “Awami League never goes against the people of the country. Where Awami League is in charge of providing security to the people then why would they do such an incident? Those who were behind the incident are spreading rumours to hide them.”</div><div><br></div><div>On the massive fire at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp, Asaduzzaman said the government is investigating whether there was any sabotage in it.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are investigating to find out what caused the fire and whether there was any sabotage or conspiracy,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has taken steps for sheltering those who lost their houses in the fire, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Rohingyas can go to Bhashan Char as the government has taken huge preparation for resettling the displaced Myanmar nationals on the island. “If they want they can go voluntarily they will be taken there,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 15:09:54', '2023-03-06 15:09:54'),
(5621, 5621, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that Awami League was a big partner in the plot to destroy democracy through depoliticisation during the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We have to keep it in mind that those who are now in power were not separated from that (1/11) conspiracy. Rather, they’re major partners in that conspiracy,” he told a discussion meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also said Awami League has always taken a position against democracy and the country and its people.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s Awami League which established one-party Baksal rule destroying democracy just in 11 minutes in parliament in 1975. The conspiracy to destroy Bangladesh and its nationalism has started since that day in 1975,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of that plot, Fakhrul claimed that BNP founder and late President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in 1981. “Similarly, when an illegal government usurped power with the support of the military on 1/11, Awami League joined the swearing-in ceremony of Fakhruddin (the chief adviser of that regime) and extended its support to them.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking the 17th anniversary of the arrest of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, was arrested on March 7, 2007, by the joint forces on different charges, including corruption, from their then-cantonment residence.</div><div><br></div><div>After nearly 18 months of imprisonment, he went to London securing bail from the High Court on September 3, 2009. He has been staying there since then.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul alleged that Tarique Rahman was arrested in 2007 as part of a conspiracy to weaken Bangladesh’s independence, and sovereignty and to harm its progress.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the ruling party has been carrying out huge propaganda against Tarique and spreading misinformation about him with an aim to portray him as a villain and disqualified to lead the nation.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who have taken a stand against Bangladesh and its interests, including some newspapers and TV Channels, have joined this campaign.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP Secretary General warned that the media owners who are indulging in misdeeds by conducting false campaigns against Tarique and BNP will not be able to sustain themselves since people will not forgive them.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said no false campaign against the Zia family and repressive acts against opposition leaders and activists can resist BNP from ousting the current regime.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the country’s people will no longer allow any monarch and master to rule the country in the future, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“They (Awami League) think that the country is their monarchy and they’re the owner of the country and we all are their subjects. This is how they want to run the country. But people won’t allow them this time to hang onto power,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said their current movement has created a strong wave to wash away the current “fascist” and monstrous regime.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that their party’s stance that the next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government to ensure people’s right to franchise.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 15:28:38', '2023-03-06 15:28:38'),
(5622, 5622, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Four Palestinians were injured in an Israeli military raid in the West Bank city of Jericho on Monday, according to local media.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Israeli forces raided the Aqbat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho, triggering clashes with angry residents during which soldiers used live fire and tear gas canisters, the state news agency Wafa reported.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 30 Palestinians suffered temporary asphyxiation from tear gas fired by Israeli forces, the Palestine Voice radio said.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the Israeli army also said its forces rounded up 14 Palestinians in raids across the West Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army plans to demolish a house of a Palestinian in Aqbat Jabr refugee camp accused by the military of involvement in an attack in which a settler was killed last month.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 68 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of this year, according to Palestinian figures. Fourteen Israelis have also been killed in attacks during the same period.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army frequently carries out wide-ranging arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 15:57:22', '2023-03-06 15:57:22'),
(5623, 5623, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Iran’s supreme leader said Monday that if a series of suspected poisonings at girls’ schools are proven to be deliberate the culprits should be sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was the first time Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, has spoken publicly about the suspected poisonings, which began late last year and have sickened hundreds of children.</div><div><br></div><div>Iranian officials only acknowledged them in recent weeks and have provided no details on who may be behind the attacks or what chemicals — if any — have been used. Unlike neighboring Afghanistan, Iran has no history of religious extremists targeting women’s education.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the poisoning of students is proven, those behind this crime should be sentenced to capital punishment and there will be no amnesty for them,” Khamenei said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities have acknowledged suspected attacks at more than 50 schools across 21 of Iran’s 30 provinces since November.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said over the weekend that “suspicious samples” had been gathered by investigators, without elaborating. He called on the public to remain calm and accused unnamed enemies of inciting fear to undermine the Islamic Republic.</div><div><br></div><div>Vahidi said at least 52 schools had been affected by suspected poisonings, while Iranian media reports have put the number of schools at over 60. At least one boy’s school reportedly has been affected.</div><div><br></div><div>Videos of upset parents and schoolgirls in emergency rooms with IVs in their arms have flooded social media.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran has imposed stringent restrictions on independent media since the outbreak of nationwide protests in September, making it difficult to determine the nature and scope of the suspected poisonings.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, Iranian media reported that authorities arrested a Qom-based journalist, Ali Pourtabatabaei, who had been regularly reporting on the suspected poisonings. The hard-line Kayhan newspaper in an editorial had called for the arrests of newspaper publishers who printed articles on the crisis critical of Iran’s theocracy.</div><div><br></div><div>The protests were sparked by the death of a young woman who had been detained by morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. Religious hard-liners in Iran have been known to attack women they perceive as dressing immodestly in public. But even at the height of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, women and girls continued attending schools and universities.</div><div><br></div><div>The children affected in the poisonings have reportedly complained of headaches, heart palpitations, feeling lethargic or otherwise unable to move. Some described smelling tangerines, chlorine or cleaning agents.</div><div><br></div><div>Reports suggest at least 400 schoolchildren have fallen ill since November. Vahidi, the interior minister, said in his statement that two girls remain in hospital because of underlying chronic conditions. There have been no reported fatalities.</div><div><br></div><div>As more attacks were reported Sunday, videos were posted on social media showing children complaining about pain in the legs, abdomen and dizziness. State media have mainly referred to these as “hysteric reactions.”</div><div><br></div><div>The World Health Organization documented a similar phenomenon in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012, when hundreds of girls across the country complained of strange smells and poisoning. No evidence was found to support the suspicions, and the WHO said it appeared to be “mass psychogenic illnesses.” Source: AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-06 16:06:18', '2023-03-06 16:06:18'),
(5624, 5624, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked the international community to seriously consider the proposals for extension of LDC-specific support measures like preferential market access and the TRIPS waiver for a certain period after graduation.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Graduating LDCs need extension of LDC-specific support measures, such as preferential market access and the TRIPS waiver for a certain period after graduation,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said, \"The LDC Group in WTO has already placed its proposals on these issues. Those proposals should be seriously considered by the international community, especially given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier was addressing as a co-chair in a high-level thematic roundtable entitled “Enhancing the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in International Trade and Regional Integration’ held during the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-5 Conference) at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) here in Doha.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Hasina said “We need to re-double our efforts to achieve the targets that we have set for ourselves in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in the Doha Programme of Action. This requires concerted efforts at national, regional, and global levels,”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She hoped that this roundtable session would assess the state-of-play of international support measures against the challenges that LDCs are currently facing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Our approach and commitments should be pragmatic, realistic, and well-designed to enhance LDCs\' productive capacity,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said trade will continue to remain a key driver of development for graduating and graduated LDCs. “You would perhaps recall that the Istanbul Programme of Action aspired to double the LDCs’ trade share. However, their share of trade still remains as low as 1%,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“To be competitive in the global market, LDCs must focus on enhancing their trade-related infrastructure, building productive capacity, and utilizing preferential market access. For achieving these objectives, LDCs require support and investment for connectivity, human capital, trade finance and technology transfer,” said the premier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Focusing on Bangladesh, she said her government has placed significant emphasis on improving national and cross-border connectivity by constructing a multimodal transport system. “It will reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and promote regional and international trade,” she said</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are also implementing various initiatives aimed at developing skills, increasing productivity, improving intellectual property regime, and enhancing our competitiveness,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said her government’s policy is to engage the private sector to participate in national development. “Working hand in hand, we have so far brought the country to the present stage of LDC graduation. Our near-term priority is to ensure smooth and sustainable graduation,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President of the Republic of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye was another co-chair of the high-level event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Heads of state and government, and ministers from different countries, representatives of observers, relevant entities of the United Nations system and other accredited intergovernmental organizations, among others, participated in the event. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 08:31:26', '2023-03-07 08:31:26');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5625, 5625, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>March 7, a landmark day in the history of the nation\'s long struggle for freedom, is being observed today across the country in a befitting manner.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In 2017, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the historic March 7 speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a world documentary heritage.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of Bangalees, delivered the epoch-making speech before a mammoth rally at the then Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka city.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">In his 19-minute extempore speech before a million freedom-loving people, Bangabandhu made a clarion call for a non-cooperation movement -- asking the nation to prepare for liberating the country from the oppressive Pakistan regime.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“The struggle this time is for freedom, the struggle this time is for independence, Joy Bangla,” Bangabandhu declared from the massive rally.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">During his speech, compared with US President Abraham Lincoln\'s historic Gettysburg speech, Bangabandhu said: “Since we have learnt to give blood, we\'ll give more blood. Insha Allah, the people of this country will be liberated...turn every house into a fortress. Face (the enemy) with whatever you have.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">His speech worked like a magic spell, inspiring the entire nation to join the struggle for independence from the autocratic and repressive rule of the then Pakistani junta.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Cabinet on October 7, 2020 declared March 7 as a ‘Historic Day’ instead of ‘National Historic Day’ -- to observe the day nationally and internationally, commemorating the immortal speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Awami League and different socio-political and cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes on the occasion.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations are airing special programmes while national dailies published special supplements marking the day.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">National and Awami League party flags have been hoisted marking the day at Bangabandhu Bhaban and party office in the morning.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">A discussion with the party Presidium Member Engineer Mosharraf Hossain is scheduled to be held at 3pm at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, recalling with gratitude the courageous and farsighted leadership of Bangabandhu in materialising the nation\'s journey to freedom through his March 7 Speech.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The President said: “Bangabandhu’s speech on 7th March is one of the most perpetual speeches in the world. How an address can awaken the whole nation, inspire them to participate in the war of liberation for independence, the historic 7th March Speech by Bangabandhu is its unique example.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Prime Minister said, “The world recognition of the historic 7th March speech of the Father of the Nation is an honour and a monument of glory for the Bengali nation. I believe the \'Joy Bangla\' slogan and Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman\'s 7th March speech will inspire us to accelerate the progress of development.” UNB</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 08:34:50', '2023-03-07 08:34:50'),
(5626, 5626, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A case was filed last night, implicating 16 people including three managing directors of Seema Oxygen Plant in connection with the deaths of seven employees of the plant in a massive fire in Chattogram district’s Sitakunda upazila on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rokeya Begum, widow of victim Abdul Quader, filed the case against the 16 people at Sitakunda Model Police Station around 11:30 pm on Monday, Tofail Ahmed, officer-in-charge of the police station confirmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the investigation into the case will be launched very soon.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The accused include three MDs of the oxygen plant — Mamun Uddin, Parvez Uddin Santu and Ashraf Uddin Baffi — and Manager Abdul Aleem, plant operator in-charge Samsuzzaman Shikdar, plant operators Khurshid Alam and Selim Jahan, among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case statement, victim Quader, who worked at the oxygen plant for around 13 years, died due to “negligence and irresponsibility” of the accused, including the owners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least seven people died in the fire that erupted from an explosion in Seema Oxygen Plant in the Keshabpur industrial hub of Sikakunda on Saturday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from this, over 50 people sustained burn injuries in the devastating fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the Chattogram district administration formed a seven-member probe committee to investigate the fire and asked to submit a report within five working days. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 08:37:30', '2023-03-07 08:37:30'),
(5627, 5627, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The holy Shab-e-Barat -- the night of blessings and forgiveness -- will be observed in Bangladesh tonight with befitting religious fervour.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Sha\'ban. Shab-e-Barat is regarded as a significant occasion during which Muslims pray to Allah and beg for forgiveness for their transgressions. It is thought to absolve them of their sins and bestow upon them good fortune for the entire year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, recite from the Holy Quran, and also hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on using firecrackers in areas under its jurisdiction in the capital ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 12-hour restriction will come into effect from 6pm this evening and remain in force till 6am the next day, DMP Commissioner Khandker Gulam Faruk said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ban was imposed to maintain the law and order in the capital and ensure the sanctity of Shab-e-Barat, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes, highlighting the significance of the night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion on Monday. They greeted all Muslims in the country and elsewhere across the world on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Abdul Hamid in his message said the holy Shab-e-Barat comes to mark the advent of the holy month of Ramadan and good fortune.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“On this holy night of Shab-e-Barat, we pray for the continued progress, welfare, and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah, along with seeking eternal mercy and blessings from the Almighty Allah. May the full virtues of the holy Shab-e-Barat be upon us.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He urged the affluent to come forward and help the distressed and the poor on this occasion, as the world is gripped by a multitude of crises due to the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the war in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: “Inspired by the greatness of the holy Shab-e-Barat, I am calling upon all to devote themselves to the cause of human welfare and nation building.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also asked all to establish the spirit of Islam at personal, social, and national levels, putting off all kinds of injustice, violence, and superstition. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 08:41:11', '2023-03-07 08:41:11'),
(5628, 5628, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Women’s rights are being “abused, threatened and violated” around the world and gender equality won’t be achieved for 300 years on the current track, the United Nations secretary-general warned on Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Antonio Guterres told the opening session of the Commission on the Status of Women — the U.N.’s premiere global body fighting for gender equality — that progress won over decades is vanishing because “the patriarchy is fighting back.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.N. chief pointed to Afghanistan where “women and girls have been erased from public life,” and said that in many countries women’s sexual and reproductive rights are being rolled back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said girls going to school risk kidnapping and assault in many places, and he complained that there are police preying on vulnerable women they are supposed to be protecting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“From Ukraine to the Sahel, crisis and conflict affect women and girls first and worst,” Guterres said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In other setbacks, he said, maternal mortality is rising and COVID-19′s impact is forcing girls into marriage and keeping them out of school, while keeping mothers and caregivers out of paid work.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During its two-week session, the Commission on the Status of Women is focusing on closing gender gaps in technology and innovation. The secretary-general said the topic couldn’t be more timely because women and girls are being left behind as technology races ahead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Three billion people are still unconnected to the internet, the majority of them women and girls in developing countries, (and) in least developed countries just 19% of women are online,” Guterres said. “Globally, girls and women make up just one-third of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Men outnumber women two to one in the tech industry and in the growing field of artificial intelligence only about one in five workers is a woman, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said “big data” is the foundation of political and business decisions, “but it often ignores gender differences — or turns a blind eye to women altogether — resulting in products and services that bake in gender inequality from the start.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres called for urgent action to equalize power between men and women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there must be increasing education, employment and income for women and girls, especially in developing countries. He called for women’s full participation and leadership in science and technology to be promoted “from governments to board rooms and classrooms.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres also said a safe digital environment must be created that eliminates “misogynistic disinformation and misinformation” and “gender-trolling” on social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, told the commission’s opening meeting that “the digital divide has become the new face of gender inequality.” She said that last year there were 259 million more men than women online.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also cited a survey of women journalists from 125 countries that found three-quarters had experienced online harassment in the course of their work and a third had engaged in self-censorship in response.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Afghanistan, Bahous said, women who spoke out through YouTube and blogging had their doors marked by the Taliban and many fled the country to ensure their safety. In Iran, many women continue to be targeted for participating in online campaigns, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the challenge is “to fix the institutions and harmful gender stereotypes surrounding technology and innovation that fail women and girls” and ensure that online spaces are free of abuse and perpetrators are held accountable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If we do not leave this session having said collectively, unambiguously, `Enough, no more,’ then we will have failed,” Bahous said. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 08:44:27', '2023-03-07 08:44:27'),
(5629, 5629, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The nation is observing the historic March 7 today in a befitting manner, commemorating the landmark speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which was touted as an indirect declaration of the country\'s independence in 1971.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 7 in 1971, the great leader Sheikh Mujib, the architect of independent Bangladesh, in his historic address at a mammoth rally at the then Race Course (now Suhrawardy Udyan), directed the freedom-loving Bangalees for waging a decisive struggle against the then Pakistan occupation forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Turn every house into a fortress, resist the enemy with everything you have ... Having mastered the lesson of sacrifice, we shall give more blood. God willing [Inshallah], we shall free the people of this land,\" Bangabandhu also said in his speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The speech inspired the Bengalees to prepare for a war of independence.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Liberation War began 18 days later when the Pakistan Army launched \"Operation Searchlight\" against unarmed Bangalee civilians, intellectuals, students, politicians, and armed personnel on the night of 25 March 1971.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 30 in 2017, UNESCO recognised the historic speech as part of the world\'s documentary heritage as the landmark fiery speech of Bangabandhu inspired the Bengalees to prepare for the War of Liberation in 1971.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of the world\'s important documentary heritage maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the 19-minute extempore speech from 4:23 pm before millions of people of former East Pakistan, Bangabandhu in unequivocal terms said, \"We spilled our blood ... we are ready to shed more blood, the people of the country shall be freed, Inshallah!\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram [The struggle this time is a struggle for emancipation, the struggle this time is a struggle for independence]\", Bangabandhu declared in a thunderous voice at the rally.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During his deliberations amid thunderous slogans and applause, he also made a fervent appeal to the roaring people from all walks of life to make preparations for armed struggle against the tyranny, exploitation, subjugation and deprivation by the Pakistani military junta with whatever they possessed and transformed every house into a fortress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The people were overwhelmed and imbued with the spirit of Bangabandhu\'s unparalleled speech of independence regarded only as comparable with the Gettysburg Speech of slain US President Abraham Lincoln.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The whole nation responded spontaneously to Bangabandhu\'s call with the thunderous slogan- \"Bir Bangalee Astra Dharo, Bangladesh Swadhin Karo\" -Brave Bangalees take up arms and free Bangladesh from occupation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;The vigorous speech inspired people from all walks of life to prepare for the war, which eventually began after the Pakistani regime on the black night of March 25 launched attacks on the unarmed Bangalees, the worst genocides in history for the next nine months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu\'s March 7 speech has been selected as one of the most rousing and inspirational wartime speeches in the last 2,500 years. The dynamic speech has changed the course of the country\'s history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tantalizing speech literally had a mesmerizing and sparkling effect on the entire population of this soil and they became united under his capable and farsighted leadership to bravely fight for liberating the motherland from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although people from all walks of life irrespective of political and religious beliefs were united for the cause and began to take all-out preparations for a bloody war, they waited till the crackdown of the Pakistani occupation forces on the sleeping Bangalees on the night of March 25, defamed as the \"Operation Searchlight\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As soon as the Pakistani occupation forces started genocide, Bangabandhu declared the independence of the motherland instructing the people to put up strong resistance and fight against them till liberation is achieved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the instruction of Bangabandhu, the brave nation fought successfully during the nine-month-old war of liberation and ultimately liberated Bangladesh from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16, 1971, with the assistance of the allied Indian forces. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 08:48:39', '2023-03-07 08:48:39'),
(5631, 5631, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday made it clear that no one is being called for any discussion ahead of the next parliamentary election and there will be no compromise on the question of constitution, i.e. the election-time government.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“We do everything in public. Democracy doesn’t discuss in the backdoor. Discussion will be in public, if any. But I am still not seeing any such opportunity,” Quader said, while answering a question about any possibility of dialogue with the BNP to bring them to the polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The senior cabinet member, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was speaking with media personnel in the conference room of his ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the election \"will be held here like other democratic countries\", Quader said: “Nothing has happened in Bangladesh that we have to amend our constitution. There will be no compromise over the constitution.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question about BNP’s movement, Quader said that his government doesn’t see the movement as a challenge. “No movement is possible without people’s participation. It is clear that the party has failed to draw as many people as they hoped. We are not seeing their movement as a challenge. We will face their political movement politically.” UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd124/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 09:04:20', '2023-03-07 09:04:20'),
(5633, 5633, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A serial killer in Brazil convicted of 71 homicides and freed since 2017 after spending 42 years in jail, was shot dead, according to reports.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Pedro Rodrigues Filho, known as \"Pedrinho Matador\" in Portuguese or \"Little Pedro the Killer\" was shot dead on Sunday in the Mogi das Cruzes municipality of Sao Paulo.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The 68-year-old man, believed to be one of the most notorious serial killers in Brazil, died after being shot by two men, daily Metropoles reported, saying he was shot several times at his home in Mogi das Cruzes.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Pedrinho was in the front of his house when he was approached and shot by several hooded attackers who exited a car to kill him.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Metropoles reported his body was found in the street with several \"perforations\".&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>During his life Pedrinho claims to have killed over 100 people, including his own father, while Globo newspaper reported he had gained prominence in recent years on social media and had even released an autobiography entitled \"I\'m not a monster.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to Power360, he was arrested for the first time in 1973 then released from jail in 2007 and later returned to prison four years later to serve two more jail terms.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities suspect that Pedrinho\'s murder could have been a revenge killing as they continue to investigate. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 10:09:19', '2023-03-07 10:09:19'),
(5634, 5634, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dozens of bushfires burning across Australia\'s east coast could get worse as a severe heatwave continues, fire services have warned.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>After two years of rains and floods, a return to warmer conditions has sparked New South Wales state\'s worst fires since the 2019/2020 \"Black Summer\".</div><div><br></div><div>A blaze 250km (155 miles) north-west of Sydney triggered the region\'s first emergency fire warning in two years.</div><div><br></div><div>Firefighters reported battling 10-15m (49ft) high flames.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents in affected areas across New South Wales - Australia\'s most populous state - have been urged to evacuate, and there are reports of damage to some properties.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperatures in some parts of the state also hit 40C (104F) on Monday, for the first time since January 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, 33 fires were still burning across the state, 10 of which were not under control, fire authorities said.</div><div><br></div><div>The NSW Rural Fire Service said strong winds had driven the fires\' rapid spread.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s going to be another tough day for firefighters and potentially even into tomorrow before we get some reprieve,\" RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia\'s Bureau of Meteorology (Bom) also warned that dry thunderstorms were possible across eastern NSW, which could spark new fires.</div><div><br></div><div>RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd told the BBC a number of other fires in western NSW were \"likely to be problematic\".</div><div><br></div><div>The hot and dry conditions are expected to last until Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Eastern Australia has experienced three consecutive summers of La Niña conditions, with above-average rainfall causing widespread flooding.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2022, Sydney recorded its wettest year since records began.</div><div><br></div><div>But last week, the Bom said its models suggested La Niña was \"likely near its end\", with a return to neutral conditions or even the hot and dry El Niño phenomenon, likely in the southern hemisphere\'s autumn.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 33 people and an estimated 3 billion animals and birds died in 2019-20 Black Summer fires, one of Australia\'s worst-ever natural disasters. Source: BBC&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 10:59:54', '2023-03-07 10:59:54'),
(5635, 5635, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 17 people, including two women, were killed and over 100 others injured in a massive explosion in a 5-storey building near a BRTC bus counter in the capital\'s Gulistan area on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately,said Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp.</div><div><br></div><div>The injured are now receiving treatment at DMCH, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The explosion occurred around 4:50pm with a big bang, said Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director (media cell) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, eleven units of fire service and five ambulances rushed to spot and are conducting rescue operations, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>A sanitary materials shop on the ground floor of the building, Brac bank office on the other floors and 7- storied building adjacent to it were damaged but no building collapsed, said&nbsp; Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of fire service and civil defense headquarters media cell.</div><div><br></div><div>The huge blast occurred within two days of another blast in a building in Science lab area in the capital that killed three people&nbsp; and injured more than 50 on Sunday. UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 11:49:46', '2023-03-07 16:38:53'),
(5636, 5636, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party, has voiced deep concern over the reported move by the West Bengal government of India to dig two more canals under the Teesta Barrage Project to unilaterally withdraw more water from the common river.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The (standing committee) meeting felt that the plan to dig two more canals without signing an agreement on the distribution of Teesta River water with Bangladesh is an attempt to deprive Bangladesh (of its fair share of water from the common river),” said a BNP press release on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP issued the press release, signed by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on the outcome of a meeting of the party’s standing committee’s virtual meeting held on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP policymakers bemoaned that the people of Bangladesh are being deprived of their fair share of water from the Teesta River because of the current Awami League government’s ‘knee-jerk’ foreign policy and its failure to take any effective initiative for signing water sharing agreement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the Teesta River water-sharing problem with India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a report by Indian news outlet The Telegraph, the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal on Friday took possession of about 1,000 acres of land to dig two more canals under the Teesta Barrage Project to channelise water for irrigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the plan of the West Bengal government, a 32km-long canal to draw water from the Teesta and the Jaldhaka will be dug till Changrabandha of Cooch Behar district while another 15-km long canal will be built on the left bank of the Teesta to benefit around one lakh farmers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Teesta Barrage project was launched by India in 1975 with a plan to irrigate 9.22 lakh hectares of agricultural land in north Bengal by channelising water from the Teesta River through canals on either bank of the river.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment and water experts in Bangladesh say this project has been badly affecting agriculture, ecosystem, and the life of the people of the country’s northern region as the part of the Teesta River that flows through Bangladesh dries up during the dry season due to India’s withdrawal of water from the river.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh has long been waiting for signing the Teesta water-sharing deal with India to resolve the water crisis during the dry season scarcity in the northern parts of the country, but West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been opposing it. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 15:17:25', '2023-03-07 15:17:25'),
(5637, 5637, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo observed the historic 7th March 7 on Tuesday commemorating the landmark speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Today’s programme began by placing a wreath at the portrait of&nbsp; Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Embassy early in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All Embassy officials and a good number of expatriate Bangladeshis attended the event.&nbsp; Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed hoisted the national flag along with rendition of the national anthem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was followed by observance of one minute silence in remembrance of the Father of the Nation, his family members and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, a special prayer (munajat) was held for the salvation of the souls of the Father of the Nation, his family members, and martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh as well as for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The messages issued by the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion of “Historic 07 March\" were read out by Embassy officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmed paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and explained the significance of the March 7 speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said March 7 is a glorious and important day in the history of Bangladesh, when Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared his vision of independence. His clarion call conveyed a clear message to his people that it was time to prepare for the ultimate struggle to freedom and attain independence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following his call, after the brutal crackdown of the Pakistani military forces on the unarmed Bengalis on the black night of March 25, the whole country joined the Liberation War and after nine-month of war the country became victorious, he narrated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Ahmed termed the March 7 speech as the expression of a deep commitment of Bangabandhu for the nation and extreme love for mass people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that this speech gained international recognition when UNESCO enlisted the historic speech as \'World\'s Documentary Heritage\' in the \"Memory of the World Register” in 2017 as part of a list of the world\'s important documentary heritage maintained by UNESCO.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A discussion on the significance of the day was held following the address of the ambassador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this phase, a significant number of Bangladesh community members took part in a live discussion paying their deep tribute to the Father of the Nation and the role and significance of the historic speech of March 7 in the independence of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The speakers said the March 7 speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave&nbsp; inspiration to the Bengali people in their quest for freedom and emancipation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They expressed their strong commitment to work together to realise the dream of Bangabandhu to build a ‘Sonar Bangla’ through implementing the vision 2041 of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by contributing from their respective positions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finally, a documentary was screened on the historic March 7 speech. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 15:28:58', '2023-03-07 15:28:58'),
(5638, 5638, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The “Historic 7th March” was celebrated on Tuesday at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s inspirational speech delivered on 7 March 1971 at the then Race Course Maidan in Dhaka.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md. Mustafizur Rahman, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, started the programme by hoisting the national flag at the High Commission premises and placing wreaths on the portrait of the Father of the Nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A discussion programme was organized at the Bangabandhu Hall of the High Commission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The messages issued by the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion of the day were read out by the Mission officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A documentary on Bangabandhu’s speech was also screened. Among others, Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press) of the Mission made remarks highlighting the significance and importance of the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remarks, High Commissioner Rahman termed Bangabandhu’s speech as the ‘Best Bengali Poem’ and a ‘Charter of Liberation’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that this is a unique example of how a speech awakens the entire nation and encourages them to liberate the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shedding light on the recognition of the speech as a world heritage by UNESCO, the High Commissioner added that the international recognitionof the 7th March speech is eventually the acknowledgement of the non-communal spirit and democratic values thatBangabandhu had nurtured throughout his life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He further said that as long as there is a struggle for freedom from subjugation and protest against oppression in the history of human civilization, Bangabandhu’s speech will continue to be an eternal source of inspiration for all the oppressed people of the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lastly, a special prayer was offered for the salvation of the souls of the Father of the Nation, his family members and all the martyrs who played a historical role in all stages of movements for freedom and Liberation War of Bangladesh as well as well as for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Officials and employees from the Bangladesh High Commission and expatriate Bangladeshis were present at the event. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 15:37:08', '2023-03-07 15:37:08'),
(5639, 5639, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A 16-year-old Afghan boy was murdered on a London street after being mistaken for someone else and stabbed 15 times by a pair of teenagers, The Independent reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Rishmeet Singh, who was killed in late November 2021, had moved to Britain two years earlier with his mother and grandmother to claim asylum after his father was killed by the Taliban.</div><div><br></div><div>The 16-year-old was murdered by Vanushan Balakrishnan and Ilyas Suleiman, both 17 at the time, after the pair chased him down and stabbed him while he “lay defenseless on the floor,” the Old Bailey found on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Singh had left his friends in west London after an evening socializing, but saw the two teenagers running toward him.</div><div><br></div><div>He tried to return to his friends, shouting “run, run,” but tripped and was stabbed in the back by one of the males at least five times.</div><div><br></div><div>The second male then caught up to Singh, stabbing him at least 10 times. The two teenagers left the scene of the attack, which lasted just 27 seconds, the court heard.</div><div><br></div><div>Police and ambulance workers were unable to save the 16-year-old, who died at the scene.</div><div><br></div><div>Investigators later found an image on Balakrishnan’s phone of a bloody knife, captured on the evening of the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Balakrishnan and Suleiman were identified using CCTV footage and will be sentenced on April 28 at the Old Bailey.</div><div><br></div><div>Singh’s mother, Gulinder, said in a statement: “Rishmeet was my only child, and he had his whole life ahead of him. No words could ever explain or put into context how I have felt since Rishmeet was taken from us.</div><div><br></div><div>“He has been raised with so much love and now he’s gone. I am struggling to understand as to how and why this happened to my baby boy. I feel I have lost everything and my life is over.</div><div><br></div><div>“I will never get over losing him in this way. I will not see him grow up into a young man. I will not see him leave college. I will not see him fulfill his aspirations. I will not see him learn to drive. I will not see him fall in love and get married. I will not become a grandmother and see my son grow old. I have been robbed of so many future events.</div><div><br></div><div>“Rishmeet was attending college completing a public service course and his ambition was to become a police officer, all he wanted to do was to help people. Rishmeet was well loved by all that knew him, he was a faithful boy and was very caring in his nature.</div><div><br></div><div>“I have lost my husband and now I have lost my only child, my son. Justice is finally served for Rishmeet, but their sentence will never be enough for me. They have taken my whole life away from me and Rishmeet will never come home again.”</div><div><br></div><div>Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Laura Semple said: “Rishmeet was an innocent, young 16-year-old who had his whole life ahead of him. He had just spent an enjoyable evening with his friends and was making the short walk home when he was callously chased down and knifed to death by Balakrishnan and Suleiman.</div><div><br></div><div>“Between them, they stabbed him 15 times while he was defenseless on the floor. There is never an excuse to murder someone in cold blood, but this case is made even more tragic by the fact that Rishmeet was wrongly targeted by his attackers.</div><div><br></div><div>“Balakrishnan and Suleiman left the flat that day with the intention of ending someone’s life. Poor Rishmeet was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.” - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-03-07 15:58:54', '2023-03-07 15:58:54');
