INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3878, 3878, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">California air regulators voted unanimously Thursday to approve an ambitious plan to drastically cut reliance on fossil fuels by changing practices in the energy, transportation and agriculture sectors, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough to combat climate change.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The plan sets out to achieve so-called carbon neutrality by 2045, meaning the state will remove as many carbon emissions from the atmosphere as it emits. It aims to do so in part by reducing fossil fuel demand by 86% within that time frame.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">California had previously set this carbon neutrality target, but Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation making it a mandate earlier this year. The Democrat has said drastic changes are needed to position California as a global climate leader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are making history here in California,” Newsom said in a statement Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the plan\'s road to approval by the California Air Resources Board was not without criticism. Capturing large amounts of carbon and storing it underground is one of the most controversial elements of the proposal. Critics say it gives the state\'s biggest emitters reason to not do enough on their part to mitigate climate change.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a meeting that lasted several hours, activists, residents and experts used their last chance to weigh in on the plan ahead of the board\'s vote. Many said the latest version, while not perfect, was an improvement from earlier drafts, committing the state to do more to curb planet-warming emissions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Davina Hurt, a board member, said she was proud California is moving closer to its carbon neutrality goal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I’m glad that this plan is bold and aggressive,” Hurt said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The plan does not commit the state to taking any particular actions but sets out a broad roadmap for how California can achieve its goals. Here are the highlights:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>RENEWABLE POWER</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The implementation of the plan hinges on the state\'s ability to transition away from fossil fuels and rely more on renewable resources for energy. It calls for the state to cut liquid petroleum fuel demand by 94% by 2045, and quadruple solar and wind capacity along that same timeframe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another goal would mean new residential and commercial buildings will be powered by electric appliances before the next decade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The calls for dramatically lowering reliance on oil and gas come as public officials continue to grapple with how to avoid blackouts when record-breaking heat waves push Californians to crank up their air conditioning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And the Western States Petroleum Association took issue with the plan\'s timeline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“CARB’s latest draft of the Scoping Plan has acknowledged what dozens of studies have confirmed — that a complete phase-out of oil and gas is unrealistic,\" said Catherine Reheis-Boyd, the group\'s president, in a statement. \"A plan that isn’t realistic isn’t really a plan at all.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the beginning of Thursday’s meeting, California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph touted the latest version of the plan as the most ambitious to date. It underwent changes after public comments earlier this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Ultimately, achieving carbon neutrality requires deploying all tools available to us to reduce emissions and store carbon,” Randolph said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>TRANSPORTATION</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials hope a move away from gas-powered cars and trucks reduces greenhouse gas emissions while limiting the public health impact of chemicals these vehicles release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a July letter to the air board, Newsom requested that the agency approve aggressive cuts to emissions from planes. This would accompany other reductions in the transportation sector as the state transitions to all zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plan\'s targets include having 20% of aviation fuel demand come from electric or hydrogen sources by 2045 and ensuring all medium-duty vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2040. The board has already passed a policy to ban the sale of new cars powered solely by gasoline in the state starting in 2035.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>CARBON CAPTURE</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plan refers to carbon capture as a “necessary tool” to implement in the state alongside other strategies to mitigate climate change. It calls for the state to capture 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and store it underground by 2045.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Connie Cho, an attorney for environmental justice group Communities for a Better Environment, called the plan’s goal of phasing down oil refining “a huge step forward” to mitigate climate change and protect public health.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our communities have been suffering from chronic disease and dying at disproportionate rates for far too long because of the legacy of environmental racism in this country,” Cho said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Cho criticized its carbon capture targets, arguing they give a pathway for refineries to continue polluting as the state cuts emissions in other areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>AGRICULTURE</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the goals is to achieve a 66% reduction in methane emissions from the agriculture sector by 2045. Cattle are a significant source for releasing methane — a potent, planet-warming gas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plan\'s implementation would also mean less reliance by the agriculture secto. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 04:31:28', '2022-12-20 04:31:28'),
(3879, 3879, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Although there are more than 500 hotels, motels and other residential establishments in Cox’s Bazar, only four of these have their own Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), which is turning the tourist city into an open gutter.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Abu Sufian, an Additional District Magistrate who is also the In-charge of the district administration’s tourist cell, only three five-star and one three-star hotels in Cox’s Bazar have STP systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are eight more luxurious hotels which don’t have STP. We’ve told the star-labeled hotels to establish their own STP and have decided to bring the existing hotels under a centralized STP system,” Sufian said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saiful Islam, Assistant Director of Department of Environment in Cox’s Bazar, said that the government has asked more than 300 hotels to set up STP system regardless of the fact that most of these hotels don’t have space for STP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Most of the hotels adjacent to the beach have been constructed without following environmental laws, and bad smell coming out of the excrement released from these hotels is resulting in the loss of tourists. That’s why the district administration in association with Cox’s Bazar Development Authority, Cox’s Bazar municipality and Department of Environment have jointly agreed to establish a central STP system,” Saiful said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammad Junaid, General Secretary of Cox’s Bazar Forest and Environment Protection Council, said that the government should ensure that any new infrastructure in Cox’s Bazar is set up after receiving clearance from the environment department.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment of Cox’s Bazar at stake: Out of over 500, only 4 hotels have own STP&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Besides, the already constructed establishments must be refurbished to make way for STPs. Around one lakh tourists stay in Cox’s Bazar every day during the tourist season and excrement left by them accumulates in the toilet ring without any treatment. This excrement later falls in ditches, from where it goes to the Bakkhali river and ultimately to the sea. The government needs to take urgent steps to stop this cycle to prevent Cox’s Bazar from becoming an inhabitable city,” said Junaid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammad Nurul Absar, Chairman of Cox’s Bazar Development Authority, said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has published a circular making STP system mandatory for hotels labeled three star or above.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Central STP system will be built for the other hotels and motels. We’ll take legal actions against those who won’t abide by the rules,” said Absar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammad Shaheen Imran, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar, said that from now on, infrastructure will be built in Cox’s Bazar following a master plan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the Prime Minister’s rally in Cox’s Bazar on December 7, Presidium Member of Awami League (AL) Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said that despite the massive development that the coastal district has gone through, the environment is at stake due to a lack of STP system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“That’s why building the STP system has become urgent so that the tourists don’t turn away from visiting the seaside resort town,” Mosharraf added. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 04:35:37', '2022-12-20 04:35:37'),
(3880, 3880, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka ranked second in the list of world cities with most poor air quality on Tuesday morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The metropolis’s air quality index (AQI) score was 221 at 9:30 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘very unhealthy’, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">India’s Delhi and Poland’s Krakow occupied the first and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 244 and 211, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups while a reading of 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 05:12:39', '2022-12-20 05:12:39'),
(3881, 3881, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Labourer Rasool Badshah has moved into a new home six months after a deadly earthquake rocked eastern Afghanistan, but without his mother, who was killed by collapsing walls.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">More than 1,000 people were killed and tens of thousands made homeless after the 5.9-magnitude quake -- the deadliest in Afghanistan in nearly a quarter of a century -- struck the impoverished province of Paktika on June 22.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When I reached here, my mother, brothers, everyone was already buried,\" Badshah, 21, told AFP, explaining how he rushed back to his village from Pakistan, where he was working.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of earthquake-resilient concrete homes, many built by local labourers with the support of the United Nations refugee agency, have now been handed over to survivors who were until now living in makeshift tent cities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We couldn\'t have built these houses, not even our children or grandchildren (could have)... we could not afford it. We were living in huts,\" Badshah said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UNHCR said the new homes are equipped with solar panels, independent toilets and traditional heaters to help residents face harsh winters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even before the earthquake, Afghanistan was in the grip of a humanitarian disaster made worse by the Taliban takeover in August 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">International development funding on which the South Asian country relied dried up after the takeover and assets held abroad were frozen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The remote east where the quake struck had been neglected by authorities for years, said survivor Bara Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"After the earthquake, people came and saw that residents of the area were in trouble. We don\'t even have a clinic or a school,\" Khan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everybody has grown up illiterate.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UNHCR will start work to build two schools and a clinic in the area, still strewn with rubble, after the winter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 05:16:13', '2022-12-20 05:16:13'),
(3882, 3882, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A fan asked Shah Rukh Khan to sign an autograph on a painting he made of the actor’s late parents. A photo of their recent interaction was shared on a fan page. Many on social media are reacting to the photo, and calling it a ‘proud’ moment for the actor, who has often spoken about the close bond he shared with his parents, and how he misses them after losing them early in life.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shah Rukh’s father Taj Mohammed Khan died of cancer, when the actor was only 15 years old; Shah Rukh’s mother Lateef Fatima Khan also died after a prolonged illness in 1990, when the actor was 25.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the photo, Shah Rukh, who was dressed in white shirt and black trousers, was seen with a fan, who held a black and white painting of the actor’s parents. Shah Rukh was seen reaching for a pen to sign the painting for the fan in the photo. His security and a few other people were also photographed in the undated picture that was taken outdoor during night-time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A fan page shared the picture with the caption, “It must have been an emotionally satisfying and proud moment for the King of Hearts, when a fan asked for his autograph on this heart-melting painting.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many took to the comments section of the Instagram post to shower love on the actor. One wrote, “Oh wow. Speechless… for a son it was a proud and emotional moment. Beautiful.” Another one commented, “Now you are melting my heart.” A fan also wrote, “World ka best gift hai SRK ke liye (this is the best gift for Shah Rukh).” Another comment read, “It brought tears to my eyes. Cannot even imagine his reaction!!”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shah Rukh has often talked about his parents in various talk shows and interviews. In a 2011 interview with Hindustan Times, Shah Rukh had spoken about his parents, and said, “I think both parents are really important for children and it’s a great gift of God if children have both their parents. I lost my parents very early, so I attach a huge amount of importance to having them with you. I fight with my wife saying that a father is more important but I guess that’s a bias being a father.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A father needs to be a guardian, a parent, someone who one can look up to. But most importantly, to be a friend.” He added, “More than my father’s strictness, goodness, his education or all the ideals that he gave me, what I miss most is having a friend.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shah Rukh will be seen next in Pathaan, which is directed by Siddharth Anand. The film also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. It is a spy thriller shot in multiple foreign locations, and will be released on January 25, 2023. Pathaan marks Shah Rukh\'s first film since Zero in 2018, which also featured Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 05:48:06', '2022-12-20 05:48:06'),
(3883, 3883, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud met with 13 journalists from Asia, Europe, and Africa at his office in the capital Monday.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister informed them about the overall development of the country, including the mass media. He also replied to their questions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Journalists from Algeria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Vietnam are now in Bangladesh at the invitation of the foreign ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They already visited the top tourist spots in Bangladesh and the Rohingya camps in Cox\'s Bazar. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 05:53:09', '2022-12-20 05:53:09'),
(3884, 3884, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called unfortunate the massacre in the paramilitary force in 2009, saying the nation doesn\'t want recurrence of such incident as she asked the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel to maintain discipline and chain of command.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An unfortunate incident took place (in the then BDR) in 2009, within only 52 days of the formation of our government. The entire nation doesn\'t want repeat of such incident,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 74 people, including 57 army officials, were killed in the mutiny that took place at the Pilkhana headquarters of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on February 25-26, 2009.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of those who were martyred in that incident and conveyed deep sympathy to their bereaved families.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was attending a programme at Bir Uttam Anwar Hossain Parade Ground inside the Pilkhana in the city, marking the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina asked the BGB personnel to maintain discipline and chain of command of the paramilitary force, saying it is very important for any disciplined force.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Keep one thing in mind. Never breach the discipline and carry out your duties accordingly. Maintain the chain of command,\" she added. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 06:14:46', '2022-12-20 06:14:46'),
(3885, 3885, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Embassy of Bangladesh in Rome, Italy has honoured five expatriate Bangladeshi nationals with ‘Remittance Award’ on the occasion of International Migrants Day-2022.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The embassy organized an event on December 19 at the Chancery.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five Bangladeshis received awards as top remittance senders from Italy between the period of July 2021 and June 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md. Shameem Ahsan, Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy, handed over the awards among the recipients.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The programme included, among others, reading out of the messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, discussion meeting and distribution of certificates and crests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the beginning of the discussion session, Ashif Anam Siddique, First Secretary (Labor welfare) of the Embassy, made a power-point presentation on the various activities undertaken by the government of Bangladesh for the protection of the rights of expatriates for their welfare and to encourage more remittance through legal channels and also on the role of the embassy in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The awardees, who joined in person as well as digitally, also spoke and sincerely thanked the embassy for the recognition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Ahsan warmly congratulated all the awardees while acknowledging the significant contribution being made by the Bangladeshi diaspora for the buoyancy of the economy of the country by sending valuable remittances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said that establishment of diplomatic relations immediately after the independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paved the way for sending workers abroad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahsan paid deep tribute to Bangabandhu while adding that the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an expatriate-friendly government and highlighted the major steps taken by the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahsan pointedly mentioned that the Government of Bangladesh remains committed in favour of legal migration. Among the guests were Laurence Hart, Director, International Organization of Migration (IOM) and Giovanni Imbergamo, Director, Janata Exchange (JEC) Srl.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">both shared the global perspective of the day while appreciating the Government of Bangladesh for its role for the welfare of the expatriates and contribution of the migrants of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The awardees of 2022 in \'individual category (male)\' are Mohammad Jahangir Farazy, Md Mahfujul Haque, Uddin Zia, and in \'individual category (female) are Akhy Agnes Gomes and Mehenas Tabbasum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Embassy in Rome launched the \"Remittance Award\" in 2019 to encourage and promote remittances to Bangladesh through legal channels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials of the mission, awardees and their family members, journalists from the diaspora were present at the event. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 06:35:36', '2022-12-20 06:35:36'),
(3886, 3886, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia have urged ASEAN member states and other countries in the region to urgently rescue a boat carrying up to 200 Rohingya refugees, including women and children, which has reportedly been adrift off the coasts of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India for weeks.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the boat has been adrift in high seas since late November, and dozens on board have already died during the journey, while survivors have no access to food, drinking water or medication.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“We urgently call on ASEAN member states and other countries in the region to fulfill their humanitarian obligations and launch search and rescue operations for the boat if it enters their waters, and to allow for the proper disembarkation of the refugees. It is disgraceful that a boat filled with men, women, and children in grave danger has been allowed to remain adrift. Neglecting the people on the boat is nothing short of an affront to humanity,” said Eva Sundari, Board Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), and former member of the Indonesian House of Representatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to media reports and information from human rights organizations, two other boats carrying Rohingya refugees have been adrift in the past weeks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One, carrying 154 refugees, was rescued by a Vietnamese oil service vessel on December 8. They were handed over to the Myanmar navy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another, carrying 104 refugees, was rescued by the Sri Lanka navy on December 18 and disembarked at Kankesanturai Harbor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rohingyas have been suffering persecution in their country of origin, Myanmar, for decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The overwhelming majority of them were rendered stateless in the early 1990s by the authorities, and have suffered the most serious human rights violations since at least the late seventies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2016 and 2017 they were the target of brutal military operations, displacing over 730,000 to neighbouring Bangladesh and for which the Myanmar army has been accused of genocide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In these desperate conditions, many of them put themselves at the hands of unscrupulous human smugglers to seek a better life in countries like Malaysia, in extremely dangerous journeys through the Andaman Sea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In all likelihood, the delay in rescuing these boats has already caused untold suffering and loss of life. Any further delay is unconscionable. This neglect of Rohingya refugees stranded in the sea is nothing new, as it has been going on for years, and has resulted in hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths that could have been easily been prevented if the countries in the region fulfilled the most elementary humanitarian principles,” said Charles Santiago, Chairperson of APHR, and former member of Parliament from Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">APHR urged ASEAN to devise a comprehensive and coordinated regional response to the issue of refugees stranded at sea, in order to act effectively, and according to humanitarian principles, in such situations, as saving lives at sea must be a collective effort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But ASEAN should also address the root causes of the tragedy that befell the Rohingya for so many years, including putting pressure on the Myanmar authorities to restore their citizenship, and receiving the refugees currently living in camps in Bangladesh, APHR said on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ASEAN should also help to hold the perpetrators of atrocities against the Rohingya people accountable, especially now that the army that launched the genocidal military operations against them in 2016 and 2017 has thrown Myanmar into chaos since staging an illegal coup d’état on February 1, 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“ASEAN and the international community at large have stood idly for too long as the Rohingya tragedy unfolded over the years. Those countries who claim to defend human rights have a moral obligation to address the root causes of the human rights crisis afflicting the Rohingya, or these humanitarian tragedies will only repeat again and again. ASEAN member states, as well as their partners in the region and beyond, must ensure that Myanmar restore the rights of the Rohingya people, end all discriminatory practices and holds those responsible for crimes against humanity to account,” said Kasit Piromya, APHR Board Member and former Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 07:03:20', '2022-12-20 07:03:20'),
(3887, 3887, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thousands of fans lined up in the middle of the night to try to get a glimpse of the Argentina soccer team that won one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time ahead what is scheduled to be a day of celebrations in Buenos Aires.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of the team, led by captain Lionel Messi, were all smiles as they descended from the plane in Ezeiza, right outside Argentina’s capital, shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday onto a red carpet that had been rolled out for the squad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi was the first player from the plane carrying the World Cup, flanked by coach Lionel Scaloni, who put his arm around the captain as they walked past a sign that read, “Thank you, champions.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The players were welcomed by rock band La Mosca singing “Muchachos,” a song that was written by a fan to the tune of an old song by the band and became a popular unofficial anthem for Argentine fans at the World Cup in Qatar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The newly crowned champions of the world boarded an open top bus and several, including Messi, could be seen singing the words to “Muchachos” while they waited for everyone to get on heading to the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bus moved at a snail’s pace as fans, many of whom were waving Argentine flags, swarmed the bus on a highway, eager for a glimpse of the players as law enforcement officers tried to keep them at bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The players will sleep at AFA headquarters for a few hours before boarding the bus later Tuesday that will take them to the Obelisk, the iconic Buenos Aires landmark that was a sea of people Sunday afternoon after the team won the country’s third World Cup, and its first since 1986.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Alberto Fernández declared a national holiday Tuesday so the country could celebrate the victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The day after the streets of Argentina turned into massive parties following the Sunday victory, many kept a close eye on the flight that brought the players home to celebrate. As the plane got closer to Argentine soil, almost 200,000 people were tracking its path online and news channels gave live coverage of the arrival.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the afternoon, people started arriving at the airport and outside the AFA headquarters in hopes of getting a glimpse of the team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many were also already at the Obelisk, seemingly ready to spend the night there to ensure a prime spot for Tuesday’s festivities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several players posted photos of the plane ride on social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi held the World Cup on the plane. Nicolás Tagliafico, meanwhile, posted a photo of the World Cup buckled into an airplane seat as if it were just another passenger.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of early Tuesday morning there were no official plans for Fernández, or any other political leaders, to take part in the celebrations despite earlier rumors that the players would go to Government House, which was offered up for the celebrations, according to Security Minister Aníbal Fernández.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Cup and the success of the Messi-led squad has brought much-needed good news for a country that has been stuck in economic doldrums for years, is suffering one of the world’s highest inflation rates and where almost four-in-10 people live in poverty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fernández retweeted several messages of congratulations for the World Cup victory from other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Thank you for this greeting President Putin,” Fernández wrote on Twitter after a telephone call with the Russian leader. “Let the happiness that today unites Argentina with so many countries in the world serve as an example: Our societies need unity and peace.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 07:30:10', '2022-12-20 07:30:10'),
(3888, 3888, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government started administering the fourth dose (second booster) of Covid-19 vaccine today.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Professor Dr Ahmedul Kabir, additional director general (ADG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), inaugurated the campaign at 9:30 am at Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has taken the initiative to administer a fourth dose against Covid-19 as the antibody from the vaccine doesn\'t last long, said Ahmedul Kabir.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our aim is to vaccinate 80 lakh people in five categories at the moment though four crore people are eligible to receive the fourth dose in the country. Already 460 people have received the fourth dose on a trial basis,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The priority will be given to frontline workers and pregnant women, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Shamshul Haque, DGHS director of the vaccine campaign, said 15 crore people got the first dose, 12 crore the second dose, and 6.5 crore the third dose of vaccine against Covid-19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Still there are 1.33 lakh doses of vaccine in stock and will bring more after administering those. There are 11.5 crore people aged above 18 years and all will get vaccinated with the second booster dose in phases,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to an earlier announcement, the fourth dose will be given at seven centers in the beginning. One hundred people will be vaccinated at each designated centre and they will be kept under observation for two weeks, said the ADG. All citizens having health risks will be vaccinated with the second booster dose from January 1 next year. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 07:56:13', '2022-12-20 07:56:13'),
(3889, 3889, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday criticized the BNP\'s 27-point plan for ‘Structural Reform of the State,’ terming it as ‘ridiculous’.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remarks at the food sub-committee meeting marking the 22nd National Council of Bangladesh Awami League at party president’s Dhanmondi political office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"If they (BNP) come to power the reform proposal will be implemented, otherwise, it will be washed away,” said Qauder, also the AL general secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"BNP took the country on the brink of destruction. Bangladesh is prosperous today because of Sheikh Hasina\'s determination. BNP destroyed democracy and the spirit of the Liberation War,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“How those will reform who had destroyed the country? This is a kind of&nbsp; stunt which is ridiculous. BNP is the maestro of falsehood.&nbsp; Nobody believes them,” Quader added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that people still believe that Bangladesh will move forward under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp; “It has been proved that BNP is sponsor of terrorism and&nbsp; militancy.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP on Monday announced a 27-point outline of ‘Structural Reform of the State’ — proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introduction of the upper house of legislature.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The outline of the ‘Structural Reform of the State’ has been prepared in line with the late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman\'s 19 points and BNP\'s \'Vision-2030\' declared by its chairperson Khaleda Zia. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 08:58:08', '2022-12-20 08:58:08');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3890, 3890, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Argentina\'s World Cup winners led by captain Lionel Messi returned home from Qatar in the early hours of Tuesday morning ahead of a welcome home party in the nation\'s capital.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Having beaten France in Sunday\'s thrilling final, the players will now spend the night at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training complex near the Ezeiza airport where they arrived in Buenos Aires and where thousands of supporters were waiting to greet them.</div><div><br></div><div>They will then begin a tour of the Buenos Aires city center from midday on Tuesday with millions expected out in the streets on what is a public holiday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Crowned with glory,\" read a banner on a newspaper kiosk in Buenos Aires on Monday, while Clarin and La Prensa dailies both sent a huge \"Thank you\" to Messi and his team-mates for winning the country\'s third world title, and first in 36 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Argentina won the final in Qatar 4-2 on penalties after a rollercoaster 3-3 draw over 120 minutes of unparallelled drama.</div><div><br></div><div>Messi, who scored twice in the final, was the first player to emerge from the plane, holding the World Cup aloft, with coach Lionel Scaloni right behind him.</div><div><br></div><div>Forward Julian Alvarez, a revelation in Qatar with his four goals, was one of the next players to emerge.</div><div><br></div><div>A picture of Messi was emblazoned on the plane\'s tail with the words: \"one team, one country, one dream\" on its side.</div><div><br></div><div>The players made their way from the plane along a red carpet straight to an open top bus as their World Cup theme song \"Muchachos\" by ska band La Mosca blared out.</div><div>- \'Better than 86\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Excitement had been brewing since the party that began after Sunday\'s final ahead of the players\' arrival.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I\'m going to greet them at the airport. Now that they have been crowned we have to greet them and thank them,\" Jose Luis Quinoga, 56, told AFP at the Obelisk memorial in central Buenos Aires, where the night before more than a million people celebrated.</div><div><br></div><div>A private reception at a VIP suite in the airport had been arranged to greet the returning players and the AFA said they will celebrate with fans at the Obelisk on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I will leave work and the first thing I will do is come here,\" Julieta Rosel, 23, told AFP at the monument.</div><div><br></div><div>Messi finally crowned his record-breaking career with football\'s biggest prize as he produced one of the greatest World Cup final performances, scoring a first-half penalty and netting again in extra time.</div><div><br></div><div>In doing so he emulated his predecessor as Argentina\'s idol, Diego Maradona who inspired the country to their second world title with a series of match-winning displays at Mexico 1986.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I remember \'86 but this victory yesterday was much more emotional and much more stressful,\" architect Ricardo Grunfeld, 65, told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I don\'t know if there\'s any difference with \'86 but this comes at a good time,\" added Zulema Guereri, 80.</div><div><br></div><div>Argentina had led 2-0 with 10 minutes of normal time left and 3-2 with only two minutes of extra-time to go but Kylian Mbappe completed only the second World Cup final hat-trick in history to take the gripping final to penalties, before Gonzalo Montiel swept home the decisive spot kick.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the huge numbers of revelers during Sunday\'s festivities \"people acted in a very positive way,\" a spokesperson for the municipality said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fewer than 20 people were arrested for isolated incidents of violence or theft.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'It warms the heart\' -</div><div><br></div><div>France\'s beaten players were given a rousing reception by fans in central Paris on Monday after their return from Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>They appeared on the balcony of the Crillon Hotel overlooking the Place de la Concorde.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Frankly, it\'s magnificent, it warms the heart, it\'s a great pleasure to see that we were able to make so many French people proud and happy,\" forward Marcus Thuram told TF1 TV.</div><div><br></div><div>They landed at Paris\'s Charles de Gaulle airport just before 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) where a caravan of coaches took them straight to the center of Paris.</div><div><br></div><div>Goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris told TF1 that it was a chance to \"greet them (the fans), to thank them for their support and, after yesterday\'s pain, to seek their consolation.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The captivating final rounded off one of the most controversial World Cups in history.</div><div><br></div><div>Qatari organisers faced persistent questions about the country\'s treatment of migrant workers and its laws on homosexuality.</div><div><br></div><div>Football\'s world governing body FIFA said the cumulative stadium attendance was 3.4 million spectators and that more than one million visitors travelled to Qatar to watch the matches. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 09:50:40', '2022-12-20 09:50:40'),
(3891, 3891, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have settled their acrimonious defamation case, they said Monday, with the actress agreeing to pay her former husband $1 million over claims he physically abused her.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a post on Instagram, Heard said she was dropping an appeal against the $10 million payout she had been ordered to make by a jury because she \"simply cannot go through\" another trial.</div><div><br></div><div>\"After a great deal of deliberation I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I make this decision having lost faith in the American legal system, where my unprotected testimony served as entertainment and social media fodder,\" the 36-year-old said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Now I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to,\" she said. \"I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession.\"</div><div><br></div><div>In a legal battle involving suits and countersuits, a Virginia jury found Depp and Heard both liable for defamation -- but sided more strongly with the \"Pirates of the Carribean\" star following an intense six-week trial riding on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse.</div><div><br></div><div>The jury awarded $10.35 million in damages to Depp, and $2 million to Heard.</div><div><br></div><div>Lawyers for 59-year-old Depp on Monday hailed the settlement.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light,\" attorneys Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The jury\'s unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depp\'s favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The payment of $1 million -- which Mr. Depp is pledging and will (actually) donate to charities -- reinforces Ms. Heard\'s acknowledgement of the conclusion of the legal system\'s rigorous pursuit for justice.\"</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Defended my truth\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Depp sued Heard over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a \"public figure representing domestic abuse.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Texas-born Heard did not name Depp in the piece, but he sued her for implying he was a domestic abuser and sought $50 million in damages.</div><div><br></div><div>Heard countersued for $100 million, saying she was defamed by statements made by Depp\'s lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail her abuse claims were a \"hoax.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The case, livestreamed to millions, featured lurid and intimate details about the Hollywood celebrities\' private lives.</div><div><br></div><div>Heard\'s lawyers said following the trial that the actress did not have the resources to pay Depp the $10 million in damages.</div><div><br></div><div>In her Instagram post, Heard said she \"defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are revictimised when they come forward,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I was exposed to a type of humiliation that I simply cannot relive.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Even if my US appeal is successful, the best outcome would be a retrial where a new jury would have to consider the evidence again,\" she said. \"I simply cannot go through that for a third time.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Entertainment outlet Variety said Heard had initially made claims of domestic abuse in 2016 during her divorce from the \"Edward Scissorhands\" star.</div><div><br></div><div>In a settlement she was granted $7 million and the issue was shelved, with the couple signing non-disparagement and non-disclosure agreements. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 10:12:13', '2022-12-20 10:12:13'),
(3892, 3892, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Education Minister Dipu Moni on Tuesday said, \"New curriculum will be introduced for primary, secondary and higher secondary level students from next year.\"</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The government formulated the new curriculum&nbsp; keeping in mind the labour market&nbsp; at home and abroad. Education from primary to higher secondary level will see a major transformation. As per the plan, the new curriculum will be introduced next year,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The education minister revealed these information while speaking at a discussion marking the Victory Dayat Anima Chowdhury Auditorium in Natore district town.</div><div><br></div><div>Textbooks will be handed over to the students in the new year amid all obstacles, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 10:51:48', '2022-12-20 10:51:48'),
(3893, 3893, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The new look of banknotes featuring the image of King Charles has been unveiled by the Bank of England.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The portrait will be the only change to existing designs of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes and will start to enter circulation from mid-2024.</div><div><br></div><div>New notes will feature the King\'s portrait on the front and in the see-through security window.</div><div><br></div><div>Existing notes will still be accepted in shops after the new notes begin to circulate.</div><div><br></div><div>Queen Elizabeth was the first and only monarch to appear on circulating Bank of England banknotes, starting in 1960. Notes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks do not depict the monarch.</div><div><br></div><div>There are about 4.5 billion individual Bank of England notes worth about £80bn in circulation at present.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bank of England said that, following guidance from the Royal household, the new notes would only be printed to replace worn notes or to meet increased demand, in order to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change.</div><div><br></div><div>Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, said he was \"proud\" of a \"significant moment\" with the new design.</div><div><br></div><div>Fifty pence coins bearing the image of King Charles III have already entered circulation via post offices across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>An estimated 4.9 million of the new coins are being distributed to post offices - about half of the total number earmarked for circulation - to be given in change to customers.</div><div><br></div><div>Coins carrying the image of the late Queen will still be accepted in shops, in the same way as banknotes.</div><div><br></div><div>For anyone taking part in a family Christmas quiz this year, it is worth remembering that, in ascending order, the reverse side of current polymer Bank of England banknotes feature Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing.</div><div><br></div><div>Cash use has become far less frequent when compared to debit cards, owing primarily to the use of contactless payments and then accelerated by the Covid pandemic. The buying power of specific coins and banknotes have also been diluted by rising prices.</div><div><br></div><div>However, there is still keen interest from consumers and collectors about the images used on cash.</div><div><br></div><div>Collectors will be particularly excited to get their hands on the lowest serial numbers of the new King Charles banknotes when they appear. - BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 11:05:15', '2022-12-20 11:05:15'),
(3894, 3894, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foodpanda has won this national Digital Bangladesh Award in the institutional category for its contribution in facilitating the digital transformation of the country and enabling income opportunities for thousands of youths.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The award was handed over to Syeda Ambareen Reza, Co-founder and MD and Zubair B A Siddiky, Co-founder and CEO of foodpanda Bangladesh by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently at “Digital Bangladesh Award 2022” event at BICC, which was well attended by ministers, parliament members, senior secretaries and industry leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>The event was chaired by State Minister of Information and Communication Technology Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak.</div><div><br></div><div>The e-commerce company started its journey in Bangladesh in 2013 and has been successful in creating a strong digital ecosystem with many stakeholders. Foodpanda is the leading marketplace that connects restaurants and shops with customers and delivery partners. It enables SME and large restaurant partners, shops and home chefs to have a digital footprint without the risks of high investments, said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>The restaurant industry has flourished in the last seven years, bolstered by the marketplace that the platform has cultivated. Customers are benefited by having food, groceries, medicine and more delivered right to their doorsteps within 30 minutes.</div><div><br></div><div>Freelance rider partners are presented with an opportunity to earn a livelihood in a flexible way along with access to key benefits such as insurance, training, loan and online education.</div><div><br></div><div>With a presence in 64 districts across the country, foodpanda has expanded business units and created over one million direct and indirect earning opportunities in the tech-based delivery ecosystem.</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside, foodpanda, over the years, has also taken numerous initiatives to foster the growth of women entrepreneurs. The Homechef program has more than 3000 home chefs currently active on the platform, of which 70 percent are women.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Beside working on seven SDG goals, the platform has taken many initiatives to minimize food wastage in partnership with several NGOs including Bidyanondo Foundation.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambareen Reza, Co-founder and MD and Zubair B A Siddiky, Co-founder and CEO of foodpanda Bangladesh thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and the organizers for recognising the company’s efforts to facilitate digital inclusion and empowering the youth and SMEs.</div><div><br></div><div>Upon winning the award, Co-founder and CEO, Zubair B A Siddiky said, “Foodpanda is at the forefront of building a digital ecosystem. We are committed to continue our contributions in building a digitally inclusive Bangladesh while empowering the youth with income opportunities and supporting the digitization of restaurants, shops, SMEs and home chefs with a marketplace to access millions of customers. I believe this industry holds immense possibility to become a significant part of the country’s continuous economic growth and build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.” - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 13:24:11', '2022-12-20 13:24:11'),
(3895, 3895, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Prof Md Farhadul Islam hoped that free textbooks will be reached to all the students across the country through the book festival on January 1, 2023.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Like previous years, all the students across the country will get their textbooks through the textbook festival on January 1, 2023,\" he told to reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the government\'s efforts of reaching new books to the students on the first day of the New Year, the distribution of free textbooks will start at the beginning of New Year across the country including the capital, he informed.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Already about 70 percent of our secondary and 50 percent of primary textbooks have been prepared. About 80 percent of the prepared textbooks have been supplied to the field level,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He further added that books are being reached to different parts of the country every day.</div><div><br></div><div>By December 31 next, about 80 percent of the textbooks will reach the field level, he said, adding that the remaining textbooks are expected to reach all educational institutions across the country by January 15.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 33 crore 48 lakh 77 thousand and 833 textbooks are expected to be distributed at primary and secondary levels across the country, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Of those books, a total of 9 crore 66 lakh 7 thousand and 245 books will be distributed to primary (including pre-primary to minority and ethnic groups) and 23 crore 82 lakh 70 thousand and 588 books to secondary students, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Till December 19, around 14 crore 41 lakh secondary level books have reached the field level and about 17 crore books have been prepared, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, printing and binding of 5 crore 19 lakh primary books have been completed, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Of those, 3 crore 57 lakh books have been supplied to various educational institutions of the country, he said, adding that the remaining books will be distributed to the school level soon. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 13:43:10', '2022-12-20 13:43:10'),
(3896, 3896, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">United States- UN chief Antonio Guterres said Monday he was pessimistic that Russia\'s war in Ukraine would end soon but he hoped it would be over by the end of next year.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I am not optimistic about the possibility of effective peace talks in the immediate future,\" he told reporters during his annual end-of-year press conference in New York.</div><div><br></div><div>It is ten months since Russia invaded its neighbor in late February.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, Russia launched a swarm of attack drones at critical infrastructure in Kyiv as the war showed no signs of relenting.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I do believe that the military confrontation will go on,\" the United Nations secretary-general said at the world body\'s headquarters.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I think we will have still to wait (for) a moment in which serious negotiations for peace will be possible. I don\'t see them in the immediate horizon,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>After several rounds of peace talks between delegations early in the conflict, negotiations quickly stalled.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine has said Russia would need to completely remove its forces for talks to take place.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, a top Ukrainian official said any discussions not based on Ukraine\'s internationally recognized borders are \"not acceptable.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres said he \"strongly\" hoped that peace could be reached in 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>He cited \"the consequences\" for Ukraine\'s people, Russian society and the global economy, which is battling high food and energy prices as a result of the war, if a deal is not found.</div><div><br></div><div>\"All these are reasons for us to do everything possible to make a peace solution happen before the end of 2023,\" Guterres said.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the course of an hour, Guterres answered questions on a host of subjects, including on peace in the Middle East, North Korean missiles and the dire situation in Mali, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He described the Iranian regime\'s crackdown of women-led protests as \"totally unacceptable.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are witnessing massive violations of human rights that we strongly condemn,\" Guterres said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 13:47:05', '2022-12-20 13:47:05'),
(3897, 3897, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is working to transform the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) into a world standard force to protect the frontiers with modern technologies.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We adopted the \'Border Guard Bangladesh Vision-2041\' to turn it into a world standard and modern force,\" she said joining a function to mark the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2022 at Bir Uttam Anwar Hossain Parade Ground at Pilkhana.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier appreciated BGB performance in discharging their duties with dedication and professionalism in ensuring security to the borders.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;She also praised the BGB personnel in checking smuggling of contraband goods and drugs, women and children trafficking, cross-border crimes and ensuring security of the lives and property of the frontier people.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina noted as well BGB role in maintaining security and safety at Rohingya camps in Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div><br></div><div>\"You\'re playing the role appropriately. But, you have to be more active to ensure a peaceful border,\" she said adding her government was implementing huge development works to enhance BGB\'s capacity as part of its reconstruction plan.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;On her arrival at the BGB headquarters she was ceremoniously received, given an honour guard while she witnessed a march-past and inspected the guard.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;\"The BGB (by now) has been turned into an efficient, powerful, modern and three-dimensional force. It is now capable of conducting operations in water, road and airways,\" the premier said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She said the reconstruction ensured a balance in BGB\'s organisational formation with creation of new units, sectors and regions to secure effectively the frontiers, stop border crimes and protect the lives and property of residents in bordering areas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;Smart Digital Surveillance and Tactical Response Team was set up to ensure foolproof security to the frontiers and stop cross border crimes which has enhanced its operational strength, she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The prime minister said they have initiated recruitment of 15000 more manpower in the BGB while as many as 34,361 were employed in the force for military purpose and 3344 for non-military purpose from 2009 to 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>She added that 922 women were also recruited in the BGB from 2015.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken a plan to construct a 1036 kilometres border road to ensure socio-economic advancement of the hard-to-reach frontier areas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She said the 227-year old paramilitary force had played a glorious role in 1971 Liberation War and its 817 personnel among 12,000 made supreme sacrifice by actively participating in the war.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"Two of them were adorned with Bir Shreshtha Award, 8 with Bir Uttam, 32 with Bir Bikram and 77 with Bir Protik. No other organisation might get such a huge number of gallantry awards for their glorious contribution to the Liberation War,\" she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The prime minister said Subedar Major Shawkat Ali and three other members of the then EPR (now BGB) spread everywhere the declaration of the country\'s independence made by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>They were later captured by the Pakistani occupation forces and were inhumanly tortured to death, she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"I am recalling them with due respect,\" she added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She expressed her satisfaction over writing Bangladesh/U in 14,500 different types of border pillars removing Pakistani signs.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said her government is working to transform the country into a developed, prosperous and \'Smart Bangladesh\' free from hunger and poverty by 2041 as envisioned by the Father of the Nation maintaining the status of a developing nation.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"You all in unison have to work with sincerity for the development of Bangladesh,\" she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Every people of Smart Bangladesh will use the e-digital system as the country has launched Bangabandhu Satellite-1 and ensured a broad band across the country, she continued.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"We want to advance in every sector by using modern technology to cope with the world,\" she added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The prime minister reiterated her call to bring every inch of fallow lands under cultivation to grow more food as Bangladesh doesn\'t need to seek help from anyone and it never faces food crisis due to the Coronavirus and Russia-Ukraine war.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;She asked the BGB personnel to maintain discipline and command chain saying it was of extra crucial importance for any disciplined force.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;\"Keep one thing in mind. Never breach the discipline and carry out your duties accordingly. Maintain the chain of command,\" she added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;She described the 2009 incident in the paramilitary force as very unfortunate.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;\"An unfortunate incident took place (in the then BDR) in 2009, within only 52 days of the formation of our government. The entire nation doesn\'t want repeat of such incident,\" she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The premier recalled those who were killed at that gruesome incident and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to their bereaved families.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;On her arrival at the BGB headquarters, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division Md. Aminul Islam Khan and Director General of the BGB, Major General Shakil Ahmed, received the premier.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>At the outset of the programme, the prime minister reviewed the parade riding on an open jeep accompanied by the BGB DG and escorted by the parade commander.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She later witnessed the spectacular parade of the four contingents along with the national flag bearing party of the paramilitary force and took a state salute from the welcome dais.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The prime minister later distributed the BGB Medal, President BGB Medal, BGB Medal-Service, and President BGB Medal-Service for the year of 2022 among the selected BGB personnel for their operational and non-operational contribution, reports BSS</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She later joined a traditional interactive \"darbar\" of the BGB.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 13:56:06', '2022-12-20 13:56:06'),
(3898, 3898, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With another death reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 272 this year.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>During this period, 108 more patients, including 67 in Dhaka city, were hospitalised, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div><br></div><div>The latest death was reported from Dhaka division, taking the death toll of the division to 170.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 580 dengue patients, including 331 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The DGHS has recorded 61,629 dengue cases and 60,777 recoveries so far this year. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 14:30:36', '2022-12-20 14:30:36'),
(3899, 3899, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sri Lanka\'s cabinet of ministers have granted the issuance of investment, employment and resident visas to foreigners at the Colombo Port City, cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said on Tuesday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Gunawardena told a press conference that the proposal was tabled by Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles.</div><div><br></div><div>Gunawardena said the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, which was established to regulate the port city, recommended the issuance of the above-mentioned visa types.</div><div><br></div><div>The introduction of these visas were vital for the operation and the success of the Port City, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka expects that the Port City will be a main driver of foreign investments to Sri Lanka in the coming years, Gunawardena said.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Spanning 269 hectares of reclaimed land from the sea, the port city will comprise five different precincts including the Financial District, Central Park Living, Island Living, The Marina and the International Island. - Xinhua</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 14:38:35', '2022-12-20 14:38:35'),
(3900, 3900, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tiger census by using camera trapping method in the Sundarbans will begins on January 1, 2023, five years after last tiger census.</span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Forest Department is expected to publish the census result in June 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the forest department, the census is being carried out by surveying the rivers and creeks and by looking for footprints of tigers.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 15, the Forest Department began creeks and rivers surveying in Sundarbans under the \'Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project\', said Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans West division, and Project Director (PD) of Tiger Conservation Project, to BSS today.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A total of 665 cameras will be installed in both East and West Sundarbans and each point will also get two cameras for census,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Tigers and other animals\' pictures will be captured through the cameras, he said, adding that forest experts will later analyse using advanced technology.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the latest 2018 survey, there are 114 tigers in the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, which was 106 in 2015, and 404 in 2004 survey. Currently, numbers of tigers may have increased, he said, quoting tourists observations who returned from Sundarbans recently.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Belayet Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East division, told BSS that survey and camera trappings will continue for the next three months. Later in November 2023, a similar survey will be conducted alongside capturing photographs. \"We will be able to announce the results by June 2024.\"</div><div><br></div><div>According to Forest Department, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change approved a project titled \'Sundarban Tiger Conservation Project\' on March 23 this year. The cost of the project was estimated at Tk 35 crore 93 lakh 80 thousand. The project period was set from April this year to March 2025. The project has two parts -- tiger census and tiger conservation.</div><div><br></div><div>The work was supposed to start from October this year. However, due to global economic recession, the project was late in securing funds. Later, in mid-October, the Planning Commission released Tk 3 crore 24 lakh 36 thousand for the tiger census as part of the project.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Forest Department, currently 3,840 tigers survive in nature in 13 countries of the world. - BSS</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 14:50:13', '2022-12-20 14:50:13'),
(3901, 3901, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">That amazing World Cup final between Argentina and France on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium in Doha that ended 3-3 before the South Americans won on penalties also featured two of the best goals of the tournament.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In fact Kyilan Mbappe\'s astounding volley from the edge of the box is also our&nbsp; favourite goal of the tournament, and it is arguably the best individual goal ever scored in a World Cup final. Thinking back on famous World Cup final goals, there\'s the one Brazil scored in 1970, with the captain Carlos Alberto finishing off a sweeping team move after being laid on by Pele. But nothing like the individual skill and execution it took, in that moment with so much riding on it, for Mbappe\'s second.</div><div><br></div><div>Mbappe is a player who seems to have made a habit of being mentioned in the same breath as Pele, ever since he broke through in Russia 2018 to become the first teenager since the great Brazilian to score in the knockout stages of the World Cup, including the final.</div><div><br></div><div>And we have his stupendous equaliser against Argentina on Sunday down as the best individual goal in a World Cup final since Pele\'s strike in 1958 against hosts Sweden, that Brazil won 5-2 to win their first World Cup. In that game, Brazil were already up 2-1 when Pele receives a ball in the box, outrageously flicks it over the defender marking him and volleys home.</div><div><br></div><div>So with Mbappe a clear number one, here are the other goals we really loved from this year\'s edition. In choosing them, we valued the moment, the importance of the goal in the overall context of the match as much as the execution, so you won\'t find goals like, say, the one South Korea scored at 4-0 down v Brazil on this list. They are in no particular order though.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Angel Di Maria in the Final: A rapier-like counterattack involving 5 players starting with right back Nahuel Molina, with only Lionel Messi in the middle of the move taking two touches. Everyone else takes just one touch, although Alexis MacAllister is involved at the start and then continues his run to provide the assist as well, that Di Maria sweeps home coming in from the left.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Aurelien Tchouameni (France) v England. THAT shot. The way he just hooked it dismissively into the corner of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance. It was almost disdainful.</div><div><br></div><div>4. Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) v Mexico: The game (and Argentina\'s comeback in the tournament) wasn\'t in the bag yet despite Messi\'s opener, when the Young Player of the Tournament showed some neat footwork to create a bit of space before unleashing a superb shot beyond the keeper at the far post.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Neymar (Brazil) v Croatia: It\'s a couple of quick one-twos with Rodrygo and Paqueta that Neymar uses to get behind the defence, before rounding the keeper and finishing emphatically. Massive goal for Brazil in that moment, though ultimately futile. People talk about Richarlison\'s goal against Serbia, but frankly that\'s not such a great goal, because he takes the first touch inadvertently and then has to make up for it with that athletic finish. It\'s not all the shakes it created early on in the tournament.</div><div><br></div><div>6. The Dutch free kick v Argentina, scored by Weghorst. To try that in that moment, literally the last kick of the game, and pull it off. Stunning.</div><div><br></div><div>7. Luis Chavez (Mexico) v Saudi Arabia. There weren\'t many direct freekicks scored in the tournament (in fact just two), but this was certainly the best. In the middle of a pulsating clash for qualification to the round of 16. It was timed by FIFA at 75mph. Unfortunately it didn\'t ultimately help them qualify.</div><div><br></div><div>8. Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) v Argentina: Speaking of Saudi Arabia, how can we leave out Al Dawsari\'s winner against the eventual champions, the goal that very nearly upended the entire script? A screamer to decide a game that will go down as the mother of all upsets.</div><div><br></div><div>9. Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) v Switzerland. The first strike in what was a sumptuous hattrick. How about that for announcing you can take on the mantle replacing the best footballer in your country\'s history! Some may have gripes about the keeper being beaten at his near post, but it was into the roof as well. Unstoppable.</div><div><br></div><div>10. Gavi (Spain) v Costa Rica: Okay it was at three or four-nil up and the game was already won, but it was only their first game, the teams were still announcing themselves, and that technique is to die for, the way Gavi just floats in and guides the volley home. Meant every bit of it.</div><div><br></div><div>There were 172 goals at this World Cup - the highest ever (don\'t be misled though, it\'s only since 1998 that we\'ve had as many matches with the expansion to 32 teams). It beat the 171 goals in France \'98. The 1954 version in Switzerland still has the most goals per game. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 15:52:32', '2022-12-20 15:52:32'),
(3902, 3902, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said energy security will be ensured by facing all challenges through honesty, integrity and dedication.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The energy sector has to deal with new challenges constantly. And it is necessary to address growing challenges through continuous coordinated and joint efforts,\" he said this while addressing as the chief guest at the annual performance, implementation, innovation and integrity award ceremony at his ministry conference room.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister said that the power and energy sector is now in a better position from the fragile condition due to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Team work, hard work and concentration lead to success in anything. And today\'s award will cheer up the hardworking and dedicated officers and employees. It will also help to develop competitive spirit among other officers,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Nasrul said that the Petrobangla, Hydrocarbon Unit and GSB were awarded in recognition of their efficiency in the implementation of the Annual Performance Agreement (APA) during the financial year 2021-22.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Nazmul Ahsan, former chairman of Petrobangla, received the Integrity Award. Deputy Secretary Shakil Ahmed received the Integrity Award from 2-9 grade, Administrative Officer Md Abdur Rahim Azad got the award from 10-16 grade and Office Assistant Begum Azizun Nahar from 17-20 grade received the award for the financial year 2021-22.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) and Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) received awards in the organization category for special contribution/innovation to the energy sector on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the fiscal year 2021-22.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Secretary of Energy Division Md Mahbub Hossain presided over the programme, while ABM Azad, chairman of Bapex was present. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 16:03:38', '2022-12-20 16:03:38'),
(3903, 3903, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Election commissioner (EC) Md Alamgir said the number of constituencies that will be voted on by electronic voting machines (EVM) will be known within January.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The decision will be made within the month of January regarding how many seats\' election will be held through EVM in the 12th national election,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>EC Alamgir said this to reporters at his office in the Agargaon election building in the capital on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>He said polling can be held in 70 seats with the current number of EVMs while how many more depends on the amount allocated in the budget.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commissioner also said that if sufficient budget is available by January, then the EVM voting will be held in 150 seats. But it will not be possible if the budget is received in February. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 16:22:55', '2022-12-20 16:22:55'),
(3904, 3904, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said that there is “no reason to worry” about new US sanctions, and described Bangladesh, US ties as “very good”.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The US puts sanctions in thousands. These (sanctions) come one way and go another way. There is nothing to worry or panic about,” he told reporters when asked whether the government is concerned about new sanctions from the US.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen also said the US puts sanctions when they want to put pressure, and that there are examples of withdrawing those sanctions.</div><div><br></div><div>Citing multifaceted engagements between the two countries, the foreign minister said the US comes up with suggestions at times as there is cordial relationship between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>The US embassy said they raised the December 14 incident in Dhaka’s Shaheenbagh area at the “highest levels” of Bangladesh government, as well as with the Bangladesh embassy in Washington DC, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Momen told on Monday, “The US ambassador (Peter Haas) is a bit panicked about his security. Our ambassador said there is no reason to get panicked.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-20 16:31:01', '2022-12-20 16:31:01');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3905, 3905, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Taliban have announced the closure of universities to women in Afghanistan, according to a letter by the higher education minister.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister says the move is until further notice. It is expected to take effect immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It further restricts women\'s access to formal education, as they were already excluded from most secondary schools.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One Kabul University student told the BBC she had been crying since she heard the news.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three months ago thousands of girls and women sat university entrance exams across Afghanistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But sweeping restrictions were imposed on the subjects they could study, with veterinary science, engineering, economics and agriculture off limits and journalism severely restricted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the Taliban takeover last year, universities introduced gender segregated classrooms and entrances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Female students could only be taught by women professors or old men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to the latest ban, a female university student told the BBC she thought the Taliban were scared of women and their power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They destroyed the only bridge that could connect me with my future,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"How can I react? I believed that I could study and change my future or bring the light to my life but they destroyed it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan\'s education sector was badly affected after the Taliban takeover and there has been an exodus of trained academics after the withdrawal of US-led forces last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another woman spoke about \"too many difficulties\" just trying to continue her education after the Taliban takeover.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She told the BBC: \"We fought with our brothers, with our fathers, with society and even with the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We went through a hard situation just to be able to continue our education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"At that time at least I was happy that I could graduate from university and achieve my dreams. But, now how can I convince myself?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan\'s economy has been largely dependent on foreign aid in recent decades, but aid agencies have partly - and in some cases fully - withdrawn support to the education sector after the Taliban refused to allow girls into secondary schools.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many of the teaching staff who remain go unpaid for months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest measures are likely to cause further concerns in the international community.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US and other Western countries have made improvements to female education in Afghanistan a prior condition for the formal recognition of the Taliban government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Deputy UN Ambassador Robert Wood condemned the Taliban\'s latest actions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Taliban cannot expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all Afghans,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Especially the human rights and fundamental freedom of women and girls.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In November, the authorities banned women from parks in the capital Kabul, claiming Islamic laws were not being followed there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Issue splits Taliban</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Analysis by Yogita Limaye, BBC South Asia correspondent</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There has been speculation for over a month now that the Taliban government would ban university education for women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One female student predicted it a few weeks ago. \"One day we will wake up and they will say girls are banned from universities,\" she had said. And so while many Afghans might have expected that sooner or later this decision would be taken, it still comes as a shock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month women were barred from parks, gyms and swimming pools. In March this year, the Taliban government did not deliver on its commitment to open secondary schools for girls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From conversations with Taliban leaders over the past year, it is evident that there is disagreement within the Taliban on the issue of girls\' education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Off the record, some Taliban members have repeatedly said they are hopeful and working to try and ensure girls get an education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Girls were allowed to sit for graduation exams for secondary schools two weeks ago, in 31 of Afghanistan\'s 34 provinces, even though they haven\'t been allowed to be in school for more than a year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That provided a glimmer of hope, which has now been extinguished. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 02:16:38', '2022-12-21 02:16:38'),
(3906, 3906, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukraine\'s President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning to visit Washington on Wednesday and may meet US President Joe Biden, reports say.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It would be his first foreign trip since the Russian invasion in February.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Zelensky could also address Congress, unnamed officials told US media. There is no official confirmation of the visit or the plans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A visit would be fraught with security concerns - meaning plans could likely change at short notice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a letter on Tuesday, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged members of Congress to be in attendance on Wednesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Please be present for a very special focus on democracy,\" she wrote, without giving further details.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Zelensky regularly hosts foreign leaders in the capital, Kyiv, and has visited troops around Ukraine. He made an unannounced visit to the front-line city of Bakhmut on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian president has also spoken frequently to world leaders over the telephone and by video call - often from his office in Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But an unannounced visit to a foreign country would mark a first since the war began, and also signal the importance of Ukraine\'s relationship with the US which has played a leading role in providing military support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In terms of overall spending on direct military support since the start of the conflict, the US has committed $18.5bn (£15.1bn), far more than any other individual country (to 20 November).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Zelensky has appealed for more funding, and has said the monthly cost of defence for Ukraine was about $5bn (£4.1bn).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most recently, US media have reported that President Joe Biden\'s administration is considering supplying Ukraine with Patriot missiles that would enable the country to protect its vital infrastructure against Russian attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia has been targeting Ukraine\'s energy sector, plunging millions into darkness in winter temperatures several degrees below freezing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, President Zelensky made an unannounced visit to the front-line city of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian and Russian forces have fought a fierce, months-long battle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He met troops and handed out awards to soldiers, the presidency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visit was a significant show of defiance - and a demonstration of support for Ukrainian forces engaged in some of the fiercest battles in recent weeks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Soldiers gave Mr Zelensky a Ukrainian flag with their names signed on it and asked him to give it to President Biden and the US Congress, in a moment that was captured on camera.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Zelensky\'s office has not officially commented on any imminent trip to the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded medals inside the Kremlin to figures involved in the Russian invasion. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 02:21:05', '2022-12-21 02:21:05'),
(3907, 3907, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A large swath of the U.S. braced for a dangerous mix of sub-zero temperatures, howling winds and blizzard conditions expected to disrupt plans for millions of holiday travelers.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The blast of frigid weather began hammering the Pacific Northwest Tuesday morning, and is expected to move to the northern Rockies, then grip the Plains in a deep-freeze and blanket the Midwest with heavy snowfall, forecasters say. By Friday, the arctic front is forecast to spread bone-chilling cold as far south as Florida.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities across the country are worried about the potential for power outages and warned people to take precautions to protect the elderly, the homeless and livestock — and, if possible, to postpone travel.</div><div><br></div><div>The northern-most regions of the U.S. could see wind chills approaching 70 degrees below zero (minus 57 Celsius) — cold enough to leave exposed skin frostbitten in a matter of minutes.</div><div><br></div><div>Even warm-weather states are preparing for the worst. Texas officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of the February 2021 storm that left millions without power, some for several days. Temperatures were expected to dip to near freezing as far south as central Florida by the weekend.</div><div><br></div><div>The drop in temperatures will be precipitous. In Denver, the high on Wednesday will be around 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius); by Thursday, it is forecast to plummet to around zero (minus 18 Celsius).</div><div><br></div><div>The heaviest snow is expected in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, according to the National Weather Service, and frigid wind will be fierce across the country’s mid-section.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would not be surprised if there are lots of delays due to wind and also a lot of delays due to the snow,” said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.</div><div><br></div><div>The Northwest was already experiencing the effects by Tuesday. In Vancouver, Canada, authorities at the city’s YVR airport said the conditions have resulted in an “unprecedented number of cancelled flights,” adding that cancellations and delays “will persist for the majority of scheduled flights” and that de-icing operations will continue to be necessary. In Seattle, a combination of snow, rain and low visibility caused nearly 200 flight cancellations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Greyhound cancelled bus service between Seattle and Spokane, Washington.</div><div><br></div><div>In Oregon, one person died Tuesday after a semi-truck collided with an SUV. Police said a thin layer of ice on the highway may have been a contributing factor.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 113 million Americans were expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday season, up 4% from last year but still short of the record 119 million in 2019, according to AAA. Most were planning to travel by car; around 6% were planning to fly.</div><div><br></div><div>Several inches of snow were expected from Chicago through the Great Lakes region by Friday. Snow also was forecast in the lower Midwest. With the storm approaching, Delta, American, United and Southwest airlines said they were waiving change fees for people traveling through affected airports.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Weather Service predicted wind-chill levels in Montana that could approach 60 degrees below zero (minus 51 Celsius) by Thursday morning. Almost impossibly, the forecast was even worse for parts of Wyoming. The 1,500-resident town of Lusk could see wind chills of 70 degrees below zero (minus 57 Celsius.)</div><div><br></div><div>“Please take precautions: Check on elderly/vulnerable, protect pets, shelter livestock, cover exposed skin!” the local branch of the National Weather Service said on Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>Karina Jones’ family raises about 400 head of cattle in north-central Nebraska near Broken Bow, where wind chills as low as 50 below zero (minus 46 Celsius) are expected Thursday and Friday mornings. She said Nebraska cattle ranchers are “a hearty bunch,” but the bitter cold is rough.</div><div><br></div><div>Ranchers “lie awake at night praying that you did everything you could for your livestock,” Jones said.</div><div><br></div><div>In Kansas, where up to 4 inches of snow is expected to accompany wind chills dipping to 40 degrees below zero (minus 40 Celsius), Shawn Tiffany runs three feedlots with about 35,000 cattle combined. He’s worried about keeping 40 employees safe and warm.</div><div><br></div><div>“Every conversation I’ve had for the last four days has consisted of ‘Are you prepared and are you ready?’ Everybody is taking it very seriously,” Tiffany said.</div><div><br></div><div>In Texas, where the temperature is expected to drop to around 11 degrees (minus 12 Celsius), the state’s power grid will be put to the test once again.</div><div><br></div><div>A historic freeze in February 2021 led to one of the biggest power outages in U.S. history, knocking out electricity to 4 million customers in Texas and leading to hundreds of deaths.</div><div><br></div><div>The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s power grid, said last week it expects to have sufficient generation to meet anticipated electricity demand during this week’s winter blast. The council said it has implemented reforms to increase reliability, including bringing more generation online sooner if needed and purchasing more reserve power.</div><div><br></div><div>But a report on the power grid that ERCOT published last month said that Texans could still face possible power outages this winter if an extreme storm prompted very high demand for electricity.</div><div><br></div><div>In Jackson, Mississippi, where dangerously cold weather is expected by the weekend, all eyes are on the capital city’s troubled water system. A cold snap in 2021 left tens of thousands of people without running water after pipes froze, and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Monday that the water distribution system remains a “huge vulnerability.”</div><div><br></div><div>The deep-freeze will be particularly dangerous for people without homes. Salt Lake City will make 95 additional shelter beds available after five died in recent days amid sub-freezing temperatures, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, a Democrat, said.</div><div><br></div><div>In Kansas City, Missouri, emergency shelters are opening for anyone needing warmth, food or safety. Organizers warn, though, that capacity is limited overnight.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re going to get in as many as we can,” said Karl Ploeger, chief development officer for City Union Mission, a Christian nonprofit.</div><div><br></div><div>If the shelters are over-capacity at night, the mission works with other organizations to try and find alternatives for people.</div><div><br></div><div>Northern Florida cities such as Tallahassee may see temperatures in the low 20s (minus 3 Celsius) on Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas nights. The forecast calls for temperatures to drop to near freezing as far south as Tampa. AP/UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div></div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 02:34:38', '2022-12-21 02:34:38'),
(3908, 3908, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Elon Musk has said he will resign as Twitter\'s chief executive officer when he finds someone \"foolish enough to take the job\".</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The billionaire promised earlier to abide by the result of a Twitter poll which saw 57.5% of users vote \"yes\" to him quitting the role.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He says he will still run the software and servers teams after his replacement is found.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Changes on the platform since his takeover have been much criticised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since Mr Musk bought the social media site in October, he has fired about half of its staff and attempted a rollout of Twitter\'s paid-for verification feature before putting it on pause. The feature was relaunched last week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Civil liberties groups have also criticised his approach to content moderation, accusing him of taking steps that will increase hate speech and misinformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Friday, Mr Musk was condemned by the United Nations and European Union over Twitter\'s decision to suspend some journalists who cover the social media firm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN tweeted that media freedom was \"not a toy\", while the EU threatened Twitter with sanctions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is the first time the multibillionaire has responded to the poll launched on Sunday asking if he should resign. Finding someone to take over the social media platform may be a challenge, according to Mr Musk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"No one wants the job who can actually keep Twitter alive,\" he tweeted following the poll.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response to a tweet saying Twitter Blue subscribers \"should be the only ones that can vote in policy related polls. We actually have skin in the game\", Mr Musk said: \"Good point, Twitter will make that change.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Twitter\'s paid-for verification feature was rolled out for a second time last week after its launch was paused. The service costs $8 per month, or $11 for people using the Twitter app on Apple devices, and gives subscribers a \"blue tick\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previously a blue tick was used as a badge of authenticity and was free. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 03:00:00', '2022-12-21 03:00:00'),
(3909, 3909, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been collecting necessary information and data from two divisions and their associate bodies in the power and energy sector to make some policy decisions on power, gas and petroleum prices.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to official sources, the PMO will soon reconvene a recently postponed meeting to discuss the issues where dealing with a tough possible situation in the coming summer might top the agenda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said that the PMO had convened a meeting on December 15 to discuss the overall situation in the power and energy sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But at the last moment, the meeting was postponed”, said a top official in the Power Division adding that a new principal secretary to the Prime Minister and also a new cabinet secretary took office on the day for which the meeting was postponed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We hope the suspended meeting will be called soon where the two top bureaucrats may attend”, he said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read: Dhaka seeks Riyadh\'s support to meet energy needs</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the issue of power tariff enhancement in the retail consumer level will get a top priority in the proposed meeting”, said a senior official of the largest organisation in the power sector, preferring not to be quoted because of its sensitivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain said that his organisation has also provided necessary data to the PMO and the Power Division as per their requirements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Official sources said the PMO is collecting data and information against the backdrop of the government’s plan to increase power tariff at retail consumer level to cover a huge flaw in the power sector’s revenue collection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Because of the purchase of electricity from the private sector at higher rates and sell it to consumers at lower rates, the loss of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), state-owned principal organisation, was estimated to be Tk 48,000 crore in the current fiscal year 2022-23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The officials said the recent hike of about 20 percent in bulk power tariff, effective from December 1, might reduce the loss by only Tk 5000 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To cover the remaining loss, all the six distribution companies were asked by the Power Division to submit their respective proposals to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read: Ensuring access to electricity at an affordable cost is govt’s prime goal: PM’s Energy Advisor</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They already submitted a proposal to the BERC to increase the retail power tariff by about 20 percent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the BERC needs to follow a public hearing to take any decision on the issue and the whole process needs about 90 days while the government is in urgent need to increase the retail power tariff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In such a situation, the Cabinet on November28 approved an amendment to BERC Ordinance 2022 to empower the government to set fuel tariff on its own under special circumstances without waiting for the commission’s public hearing and decision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now the BERC is in a dilemma whether it will move to hold a public hearing to adjust retail power tariff or the government on its own takes decision on retail power tariff enhancement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials said the PMO office wants to learn about the entire situation so that it can give an instruction to the Power Division to take the future decision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The officials also said that a directive is also expected from the PMO meeting to tackle the situation in the next summer, which normally starts from February 15 with an extra load in power supply.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Normally an extra load of about 3000 MW in power supply is assumed to be coming from the agriculture irrigation sector in the coming summer, which may continue until May next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read: Cabinet approves amendment to let govt decide energy price without BERC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fasting month of Ramada, which will begin from the first week of April next year will also put another load of 3000 MW.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But due to the primary fuel crisis, the government is under pressure to increase the power generation and a big deficit is apprehended in the coming year, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All these issues are expected to be discussed in the PMO meeting where the State Minister and the PM’s energy advisor are likely to be present, they said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a meeting recently said that the government supplies electricity to everyone at subsidised prices though the production cost is much higher.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But it will not be possible to provide electricity at lower prices considering the global recession, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The actual cost will have to be paid,\" she said, adding that the price of gas has increased in the international market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everyone, including businessmen in the country, will have to exercise austerity and will have to be ready to pay the money spent on the (increased) price of gas and transport cost. Otherwise, we will not be able to provide electricity. If you want (electricity), you will have to pay the real prices,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said costs of electricity, gas, water and fuel can be reduced by exercising austerity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently the country’s installed power generation capacity is over 25,000 MW while the generation was limited within 12,000 MW because of the primary fuel crisis. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 04:16:20', '2022-12-21 04:16:20'),
(3910, 3910, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A parade to celebrate the Argentine World Cup champions was abruptly cut short Tuesday as millions of people poured onto thoroughfares, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of the national team that won one of the great World Cup finals of all time.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So many jubilant, flag-waving fans swarmed the capital that the players had to abandon the open-air bus transporting them to Buenos Aires and board helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The world champions are flying over the whole route on helicopters because it was impossible to continue by land due to the explosion of people’s happiness,” Gabriela Cerruti, the spokesperson for President Alberto Fernández, wrote on social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After flying over key points of Buenos Aires where fans had gathered, the helicopters returned to the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association outside the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some fans continued celebrating in the streets, while others headed out of Buenos Aires with long faces, complaining they were unable to pay their respects to the team that brought home the country’s first World Cup trophy since 1986.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re angry because the government didn’t organize this properly so we could all celebrate,” said Diego Benavídez, 25, who had been waiting since early morning to see the team. “They stole the World Cup from us.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Others, however, took it in stride.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I’m not disappointed, we lived the party,” said Nicolás López, 33, who was in downtown Buenos Aires with his 7-year-old daughter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The parade was suspended shortly after two people jumped from a bridge onto the open-top bus carrying the players. One made it inside the bus, the other fell onto the pavement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Football association head Claudio Tapia blamed law enforcement for the changeup of plans. “The same security organisms that were escorting us are not allowing us to move forward,” Tapia wrote on social media. “I apologize in the name of all the champion players.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Toward nightfall, when most of the fans had already poured out of downtown Buenos Aires, there were isolated clashes between a few stragglers and law enforcemen. At least eight people were injured, according to local media reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incidents began when firefighters went to the Obelisk, the iconic Buenos Aires landmark that is the traditional site of celebrations, to evict a few people who had broken their way inside the monument.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bus had been moving at a snail’s pace for more than four hours through the throngs of humanity before the overland parade was cut short. Team Captain Lionel Messi and the rest of the players waved at the massive crowd as they carried the World Cup trophy aloft after securing the country’s third title.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is madness, it’s indescribable,” said Brian Andreassi, 23, as he walked downtown wearing the team’s jersey. “There are no words.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Cup and the success of the Messi-led squad brought much-needed good news for a country stuck for years in economic doldrums and suffering one of the world’s highest inflation rates, with nearly 4-in-10 people living in poverty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There’s an immense union among all Argentines — unity, happiness. It’s as if you can breathe another air, there’s another energy in the air,” said Victoria Roldán. “My body and heart are about to burst.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carrying a World Cup replica, the 32-year-old and her 36-year-old sister, Mariana, were eager to catch a glimpse of the team and in particular its captain, Messi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re dying to see him,” Roldán said. “Seeing him with that immense smile, with those bright eyes filled with hope, it really fills our heart with joy and happiness. ... I think that Leo has deserved it for years, and this was his moment.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The players were all smiles as they watched the multitudes hostling to get as close as possible to the bus. An estimated 4 million people were in the streets by Tuesday afternoon, according to local media citing police sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I celebrate the way the people took to the streets to honor our squad,” President Alberto Fernández wrote on social media after the parade was cut short.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Celebrating fans took over highways, avenues and the access routes into the capital as temperatures climbed to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands had set up camp since early Tuesday morning at the Obelisk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine president declared a national holiday Tuesday so the country could celebrate the World Cup victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The song “Muchachos,” which was written by a fan and became a popular unofficial anthem for the Argentine team at the World Cup, filled the streets as fans joined in singing it over and over again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some fans also paid tribute to Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, the captain of the 1986 squad that won the World Cup and who died two years ago, with flags bearing his name and face. “This is for Diego, who’s seeing it from heaven,” fans chanted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is a party. The last time Argentina was a champion I was 3 years old, I don’t remember anything,” said Yael Torchinsky, 39. “I want to live this intensely because the Argentine people need this happiness.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By mid-afternoon, fans started filling up Plaza de Mayo in front of Government House, amid rumors the players might go there for a reprise of the festivities for Argentina’s 1986 World Cup victory that were held there. Fernández’s administration had offered the palatial mansion, popularly known as the Casa Rosada, or Pink House, according to Security Minister Aníbal Fernández.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The raucous welcome for the team began before dawn as thousands of fans lined up upon their return from Qatar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The players were beaming as they descended from their plane in Ezeiza, outside Argentina’s capital, shortly before 3 a.m. onto a red carpet. Messi was the first one out, carrying the World Cup trophy, flanked by coach Lionel Scaloni, who put his arm around the captain as they walked past a sign that read, “Thank you, champions.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The team was welcomed by rock band La Mosca singing “Muchachos,” and several players, including Messi, could be seen singing the words as they boarded the bus taking them to the Argentine Football Association headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It took the bus an hour to travel the 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the airport to AFA headquarters, where the players were welcomed with fireworks, and then spent the night. In the morning, Messi posted a photo on social media showing him hugging the World Cup trophy next to him while he slept. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 04:22:02', '2022-12-21 04:22:02'),
(3911, 3911, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered a touchstone idol weighing 301 kilograms from Phulbari upazila in the district on Tuesday afternoon.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Locals said workers found the idol while digging soil under a government project along Amra border in Kazihal union of the upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Being informed, a team of the BGB-29 led by Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Alamgir Kabir rushed to the spot and recovered the idol, they said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BGB Officer Alamgir said the market price of the idol is around Tk 3 crore. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 04:25:16', '2022-12-21 05:19:20'),
(3912, 3912, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said that they won’t force any party to take part in the upcoming national elections.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He made the remark while talking to journalists after a view-exchange meeting with higher officials of Barishal division, regional election officers and officers of the district election office at the conference room of district administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“We won’t force any party to participate in the election, we sent a letter to them (BNP) to take part in dialogue, they (BNP) have so far said they have no confidence in us, the government is also sincere on the participation of the BNP in the election,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">CEC Awal said they want to ensure a smooth atmosphere of holding a fair election so that voters can cast their votes freely.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they would try to hold a fair, neutral and participatory election in association with the administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Administrative officials assured us of carrying out their duties in line with the constitution as employees of the republic,” he said, adding that they want to hold the next election in coordination with the administration. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 04:33:16', '2022-12-21 04:33:16'),
(3913, 3913, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US lawmakers voted Tuesday to make public Donald Trump\'s tax returns, ending a years-long battle by the former president to keep the filings private as his cloudy financial past continues to stoke controversy.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Republican leader -- who is running for the White House again after losing the 2020 election -- broke with presidential tradition by refusing to release the records, triggering feverish speculation about what they might contain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Democratic-led House Ways and Means Committee voted along party lines, 24-16, to release six years of the billionaire\'s filings -- one of its last actions before the reins are handed to the Republicans in January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Democratic congressman Lloyd Doggett told CNN a summary report would be sent to the full House of Representatives with analysis from the US Congress Joint Committee on Taxation -- along with the raw returns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"That may be delayed for a few days, only to permit time for redacting things like social security numbers... that kind of thing,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The vote came after committee chairman Richard Neal won access to the documents, covering 2015-20, at the end of a protracted legal fight that went all the way to the Supreme Court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This was not about being punitive, it was not about being malicious -- and there were no leaks from the committee,\" he said after the vote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Only a small, select group of lawmakers have seen the returns, which have been subject to privacy laws that made it a felony for anyone to leak details.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law allows legislators with responsibility over taxation to examine the returns of any American taxpayer however.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump\'s finances have always been of immense interest to the US public, in part due to the lengths to which he has gone to keep them private, and also because of his lavish pre-White House lifestyle as a property mogul.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The returns could show how much he has given to charity, if he has foreign business concerns or other conflicts of interest, and how his businesses were affected by his presidency and the pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- \'Greed and cheating\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump\'s family business was convicted of tax fraud earlier this month, in a case Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said was \"about greed and cheating.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump himself was not charged but the company and a separate Trump family entity were convicted of running a 13-year scheme to defraud and evade taxes by falsifying business records.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The New York Times published an investigation of Trump\'s finances in 2020 alleging that he paid little or no federal income tax for years before he came to power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Democrats jumped on the allegation, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying it showed \"Trump\'s disdain for America\'s working families.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump immediately dismissed the accusations as \"totally fake news.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ways and Means Committee Republicans had warned ahead of Tuesday\'s vote that releasing the returns could set a precedent eroding privacy for everyday Americans and enabling unwarranted investigations of political opponents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Democrats will open the door for partisans in Congress to have nearly unlimited power to target political enemies by obtaining and making public their private tax returns,\" the panel\'s top Republican Kevin Brady said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Republicans have argued that the Democrats\' stated purpose for examining the returns -- to aid a review of the Internal Revenue Service\'s methods for auditing presidents -- is disingenuous.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"While Democrats insist it\'s not political, their rush to release the returns through a hurried, botched process signifies that their motivations are indeed politicized,\" they said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Every president from Richard Nixon to Trump\'s predecessor Barack Obama released their full tax returns to the public -- except Gerald Ford, who released a summary. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 04:45:18', '2022-12-21 04:45:18');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3914, 3914, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Air pollution still remains one of the top-most challenges for Bangladesh, and among cities around the world, Dhaka’s air quality has been ranked as the most polluted this morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The capital\'s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 259 at 9:20am today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India\'s Kolkata and Delhi occupied the next two spots, with AQI scores of 232, and 225, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy during winter. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 05:16:28', '2022-12-21 05:16:28'),
(3915, 3915, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US federal drug agents say they seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says they intercepted 379m potentially deadly fentanyl doses, which is just two milligrams.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DEA described the highly addictive substance, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, as the deadliest drug threat facing the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The agency says most of the fentanyl is trafficked into the US from Mexico.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DEA says it seized more than 10,000lb (4,500kg) of fentanyl, as well as over 50.6m fentanyl pills that were made to resemble different prescription painkillers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That is more than double what they seized in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most of the drugs were mass-produced at secret factories in Mexico by the Sinaloa and Jalisco drug cartels, which use chemicals sourced in China, the agency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The drug is so powerful that a lethal dose is small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, and two-thirds were attributed to fentanyl. The amount of fentanyl seized this year was enough to kill all 330 million residents of the US, said the drug agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"DEA\'s top operational priority is to defeat the two Mexican drug cartels - the Sinaloa and Jalisco (CJNG) Cartels - that are primarily responsible for the fentanyl that is killing Americans today,\" DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to the fentanyl, the DEA also seized 131,000lb of methamphetamine, more than 4,300lb of heroin, and over 444,000lb of cocaine. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 05:27:37', '2022-12-21 05:27:37'),
(3916, 3916, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Afghanistan\'s Taliban rulers have banned university education for women nationwide, provoking condemnation from the United States and the United Nations over another assault on human rights.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Despite promising a softer rule when they seized power last year, the Taliban have ratcheted up restrictions on all aspects of women\'s lives, ignoring international outrage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice,\" Minister for Higher Education Neda Mohammad Nadeem said in a letter issued to all government and private universities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The spokesman for the ministry, Ziaullah Hashimi, who tweeted the letter, confirmed the order in a text message to AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington condemned the decision \"in the strongest terms.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Taliban cannot expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all in Afghanistan. This decision will come with consequences for the Taliban,\" Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"No country can thrive when half of its population is held back.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was \"deeply alarmed\" by the ban, his spokesman said Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The secretary-general reiterates that the denial of education not only violates the equal rights of women and girls, but will have a devastating impact on the country\'s future,\" Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ban on higher education comes less than three months after thousands of girls and women sat for university entrance exams across the country, with many aspiring to choose teaching and medicine as future careers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The universities are currently on winter break and due to reopen in March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the takeover of the country by the Taliban, universities were forced to implement new rules including gender-segregated classrooms and entrances, while women were only permitted to be taught by women professors or old men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most teenage girls across the country have already been banned from secondary school education, severely limiting university intake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Journalism student Madina, who wanted only her first name published, struggled to comprehend the weight of Tuesday\'s order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I have nothing to say. Not only me but all my friends have no words to express our feelings,\" the 18-year-old told AFP in Kabul.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everyone is thinking about the unknown future ahead of them. They buried our dreams.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country was returning to \"dark days\", added medicine student Rhea in the capital, who asked that her name be changed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When we were hoping to make progress, they are removing us from society,\" the 26-year-old said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'A fundamental human right\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taliban adheres to an austere version of Islam, with the movement\'s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and his inner circle of Afghan clerics against modern education, especially for girls and women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But they are at odds with many officials in Kabul and among their rank and file, who had hoped girls would be allowed to continue learning following the takeover.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There are serious differences in the Taliban ranks on girls\' education, and the latest decision will increase these differences,\" a Taliban commander based in northwest Pakistan told AFP on condition of anonymity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a cruel U-turn, the Taliban in March blocked girls from returning to secondary schools on the morning they were supposed to reopen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several Taliban officials say the secondary education ban is only temporary, but they have also 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;\">Since the ban, many teenage girls have been married off early -- often to much older men of their father\'s choice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several families interviewed by AFP last month said that, coupled with economic pressure, the school ban meant that securing their daughters\' future through marriage was better than them sitting idle at home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- International pressure -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women have also been pushed out of many government jobs -- or are being paid a slashed salary to stay at home. They are also barred from travelling without a male relative and must cover up outside of the home, ideally with a burqa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In November, they were prohibited from going to parks, funfairs, gyms and public baths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The international community has made the right to education for all 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;\">\"The international community has not and will not forget Afghan women and girls,\" the UN Security Council said in a statement in September.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Pakistan, Afghanistan\'s neighbour, said Tuesday that engagement with the Taliban was still the best path forward.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'m disappointed by the decision that was taken today,\" Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on a visit to Washington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he said: \"I still think the easiest path to our goal -- despite having a lot of setbacks when it comes to women\'s education and other things -- is through Kabul and through the interim government.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the 20 years between the Taliban\'s two reigns, girls were allowed to go to school and women were able to seek employment in all sectors, though the country remained socially conservative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The authorities have also returned to public floggings and executions of men and women in recent weeks as they implement an extreme interpretation of Islamic sharia law. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 05:45:50', '2022-12-21 05:45:50'),
(3917, 3917, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Within a month and a half after the inauguration of 100 bridges in a single day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today opened a record number of 100 highways to traffic in 50 districts.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier virtually inaugurated the 100 highways from her office in Dhaka — to ensure a safe and uninterrupted road network as well as help reduce road accidents and traveling time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Roads and Highways Department under the Road Transport and Highways Division constructed or reconstructed the highways with a combined length of 2,021.56 km under 48 projects at an overall cost of Tk 14,915 crore in the last two years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new highways include 32 with a total length of 653.66km in Dhaka division, 16 with total length of 352.26km in Khulna division, 14 with 258.90km in Chattogram division, 15 with 203.95km in Rangpur, eight highways with 196.87km in Rajshahi, six with 142.48km in Mymensingh, four highways with 106.18km in Sylhet and four highways with 107.26km in Barishal division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of these, 99 highways were developed with government fund, while one — the 70km Joydebpur (Gazipur)-Alenga (Tangail) four-lane highway with service lanes on both sides — was constructed with foreign loans (Tk 3,205crore) and the government fund (Tk 2,963.64 crore).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke at the function moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a presentation on the 100 new highways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Out of the 22,476-km road network under the RHD, there are 3,991km national highways, 4,897km regional highways and 13,588km district roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The national highways connect the capital to divisional cities, sea ports, land ports and international highways. Regional highways connect district towns to river ports and land ports. District roads link district towns with upazilas or one upazila with another.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 7, the PM inaugurated 100 newly constructed bridges with a total length of 5,494 meters, built at a cost of Tk 8,79.61 crore, in 25 districts of the country. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 06:15:07', '2022-12-21 06:15:07'),
(3918, 3918, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Vicky Kaushal has said that his actor-wife Katrina Kaif is one of the few faces that represent Bollywood on the international platform, just as Hema Malini earlier. Vicky also said that Katrina and Amitabh Bachchan represent the Hindi film industry on the global platform.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“I always say that an industry is known by a few faces. With her work, Katrina has become one of those faces, along with Amitabh Bachchan. who represent the industry on the international platform. Hema Malini used to be one of these faces,” Vicky told Navbharat Times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added, “Katrina has achieved that status and I believe it is not easy to reach there. I believe, whatever she has done and achieved, she did it all on her own. I respect her a lot for that, and I have a long way to go before I reach there.I feel it is good that we respect each other, and also have a lot to learn from each other.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vicky\'s recent release, Govinda Naam Mera, released online on Disney+ Hotstar last week. The film also features Kiara Advani and Bhumi Pednekar. The comedy thriller is directed by Shashank Khaitan and received mixed to bad reviews.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meghna Gulzar\'s Sam Bahadur is Vicky\'s next ambitious film that will also star Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Based on the real life story of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, the film is will release on December 1, 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vicky also has Anand Tiwari\'s next that will see a theatrical release on July 28, 2023. The film also stars Tripti Dimri and Ammy Virk. He also has Laxman Utekar\'s next film in the line up that stars Sara Ali Khan alongwith him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Katrina was recently seen in Phone Bhoot alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. Directed by, the film received good response and was also praised by the critics. Next up, she has Salman Khan\'s Tiger 3 - the third film in their hit spy thriller franchise Tiger. She also has Vijay Sethupathi-starrer Merry Christmas and Jee Le Zara in the pipeline. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 06:27:20', '2022-12-21 06:27:20'),
(3919, 3919, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Joe Biden and address Congress on Wednesday during a visit to Washington, his first trip outside his country since Russia invaded in February, the White House said.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Zelensky will join Biden at the White House for the announcement of a \"significant new package of security assistance,\" said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre. A senior administration official said that included advanced Patriot air defense missiles. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 07:18:22', '2022-12-21 07:18:22'),
(3920, 3920, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan\'s security forces killed 25 of 35 Islamist militants holed up in a counter-terrorism centre in the northwestern city of Bannu, while one hostage and two commandos died in the operation to retake the compound, the army said.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Militants being held at the centre took control of the compound on Sunday after overpowering their interrogators and taking their weapons, leading to a two day siege and ultimately army commandoes storming the compound on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Army spokesman Major General Ahmed Sharif speaking to local TV channel Geo News late on Tuesday said seven of the 35 holed up militants surrendered, and another three who tried to escape were arrested. One hostage, a security official, died during the raid , he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Tuesday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said all of the militants had been killed and all hostages rescued, but later clarified that the army would provide the final figures and details of the operation.</div><div><br></div><div>The army spokesman\'s comments provided the first detailed official account of the standoff, in which two security personnel were killed when the militants first took over the compound, and two commandoes killed in the ensuing raid.</div><div><br></div><div>He said one militant was able to first overpower his interrogator with a brick and seize his weapon. Later other militants at the centre broke into a storeroom where confiscated weapons had been stored.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We tried very hard to get them (militants) to surrender unconditionally. They weren\'t ready,\" Sharif said, adding that they wanted safe passage to Afghanistan, which was rejected by authorities. Source: Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 07:58:04', '2022-12-21 07:58:04'),
(3921, 3921, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked people to compare the development work done by other governments to that of the Awami League government.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“I expect that people of the country would at least consider how much development was done by those in power for nearly 30 years (1975-1996 and 2001-2009) and what the Awami League governments did,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The premier was addressing the inaugural ceremony of 100 highways at her office in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina opened a record number of 100 highways to traffic in 50 districts through a virtual platform, within a month and a half after inaugurating 100 bridges in a single day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new highways – which include national, regional and district highways – aim to ensure a safe and uninterrupted road network as well as help reduce road accidents and traveling time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Roads and Highways Department under the Road Transport and Highways Division constructed or reconstructed the highways with a combined length of 2,021.56 km under 48 projects at an overall cost of Tk 14,915 crore in the last two years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said her government opened 100 highways in a single day and earlier opened 100 bridges in a single day too. “Could anyone do that in the past? No. It is only Awami League that can accomplish this,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the 100 highways are gifts for the nation in this month of victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are told that the Awami League government has destroyed the country… I don’t know if people would believe those who say that Awami League destroyed the country even after this (opening 100 highways and 100 bridges). That is my question,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new highways include 32 with a total length of 653.66 km in Dhaka division, 16 with total length of 352.26 km in Khulna division, 14 with 258.90 km in Chattogram division, 15 with 203.95 km in Rangpur, eight highways with 196.87 km in Rajshahi, six with 142.48 km in Mymensingh, four highways with 106.18 km in Sylhet and four highways with 107.26 km in Barishal division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of these, 99 highways were developed with government fund, while one — the 70km Joydebpur (Gazipur)-Alenga (Tangail) four-lane highway with service lanes on both sides — was constructed with foreign loans (Tk 3,205crore) and the government fund (Tk 2,963.64 crore).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke at the function moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a presentation on the 100 new highways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The local beneficiaries and stakeholders of the development projects were connected to the function from Tangail and Khulna through virtual platforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Out of the 22,476 km road network under the RHD, there are 3,991 km national highways, 4,897 km regional highways and 13,588 km district roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The national highways connect the capital to divisional cities, sea ports, land ports and international highways. Regional highways connect district towns to river ports and land ports. District roads link district towns with upazilas or one upazila with another.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 7, the PM inaugurated 100 newly constructed bridges with a total length of 5,494 meters, built at a cost of Tk 8,79.61 crore, in 25 districts of the country. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 07:58:55', '2022-12-21 07:58:55'),
(3922, 3922, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A powerful magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolted the extreme northern coast of California before dawn on Tuesday, crumpling homes and roads, rupturing utility lines and leaving thousands of residents without running water and electricity.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At least a dozen people were injured, and two others died from \"medical emergencies\" that occurred during or just after the quake, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff\'s Office.</div><div><br></div><div>The tremor, which struck at 2:30 a.m. PST and was followed by about 80 aftershocks, was centered 215 miles (350 km) north of San Francisco offshore of Humboldt County, a largely rural area known for its redwood forests, local seafood, lumber industry and dairy farms.</div><div><br></div><div>California\'s Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency on Tuesday for Humboldt County to support the emergency response to the earthquake.</div><div><br></div><div>Newsom has directed state agencies and departments to take appropriate action as necessary to provide support to local communities, according to a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The region also is known for relatively frequent seismic activity, although the latest quake appeared to cause more disruption than others in recent years.</div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday\'s temblor set off one structure fire - by severing the gas line of a hot-water heater - and caused at least two other buildings to collapse, authorities said. The blaze was quickly extinguished, and fire crews rescued a resident briefly trapped in the home, according to fire officials. Source: Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 08:36:11', '2022-12-21 08:36:11'),
(3923, 3923, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in a drive arrested four suspected drug traders along with 100kg hemp from Gazipur’s Sadar police station on Tuesday afternoon.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrestees are Robiul Hossain, 24, Shapon Miah,20, Yasin Miah,19, and Akram Hossain,19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On information that a consignment of hemp was being taken to Gazipur from Cumilla on a private car, a team of Rab set up a check-post on the road at Harinal Kcha Bazar area under Sadar police station of GMP, said&nbsp; Noman Ahmed, senior assistant superintendent of police of the Rab-1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the car reached the check-post, the elite force signaled to stop the car and searched it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sensing danger, the drug traders tried to flee the scene.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the team managed to arrest them and recovered the hemp from inside the car.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the drive, 3 mobile phone sets and Tk6,195 in cash were also recovered from their possession. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 08:48:48', '2022-12-21 08:48:48'),
(3924, 3924, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the elected local government representatives to play effective role in overcoming global crisis arisen out of the Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine war.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We are trying our best so that our people don\'t have to suffer amid the global crisis. As elected representatives, you also have some responsibilities and you have to discharge the duties,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while administering oath to newly elected chairmen of Noakhali and Chapainawabganj District Councils Abdul Wadud Pintu and Ruhul Amin respectively. They were elected in separate polls on November 14 and 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Nineteen elected councilors of the two district councils were sworn in by Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister stressed the need for boosting food production bringing every inch of fallow lands under cultivation across the country to face any possible food crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If all the fallow lands across the country can be brought under cultivation, then, there will be no food crisis in the country,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, she has sought cooperation from the elected representatives to make people aware of growing own food.</div><div><br></div><div>She also asked people to show austerity in every sector and make savings to overcome the global crisis, reminding them prices of everything particularly imported items went up globally that created a global economic crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina asked the public representatives to ensure proper use of the local development fund and quality works of the local projects for balanced development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>\"As elected representatives you have to work in ensuring proper use of allocated local funds so that no area lags behind in terms of development,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister once again asked the public representatives to work for the welfare of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I urge you all to work for the welfare of the people,\" she told the elected public representatives.</div><div><br></div><div>She also asked them to look after the works of the ongoing projects to make sure their quality.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier, as well, called upon the public representatives to prepare a list of the homeless and landless people across the country irrespective of political affiliation as part of the government\'s move that none will remain homeless and landless.</div><div><br></div><div>As many as 35 lakh landless and homeless people have, so far, been provided with houses across the country free of cost, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee were present on dias. ‍Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 10:09:40', '2022-12-21 10:09:40'),
(3925, 3925, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In the wake of Sunday\'s World Cup final soccer fans around the world have rushed to buy merchandise, with demand for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe soccer club jerseys more than tripling, sports merchandise retailer Fanatics Inc told Reuters.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw, with Messi scoring twice and France\'s Kylian Mbappe netting three times. It was Argentina\'s first World Cup win since Diego Maradona hoisted the trophy 36 years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Global sales of soccer gear were up more than 700% for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar versus the 2018 World Cup in Russia across the Fanatics network of online stores.</div><div><br></div><div>Fans flocked to buy Nike-brand Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer club jerseys, with sales in particular for Messi and Mbappe jerseys on the official PSG online store surging by more than 200% on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Messi, Argentina\'s 35-year-old team captain, said the final would be his last match in the World Cup, though he intends to play a few more games for the national side.</div><div><br></div><div>Mbappe also shone with three goals in the game, becoming only the second hat-trick scorer in a World Cup final after England\'s Geoff Hurst in 1966.</div><div><br></div><div>Fanatics, which operates the official online Paris Saint-Germain store, said 40% of all PSG sales on the day came from the United States. Source: Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 10:21:04', '2022-12-21 10:21:04'),
(3926, 3926, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court placed Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman on a three-day fresh remand in a case lodged with capital\'s Jatrabari Police Station for his alleged involvement in militancy.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Syed Mostafa Reza Nur passed the order as police produced the Jamaat chief before the court after the end of his seven-day remand in the case and pleaded for placing him on eight-day fresh remand.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on December 13, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury had placed him on a seven-day remand in the case.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A team of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested the Jamaat chief from capital\'s Basundhara area on December 12.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, police arrested his son Dr Rafat Chowdhury, alleged chief coordinator of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam\'s Sylhet region, in this case. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 12:39:51', '2022-12-21 12:39:51'),
(3927, 3927, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">India were hit by injury once again as KL Rahul, who is leading the side in absence of injured Rohit Sharma was latest to join the long injury list and is at risk of missing the second Test against Bangladesh, starting tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>If he misses the second Test, Cheteshwar Pujara, who is the vice-captain will lead the side as India look to sweep the two-match series following their 188-run win in the first Test.</div><div><br></div><div>India batting coach Vikram Rathour said that KL Rahul got a blow to his hand while batting in the nets on the eve of the match. But at the same time, he though indicated that Rahul\'s injury wasn\'t serious, he didn\'t confirm whether Rahul is certain to start the match.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It doesn\'t look serious. He seems to be fine. Hopefully he\'ll be okay. The doctors are looking at it, but hopefully he\'ll be okay,\" Rathour said here today.</div><div><br></div><div>Rahul took the blow to his hand towards the end of his nets session when Rathour was delivering the throwdowns to him. He was seen rubbing the injured area, and was attended to by the team doctor.</div><div><br></div><div>If Rahul is unavailable, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who initially came into the squad as Rohit\'s standby can make his debut.</div><div><br></div><div>The blow to Rahul\'s hand is the latest in a series of injuries India have suffered in recent weeks. Jasprit Bumrah is a long-term absentee with a stress fracture of the back, while as many as seven players were ruled out of the ODI series at various points - including first-choice Test players Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 13:13:52', '2022-12-21 13:13:52'),
(3928, 3928, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Brazil and Tottenham star Richarlison suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Brazil at World Cup 2022.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The forward scored three times in Qatar but was forced off in Brazil\'s quarter-final defeat to Croatia. Tottenham coach Antonio Conte has offered a fitness update on some of his players and says the Brazilian must now undergo a scan.</div><div><br></div><div>\"For Richy, tomorrow he’s going to have an MRI [scan] to know very well the importance of the injury. After tomorrow we will see very well the time he needs to recover,\" he told the club\'s new streaming service.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"Ben Davies is okay and started to work with us last week, he has recovered. Rodrigo has started to work. I think that he’s going to be good for the game against Aston Villa.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Richarlison has had a modest start to the season with Spurs, scoring two goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>However, the summer signing showed his class at the World Cup, particularly with a brilliant overhead kick goal against Serbia, and Conte will certainly hope he\'s not out of action for long. Source: goal.com&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 13:48:23', '2022-12-21 13:48:23'),
(3929, 3929, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An incredible video shows plants \"breathing\" in real-time. The close-up clip has been captured by biologists at the University of California San Diego during one of their research projects, according to EarthSky.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The researchers discovered how plants use their stomata - tiny openings found on almost all the flora - to exchange carbon dioxide and water with the air. The research was funded by National Science Foundation, which has released the video. Scientists said it is a \"key breakthrough\", according to EarthSky, which will have implications on global food supply in the coming century.</div><div><br></div><div>Julian Schroeder, the lead researcher, was quoted as saying by the outlet: \"The researchers hope that harnessing this mechanism could lead to future engineering of plant water use efficiency and carbon intake. Critical as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration continues to increase.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"In fact, the researchers have filed a patent. And, they are examining ways to translate their findings into tools for crop breeders and farmers,\" the biochemist added.</div><div><br></div><div>The study detailing the discovery has been published in peer-reviewed journal Science Advances.</div><div><br></div><div>\"When stomata are open, the inside of the plant is exposed to the elements, and water from the plant is lost into the surrounding air, which can dry them out. Plants, therefore, must balance the intake of carbon dioxide with water vapor loss by controlling how long the stomata remain open,\" said National Science Foundation spokesperson Jared Dashoff, as reported by New York Post.</div><div><br></div><div>The discovery is significant, considering the fact that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and temperature have increased due to climate change, affecting the balance between carbon dioxide entry and water vapour loss through the stomata.</div><div><br></div><div>If plants, especially crops like wheat, rice and corn, can\'t strike a new balance, they risk drying out. The finding will enable researchers to edit those signals through which the stomata is opened so that the plants can strike the right balance between taking in carbon dioxide and losing water. Source: NDTV</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 15:56:58', '2022-12-21 15:56:58'),
(3930, 3930, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said that there is no pressure from the international community or foreign diplomats on the Election Commission (EC) regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Comments of international community members or foreign ambassadors didn’t create any pressure on the EC regarding the next parliamentary elections. It’s (remarks of foreign diplomats) a matter of the government, they will discuss it through bilateral talks,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC made the remarks while inaugurating the distribution of Smart National Identity Cards at Mirzaganj Upazila Parishad Auditorium here in the afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The EC will hold a participatory election&nbsp; on time, in line with&nbsp; the constitutional process, Awal said, adding that no political party is being forced for taking part in the polls rather they have been requested&nbsp; .&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We want to hold a fair election with the participation of all political parties. If the opposition party (BNP) takes part in the next parliamentary elections, it will make the election more participatory,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that process is underway for holding the elections using electronic voting machines (EVMs), the CEC said the polls will be held using ballots if finally it is not possible through EVMs, according to BSS reports.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-21 16:21:20', '2022-12-21 16:21:20'),
(3931, 3931, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the newly commissioned Navy officers to stay prepared to deal any natural disaster in the country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Being imbued with the quality of honesty, leadership and self-sacrifice, you (Navy men) have to be prepared always to face any disaster alongside protecting the country\'s sovereignty standing shoulder to shoulder with the Army and Air Force members,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was addressing the Winter President Parade of the passing out cadets of the \"Midshipmen 2020 Alfa Batch\" and the \"Direct Entry 2022 Bravo Batch\" of Bangladesh Navy at Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) at Patenga in Chattogram.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country, she said Bangladesh Navy always stands beside people and takes part in rescue operation and relief distribution efficiently during any disaster.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I want new officers (of Navy) to work with sincerity,\" she said, adding, \"You must have to be disciplined all times and have to discharge duty with discipline and devotion being imbued with patriotism.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She hoped that the new officers, who are passing out today and going to take responsibility, will brighten the country\'s image by discharging own duty, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh will be made a developed country by 2041 and each citizen of that Bangladesh will prepare themselves with the knowledge of technology.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our economy and implementation of any plan will be made digitally. Bangladesh will be \'Smart Bangladesh\' and developed Bangladesh, as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 08:08:43', '2022-12-22 08:08:43'),
(3932, 3932, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Brazilian football great Pele will spend Christmas in hospital, his medical team and family said Wednesday, as he receives treatment for worsening cancer as well as kidney and heart problems.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The 82-year-old \"requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions,\" said the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.</div><div><br></div><div>It also reported a \"progression\" of his cancer, but said Pele was not in intensive care.</div><div><br></div><div>Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele was hospitalized in Sao Paulo on November 29 for what his medical team called a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatments, which he has been receiving since having surgery to remove a colon tumor in September 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>Doctors have also diagnosed Pele -- whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- with a respiratory infection.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this month, Pele\'s daughters Kely Nascimento and Flavia Arantes sought to reassure fans about his health, denying reports that Pele had been placed in end-of-life care as supporters held a vigil outside the hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>They said Wednesday on Instagram that they would be spending Christmas with their father at the hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our Christmas at home has been suspended,\" they wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us!!\"</div><div><br></div><div>Accompanied by a picture of them smiling, the sisters thanked Pele\'s fans for their support and wished them a happy festive season.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are going to turn this room into a Sambodrome (just kidding), we will even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!),\" they joked, referencing Brazil\'s famous cocktail.</div><div><br></div><div>The siblings promised an update next week.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'The King\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Pele dazzled from an early age and took the 1958 World Cup by storm when he was 17 years old, netting a hat trick in the semifinals and two more goals in the final, catapulting his own career and launching the soccer dynasty of the Brazilian national team.</div><div><br></div><div>Pele scored more than 1,000 goals in one of the most storied careers in sport. He is the only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).</div><div><br></div><div>In recent years, the man dubbed \"The King\" has faced deteriorating health and his public appearances have grown rare.</div><div><br></div><div>He has dealt with his ailments with trademark good humor, remaining active on social media.</div><div><br></div><div>Pele posted regularly during the Qatar World Cup, including a message of congratulations to captain Lionel Messi after Argentina took the top prize.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Congratulations to Argentina! Diego (Maradona, who died on November 25, 2020) is probably smiling now,\" he wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>Pele also watched from hospital as star player Neymar equalled his goal record of 77 with the \"Selecao.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Pele has received messages from well-wishers all over the world, also recently from French striker Kylian Mbappe who called on fans earlier this month to \"pray for the King.\"</div><div><br></div><div>It was with Mbappe that Pele made one of his last public appearances, in April 2019, in Paris, for a promotional event.</div><div><br></div><div>World Cup host nation Qatar also showed its support for Pele, lighting up buildings with a \"Get well soon\" message. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 08:23:46', '2022-12-22 08:23:46');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3933, 3933, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Joe Biden has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US will stick by Ukraine \"for as long as it takes\" in its war with Russia, reports BBC.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"You will never stand alone,\" Mr Biden told Mr Zelensky as he visited the White House on his first overseas trip since the Russian invasion began.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Biden confirmed a new package of more than $2bn (£1.7bn) in assistance for Ukraine and promised another $45bn.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Washington\'s backing.</div><div><br></div><div>At Wednesday\'s joint news conference, Mr Biden told reporters he was \"not at all worried\" about holding the international coalition together.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid concerns that some allies may be feeling the strain of the conflict\'s cost and disruption to global food and energy supplies, the US president said he felt \"very good\" about the solidarity of support for Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin had \"no intention of stopping this cruel war\".</div><div><br></div><div>As Ukraine\'s most important ally, the US has already committed $50bn (£41bn) of humanitarian, financial and security assistance - far more than any other country.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Zelensky - wearing his trademark combat-green sweatshirt and boots - expressed hope that Congress would pass the extra $45bn in aid to Ukraine to \"help us to defend our values, values and independence\".</div><div><br></div><div>Republicans - who will take control of the House of Representatives in January - have warned they will not write a \"blank cheque\" for Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>But Mr Zelensky, who travelled on a US Air Force jet from the Polish city of Rzeszow, said that \"regardless of changes in the Congress\", he believed there would be bipartisan support for his country.</div><div><br></div><div>After the White House meeting, the 44-year-old Ukrainian president gave an address to a joint session of Congress, where he was welcomed with a standing ovation.</div><div><br></div><div>He told US lawmakers his country was still standing \"against all odds\" and predicted \"a turning point\" in the conflict next year.</div><div><br></div><div>While vowing Ukraine would never surrender, he said it needed more weaponry.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have artillery, yes, thank you,\" he told his audience. \"Is it enough? Honestly, not really.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"For the Russian army to completely pull out, more cannon and shells are needed,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Concluding his speech, Mr Zelensky presented Congress with a battle flag signed by the defenders of Bakhmut, a frontline city in the east of Ukraine that he visited on the eve of his Washington trip.</div><div><br></div><div>The package of security assistance announced by Washington on Wednesday includes a new Patriot missile system, which is expected to help Ukraine protect its cities from missiles and drones that Russia has fired at critical facilities.</div><div><br></div><div>A rare moment of levity arose in Wednesday\'s news conference as Mr Zelensky, a former comedian, answered reporters\' questions.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ukrainian president said: \"What\'s going to happen after the Patriots are installed? After that we will send another signal to President Biden that we would like to get more Patriots.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are in a war, I\'m sorry, I\'m really sorry,\" he deadpanned in English, as the audience in the East Room laughed.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Biden chuckled and said: \"We\'re working on it.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Russia\'s foreign ministry has said the delivery of the advanced surface-to-air missile system would be considered a provocative step.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Putin said he believed his country was not to blame for the war in Ukraine, adding both countries were \"sharing a tragedy\".</div><div><br></div><div>Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, the US military estimates that at least 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured, along with some 40,000 civilian deaths, reports BBC</div><div><br></div><div>The UN has recorded 7.8 million people as refugees from Ukraine across Europe, including Russia. However, the figure does not include those who have been forced to flee their homes but remain in Ukraine.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 09:33:06', '2022-12-22 09:33:06'),
(3934, 3934, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan cricket chief Ramiz Raja has been sacked just days after the national team suffered a humiliating Test series defeat at the hands of England, according to AFP reports.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Appointments to run the sport in the cricket-mad country are highly politicised, and responsibility lies with the prime minister and cabinet.</div><div><br></div><div>England wrapped up the third Test on Tuesday to hand Pakistan their first-ever 3-0 home series whitewash.</div><div><br></div><div>But a change had been on the cards since April, when Imran Khan -- a former national captain -- was ousted as prime minister and replaced by Shehbaz Sharif.</div><div><br></div><div>Raja, a member of Khan\'s 1992 World Cup-winning side, was appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in September last year.</div><div><br></div><div>A government notice seen by AFP said Sharif\'s cabinet had dismissed Raja, and the PCB would now be run by a 14-member committee headed by Najam Sethi, who has twice served as chairman.</div><div><br></div><div>The committee also includes Shahid Afridi and Sana Mir, former captains of the men\'s and women\'s teams.</div><div><br></div><div>The government notice also said the current constitution of the board has been scrapped, and one dating from 2014 revived.</div><div><br></div><div>The committee will have 120 days to change the constitution and elect a new chairman.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The cricket regime headed by Ramiz Raja @iramizraja is no more,\" Sethi tweeted Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The 2014 PCB constitution stands restored. The Management Committee will work tirelessly to revive first class cricket.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Khan came under fire for changing the PCB\'s constitution in 2019 -- in particular for abolishing the role of government departments and private entities in first-class cricket, leaving hundreds unemployed.</div><div><br></div><div>In his tweet, Sethi said \"thousands of cricketers will be employed again\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"The famine in cricket will come to an end,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Raja was not immediately available to comment, but sources said it was likely he would contest his removal through the courts.</div><div><br></div><div>The shake-up comes as New Zealand arrived Thursday for a tour that will include two Tests and three one-day internationals.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 09:55:12', '2022-12-22 09:55:12'),
(3935, 3935, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that no one is essential for the party except Sheikh Hasina.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The senior AL leader said this while talking to the reporters after visiting the venue of the 22nd National Council of Awami League at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Only the president of Awami League Sheikh Hasina is essential for the party. There is none who will not support her,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that there is no possibility of many change in the committee in the council, the AL general secretary said that there might be a major reshuffle in the next council.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I am not thinking of major changes for now. But everything will depend on the opinion of the decision-makers or councilors. I don\'t want to say anything in advance,\" Quader said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There are at least 10 candidates for the post of general secretary, who are eligible to become general secretary. The second session of the council will reflect the desire of the president of AL. This year\'s committee is active and it does not seem that no one will be left out. There may be changes in the next council,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, he lauded Prime Minister\'s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy because it would not have been possible without his cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Now the target is to build Smart Bangladesh. We will move forward to build a developed Bangladesh in 2042,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We will ensure the largest and disciplined attendance at this council to transform crisis into possibility. Through this, we will work together to build a smart Bangladesh,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said the party has made a pledge to build a non-communal Bangladesh and the AL men will work to this end.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our main goal is to make a prosperous and smart Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina,\" he added. \"Besides, we are ready for elections. Awami League is ready to run the next government.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Quader told that all the registered parties will be given invitations to the council.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 10:26:20', '2022-12-22 10:26:20'),
(3936, 3936, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder lauded the neighboring country India saying it stands by Bangladesh all the time as a genuine fried.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The people of Bangladesh will never forget the love of Indian people that demonstrated by giving shelter to about one crore people and providing medicines, food or services sometimes, he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said these while speaking as the chief guest at the \'India-Bangladesh Friendship Celebration\' event at a Rajshahi hotel, organized by Assistant High Commission of India, Rajshahi, a press release said.</div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned that both the neighbouring countries are working to strengthen the friendship and confidence between Bangladesh and India.</div><div><br></div><div>Assistant High Commissioner of India in Rajshahi Shri Manoj Kumar said India supports Bangladesh in every good work, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>The people of India helped gain independence standing with the neighboring country in the Great Liberation War in 1971, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He added that the people of the two countries share a common language and culture which has strengthen the relationship between the two countries.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 10:37:36', '2022-12-22 10:37:36'),
(3937, 3937, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A senior counter terrorism official said on Thursday that Ameer(chief) of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman has confessed the involvement of his son Dr Rafat Sadiq Saifullah with the new militant outfit Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The chief of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Asaduzzaman claimed this at a press conference in the DMP media centre on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The CTTC chief said the Jamaat chief was aware that his son was involved in militancy.</div><div><br></div><div>“But he remained silent and didn’t inform the law enforcement agencies,” Asaduzzaman said.</div><div><br></div><div>“If someone wants to return to normal life after being involved in militancy, the law-enforcement agencies consider an application on behalf of the family. But he (Shafiqur) did not inform the law enforcers and concealed the whole thing,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rafat, son of Shafiqur Rahman, along with one of his associates were arrested from Jatrabari area of the city on November 9.</div><div><br></div><div>Rafat was a suspected member of Ansar Al Islam and collected some supporters from the militant group to join their new militant outfit Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, the official claimed.</div><div><br></div><div>A group of young people, who left homes recently, led by Rafat went to Bandarban from where they went to Sylhet for training from militants with Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an armed group in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, claimed the CTTC chief.</div><div><br></div><div>Shafiqur Rahman was arrested on December 13 for his alleged involvement in militancy.</div><div><br></div><div>Police found the evidence of supporting and funding the new militant outfit Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya by the Jamaat chief, said DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on December 17.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, about the escape of two militants from the Dhaka court, the CTTC chief said on Thursday: “It is not time to say it yet. They’ve not escaped from the country yet.” Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 11:10:14', '2022-12-22 11:10:14'),
(3938, 3938, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Andrés Cafiero is likely to visit Bangladesh in March next year, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Thursday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The decision of opening Argentina’s embassy in Dhaka will be made during the FM’s visit, the minister told reporters after an event of book launch in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said the Argentine side has informed the foreign ministry that their foreign minister will visit Bangladesh in March.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is a good relation between the two countries,” he said, hoping that it will be stronger in future.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Argentine President Alberto Fernández today (Thursday) said his country is working to reopen a diplomatic mission in Dhaka next year.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ve watched closely the celebrations of the friendly people of Bangladesh in support of the (Argentina) team,” he said in a letter to PM Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>People and the president of Argentina were overwhelmed by the massive, heartfelt public support and celebration in Bangladesh for team Argentina throughout the World Cup and following their victory in the final. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 12:57:51', '2022-12-22 12:57:51'),
(3939, 3939, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal  has said that there is no opportunity for a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held in January, 2024.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this while speaking to the reporters after exchanging views with the government officials at the Deputy Commissioner\'s office in Patuakhali.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “BNP has been repeatedly requested to participate in the upcoming elections. But they always rejected our request.”</div><div><br></div><div>BNP is adamant in demanding a non-partisan caretaker government and restructuring of the Election Commission, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“In this case, there is no chance of a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, by-elections to the five vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs will be held with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), he said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the EC currently does not have necessary fund for installing CCTV cameras in polling centres in these by-elections, the CEC added.</div><div><br></div><div>At present, the Election Commission has the capacity of holding elections with EVMs in 50 to 60 seats. Financial allocation has been sought from the government to purchase more EVMs, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the allocation, the commission is planning to buy new machines and hold elections with EVMs in 150 seats in the next parliamentary elections, he added.</div><div>The CEC said some EVMs have been out of service due to lack of proper maintenance. A project has been submitted to the government for their proper conservation of EVMs, and the project proposal is now with the Planning Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the project is approved, it will be possible to properly maintain the EVMs. This will save the country\'s money,” said the CEC.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 13:12:58', '2022-12-22 16:06:00'),
(3940, 3940, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court took into cognizance the charge-sheet filed against JKG Healthcare Chairperson Dr Sabrina Chowdhury in a case filed for making second national identity (NID) card using false information.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shahidul Islam accepted the charge-sheet and transferred the case to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court for further proceedings.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Police\'s detective branch (DB) on November 24 filed the charge-sheet in the case. Earlier on November 17, Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain issued arrest warrant against Sabrina in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Election Commission authorities filed the case with Badda Police Station on August 30, 2020, for making two NID cards. Sabrina gave different birthdates in the two NID\'s and different names in place of husband\'s name.</div><div><br></div><div>A Dhaka court on July 19, 2022, sentenced eight people including JKG Healthcare Chairperson Dr Sabrina Chowdhury and its chief executive officer (CEO) Ariful Haque Chowdhury to 11-year imprisonment each in a case for issuing fake coronavirus (Covid-19) test reports. She is in jail now. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 14:43:47', '2022-12-22 14:43:47'),
(3941, 3941, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court set January 26 for submitting probe report in a case lodged over recent escape of two militants, who have been sentenced to death, from police custody at a Dhaka court.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Farah Diba Chonda passed the order as police failed to submit the report in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Death-row convicts Abu Siddiq Sohel and Moinul Hasan Shamim, members of banned militant outfit Ansar-al Islam, were whisked away by their associates by beating police and spraying some chemical on their eyes at Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court arena on November 20.</div><div><br></div><div>Court inspector Md Julhash later filed the case with Kotwali Police Station. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 14:50:06', '2022-12-22 14:50:06'),
(3942, 3942, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dozens of women gathered outside Kabul University on Thursday to protest in the first major public demonstration in the capital since the Taliban\'s decision to close universities to female students.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Female university students were turned away the previous day from campuses after the Taliban-run administration said on Tuesday that women would be suspended from tertiary education.</div><div><br></div><div>According to witnesses, about 50 mainly female protestors assembled while holding banners and chanted: \"Education is our right, universities should be opened.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Taliban-led administration had already drawn criticism including from foreign governments for not opening girls\' high schools at the start of the school year in March, making a U-turn on signals it would do so.</div><div><br></div><div>The backlash towards restrictions on female education is complicating the Taliban-led administration\'s efforts to gain formal recognition and the lifting of sanctions that are hampering the economy, diplomats say.</div><div><br></div><div>Large-scale protesting has become rare in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country, as they are often shut down forcefully by security agencies. The scattered protests that have occurred are a sign of the discontent the Taliban\'s policy has generated.</div><div><br></div><div>A heavy security presence has been present in the Afghan capital, including at gatherings at universities, in recent days.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesperson for Afghanistan\'s higher education ministry said its minister would hold a press conference on Thursday or Friday to \"to elaborate more on the closure of universities for women.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The previous day students in Nangahar University in eastern Afghanistan also protested and male medical students walked out of exams protest at their female classmates being excluded.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The female students came and asked (the male students) not to sit exams as we are not allowed to,\" said 25-year-old Zia, a male medical student at Nangahar. \"The male students demonstrated courage and left the exam site.\" - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 15:57:06', '2022-12-22 15:57:06'),
(3943, 3943, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today said how the BNP has a dream of coming to the power again, referring to 2008 general election which was accepted by all and the BNP-Jamaat alliance had got only 30 seats.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"How BNP dreams of going to the power again with the people\'s vote,\" she said while presiding over a meeting of the Awami League Working Committee (ALWC) in her official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said the 2008 general election was held in a credible and fair manner and none could raise any question about the election.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the AL led grand alliance had achieved landslide victory in the election while BNP led alliance only got 30 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Is BNP doing anything better for the country and its people through which they will build confidence and trust of the people for them which move them to send the party power again?\" she posed a question.</div><div><br></div><div>She said since its inception BNP has been playing ducks and drakes with the people\'s voting rights, referring to Ziaur Rahman\'s farcical yes/no vote and parliamentary election to hang on to the power which he grabbed illegally after violating the country\'s constitution.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said Ziaur Rahman\'s wife Khaleda Zia had also held farcical election on February 15 in 1996 in which no political party took part in the polls.</div><div><br></div><div>The people of the country toppled the BNP government through movement with one and a half month of the election as the people of the country never accepted vote rigging, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also added that there was an attempt to hold a general election in 2006 with a voter list of having 1.23 crore fake voters which was cancelled, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>But, the Awami League always comes to the power with the people\'s mandate, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 16:04:58', '2022-12-22 16:04:58'),
(3944, 3944, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Bank has instructed the non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) that the institutions cannot change any of their vehicles before eight years.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, as per a 2015 directive, there was an opportunity to change vehicles after every five years.</div><div><br></div><div>In line with the government\'s decision to reduce operational and development expenditure in the context of the global economic situation, purchases of any type of vehicles (new and replacement) at the official expenses by NBFIs will be suspended during the fiscal year 2022-23.</div><div><br></div><div>The Financial Institutions and Market Department of Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday issued a circular in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>The chief executives of financial institutions cannot be given multiple vehicles at companies’ expenses. Apart from this, BB has instructed that the officers who take car loans and maintenance cost cannot use the companies’ vehicles. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-22 16:16:20', '2022-12-22 16:16:20'),
(3945, 3945, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Plunging temperatures wreaking havoc across the US and Canada can lead to frostbite on bare skin in only five to 10 minutes, experts are warning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A powerful Arctic winter storm has placed more than 135 million people under weekend weather alerts ahead of the busiest travel days of the year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alerts stretch from coast to coast and reach as far south as the US-Mexico border and Florida, the Sunshine State.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Major airports have cancelled thousands of flights as the storm intensifies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cold snap could bring the iciest Christmas in decades, say forecasters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Weather Service (NWS) said temperatures of -50F (-45C) and -70F were possible by the end of this week in some parts of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They warned that even in major metro areas, like the city of Des Moines, Iowa, frostbite will be a major danger.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Frostbite is caused when blood flow is reduced, often to extremities like the nose and cheeks or fingers and toes. The lack of warm blood can lead to tissue freezing and rupturing, and in some cases, amputation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meteorologists say the winter storm could become a \"bomb cyclone\" by Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bomb cyclone is a term given to an explosive storm that intensifies rapidly, with its central air pressure dropping by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is not like a snow day, when you were a kid, this is serious stuff,\" President Joe Biden said in a White House briefing on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Arctic air mass is projected to bring strong wind gusts and temperature of 15F (-9.4C) to El Paso, Texas, where newly arrived undocumented migrants are sleeping rough on city streets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s been very, very cold here,\" Dylan Torres Reyes, a migrant from Venezuela who has been spending nights on the pavement outside El Paso\'s main bus terminal, told the BBC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Florida is projected to see its coldest Christmas in 30 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NWS has called it a \"once-in-a-generation\" winter weather event, saying on Thursday that \"life-threatening wind chills\" will strike the east coast on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Snow and powerful winds are expected to cause damage and power outages in the Midwest and Canada.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Where has the storm and severe cold hit?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;-The NWS warned more than 100 daily cold temperature records could be tied or broken over the next few days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-In Colorado, temperatures dipped to a record-breaking low of -9F from 42F on Thursday</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-The city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, set a record for its greatest one-hour temperature drop, after going from 43F to 3F within 30 minutes. Elsewhere in the western state, temperatures have dropped as low as -35F</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-Nearly a dozen record low temperatures were also set in neighbouring Montana</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-Blizzard conditions have hit both North Dakota and South Dakota</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-In Chicago, a winter storm warning is in effect until Saturday, bringing with it several inches of snow and winds topping 50mph (80km/h)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-In Canada, much of Ontario and parts of Quebec are also bracing for a major winter storm that is expected to last through the Christmas weekend</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Travel chaos</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 5,300 flights in the US have already been cancelled on Thursday and Friday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In anticipation of travel disruptions, major airlines including United, Delta and American have offered to waive fees for travellers who wish to reschedule their flights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Roads along the Colorado-Wyoming border were closed on Wednesday due to nearly zero visibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Travellers at Chicago\'s O\'Hare International Airport have been met with flight delays and cancellations on Thursday</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">States of emergency declared</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The governors of Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, New York, Georgia and Oklahoma have declared states of emergency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wisconsin has declared an \"energy emergency\" because of the weather.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other states, like Maryland, have activated emergency response operations ahead of the storm, while others have opened warming shelters. 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, '2022-12-23 05:41:30', '2022-12-23 05:41:30'),
(3946, 3946, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea has delivered arms to Russia\'s private military group Wagner, the White House said Thursday, calling the group a \"rival\" for power to the defense and other ministries in the Kremlin.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The US will boost sanctions on the Wagner group following North Korea\'s sale to the group of infantry rockets and missiles last month, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, said White House national security spokesman John Kirby.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Wagner is searching around the world for arms suppliers to support its military operations in Ukraine,\" Kirby told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We can confirm that North Korea has completed an initial arms delivery to Wagner, which paid for that equipment,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirby said the Wagner group, which is independent of the Russian defense establishment and is leading a bloody siege of Bakhmut, Ukraine, is spending more than $100 million each month in its Ukraine operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Wagner is emerging as a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries,\" Kirby said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Sign of desperation\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK concurs with the American assessment that North Korea delivered arms to Russia for the Wagner group in violation of UN resolutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The fact that President Putin is turning to North Korea for help is a sign of Russia\'s desperation and isolation,\" Cleverly said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We will work with our partners to ensure that North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia\'s illegal war in Ukraine.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Close to Putin -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Wagner group is controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman once called \"Putin\'s chef\" for his work catering dinners for Vladimir Putin before and after he became the Russian president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prigozhin -- who also controls the notorious St. Petersburg internet \"troll farm\" that allegedly disrupted the 2016 US election -- has been a vocal critic of the Russian defense establishment\'s handling of the war in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His mercenary-like army has been carrying out operations, ostensibly private but implicitly approved by the Kremlin, in Syria, Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic and other countries in Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In several locations they have been accused of participating in atrocities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Ukraine, the group has served as an elite special forces-type operation that has better training, equipment and supplies than the mainstream Russian military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Convict recruits sent to front -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Wagner has taken significant casualties, and Prigozhin has relied on prisons to supply Wagner with convicts to fill out its ranks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirby estimated that the Wagner force now numbers about 50,000, including 10,000 skilled \"contractors\" and 40,000 convicts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bakhmut and other areas of heavy fighting, Ukraine forces say that the relatively untrained convicts have been forced to the front, where many have been killed or injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to US information, Kirby said, 1,000 Wagner fighters have been killed in the fighting in recent weeks, 90 percent of them convicts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It seems as though Mr. Prigozhin is willing to just throw Russian bodies into the meat grinder in Bakhmut,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirby said Prigozhin appeared more interested in \"influence peddling at the Kremlin\" than protecting his troops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"For him, it\'s all about how good he looks to Mr. Putin, and how well he\'s regarded at the Kremlin,\" Kirby said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 05:45:14', '2022-12-23 05:45:14'),
(3947, 3947, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An antiviral drug tested by more than 25,000 vaccinated Covid patients has been found to reduce recovery time from the disease.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Molnupiravir was given to people twice a day, for five days at home, while they had the Omicron variant of Covid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those chosen were at a higher risk of death or hospitalisation from Covid due to age or underlying health conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite aiding recovery, the drug did not decrease death rates or hospital admissions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Participants taking the antiviral drug while having Covid were compared with those receiving standard care who also had the infection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trial was conducted to see whether it backed up previous studies on molnupiravir, which had suggested it was effective at reducing hospital admissions among patients with mild-to-moderate Covid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, those trials were conducted on unvaccinated patients, before the emergence of the Omicron wave.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Research in this latest study showed the treatment reduced recovery time by around four days and also reduced the viral load - the level of infection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The findings suggest this drug would not be suitable for the entire population but in extreme circumstances could reduce pressure on the NHS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Molnupiravir, which is made by Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD), is very expensive- a seven-day course costs around £577.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was the first antiviral drug studied as a treatment for Covid in the community - which means it was taken at home rather than in a medical setting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chris Butler, who is a professor of primary care in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, says: \"Finding effective, safe and scalable early treatments for Covid-19 in the community is the next major frontier in our research response to the ongoing worldwide pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is in the community where treatments could have a massive reach and impact.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But decisions about who to treat should always be based on evidence from rigorous clinical trials that involve people who would most likely be prescribed the drugs.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To participate in the trial, people had to be within five days of the start of symptoms and either healthy and over 50 or 18-50 with underlying health conditions that made them more vulnerable to Covid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former deputy chief medical officer for England, Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, who is pro-vice-chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham and study co-author, said: \"While molnupiravir was originally found to work well to reduce hospitalisation in patients with Covid, these were unvaccinated patients.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This latest research has repeated the exercise in the highly vaccinated population, demonstrating that the vaccine protection is so strong that there is no obvious benefit from the drug in terms of further reducing hospitalisation and deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"However, symptom duration and virus shedding are both markedly reduced, and we have to wait much longer to know if there will be any discernible effects on long Covid.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The findings are published in The Lancet journal. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 05:55:35', '2022-12-23 05:55:35'),
(3948, 3948, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Volodymyr Zelensky\'s visit to Washington sent Russia a message of steadfast unity and resolve, but defense analysts say he needs more concrete battlefield gains to sustain US and NATO backing through 2023 and fend off pressure to negotiate with Moscow.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">In his first trip outside Ukraine since the war began last February, Zelensky earned firm pledges of support from President Joe Biden at the White House and then from US lawmakers whom he addressed in Congress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the thin attendance of Republicans for the Ukraine leader\'s congressional address, and Biden\'s reticence to provide him powerful offensive weapons, citing allies\' concerns, showed there remained limits to the support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That adds pressure on Kyiv\'s forces to show more progress in fighting Russia\'s army in the coming months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"For the next several months, Ukraine is in a good spot in terms of financial support from both the United States and European allies and partners,\" said Luke Coffey, a defense expert at the Hudson Institute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sometime this winter Coffey expects Kyiv\'s forces to launch a new thrust toward Russian-held Melitopol in the south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If successful, that could shore up support over the longer term, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But we have to start thinking like, this will be a war that\'s measured in years and not months. And we have to start planning accordingly,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- Threat of war fatigue -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington\'s commitment was on display during Zelensky\'s lightning half-day visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Congress is near to approving $45 billion in aid for Ukraine, and the White House announced a new $1.85 billion arms package, including a Patriot missile battery, the Pentagon\'s most advanced air defense system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the White House continued to hold back on Ukraine\'s requests for more, like longer-range ATACMS missiles, advanced attack drones and F-16 fighter jets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In explaining why in a joint press conference with Zelensky, Biden indicated fragility of allied support for the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'ve spent several hundred hours face-to-face with our European allies and the heads of state of those countries, and making the case as to why it was overwhelmingly in their interest that they continue to support Ukraine,\" he said</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They understand it fully, but they\'re not looking to go to war with Russia.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence at LeBeck International, a Middle East security consultant, said there are \"unexpressed concerns\" among allies over whether Zelensky\'s goal of retaking all of Ukraine, including Crimea, from Russia is achievable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As the Russian invasion stalls, Putin is counting on war fatigue, both inside and outside of Ukraine, to force Kyiv into settling,\" said Horowitz.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That is the goal of Russia\'s \"winter strategy\" of attacking Ukraine\'s electricity network and driving up food and fuel prices globally, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"What Ukraine will need more than anything else in the coming months are new military victories. Those victories are the only effective way to truly stave off conflict fatigue,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Putin\'s forever war -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That could be difficult. Hudson\'s Coffey said both sides will score wins and losses in the coming campaign, and any offensive by Ukraine in the south could be complicated by a mainly diversionary Russian assault from the north.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The problem is that we are not in 1944 or 1945,\" said Mykola Bielieskov, of Ukraine\'s National Institute for Strategic Studies, referring to the final years of World War II, when Germany\'s ultimate defeat was looming.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s more like the end of 1942/beginning of 1943. There is still way to go to ultimate triumph\" over Russia, he wrote on Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said all indications from Moscow point to a \"protracted war and willingness to spend whatever it takes.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the same day Zelensky travelled to Washington, Putin met with his top military officials and announced plans to expand and better equip his armed forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We don\'t have any limits on funding. The country and the government is giving everything that the army asks for, everything,\" Putin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is, every indication we have seen, Vladimir Putin\'s forever war,\" Jones said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 06:01:03', '2022-12-23 06:01:03');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3949, 3949, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Throughout Mariupol, Russian workers are tearing down bombed-out buildings at a rate of at least one a day, hauling away shattered bodies with the debris.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian military convoys are rumbling down the broad avenues of what is swiftly becoming a garrison city, and Russian soldiers, builders, administrators and doctors are replacing the tens of thousands of Ukrainians who have died or left.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Many of the city’s Ukrainian street names are reverting to Soviet ones, with the Avenue of Peace that cuts through Mariupol to be labeled Lenin Avenue. Even the large sign that announces the name of the city at its entrance has been Russified, repainted with the red, white and blue of the Russian flag and the Russian spelling.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eight months after Mariupol fell into Russian hands, Russia is eradicating all vestiges of Ukraine from it – along with the evidence of war crimes buried in its buildings, such as the famed Drama Theater where demolition started Thursday. The few open schools teach a Russian curriculum, phone and television networks are Russian, the Ukrainian currency is dying out, and Mariupol is now in the Moscow time zone. On the ruins of the old Mariupol, a new Russian city is rising, with materials from at least one European company, The Associated Press found.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the AP investigation into life in occupied Mariupol also underlines what its residents already know all too well: No matter what the Russians do, they are building upon a city of death. More than 10,000 new graves now scar Mariupol, the AP found, and the death toll might run three times higher than an early estimate of at least 25,000. The former Ukrainian city has also hollowed out, with Russian plans to demolish well over 50,000 homes, the AP calculated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Associated Press journalists were the last international media in Mariupol to escape heavy shelling in March, before Russian forces took the city over. This is the story of what has happened since. AP reconnected with many people whose tragedies were captured in photos and video during the deadliest days of the Russian siege.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Death surrounds Mariupol in the rapidly growing cemeteries on its outskirts, and its stench lingered over the city into the autumn. It haunts the memories of survivors, both in Mariupol and in exile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Every one of the dozens of residents the AP spoke with knew someone killed during the siege of Mariupol, which began with the Feb. 24 invasion. As many as 30 people arrive at the morgue each day in hopes of tracking down a loved one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lydya Erashova watched her 5-year-old son Artem and her 7-year-old niece Angelina die after a Russian shelling in March. The family hastily buried the young cousins in a makeshift grave in a yard and fled Mariupol.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They returned in July to rebury the children, only to learn while on the road that the bodies had already been dug up and taken to a warehouse. As they approached the city center, each block was bleaker than the last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is horror. Wherever you look, whichever way you look,” said Erashova. “Everything is black, is destroyed.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Neither she nor her sister-in-law could bear to go inside the warehouse to identify the bodies of their children. Their husbands, who are brothers, chose the tiny coffins – one pink and one blue – to be placed together in a single grave.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Erashova, who is now in Canada, said no Russian rebuilding plan could possibly bring back what Mariupol lost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our lives have been taken from us. Our child was taken from us,” she said. “It’s so ridiculous and stupid. How do you restore a dead city where people were killed at every turn?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AP investigation drew on interviews with 30 residents from Mariupol, including 13 living under Russian occupation; satellite imagery; hundreds of videos gathered from inside the city, and Russian documents showing a master plan. Taken together, they chronicle a comprehensive effort to suppress Mariupol’s collective history and memory as a Ukrainian city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mariupol was in the crosshairs of the Kremlin from the first day of the invasion. Just 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Russian border, the city is a port on the Sea of Azov and crucial for Russian supply lines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The city was hit relentlessly with airstrikes and artillery, its communications severed, its food and water cut off. Yet Mariupol refused to give in for 86 days. By the time the last Ukrainian fighters holed up in the Azovstal steel mill surrendered in May, Mariupol had become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That resistance came at a high price. The thoroughness of Russia’s destruction of Mariupol can still be seen today. Videos taken across the city and satellite images show that munitions have left their mark on nearly every building across its 166 square kilometers (64 square miles).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Large swaths of the city are devoid of color and life, with fire-blackened walls, grey demolition dust and dead trees with shredded foliage. But the worst destruction Mariupol suffered may be measured in its death toll, which will never be fully known.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AP analysis of satellite imagery taken over the past eight months of occupation shows 8,500 new graves in the outlying Staryi Krym cemetery alone, with possibly multiple bodies beneath each mound. There are at least three other trench gravesites around the city, including one created by Ukrainians themselves at the beginning of the siege.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In all, a total at least 10,300 new graves are scattered around Mariupol, according to AP’s methodology, confirmed by three forensic pathologists with expertise in mass graves. Thousands more bodies likely never even made it to the graveyard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Back in May, when the city finally fell, the municipal government in exile estimated 25,000 people at a minimum had died. But at least three people in the city since June say the number killed is triple that or more, based on conversations with workers documenting body collection from the streets for the Russian occupation authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Svitlana Chebotareva, a Mariupol resident who fled in March, said her neighbor died in a flat nearby, and the body is still there. Chebotareva returned home this autumn for just long enough to retrieve her belongings, since residents are free to come and go so long as they pass checkpoints. She said the Russians expect gratitude with their offer of a few new apartments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I don’t know how it’s possible now to give us ‘candies’ in exchange for destroyed homes and killed people,” she said in Kyiv. “As if there’s something to believe in.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is how those who remained in Mariupol learn their buildings are scheduled for imminent demolition. Often, despite shattered windows, frozen pipes and no electricity, they are still living inside because they have nowhere else to go.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a review of hundreds of photos and video clips along with documents from occupation authorities, the AP found that more than 300 buildings in Mariupol have been or are about to be demolished. Some are individual homes, but most are multistory apartment blocks in the khrushchyovka style, launched by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in a housing crisis in the 1960s. With around 180 apartments inside or more, each building was designed to house as many families as possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That means in all, the demolitions will remove well over 50,000 homes, according to AP calculations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There is no discussion, people aren’t prepared,” said an activist in Mariupol, who like all inside Mariupol requested anonymity for fear of retribution. “People still live in the basements. Where they can go is unclear.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Only Russians handle the debris itself, according to another resident still in the city who works on the sites. The stated reason is to avoid accidents, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Petro Andryushchenko, an aide to Mariupol’s mayor who is exiled in Dnipro, believes the real reason is to ensure that people don’t see the rotting corpses being hauled away. He said many of the buildings, especially in the neighborhood around Azovstal , contain 50 to 100 bodies each that will never get a decent burial. Those deaths will go unrecorded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">110 Mytropolytska is one of the buildings on Russia’s demolition list, scheduled to come down any day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The smell of fresh-baked bread still brings Inna Nepomnyshaya, a doctor, back to her last night in March in her sixth-floor apartment there. When she saw the street price of bread in her besieged city, she decided to bake her own.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The smell warmed the air the next morning when her son-in-law arrived. It was time to leave, he insisted. Russian forces were closing in.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepomnyshaya was at her daughter’s building when Russian tanks rolled up to her own at dusk on March 11. As AP journalists watched and recorded from the upper floor of nearby Hospital No. 2, one tank raised its gun at 110 Mytropolytska and fired.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The shell shattered the walls of Nepomnyshaya’s apartment and obliterated those of the neighbors above, below and behind her. Most of the neighbors were huddled in the basement, but two elderly women, Lydya and Nataliya, couldn’t make the trip up and down the stairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their bodies would be buried in the courtyard soon after. Weeks later, AP video showed the rough graves still there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With communications to the city cut, Nepomnyshaya did not learn of the fate of her apartment until her family had escaped to Ukrainian-held territory. Like many who left Mariupol, she still speaks of the city in the present tense.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I live in Mariupol, this is my home,” she said, speaking by candlelight in a café in Dnipro, another city that had lost power. “This house was my fortress, and they took it away from me.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also on the demolition list are the buildings on either side. One was hit by at least one airstrike on March 11; the walls of another are in ruins.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia is now moving into the historic city center. Russian authorities in October dismantled Mariupol’s memorial to victims of the Holodomor, the Soviet-engineered famine in the 1930s that killed millions of Ukrainians, according to video posted on Russian television. They also painted over two murals commemorating victims of Russia’s 2014 attack on Ukraine, images obtained by the AP show.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on things like erasing demonstrations of Ukrainian identity and very little time tending to the needs of the Mariupol people,” said Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which for years monitored eastern Ukraine. “It’s really a very brutal inhuman colonial experiment unfolding before our eyes.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As it tries to raze the remains of Ukraine, Russia has laid out a plan for a new city with a new population. At its heart will lie the historic Mariupol theater, according to the master plan first reported by the Russian site The Village in August and seen by The Associated Press.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The majestic Drama Theater became the city’s main bomb shelter until twin Russian airstrikes hit on March 16. Hundreds died, an AP investigation found, and residents said the site reeked of bodies all summer. To mask the ruins, Russian authorities put up a screen so tall it can be seen from space, etching the theater’s outline on the paneling in a ghostly reminder of its previous life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, the theater itself fell victim to the demolition campaign, according to video from the city seen by The Associated Press.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also in the Russian documents are plans to restore the ruins of the obliterated Azovstal steel mill, the last Ukrainian holdout. The site is slated to be transformed into an industrial park by the end of next year, though there are no signs that any work has begun.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But a Russian military compound went up in record time, according to satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies that showed the vast U-shaped building with the Russian Army slogan emblazoned on the rooftop.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia already has constructed at least 14 new apartment buildings — a small fraction of the number coming down — and is repairing at least two of the hospitals it damaged by shelling. Video obtained by The Associated Press showed rows of pallets stacked with insulation from the Danish company Rockwool, which maintains its division in Russia despite criticism. Construction materials are not subject to sanctions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, Rockwool’s Vice President of Communications Michael Zarin said the insulation panels were distributed without the company’s “knowledge or consent,” and that he hopes its products help restore health care, warmth and shelter to Ukrainians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Videos show no furniture visible in the windows of the new apartments and few people on the sidewalks outside. Only pensioners, the disabled and those affiliated with the occupation seem to be getting them, according to multiple people still in Mariupol.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One man applied to the list in September and found himself in 11,700th place. He has friends in the 2,000 range who are still waiting, like him. And an old man he knows, whose number was in the 9,000s has already moved into one of the new buildings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I don’t know how it happens. I won’t speculate,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the man said he has no issue with the demolition of buildings that aren’t fit to live in. He is cautiously relaunching his own company in the new city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the plans for a Russian Mariupol depend on a population that simply no longer exists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of Mariupol’s former residents were sent to Russia with little or no choice, and thousands more fled into other areas of Ukraine. Of Mariupol’s former population of around 425,000, just over a quarter stayed, according to estimates from Andryushchenko.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian master plan for Mariupol calls for a population of 212,000 in 2022, and back to 425,000 by 2030. Right now, about 15,000 of the people in Mariupol people are Russian troops, said Andryushchenko, who drew his estimate from information about the soldiers taking over homes and public buildings. He said Russian riot police have begun patrolling the city to head off protests over the lack of heat, electricity and water.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Videos seen by the AP showed military convoys, along with construction trucks, clogging the streets. The activist the AP spoke with also confirmed an increase in the number of soldiers since Russian forces retreated from the Kharkiv and Kherson regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Construction workers from Russia show no signs of leaving, and tents were visible outside the Port City mall until the winter. Doctors and city administrators also have come in from Russia, according to Russian government announcements and physicians who left the city after refusing to work for the occupation authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There is no more Russian city now than Mariupol,” Dmitry Sablin, a Russian lawmaker born in Mariupol, said in an interview with Russian media in June after visiting the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin is moving as swiftly as it can to ensure that those Ukrainians who stay see their future as Russians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Nov. 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Mariupol the title of “City of Military Glory” for the heroism of people he described as its defenders. On Dec. 7, Putin said his war against Ukraine had turned the Sea of Azov into “Russia’s internal sea.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This suits many of those who remained behind just fine. Mariupol has always had some residents who considered themselves Russian.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Whoever doesn’t like it, doesn’t come back,” one woman said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia’s occupation of Mariupol has divided families and friends into two categories: Those who stayed and those who fled. Both grapple with what Mariupol once was and will be.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When Ivan Kalinin escaped, he left behind the body of his wife Iryna and their unborn first child, both killed in the March 9 Russian airstrike on the maternity hospital. His parents and hers stayed in Mariupol.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He last saw his wife that morning when her labor began, and she sent him to fetch clothes and diapers. He learned about the airstrike at a military blockade on the way to the hospital. He and his father found her body the next day at another hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I do not even know how I survived it,” he said quietly. “I was drinking every day to fall asleep.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kalinin, who now lives in Wales, cannot imagine going home. Nor can he imagine life anywhere else.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is too painful for me to be there. I might return at some point — it is my hometown, after all,” he said. “I fall asleep every day hoping this is a dream. And I wake up with understanding that it is a reality.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mariupol is now torn between Russia and Ukraine. Some people who stayed are waiting for Russian citizenship just to get on with their lives. Yet the Ukrainian letter ï , which is not found in Russian, is appearing as graffiti around the city — a small act of defiance in a place many described as full of fear.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepomnyshaya, whose apartment was struck by a Russian shell, dreamed recently that she’d returned home and smelled bread. But she is not sure if she ever can or will go back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I believe that Mariupol will be rebuilt, that it will be Ukraine after all,” she said. “But I know that this smell is just a memory.” 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, '2022-12-23 06:21:46', '2022-12-23 06:21:46'),
(3950, 3950, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke on the phone with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Shahriar Alam on Thursday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The deputy secretary and state minister discussed strengthening US-Bangladesh relations, the importance of holding free and fair elections, and the safety and security of US embassy personnel, according to US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on December 19 (Monday) said there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the security of foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our government will guarantee full protection of all diplomats,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US side said they raised the December 14 Shaheenbagh incident at the \"highest levels\" of the Bangladesh government, as well as with the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The ambassador (Peter Haas) is a bit panicked about his security. Our ambassador conveyed there is no reason to get panicked,\" Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on December 18 said there had been no shortage of security when US Ambassador Peter Haas visited Shaheenbagh on the 14th. \"Police personnel rushed to the spot immediately.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US Embassy in Dhaka said they take \"seriously\" all allegations of human rights violations and regularly meet with a wide variety of human rights organisations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The US Embassy had not received any prior communication from Mayer Kanna over the last several years,\" said a US Embassy spokesperson on Sunday, in light of various articles and statements surrounding Ambassador Haas\' meeting with Mayer Dak on December 14 – the purpose of his trip to Shaheenbagh- but apparently snubbing the former.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Whereas the US ambassador had to end his \"prescheduled\" meeting with Mayer Dak on December 14 due to \"security concerns,\" Mayer Kanna were looking to catch his attention or communicate with him for the very first time that day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The meeting was interrupted by protestors (Mayer Dak personnel), who attempted to enter the building where the ambassador was located. Other protestors surrounded the ambassador\'s vehicle,\" said the spokesperson. 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, '2022-12-23 06:58:52', '2022-12-23 06:58:52'),
(3951, 3951, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 22nd national council of ruling Awami League will be held in the capital tomorrow with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as its longest-serving president while the party saw eight chiefs and nine secretaries since its founding on June 23, 1949.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina has been serving as the longest serving president of AL, which led the country\'s 1971 Liberation War, for highest nine consecutive terms for the last four decades since her election to the position on February 16, 1981.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So far, 9 leaders served the AL as general secretary with Bangabandhu and Zillur Rahman serving in that position for the highest four terms each.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the party president on January 25, 1966 and steered the party for eight years till January 18, 1974.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first party chief, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani served for seven years from June 23, 1949 to July 27, 1956. Shamshul Haque was elected as general secretary while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as joint general secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were elected president and general secretary respectively in the AL\'s second council held in 1953.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Third council was held in 1955 and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were reelected president and general secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy served as the acting party president for one year from July 27, 1956 to October 10, 1957.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish was elected as acting president and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected general secretary for the third time in the fourth council of Awami League held in 1957.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish was elected as president and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected general secretary for the fourth time in fifth council of the party held in 1964.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sixth council of Awami League held in 1966 was a historic one as it endorsed historic 6-point of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected as AL president first time and Tajuddin Ahmed was elected as its general secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The seventh council was held in 1968 and Bangabandhu was in jail in connection with Agartala conspiracy case. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Tajuddin Ahmed were reelected as president and general secretary respectively of the party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The eighth council of AL was held in 1970 and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Tajuddin Ahmed were elected as president and general secretary respectively of the party again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ninth council was held in the independent Bangladesh in 1972 and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Zillur Rahman were elected president and general secretary respectively of AL.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A H M Quamaruzzaman and Zillur Rahman were elected as president and general secretary respectively of AL in the 10th council held in 1974.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 11th council was held in 1977 and Syeda Zohra Tajuddin was elected the party\'s convener.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Malek Ukil and Abdur Razzak were elected president and general secretary respectively of AL in the 12th council held in 1978.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 13th council was held in 1981 and it was a turning point for AL as around 4,000 councilors and delegates elected Sheikh Hasina as president while she was in exile. Abdur Razzak was elected as general secretary. Abdur Razzak resigned from the post in 1982 and Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury became acting general secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 14th council was held in 1987 and Sheikh Hasina and Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury were elected as president and general secretary respectively of the party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina and Zillur Rahman were elected as president and general secretary respectively in the 15th council of the part held in 1992.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina and Zillur Rahman were elected president and general secretary respectively again in 16th council held in 1997.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 17th council was held 2002 and Sheikh Hasina and Abdul Jalil were elected president and general secretary respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina and Sayed Ashraful Islam were elected as president and general secretary respectively of AL in 18th council held in 2007.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both Sheikh Hasina and Sayed Ashraful Islam were elected as president and general secretary respectively again in 19th council held in 2012.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 20th council of AL was held in 2016 and Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader were elected as president and general secretary respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 21st council was held on December 20-21 in 2009 at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader were reelected as president and general secretary respectively in the council. 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, '2022-12-23 07:03:37', '2022-12-23 07:03:37'),
(3952, 3952, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Taijul Islam claimed three wickets as Bangladesh made India struggle on the second day of the second Test in Dhaka on Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resuming at 19-0, the visitors reached 86-3 at lunch, still trailing Bangladesh by 141 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former skipper Virat Kohli was batting on 18 with Rishabh Pant 12 not out at the break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taijul had KL Rahul (10) and Shubman Gill (20) out leg-before in successive overs before he dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara for 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahul was initially declared not out but the decision was overturned on review.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gill walked off after he was struck plumb in front by Taijul in the next over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The left-arm spinner then broke the fledging 34-run partnership between Pujara and Kohli just as the duo looked set.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pujara, who completed 7,000 Test runs during the innings, was caught by Mominul Haque at forward short leg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton Das dropped Kohli at 16 off Taijul before Bangladesh missed a run out chance in the same over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On day one Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four wickets apiece as India bowled out Bangladesh for 227 runs in the first innings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India won the first Test of the two-match series by 188 runs in Chittagong. 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, '2022-12-23 07:07:30', '2022-12-23 07:07:30'),
(3953, 3953, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A light to thick blanket of fog is likely to envelope large parts of Bangladesh for up to 12 hours from Friday midnight.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Moderate to thick fog may occur over the river basins and northern part of the country and light to moderate fog elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said today.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country, it added. \"Night and day temperatures may fall slightly over the country.\"</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 8.4-degree Celsius in Badalgachhi of Rajshahi division in the last 24 hours till 6am Friday.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The highest temperature was recorded at 29.6-degree Celsius in Teknaf of Chattogram division. UNB</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">bnbd24/kh</span><br></p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 07:58:25', '2022-12-23 07:58:25'),
(3954, 3954, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Kremlin on Thursday accused Kyiv and Washington of turning a deaf ear to its concerns and charged the United States was using Ukraine as a battleground to weaken Russia.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It came as President Vladimir Putin insisted Russia was aiming for a speedy end to the fighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our goal is... to end this conflict. We are striving for this\", he told reporters. \"We will seek to make sure that it all ends, and the sooner, the better\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All conflicts end, some way or another, with talks... The faster our adversaries (in Kyiv) understand that, the better it will be,\" Putin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow\'s military chief has said Russian forces are now concentrated on wresting control of the eastern Donetsk region where the battered city of Bakhmut has become an epicentre of fighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials in Moscow have repeatedly said in recent months that they have not ruled out talks with Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They blamed the closure of diplomatic channels on President Zelensky, who has said he will not negotiate while Putin is in power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian leader has returned from a historic trip to Washington, where he told Congress his country was \"alive and kicking\" and supporting it was an investment in global security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He enjoyed a hero\'s welcome on the lightning trip on Wednesday, in which US President Joe Biden committed nearly $1.8 billion in military supplies including, for the first time, the Patriot missile defence system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin warned this could further draw out the conflict, saying: \"Those who are confronting us say this is a defensive weapon... There will always be an antidote.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The people who are doing this are doing it in vain. It\'s just prolonging the conflict, that\'s all,\" he told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the Kremlin said Biden and Zelensky were not listening to \"Russia\'s concerns\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Not a single word was heard warning Zelensky against the continued shelling of residential buildings in towns and villages in Donbas and there were no real calls for peace,\" spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This suggests that the United States is continuing its line of de facto fighting an indirect war with Russia to the last Ukrainian,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Focus on Donetsk -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s army chief Valery Gerasimov said Russian troops are \"focused on completing the liberation\" of Donetsk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The eastern Ukrainian region is one four Moscow claims to have annexed -- despite never fully controlling it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gerasimov also said that Russia had used hypersonic missiles for the first time in Ukraine including Kinzhal missiles -- part of an arsenal of weapons Putin has described as \"invincible\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Damage continues to be inflicted on critical transport and energy infrastructure deep inside Ukrainian territory,\" Gerasimov added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine fears a rising onslaught of missiles and has faced a slew of attacks from drones, many bought by Russia from Iran, as Moscow pummels power plants and other civilian infrastructure while the country shivers in the winter cold.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Donetsk, an AFP reporter visited the frontline village of Bogorodychne, from which the Russians had been pushed out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Its pre-conflict population of around 1,000 people had been reduced to Yuri Ponomarenko, 54, who returned several weeks ago, and \"a mother and son who never left,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I felt that I needed to come back, I just had to,\" said Ponomarenko, who braved landmines to return home, where debris and wrecked cars littered the looted village.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Car blast -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the southern region surrounding the recently recaptured town of Kherson -- which has been shelled persistently by Russian forces -- officials said they had uncovered a grave with six people showing \"signs of torture\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, Zelensky said that he stopped in Poland on his return journey from the United States and \"discussed strategic plans for the future\" with Polish President Andrzej Duda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile a car blast killed an official in the Russian-controlled village of Lyubimivka in southern Ukraine, Moscow-installed authorities said, the latest in a series of attacks against Russian-linked officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today Andrei Nikolayevich Shtepa, a sincere patriot of his native land, died tragically as a result of a car explosion,\" authorities said on Telegram, blaming \"Ukrainian terrorists\" for the death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lyubimivka is on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river, which is occupied by Moscow\'s troops after they retreated from Kherson city last month rendering the river a new front line. 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, '2022-12-23 08:15:01', '2022-12-23 08:15:01'),
(3955, 3955, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles Friday, Seoul\'s military said, the latest in a recent flurry of sanctions-busting weapons tests.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">It has been a year of unprecedented tests by the North, including the launch of its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile last month, the test of what Pyongyang says was a new rocket engine last week, and claims this week it has developed new capabilities to take images from space.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our military spotted two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea into the East Sea from the Sunan area of Pyongyang at around 16:32 (0732 GMT) today,\" South Korea\'s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our military maintains a full readiness posture while closely cooperating with the US while strengthening surveillance and vigilance.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States and South Korea have warned for months that Pyongyang is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two countries held a joint air drill on Tuesday, and deployed a US B-52H strategic bomber to the Korean peninsula, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The long-range heavy bomber was part of an exercise that included the US and South Korea\'s most advanced jets -- including the F-22 and the F-35 stealth fighters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Friday\'s launch came hours after the White House said Pyongyang had delivered arms to the Russian private military group Wagner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Disclosing the delivery on Thursday US time, the White House called Wagner a \"rival\" for power to the defence and other ministries in the Kremlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Putin\'s chef\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Wagner group is controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman once called \"Putin\'s chef\" for his work catering dinners for the powerful leader before and after he became the Russian president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency, the North Korean foreign ministry denied conducting any arms transaction with Russia, saying the story was \"cooked up by some dishonest forces for different purposes\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite heavy international sanctions over its weapons programmes, Pyongyang has built up an arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last week, North Korea tested a \"high-thrust solid-fuel motor\", with state media describing it as an important test \"for the development of another new-type strategic weapon system\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All its known ICBMs are liquid-fuelled, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has placed strategic priority on developing solid-fuel engines for more advanced missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His powerful sister also insisted earlier this week that the North had developed advanced technologies to take images from space using a spy satellite.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kim said this year that he wants North Korea to have the world\'s most powerful nuclear force, and declared his country an \"irreversible\" nuclear state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The wishlist he revealed last year included solid-fuel ICBMs that could be launched from land or submarines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest motor test was a step towards that goal, but it is not clear how far North Korea has come in the development of such a missile, analysts said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 09:20:02', '2022-12-23 09:20:02');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3956, 3956, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Director General (DG) M Khurshid Hossain Friday said the escape of two convicted militants from a Dhaka court on November 20 and the fact that they are yet to be arrested is a \"failure.\"</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We believe in self-criticism. Two militants escaped; we are not going to deny it. It was our failure as two militants escaped (from the court premises) like that,\" the Rab DG told the media after visiting the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital ahead of the 22nd national council of the Awami League there Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The militants had been planning the escape for a long time, and we are yet to track them down. However, efforts are underway to arrest them,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abu Siddiq Sohel and Moinul Hasan Shamim, members of the banned militant outfit Ansar-al Islam, were sentenced to death for killing publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 20, the militants\' associates whisked them away from the premises of Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate\'s Court by beating the law enforcers and spraying some chemicals on their eyes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, a case was filed at Kotwali Police Station over the incident. 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, '2022-12-23 09:54:35', '2022-12-23 09:54:35'),
(3957, 3957, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Pakistan Taliban claimed a suicide attack that killed at least one police officer Friday in the country\'s capital, the first such attack in the city for years.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Islamabad has largely been spared the low-level attacks carried out in Pakistan\'s megacities of Lahore and Karachi, and also along the border areas near Afghanistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior police official Sohail Zafar Chattha said officers had been following a suspicious taxi occupied by a male driver and a woman passenger when he detonated a device inside the car.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They were stopped and the long-haired man was asked to come out,\" Chattha told AFP at the scene.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He came out, but quickly went back inside and pressed a button that blew up the car.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the fate of the passenger was not certain, but a policeman was confirmed dead and six people were wounded -- including four officers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed responsibility for the blast, saying the attack \"on the enemies of Islam\" was in retaliation for the recent killing of a senior member.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group, which is separate from the Afghan Taliban but with a similar hardline Islamist ideology, called off a stop-start ceasefire with the government in November.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Haji Mohammad Saeed, 60, a retired government official living in the neighbourhood where the attack happened, said authorities should end all negotiations with the TTP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They are taking advantage of this dialogue and causing violence.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pakistan was for a time plagued with almost daily bomb blasts across the country, but security vastly improved after a military crackdown that began in 2016.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Violence against security officials has risen in the northwestern border areas with Afghanistan over the past year -- blamed on militant groups linked to the Pakistan Taliban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this week, Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called for a fresh security operation against the TTP after suspected militants being held at a police station overpowered their captors and held them hostage for three days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Terrorism is on the rise again,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There\'s a spillover effect from the situation in Afghanistan and that\'s affecting Pakistan, we have to launch this operation.\" BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 10:15:11', '2022-12-23 10:15:11'),
(3958, 3958, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Facebook parent Meta has agreed to pay $725 million to settle a long-running lawsuit that accused the social network of allowing third parties, including Cambridge Analytica, to access users\' private data.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The amount was disclosed in a court filing late on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The proposed settlement of $725,000,000 is the largest recovery ever achieved in a data privacy class action and the most Facebook has ever paid to resolve a private class action,\" lawyers for the plaintiffs said in the filing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Facebook has not admitted any wrongdoing as part of the settlement, which must still be approved by a judge in the San Francisco division in the US District Court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was reported in August that Facebook had reached a preliminary agreement, although the amount and terms of the settlement were not then announced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lawsuit was initiated in 2018, when Facebook users accused the social network of violating privacy rules by sharing their data with third parties that included the British firm Cambridge Analytica, which had been linked to Donald Trump\'s 2016 presidential campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cambridge Analytica, which has since shut down, then collected and exploited the personal data of 87 million Facebook users without their consent, the lawsuit alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That information was allegedly used to develop software to steer US voters in favor of Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Facebook has since removed access to its data from thousands of apps suspected of abusing it, restricted the amount of information available to developers, and made it easier for users to calibrate restrictions on personal data sharing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Federal authorities fined Facebook $5 billion in 2019 for misleading its users and imposed independent oversight of its personal data management. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 11:05:24', '2022-12-23 11:05:24'),
(3959, 3959, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq Friday said they have scaled up security ahead of the 22nd national council of the Awami League (AL) in the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He, however, dismissed any security threat surrounding the council which is likely to see the participation of \"more than one lakh leaders and activists\" of the ruling party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DMP commissioner was speaking with the media after visiting the Suhrawardy Udyan Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The security arrangements in the area were made keeping Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in mind, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The prime minister survived many attempts on her life in the past. So, we have beefed up security and vigilance this time,\" Golam Faruq added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the escape of two convicted militants from a Dhaka court on November 20, he said: \"They will be arrested soon. We have been able to identify their associates already. We will arrest the rest of them soon.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is no terrorist threat (in the country now),\" the DMP commissioner added. 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, '2022-12-23 11:09:17', '2022-12-23 11:09:17'),
(3960, 3960, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thirty-nine more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Friday morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">However, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 274 – the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019 – as no fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 516 dengue patients, including 287 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DGHS has recorded 61,883 dengue cases and 61,093 recoveries so far this year. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 11:58:56', '2022-12-23 11:58:56'),
(3961, 3961, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the AL, led by its President Sheikh Hasina, is the only political party in the country that practices democracy inside it.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b> </b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina is the only party in Bangladesh that has the practice of democracy within the party. I do not know whether there is any other party holding regular councils in line with its constitution,\" he told a press conference at the AL\'s Bangabandhu Avenue central office here this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The press conference was organised on the occasion of the 22nd National Council of the ruling Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the AL wants to give a message to the country\'s people by spontaneously holding the national council that the party is beside them and it will remain beside them in the future too.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Taking advice from the people in the next elections as well, the Awami League wants to build a \'Smart Bangladesh\' by learning from its past mistakes,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Quader said, \"I am not a perfect leader. There may be mistakes in performing my duties. Along with successes, the big parties have failures too\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the AL national council, he said the meeting will begin at 10:30 am at Suhrawardy Udyan here on Saturday, while AL presidium members, advisory council members, and executive committee members will sit on the conference stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second session of the conference will begin at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at 3 pm, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AL general secretary said at the beginning of the council, party president Sheikh Hasina will hoist the national flag while the party flag will be hoisted by him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the presidents and general secretaries of AL\'s 78 organisational district units will stand at the designated place and hoist the party flags, Quader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AL presidium members Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Bir Bikram, and Quamrul Islam, joint general secretaries - Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Hasan Mahmud (also the information and broadcasting minister) and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretaries - Ahmad Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, Afzal Hossain and Safiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, culture affairs secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil, relief and social welfare affairs secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, publicity and publication secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, science and technology affairs secretary Abdus Sabur, office secretary Biplab Barua, law affairs secretary Najibullah Hiru, agriculture and cooperatives affairs secretary Faridunnahar Laili, education and human resources affairs secretary Shamsun Nahar Chapa, and executive members Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Riazul Kabir Kawsar, Sahabuddin Faraji, Anwar Hossain and Syed Abdul Awal Shamim were, among others, present at the press conference. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 12:28:47', '2022-12-23 12:28:58'),
(3962, 3962, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League has launched a theme song for the first time for its 22nd national council to be held at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital tomorrow.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The theme song written on the spirit of the party\'s progress politics was uploaded at AL\'s verified facebook page at 9pm on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">National Film Award winning lyricist Zulfiqer Russell penned the lyrics of the song while Pavel Arin is the composer and the music director of the song.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indian classical music instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt played Mohan veena in the song while singers Pantho Kanai, Chandana Majumder, Dilshad Nahar Kona and Masha Islam sang the chorus song.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The music video was directed by Ishtiaq Mahmud in association with Yasir Mahmud Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua led the initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biplab Barua said AL is an old and traditional political party and Bangladesh achieved independence under the leadership of AL.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party has arranged many councils in its journey in the 73 years and if anyone searches, he or she can find unique arrangement in every council, he said, adding that a theme song has been made under the arrangement of the party\'s office wing for the first time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biplab Barua said AL\'s cultural wing arranged various programme in its different council and in continuation of the tradition, there will be many arrangement in the council this time too.&nbsp; BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-23 13:11:56', '2022-12-23 13:11:56'),
(3963, 3963, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Some 200 million Americans are feeling the icy grip of a massive winter storm that has been linked to at least 12 deaths ahead of the holiday weekend.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 1.5 million people lost power and thousands of flights were cancelled on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In South Dakota, some snowed-in Native Americans reportedly burned clothes for warmth after running out of fuel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Canada, Ontario and Quebec were bearing the brunt of the storm, with power cuts for hundreds of thousands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Much of the rest of the country, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, is under extreme cold and winter storm warnings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A bomb cyclone, when atmospheric pressure plummets, brought blizzard-like conditions to the Great Lakes on the US-Canada border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The vast storm spans 2,000 miles (3,200km) from Texas to Maine, and the National Weather Service (NWS) said its Friday map \"depicts one of the greatest extents of winter weather warnings and advisories ever\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Temperatures in Elk Park, Montana, dropped to -50F (-45C) while the town of Hell, Michigan, has frozen over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The community is covered in several inches of snow and it was 1F (-17C) there on Friday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emily, a bartender at Smitty\'s Hell Saloon, told the BBC: \"It\'s pretty cold here, but we\'re having a hell of a time.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Heavy snowfall was forecast in areas of Pennsylvania and Michigan. Buffalo, New York, was expecting at least 35in (89cm).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Coastal flooding has been seen in New England, New York and New Jersey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even the usually milder southern states of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia were experiencing hard-freeze warnings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A number of the storm-related fatalities have involved road traffic accidents, including a 50-car pile-up in Ohio that left at least one person dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Travel problems across the country were being exacerbated by a shortage of snow plough operators, with low pay blamed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 8,000 flights were cancelled on Friday, reported tracking site FlightAware, wreaking yet more travel chaos as travellers battle to make it home for Christmas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By Friday evening 1.2 million customers had no electricity across the US, according to PowerOutage.us.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Utilities throughout the Tennessee Valley were implementing rolling blackouts to save power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Weather Service says more than 100 daily cold temperature records could be tied or broken over the next few days. Decades-old records have already been matched:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Denver, Colorado, dropped to -24F on Thursday, its lowest point since the 1990s. Craig McBrierty, 34, who is originally from Scotland, but now lives in Denver, told the BBC it is \"colder than I have ever experienced\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Oklahoma have declared states of emergency, while Wisconsin declared an \"energy emergency\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In South Dakota, some Native American tribe members have run out of fuel and food and are trapped by massive snow drifts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re fighting a losing battle,\" Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out told the BBC. He said it was unclear how many of the tribe\'s 46,000 members were trapped across the 4,200 sq mile region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Machinery is failing as diesel fuel turns to gel in the freezing cold. Some rescuers are using horses and sleds, or walking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anna Halverson, who represents the Pass Creek District on the Pine Ridge Reservation, told the Darsha Dodge Rapid City Journal: \"We\'re in a really extreme emergency down here.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have drifts as high as some houses that stretch 60, 70 yards at a time.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said one family had run out of infant formula, food and fuel and spent four days trapped inside before walking eight miles to get help because their baby was starving.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'ve seen across the reservation some members were burning clothes in their wood stove because they couldn\'t get access to wood,\" Ms Halverson said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has activated the state\'s National Guard to haul firewood from a nearby national forest to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. 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, '2022-12-24 02:28:33', '2022-12-24 02:28:33'),
(3964, 3964, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">King Charles is set to include a tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in his first Christmas message as monarch.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An image of Charles delivering his speech, which is due to be broadcast on Christmas Day at 15:00 GMT, shows the King in St George\'s Chapel, Windsor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her final Christmas message, the late Queen spoke of \"passing the baton\" to the next generation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And her son\'s first Christmas Day message will remember her legacy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This will be the first televised annual royal Christmas Day broadcast not to be presented by the late Queen, who appeared in the first TV message in 1957.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The photo of the King shows him recording this year\'s message in the chapel where a committal service was held during the Queen\'s funeral in September.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both his mother and father, Prince Philip, are buried in the George VI Memorial Chapel within St George\'s Chapel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The picture, released by Buckingham Palace, shows King Charles standing in front of a Christmas tree with plastic-free, recyclable decorations and arrangements of holly and ivy in the background.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year sees the King and Camilla the Queen Consort return to the tradition of spending Christmas in Sandringham, Norfolk, after concerns about Covid and Queen Elizabeth\'s health kept the Royal Family in Windsor last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prince and Princess of Wales are among the senior royals expected to be with King Charles for Christmas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her 2021 Christmas message, the Queen gave a highly personal tribute to her \"beloved\" Prince Philip, who died in April of that year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Her broadcast was the most watched programme on Christmas Day in 2021, drawing almost nine million viewers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The King\'s Christmas Day broadcast continues a tradition going back 90 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first royal Christmas broadcast was a live radio speech in 1932, delivered from Sandringham by George V, with the script written by the author Rudyard Kipling.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 1957, Elizabeth II delivered the first televised message, saying that it was a technological landmark that \"television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The message became part of many families\' Christmas celebrations and the first televised broadcast in 1957 set a familiar pattern.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The national anthem was followed by the monarch speaking directly to the camera, with a speech that included Christmas greetings, a religious lesson, support for the Commonwealth, a round-up of the royal year and a moral message for the times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 1957 it meant a warning about values in public life, criticising a culture of \"self-interest\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The timing of the Christmas broadcast was originally set for 15.00 GMT as best for reaching the most countries in different time zones around the world. 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, '2022-12-24 02:33:48', '2022-12-24 02:33:48'),
(3965, 3965, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">England\'s Sam Curran has become the most expensive auction buy in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being bought by Punjab Kings for £1.85m.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Six franchises made a bid for the 24-year-old all-rounder before Punjab were eventually successful.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yorkshire\'s Harry Brook has been sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for £1.35m.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 23-year-old was the leading run-scorer for England in their recent 3-0 Test series win in Pakistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Curran was named player of the tournament at this year\'s Twenty20 World Cup after helping England to become double white-ball world champions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He took 13 wickets at an average of 11.38 in last month\'s event in Australia and has improved his batting to become a genuine all-rounder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Back to where it all started! Looking forward to it,\" Curran tweeted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The previous most expensive IPL player was South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris, who was signed by Rajasthan Royals for £1.6m in April 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That figure was overtaken again on Friday when Mumbai Indians paid £1.75m for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">England red-ball captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes was acquired for £1.63m by Chennai Super Kings - one of the franchises to miss out on Curran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adil Rashid will join Brook in Hyderabad, while Will Jacks and Reece Topley have been signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals took Phil Salt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former Test captain Joe Root initially went unsold but was later bought by Rajasthan Royals for £100,000.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Left arm seamer Josh Little became the first Ireland player to win a full IPL contract as he was signed by Gujarat Titans for nearly £450,000.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">England\'s 18-year-old leg spinner Rehan Ahmed, Tom Curran and Chris Jordan all went unsold. 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, '2022-12-24 02:37:44', '2022-12-24 02:37:44'),
(3966, 3966, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Test and T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan, along with the stylish yet destructive Litton Kumer Das, a top order bat who can also keep wickets, have been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), in an auction held Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">While Shakib is a familiar figure in the IPL, Litton has received his inaugural call to the highly lucrative T20 tournament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib, one of the best allrounders of the current age, went unsold when his name was first called at Friday\'s auction. Despite his reputation, no team showed interest in signing him. However, Kolkata picked him up for INR 1.5 crores when his name was called again. Litton also found his home with the team owned by Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, going for INR 50 lakhs.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Litton scored 1388 runs with eight fifties in 65 T20I matches he played for Bangladesh. In domestic level T20s, he played 160 matches and scored 3443 runs with the highest score of 78 not out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Undoubtedly what made the difference for him this time is the blazing assault he launched against the Indian attack when Bangladesh and India squared off in October\'s ICC T20 World Cup. Opening the innings for the Tigers after India had posted a stiff target of 186 to win for their smaller neighbours, Das threatened to take the game away from the Indians with a 21-ball 50: the second-fastest by a Bangladeshi batsman in T20Is, next to Mohd. Ashraful, who did it off 20 balls against the West Indies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once Das was unluckily run out for a memorable 60 off just 27 balls, featuring seven hits to the fence and three that went over it, Bangladesh\'s hopes in that game quickly faded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib\'s IPL performance over the span of 2011-2021 has been decent during this period, he played a total of 71 matches for two teams— Kolkata and Sunrisers Hyderabad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has scored a total of 793 runs with the highest score of 66*, and a batting average of 19.82. He took 63 wickets with the best bowling of 3/17 and an average of 29.19. He has yet to take a five-wicket haul in IPL.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other Bangladeshi player who will play in the next IPL is Mustafizur Rahman. The Delhi Capitals retain the left-arm pacer. 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, '2022-12-24 02:47:11', '2022-12-24 02:47:11'),
(3967, 3967, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Facebook’s corporate parent has agreed to pay $725 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the world’s largest social media platform allowed millions of its users’ personal information to be fed to Cambridge Analytica, a firm that supported Donald Trump’s victorious presidential campaign in 2016.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Terms of the settlement reached by Meta Platforms, the holding company for Facebook and Instagram, were disclosed in court documents filed late Thursday. It will still need to be approved by a judge in a San Francisco federal court hearing set for March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The case sprang from 2018 revelations that Cambridge Analytica, a firm with ties to Trump political strategist Steve Bannon, had paid a Facebook app developer for access to the personal information of about 87 million users of the platform. That data was then used to target U.S. voters during the 2016 campaign that culminated in Trump’s election as the 45th president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Uproar over the revelations led to a contrite Zuckerberg being grilled by U.S. lawmakers during a high-profile congressional hearing and spurred calls for people to delete their Facebook accounts. Even though Facebook’s growth has stalled as more people connect and entertain themselves on rival services such as TikTok, the social network still boasts about 2 billion users worldwide, including nearly 200 million in the U.S. and Canada.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lawsuit, which had been seeking to be certified as a class action representing Facebook users, had asserted the privacy breach proved Facebook is a “data broker and surveillance firm,” as well as a social network.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two sides reached a temporary settlement agreement in August, just a few weeks before a Sept. 20 deadline for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his long-time chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, to submit to depositions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The company based in Menlo Park, California, said in statement Friday it pursued a settlement because it was in the best interest of its community and shareholders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Over the last three years we revamped our approach to privacy and implemented a comprehensive privacy program,\" said spokesperson Dina El-Kassaby Luce. “We look forward to continuing to build services people love and trust with privacy at the forefront.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 03:10:54', '2022-12-24 03:10:54'),
(3968, 3968, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Former military commander Sitiveni Rabuka was on Saturday confirmed as Fiji\'s prime minister, after accusing the outgoing government of stoking \"fear and chaos\" to derail his return to power.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Rabuka replaces the imposing Frank Bainimarama, who toppled the government in a 2006 coup and became prime minister a year later.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 74-year-old Rabuka said he felt \"humbled\" as he made his way out of parliament to be sworn in by the country\'s president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two-time coup leader and former prime minister -- nicknamed \"Rambo\" -- narrowly triumphed over Bainimarama by 28 votes to 27 in a secret ballot held in parliament, speaker Naiqama Lalabalavu announced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A chorus of cars honked in celebration as they drove past the parliamentary building in the capital Suva after the vote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">European Union ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam tweeted his congratulations to Rabuka shortly after the announcement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The military had been deployed on the streets of Suva as Rabuka and Bainimarama raced to cobble together a coalition government following a deadlocked general election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing unsubstantiated reports of ethnic violence, Bainimarama said the military was needed to maintain \"law and order\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Rabuka -- who served as prime minister between 1992 and 1999 -- said the government was \"sowing fear and chaos\" and \"trying to set the nation alight along racial lines\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bainimarama is yet to concede defeat, and it was not immediately clear whether he would sit in opposition or resign as the leader of the Fiji First party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;- \'Climate of fear\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many Fijians feared the government\'s claims of ethnic violence -- and the subsequent military deployment -- were a pretext for a \"creeping coup\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While not an outright autocrat, Bainimarama\'s government had frequently used the legal system to sideline opponents, silence critics and muzzle the media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police summoned Rabuka for questioning after he asked the military to step in and help resolve an election night \"glitch\" that delayed results for hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The way this government has operated, we\'ve been talking about a climate of fear,\" he said at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is how they instil that fear.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It marks an extraordinary political comeback for Rabuka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former Fijian rugby international locked in a coalition deal to form a government on Friday afternoon, after successfully wooing the kingmaker SODELPA party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">SODELPA had earlier chosen Rabuka\'s People\'s Alliance over Bainimarama\'s Fiji First, but that first vote was ruled invalid by the country\'s election supervisor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fiji has been upended by four coups in the past 35 years. 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, '2022-12-24 03:23:46', '2022-12-24 03:23:46'),
(3969, 3969, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Polar bears are disappearing fast from the Western part of Hudson Bay, on the southern tip of the Canadian Arctic, according to a new government survey.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The number of female bears and cubs in particular has seen a dramatic decline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Researchers have flown over the region -- which includes the town of Churchill, a tourist destination touted as the \"polar bear capital of the world\" -- every five years to count the number of bears and extrapolate population trends.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the last survey in late August and early September 2021, the results of which were released earlier this month, they spotted 194 bears and, based on that count, estimated a total population of 618 bears, down from 842 five years earlier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Comparison to aerial surveys estimates from 2011 and 2016 suggests that the WH (Western Hudson Bay population) may be decreasing in abundance,\" the study said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also \"revealed significant declines in the abundance of adult female and subadult bears (cubs) between 2011 and 2021.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The observed declines are consistent with long-standing predictions regarding the demographic effects of climate change on polar bears,\" the researchers said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also cited possible displacements of bears to neighboring regions and hunting for the population decline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bears\' sea-ice habitat has been disappearing at an alarming rate, with the far north warming up to four times faster than the rest of the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sea ice has become less thick and is breaking up earlier in the spring as well as freezing later in the fall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bears rely on the ice for foraging for seals, movement and reproduction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the 1980s, the ice pack in the bay has decreased by nearly 50 percent in summer, according to the US National Snow and Ice Data Center.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A report published two years ago in the journal Nature Climate Change suggested this trend could lead to the near-extinction of these animals, noting there were 1,200 polar bears on the western shores of Hudson Bay in the 1980s. 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, '2022-12-24 04:15:24', '2022-12-24 04:15:24');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3970, 3970, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Half a million people in a single Chinese city are being infected with Covid-19 every day, a senior health official has said, in a rare and quickly censored acknowledgement that the country\'s wave of infections is not being reflected in official statistics.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">China this month has rapidly dismantled key pillars of its zero-Covid strategy, doing away with snap lockdowns, lengthy quarantines and travel curbs in a jarring reversal of its hallmark containment strategy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cities across the country have struggled to cope as surging infections have emptied pharmacy shelves, filled hospital wards and appeared to cause backlogs at crematoriums and funeral homes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the end of strict testing mandates has made caseloads virtually impossible to track, while authorities have narrowed the medical definition of a Covid death in a move experts have said will suppress the number of fatalities attributable to the virus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A news outlet operated by the ruling Communist Party in Qingdao on Friday reported the municipal health chief as saying that the eastern city was seeing \"between 490,000 and 530,000\" new Covid cases a day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The coastal city of around 10 million people was \"in a period of rapid transmission ahead of an approaching peak\", Bo Tao reportedly said, adding that the infection rate would accelerate by another 10 percent over the weekend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report was shared by several other news outlets but appeared to have been edited by Saturday morning to remove the case figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China\'s National Health Commission said Saturday that 4,103 new domestic infections were recorded nationwide the previous day, with no new deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Shandong, the province where Qingdao is located, authorities officially logged just 31 new domestic cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China\'s government keeps a tight leash on the country\'s media, with legions of online censors on hand to scrub out content deemed politically sensitive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most government-run publications have downplayed the severity of the country\'s exit wave, instead depicting the policy reversal as logical and controlled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But some outlets have hinted at shortages of medicine and hospitals under strain, though estimates of actual case numbers remain rare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government of eastern Jiangxi province said in a Friday social media post that 80 percent of its population -- equivalent to around 36 million people -- would be infected by March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 18,000 Covid patients had been admitted to major medical institutions in the province in the two weeks up to Thursday, including nearly 500 severe cases but no deaths, the statement said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 04:40:28', '2022-12-24 04:40:28'),
(3971, 3971, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thousands of Awami League leaders and activists have gathered at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan this morning to make their 22nd National Council a success.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The theme of this year’s council is: “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to party sources, the council usually goes on for two days but this time, it will be held for a day. Keeping the global recession in mind, AL has taken this initiative of curtailing the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 7,000 councilors and lakhs of delegates are expected to participate in this year’s National Council.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first session will begin at 10:30 am today. There will be a break for lunch and prayers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Party sources said that Awami League will form its executive committee, taking into consideration the 12th national election scheduled for early 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those who will assume leadership will confront all domestic and foreign conspiracies and work to implement the election manifesto of Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A spectacular stage has been erected in the shape of a boat at Suhrawardy Udyan. The stage is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There will be five gates for entry. One of these is a VIP gate, while the other four are for councilors. The gates were opened for councilors and delegates from 7 am. Councilors and delegates are seen entering the venue through the gates amid tight security. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 04:43:39', '2022-12-24 04:43:39'),
(3972, 3972, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the 22nd national council of one of the sub-continent\'s largest political parties, Bangladesh Awami League.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She opened the council by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons at 10.30am at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, amid tight security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On her arrival at the venue, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the AL, was received by the party\'s senior leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The main theme of this year\'s council is \'Unnoyon Abhijatrai Deshratna Sheikh Hasinar Netritte Bangabandhur Swapner Unnoto, Samridho O Smart Bangladesh Gorar Protoye\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> <span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, will place the report of the general secretary while AL Presidium Member and reception committee convener Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim,MP, is expected to deliver the address of welcome.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Biplab Barua will place the obituary references.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Around 7,000 each councilors and delegates and thousands of the AL leaders and activists thronged the venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">   </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There will be a break for lunch and prayers after the end of the inaugural session. Then the council session will be held in the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). Party\'s president and general secretary will be elected in the session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A three-member election commission has already been formed to elect the leadership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 11 sub-committees are working for the council. As per the tradition, party president Sheikh Hasina is chairman of the council preparatory committee and general secretary Obaidul Quader is its member secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The stage was made in the shape of a boat along with Padma Bridge which is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, LED monitors are put in the council venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party\'s manifesto for the election will focus on \"smart Bangladesh\" by 2041.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AL has not invited any representatives of foreign political parties to the inaugural session of the council, butl invited leaders of other political parties in the country, including the BNP and Jatiya Party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign envoys stationed in Dhaka were invited alongside eminent personalities of the country, ministers, and lawmakers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The venue and adjoining areas have been decorated with the images of some achievements of the government, including Padma Bridge, metro rail, and Bangabandhu satellite and pictures and portraits of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and their family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party was initially floated as the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League at the historic Rose Garden in Dhaka, but the word \"Muslim\" was dropped during its third council in 1955 to make the party more inclusive and secular.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina has been the party president nine times while Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani were president of the party four times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu was AL general secretary five times, Tajuddin Ahmed four times, Zillur Rahman and Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury were AL general secretaries three times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of maintaining austerity in view of the global economic crisis, the council is being arranged in a simple manner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previous councils were held in two days but this time council is being held on a single day to minimize costs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> The 21st council of the party was held on December 20-21. The budget of the last council was Taka 3.43 crore. The national committee of the party has approved Taka 3.13 crore for this 22nd national council. 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, '2022-12-24 04:53:00', '2022-12-24 06:10:02'),
(3973, 3973, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air quality continues to be in the \'unhealthy\' zone. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 196 at 9:25 am on Saturday, Dhaka ranked third in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">India’s Kolkata and Ghana’s Accra occupied the first two spots, with AQI scores of 228 and 196 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform 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;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 05:11:34', '2022-12-24 05:11:34'),
(3974, 3974, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka-The Assembly of the Republic (Parliament) of Portugal has formed its very first 10-member Parliamentary Group for Portugal-Bangladesh Friendship.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Vice-President of the Assembly of the Republic (Deputy Speaker of Parliament) Dr. Adão Silva officially confirmed this to Bangladesh Portuguese Parliament creates first-ever friendship group for Bangladesh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Tarik Ahsan in Lisbon, the Bangladesh Mission said in a release on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recently, Bangladesh had been included in the updated list of Parliamentary Friendship Groups for the (current) 15th Parliament of Portugal, along with 58 other countries including two others from South Asia, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The said Group would be presided over by Deputy Speaker of Portuguese Parliament Dr. Adão Silva from centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Parliamentary Groups for Friendship of Portugal are mandated to engage in dialogue and cooperation with the parliaments of countries that are friends of Portugal. They are responsible for promoting the actions needed to intensify relations with the parliaments and parliamentarians of other states, particularly regarding the exchange of knowledge and experiences, the exchange of information and mutual consultations, and the publicizing and promotion of common interests in the political, economic, social and cultural fields.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is the fruition of an idea of Parliamentary cooperation that was floated during a meeting between Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahariar Alam, MP and Deputy Speaker Dr. Adão Silva held in Lisbon in May 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Formation of this Group is undoubtedly a friendly gesture of the people of Portugal toward Bangladesh and it will strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries. 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, '2022-12-24 05:33:18', '2022-12-24 05:33:18'),
(3975, 3975, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka- A light to thick blanket of fog is likely to envelop large parts of Bangladesh for up to 12 hours from Friday midnight.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Moderate to thick fog may occur over the river basins and northern part of the country and light to moderate fog elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country, it added. \"Night and day temperatures may fall slightly over the country.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 8.4-degree Celsius in Badalgachhi of Rajshahi division in the last 24 hours till 6am Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The highest temperature was recorded at 29.6-degree Celsius in Teknaf of Chattogram division. 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, '2022-12-24 06:06:05', '2022-12-24 06:06:05'),
(3976, 3976, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Actor Kriti Sanon took to Instagram and shared a video and a picture with actor Shahid Kapoor. She had a crazy time while travelling with Shahid on a flight. She brought her inner child out to annoy him while extending wishes for Christmas on Friday.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also shared a happy picture with him from their fun time. Shahid also shared a video with Kriti on his social media handle. He called her ‘annoying co passenger.’</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taking to Instagram Stories, Kriti shared a video with Shahid. She can be seen annoying Shahid with a red Christmas cap. She rubbed the fur ball of the cap all over his head and face. Shahid pretended to sneeze as she brought the fur ball to his nose.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kriti wore a black woolen sweater while Shahid opted for a white one. Kriti captioned the clip, “My way of wishing a “Merry Christmas\" along with Santa and Christmas tree emojis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kriti also shared a happy picture with Shahid from the flight and wrote, “KS &amp; SK.” Reacting to the picture, one of Kriti\'s fans wrote, “Waiting for Kriti-Shahid together.” Another fan commented, “Waiting to see your chemistry with @shahidkapoor sir. All the best to both of you (smiling face with red heart eyes emojis).”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other fan wrote, “You guys are looking awesome together (red heart and smiling face with red heart eyes emojis).” “Can\'t wait to know more about the film! Sounds so cool”, added another. Many fans dropped heart emojis on the post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taking to Instagram Stories, Shahid also shared a video in which he annoyed Kriti with a fur ball as she held a bottle in her hand. He later made a gun expression with his hand. Shahid captioned, “When you have a really annoying over enthu co passenger.” Kriti and Shahid are rumoured to be working together on Dinesh Vijan\'s next movie. The official announcement is yet to be made.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kriti was recently seen in Bhediya alongside Varun Dhawan, helmed by Amar Kaushik. The film released on November 25, 2022. It also stars Abhishek Banerjee, Deepak Dobriyal and Paalin Kabak. She will be next seen in Om Raut\'s epic Adipurush, an adaptation of the Ramayana with Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan. The film is set to release in 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shahid is set to make his digital debut with director Raj and DK\'s upcoming action thriller series, Farzi, along with Vijay Sethupathi. It will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Apart from that, he also has director Ali Abbas Zafar\'s next Bloody Daddy as his upcoming project. 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, '2022-12-24 06:47:38', '2022-12-24 06:47:38'),
(3977, 3977, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A teenager was killed during a shooting at the Mall of America on Friday that sent frightened customers at the nation’s largest shopping center racing into a lockdown just before the holiday weekend, police said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said the victim was a 19-year-old man. A bystander’s jacket was also grazed by a bullet during the shooting at the mall’s Nordstrom location.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There appeared to be some type of altercation between two groups and at one point, someone pulled out a gun and shot the victim multiple times, the chief said. The entire incident lasted about 30 seconds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hodges urged the gunman and the others involved in the fight to turn themselves into police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are going to catch you, we are going to lock you up and you are going to get an orange jumpsuit,” he said. “It’s just a matter of when it’s going to happen.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also warned people against aiding the suspects in avoiding arrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If anybody helps these people — I mean so much as buy them a Happy Meal, give them a ride,” the visibly upset chief said. “We’re going to lock you up with them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mall is expected to reopen Saturday but the Nordstrom store will remain closed, Hodges said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since it opened in 1992, the mall has been a tourist destination and community gathering spot. It bans guns on the premises but shoppers have generally not been required to pass through metal detectors. The mall said in October it was testing a “weapons detection system” at one of its entrances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hodges said the mall is continuously evaluating its security measures, including the possibility of adding metal detectors. Still, the chief added, “if we have an incident where someone decides they want to pull out a gun and shoot somebody with a complete lack of respect for human life, then I still don’t know what we can do to stop that.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police did not identify the man who was killed but Hodges said he and Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse spoke to the victim’s relatives on Friday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The family here — I really feel bad for them,” Hodges said. “Their last week before Christmas and now they’re having to bury one of their loved ones.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mall video surveillance showed the altercation between the two groups — estimated as five to nine people — erupt into a fistfight before one person pulled out a gun and opened fire, the chief said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We don’t know why it happened or what happened,” Hodges said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A nearby Bloomington police officer — one of 16 stationed at the mall Friday — heard the gunshots around 7:50 p.m. The officer tried life-saving measures but the victim died.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lockdown lasted for about an hour before the mall tweeted that shoppers were being sent outside. Videos posted on social media show shoppers hiding in stores, and an announcement in the mall warned people to seek shelter. Some videos show shoppers running for cover after a loud bang is heard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reported shooting comes as shopping centers and malls across the U.S. see an influx of customers just days before Christmas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jenny Hefty of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and her 16-year-old daughter had just gotten off the escalator up to the mall’s second floor, in front of the Nordstrom store, when people started running toward them and screaming. Her daughter thought she heard gunshots, although Hefty did not.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“At first we thought they were just messing around,” she told The Associated Press on Friday night. “It was like ‘why are all these kids running by us?’”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Retailers began shutting their doors and her husband told them to run as armed guards rushed toward Nordstrom, where Hefty had been trying perfume about 20 minutes earlier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trio raced to their hotel in the mall complex and frantically tried to reach the couple’s 18-year-old daughter, 21-year-old son and their friends on their cellphones. They had been shut inside stores or whisked into safer spots as the mall locked down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The family, which often travels the four hours to the mall, was in town for the Minnesota Vikings football game against the New York Giants on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Of course we wanted to come early and do some Christmas shopping,” Hefty said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Giants were staying at a hotel adjacent to the mall. Pat Hanlon, the team’s executive vice president of communications, said he believes some players were in the mall at the time of the shooting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Everyone is back in the hotel and accounted for now,” Hanlon said Friday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mall was placed on lockdown in August after a reported shooting at the suburban Minneapolis shopping complex sent some shoppers running for cover and two people were wounded last New Year’s Eve during an apparent altercation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representatives from the city of Bloomington and Nordstrom did not immediately return requests for comment. 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, '2022-12-24 07:09:40', '2022-12-24 07:09:40'),
(3978, 3978, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining area moved west-northwestwards at 6 am on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is likely to move west-southwestwards afterwards, said a special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised not to venture into the depression area. 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, '2022-12-24 07:39:05', '2022-12-24 07:39:05'),
(3979, 3979, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today made a call to world leaders not to provoke Ukraine-Russia war and end it immediately.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“I will urge the world leaders, stop the Ukraine-Russia war, stop provoking them. We want peace,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ruling party chief was delivering her inaugural speech at the 22nd national council of the country’s oldest political party, aiming to elect new leadership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme of this year\'s council is “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said that all countries are independent and all have the right to act independently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saying that Bangladesh does not want war, she added that the country also does not want sanctions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We do not want war, we do not want sanctions… war causes suffering for humanity,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard she recalled the experience during the Liberation War in 1971.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We know the adversity of war, we experienced that in 1971,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina mentioned that women are affected the most during wars and children are also negatively impacted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Their (women and children) human rights are violated, children are suffering from the cold winter… We do not want war,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said that Bangladesh was just coming out from the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This war is just demolishing all our advancements,” she said. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 08:56:58', '2022-12-24 08:56:58'),
(3980, 3980, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked party leaders and activists to remain united in order to resist conspiracies and advance the country towards prosperity.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“There will be blows and conspiracies, but AL leaders and activists will remain united and move forward facing adversity,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The ruling party chief was delivering her inaugural speech at the 22nd national council of the country\'s oldest political party - aiming to elect new leadership.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the council by hoisting the national flag at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.</div><div><br></div><div>The theme of this year\'s council is “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina reiterated that Bangladesh will never move back.</div><div><br></div><div>“InshAllah we will materialize the dreams of the Father of the Nation,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the economy is heading in the right direction.</div><div><br></div><div>“Only AL can advance a country and develop it,” she added.</div><div>The PM mentioned that evil forces are engaged in hatching conspiracies against the country to derail it from the path of development and prosperity, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>“No matter how many conspiracies the evil forces hatch against us, the nation will move forward, and we will fulfill the dreams of the Father of the Nation,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 09:30:03', '2022-12-24 09:30:03'),
(3981, 3981, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Riding on the fifties of Zakir Hasan and Liton Das, Bangladesh set a target of 145 for India to win the Dhaka Test. Given the situation they were in, it was a good effort from the tailenders of the hosts.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh ended their first innings on 231, with Liton scoring the highest of 73.</div><div><br></div><div>They started the day with seven without losing any wickets. But in the first session of the day, Bangladesh lost four wickets, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Mushfiuqr Rahim failing to offer any challenge to the Indian bowlers.</div><div><br></div><div>But Zakir and Liton proved that a little patience would have resulted in a bigger score for the Tigers.</div><div><br></div><div>Axar Patel bagged three wickets for India while Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammad Siraj took two wickets each.</div><div><br></div><div>Nurul Hasan Sohan and Taskin Ahmed posted 31 each, helping the hosts to get a lead close to 150.</div><div><br></div><div>India will have around 23 overs on the third day.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, India posted 314 in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh’s 227 and secured a first-innings lead of 87 runs.</div><div><br></div><div>Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer were India\'s most successful batters, posting 93 and 87 runs, respectively. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 10:40:37', '2022-12-24 10:40:37'),
(3982, 3982, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 5 people were killed and 5 were injured in road accidents in Kurigram and Savar on Saturday morning.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In Kurigram, three people died and five were injured in two accidents that took place in Trimohini area of the Kurigram-Rangpur road and on Phulbari-Dharla road in Phulbari upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>According to police and locals, at around 8 am, a dhaka-bound bus of Aman Paribahan lost control and hit an auto-rickshaw and a nearby grocery store. The accident left the passenger of the auto-rickshaw and a passerby dead on the spot.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the deceased is Md Abdul Hannan, 45, but the identity of the other could not be ascertained.</div><div><br></div><div>Five injured passengers were admitted to Kurigram General Hospital. Abdus samad, one of the injured, was later transferred to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital due to critical condition.</div><div><br></div><div>Confirming the matter, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Kurigram Sadar Police Station, Zahid Hasan, said they seized the bus after recovering the dead bodies. The bus driver was sent to Rangpur for treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>In another incident, a tractor helper, Shariful Islam, 16, fell off the tractor as the driver suddenly hit the brake.</div><div><br></div><div>According to locals, the teenager was in a critical condition as he was run over by a truck.</div><div><br></div><div>Shariful later died after being taken to the hospital.</div><div>Confirming the matter, Sarwar Parvez,In-charge (Investigation) of Phulbari Police Station, said legal action will be taken in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>In Savar, two people were killed when a bus hit a motorbike at the Noyarhar area on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Savar highway police, the accident left one person dead on spot. Another passenger later died after being taken to the hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>The identity of the deceased is yet to be known. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 13:22:14', '2022-12-24 13:22:14'),
(3983, 3983, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A BNP leader (Abdur Rashid) was killed during a fierce clash between the party activists and police in Panchagarh. Over 50 people including police were injured during the incident as well.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased leader was identified as Abdur Rashid Arefin (50) joint convener of Maidandighi union unit BNP on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>He died while undergoing treatment at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, he was taken to the hospital in a critical condition, District BNP committee member Mirza Nazmul Islam confirmed the matter to media.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the scheduled program on Saturday afternoon, BNP leaders and activists took out a procession from the district BNP office located in Panchagarh around 2:30pm.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>When the police obstructed the procession, a chase and counter chase between BNP activists and the law enforcers ensued. The clash lasted for about an hour and a half.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to locals, the deceased BNP leader was injured by police batons.</div><div><br></div><div>Panchagarh Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Latif Miah said at least eight policemen were injured.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 13:33:54', '2022-12-24 13:33:54'),
(3984, 3984, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh fought their way into what earlier appeared a lost cause on Saturday, knocking over four Indian wickets to leave the visitors teetering after Liton Das compiled a gritty half-century on the third day of the second Test in Dhaka.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh bowlers were given 145 runs to defend after Liton\'s steely 73 and a wagging tail steered the hosts to 231 all out.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the subpar score, spinners Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan rose to the challenge, reducing India to 45-4 at stumps with 100 still left to chase, leaving the match unexpectedly hanging in the balance.</div><div><br></div><div>Mehidy claimed three wickets after Shakib\'s initial breakthrough, removing Cheteshwar Pujara (six), Shubman Gill (seven) and Virat Kohli (one). Shakib started the slide with the wicket of captain K.L. Rahul for two.</div><div><br></div><div>Axar Patel survived the day to stay unbeaten on 26 alongside nightwatchman Jaydev Unadkat (three), with first-innings heroes Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer yet to come in.</div><div><br></div><div>Axar had earlier downed three Bangladesh batters and all of India\'s bowlers were among the wickets. Liton rode his luck in an innings where he was dropped twice by Kohli -- first off Axar and then Ravichandran Ashwin -- to score what could be 73 vital runs.</div><div><br></div><div>There was little support on the other end for Liton after opener Zakir Hasan (51) fell soon after lunch until wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan joined him at the crease and the pair compiled an aggressive 46-run stand.</div><div><br></div><div>That stand was broken by Axar when he drew Nurul out of his crease to set up an easy stumping for Pant.</div><div><br></div><div>Liton then added another brisk 60 runs alongside Taskin Ahmed (31 not out) before he was bowled by a Mohammed Siraj delivery that nipped back in and found the gap between bat and pad.</div><div><br></div><div>Even with those small pockets of resistance, India looked to be in complete control of the match, picking up regular wickets with all their bowlers getting a part of the spoils.</div><div><br></div><div>Ashwin had Najmul Hossain trapped leg-before for five in the second over of the day before Siraj removed Bangladesh\'s first-innings top-scorer Mominul Haque for the same score.</div><div><br></div><div>Unadkat then got skipper Shakib (13) to spoon a length delivery to Gill at cover in his first over of the day.</div><div><br></div><div>With the hosts struggling, Axar added to their misery on the stroke of lunch, trapping the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim lbw for nine.</div><div><br></div><div>He added two more to his tally after the break, getting Mehidy lbw for nought before dismissing Nurul for 31.</div><div><br></div><div>Siraj, Ashwin, and a run-out accounted for the final three wickets.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh bowlers had given their side a glimmer of hope in Friday\'s final session, restricting India\'s lead to 87 runs just when the visitors looked like they might amass a mammoth score.</div><div><br></div><div>Pant and Iyer were running rampant, with both crossing fifty at rapid pace, ending at 93 and 87 respectively, but Bangladesh knocked over the last six Indian wickets for 61 runs.</div><div><br></div><div>India won the first Test of the two-match series by 188 runs in Chittagong. Source: AFP </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 14:20:48', '2022-12-24 14:24:38'),
(3985, 3985, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With two more deaths reported from dengue in 24 hours till Saturday morning, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 274 this year.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>During this period, 89 more patients, including 59 in Dhaka city, were hospitalised, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 501 dengue patients, including 297 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The DGHS has recorded 61,972 dengue cases and 61,195 recoveries so far this year. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 14:38:10', '2022-12-24 14:38:10'),
(3986, 3986, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira believes Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez\'s \"stupid\" celebrations have tarnished Argentina\'s World Cup final win.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Martinez was a key figure in Argentina\'s victory over France.</div><div><br></div><div>He made a fine save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in extra-time and then denied Kingsley Coman in the shoot-out in Qatar as Argentina won a thrilling final.</div><div><br></div><div>But the keeper was then seen making a crude gesture after winning the golden glove trophy for the best goalkeeper at the tournament.</div><div><br></div><div>Then, during Argentina\'s victory parade in Buenos Aires, he was seen holding a baby doll with its face covered by a photograph of France star striker Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the final but still finished on the losing side.</div><div><br></div><div>Vieira, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, was unimpressed by Martinez\'s antics.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Some of the pictures I saw from the Argentinian goalkeeper, I think, take away a little bit what Argentina achieved at the World Cup,\" said Vieira a pre-match press conference ahead of Palace\'s Premier League match against London rivals Fulham.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I don\'t think they really needed that.</div><div><br></div><div>\"You can\'t control sometimes people\'s emotional decisions. But that was a stupid decision, I think, from Martinez to do that,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Martinez will return to Birmingham next week, with Villa manager Unai Emery intending to talk to the 30-year-old about his controversial behaviour.</div><div><br></div><div>\"When you have big emotion, sometimes it is difficult to control it,\" Emery said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I will speak to him next week about some celebrations but I respect that he is now under the national team and when he will be with us, he is our responsibility then we can speak about it.\"</div><div><br></div><div>French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Casteran was scathing about Martinez\'s conduct, saying: \"I find it pitiful.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s just vulgar, inappropriate, really not up to the occasion. This Emiliano Martinez is not distinguishing himself. It is rather pathetic.\"&nbsp; Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 14:58:24', '2022-12-24 14:58:24');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(3987, 3987, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pooja Sengupta, artistic director of Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre, has been honored with the “Friendship Medal” from the President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I’m delighted to inform you that the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has awarded you the Friendship Medal for your contribution to promoting the traditional friendship relations between Vietnam and Bangladesh,” said Vietnamese Ambassador in Bangladesh Phan Viet Chien in a letter to Pooja Sengupta.</div><div><br></div><div>The President of Viet Nam has authorized the Ambassador to hand over the friendship medal to Pooja and expressed high appreciation for her art work “Ho Chi Minh- A journey to explore the light within.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Embassy of Vietnam in Bangladesh is going to host an award giving ceremony on Wednesday at the Embassy Chancery.</div><div><br></div><div>Young dance artist and cultural entrepreneur Pooja Sengupta is the only Bangladeshi to receive this prestigious award from the government of Vietnam this year, said a media release.</div><div><br></div><div>Turongomi received the official letter from the Vietnam Embassy in Bangladesh to produce and stage a dance theatre on the life of President Ho Chi Minh in 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>In September 5-6, 2019 the production premiered in Dhaka at the National Theatre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.</div><div><br></div><div>The production received huge appreciation from the audience, critics, media, bureaucrats, diplomats and eminent artists of all genres.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the first Bangladeshi production to be cited at the panorama of International Dance Council UNESCO, being mentioned as the first ever Biography Dance Theatre in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>The 40 minutes Dance Theatre is a creative work conceptualized, scripted, designed, choreographed and directed by Pooja sengupta.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2017, Turongomi was nominated and awarded at the very prestigious “International Dance Festival 2017” hosted by the government of Vietnam.</div><div><br></div><div>Turongomi was selected for their popular production Anamika Sagorkonna.</div><div><br></div><div>A team of 10 members attended the festival under the leadership of Pooja Sengupta.</div><div><br></div><div>Since its inception in 2014, Turongomi has been working with the motto of establishing the signature style of Bangladeshi dance in the international arena and for achieving professionalism in the dance scenario of Bangladesh. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 15:30:30', '2022-12-24 15:30:30'),
(3988, 3988, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Afghanistan\'s Taliban-run administration on Saturday ordered all local and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGO) to stop female employees from coming to work, according to an economy ministry letter, in the latest crackdown on women\'s freedoms.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The letter, confirmed by economy ministry spokesperson Abdulrahman Habib, said the female employees were not allowed to work until further notice because some had not adhered to the administration\'s interpretation of Islamic dresscode for women.</div><div><br></div><div>It comes days after the Taliban-run administration ordered universities to close to women, prompting strong global condemnation and sparking some protests and heavy criticism inside Afghanistan.</div><div><br></div><div>It was not immediately clear how the order would affect United Nations agencies, which have a large presence in Afghanistan delivering services amid the country\'s humanitarian crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>When asked whether the rules included UN agencies, Habib said the letter applied to organisations under Afghanistan\'s coordinating body for humanitarian organisations, known as ACBAR. That body does not include the United Nations, but includes over 180 local and international NGOs.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the United Nations often contracts with NGOs registered in Afghanistan to carry out its humanitarian work.</div><div><br></div><div>Aid workers say female workers are critical to ensuring women can access aid. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-24 16:07:56', '2022-12-24 16:07:56'),
(3989, 3989, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his people to persevere in the face of Russian attacks as the country celebrates Christmas.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a defiant speech on Saturday, he said: \"Freedom comes at a high price. But slavery has an even higher price.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s missile and drone attacks have left millions of Ukrainians without power, heating and running water.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Saturday, Russian air strikes killed 10 people in Ukraine\'s southern Kherson city, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The regional authorities said another 68 people were injured and called on local residents to urgently donate blood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Describing Russia as a \"terrorist country\", Mr Zelensky accused Russian troops of \"killing for the sake of intimidation and pleasure\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a post on social media, he showed pictures of streets strewn with bodies and burning cars, saying \"the world must see and understand what absolute evil we are fighting against\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kherson, the only regional capital captured by Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February, was liberated by Ukraine last month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since then it has been frequently targeted by Russian forces positioned on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro river.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians in its attacks. However, President Vladimir Putin has recently admitted that Russian troops have been hitting Ukraine\'s critical energy facilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians, and mark Christmas Eve - the main day of the festive season in the country - on 6 January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, a growing number of worshippers have been celebrating the day on 24 December, in line with the majority of Christians around the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a video address to the nation late on Saturday, Mr Zelensky said: \"We endured at the beginning of the war. We endured attacks, threats, nuclear blackmail, terror, missile strikes. Let\'s endure this winter because we know what we are fighting for.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We will celebrate our holidays! As always. We will smile and be happy. As always. The difference is one. We will not wait for a miracle. After all, we create it ourselves.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For many Ukrainians, Christmas will be in the dark and in the cold, says the BBC\'s Hugo Bachega in Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Ukrainians say the hardships have only made them stronger, as the war enters its 11th month, our correspondent adds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday, fierce fighting continued in Ukraine\'s eastern Donbas region where Russian troops attacked the strategic town of Bakhmut. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 02:28:06', '2022-12-25 02:28:06'),
(3990, 3990, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">It was the $10bn gift to the world. A machine that would show us our place in the Universe.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The James Webb Space Telescope was launched exactly a year ago, on Christmas Day. It had taken three decades to plan, design and build.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Many wondered whether this successor to the famed Hubble Space Telescope could actually live up to expectations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">We had to wait a few months while its epic 6.5m primary mirror was unpacked and focused, and its other systems tested and calibrated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But, yes, it was everything they said it would be. The American, European and Canadian space agencies held a party in July to release the first colour images. What you see on this page are some of the pictures subsequently published that you may have missed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first thing you have to remember about James Webb is that it is an infrared telescope. It sees the sky at wavelengths of light that are beyond what our eyes are able to discern.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Astronomers use its different cameras to explore regions of the cosmos, such as these great towers of gas and dust. The Pillars were a favourite target of Hubble. It would take you several years travelling at the speed of light to traverse this entire scene.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They call this scene the Cosmic Cliffs. It\'s the edge of a gigantic, gaseous cavity within another dusty, star-forming nebula, known as Carina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cavity has been sculpted by the intense ultraviolet radiation and winds from hot, young stars just out of shot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From one side of this image to the other is a distance of roughly 15 light years. One light year is equal to about 9.46 trillion km (5.88 trillion miles). BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"5\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 02:36:03', '2022-12-25 02:36:03'),
(3991, 3991, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An order by the Taliban banning women from working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has been condemned by the United Nations, which said the move violated fundamental rights.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Islamist rulers justified the move by saying female NGO staff had broken dress codes by not wearing hijabs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decree comes just days after female students were banned from universities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US Secretary of State also criticised the move saying it would be \"devastating for the Afghan people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Female Afghan NGO workers acting as the main earners in their household told the BBC of their fear and helplessness.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One asked: \"If I cannot go to my job, who can support my family?\" Another breadwinner called the news \"shocking\" and insisted she had complied with the Taliban\'s strict dress code.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A third woman questioned the Taliban\'s \"Islamic morals\", saying she would now struggle to pay her bills and feed her children.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The world is watching us and doing nothing,\" said another female interviewee. The BBC is not publishing the women\'s names in order to protect them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saturday\'s order came in a letter from the Ministry of Economy to both national and international NGOs. It threatened to cancel the licence of any organisation that did not swiftly comply.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By way of explanation, it said women were breaking Sharia law by failing to wear the hijab.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The move has sparked international outrage, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying he was deeply concerned, adding that it \"will disrupt vital and life-saving assistance to millions\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Women are central to humanitarian operations around the world. This decision could be devastating for the Afghan people,\" Mr Blinken said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was also described as a \"clear breach of humanitarian principles\" by a senior United Nations official.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN agencies have a significant presence in the country, carrying out relief and development work. An urgent meeting of the Humanitarian Country Team was planned for Sunday to respond to the news.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An employee of Save the Children told BBC News the organisation was planning to meet Taliban authorities, saying that if women were not allowed to work then some NGOs would have to close.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is also feared that Afghan women could be left unable to receive aid directly, if organisations are only allowed to employ men. Taliban rules prevent men from working with women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Female employees were \"essential\" for reaching other women and girls, explained Melissa Cornet from Care International.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added: \"Without them, the humanitarian situation might deteriorate rapidly, in a situation where most of the country is already facing life-threatening levels of hunger.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The South Asian branch of Amnesty International described the ban as \"yet another deplorable attempt to erase women from the political, social and economic spaces\" of Afghanistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One doctor working in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and nearby remote villages said she was \"sad and devastated\" at the development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She predicted \"great difficulty\" for women trying to access medical treatment, as they \"can\'t fully tell their problems to men\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, one imam - whose identity is again being protected by the BBC - said the Taliban was \"not committed to any Islamic value\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He explained: \"Islam has not said that men can educate and women cannot. Or men can work and women cannot. We are confused about this decision.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A ban on women attending Afghan universities earlier this week met similar criticism. It triggered protests - including in Herat on Saturday - which were rapidly suppressed by the Taliban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since seizing back control of the country last year, the group has steadily restricted women\'s rights - despite promising its rule would be softer than the regime seen in the 1990s.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As well as the ban on female university students - now being enforced by armed guards - secondary schools for girls remain closed in most provinces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women have also been prevented from entering parks and gyms, among other public places. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 02:40:55', '2022-12-25 02:40:55'),
(3992, 3992, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The music world has been paying tribute to the lead singer of British dance act Faithless with one iconic band hailing him as \"an incredible talent\".</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Maxi Jazz, whose real name was Maxwell Fraser, died \"peacefully in his sleep\" on Friday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The musician and DJ was a core member of Faithless - a band best known for its club classic Insomnia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dutch trance legend Armin van Buuren hopes Jazz\'s music keeps on \"inspiring others\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Various aspects of the music industry have continued to pay tribute to Jazz since his death was announced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Independent label Rough Trade Records said the 65-year-old played a \"pivotal role in the world of British electronica\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UB40\'s Judge Jules described Jazz as an \"incredible talent and a complete gent\", while DJ and radio presenter Mistajam remarked that Jazz\'s \"words and performances touched so many of us\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jazz was a huge fan of Crystal Palace Football Club and became an associate director in 2012.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Crystal Palace\'s first team will walk out to Faithless as they take on Fulham at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Boxing Day, the club\'s chairman wrote on Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Steve Parish added: \"Desperately sad to hear the news that we lost Maxi this morning. He was such a huge talent, a massive supporter of the club in every way and just a wonderful kind-hearted man.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He made the world dance, sing and laugh and someone I was privileged to call a friend. RIP Maxi.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Born in Brixton, south London, Jazz also fronted a band called Maxi Jazz &amp; The E-Type Boys and released music with the group Soul Food Cafe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DJ David Pearce said Faithless became an \"iconic force in UK dance music from the mid-90s and touched so many lives\". He said Jazz was \"dance music\'s poet\" and a \"warm, cool, friendly soul\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faithless formed in 1995 and were pioneers of stadium dance music. They headlined some of the world\'s biggest festivals including Glastonbury, taking to the Pyramid stage in 2002. They were nominated for Best UK Dance Act at the Brit Awards in 1999 and 2002.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The band split in 2011 but returned to release a new studio album almost a decade later, during the Covid pandemic. However, they weren\'t joined by Jazz, who had formed another band, Maxi Jazz &amp; The E-Type Boys.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The guitar band marked a new sound for Jazz, who began writing the material in 2013, during Faithless\'s hiatus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On their website, the band described their sound as incorporating \"melodic funk and blues mixed with reggae beats, dub baselines [and] Jamaican melodies\". BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 02:48:57', '2022-12-25 02:48:57'),
(3993, 3993, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A frigid winter storm killed at least 18 people as it swept across the country, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses and leaving millions of people on edge about the possibility of Christmas Eve blackouts.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm unleashed its full fury on Buffalo, New York, with hurricane-force winds causing whiteout conditions. Emergency response efforts were paralyzed, and the city’s international airport was shut down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the U.S., officials have attributed deaths to exposure, car crashes, a falling tree limb and other effects of the storm. At least three people died in the Buffalo area, including two who suffered medical emergencies in their homes and couldn’t be saved because emergency crews were unable to reach them amid historic blizzard conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deep snow, single-digit temperatures and day-old power outages sent Buffalo residents scrambling Saturday to get out of their houses to anywhere that had heat. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Buffalo Niagara International Airport would be closed through Monday morning and almost every fire truck in the city was stranded in the snow.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“No matter how many emergency vehicles we have, they cannot get through the conditions as we speak,” Hochul said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Blinding blizzards, freezing rain and frigid cold also knocked out power in places from Maine to Seattle, while a major electricity grid operator warned the 65 million people it serves across the eastern U.S. that rolling blackouts might be required.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pennsylvania-based PJM Interconnection said power plants are having difficulty operating in the frigid weather and has asked residents in 13 states to conserve electricity through at least Christmas morning. The Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides electricity to 10 million people in the state and parts of six surrounding ones, directed local power companies to implement planned interruptions but ended the measure by Saturday afternoon. The start of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans’ game in Nashville was delayed an hour by a planned power outage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the six New England states, more than 273,000 customers remained without power on Saturday, with Maine the hardest hit and some utilities saying it could be days before electricity is restored.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In North Carolina, 169,000 customers were without power as of the afternoon, down from a peak of more than 485,000, but utility officials said rolling blackouts would continue for “the next few days.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those without power included James Reynolds of Greensboro, who said his housemate, a 70-year-old with diabetes and severe arthritis, spent the morning bundled beside a kerosene heater with indoor temperatures “hovering in the 50s.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga, two people died in their homes Friday when emergency crews could not reach them in time to treat their medical conditions, according to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. He said another person died in Buffalo and said the blizzard may be “the worst storm in our community’s history.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was taking ambulances over three hours to do one trip to a hospital, Poloncarz said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Forecasters said 28 inches (71 centimeters) of snow accumulated as of Saturday in Buffalo. Last month, areas just south of the city saw a record 6 feet of snow (about 1.8 meters) from a single storm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest storm knocked out the furnace in the Buffalo home of Brian LaPrade, who woke up Saturday morning to indoor temperatures dipping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I had to go out and dig out the vents,” LaPrade said. “As it was, the snow was taller than my snow blower.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plows were on the roads, but large snow drifts, abandoned cars and downed power lines were slowing progress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the Ohio Turnpike, four died in a pileup involving some 50 vehicles. A Kansas City, Missouri, driver was killed Thursday after skidding into a creek, and three others died Wednesday in separate crashes on icy northern Kansas roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A utility worker in Ohio was also killed Friday while trying to restore power, according to the Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative. It said the 22-year-old died in “an electrical contact incident” near Pedro in Lawrence County.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A woman in Vermont died in a hospital Friday after a tree broke in the high winds and fell on her. Police in Colorado Springs said they found the body of a person who appeared to be homeless as subzero temperatures and snow descended on the region. Near Janesville, Wisconsin, a 57-year-old woman died Friday after falling through the ice on a river, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office announced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Along Interstate 71 in Kentucky, Terry Henderson and her husband, Rick, were stuck for 34 hours in a massive traffic jam caused by several accidents. The truck drivers weathered the wait in a rig outfitted with a diesel heater, a toilet and a refrigerator but nonetheless regretted trying to drive from Alabama to their home near Akron, Ohio, for Christmas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We should have stayed,” Terry Henderson said after they got moving again Saturday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm was nearly unprecedented in its scope, stretching from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico. About 60% of the U.S. population faced some sort of winter weather advisory or warning, and temperatures plummeted drastically below normal from east of the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, the National Weather Service said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As millions of Americans were traveling ahead of Christmas, more than 2,360 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were canceled Saturday, according to the tracking site FlightAware.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Mexico, migrants camped near the U.S. border were facing unusually cold temperatures as they awaited a U.S. Supreme Court decision on pandemic-era restrictions that prevent many from seeking asylum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Forecasters said a bomb cyclone — when atmospheric pressure drops very quickly in a strong storm — had developed near the Great Lakes, stirring up blizzard conditions, including heavy winds and snow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Western New York often sees dramatic lake-effect snow, which is caused by cool air picking up moisture from the warm water, then dumping it on the land. But even area residents found conditions Christmas Eve to be dire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Latricia Stroud and her two daughters, 1 and 12, were stranded without heat or power in their Buffalo house since Friday afternoon, with the snow too deep to leave.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I have to go over a snowbank to get out,” Stroud told the AP. “There’s a warming center, I just need a ride to get there.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 02:53:59', '2022-12-25 02:53:59'),
(3994, 3994, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Recalling Jesus’ birth in a stable, Pope Francis rebuked those “ravenous” for wealth and power at the expense of the vulnerable, including children, in a Christmas Eve homily decrying war, poverty and greedy consumerism.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis presided over the evening Mass attended by about 7,000 faithful, including tourists and pilgrims, who flocked to the church on a warm evening and took their place behind rows of white-robed pontiffs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Francis drew lessons from the humility of Jesus’ first hours of life in a manger.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“While animals feed in their stalls, men and women in our world, in their hunger for wealth and power, consume even their neighbors, their brothers and sisters,” the pontiff lamented. “How many wars have we seen! And in how many places, even today, are human dignity and freedom treated with contempt!”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“As always, the principal victims of this human greed are the weak and the vulnerable,” said Francis, who didn’t cite any specific conflict or situation.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This Christmas, too, as in the case of Jesus, a world ravenous for money, power and pleasure does not make room for the little ones, for the so many unborn, poor and forgotten children,” the pope said, reading his homily with a voice that sounded tired and almost hoarse. “I think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Still, the pontiff exhorted people to take heart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Do not allow yourself to be overcome by fear, resignation or discouragement.” Jesus’ lying in a manger shows where “the true riches in life are to be found: not in money and power, but in relationships and persons.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remarking on the “so much consumerism that has packaged the mystery” of Christmas, Francis said there was a danger the day’s meaning could be forgotten.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But, he said, Christmas focuses attention on “the problem of our humanity — the indifference produced by the greedy rush to possess and consume.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Jesus was born poor, lived poor and died poor,” Francis said. “He did not so much talk about poverty as live it, to the very end, for our sake.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Francis urged people to “not let this Christmas pass without doing something good.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the Mass ended, the pope, pushed in a wheelchair by an aide, moved down the basilica with a life-sized statue of Baby Jesus on his lap and flanked by several children carrying bouquets. The statue then was placed in a manger in a creche scene in the basilica.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Francis, 86, has been using a wheelchair to navigate long distances due to a painful knee ligament and a cane for shorter distances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Traditionally, Catholics mark Christmas Eve by attending Mass at midnight. But over the years, the starting time at the Vatican has crept earlier, reflecting the health or stamina of popes and then the pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two years ago, the start of Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica was moved up to 7:30 p.m. to allow faithful to get home before for a nighttime curfew imposed by the Italian government as a measure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Although virtually all pandemic-triggered restrictions have long been lifted in Italy, the Vatican kept to the early start time.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During Saturday evening’s service, a choir sang hymns. Clusters of potted red poinsettia plants near the altar contrasted with the cream-colored vestments of the pontiff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims were expected to crowd into St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis deliver an address on world issues and give his blessing. The speech, known in Latin as “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world), generally is an occasion to review crises including war, persecution and hunger, in many parts of the globe. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 03:11:31', '2022-12-25 03:11:31'),
(3995, 3995, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A local BNP leader who was beaten up by police died from his injuries and at least 50 others from both sides were injured during a clash between cops and opposition activists in Panchagarh on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased was identified as Abdur Rashid Arefin, 50, from Boda upazila. He was serving as the joint convener of Moyna Dighi Union BNP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resident Medical Officer at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital, Towfiq Ahmed, said an injured man named Arefin was brought to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. The precise cause of death can be confirmed after an autopsy, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of BNP’s movement for pressing home the 10-point demand it unveiled at its Dhaka divisional rally on December 10, the party\'s Panchagarh-based leaders and activists gathered at the local party office on Saturday around noon, said witnesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before they could bring out any procession though, the law enforcers released tear shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse the gathering, according to witnesses. Those who protested the police\'s actions were baton-charged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP activists eventually dispersed, and then a series of chase-counterchase ensued, that continued for nearly 90 minutes. The BNP activists at this stage resorted to throwing brick chips at police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another BNP activist killed during clash with police&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was only after additional backup forces arrived in the evening, that the police were able to finally take control of the situation well after 6pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">District BNP convener Zahirul Islam Kachchu claimed they were planning to hold a peaceful rally when police arrived and ratcheted up the tension</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They dispersed us by firing tear gas, lathi charge and rubber bullets leaving BNP leader Arefin dead and around two hundred activists injured,” he alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kachchu demanded a judicial inquiry into the police action against what was planned to be a peaceful rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arefin would become the 8th BNP leader/activist killed at the hands of police since the party started holding a series of rallies and demonstrations starting in August, including the 10 large divisional rallies and smaller ones in district towns such as the one in Panchagarh today. Police however have not owned up to the killings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Panchagarh Superintendent of Police SM Sirajul Huda held a press briefing in the evening, where he denied the allegation and claimed Arefin was a cardiac patient and died of a heart attack. He also claimed there were no signs of injury on Arefin’s dead body, and his postmortem will be done on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Police were forced to fire the tearshells and rubber bullets for their safety, as BNP activists vandalised public property and attacked police,\" SP Huda said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the injured, some 25 are opposition activists, while 12 are from police, SP Huda disclosed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said a case will be filed against the BNP activists for attacking police, obstructing government activity and damaging public property. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2022-12-25 03:19:42', '2022-12-25 03:19:42');
