INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6141, 6141, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Interested film producers have been asked to submit their entries for the National Film Award-2022 by 4pm on May 10.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The jury board, formed for assessing the films submitted by producers to select the awardees, disclosed this at its first meeting held at Bangladesh Film Censor Board (BFCB) office here today said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>The interested film producers could collect the particular application form from the BFCB office or download it from its website (www.bfcb.gov.bd) from April 4 to May 10, the release added.</div><div><br></div><div>They (producers) have been asked to submit proposed film in DVD format or by pen drive (two copies) and resume (Bangla) of proposed artistes, co-artistes and individuals with four copies of passport size photo, attested photocopy of national identity cards or passports with the application.</div><div><br></div><div>For proposing child artistes, the producers have been asked to submit attested photocopy of birth registration certificate with the application.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the release, the award will be given to 28 categories only among the Bangladeshi citizens.</div><div><br></div><div>Films produced in joint production will be considered for the award, but foreign artistes will not be eligible for the award.</div><div><br></div><div>The films must have BFCB censor certificates and been released in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>There is no requirement for theatrical release in case of short and documentary films, but those have to get censor certificate in 2022 (considered year). - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-02 20:55:47', '2023-04-02 20:55:47'),
(6142, 6142, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An international arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin raises the prospect of the man whose country invaded Ukraine facing justice, but it complicates efforts to end that war in peace talks.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Both justice and peace appear to be only remote possibilities today, and the conflicting relationship between the two is a quandary at the heart of a March 17 decision by the International Criminal Court to seek the Russian leader\'s arrest.</div><div><br></div><div>Judges in The Hague found “reasonable grounds to believe” that Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights were responsible for war crimes, specifically the unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>As unlikely as Putin sitting in a Hague courtroom seems now, other leaders have faced justice in international courts.</div><div><br></div><div>Former Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic, a driving force behind the Balkan wars of the 1990s, went on trial for war crimes, including genocide, at a United Nations tribunal in The Hague after he lost power. He died in his cell in 2006 before a verdict could be reached.</div><div><br></div><div>Serbia, which wants European Union membership but has maintained close ties to Russia, is one of the countries that has criticized the ICC\'s action. The warrants “will have bad political consequences” and create “a great reluctance to talk about peace (and) about truce” in Ukraine, populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said.</div><div><br></div><div>Others see consequences for Putin, and for anyone judged guilty of war crimes, as the primary desired outcome of international action.</div><div><br></div><div>“There will be no escape for the perpetrator and his henchmen,\" European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen said Friday in a speech to mark the one-year anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, the Ukraine town that saw some of the worst atrocities in the war. “War criminals will be held accountable for their deeds.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hungary did not join the other 26 EU members in signing a resolution in support of the ICC warrant for Putin. The government\'s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, said Hungarian authorities would not arrest Putin if he were to enter the country..</div><div><br></div><div>He called the warrants “not the most fortunate because they lead toward escalation and not toward peace.”</div><div><br></div><div>Putin appears to have a strong grip on power, and some analysts suspect the the warrant hanging over him could provide an incentive to prolong the fighting.</div><div><br></div><div>“The arrest warrant for Putin might undermine efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine,” Daniel Krcmaric, an associate professor of political science at Northwestern University, said in emailed comments to The Associated Press.</div><div><br></div><div>One potential way of easing the way to peace talks could be for the United Nations Security Council to call on the International Criminal Court to suspend the Ukraine investigation for a year, which is allowed under Article 16 of the Rome Statute treaty that created the court.</div><div><br></div><div>But that appears unlikely, said Krcmaric, whose book “The Justice Dilemma,” deals with the tension between seeking justice and pursuing a negotiated end to conflicts.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Western democracies would have to worry about public opinion costs if they made the morally questionable decision to trade justice for peace in such an explicit fashion,” he said, adding that Ukraine also is unlikely to support such a move.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia immediately rejected the warrants. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow doesn’t recognize the ICC and considers its decisions “legally void.” And Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, which is chaired by Putin, suggested the ICC headquarters on the Netherlands\' coastline could become a target for a Russian missile strike.</div><div><br></div><div>Alexander Baunov, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment, observed in a commentary that the arrest warrant for Putin amounted to “an invitation to the Russian elite to abandon Putin” that could erode his support.</div><div><br></div><div>While welcoming the warrants for Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights, rights groups also urged the international community not to forget the pursuit of justice in other conflicts.</div><div><br></div><div>“The ICC warrant for Putin reflects an evolving and multifaceted justice effort that is needed elsewhere in the world,” Human Rights Watch associate international justice director Balkees Jarrah said in a statement.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Similar justice initiatives are needed elsewhere to ensure that the rights of victims globally — whether in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, or Palestine — are respected.” - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-02 21:17:50', '2023-04-02 21:17:50'),
(6143, 6143, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Britain’s interior minister Suella Braverman on Sunday said the UK government was “in negotiations” after three British men were detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Media reports have identified the men as charity medic Kevin Cornwell, 53, the unnamed manager of a hotel for aid workers and YouTube star Miles Routledge.</div><div><br></div><div>“The government is in negotiations and working hard to ensure people’s safety is upheld,” Braverman told Sky News.</div><div><br></div><div>The non-profit group the Presidium Network said on Twitter on Saturday it had been “working closely with two of the families.”</div><div><br></div><div>“We are working hard to secure consular contact with British nationals detained in Afghanistan and we are supporting families,” the UK’s foreign ministry added in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Scott Richards of the Presidium Network told Sky News: “We believe they are in good health and being well treated.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have no reason to believe they’ve been subject to any negative treatment such as torture and we’re told that they are as good as can be expected in such circumstances.”</div><div><br></div><div>He added, however, that there had been “no meaningful contact” between authorities and the two men Presidium was assisting.</div><div><br></div><div>These two men are believed to have been held by the Taliban since January.</div><div><br></div><div>It is not known how long the third man has been held for.</div><div><br></div><div>Presidium on Twitter urged the Taliban to be “considerate of what we believe is a misunderstanding and release these men.”</div><div><br></div><div>Last year the Taliban freed a veteran television cameraman and four other British nationals it had held for six months.</div><div><br></div><div>Peter Jouvenal was one of a “number” of Britons that the government in London said had been held by the hard-line Islamists.</div><div><br></div><div>Britain’s foreign ministry said the five “had no role in the UK government’s work in Afghanistan and traveled to Afghanistan against the UK government’s travel advice.”</div><div><br></div><div>“This was a mistake,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>At the time, Afghanistan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused the Britons of “carrying out activities against the country’s laws and traditions of the people of Afghanistan.”</div><div><br></div><div>“After consecutive meetings between the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) and Britain the said persons were released... and handed over to their home country,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“They promised to abide by the laws of Afghanistan, its traditions and culture of the people and not to violate them again,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 and has since sparked global outrage with its policies in particular toward women and girls. According to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-02 21:23:12', '2023-04-02 21:23:12'),
(6144, 6144, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The selection test for Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) will start in colleges from May 30.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board issued a notice in this regard on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>All the educational institutions have been asked to complete the selection test within June 21.</div><div><br></div><div>The decision is applicable for Dhaka, Rajshahi, Jashore, Cumilla, Chattogram, Barishal, Sylhet, Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh Madrasha and Technical Education Board and the controller of examinations of Bangladesh Inter-Education Board.</div><div><br></div><div>The authorities concerned have been asked to take necessary steps in this regard. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-02 21:36:12', '2023-04-02 21:36:12'),
(6145, 6145, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Meherpur court on Sunday sentenced nine people to death for killing two siblings in Gangni upazila of Meherpur district in 2012.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The condemned convicts are—Abdul Halim, Atier Rahman, Jalal Uddin, Shariful Islam, Sharif Hossain, Dabir Uddin, Azizul Haque, Farid Hossain and Manirul Islam Moni.</div><div><br></div><div>Meherpur Additional District and Session Judge Ripti Kumar Biswas handed down the punishment.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also fined Tk 20,000 to each, in default, to suffer six months more in rigorous imprisonment.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prosecution, a big consignment of phensidyl was seized at Kazipur in Gangni upazila of the district on June 5, 2012.</div><div><br></div><div>There was an allegation against two brothers—Abujel, 35 and Rafiqul Islam, 40, two sons of Kiamuddin---that they were behind the seizure.</div><div><br></div><div>In a sequel, the convicts called upon the two siblings to an unknown place saying to settle down the issue on June 15, 2012.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the two siblings were found dead at a chili field along the bordering area at Mandal Para in Kazipur village.</div><div><br></div><div>Jarina Begum, sister of the two siblings, lodged a complaint with Gangni Police. Police later registered a case in this connection.</div><div><br></div><div>Sub-inspector Asaduzzaman of Gangni Police Station submitted chargesheet against 14 people.</div><div><br></div><div>After examining records and witnesses, Meherpur Additional District and Session Judge Ripti Kumar Biswas also acquitted five people as allegations brought against them could not be proved. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-02 21:46:00', '2023-04-02 21:46:00'),
(6146, 6146, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur granted the bail on a bond of Tk 20,000.</div><div><br></div><div>A Dhaka court on Thursday sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition. Another petition was filed on Monday seeking bail.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the journalist was shifted to Kashimpur Central Jail from Keraniganj on March 31. Meanwhile, he was taken back to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj from Kashimpur Central Jail on April 1.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 29, members of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in plainclothes picked up Shams from his residence in Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.</div><div><br></div><div>The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a \"false and fabricated report\" on the Prothom Alo website.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 29, an FIR was filed by a lawyer named Abdul Malek (Mashiur Malek), accusing Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, an unnamed “assistant cameraman”, and unnamed others of “using print, online, and electronic media to tarnish the image and reputation of the state.”</div><div><br></div><div>In the FIR, the lawyer also mentioned that the accused were “purposefully spreading misinformation to deteriorate the law and order situation of the country.”</div><div><br></div><div>The High Court on Sunday granted six weeks anticipatory bail to Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman in a case filed under the Digital Security Act. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 15:45:37', '2023-04-03 15:45:37'),
(6147, 6147, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh has achieved the capacity in conducting critical medical surgeries including kidney transplantation.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"Bangladesh has gained huge progress in medical treatment. It has now become capable to carry out many critical operations including kidney transplant,\" she noted during an interaction with a Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) delegation at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>BSMMU vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed led the delegation which paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban, the premier’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed newsmen after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Moon, the premier said her government has reached healthcare services to every doorstep following the footstep of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>She said her government has given topmost priority on extending healthcare services to the people.</div><div><br></div><div>Concerned physicians, kidney transplanted patients Shamima Akhter and Shabnam Sultana and mother of Kidney donor Sara Islam were present, among others.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on January 19 last, a team of physicians at BSMMU Hospital led by Prof Dr Habibur Rahman Dulal successfully transplanted kidneys collected from a clinically dead person to two patients.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the first cadaveric kidney transplant performed in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>They took the kidneys from Sara Islam, a 20-year-old patient who was at the intensive care unit and declared clinically dead on January 18 afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The kidneys were collected after Sara\'s mother gave her consent for the operation.</div><div><br></div><div>Kidney transplantation from living donors began in Bangladesh in 1982. But taking a kidney from a clinically dead patient was restricted legally.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2018, the organ donation law was amended allowing collection of organs from the clinically dead with consent from concerned relatives. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 16:17:55', '2023-04-03 16:17:55'),
(6149, 6149, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP leaders met the mother of Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, who was arrested in a case filed under the (Digital Security Act), at her father’s house in Dhamrai.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Two BNP leaders--party’s media cell convener Zahiruddin Swapan, and its member secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, went to the house of Shamsuzzaman’s grandfather around 11am.</div><div><br></div><div>Anee told UNB that said they talked to Shamsuzzaman’s mother Karimun Nessa and consoled her.</div><div><br></div><div>“She (Karimun Nessa) burst into tears expressing her agony over the arrest of her son,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Anne said Shamsuzzaman’s mother said her son did not do bad journalism. “I don’t know for what crime my son was taken in the dark of the night. I want to get my son back.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said he told Kamrunnesa that the entire country has turned into a jai as the government has been trying to arrest those who are raising their voice and speaking the truth. “Shamsuzzaman was arrested as he presented the truth. Thank Allah that he has not been subjected to enforced disappearance.”</div><div><br></div><div>Anne said his party colleague Zahiruddin Swapan told the journalist’s mother that the country’s people would not accept if any injustice is done to Shamsuzzaman.</div><div><br></div><div>Both BNP leaders urged the government to withdraw the case against Shamsuzzaman and revoke the Digital Security Act (DSA) to ensure press freedom.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 29, members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in plainclothes picked up Shams from his residence in the Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.</div><div><br></div><div>The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a \"false and fabricated report\" on the Prothom Alo website.</div><div><br></div><div>However, a Dhaka court on Monday granted him bail in the case. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 17:32:45', '2023-04-03 17:32:45'),
(6150, 6150, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways today demanded a ban on motorbike movement on all highways for at least 9 days before, during and after Eid.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The organisation also called for taking strict action to stop the movement of three-wheelers and charging extra bus fare on all inter-district roads, including highways, during Eid travel.</div><div><br></div><div>The national committee President Haji Mohammad Shahid Mia and its general secretary Ashis Kumar Dey made this call in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, leaders of the civic organisation demanded to stop the movement of unregistered, defective and unauthorized vehicles on all roads and highways of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>They also urged Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to strengthen the operation of mobile court and law enforcement agencies, including police, to implement these demands.</div><div><br></div><div>Emphasizing safe and hassle-free Eid travel, the statement said that the number of motorcycle accidents across the country is increasing at a geometric rate. Motorcycle accidents accounted for more than 40 percent of all road crashes last year. There is a fear of more mishaps during the Eid season due to the long-distance commute on these two-wheelers.</div><div><br></div><div>Small and unsafe vehicles slow down larger vehicles like buses and trucks on highways and inter-district roads, the statement said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This increases the risk of accidents and traffic jams. Despite the government ban, various types of three-wheelers including battery-powered rickshaws and numerous locally made vehicles such as Nasimon, Karimon, Bhotbhoti and Alam Sadhu are plying the highways and inter-district roads across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Citing examples from the near past, the statement of the national committee alleged that on many roads, various transport companies charge commuters one-and-a-half to double the fare on every Eid trip. As a result, bus owners and workers earn extra money, but general people are suffering financial losses. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 19:28:44', '2023-04-03 19:28:44'),
(6151, 6151, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed was ruled out of the only Test against Ireland after sustaining a side strain injury.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A BCB official confirmed Taskin needs at least two weeks to recover from the injury. He got injured during the T20 International series against Ireland in which he was adjudged man of the series for his eight wickets.</div><div><br></div><div>He also didn\'t join any practice session for the Test against Ireland. The injury has been the part of Taskin\'s life ever since he shot into the limelight.</div><div><br></div><div>He came back to cricket with a Test match against India in Mirpur after injury kept him sidelined for seven months. The injury once again forced him to miss another Test.</div><div><br></div><div>Taskin claimed 22 wickets in 14 T20 Internationals and grabbed 23 wickets in 15 ODIs in this season. He also took 19 wickets in seven Test matches. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 19:43:47', '2023-04-03 19:43:47'),
(6152, 6152, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie said on Monday the team were excited but aware of the challenges ahead of their fourth-ever Test match beginning in Bangladesh this week.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Ireland have lost all three of their previous Test matches since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council in 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>They are also scheduled to play two more Test matches against Sri Lanka later this month.</div><div><br></div><div>\"(There is) a lot of excitement coming into this week,\" Balbirnie said ahead of the match starting on Tuesday in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Many in the squad have never played a Test before and the length of the game and the conditions would be challenging, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s certainly very hot out there. It\'s a new ground for us as a team,\" Balbirnie said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A lot of our guys have been brought up on white-ball cricket, in T20 cricket. A batter (in Tests) has to set himself to bat for as long as possible. Bowlers have to be as disciplined as possible. That\'s going to be the biggest challenge.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Ireland found the preceding 50-over and T20 series against Bangladesh tough going, losing 2-0 and 2-1 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The hosts will be without fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for the Test because of a side strain. He has been replaced in the squad by Rejaur Rahman Raja.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh also denied permission to skipper Shakib Al Hasan and his deputy Liton Das to join the Indian Premier League until the end of the Test match.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are playing a full team after a long time. We have a good combination. We are all playing regularly, and in good touch,\" said all-rounder Mehidy Hasan ahead of the Test. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 19:58:57', '2023-04-03 19:58:57'),
(6153, 6153, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday Finland will become the 31st member of the world’s biggest military alliance on Tuesday, prompting a warning from Russia that it would bolster its defenses near their joint border if NATO deploys any troops in its new member.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“This is a historic week,” Stoltenberg told reporters on the eve of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. “From tomorrow, Finland will be a full member of the alliance.” He said that he hopes Sweden will be able to join NATO in coming months.</div><div><br></div><div>The former Norwegian prime minister said that on Tuesday afternoon, “we will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at the NATO headquarters. It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security, and for NATO as a whole.”</div><div><br></div><div>Stoltenberg said that Turkey, the last country to have ratified Finland’s membership, will hand its official texts to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. Stoltenberg said he would then invite Finland to do the same.</div><div><br></div><div>Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen will attend the ceremony, along with Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is a historic moment for us. For Finland, the most important objective at the meeting will be to emphasize NATO’s support to Ukraine as Russia continues its illegal aggression,” Haavisto said in a statement. “We seek to promote stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.”</div><div><br></div><div>Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Moscow would respond to Finland becoming NATO’s member by bolstering its defenses if needed.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will strengthen our military potential in the west and in the northwest,” Grushko said in remarks carried by the state RIA Novosti news agency. “In case of deployment of forces of other NATO members on the territory of Finland, we will take addition steps to ensure Russia’s military security.”</div><div><br></div><div>The announcement of Finland’s entry comes just after Finnish voters gave a boost to conservative parties in a weekend election, depriving left-wing Prime Minister Sanna Marin of another term. Marin had championed her country’s NATO accession.</div><div><br></div><div>Fearing that they might be targeted after Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, the Nordic neighbors Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional positions of military non-alignment to seek protection under NATO’s security umbrella.</div><div><br></div><div>All 30 allies signed Finland’s and Sweden’s accession protocols. Turkey and Hungary delayed the process for months but have relented on Finland. Turkey has sought guarantees and assurances from the two, notably on tackling extremism. Hungary’s demands have never been explicit.</div><div><br></div><div>NATO must agree unanimously for new members to join. NATO officials are also keen to bring Sweden within the fold before U.S. President Joe Biden and his alliance counterparts meet in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on July 11-12, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“Sweden is not left alone. Sweden is as close as it can come as a full-fledged member,” Stoltenberg said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 20:06:31', '2023-04-03 20:06:31'),
(6154, 6154, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Surat court on Monday granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case over his 2019 remark about the surname Modi.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The sessions court will hear the matter on April 13, an official said.</div><div><br></div><div>The 52-year-old Congress leader reached Surat in the afternoon via a scheduled commercial flight along with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and proceeded to the sessions court.</div><div><br></div><div>He was convicted by a lower court here and sentenced to prison for two years last month for a speech in which he linked PM Modi\'s last name with two fugitive businessmen, remarking how the \"thieves\" shared the same last name.</div><div><br></div><div>The lower court had granted him bail for 30 days to appeal the verdict.</div><div><br></div><div>A day later, he was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha. - PTI</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 20:12:09', '2023-04-03 20:12:09'),
(6155, 6155, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman have been warned to avoid stigmatizing British Pakistanis and Muslims following controversial comments ahead of the unveiling of a new taskforce to tackle sexual abuse, The Independent reported on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Braverman last week said high-profile cases of sexual grooming gangs, which operate across the UK, are primarily composed of “groups of men, almost all British Pakistani.”</div><div><br></div><div>The government has pledged a slew of new measures to crack down on grooming gangs, but the opposition Labour Party, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and academics have warned the home secretary to avoid singling out ethnic or religious groups.</div><div><br></div><div>When unveiling the latest measures, Sunak pledged to avoid “political correctness” regarding ethnicity while tackling grooming gangs.</div><div><br></div><div>The new taskforce aims to bring together a range of law enforcement groups to target sexual predators. Ethnic data will be used as part of police investigations into grooming gang cases.</div><div><br></div><div>However, NSPCC CEO Sir Peter Wanless told the BBC that the gangs, as well as sexual predators, “do not just come from one background.”</div><div><br></div><div>He warned the government to avoid “creating other blind spots” by “raising an issue such as race.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sabah Kaiser, the ethnic minority ambassador for the independent inquiry into child abuse, said it is “very, very dangerous for the government to turn child sexual abuse into a matter of color.”</div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday, Braverman accused Labour councillors of failing to take action on grooming gangs over fears of being branded as racist.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to her comments, Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “The vast majority of sexual abuse cases do not involve those of ethnic minorities and so I am all for clamping down on any kind of case, but if we are going to be serious, we have to be honest about what the overlook is.”</div><div><br></div><div>He added: “Ethnicity is important and nothing should get in the way of investigating and prosecuting child sexual exploitation. But if you look at the overall figure that is, you know, a relatively small element of it.”</div><div><br></div><div>Academics including Ella Cockbain, an associate professor at University College London, also condemned Braverman’s remarks.</div><div><br></div><div>Cockbain told BBC Radio 4 that Braverman “is choosing to mainstream hard-right talking points, and to push discredited stereotypes. That is really dangerous and reductive. It allows other offenders to get away with abuse.”</div><div><br></div><div>Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, accused the government of failing child sexual abuse victims.</div><div><br></div><div>She said: “Only 11 percent of child sexual abuse cases ends with a charge - down from 32 percent seven years ago - and the court delays have got far worse with victims waiting years for justice.” - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 21:54:55', '2023-04-03 21:54:55'),
(6156, 6156, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A seminar on climate change and disaster management was held today at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) on its campus in Gazipur.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>In the seminar, Dr. Jennifer Pickering of Memphis University, USA presented the keynote paper on \"Rethinking Geomorphic Drivers in Bengal: Impacts of Megafloods on Fluvial-Deltaic System Dynamics\", said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>BOU vice-chancellor Professor Dr Syed Humayun Akhter and Professor Dr. Mike Blum of University of Kansas, USA, BOU Pro-VC (Administration) Professor Dr Nasim Banu, Pro-VC (Academic) Professor Dr Mahbuba Nasreen, Treasurer Professor Mostafa Azad Kamal and Open School dean Professor Sabina Yeasmin addressed the seminar, among others.</div><div><br></div><div>While addressing on Megafloods on Fluvial-Deltaic System, Dr. Jennifer said, the paleo valley floor is defined by a gravel unit containing boulder-sized casts up to 30 cm in diameter, deposited after ca. 30 ka but before ca. 9 ka.</div><div><br></div><div>The current research indicates that glacial-lake outburst floods sourced from the Tibetan reaches of the Brahmaputra were routed through the low stand valley, producing mega flood-scale discharge capable of transporting gravel and cannibalizing the valley margins, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Jennifer said the timing of these glacial-lake outburst flood-driven discharge events was coincident with valley development and explains the anomalously large width of the valley and basal gravel surface, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the underfit scale of Brahmaputra discharge following the last glacial period, a strengthening monsoon and high sediment discharge in the early Holocene subsequently contributed to the efficient infilling of the massive paleo valley by the mid-Holocene, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 22:02:44', '2023-04-03 22:02:44'),
(6157, 6157, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indiana Jones will be swinging back into action at the Cannes Film Festival in May, organisers confirmed on Monday, with Harrison Ford launching the world premiere of his final outing as the adventurous archaeologist.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny\", which also stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Antonio Banderas, is the fifth installment of the action franchise and will premiere at the Cote d\'Azur festival on May 18.</div><div><br></div><div>Ford has said it will be his last appearance as the whip-cracking, fedora-wearing archaeologist, who became one of Hollywood\'s most iconic characters after the movie\'s first installment, \"Raiders of the Lost Ark\", in 1981.</div><div><br></div><div>The previous entry, \"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull\", also premiered at Cannes in 2008.</div><div><br></div><div>The new film, said to be set during the 1960s space race, includes a flashback section in which the 80-year-old actor has been digitally de-aged.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the first in the series not to have been directed by Steven Spielberg. He still serves as executive producer but passes the reins to James Mangold.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In 1995, I was honoured to come to Cannes with my first film \'Heavy\' as part of the Director\'s Fortnight. Twenty-eight years later, I am proud to return with a slightly larger spectacle,\" Mangold said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Mangold has had a steady run of Hollywood successes, including \"Logan\" (2017), \"Ford v Ferrari\" (2019) and Johnny Cash biopic \"Walk the Line\" (2005).</div><div><br></div><div>This year\'s festival runs from May 16 to 27, and the full line-up will be announced in the next couple of weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest film from Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, \"Killers of the Flower Moon\", is already confirmed to get its world premiere at the festival on May 20. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 22:15:04', '2023-04-03 22:15:04'),
(6158, 6158, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said their party is least bothered about the Election Commission’s decisions to use ballot papers in all 300 seats instead of EVMs in the upcoming polls as their main concern is about the election-time government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mirza Fakhrul said this while speaking at an iftar party on Monday. BNP hosted the iftar party in honour of politicians at Ladies Club in the city’s Eskaton area.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that a suffocating situation has been prevailing in the country as the government has been increasingly trying to suppress the people’s freedom of expression by repressing democracy-loving people, including politicians and journalists, as the national election is nearing.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission has said today (Monday) that ballot papers will be used in all seats in the election, he said. “We don’t have even an iota of interest in the matter. We think the main crisis is who will be there in the government during the election and it’s our main concern.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As a four member BNP delegation joined Jatiya Party’s iftar on Sunday unlike previous 16 years, a Jatiya delegation took party in BNP’s iftar reciprocating a good gesture, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul alleged that the government has destroyed the electoral system as it has come a long way from the Liberation War’s spirit of building a democratic state.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the government created a situation to confuse people once again by staging various dramas and farce in the name of election.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said BNP and many other political parties agreed that no fair election can be held under the current regime which is neither elected nor illegal.</div><div><br></div><div>Accusing the current government of destroying democracy, he said it must quit, dissolve parliament and hand over power to a bon-party caretaker government, paving the way for holding a credible election.</div><div><br></div><div>“We believe that the people of this country never accepted any dictatorship and autocracy. The brave people of Bangladesh have always fought for their freedom and rights and succeeded,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that people of all walks of life and all political parties will join the current movement for the restoration of democracy and voting and other lost rights.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, as the national election is getting closer, Fakhrul alleged that the democratic people, organizers, dissents, politicians, lawyers and journalists are being gradually subjected to torture and their freedom of expression is being hampered in various ways, including by filing false cases. An unbearable situation has been prevailing in the country.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 22:24:43', '2023-04-03 22:24:43'),
(6159, 6159, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A single admission test will be held in all universities of the country from next year, Education Minister Dipu Moni said on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>National Testing Authority (NTA) will be formed to conduct the exam, the minister said at a policy-making meeting on the single admission test for the academic year 2023-2024 held at UGC.</div><div><br></div><div>Dipu Moni called upon the concerned to prepare for the single admission test from now on.</div><div>Besides, a committee headed by the UGC chairman will be formed soon regarding the solo entrance test, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>UGC Chairman Prof Dr. Kazi Shahidullah presided over the meeting while members of the commission Prof Dr. Dil Afroza Begum, Prof Dr. Md. Sajjad Hossain, Secondary and Higher Education Department Additional Secretary Md Abu Yusuf Mia and UGC Secretary Dr. Ferdous Zaman were also present.</div><div><br></div><div>The examination procedure will be discussed in detail with the dean of the university and the examination committee in this regard, the minister said, adding that the schedule of the single entrance examination will be published after HSC examination.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the initiative is being taken for the sake of students and guardians and hoped that there will be no chance to raise any questions about its quality.</div><div><br></div><div>Teaching can be started in a short period of time if the admission test is held simultaneously in all universities, UGC Chairman Kazi Shahidullah said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The success of the single admission test would be a huge achievement in the higher education sector, he hoped.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-03 22:36:03', '2023-04-03 22:36:03'),
(6160, 6160, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Former US President Donald Trump has arrived at Trump Tower in New York, where he is expected to spend the night before facing criminal charges.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Trump\'s trip to Manhattan will see him indicted for his alleged role in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The exact charges he faces will be disclosed in full at the hearing, at around 14:15 local time (19:15 BST).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Trump, 76, is the first US president in history to face a criminal case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He denies wrongdoing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"WITCH HUNT,\" Mr Trump, a Republican, wrote on his Truth Social platform shortly before travelling from his home in Florida on Monday, a phrase he has used to criticise other investigations he has faced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Every moment of this 24-hour trip by the former president and 2024 White House contender is being closely watched nationwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Live trackers followed his plane - painted in red, white and blue with \"Trump\" in big letters on the side - throughout the nearly four-hour flight from West Palm Beach to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anticipating his arrival, the intersection around Trump Tower - the former president\'s Manhattan residence - was buzzing with New Yorkers and tourists alike who stopped to gawk at Monday\'s scene. Dozens of media crews had set up camp on every available corner while at least five news helicopters hovered high over Fifth Avenue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Trump waved at media and a crowd of supporters and protesters before walking in to the skyscraper under tight security, just after 16:15 local time (20:15 GMT).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was expected to spend the rest of the day at home with legal advisers, a team that grew on Monday with the addition of Todd Blanche. Mr Blanche, a prominent white-collar criminal defence lawyer and former federal prosecutor, previously represented Mr Trump\'s onetime campaign chairman Paul Manafort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday morning, police and court officers as well as Secret Service agents are expected to escort Mr Trump through New York - the city he grew up in and where he built his property empire - to the Lower Manhattan court complex.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The president is expected to first surrender at the office of Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg before he is arraigned in court, a process that includes being fingerprinted and possibly having a booking photo - also known as a mugshot - taken.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will then appear before a judge who will read the indictment - the set of charges - to him. His lawyers have already said he will plead not guilty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Trump faces at least one felony charge in relation to allegedly falsifying business records, US media have reported. Other reports suggest there are about 30 counts in his indictment, all linked to a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Media outlets have lobbied Judge Juan Merchan to allow cameras inside the courtroom, a motion that has been opposed by Mr Trump\'s legal team. \"We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment,\" the lawyers wrote in a letter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former president is expected to be released on bail and return to his Florida home Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening, where he plans to deliver remarks at 20:15 local time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law enforcement agencies - including the FBI, New York police and court officers, and the Secret Service - were co-ordinating on security for the hearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a news conference on Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that, while there were no specific threats against the city, officials were prepared.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"While there may be some rabble rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves,\" he said. \"New York is our home and not a place for your misplaced anger.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Joe Biden, at an event in the state of Minnesota, told reporters he had no concerns about unrest in New York, saying: \"I have faith in the New York Police Department.\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 08:30:39', '2023-04-04 08:30:39'),
(6161, 6161, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A massive fire broke out at Bangabazar market in the capital this morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Forty-one units of fire service are working to control the fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Confirming the matter, Rafi Al Faruk, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defense control room, said the fire was reported at Bangabazar market at 6:10am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cause of the fire could not be known immediately, he said, adding that no casualties have been reported so far.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to eyewitnesses, owners and employees of the market\'s shops rushed to the spot after hearing the news of the fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Many were seen removing goods from their stores and moving them to a secure location.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 08:42:06', '2023-04-04 08:42:06');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6162, 6162, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An Israeli air strike targeted the Syrian capital Damascus Tuesday, state media reported, the fourth such attack on government-held areas of the war-torn country since last Thursday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During more than a decade of civil war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our air defence intercepted hostile targets in the Damascus airspace,\" state news agency SANA said, referring to the Israeli missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It had earlier reported \"an explosion heard in the vicinity of Damascus\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that \"Israeli missiles targeted the area of the Damascus International Airport, an Iranian complex near the Sayyidah Zeinab area,\" and another location in al-Kiswah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Syria\'s air defence intercepted at least two missiles, the Observatory said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, two Iran-affiliated fighters were killed in an Israeli air strike on targets in Syria, according to the British-based monitor with a wide network of sources inside the country, with SANA reporting five Syrian soldiers wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel struck early Sunday near the western Syrian city of Homs, after striking the Syrian capital Thursday and early Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A rare car bombing also rocked Damascus on Sunday, with no deaths reported and no side claiming responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Israel rarely comments on the strikes it carries out on Syria, it has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch-foe Iran to extend its footprint in the war-torn country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Syrian war broke out in 2011 with the brutal repression of peaceful anti-government protests, and escalated into a deadly armed conflict that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than half a million people have been killed and around half of Syria\'s pre-war population has been forced from their homes. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 09:51:30', '2023-04-04 09:51:30'),
(6163, 6163, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Joe Biden on Monday shrugged off a sharp output cut by Saudi-led OPEC+ oil producers, while the White House criticized the move but said it would be of limited impact on the US economy.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s not going to be as bad as you think,\" Biden told reporters while traveling in Minnesota to promote his economic record.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters \"we don\'t think that production cuts are advisable at this moment, given market uncertainty.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States \"made that clear,\" he said, but added: \"we\'re focused on moving ahead here.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A group of OPEC+ countries, led by longtime close US ally Saudi Arabia, announced a surprise cut of one million barrels a day in a bid to boost prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia, which is also part of OPEC+, said it was extending a previously announced unilateral cut of 500,000 barrels a day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirby said the situation had improved since production cuts a year ago that angered the Biden administration, which was struggling at the time to stem a politically sensitive surge in fuel prices across the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re also just in a different place in the market than we were last year,\" he said, noting that crude prices are at around $80 a barrel, compared to as much as $120 one year ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re focused on prices,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about the troubled relationship with Saudi Arabia, Kirby said the country \"is still a strategic partner\" but \"we don\'t always see eye to eye on everything.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirby said that the latest production cuts were not sprung as a complete surprise to the US government. \"We were given a heads up.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 10:19:19', '2023-04-04 10:19:19'),
(6164, 6164, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh has urged all to work together to come up with innovative solutions to better integrate individuals with disabilities into society and ensure that none is left behind.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that 75 million people in the world who live with autism can make the most of their talents and participate fully in our societies,\" said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was speaking at a high-level event, titled “World Autism Awareness Day 2023: Inclusion for health through the life course”, which was jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh, Qatar, World Health Organization and UNICEF at the United Nations Headquarters on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar, and Ambassador Muhammad A Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, delivered the welcome remarks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his keynote speech, Foreign Secretary Momen said that Bangladesh has seen tremendous increase in awareness on autism in the past decade, thanks to Saima Wazed, Chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He highlighted the various initiatives of the Government of Bangladesh which includes, among others, enactment of Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013; Neuro-development Trust Act 2013; establishment of more than 100 Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorder centers and introduction of capacity building trainings for caregivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Simultaneously, with our national efforts, we had been advocating the issue at the UN, including through adopting UNGA resolution, and co-hosting the World Autism Awareness Day every year since its launching in 2007. We also made specific commitments in the Second Global Disability Summit 2022 to address the challenges persons with autism face while receiving education and healthcare,” he further added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his welcome remarks, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh Muhammad A Muhith referred to various challenges that children with developmental disabilities face in accessing healthcare services, education and opportunities for social participation, and underscored the importance of introduction of early interventions, inclusive education, creative expressions, artificial intelligence enabled personalized assistive technology to better integrate individuals with disabilities into the community and leave no one behind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moderated by Werner Obermeyer, Director, WHO, the event was attended by a significant number of permanent representatives, UN high officials, civil society representatives and media personalities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to that Foreign Secretary Momen had bilateral meetings with Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary A. Dicarlo, Executive Director of the UN Women Sima Sami Bahous, and Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also had a bilateral meeting with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Björn Olof Skoog. During these meetings, the Foreign Secretary briefed them about the developments concerning the upcoming general election of Bangladesh, current situations in the Rohingya camps and Bangladesh’s partnership with the UN in various socio-economic sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Secretary sought the support of the UN in the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The counterparts assured the Foreign Secretary of their understanding and commitment for continued partnership with Bangladesh. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 10:36:44', '2023-04-04 10:36:44'),
(6165, 6165, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality is deemed \'unhealthy for sensitive groups\' this morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 119 at 8:56 am, the capital of Bangladesh ranked eighth in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">China’s Shenyang, Thailand’s Chiang Mai, and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 216, 207 and 153, 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; \">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 11:01:35', '2023-04-04 11:01:35'),
(6166, 6166, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the global and individual country’s efforts need to be streamlined through responsive policy, planning and governance, to make the actions regarding climate change issue successful.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Since origins of the climate change are global, their solution and management would also have to be global,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister came up with this view while delivering her pre-recorded speech in the two day 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) is the annual conference of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and its partners. It brings together member countries, organizations, institutions and infrastructure actors and stakeholders to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate resilient infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The programme was held with the theme of ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure: Pathways for Risk Informed Systems, Practices and Investments’. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina, however, assured that Bangladesh is ready to join any initiative at the regional and global level dealing with the impacts of climate change.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I call upon for coordinated global efforts and shared vision for climate adaptation, mitigation and resilient infrastructures,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that commitment and compliance on financing mechanisms are indispensable for addressing the unforeseen crises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A greater sense of solidarity among governments, international and regional organisations, private sectors are required to build a sustainable and resilient future for all of us,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the same time, she said, \"we need to bring changes in our way of thinking in this discourse by incorporating science, technology, innovation, resilient transition.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to working with the global community hand in hand to ensure a better world for all.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2023 brings a purposeful focus on demonstrable solutions towards a call for action to realize resilience of infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ICDRI 2023 will engage decision-makers, thought leaders, academia and institutions from across the world working on solutions for infrastructure resilience.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina said that due to the adverse impacts of climate change, all are facing unpredictable climatic events and disasters, which are damaging establishments and resources in massive scales.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Strong and resilient physical infrastructure is needed to withstand and adapt to changing conditions, and from shocks and stresses.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recently, she said that the world has witnessed a series of catastrophes like massive earthquakes in Turkey, Syria and Afghanistan, hurricanes in the Caribbean, the US and Canada and flood in South Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, she mentioned that Bangladesh, experienced a series of natural disasters, including floods and cyclones, causing huge economic losses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is important that all future infrastructure construction and systems must be resilient to disasters to protect our investments,\" she stated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that as one of the most climate vulnerable countries, Bangladesh experiences frequent natural calamities like flood, tidal surge, cyclone, storm, drought and thunderbolt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“IPCC report 2022 predicts, Bangladesh is at the risk of 2 to 9 per cent of GDP losses by the mid and end of the century due to climate change,\" she noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that In 2009, her government established the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund with own resources where nearly 800 projects have so far been implemented at a cost of USD 480 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the recent Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh launched Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to build a climate resilient prosperous country, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that In 2022, the government launched the National Adaptation Plan, with a projected need for USD 230 billion by 2050.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, it formulated a long-term Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 with the aim of building a resilient and prosperous delta for our future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“My government now attaches importance to science-based infrastructure design and implementation. We recognise the need for involving our local communities to make the infrastructures work for them,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, she said that the government has implemented a thousand flood control, drainage and irrigation schemes to cover more than 6 million hectares of land. It has conducted dredging and re-excavation of 1,400 kms of rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have built nearly 22,000 km of embankments, alongside 139 coastal polders. These infrastructures are giving protection to more than 20 million flood vulnerable people. We have so far conducted 1,229 km of riverbank protection work.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For disaster response, she mentioned that Bangladesh has 4,530 cyclone shelters, some of which also serve as schools in regular times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are now constructing 550 Mujib Killas on raised grounds for multiple uses, including sheltering people and livestock during natural calamities.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the flagship Ashrayan project, she said, her government has so far built over 700,000 houses and those were handed over to the landless and homeless people at free of cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“These houses are strong enough to endure any natural disaster. We have also built 139 five-storey buildings in Cox’s Bazar to rehabilitate climate-displaced people,\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said that her government is scaling up nature-based solutions like coastal green belts, floating vegetable cultivation and millions of palm tree plantation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are using our local-level trained volunteers as well as digital information and service centres to provide early warning. As a result of our actions, the number of deaths due to natural disasters has decreased significantly in recent years,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The global community also recognised the efforts of Bangladesh and as recognition, the country has been awarded with ‘Champion of the Earth’ and many more accolades, she said. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 11:28:45', '2023-04-04 11:28:45'),
(6167, 6167, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The massive fire, which broke out at the Bangabazar market in Dhaka this morning, is still raging as firefighters try to bring it under control.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fifty firefighting units rushed to the spot and were trying to extinguish the blaze at the time of filing this report around 9:30 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire broke out at the market around 6:10 am and spread soon, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, what caused the fire could not be known immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A team of Army personnel rushed to the spot and are trying to douse the flame, said ISPR.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, a helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force is being used to bring the fire under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A team of Bangladesh Navy and another team of BGB also joined in to bring the Bangabazar market fire under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabazar, one of the biggest markets in the country, houses clothes stores constructed of tin and wood in its labyrinthine structure. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 11:34:59', '2023-04-04 11:34:59'),
(6168, 6168, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu has reacted to rumours of her ex-husband, actor dating Naga Chaitanya dating actor Shobhita Dhulipala. Samantha broke her silence days after an old photo of Chaitanya and Shobhita at a restaurant emerged online.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the picture, Chaitanya posed with a chef for a picture, while Shobhita was seen sitting at a table behind them. Reportedly, the photo was taken during the couple\'s London trip.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking with The Siasat Daily, Samantha said, “I am not bothered as to who is in a relationship with whom. Those who do not know the value of love will be left in tears irrespective of the number of people they date. At least that girl should be happy. If he changes his behaviour and looks after the girl without hurting her, it will be good for everyone.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Samantha tied the knot with Naga Chaitanya in October 2017. The duo announced their separation in October 2021. They issued statements on their respective social media accounts. “To all our well-wishers. After much deliberation and thought Chay and I have decided to part ways as husband and wife to pursue our own paths,” Samantha had written.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She had also said, “We are fortunate to have a friendship of over a decade that was the very core of our relationship which we believe will always hold a special bond between us. We request our fans, well wishers and the media to support us during this difficult time and give us the privacy we need to move on. Thanking you for your support.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fans will see Samantha in the Indian version of Citadel, created by Raj and DK, along with Varun Dhawan. The series is produced by D2R Films and Amazon Studios, with AGBO\'s Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Otstot, Scott Nemes, and David Weil (Hunters) overseeing production on the Indian Original and all series within the global Citadel universe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from this, she will be seen in Shaakuntalam, helmed by Gunasekhar, alongside Dev Mohan. The film is scheduled to release on April 14. The film will release in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil languages. She will also be seen in an upcoming romantic film Khusi opposite actor Vijay Deverakonda. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 12:20:28', '2023-04-04 12:20:28'),
(6169, 6169, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least five people fell sick while trying to extinguish the massive fire that broke out at Bangabazar Market earlier today.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among them, a firefighter identified as Didarul Islam is now undergoing treatment at Government Employee Hospital while four people identified as Rubel of Lakshmipur, Niloy (22) of Feni, Ripon (36) of Chandpur and Shaheen (38) of Munshiganj are now taking treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 48 firefighting units are still working to bring the fire under control as five hours have elapsed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All battalions of RAB in Dhaka, 18 patrolling RAB teams from Narayanganj, and six teams of plainclothes policemen joined in to bring the blaze at Bangabazar Market under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They joined to help the firefighters in taming the massive fire, traffic management, and to keep the law and order situation under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire broke out at the market around 6:10 am and spread soon, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, what caused the fire could not be known immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabazar Market fire: 5 fall sick from inhaling smoke&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A team of Army personnel rushed to the spot and are trying to douse the flame, said ISPR.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, a helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force is being used to bring the fire under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A team of Bangladesh Navy also joined in to bring the Bangabazar market fire under control. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 12:25:03', '2023-04-04 12:25:03'),
(6170, 6170, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The devastating fire that broke out at Bangabazar market in Dhaka on Tuesday morning caused an unusual traffic jam around the market area due to the closure of adjacent roads.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fire service, police, RAB, army, air force and navy are trying to extinguish the blaze that broke out around 6:10 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jayita Das, senior assistant police commissioner of DMP Traffic Lalbagh Zone, said that traffic movement in the adjacent areas has been stopped to ease the fire control activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Traffic movement has been closed and limited on the roads in front of the High Court-Gulistan, Banga Bazar, Golap Shah Mazar police headquarters to Dhaka Medical, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This instruction about traffic movement will remain in force in this area until the situation turns normal, said the officer adding that general public are requested to use alternative roads. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 13:09:38', '2023-04-04 13:09:38'),
(6172, 6172, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Body massages have been shown to provide numerous benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, relieving muscle tension and pain, improving circulation, boosting the immune system, and enhancing mental clarity and focus. Regular body massages can also promote better sleep and overall physical and mental health.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Body massages help in reducing the levels of cortisol in the body, which is a hormone that is produced in response to stress. By reducing cortisol levels, massages can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, resulting in a more relaxed and calm mind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Relieves Muscle Tension and Pain: Massages can help relieve muscle tension and pain by increasing blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and releasing endorphins. Regular massages can also help improve flexibility and range of motion, leading to better overall physical health.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Improves Sleep Quality: A massage before bedtime can help promote deeper sleep and better overall sleep quality. By relaxing the body and mind, massages can help reduce feelings of restlessness, anxiety, and tension that can interfere with sleep.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Enhances Mental Clarity and Focus: Regular massages can help improve mental clarity and focus by reducing mental fatigue and increasing blood flow to the brain. This can result in improved productivity, creativity, and overall mental performance. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 14:53:55', '2023-04-04 14:53:55'),
(6173, 6173, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The massive fire that broke out at the Bangabazar market in Dhaka on Tuesday morning has been brought under control after more than six hours of frantic efforts.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The blaze was brought under control around 12:36 pm, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.</div><div><br></div><div>However, black smoke is still coming out from different places and firefighters are still working to fully douse the fire, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Brigadier General Md. Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense, said that the fire doused after more than six hours but it will take one hour more to extinguish the blaze.</div><div><br></div><div>The officer said these while talking to reporters on the premises of fire service headquarters. Representatives of police and army were also present there at that time.</div><div><br></div><div>Wind and crowd made fire extinguishing work tougher, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The market was declared risky on April 2, 2019 and a notice was issued in this regard, he said, adding a five member probe committee will be formed to find out the cause of the fire incident, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The devastating fire broke out at the market around 6:10 am and soon spread.</div><div><br></div><div>Forty-eight firefighting units were engaged in extinguishing the blaze. At least five people fell sick while trying to extinguish the fire.</div><div><br></div><div>However, what caused the fire could not be known yet.</div><div><br></div><div>A team of army personnel also joined the efforts to to douse the devastating fire, said ISPR.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, a helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force and a team of Bangladesh Navy joined.</div><div><br></div><div>Among them, a firefighter identified as Didarul Islam has been undergoing treatment at Government Employee Hospital while four people identified as Rubel of Lakshmipur, Niloy (22) of Feni, Ripon (36) of Chandpur and Shaheen (38) of Munshiganj were given treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 15:39:39', '2023-04-04 15:39:39'),
(6174, 6174, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh made a rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic supported by prudent macroeconomic policies, but the economy now faces considerable challenges with global economic uncertainty, rising inflationary pressure, energy shortages, a balance-of-payments deficit, and a revenue shortfall, said the World Bank (WB) in its twice-year-update.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Released today, the Bangladesh Development Update April 2023 entitled \'Trade Reform: An Urgent Agenda\' said that accelerating the implementation of structural reforms, including trade reforms and export diversification, will help Bangladesh face the current challenges and a sustained growth momentum in Bangladesh is expected to accelerate over the medium term. In FY24, growth is expected to pick up to 6.2 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has set GDP growth target of 6.5 per cent for FY23.</div><div><br></div><div>While releasing the report at WB Dhaka office, Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said Russia\'s invasion of Ukraine and global uncertainly have impacted countries around the globe. Bangladesh\'s post-pandemic recovery has been disrupted by elevated commodity prices, rising interest rates, and slowing global growth.</div><div><br></div><div>The World Bank stands ready to support Bangladesh with reforms to accelerate growth and strengthen resilience, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the update, higher commodity prices have contributed to inflationary pressure. The balance-of-payments deficit reached $7.2 billion in the first half of FY23, up from $5.3 billion in FY22 creating considerable pressure on foreign exchange reserves.</div><div><br></div><div>A multiple exchange rate system has contributed to the balance of payments pressure disincentivizing export and remittance inflows. Moving towards a single market-based exchange rate will help restore external balance. Domestic banks faced challenges with tighter liquidity and increasing non-performing loans.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The fiscal deficit widened in FY23, with higher financing from domestic banks. However, the January 2023 joint World Bank-IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) assessed that Bangladesh remained at low risk of debt distress.</div><div><br></div><div>Improving trade competitiveness for export diversification will be critical to achieving Bangladesh\'s aspiration of upper middle-income status by 2031.</div><div><br></div><div>Bernard Haven, World Bank Senior Economist and co-author of the report, said the ready-made garments sector accounts for about 83 percent of Bangladesh\'s exports.</div><div><br></div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the risk of overreliance on a single sector, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"Diversifying exports and improving competitiveness will help Bangladesh achieve upper middle income status by 2031. For this, it will be important for Bangladesh to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers. A comprehensive reform program can strengthen regional integration, particularly with South Asia and Southeast Asia\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Development Update is a companion piece to the South Asia Economic Focus, a twice a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia region and analyzes policy challenges faced by countries.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Spring 2023 edition titled \"Expanding Opportunities: Toward Inclusive Growth, launched on April 4, 2023\", shows that South Asia\'s growth prospects have weakened due to tightening financial conditions, with large downside risks in most countries given limited fiscal space and depleting reserves. It also analyzes the high level of inequality of opportunity in the region and offers recommendations to achieve more equitable and inclusive growth. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 15:44:34', '2023-04-04 15:44:34'),
(6175, 6175, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh made a rapid recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, supported by prudent macroeconomic policies, but the economy now faces considerable challenges with global uncertainty, rising inflationary pressure, energy shortage, a balance-of-payments deficit, and a revenue shortfall, says the World Bank in its half yearly update released today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Development Update April 2023, entitled “Trade Reform: An Urgent Agenda”, says that accelerating the implementation of structural reforms, including trade reforms and export diversification, will help Bangladesh navigate the current challenges and sustain growth momentum.</div><div><br></div><div>Growth in Bangladesh is expected to accelerate over the medium term, as inflationary pressure eases, external conditions improve, and reform implementation gains momentum. Real GDP growth is expected to decelerate to 5.2 percent in FY2023 due to rising inflation, tighter financial conditions, disruptive import restrictions, and global economic uncertainty. In FY2024, growth is expected to pick up to 6.2 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and global uncertainty have impacted countries around the globe.&nbsp; &nbsp;Bangladesh’s post-pandemic recovery has been disrupted by elevated commodity prices, rising interest rates, and slowing global growth,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. “The World Bank stands ready to support Bangladesh with reforms to accelerate growth and strengthen resilience.”</div><div><br></div><div>Higher commodity prices have contributed to inflationary pressure. The balance-of-payments deficit reached $7.2 billion in the first half of FY2023, up from $5.3 billion in FY2022, creating considerable pressure on foreign exchange reserves. A multiple exchange rate system has contributed to the balance of payments pressure, disincentivizing export and remittance inflows. Moving towards a single market-based exchange rate will help restore external balance.</div><div><br></div><div>Risks to the outlook remain elevated. Domestic banks faced challenges with tighter liquidity and increasing non-performing loans. The fiscal deficit widened in FY2023, with higher financing from domestic banks. However, the January 2023 joint World Bank-IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) assessed that Bangladesh remained at low risk of debt distress.</div><div><br></div><div>Improving trade competitiveness for export diversification will be critical to achieving Bangladesh’s aspiration of upper middle-income status by 2031.</div><div><br></div><div>“The ready-made garments sector accounts for about 83 percent of Bangladesh’s exports. The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the risk of overreliance on a single sector,” said Bernard Haven, World Bank Senior Economist and co-author of the report.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Diversifying exports and improving competitiveness will help Bangladesh achieve upper-middle income status by 2031. For this, it will be important for Bangladesh to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers. A comprehensive reform program can strengthen regional integration, particularly with South Asia and Southeast Asia.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Development Update is a companion piece to the South Asia Economic Focus, a twice-a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia region and analyzes policy challenges faced by countries. The Spring 2023 edition, titled “Expanding Opportunities: Toward Inclusive Growth”, launched on April 4, 2023, shows that South Asia’s growth prospects have weakened due to tightening financial conditions, with large downside risks in most countries given limited fiscal space and depleting reserves. It also analyzes the high level of inequality of opportunity in the region and offers recommendations to achieve more equitable and inclusive growth. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 19:19:08', '2023-04-04 19:19:08'),
(6176, 6176, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed 5-58 for Bangladesh on Tuesday to help bowl out Ireland for 214 but two early strikes left the one-off Dhaka Test in the balance.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh took to the crease not long after drinks and were 34-2 at stumps, with Andy McBrine sending back Tamim Iqbal for 21 on the last ball of the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Mark Adair bowled Najmul Hossain for a duck in the first over of the innings. Mominul Haque was unbeaten on 12 at the end of day\'s play with Bangladesh trailing Ireland by 180 runs.</div><div><br></div><div>Harry Tector earlier top-scored with 50 for the tourists, who otherwise struggled to build partnerships after electing to bat first.</div><div><br></div><div>Shoriful Islam struck early to trap opener Murray Commins for five before Ebadot Hossain and Taijul scalped James McCollum (15) and Andy Balbirnie (16) respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>Tector, one of the six debutants for Ireland in their first Test since July 2019, put on 74 runs with Curtis Campher for the fourth wicket to steady the innings, rescuing the side from a precarious 48-3.</div><div><br></div><div>Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled Tector to break the stand before Taijul made two quick strikes to dismiss Peter Moor (1) and Campher (34), derailing Ireland again.</div><div><br></div><div>Cameos from Lorcan Tucker (37), McBrine (19) and Adair (32) took the visitors past the 200-run mark.</div><div><br></div><div>Taijul trapped Adair leg-before to complete his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests and Mehidy wrapped up Ireland\'s innings in the next over to finish with 2-43.</div><div><br></div><div>Ireland have lost all three of their previous Tests since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council in 2017. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 19:25:07', '2023-04-04 19:25:07'),
(6177, 6177, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun on Tuesday said those who attacked&nbsp; the fire service and civil defence headquarters following the fire at Banglabazar market&nbsp; will be brought under the law.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The IGP came up with the remark in response to a question from reporters at the west gate of the police headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the attack, he said, \"You saw there were thousands of people. Getting information about attack on the fire service headquarters, we brought the law and order situation under control. Those who were involved in the attack will be identified and then brought to justice,” the IGP said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Two lakh liters of water was supplied by police. Around 2000 police members were present at the spot to maintain the law and order in the surrounding areas,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, members of RAB, Army, Air Force, Navy, BGB and Ansar forces also joined, the IGP said.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to another&nbsp; question he said that a barrack on the 5th floor of the police headquarters was burnt but no one was injured</div><div><br></div><div>Aggrieved traders attacked&nbsp; the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters saying that firefighters failed to quickly douse the fire at Bangabazar market fire. Several fire fighters were injured in the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Members of law enforcement agencies then brought the situation under control. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 20:50:23', '2023-04-04 20:50:23'),
(6178, 6178, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Brigadier General Md Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, today said Bangabazar was declared to be a risky place in 2019 by the fire service, and it was prone to fire or accident.</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"On April 2, 2019, we declared it to be a risky establishment. We also hanged a banner outside it to warn the people...Notices were given to the authorities concerned several times,\" he said at a press briefing held in front of the Fire Service headquarters this afternoon.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The fire service DG said that the fire fighters had to face obstacles while dousing the fire due to enthusiastic crowds, gusts of strong wind and scarcity of water.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;\"The fire originated at Adarsha market at around 6:10am and spread quickly. With the help of the Armed Forces, Navy, Air Force, BGB, Police, RAB along with our 650 workers of 48 units, we were able to bring the fire under control at around 12:36pm,\" Main Uddin said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>While asked about the damage, the fire service head said, \"A five-member probe body has been formed to look into the incident. Everyone is putting their best efforts into probing the matter... Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is constantly monitoring the overall situation.\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>According to Fire Service headquarters sources, eight fire fighters were injured during this operation. Being in critical condition, two among them were taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (SHNIBPS). - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 22:10:34', '2023-04-04 22:10:34');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6179, 6179, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Lionel Messi is \"much more likely\" to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season than sign a new deal, a source close to the club told AFP on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The dynamics have completely changed with PSG less pushing to renew (his contract),\" the source said, adding that there was \"no deal, no exit yet. But exit is much more likely.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Messi, who will turn 36 in June, joined in 2021 on a two-year deal which expires at the end of this campaign.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 22:14:55', '2023-04-04 22:14:55'),
(6180, 6180, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Inflation rose to 9.33 percent, the highest in 7 months, the Planning Ministry said on Tuesday citing data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Inflation jumped to 8.78 percent in February, up from 8.57 percent in January, on a point-to-point basis, according to the BBS.</div><div><br></div><div>The higher inflation forces people reduce their consumption and fixed and limited income groups of people have to return home with less in shopping basket.</div><div><br></div><div>In the month of February, 8.19 percent of inflation was recorded in food and 9.98 percent in non-food products. At that time, there was a 7.98 percent inflation in food products and 9.61 percent in non-food products in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in August last year, inflation rose to over 9 percent. That rate of inflation was the highest in the last 11.9 years (144 months). In May 2011, the highest rate of inflation was 10.20 percent. After that, inflation never exceeded 9 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>After August 2022, the inflation rate continued to decline again. In January this year, it decreased by 8.57 percent, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, inflationary pressure is still higher in rural areas than in urban areas, according to the latest estimates.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-04 22:24:19', '2023-04-04 22:24:19'),
(6181, 6181, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Shortly after 14:30E, a former president of the United States walked into a Manhattan courtroom as a defendant.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Donald Trump entered surrounded by his Secret Service detail, wearing his signature blue suit and red tie, and an electric buzz shot through the room.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">His expression was sombre and his steps seemed heavy and slow as he walked down the courtroom\'s centre aisle to take his place at the front, where his defence attorneys waited for him.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mr Trump never addressed the press, and gave little away through expressions or body language.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">I sat five rows directly behind the former president, in a group of journalists watched over by more than a dozen police officers. We were banned from using our phones or laptops in court.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">When the judge, Juan Merchan, arrived, everyone rose for him, including Mr Trump. Despite the media and political circus happening 15 stories below the courtroom, Judge Merchan presided in an even tone, never raising his voice.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The hearing mostly dealt with procedural matters, including deadlines for the lawyers and the next court date, but the weight of its significance was lost on no-one in the room.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Though Mr Trump is known for his political pageantry, he spoke on only briefly.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">When the judge read the 34 felony counts brought against him, he replied: \"Not guilty.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Then at one point, Judge Merchan addressed Mr Trump directly, reminding him that he had a right to be present at all proceedings related to his case. Asked if he understood this, Mr Trump replied: \"Yes.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The judge then added that if Mr Trump, like any defendant, behaved in an unruly or disruptive manner, he might lose the right to be present at his trial.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">As they made their arguments, prosecutors mentioned that Mr Trump had made threatening posts on social media, including one that warned of potential \"death and destruction\" if he was charged.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mr Trump\'s lawyers said their client was frustrated and upset with the case, which he believed to represent a \"great injustice\".</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The judge responded by telling the defence attorneys: \"I don\'t share your view that certain rhetoric and certain language is justified by frustration.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Judge Merchan said his warning about further inflammatory rhetoric was a request and not an order, but he would have to take \"a closer look\" if the issue arose again.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The judge brought proceedings to a close after nearly an hour.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mr Trump stood, and was immediately surrounded by his Secret Service detail. The former president spoke quietly to his lawyers, but he was inaudible to the press sitting a few rows behind him.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Then he turned and walked down the centre aisle of the courtroom, out the rear door he had first entered. He said nothing to the pack of television cameras outside. His expression was quite serious.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The first criminal case involving a US president was under way. BBC</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 08:26:58', '2023-04-05 08:26:58'),
(6182, 6182, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A stone-faced Donald Trump made a momentous courtroom appearance Tuesday when he was confronted with a 34-count felony indictment charging him in a scheme to bury allegations of extramarital affairs that arose during his first White House campaign.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arraignment in a Manhattan courtroom was a stunning — and humbling — spectacle for the first ex-president to ever face criminal charges. With Trump watching in silence, prosecutors bluntly accused him of criminal conduct and set the stage for a possible criminal trial in the city where he became a celebrity decades ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The indictment centers on allegations that Trump falsified internal business records at his private company while trying to cover up an effort to illegally influence the 2016 election by arranging payments that silenced claims potentially harmful to his candidacy. It includes 34 counts of fudging records related to checks Trump sent to his personal lawyer and problem-solver to reimburse him for his role in paying off a porn actor who said she had an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The defendant, Donald J. Trump, falsified New York business records in order to conceal an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and other violations of election laws,\" said Assistant District Attorney Christopher Conroy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, somber and silent as he entered and exited the Manhattan courtroom, said “not guilty” in a firm voice while facing a judge who warned him to refrain from rhetoric that could inflame or cause civil unrest. All told, the ever-verbose Trump, who for weeks before Tuesday’s arraignment had assailed the case against him as political persecution, uttered only 10 words in the courtroom. He appeared to glare for a period at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor who brought the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As he returned to his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, where he delivered a primetime address to hundreds of supporters, Trump again protested his innocence and asserted on his Truth Social platform that the “hearing was shocking to many in that they had no ‘surprises,’ and therefore, no case.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his speech, Trump lashed out anew at the prosecution and attacked in bitter terms the prosecutor and the judge presiding over the case despite being admonished hours earlier about incendiary rhetoric. In a sign of that other probes are weighing on him, Trump also steered his speech into a broadside against a separate Justice Department investigation into the mishandling of classified documents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Trump said of the New York indictment. “This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election and it should be dropped immediately.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The crowd at Mar-a-Lago included supporters like failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and longtime ally Roger Stone. Trump\'s wife, Melania, was absent from his side and was also not seen with him in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even so, the indictment amounts to a remarkable reckoning for Trump after years of investigations into his personal, business and political dealings. It shows how even as Trump is looking to reclaim the White House in 2024, he is shadowed by investigations related to his behavior in the two prior elections, with prosecutors in Atlanta and Washington scrutinizing efforts by Trump and his allies to undo the 2020 presidential election — probes that could produce even more charges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the New York case, each count of falsifying business records, a felony, is punishable by up to four years in prison — though it\'s not clear if a judge would impose any prison time if Trump is convicted. The next court date is Dec. 4 — two months before Republicans begin their nominating process in earnest — and Trump will again be expected to appear.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A conviction would not prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arraignment also delved into Trump\'s rhetoric on the case, with prosecutors at one point handing printouts of his social media posts to the judge and defense lawyers as Trump looked on. Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan did not impose a gag order but told Trump\'s lawyers to urge him to refrain from posts that could encourage unrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The broad contours of the case have long been known, focusing on a scheme that prosecutors say began months into his candidacy in 2015, as his celebrity past collided with his presidential ambitions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Though prosecutors expressed confidence in the case, a conviction is no sure thing given the legal complexities of the allegations, the application of state election laws to a federal election and prosecutors\' likely reliance on a key witness, Trump\'s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to false statements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It centers on payoffs to two women, porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with Trump years earlier, as well as to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child he alleged the former president had out of wedlock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It’s not just about one payment. It is 34 false statements and business records that were concealing criminal conduct,” Bragg told reporters, when asked how the three separate cases were connected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All 34 counts against Trump are linked to a series of checks that were written to Cohen to reimburse him for his role in paying off Daniels. Those payments, made over 12 months, were recorded in various internal company documents as being for a legal retainer that prosecutors say didn’t exist. Cohen testified before the grand jury and is expected to be a star prosecution witness.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nine of those monthly checks were paid out of Trump’s personal accounts, but records related to them were maintained in the Trump Organization’s data system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prosecutors allege that the first instance of Trump directing hush money payments came in the fall of 2015, when a former Trump Tower doorman was trying to sell information about an alleged out-of-wedlock child fathered by Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">David Pecker, a Trump friend and the publisher of the National Enquirer, made a $30,000 payment to the doorman to acquire the exclusive rights to the story, pursuant to an agreement to protect Trump during his presidential campaign, according to the indictment. Pecker’s company later determined the doorman’s story was false, but is alleged to have enforced the doorman’s confidentiality at Cohen’s urging until after Election Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump denies having sexual liaisons with both Daniels and McDougal and has denied any wrongdoing involving payments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tuesday\'s schedule, with its striking blend of legal and political calendar items, represents the new split-screen reality for Trump as he submits to the dour demands of the American criminal justice system while projecting an aura of defiance and victimhood at celebratory campaign events.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wearing his signature dark suit and red tie, Trump turned and waved to crowds outside the building before heading inside to be fingerprinted and processed. He arrived at court in an eight-car motorcade from Trump Tower, communicating in real time his anger at the process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse,\" he posted on his Truth Social platform. \"Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afterward, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told reporters that it was a “sad day for the country.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“You don’t expect this to happen to somebody who was president of the United States,\" he said. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 09:22:09', '2023-04-05 09:22:09'),
(6183, 6183, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality is ‘moderate’ this morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 80 at 9 am, Dhaka ranked 15th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand’s Chiang Mai, China’s Shenyang, and India’s Delhi occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 292, 218 and 171, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 150 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 09:56:18', '2023-04-05 09:56:18'),
(6184, 6184, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government has taken a move to impose tolls on the regional highways at a minimum rate to develop the culture of paying money among people.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked the authorities concerned to take necessary measures for this purpose.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government is constructing infrastructures spending thousands of crores of Taka. So, there is a need to make arrangement for realising tolls from the regional highways at least at a minimum rate,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister said this while chairing a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held at the NEC Conference Room in the capital\'s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Planning Minister MA Mannan and State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam briefed the reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister said that by paying tolls in the regional highways&nbsp; the culture of paying tolls will be developed among people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mannan said the PM&nbsp; expressed shock at the tragic fire incident at the Bangabazar in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there were a lot of shops in the market in a congested manner while the Prime Minister in the meeting discussed how to address the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mannan said that the PM also directed the authorities concerned to ensure toilets and sanitation infrastructure in all schools across the country.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"No schools will run without sanitation system,\" he said quoting the Prime Minister as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing the PM, he said that the work of the women still remains outside of the purview of accounting estimation. if their works are counted, then the GDP growth would have been much higher for which there is a need to give due recognition to the work of the women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Suggesting for avoiding the arable and farmland as much as possible in implementing development projects, she also recommended building elevated roads in the haor region instead of usual roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also directed the Ministry of Commerce to complete the distribution of the essential items among some one crore family card holders at affordable rates under the 2nd phase before the Eid-ul-Fitr.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Mannan said that they would continue efforts to increase the capacity of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But, the fire incident at Bangabazar has shown that there is a need to create more awareness among the common people,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Planning Minister said that point-to-point Inflation in Bangladesh climbed to 9.33 percent in March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The food inflation was 9.09 percent in March as per point-to-point basis while non-food inflation was 9.72 percent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the monthly consumer price Index (CPI)&nbsp; of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the general point-to-point inflation rate in March increased as it reached 9.33 percentage points up from 8.78 percentage points in February, mainly because of the slight rise in food inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CPI was just behind the 10-year high of 9.52 percent seen in August last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The general point-to-point inflation rate in January was 8.57</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">percentage points.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The point-to- point food inflation in March increased to 9.09 percentage points up from 8.13 percentage points in February.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, the point-to-point non-food inflation declined slightly to 9.72 percentage points in March down from 9.82 percentage points in February.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BBS data showed that the national wage index rate in March was 7.18 percent, up from 7.11 percent in February. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 09:59:24', '2023-04-05 09:59:24'),
(6185, 6185, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Adam Milne tore through Sri Lanka\'s batting order Wednesday as New Zealand bowled the tourists out for just 141 in the second Twenty20 international.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Milne took five wickets for just 26 runs as Sri Lanka\'s batters collapsed in Dunedin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand are looking to level the series after Sri Lanka won the opening T20 match last Sunday in Auckland, sealing victory in a nail-biting Super Over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sri Lanka made a good start Wednesday as Kusal Perera (35) and Dhananjaya de Silva (37) put on a middle-order partnership of 62 off 46 balls to steer their side to 99-4 after 12 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tourists then lost their next six wickets for just 42 runs as New Zealand\'s seamers found their length to devastating effect.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Charith Asalanka was the last Sri Lankan batter to offer any resistance, chalking up 24 runs off 19 balls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Milne did the most damage for New Zealand, picking off Sri Lanka\'s tailenders Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan without a run being scored.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three-match T20 series concludes in Queenstown on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sri Lanka have lost both the Test and one-day international series 2-0 during their tour of New Zealand. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 10:43:47', '2023-04-05 10:43:47'),
(6186, 6186, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Starting today, commuters can avail the Dhaka Metro Rail service for six hours every day – from 8 am to 2 pm.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Considering the commuters’ demand and aiming to provide more services, the timing has been changed, said MAN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), in a press conference on March 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the operating hours of Dhaka Metro Rail was 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All the stations on the Uttara-Agargaon route of Dhaka Metro Rail will be operational this month, Siddique said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metro Rail will start operating in full swing from July this year and then the train will run non-stop from dawn to midnight, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to DMTCL, Dhaka Metro Rail operation till Motijheel may start by the end of 2024, and till Kamalapur by 2025. By December 2024, metro rail will start operation from Agargaon to Kamalapur with 24 trains.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On December 28, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country’s first elevated metro rail, setting a milestone in the communication history. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 11:11:49', '2023-04-05 11:11:49'),
(6187, 6187, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli police raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City early Wednesday and attacked Palestinian worshippers, Palestinian media reported, raising fears of wider tensions as Islamic and Jewish holidays overlap.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incidents sparked a wave of Palestinian protests, condemnations and violence. The Israeli military said sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tension has already been high in east Jerusalem and the West Bank for months, and fears of further violence were fueled with the convergence of the Muslim holy fast month and the Passover.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Such confrontations at the contested holy compound, the third holiest shrine in Islam that is also the most sacred site in Judaism and referred to as the Temple Mount, have sparked deadly cross-border wars between Israel and Gaza\'s Hamas rulers in the past, the last was in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Videos on social media purportedly showed Israeli police officers beating Palestinians with batons and rifle butts at the mosque in the contested hilltop site revered by both Muslims and Jews.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported that dozens of worshipers, who spend all the night in Ramadan praying, were injured when the police raided the mosque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was not immediately clear what sparked the violence. The Israeli police said it used force to evacuate worshippers who were holed up at the mosque with fireworks, rocks, and sticks. They added that an officer was injured in his leg by a stone and that dozens of “rioters” were arrested.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talab Abu Eisha, 49, said more than 400 men, women and children were praying at Al-Aqsa when the police encircled the mosque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The youths were afraid and started closing the doors,” he said, adding that police forces “stormed the eastern corner, beating and arresting men there.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">”It was an unprecedented scene of violence in terms of police brutality and intention to hurt the youths,\" he said, denying police claims that young men were hiding fireworks and rocks. He added that the police prevented all men under 50 years old from passing through the Old City\'s gates leading to the compound for the dawn prayers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The violence in Jerusalem triggered protests and condemnations from Palestinians. in Gaza, Hamas called for large protests and people started gathering in the streets, with calls to head for the heavily guarded Gaza-Israel frontier for more violent demonstrations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Palestinian leadership condemned the attack on the worshippers. The spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, warned Israel that such a move “exceeds all red lines and will lead to a large explosion.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Gaza, Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad also called for Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel to go and gather around Al-Aqsa Mosque and confront Israeli forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said Gaza militants fired two barrages of rockets toward southern Israel. Five rockets were intercepted and four landed in open areas. There were no reports of casualties or damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Tuesday, a Palestinian suspect stabbed two Israelis near an army base south of Tel Aviv , police said, in the latest incident in a yearlong spate of violence that shows no sign of abating.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Magen David Adom paramedic service said first responders treated two men for serious and light stab wounds in the incident on a highway near the Tsrifin military base. The men were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment their injuries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli media identified the two victims as soldiers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police said that civilians at the scene apprehended the suspected attacker, who was taken into police custody for questioning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli-Palestinian violence has surged over the last year, as the Israeli military has carried out near-nightly raids on Palestinian cities, towns and villages and as Palestinians have staged numerous attacks against Israelis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 88 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire this year, according to an Associated Press tally. Palestinian attacks against Israelis have killed 15 people in the same period. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 11:49:26', '2023-04-05 11:49:26'),
(6188, 6188, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Turkish security forces have subjected suspects arrested on suspicion of looting in the aftermath of the devastating February earthquake to torture and other forms of ill treatment, rights groups said Wednesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a joint report, Amnesty and Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Turkish police and the armed forces of using the state of emergency declared by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the earthquake as a \"licence to torture\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a response before the report was published, the Turkish justice ministry said Ankara had \"zero tolerance\" for torture but dismissed the findings without responding specifically to them, Amnesty and HRW said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report said one person died in custody after being tortured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said all the incidents occurred in the 10 provinces covered by the state of emergency but mostly concentrated in Antakya city, Hatay province, one of the areas worst hit by the February 6 quake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia Director at HRW said they were a \"shocking indictment of law enforcement practices\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Law enforcement officials are treating the state of emergency for the natural disaster as a licence to torture, otherwise ill-treat and even kill with impunity,\" he added in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Esther Major, senior research adviser for Amnesty International\'s Europe office, told AFP: \"We recognise the size of the catastrophe that has happened, but within that context, a state of emergency must not lead to lawlessness and impunity, to torture and other ill-treatment.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Resort to prohibited means\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The groups said they had interviewed 12 victims of alleged torture and other ill treatment and reviewed video footage of 13 such cases involving 34 male victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said in four cases, the victims were Syrian refugees and the attacks bore signs of additional xenophobic motivation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report found in the majority of cases, victims were not taken into official custody, but immediately beaten or made to lie or kneel down while being kicked, slapped and sworn at for prolonged periods. In only two cases has there been any subsequent investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One Turkish man, Ahmet Guresci, 27, died after being arrested along with his brother Sabri and then being subjected to torture including attempted anal rape with police batons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sabri Guresci was later released pending the investigation but three gendarmes have since been suspended over his brother\'s death, the rights groups said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While emphasising Turkey\'s zero tolerance policy on torture, the justice ministry told the rights groups their findings were \"vague claims devoid of a factual basis\" and did not directly address them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emma Sinclair-Webb, HRW associate director and Turkey director, said said the 13 cases documented by the groups represented just the \"tip of the iceberg\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have to admit there was security challenges, with theft and looting,\" she told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"However, the way of dealing with that is not to resort to completely prohibited means, with one case resulting in a death in custody.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 7.8-magnitude quake and aftershocks killed more than 55,000 people across southeastern Turkey and parts of war-torn Syria. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 11:58:42', '2023-04-05 11:58:42'),
(6189, 6189, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli police arrested more than 350 people early Wednesday after clashes at Jerusalem\'s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, a police spokesperson said Wednesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, police said they had \"arrested and removed over 350 individuals that violently barricaded\" themselves inside the mosque in the Old City of annexed east Jerusalem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those arrested included \"masked individuals, stone and firework hurlers/throwers, and individuals suspected of desecrating the mosque,\" it said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 12:32:38', '2023-04-05 12:32:38'),
(6190, 6190, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Amid speculations of Kannada actor Kichcha Sudeep joining the BJP, an alleged threat letter was received by his manager, prompting the police to register a case. According to the police, Kichcha Sudeep\'s manager Jack Manju received a letter from an unknown person, threatening to release the actor\'s \"private video\" on social media.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acting on the complaint lodged by the actor\'s manager, the Puttenahalli police registered a case under sections 504, 506 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some senior officers are also thinking to hand over the case to Central Crime Branch (CCB), sources said. Further investigation is underway in the matter, said police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speculations are rife that the Kannada superstar will be joining the BJP on Wednesday, ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections. The counting of votes for the Karnataka Assembly has been scheduled on May 13.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In February this year, Kichcha Sudeep met minister DK Shivakumar sparking off rumours about joining politics. \"I have met DK Shivakumar, CM Basavaraj Bommai and minister DK Sudhakar. I have a good relationship with everyone, but I have not made any decision regarding my political entry. I will make it public when I take a decision.” Sudeep was quoted in a report by India Today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"More than political parties, I need to know what my fans think about my foray into politics, which is the most important aspect for me. I have to consult them as well. Service can be done without politics. First I need to find an answer about myself, why I need to take the political plunge or I can still contribute on individual capacity,” he had said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sudeep was last seen in Kabzaa, a Kannada-language period action film. Directed by R Chandru, the film also features Upendra, Shiva Rajkumar, Shriya Saran, Sudha, Murali Sharma, and Nawab Shah among others. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 12:49:47', '2023-04-05 12:49:47'),
(6191, 6191, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim epitomized Bangladesh\'s aspiration of playing attacking brand of cricket to keep Ireland at bay at lunch on day two of the one-off cricket Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Scoring runs almost six per over, they shared 130 runs for the undefeated fourth wicket stand after Bangladesh were left to a troublesome 40-3.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At lunch, Bangladesh reached 170-3, trailing by just 44 runs as Ireland were bowled out for 214 in its first innings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib was not out on 74, his run-a-ball-inning was studded by a dozen of boundaries while Mushfiqur Rahim was on 53 off 77 after hammering six fours and one six.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resuming the day at 34-2, Bangladesh lost Mominul Haque for 17 in just third over of the day when pacer Mark Adair (2-18) clean bowled him with a delivery that moved slightly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That was the only success of the Irish bowlers in that session as Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim then came down heavily on them to establish a full control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib started with a boundary in the first ball, driving Adair\'s half-volley through cover and didn\'t look back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He raised his 31st fifty off just 45 balls, whipping a turning delivery of legspinner Ben White for four through long on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mushfiqur Rahim played with caution in contrast to Shakib\'s aggressive approach but as the time progressed he also unleashed some powerful shots to start dominating the Irish bowlers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He swept offspinner Harry Tector for a boundary through backward square leg to reach his 26th half-century from 69 deliveries. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 12:57:14', '2023-04-05 12:57:14'),
(6192, 6192, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Hafez Saleh Ahmad Takrim of Bangladesh has again won the International Hifzul Quran Competition. This time, Takreem became the first to participate in the 26th Dubai International Hifzul Quran Competition.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ethiopia\'s Abbas Hadi came second in the competition and Saudi Arabia\'s Khalid Sulaiman took the third place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday (April 4) at 12:35 p.m., the news of Takrim winning the first place was confirmed by the office of Markazu Faizil Qur\'an Al Islami Dhaka in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The news was also confirmed by Mufti Murtaza Hasan Faizi Masum, teacher of Takrim and principal of Markazu Faizil Qur\'an Al Islami.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the rules in the main part of the Qur\'an competition, Takrim answered five questions correctly during the recitation. He was not wrong in answering any question. Gifted mesmerizing recitations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Takreem won first and third place in two international Quran competitions held in Saudi Arabia and Iran respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Takrim Markazu Faizil is a student of the book department of Quran Al Islami Dhaka. His village home is in Bhadra village of Nagarpur police station in Tangail. His father Hafeez Abdur Rahman is a madrasa teacher and mother a homemaker. EN</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 13:08:19', '2023-04-05 13:08:19');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6193, 6193, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The repayment of the loan taken for construction of Padma Bridge started with Tk 316.91 crore paid to the government in the first two installments on Wednesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a cheque of Tk 316,90,97,049 as the first and second installments of the loan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader handed over the cheque to the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 25, 2022, the prime minister opened the country’s largest bridge – 6.15-km Padma Bridge- over the mighty Padma River.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 6.15-km bridge connected directly the country’s 21 south and south-western districts with the capital, and it is expected to accelerate the GDP growth by 1.23 per cent and make an outstanding contribution to socio-economic development by alleviating poverty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The total allocation was Tk 30,193.39 crore, but the allocation for the main bridge was Tk 12,133.39 crore (including Tk 1,000 crore for installation of 400-kv electricity transmission line and gas line).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the Tk 9,400 crore was allocated for river training works, Tk 1,907.68 crore for approach roads (including two toll plazas, construction of two buildings for police stations and three service areas), Tk 1,515 crore for the rehabilitation of the displaced people (caused by the project) and Tk 2698.73 crore for land acquisition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Padma Bridge is expected to last more than 100 years, but its construction cost will be recovered in the next 35 years. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 13:48:48', '2023-04-05 13:48:48'),
(6194, 6194, '<div><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern bowed out of parliament Wednesday, ending a career marked by empathetic leadership during times of crisis even as she faced escalating abuse online</b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ardern shocked New Zealand earlier this year when she announced she was stepping down as prime minister and retiring from politics, saying she no longer had \"enough in the tank\".</div><div><br></div><div>The 42-year-old, once the youngest woman leader in the world, said in her final speech to parliament that she never expected to take the nation\'s top job.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It was a cross between a sense of duty to steer a moving freight train... and being hit by one,\" she quipped during her valedictory address.</div><div><br></div><div>\"And that\'s probably because my internal reluctance to lead was matched only by a huge sense of responsibility.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Ardern steered New Zealand through natural disasters, the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre -- in which a white supremacist gunman killed 51 Muslim worshippers. AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 14:01:14', '2023-04-05 14:01:14'),
(6195, 6195, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has found that Bangladesh can immediately generate 1,700 MW-3,400 MW of electricity from renewable energy sources with a reduced cost between Tk 5.25 and Tk 7.6 against the existing cost Tk 8.84 per unit from the conventional fossil fuels.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), the US-based research organisation, from its analysis also showed that Bangladesh needs up to US$1.71 billion annually till 2041 to achieve its target to generate 40m percent of electricity from renewable sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report, released on Wednesday, said the average electricity generation cost is likely to cross double-digits in Bangladeshi Taka (Tk) terms in FY2022-23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our analysis shows that the existing power system can immediately incorporate 1,700 megawatts (MW) to 3,400MW of solar during the day and, subject to the feasibility of location and availability of sufficient wind speed, 2,500MW to 4,000MW of wind power at night to reduce the use of costly furnace oil-based power generation,” said the report’s author Shafiqul Alam, energy finance analyst of IEEFA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Such a move will also help reduce the average electricity generation cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the report, estimates show that the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from rooftop and utility-scale solar is around Tk5.25/kilowatt-hour (kWh) (US$0.05/kWh) and Tk7.6/kWh (US$0.072/kWh), respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, the average electricity generation cost of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) was Tk 8.84/kWh (US$0.084/kWh) during the FY 2021-22. It is likely to cross double digits in Tk during FY2022-23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh should aim for renewable sources to make up 40 percent of its total power generation capacity by 2041, says the new report which charts a path for the country to transition its electricity sector away from dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels and ease its growing subsidy burden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report estimates that a more ambitious clean energy capacity target of 40 percent by 2041 (without storage facilities) would require an annual investment of US$1.53 billion to US$1.71 billion from 2024 through to 2041, which is less than the power sector’s fiscal year (FY) 2021-22 subsidy burden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It adds that a faster transition to renewable energy would free up financial resources that otherwise end up as subsidy payments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Bangladesh’s electricity generation model appears unsustainable without a clear transition pathway. Therefore, policymakers should raise their renewable energy targets and reflect the same in the upcoming Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP),” said Shafiqul Alam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The government should also translate the renewable energy policy target into a year-wise action plan backed by a monitoring mechanism to track progress,” he adds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The report finds that high prices of fossil fuels and resultant increased power generation costs have led to a surge in the subsidy required by the country’s power sector. For FY2021-22, the subsidy reached Tk 297 billion (US$2.82 billion), nearly 152% higher than FY2020-21 and a whopping 301 percent higher than FY2019-20.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Rising subsidies eventually compel the government to pass the rising cost on to the consumers. This results in a spectre of price hikes for electricity and different fuels in quick succession. Despite these price hikes, the subsidy burden of the power sector in FY2022-23 could still be higher than the previous year,” said Alam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Instead, the report finds that accelerating the transition of the electricity sector to renewable energy can free up financial resources and enhance the country’s energy security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report calls on the government to ring in policy changes to promote the adoption of renewable energy. For example, the report suggests the government lift the current cap on rooftop solar installation capacity by up to 70 percent of the sanctioned load of industrial and commercial buildings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similarly, it also recommends waiving applicable duties on fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) walkways, imported inverters, mounting structures and direct current (DC) cable, ranging from 15.25 percent to 58.6 percent for rooftop solar projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Such moves will send the right market signals about the government’s vision for the electricity sector’s transition,” says Alam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finally, the report says Bangladesh needs to have a map of funding channels, including local resources and international sources. For this, Bangladesh can draw on lessons from Indonesia and Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition plans to fund its electricity sector transition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From India’s experience, the report finds that risk mitigation measures, such as risk guarantee funds, will shield the project developers. Furthermore, competitive renewable energy procurement through auctions will help reduce renewable energy tariffs and help Bangladesh contain the rising electricity generation cost, said the IEEFA report. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 14:28:40', '2023-04-05 14:28:40'),
(6196, 6196, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government will assist the Bangabazar businesspeople as much as possible after estimating the damages caused by Tuesday’s fire.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I’ve already assured that we will help them as much as we can. We’ll assess who incurred how much loss,” she said addressing an event at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>The event was arranged to receive Tk 316.91 crore as first and second installments of the loan provided by the government for construction of Padma Bridge.</div><div><br></div><div>Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of Tk 316,90,97,049 to the Prime Minister as the first and second installments of the loan taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming the fire as a very tragic incident, Hasina said it is too much to bear the suffering and crying of so many businesspeople ahead of the Eid-ul Fitr.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the government undertook a project to construct a planned market there following the fire incidents in 1995 and 2018. But a good number of people obstructed it and filed a writ petition and then the High Court stayed the project.</div><div><br></div><div>“Hadn’t it (the project) been stayed at that time, we could have built a good market and then such a terrible accident would not have happened,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier, however, lambasted a number of unruly people who attacked nearby the headquarters of the fire service. Their behavior has angered her, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The firefighters rushed to the spot soon after fire broke out to extinguish the blaze, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said she asked to identify the attackers and take proper action against them. “Proper action will be taken against them. Case will be filed against them,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said if anyone attacks the members or vehicles of the fire service or other public property in future, they won’t be spared.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 15:20:50', '2023-04-05 15:20:50'),
(6197, 6197, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Natore tribunal today sentenced six people to death and four to life imprisonment in a case filed over gang-rape of a college student in 2012.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Those sentenced to death are: Sabbir Ahmed, Rezaul alias Rabbi, Nazmul Haque, Rajibul Hasan, Ripon and Shahidul.</div><div><br></div><div>Those who got life imprisonment are: Manirul Islam, Khairul Islam, Ataul Islam and Rezaul Karim.</div><div><br></div><div>Natore Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Muhammad Abdur Rahim handed down the punishment. The court also fined them Tk one lakh each which would be provided to the rape survivor.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prosecution, Sabbir Ahmed was in a relationship with a college student of Chandai village in Baraigram upazila of the district.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 19, 2012, Sabbir took the girl to Kalam Mirzapur village. Later, he along with his friends raped the girl near Mirzapur Eidgah field.</div><div><br></div><div>The victim lodged a complaint in this connection and police registered a case with Baraigram Police Station.</div><div><br></div><div>Police also submitted chargesheet against 11 people.</div><div><br></div><div>After examining records and witnesses, Judge of Natore Women and Children Repression Tribunal handed down the punishment and acquitted one chargesheeted accused, Nasir, as allegation brought against him could not be proven. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 16:11:26', '2023-04-05 16:11:26'),
(6198, 6198, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Donald Trump offered a full-throated defense of his conduct Tuesday in his first public remarks since being charged over hush money payments to a porn star, blasting the criminal prosecution as \"an insult to our country.\"</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Hours earlier the 76-year-old former US president pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in a dramatic hearing in New York that transfixed the nation -- and began the countdown to the first ever criminal trial of an American president.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I never thought anything like this could happen in America -- never thought it could happen,\" Trump told an audience of several hundred donors, political allies and other supporters after returning to Mar-a-Lago, his beachfront mansion in southern Florida.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The only crime that I\'ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it... It\'s an insult to our country.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Trump -- the frontrunner in the race for the 2024 Republican nomination -- said from a stage festooned with American flags in an opulent gold-and-cream ballroom that \"radical left\" prosecutors were out to get him \"at any cost.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The bizarrely celebratory mood in the room seemed at odds with the gravity of the day\'s events in Manhattan, with Trump reprising the applause lines that his supporters hear regularly at his rallies -- and being rewarded with the same boisterous cheers and clapping.</div><div><br></div><div>Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Trump for cooking his company\'s books to hide payments he arranged for adult film actress Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election, to cover up an alleged sexual encounter a decade earlier.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump\'s former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg is serving a five-month jail term for the same charge of falsifying business records.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Darkest hours\' -</div><div>Manhattan prosecutors say Trump \"repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election.\"</div><div><br></div><div>A \"statement of facts\" released alongside the indictment included details of hush money payments to Daniels, Playboy model Karen McDougal and a former Trump Tower doorman claiming to have a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock.</div><div><br></div><div>Daniels was paid $130,000 by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, while McDougal and the doorman got $150,000 and $30,000 respectively from AMI, the publishers of supermarket tabloid the National Enquirer.</div><div><br></div><div>Bragg alleges that Trump and his allies \"also took steps that mischaracterized, for tax purposes, the true nature of the payments.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Trump and his lawyers have accused Bragg of over-reaching in his characterization of the alleged misconduct.</div><div><br></div><div>The one-time reality TV star had sent a fundraising email even before flying back to Florida, saying that since the news of his indictment broke, his campaign had raised over $10 million.</div><div><br></div><div>\"While we are living through the darkest hours of American history, I can say that at least for this moment right now, I am in great spirits,\" Trump said.</div><div><br></div><div>The twice-impeached Republican is the first sitting or former American president to be criminally indicted.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the Manhattan courtroom, he answered \"not guilty\" to all charges in a clear voice, sitting with hunched shoulders and at times looking annoyed but mostly listening cooperatively.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Election interference\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Judge Juan Merchan said a trial could potentially start as soon as January -- a month before the presidential primaries kick off -- although Trump\'s lawyers have indicated they would want it pushed back to next spring.</div><div><br></div><div>In a spectacle that played out on live television -- with rival protesters rallying outside -- the hearing marked a watershed moment for the US criminal and political system.</div><div><br></div><div>A crowd of hundreds had gathered, with pro-Trump protesters -- sporting \"MAGA\" hats and attire emblazoned with the American flag -- yelling slurs at their opponents.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump for years rejoiced in his reputation as a playboy but has always denied the tryst with Daniels, which would have occurred just after his third wife Melania gave birth.</div><div><br></div><div>In a rambling, conspiracy theory laden tirade to his supporters, he described Merchan as a \"Trump-hating judge\" and denounced Bragg for what he called \"massive election interference at a scale never seen before in our country.\"</div><div><br></div><div>But he spent much of his speech mocking several more serious investigations he faces, repeating previously-debunked allegations about being treated differently from previous presidents.</div><div><br></div><div>They include his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state of Georgia, his alleged mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House and his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 20:07:18', '2023-04-05 20:07:18'),
(6199, 6199, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Popular singer and actor Tahsan Khan has&nbsp; bought a lungi burnt in the devastating fire at&nbsp; Bangabazar at Tk 1 lakh responding to a call from Ekushey Padak winning organisation Bidyanondo Foundation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The foundation shared the information on Wednesday through a facebook post on their page.</div><div><br></div><div>The post reads, \"Popular artiste Tahsan has bought a burnt lungi for one lakh taka. The money is being delivered to the affected traders. Many celebrities are requesting Bidyanondo, everyone wants to keep some clothes burnt in the fire.”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, on Tuesday, a devastating fire broke out at Bangabazar market around 6:10 am which gutted thousands of shops and injured at least 12 people. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 20:16:52', '2023-04-05 20:16:52'),
(6200, 6200, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A survey will be conducted as some markets in Dhaka including Gausia Market and Rajdhani Super Market seem risky, said Brigadier General Md. Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense on Wednesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“We will start a survey from tomorrow to check whether these markets have entrance and exit points following Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) and fire extinguishing system,” he said while talking to reporters at the main gate of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters.</div><div><br></div><div>The survey will be conducted with the owners of the markets and they will be informed about the next course of action, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about Bangabanzar Market fire, he said 12&nbsp; firefighting units are still working to fully douse the flame at Bangabazar Market. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 20:37:29', '2023-04-05 20:37:29'),
(6201, 6201, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said if the probe committee finds any government agency’s negligence in the Bangabazar fire incident, it will be brought under law.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“If there is any negligence from any agency behind the incident, it will be come up in the investigation committee’s assessment. Proper action will be taken against them following committee’s assessment,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the police headquarters, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about the risky markets in capital, the minister said, “Removing risky markets is not task of home ministry, it is the responsibility of RAJUK and City Corporations. But fire service issued notices declaring different markets risky in different times, it was the one.”</div><div><br></div><div>The minister called upon the traders who run their business in different risky markets to shift their businesses to other places.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 20:59:33', '2023-04-05 20:59:33'),
(6202, 6202, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ireland found themselves in trouble after losing four quick wickets in their second innings against Bangladesh on Wednesday in the Dhaka Test.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh had taken a commanding 155-run first-innings lead after posting 369 in reply to Ireland\'s first-innings total of 214.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib Al Hasan struck first, removing James McCollum for a first-ball duck. Within 13 runs, he took another wicket, while Taijul Islam took two more.</div><div><br></div><div>In Bangladesh\'s first innings, Mushfiqur Rahim hit a century, while Shakib scored 87. For Ireland, Andy McBrine took six wickets, becoming the first Irish spinner to take five or more wickets in a Test innings.</div><div><br></div><div>In Ireland\'s first innings, Harry Tector hit a fifty, but they were outplayed by Taijul, who bagged five wickets, his 11th five-for in Tests. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 21:26:54', '2023-04-05 21:26:54'),
(6203, 6203, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Former Bangladesh captain and current lawmaker Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was awarded honorary life membership of London\'s Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Wednesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>In addition to the recognition given to players, the Club granted two honorary life memberships to individuals who made significant contributions to the sport.</div><div><br></div><div>The MCC Committee awards the membership to individuals in appreciation for their contributions to cricket and projects related to the game, often over a very long period.</div><div><br></div><div>The list of honourees for this year features prominent figures from eight out of the 12 countries that play in Test cricket, including some of the most renowned names in the contemporary game.</div><div><br></div><div>Merissa Aguilleira of West Indies (2008–2019), MS Dhoni of India (2004–2019), Jhulan Goswami of India (2002-2022), Jenny Gunn of England (2004-2019), Muhammad Hafeez of Pakistan (2003-2021), Rachael Haynes of Australia (2009-2022), Laura Marsh of England (2006–2019), Eoin Morgan of England (2006-2022), Mashrafe (2001-2020), Kevin Pietersen of England (2005-2014), Suresh Raina of India (2005-2018), Mithali Raj of India (1999-2022), Amy Satterthwaite of New Zealand (2007-2022), Yuvraj Singh of India (2000-2017), Anya Shrubsole of England (2008-2022), Dale Steyn of South Africa (2004–2020), and Ross Taylor of New Zealand (2006-2022) were awarded lifetime membership of the MCC in 2023. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 21:58:23', '2023-04-05 21:58:23'),
(6204, 6204, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The affected traders of the Bangabazar fire incident have sought interest-free loans to survive in the business and for repayment of their bank liabilities.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In addition, they called on the government to develop infrastructures for business operations again at the same place.</div><div><br></div><div>The traders of Bangabazar Market made the demand while talking to reporters in front of the damaged market on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday a devastating fire gutted around 5,000 small shops in Bangabazar and its nearby markets.</div><div><br></div><div>Standing in front of his burnt shop, businessman Daud Mia told UNB that he took a loan of Tk 15 lakh from the bank a few days ago giving his home as collateral.</div><div><br></div><div>“The goods of my three shops were burnt in the fire along with other goods, I am now destitute. There is no arrangement to pay the installments. So, I am asking the government for an interest-free loan to repay the bank loan,” he said as he sobbed.</div><div><br></div><div>The businessmen urged the government to allow setting up shops in the same place again so that the traders who have clothes in their warehouse can sell them.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities say an assessment is being done to determine the losses from the fire, apparently to devise a way for supporting the affected businessmen.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 22:10:59', '2023-04-05 22:10:59'),
(6205, 6205, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is a site sacred to both Islam and Judaism in the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem that has long been a lightning rod in Israeli-Palestinian relations.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday, Israeli riot police stormed the mosque to dislodge what it called Palestinian \"agitators\" who barricaded themselves inside after the last prayers of the day with fireworks, sticks and stones.</div><div><br></div><div>The clashes at the site, which is the third-holiest in Islam and the holiest in Judaism, came after Jewish radicals called for animals to be sacrificed in the compound to mark the Jewish Passover holiday.</div><div>- Prophet\'s night journey -</div><div><br></div><div>The 14-hectare (35-acre) rectangular esplanade at the southeast corner of the Old City was seized by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 along with the rest of east Jerusalem and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its indivisible capital, but the Palestinians want the eastern sector, which includes the Old City and its sacred sites, as the capital of their future state.</div><div><br></div><div>Known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), the compound houses the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, a famous golden-topped shrine.</div><div><br></div><div>Believed to be where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven on a winged horse, it is the third-holiest site in Islam after Mecca\'s Grand Mosque and the Prophet\'s Mosque in Medina, both in Saudi Arabia.</div><div><br></div><div>- Wailing Wall -</div><div>The compound in its current form was built in the seventh century on the site of the Second Jewish Temple that was destroyed by the Romans around 70 AD.</div><div><br></div><div>The area is revered by Jews, who come from across the world to pray at the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple that is situated just below the esplanade and is the holiest site where Jews can pray.</div><div><br></div><div>In Hebrew, the whole area is referred to as Har HaBayit -- the Temple Mount.</div><div><br></div><div>- Select entry -</div><div><br></div><div>Al-Aqsa mosque is administered by Jordan in coordination with the Palestinians but access to the site is controlled by the Israeli security forces.</div><div><br></div><div>Decades-old convention allows Muslims to enter the mosque compound at all times of day or night, but non-Muslims can only do so at certain times and are banned from praying inside.</div><div><br></div><div>However, in recent years Israeli police have repeatedly closed access to Al-Aqsa during times of tension and ultra-nationalist Jews, who want to begin building a new temple at the site, have been caught praying inside.</div><div><br></div><div>- Decades of tensions -</div><div><br></div><div>The site has long been a tinderbox in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, with tensions often peaking during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>A controversial visit to the mosque compound in September 2000 by Israel\'s then opposition leader Ariel Sharon was one of the main triggers for the second Palestinian intifada, an uprising that lasted from 2000 to 2005.</div><div><br></div><div>The day after Sharon\'s visit, Israeli police shot dead seven Palestinian protesters in clashes.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2017, the compound was temporarily closed after three Arab Israelis opened fire at police near the mosque, killing two of them, before fleeing into the compound, where they were shot dead by security forces.</div><div><br></div><div>Two years later, clashes between police and worshippers at the compound left dozens of Palestinians wounded.</div><div><br></div><div>During Ramadan in 2021, Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa mosque to end a sit-in by worshippers -- events that led up to an 11-day war between Israel and the Gaza Strip\'s Islamist rulers Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>The compound saw renewed clashes during the spring of 2022 that left hundreds of Palestinians wounded.</div><div><br></div><div>In January, a visit by Israel\'s extreme-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also caused tensions. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 22:16:18', '2023-04-05 22:16:18'),
(6206, 6206, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Nurul Alam Atique\'s “Pyara Subash” or “The Scent of Sin” has made it to the competition category in the 45th edition of the Moscow International Film Festival, according to the official website and Facebook page of the festival.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Pyara Subash” is one of the 12 films in the competition category. There are also films from Argentina, Russia, China, France, and Japan in this category.</div><div><br></div><div>Jaya Ahsan played the lead role in the film while Tariq Anam Khan, and Ahmed Rubel, among others, have played as other lead characters.</div><div><br></div><div>The 45th edition of the Moscow International Film Festival will take place from April 20 to 27.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladeshi film “Adim” was also on the list of competition sections in the last edition of the film festival. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-05 22:20:41', '2023-04-05 22:20:41'),
(6207, 6207, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Kostroma is not a bad place to go looking for the effects of the Ukraine war on Russia. For this city is home to a celebrated regiment that bears its name and has been in the forefront of all the main battles in the Kremlin\'s campaign against its neighbours.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The 331st Guards Parachute Regiment, often called the Kostroma Airborne Regiment, has been the subject of investigations by BBC\'s Newsnight since shortly after last February\'s invasion. These have revealed the price paid by the regiment and its home community. We had confirmed 39 fatalities by April last year, 62 by late July, and now the toll has reached 94.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Much of the work compiling this list has involved combing social media accounts on V\'Kontakte, the Russian equivalent of Facebook, and local media reporting. We can then cross reference this with satellite and Google Street View imagery.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">One video discovered on V\'Kontakte showed soldiers\' graves at a cemetery north-east of Kostroma. The graves shown in the videos match the names of the soldiers we have collated.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The actual number of 331st\'s dead is probably much higher. Some of the soldiers are from towns outside Kostroma, which makes tracking down information about them much more difficult. Several soldiers have been reported missing - some of these may count among the dead.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">When one considers those seriously wounded or taken prisoner, it\'s reasonable to assume that the Ukraine war has cost the regiment several hundred soldiers.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The loss of life has caused much comment in Kostroma, which lies about 300km north-east of Moscow and has a population of around a quarter of a million. One local website noted last spring that the entire Soviet-Afghan war, lasting nine years, had cost the city 56 soldiers. Heavy losses in Ukraine have given the local authorities a difficult task of political management.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Sergey Sitnikov, Kostroma\'s Kremlin-appointed governor, has been in the forefront of attempts to convince people that the city\'s soldiers are being properly supported. Gov Sitnikov\'s visits to hospitals, barracks, and indeed to the front, have been covered on local TV.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">On a visit to the front in December, Gov Sitnikov told viewers that \"we need to help [the] guys so they have decent conditions\". He had brought with him crowd-funded care packages and commercially sold drones.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Gov Sitnikov is Vladimir Putin\'s placeman in his home region, so he\'s hardly a rebel or fearless teller of uncomfortable truths. But his willingness to visit the front and acknowledge shortcomings, even in a coded way, marks an interesting contrast with his boss.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">When local TV showed mobilised paratroopers on the 331st\'s parade ground six months ago, it also carried Gov Sitnikov\'s rather frank remarks to them: \"I\'m wishing you good health, success, completion of all tasks… and that you return home alive.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The call-up of paratroopers, part of Russia\'s wider mobilisation, underlines the degree to which the Ukraine campaign has exhausted the country\'s professional army, of which the 331st has been a showpiece. In footage of November\'s parade, 150 conscripts were shown before their dispatch to the front.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The total size of the 331st regiment could be estimated at 1,500-1,700. When it first sent into Ukraine in February 2022, it deployed two battalion groups, giving a total of 1,000-1,200 soldiers. After taking heavy casualties in the failed attempt to reach Kyiv, the regiment was withdrawn and rebuilt in the southern Russian garrison town of Belgorod last summer.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Subsequent action has seen the regiment moving around all the major flashpoints - Izyum in the early summer, Kherson later on, and now back to Donbas. By monitoring the dates given in the death announcements on Kostroma social media, it\'s possible to work out when (and often where) the unit was used to spearhead assaults, and the lulls when it was removed from the line to lick its wounds. For example, a cluster of deaths in February point to elements of the 331st being engaged in Kreminna.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">But on social media, we\'ve found more modern manifestations of remembrance, and even people seeking revenge. Soldiers are shown holding shells with messages scribbled on them from Reunov\'s former classmates, and, supposedly, his family.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">There\'s a trend seen in a few Russian garrison towns, for wives and mothers to post pictures of themselves with an absent soldier\'s uniform. One tearful mother of a dead paratrooper from the 331st remembers the Great Patriotic War, and adds, \"I hope there will be stories written about our guys\". BBC</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 08:54:38', '2023-04-06 08:54:38'),
(6208, 6208, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Taiwan is caught in the middle of a dangerous love triangle.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Last week Taiwan\'s President Tsai Ing-wen was welcomed to New York - now she\'s held a face-to-face meeting in California with the speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Supporters waved Taiwan flags; after the two politicians entered the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library a small plane flew over towing a pro-Beijing banner saying \"One China! Taiwan is part of China!\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Ms Tsai gave a short statement, saying Taiwan\'s democracy was \"facing unprecedented challenges\" and adding that the island was \"grateful to have the US by its side\".</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">China\'s foreign ministry condemned the meeting, referring to \"seriously erroneous acts of collusion\" between the US and Taiwan.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The timing of Ms Tsai\'s visit is hardly a coincidence. In the US there is deep and growing hostility to China. And this is driving ever more open displays of support for Taiwan, with Democrats and Republicans competing to out-do each other.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">It\'s a big reason former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so keen on landing in Taipei last summer, despite the fact that it set off a furious reaction from China. The self-governed island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory, is arguably the biggest flashpoint between the US and China.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I was personally very opposed to the Pelosi visit,\" says professor William Stanton, former director of the American Institute in Taiwan. \"For a high-level politician from the US to make a visit to the island was just poking China without much reward. And the consequences were quite scary.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chinese missiles flew over the island as Beijing made blood-curdling threats. In capitals around the region governments began talking seriously about the timetable for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Despite that, as soon as he was elected house speaker this January, Mr McCarthy, a Republican, declared his intention to follow Ms Pelosi\'s example. But President Tsai decided that was not a good idea, Prof Stanton says.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I think it was quite clear that Kevin McCarthy wanted to pull a Pelosi,\" he says. \"But Tsai Ing-wen said, \'no thank you, how about we have tea together in California instead\'.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">President Tsai may not want another contentious visit by a US leader to Taiwan just yet - but she also needs to show China that it will not succeed in shutting down contact between a democratically-elected government in Taipei and its most powerful ally in Washington.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">And so, the meeting in California. Mr McCarthy has far from downplayed it, calling the meeting \"bipartisan\", despite China\'s warning that the US was \"playing with fire on the Taiwan question\".</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Afterwards the White House said there was no need for Beijing to \"overreact\" to the meeting.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">This so-called \"transit diplomacy\" is crucial for Taiwan, says Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Over the years, China has successfully poached many of Taiwan\'s formal allies, whittling down the number of governments that recognise Taipei to just 13.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"These international visits match Taiwan society\'s needs for international recognition,\" Mr Sung says. \"When there\'s an absence of international recognition, these other proxy indicators of international support are important to [the] Taiwanese.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Meanwhile the Communist Party of China has mounted its own charm offensive, by inviting President Tsai\'s predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou, to tour the mainland.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mr Ma went on an unprecedented five-city tour, ostensibly to pay homage to his ancestors. He has indeed visited their graves in central China. But the trip is also political. In fact, it\'s the first time a former president of Taiwan has ever been invited to the People\'s Republic of China since its founding in 1949.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Beijing is trying to soften the tone towards Taiwan... winning more hearts and minds, and also avoiding a surge of Taiwanese nationalism during the [2024] presidential campaign,\" Mr Sung says.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mr Ma\'s visit, he adds, provided the necessary \"political cover\" to do that.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">When he landed in Nanjing last week, Mr Ma made a strikingly political speech: \"The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese. And both are descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Beijing is being nice to Ma Ying-jeou because he represents capitulation,\" Prof Stanton says. \"He says \'we are all Chinese\'. That\'s something he and the Chinese agree on, but it\'s not something the Taiwanese agree on.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The risk in Mr Ma\'s strategy is that more than 60% of Taiwan\'s residents, according to surveys, describe themselves as Taiwanese, and not Chinese.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">But there could also be a reward waiting in the wings. Surveys show that more than half of Taiwan believes war with China is now likely. And Mr Ma\'s aim is to convince Taiwanese voters that only his party - the Kuomintang (KMT) - can avoid that war, Mr Sung says.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"It\'s about cementing his legacy as the bridge between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. And on a domestic political level Taiwan is starting its presidential campaign. The KMT argument is that we can bring peace with China.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">But the elephant in the room is the deteriorating relationship between Taiwan\'s two suitors - Washington and Beijing. That relationship is worse today than at any time since the US and China officially recognised each other in 1979, says Bonnie Glaser, head of the Asia programme at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"They [Beijing] are not taking calls from President Biden or the Pentagon. Congress has declared China an existential threat,\" she says.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">For decades Washington has managed a rather delicate status quo, acknowledging, if not supporting, Beijing\'s position that there is only one Chinese government - the one on the mainland. It has maintained official ties with that government, and not Taiwan, since 1979. But it has also remained a steadfast ally to Taipei, guaranteeing to help the island defend itself.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">But the fear is that China now believes that the US is set on changing the status quo which has helped keep the peace in the Taiwan Strait for the last 40-odd years.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"President Biden told Xi Jinping he is not using Taiwan as a weapon, that he does not support the separation of Taiwan from China,\" Ms Glaser says.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">But such assurances are unlikely to amount to much in the wake of contentious state visits or official meetings with Taiwan\'s leaders, she adds.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">So while Mr Ma tours China and Ms Tsai has tea in California, what Taiwan also needs is for Mr Xi to pick up the phone. BBC</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 09:02:21', '2023-04-06 09:02:21'),
(6209, 6209, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality slipped back to the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 154 at 8:56 am, the capital city of Bangladesh ranked 7th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Pakistan’s Lahore and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 330, 175and 165, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 09:38:48', '2023-04-06 09:38:48');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6210, 6210, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The affected traders of the Bangabazar fire incident have sought interest-free loans to survive in the business and for repayment of their bank liabilities.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, they called on the government to develop infrastructures for business operations again at the same place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The traders of Bangabazar Market made the demand while talking to reporters in front of the damaged market on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday a devastating fire gutted around 5,000 small shops in Bangabazar and its nearby markets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Standing in front of his burnt shop, businessman Daud Mia told UNB that he took a loan of Tk 15 lakh from the bank a few days ago giving his home as collateral.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The goods of my three shops were burnt in the fire along with other goods, I am now destitute. There is no arrangement to pay the installments. So, I am asking the government for an interest-free loan to repay the bank loan,” he said as he sobbed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The businessmen urged the government to allow setting up shops in the same place again so that the traders who have clothes in their warehouse can sell them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities say an assessment is being done to determine the losses from the fire, apparently to devise a way for supporting the affected businessmen. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 09:57:30', '2023-04-06 09:57:30'),
(6211, 6211, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A tornado ripped through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, killing five people and causing widespread destruction as the third in a series of deadly massive storms over the past two weeks struck the nation\'s heartland.</b><br></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Forecasters are keeping a wary eye out for more extreme weather as this year\'s early severe storm season continues. The storms have spawned dozens of tornadoes, mainly in the South and Midwest, that have killed at least 63 people. Just last weekend, confirmed or suspected tornadoes in at least eight states laid waste to neighborhoods across a broad swath of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Missouri tornado touched down around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and moved through a rural area of Bollinger County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of St. Louis. Trees were uprooted, homes turned into piles of splinters, and one building was flipped on its side.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five people were killed and five were injured, State Highway Patrol Superintendent Eric Olson said at a news conference. Residents in the village of Glen Allen said at least some of the victims were members of a family who lived in a trailer along a state highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Little was left of the trailer Wednesday beyond its concrete pads and an axle. A large stuffed animal was lodged in the branch of a downed tree, and furniture, clothing and kitchenware were scattered in a field.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Olson said 12 structures were destroyed and dozens more damaged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The damage was concentrated around Glen Allen and the small rural community of Grassy, which are separated by a hunting area, said Bollinger County Sheriff Casey Graham in a Facebook post. He didn’t immediately release the victims’ names.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Charles Collier, 61, said he saw the coroner’s van drive by with its lights on in Glen Allen, where he owns a storage facility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“That was a sad, sad sight -- knowing there was bodies in there,” said Collier. “I was just numb, thinking about all these other people, what they’re going through.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Josh Wells said that the tornado tore half of the roof off his Glen Allen home and pushed in his bedroom wall. Luckily, he fled beforehand with his son to his sister’s home because it has a basement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We all ran down and huddled against the wall and my brother-in-law made it down just seconds before we heard the roaring sound of the wind and debris crashing around us,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While his sister’s home held up, the area reeked of gas because a propane unit was damaged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Midwest tornadoes have typically occurred later in the spring, but this year’s early spate of severe weather continues a trend seen over the past few years, said Bill Bunting, chief of forecast operations at the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Although we will likely have several relatively quiet days after the current weather system has moved east of the U.S., we are entering the time of the year where the potential for severe weather increases and much more of the U.S. becomes at risk,” Bunting said in a email.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Typically, dry air from the West going up over the Rockies and crashing into warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico are what make the U.S. so prone to tornadoes and other severe storms, experts say.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Missouri Gov. Mike Parson toured the storm damage area Wednesday and said President Joe Biden had called to assure him of federal help. Local agencies anticipate months of recovery efforts, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I will tell you, I just know because I grew up in a little small town, these small towns, these counties and these cites will come together to help one another out,” Parson said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Justin Gibbs, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Paducah, Kentucky, said the tornado remained on the ground for roughly 15 minutes, traveling an estimated 15-20 miles (24-32 kilometers).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Based on early data, the tornado received a preliminary EF-2 rating, packing wind speeds of 130 mph (228 kph).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gibbs noted that tornadoes are especially dangerous when they touch down late at night or early in the morning, as this one did.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s definitely a nightmare from a warning standpoint,” Gibbs said. “It’s bad anytime, but it’s especially bad at 3:30 in the morning.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A phone weather alert awakened Bobby Masters, who said debris was slamming his Glen Allen home as he took shelter in his basement with his family. He recalled hearing a roar as the tornado passed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I had never heard a tornado before. They say it sounds like a freight train and that is exactly what it sounds like,” he said. “The good Lord spared us, our family and our house.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Keith Lincoln, 56, also was awakened by a phone alert. He huddled in a bathtub with his wife and 18-year-old daughter and prayed: “Just save us and the house.” Lincoln spent the afternoon patching his roof but was thankful his prayer was mostly answered.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chris Green, 35, found a small black dog dead in the debris. “I can’t just leave it here,” he said as he and his father buried the animal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The area is rural, with residents mostly farming, cutting timber or working construction jobs, said Larry Welker, Bollinger County\'s public administrator. The county\'s population is around 10,500. The battered communities are tiny, little more than a few scattered homes and businesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storms moving through the Midwest and South had threatened some areas still reeling from the deadly bout of bad weather last weekend. At one point, the Storm Prediction Center said up to 40 million people were at risk in an area that included Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Memphis, Tennessee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In central Illinois, authorities said five people were hurt and about 300 homes were without power due to a tornado that struck in Fulton County on Tuesday evening. Chris Helle, who directs the county’s Emergency Services Disaster Agency, said one of the people injured was in critical condition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Helle said the damage was concentrated near the town of Bryant, about 200 mile (322 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. Helle said numerous homes were destroyed, but he credited people for listening to advance warnings and taking shelter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials said another tornado touched down Tuesday morning in the western Illinois community of Colona. Local news reports showed wind damage to some businesses there. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 10:53:50', '2023-04-06 10:53:50'),
(6212, 6212, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Top UN officials warned Wednesday that a Taliban government order banning Afghan women from working for its mission in the country would violate the world body\'s charter and demanded the ban be revoked.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Nations also announced it had instructed all its Afghan staff, men and women, not to report to the office after the ban on its women staff was confirmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taliban authorities have imposed a slew of restrictions on Afghan women since seizing power in 2021, including banning them from higher education and many government jobs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The increasing curbs are reminiscent of the Taliban\'s first government between 1996 and 2001, when the UN said they were responsible for repeated human rights violations -- particularly against girls and women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded the ban on the organisation\'s women staff in Afghanistan be \"immediately revoked\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is a violation of the inalienable fundamental human rights of women,\" spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on behalf of Guterres on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN said on Tuesday the Taliban government had extended a ban on women working for non-governmental organisations to the world body\'s workforce of some 400 Afghan women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Ramiz Alakbarov said that \"the charter of the United Nations is going to be violated\" because of the ban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is absolutely clear that no authority can give instructions to the United Nations... on who should be employed,\" he told AFP. \"We are not going to make an exception.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While it is unclear what the effect of a charter violation would be in the long term, the UN ordered all its Afghan staff, men and women, \"not to report to the office until further notice\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN Security Council planned to discuss the issue at a closed-door meeting Thursday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Assault against women\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told journalists in New York that the organisation\'s Afghan women staff will continue to receive their salaries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am terribly troubled by the fact that in the month of Ramadan, that what we get from the Taliban is a strike against the teachings and the belief of Islam,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN mission head in Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva also denounced the ban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In the history of the United Nations, no other regime has ever tried to ban women from working for the organisation just because they are women,\" Otunbayeva said in a separate statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This decision represents an assault against women, the fundamental principles of the UN, and on international law.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mission called for women employees to be allowed to move freely across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They cannot receive instructions on the performance of their duties from any authority external to the organisation,\" the statement read.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the order \"repugnant\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Women are integral to humanitarian operations, including in Afghanistan where they provide lifesaving aid to the country\'s most vulnerable,\" she tweeted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The world body\'s 400 women Afghan employees are the bulk of its 600 women staff working in Afghanistan. In total, there are about 3,300 Afghans in the 3,900-strong UN workforce there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN airlifted $1.8 billion into Afghanistan between December 2021 and January 2023, funding an aid lifeline for the nation\'s 38 million citizens and shoring up the domestic economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Severe restrictions -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taliban authorities ordered all NGOs in December to stop employing Afghan women after receiving \"serious complaints\" that women employees were not observing a proper Islamic dress code.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These justifications have no basis considering what we know about Islam,\" said Alakbarov. Several conservative countries in the region still allow women to study and work, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many NGOs suspended their entire operations in the country in protest after the ban was announced, piling further misery on Afghanistan\'s citizens, half of whom are facing hunger, according to aid agencies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was agreed after days of discussion that women working in the health aid sector would be exempt from the decree, although the UN enjoyed a general exemption.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aid workers say female employees are crucial in delivering help to women beneficiaries in a deeply conservative and patriarchal country such as Afghanistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The restriction will also hamper donation-raising efforts by the UN at a time when Afghanistan is enduring one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, Alakbarov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taliban government has imposed an austere interpretation of Islam since surging back to power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities have barred teenage girls from secondary school, while women have been pushed out of many government jobs, prevented from travelling without a male relative and ordered to cover up outside the home, ideally with a burqa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women have also been banned from universities and are not allowed to enter parks or gardens. 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, '2023-04-06 11:11:02', '2023-04-06 11:11:02'),
(6213, 6213, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">South Korea warned Thursday it will take \"necessary steps\" if Pyongyang continues its unauthorised use of a joint industrial complex in the North once seen as a symbol of reconciliation.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 50,000 North Korean workers once worked at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, churning out products ranging from watches to clothes for about 125 South Korean companies that supplied the funding and equipment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seoul pulled out of the venture -- launched in the wake of the 2000 inter-Korean summit -- in 2016 in response to a nuclear test and missile launches by the North, saying Kaesong profits were helping fund the provocations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the North has continued using the facility and its South Korean-owned assets without permission, Seoul\'s unification ministry said Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Korea\'s liaison office sent a notice on Thursday demanding activity at the factory complex cease, but North Korea refused to accept it, the ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The announcement came a day after North Korea\'s Rodong Sinmun newspaper released a set of photographs showing what appeared to be a South Korean bus once used to carry workers to the complex running in Pyongyang.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The continued operation of the facilities \"regardless of the will of the businessmen is a clear violation of property rights\" and the two Koreas\' agreement on investment guarantees, Seoul\'s notice said, according to the ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"North Korea should stop this immediately. If there is no corresponding response from North Korea regarding our request, we will take necessary steps assuming that North Korea has admitted to operating the complex without permission,\" the notice said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What action might be taken was not specified.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While open, the business park was virtually the last remaining form of economic cooperation between the Koreas, providing precious hard currency for the impoverished North and cheap labour and tax breaks for the involved companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea has doubled down on the expansion of its military arsenal and nuclear programme since a 2019 Hanoi summit between leader Kim Jong Un and then-US president Donald Trump failed to yield any meaningful outcome.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent weeks, it has tested what state media has claimed was an underwater, nuclear-capable drone and carried out the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials in Seoul and Washington have warned since early 2022 that North Korea may be preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test, with some experts saying it could be imminent. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 11:34:36', '2023-04-06 11:34:36'),
(6214, 6214, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Western security services of having helped Kyiv stage \"terror attacks\" in Russia, after giving an icy welcome to the new US and EU ambassadors.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile made a rare foreign visit to Warsaw in a show of thanks for Poland\'s support since the start of Russia\'s offensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin spoke at a meeting of the Kremlin\'s security council dedicated to ensuring law and order in four Ukrainian territories he claimed to have annexed last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There are grounds to assert\" that other countries and Western intelligence services were involved \"in staging sabotage and terrorist attacks\", Putin said in televised remarks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In what appeared to be a reference to the Ukrainian authorities, Putin said \"neo-Nazis and their accomplices were acting\" in Russia as well as the annexed territories including the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin\'s remarks come days after an explosion at a cafe in Russia\'s second city, Saint Petersburg, killed a high-profile military blogger and staunch supporter of Moscow\'s assault on Ukraine, Vladlen Tatarsky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow said the attack had been orchestrated by Ukraine with help from supporters of jailed critic Alexei Navalny. Kyiv has blamed it on Russia\'s domestic infighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday the blogger\'s death would be \"one of the topics of discussion\" at the UN Security Council, where Moscow has taken over the rotating presidency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hours earlier, Putin had received the new foreign ambassadors to Moscow at a ceremony in the Kremlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He told US ambassador Lynne Tracy that Washington was responsible for the \"Ukrainian crisis\", adding that ties between Russia and the United States were in \"deep crisis\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin also told the new EU envoy to Moscow, Roland Galharague, that the bloc instigated \"geopolitical confrontation\" with Moscow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Ukraine aircraft crash -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also on Wednesday, Russian state media cited the FSB security service as saying that it detained a pilot of a Ukrainian light aircraft that crashed in the southern Bryansk region that borders Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The aircraft, for unknown reasons, crashed near the settlement of Butovsk in Bryansk region. The pilot (a citizen of Ukraine), who tried to escape to Ukrainian territory, was detained by a border patrol,\" the FSB was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA Novosti.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Warsaw, Zelensky expressed Ukraine\'s gratitude to Poland, one of its staunchest backers since Russia\'s offensive, providing it with weapons and welcoming refugees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today we are trying to get for Ukraine... additional guarantees, security guarantees, which will strengthen Ukraine\'s military potential,\" Polish President Andrzej Duda said after talks with Zelensky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These guarantees are an \"introduction to Ukraine\'s full membership in NATO\", Duda added, saying Poland \"firmly\" supported Kyiv\'s bid to join the alliance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin has used Ukraine\'s desire to join NATO to justify Russia\'s military operation there, though Ukraine was a long way from joining when fighting started in February 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky thanked Poland for supporting Kyiv\'s efforts to enter both the European Union and NATO.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I would like to convey to our partners, who are constantly looking for compromises on our way to NATO, that Ukraine will be uncompromising in this as well,\" Zelensky said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Poland, Ukraine\'s western neighbour, became the first NATO member to pledge the MiG-29 fighter jets that Ukraine had been calling for.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Warsaw said on Monday it had transferred some of its already promised fighter jets to Ukraine, after fellow NATO member Slovakia announced it had shipped an initial batch of its own.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think that in the future we will be able to transfer our whole remaining fleet of MiG-29s to Ukraine, if there is still such a need,\" Duda said of the 28 MiG-29 jets in Poland\'s possession.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Agriculture talks -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He would require NATO\'s authorisation for such a move, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Warsaw has also delivered Leopard 2A4 tanks, which Kyiv had long sought to help its efforts to dislodge Russian troops from its territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the beginning of the offensive, Poland has hosted an influx of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I will never get tired of thanking the ordinary Polish people who have been helping the ordinary Ukrainian people since the beginning of the Russian invasion,\" Zelensky told journalists in Warsaw.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite its support, Poland has recently seen a wave of protests by farmers over Ukrainian grain exports, which they say are driving down market prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday, Poland\'s agriculture minister announced he was stepping down following the protests and blamed the European Union for inaction in helping the farmers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Poland\'s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the imports of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine will be discussed during the talks with Zelensky. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 11:57:34', '2023-04-06 11:57:34'),
(6215, 6215, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Siddharth Anand has been roped in to direct Tiger vs Pathaan, an upcoming movie in Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, as per a new report. Tiger vs Pathaan will reportedly see Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan reprise their roles as spies Pathaan and Tiger, respectively. Tiger vs Pathaan will reportedly feature a face off between the two agents.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shah Rukh Khan was seen as an agent in the action film Pathaan (2023), the biggest commercial hit of his career, while Salman Khan played a fictional RAW agent in two YRF spy films – the first film Ek Tha Tiger (2012) directed by Kabir Khan, and its sequel Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) made by filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar. Salman had a cameo role in Pathaan, also directed by Siddharth Anand. Pathaan was the first YRF film to have a crossover as it brought characters from the YRF spy universe together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Aditya Chopra has immense trust in Siddharth Anand to deliver a grand visual spectacle that has never been seen before with Tiger vs Pathaan,” a trade source was quoted as saying in a new Deadline report. “Siddharth is getting a dream cast of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan coming together for their first full fledged film since Karan Arjun and Siddharth will also be given all the support he needs to mount Tiger vs Pathaan as the biggest film that India has ever produced,\" the report further said quoting the source.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">YRF’s spy universe, apart from the first two Tiger films, includes War (2019) featuring Hrithik Roshan as a RAW agent. The film also featured Tiger Shroff. The third film in the Tiger franchise, again starring Salman Khan, is scheduled for release during Diwali this year. War 2 featuring Hrithik, directed by filmmaker Ayan Mukerji, is reportedly also in the works. Shah Rukh\'s Pathaan was the fourth film in the YRF spy universe. The film also featured Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, and Ashutosh Rana.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the film, Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan), an exiled RAW agent, works with ISI agent Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone) to take down Jim (John Abraham), a former RAW agent planning to spread a deadly lab-generated virus across India. Pathaan was released in theatres on January 25, 2023, around the Republic Day holiday, and received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences. It is the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 12:23:00', '2023-04-06 12:23:00'),
(6216, 6216, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Morning is the best time to fuel your body in the right manner. For people with diabetes, it is especially important to have foods that promote satiety, lead to slow release of glucose and the ones that provide sustained energy throughout the day without causing sugar spikes. Eating a balanced diet with the right proportion of protein, carbs, healthy fats, fibre and are non-starchy can give your body the perfect start.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Morning is also the time when people with diabetes may experience rise in blood glucose as our liver produces extra glucose to fuel the body for the day. This may lead to hyperglycaemia in some. If you feel thirsty, urinating excessively or have blurry vision in the morning, you have a high blood sugar level. This is especially common in people with type 1 diabetes as they are at an increased risk of blood sugar fluctuations.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"People with type 2 diabetes should periodically monitor fasting blood sugar done on an empty stomach when you wake up in the morning and a post prandial sugar which is taken two hours after a big meal like lunch or dinner. It is important to keep a tab on both these readings because some persons have a high sugar in the fasted state or some others have high sugar post prandial with the fasted state being normal,\" says Clinical Nutritionist Avantii Deshpaande.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Avantii says the rise in the sugar levels is the body’s way of making sure one has enough energy to get up and start the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In case of diabetes, your body may not have enough insulin to counter act these hormones and hence there could be surge in blood sugar in the morning. The opposite scenario might be true too where there is hypoglycaemia in the morning and the blood sugar levels are lower than threshold. The food that you consume first thing in the morning often depends on these levels,\" says the nutritionist.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>1. Ghee and turmeric powder</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If you have normal blood sugar levels, you can trust this powerful combination to work wonders on your blood sugar levels. Take 1 tsp of cow ghee with turmeric powder is the best thing to be consumed first thing in the morning if your sugar readings are normal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">People with diabetes experience sugar cravings and ghee helps them to get better satiety and help control sugar cravings throughout the day. Turmeric on the other hand aids in lowering inflammation which is commonly seen in diabetes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>2. Alkalising drinks</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar or 30 ml of amla juice or lemon juice with 100 ml of water, has an alkalising effect on the body and one can choose to have this too to keep the body alkaline, which in turn helps in healing the body better.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>3. Infused water</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cinnamon is a spice which is known to imitate the effects of insulin in lowering the blood sugar. You can prepare an herbal tea infused with cinnamon powder for helping you manage the blood sugar levels in the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>4. Fenugreek water</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is another remedy which will help you lower the absorption of carbohydrates in the day. So soaking 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds overnight night and consuming this water along with chewing the seeds can help to control diabetes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>5. Protein snack</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In case of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar in the day, you can choose to consume a small protein snack first thing in the morning like soaked almonds, walnuts or then fruit with nut butter. Taking tea or coffee might not be a great idea in the morning on an empty stomach but have a puffed millets chivda or protein snack like moong khakra or moong jor garam and soaked sprouts with this. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 13:12:10', '2023-04-06 13:12:10'),
(6217, 6217, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal today said that the decision to use ballot paper in the upcoming 12th National Election has not been taken under any pressure. It is the Election Commission’s own decision.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CEC said this during a press briefing at the Election Building in Dhaka’s Agargaon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saying that electronic voting machine (EVM) or ballot paper is not a major challenge to the election, the CEC observed that the main challenge is participation of all political parties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It will be up to the Commission to ensure that all parties participate in the election. If all the parties participate in the election, it will be acceptable to people,” he also said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The biggest challenge at the moment is to overcome the political crisis, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saying “EVMs are more secure than ballots,” the Chief Election Commissioner said stopping rigging is easy with EVMs. But hundred percent fair voting is not possible either with ballots or EVM, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rejecting the possibility of early election, CEC Habibul Awal said that preparations are being made according to the roadmap announced by the Election Commission. So, there is no question of early election. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 13:15:54', '2023-04-06 13:15:54'),
(6218, 6218, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 11th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on the beginning of its 22th special session today unanimously adopted obituary reference on a number of distinguished personalities including two former ministers and seven ex-parliament members.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the obituary motion separately at the beginning of the session with brief resumes of those who died after prorogation of 21th session of the current parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Speaker said the House expresses deep shock at the death of two ex-ministers - former information and communication minister Barrister Nazmul Huda, also former parliament member from Dhaka-1 constituency and former information and jute minister Habib Ullah Khan, also ex-parliament member of the then Cumilla-5 constituency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also expressed deep shock over the deaths of former members of parliament --veteran freedom fighter Nur-E-Alam Siddiqui, Reza Ali Khan of Mymensingh-7, M Delwar Hossen of Borguna-1, Shamsul Alam Pramanik of Naogaon-4, M Mozammel Huq of Natore-4, Anwarul Hossen Khan Chowdhury of Mymensingh-9 and Enamul Huq of Mymensingh-10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The parliament, as well, expressed deep shock on the deaths of ruling Awami League (AL) former president of Madaripur Sadar Upazila valiant freedom fighter Ali Ahmed Khan, former general secretary of Lakhipur district AL valiant freedom fighter M Abu Taher, noted photo journalist Jalal Uddin Haider, prestigious Ekhushey Padak laureate, noted sculpture and teacher Shamim Sikder and founder and Chairman of Rangs Group Abdur Rauf Chowdhury.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The JS also expressed profound shock over the deaths of others people in various incidents at home and abroad in recent past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The parliament conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lawmakers also observed a one-minute silence as a mark of profound respect to the departed souls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, a munajat was offered by State Minister for Religious Affairs Md. Faridul Haque Khan seeking eternal peace of the departed souls. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 13:53:58', '2023-04-06 13:53:58'),
(6219, 6219, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday told parliament that Tk 603.76 crore tolls have been collected from Padma Bridge till March since its inauguration on June 25, 2022.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister said this in reply to a tabled question from Awami League MP Benjir Ahmed elected from Dhaka-20.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said after the launch of Bangabandhu Bridge on June 23, 1998, Tk 7697.71 crore have been collected as toll as of March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response to another question from Morshed Alam, a lawmaker from Noakhali-2, Quader said that about 6,000 buses of various transport companies including Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) ply Dhaka city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said E-ticketing is available on a number of BRTC routes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from this, e-ticketing has been launched in 3,300 buses of 69 companies out of 97 private transport companies under the supervision of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader informed the House that Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is monitoring these activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that soon the e-ticketing system will be introduced in the buses of rest of the companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In reply to another query, Quader said that currently there is no research programme to reduce road accidents in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, the question-answer session of today’s parliament sitting was placed on the table. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 14:06:22', '2023-04-06 14:06:22'),
(6220, 6220, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday the speeches of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are an invaluable asset for the present and future generations.</span><br></b></div><div><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div>“In his speeches, he (Bangabandhu) had given directions on how Bangladesh will run. So, it is an invaluable resource for us,” she said, unwrapping two books on Bangabandhu and his speeches after joining the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) just before a special session that began today to mark the 50 years (golden jubilee) of the national parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the two books is the compilation of the speeches of Bangabandhu delivered in parliament, while the other is the compilation of the speeches of the lawmakers delivered in the special session of parliament summoned marking the “Mujib Barsho”.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the book of Bangabandhu’s speeches, Sheikh Hasina said it is very important for members of parliaments (MPs), the people and the future generations to know Bangladesh and its people.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>“In 50 years, our generation or the next generation, generations after generations will know the speeches and through this they will get the opportunity to understand Bangladesh, know the condition of the people, their socio-economic development, everything,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister appreciated the compilation of the speeches of the MPs delivered in the special session of the JS, saying “It is a matter of great pride for us”.</div><div><br></div><div>She extended her sincere thanks to the Speaker, the Members of Parliament and all others concerned in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the constitution, Sheikh Hasina said the constitution of Bangladesh, framed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is the best one in the world as it ensured basic rights of the people of all strata.</div><div><br></div><div>She said soon after the independence, the Father of the Nation had formed Ganaparishad (Constituent Assembly) with the members of both the National Assembly and Provincial Assembly, elected by the people of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The head of government said it is a rare instance in world history that Bangabandhu presented a constitution to the Bengali nation after framing it within only nine months.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is perhaps considered one of the best constitutions in the whole world,” she said, adding that the reason is the basic rights of the poor, deprived, exploited and oppressed people in every perspective were stated in the constitution.</div><div><br></div><div>“The rights of the people of all strata in society, including those who are disadvantaged, have also been ensured in the constitution,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In line with that constitution, the first general election was held on March 7, 1973 and Awami League sealed victory in all the constituencies except seven in that election, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury chaired the business advisory meeting. According to BSS reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 16:05:08', '2023-04-06 16:05:08');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6221, 6221, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday told parliament that Tk 603.76 crore tolls have been collected from Padma Bridge till March since its inauguration on June 25, 2022.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The minister said this in reply to a tabled question from Awami League MP Benjir Ahmed elected from Dhaka-20.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said after the launch of Bangabandhu Bridge on June 23, 1998, Tk 7697.71 crore have been collected as toll as of March.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to another question from Morshed Alam, a lawmaker from Noakhali-2, Quader said that about 6,000 buses of various transport companies including Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) ply Dhaka city.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said E-ticketing is available on a number of BRTC routes.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from this, e-ticketing has been launched in 3,300 buses of 69 companies out of 97 private transport companies under the supervision of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader informed the House that Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is monitoring these activities.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that soon the e-ticketing system will be introduced in the buses of rest of the companies.</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to another query, Quader said that currently there is no research programme to reduce road accidents in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>With Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, the question-answer session of today’s parliament sitting was placed on the table. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 16:15:21', '2023-04-06 16:15:21'),
(6222, 6222, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Earth had its joint second-warmest March on record with Antarctic sea ice shrinking to its second-lowest extent for that month, the EU\'s climate monitoring agency said on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The month was jointly the second-warmest March globally,\" tied with 2017, 2019 and 2020, the Copernicus Climate Change Service said. The hottest March on record was in 2016.</div><div><br></div><div>Its report is based on computer-generated analyses using billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world.</div><div><br></div><div>It said temperatures were above average over southern and central Europe and below average over most of northern Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>They were far warmer than average over much of North Africa, southwestern Russia, Asia, northeastern North America, South America including drought-stricken Argentina, Australia and coastal Antarctica.</div><div><br></div><div>Conversely, it was much colder than average over western and central North America, the agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>Global warming is causing sea ice to decline and sea levels to rise, raising warnings that dangerous tipping points could be reached.</div><div><br></div><div>Copernicus said Antarctic sea ice extent was the second lowest for March in the 45-year satellite data record, at 28 percent below average.</div><div><br></div><div>It reached 3.2 million square kilometres on average, 1.2 million sq km below the 1991-2020 average for the month.</div><div><br></div><div>It had reached the smallest area on record in February for the second year in a row, continuing a decade-long decline.</div><div><br></div><div>In the north meanwhile, Arctic sea ice extent was four percent below average and joint fourth lowest for March on record, though concentrations were above average in the Greenland Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>As temperatures rise globally because of human-caused climate change, Copernicus data show the past eight years were the eight warmest on record.</div><div><br></div><div>A UN report warned in March that those record-breaking temperatures would figure among the coolest within three or four decades, even if planet-warming emissions drop quickly. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 16:32:05', '2023-04-06 16:32:05'),
(6223, 6223, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The burning of coal for electricity, cement, steel and other uses went up in 2022 despite global promises to phase down the fuel that’s the biggest source of planet-warming gases in the atmosphere, a report Wednesday found.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The coal fleet grew by 19.5 gigawatts last year, enough to light up around 15 million homes, with nearly all newly commissioned coal projects in China, according to a report by Global Energy Monitor, an organization that tracks a variety of energy projects around the globe.</div><div><br></div><div>That 1 percent increase comes at a time when the world needs to retire its coal fleet four and a half times faster to meet climate goals, the report said. In 2021, countries around the world promised to phase down the use of coal to help achieve the goal to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).</div><div><br></div><div>“The more new coal projects come online, the steeper the cuts and commitments need to be in the future,” said Flora Champenois, the report’s lead author and the project manager for GEM’s Global Coal Plant Tracker.</div><div><br></div><div>New coal plants were added in 14 countries and eight countries announced new coal projects. China, India, Indonesia, Turkiye and Zimbabwe were the only countries that both added new coal plants and announced new projects. China accounted for 92 percent of all new coal project announcements.</div><div><br></div><div>China added 26.8 gigawatts and India added about 3.5 gigawatts of new coal power capacity to their electricity grids. China also gave clearance for nearly 100 gigawatts of new coal power projects with construction likely to begin this year.</div><div><br></div><div>But “the long term trajectory is still toward clean energy,” said Shantanu Srivastava, an energy analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis who is based in New Delhi. Srivastava said the pandemic and the war in Ukraine temporarily drove some nations toward fossil fuels.</div><div><br></div><div>In Europe, where the Russian invasion of Ukraine meant a scramble for alternative energy sources and droughts stifled hydropower, the continent only saw a very minor increase in coal use.</div><div><br></div><div>Others went the other way. There were significant shutdowns in the US where 13.5 gigawatts of coal power was retired. It’s one of 17 countries that closed up plants in the past year.</div><div><br></div><div>With nearly 2,500 plants around the world, coal accounts for about a third of the total amount of energy installation globally. Other fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable energy make up the rest.</div><div><br></div><div>To meet climate goals set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, coal plants in rich countries need to be retired by 2030 and coal plants in developing countries need to be shut down by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency. That means around 117 gigawatts of coal needs to be retired every year, but only 26 gigawatts was retired in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>“At this rate, the transition away from existing and new coal isn’t happening fast enough to avoid climate chaos,” said Champenois.</div><div><br></div><div>Srivastava added that its important to make sure the millions employed in coal and other dirty industries are not left behind when transitioning to clean energy, although that gets more difficult the more coal projects get locked in.</div><div><br></div><div>“Every day we delay a transition to clean energy,” Srivastava said, “it not only makes it harder to achieve climate goals but it also makes the transition more expensive.” - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 16:48:38', '2023-04-06 16:48:38'),
(6224, 6224, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A continued slowdown in almost all the world\'s advanced economies is expected to drag global growth below three percent this year, the International Monetary Fund\'s managing director warned on Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"With rising geopolitical tensions and still-high inflation, a robust recovery remains elusive,\" Kristalina Georgieva said in prepared remarks ahead of the IMF and World Bank\'s spring meetings next week.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This harms the prospects of everyone, especially for the most vulnerable people and countries,\" she added in the speech, due to be delivered in Washington.</div><div><br></div><div>Global growth almost halved last year to 3.4 percent as the impact of Russia\'s invasion of Ukraine rippled through the world economy, abruptly halting the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div><br></div><div>While Asia\'s emerging markets are expected to see substantial increases in economic output -- with India and China predicted to account for half of all growth this year -- the good news will be outweighed by the slowdown expected for 90 percent of the world\'s advanced economies.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Growth remains weak by historical comparison -- both in the near and medium term,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She added that world growth will likely remain at roughly three percent for the next half-decade, the lowest medium-term forecast since the 1990s.</div><div><br></div><div>Low-income countries are expected to suffer a double shock from high borrowing costs and a decline in demand for their exports, which could cause poverty and hunger to increase, Georgieva said, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"About 15 percent of low-income countries are already in debt distress and another 45 percent face high debt vulnerabilities,\" she said, calling on wealthier IMF members to do more to provide support.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 20:06:40', '2023-04-06 20:06:40'),
(6225, 6225, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladeshi celebrities are buying burnt clothing to support thousands of traders from a popular market in Dhaka, which was destroyed by a massive fire earlier this week.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The blaze that broke out on Tuesday gutted thousands of shops in the crowded area of Bangabazar, where international brands’ apparel produced by local garment factories is sold at affordable prices after failing to meet export standards.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has estimated that 5,000 shops had been reduced to ashes, with merchants losing everything, as they had recently stocked up on goods ahead of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan later this month.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid calls on the government for support, civil society has stepped in to help the traders. Bidyanondo Foundation, one of the biggest social welfare organizations in the country, is organizing a sale of the items partly burnt by the fire, pricing them at $1 each.</div><div><br></div><div>The initiative has been supported by top Bangladeshi celebrities including musician Tahsan Khan, cinema stars Shobnom Bubly, Bidya Sinha Mim, playback singer Konal, director Amitabh Reza, and food vlogger Rafsan, who have purchased the apparel at prices multiple times higher than new garments, with some pieces going for $1,000.</div><div><br></div><div>“Celebrities from different fields came up voluntarily to strengthen our initiative. They contacted us themselves. We highlighted their involvement to inspire others,” Bidyanondo Foundation spokesperson Salman Khan told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>The foundation is aiming to raise $100,000 through the initiative to help those affected reorganize themselves before they find new jobs or their businesses get back on track.</div><div><br></div><div>“If everyone participates with the small amount of $1, in a collective effort it will become a big amount ... As of today, we have been able to collect around $50,000,” Khan said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We all have plans to buy new clothes for Eid celebrations. Let’s purchase a little less. Save $1. If we share this money, it will help many of these people restart their lives.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foundation itself is also purchasing the burnt clothes, which it will try to salvage and later distribute among the poor as Eid approaches.</div><div><br></div><div>The effort also tries to raise awareness on sustainability as the fashion sector — Bangladesh’s top industry — is a water-intensive business.</div><div><br></div><div>“Huge amounts of water are used to make clothes. With this initiative, if we can make the clothes usable again, it will help save the environment also to some extent,” Khan said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will distribute these clothes among the poor as Eid gifts. Although they will be a little faulty, they still can be used.” Source: Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-06 20:45:36', '2023-04-06 20:45:36'),
(6226, 6226, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A continued slowdown in almost all the world\'s advanced economies is expected to drag global growth below three percent this year, the International Monetary Fund\'s managing director warned on Thursday.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"With rising geopolitical tensions, with inflation still running high, a robust recovery remains elusive,\" Kristalina Georgieva said in a speech ahead of the IMF and World Bank\'s spring meetings next week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"That harms the prospects of everyone, especially for the most vulnerable people and most vulnerable countries,\" she added at an event in Washington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Global growth almost halved last year to 3.4 percent as the impact of Russia\'s invasion of Ukraine rippled through the world economy, abruptly halting the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Asia\'s emerging markets are expected to see substantial increases in economic output -- with India and China predicted to account for half of all growth this year -- the good news will be outweighed by a slowdown expected for 90 percent of the world\'s advanced economies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Growth remains historically weak -- now and in the medium term,\" said Georgieva.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that world growth will likely remain at roughly three percent for the next half-decade, the lowest medium-term forecast since the 1990s.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Low-income countries are expected to suffer a double shock from high borrowing costs and a decline in demand for their exports, which could cause poverty and hunger to increase, Georgieva said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"About 15 percent of low-income countries are already in debt distress an additional 45 percent are near it,\" she added, calling on wealthier IMF members to do more to provide support. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 13:48:57', '2023-04-07 13:48:57'),
(6227, 6227, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">French President Emmanuel Macron called on his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping Thursday to \"bring Russia to its senses\" over Ukraine and urged him not to deliver weapons to Moscow.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The French president, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, has made clear he is seeking to dissuade China from supporting Russia\'s invasion of its neighbour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table,\" Macron told Xi during a bilateral meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two leaders met Thursday after a formal welcome ceremony in Tiananmen Square, complete with a 21-gun salute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In remarks to the press following their meeting, Xi said he \"stood ready to issue a joint call with France\" for the resumption of \"peace talks as soon as possible\", according to Chinese state media Xinhua.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He reiterated his support of the \"solemn pledge that nuclear weapons must not be used\" and for all parties to \"avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In this regard, everyone must be reminded of their duties, especially Russia,\" Macron replied.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A recent announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus \"is not consistent with the commitments made to you, to us and to international law,\" Macron said next to the Chinese leader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xi went to Moscow last month to reaffirm his alliance with Putin -- framed as an anti-Western front -- but has not yet spoken directly with Ukraine\'s President Volodymyr Zelensky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a French diplomat, Xi expressed a willingness to speaking with Zelensky, but only when the time is right.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron \"pressed Xi Jinping not to deliver anything to Russia that would be used for its war against Ukraine\", added the French diplomat, following Western claims that Beijing could be mulling arms shipments to support Russia\'s war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who is accompanying Macron on his visit, welcomed Xi\'s openness to speaking with Zelensky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that in her own meeting Thursday with Chinese leaders, she warned that arms shipments to Russia would \"significantly harm\" relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a member of the UN Security Council, there is a big responsibility and we expect that China will play its role and promote a just peace, one that respects Ukraine\'s sovereignty and territorial integrity, one of the cornerstones of the UN charter,\" von der Leyen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Major role\' –</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow poured cold water on prospects of mediation, insisting on Thursday it had \"no choice\" but to press on with its offensive in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Undoubtedly, China has a very effective and commanding potential for mediation,\" Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But the situation with Ukraine is complex, so far there are no prospects for a political settlement.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron\'s visit to China, his first since 2019, comes as Western pressure mounts on Beijing to help push for peace in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beijing is officially neutral, and Xi has never condemned the Russian invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron said he wants to \"be a voice that unites Europe\" over Ukraine, and that coming to China with von der Leyen serves to \"underline the consistency of this approach\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron\'s talks with Xi were followed by a trilateral meeting with von der Leyen, after which the French and Chinese leaders held a state dinner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron will travel to Guangzhou in southern China to meet students on Friday, taking with him a broad delegation of top politicians, business leaders and even celebrities, including composer Jean-Michel Jarre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Taiwan tensions -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visit comes in the face of mounting Chinese pressure on Taiwan, with the island\'s President Tsai Ing-wen meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beijing baulks at any official contact between Taipei and the rest of the world, insisting there is only \"one China\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China had repeatedly warned both sides that the meeting should not take place and deployed an aircraft carrier near Taiwan hours before the talks went ahead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three additional warships were detected in waters separating the island from China, Taiwan\'s Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Strongly interconnected\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron\'s trip has an important economic component as well, with the French leader keen to firm up a crucial trade partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron is accompanied by more than 50 French business leaders, including top bosses of Airbus, EDF and Veolia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Airbus announced Thursday it would open a second final assembly line in China that will double its production capacity in the country, with the framework for the deal signed by CEO Guillaume Faury in Beijing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asia has become a key market for both Airbus and its US rival Boeing, as demand for air travel climbs with an expanding middle class.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It makes a lot of sense for us, as the Chinese market keeps growing, to be serving local for the Chinese airlines, and probably some other customers in the region,\" Faury said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 13:52:35', '2023-04-07 13:52:35'),
(6228, 6228, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka, Apr 7 (UNB) - Dhaka\'s air quality is ‘unhealthy’ this morning (April 7, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 152 at 9:30 am, Dhaka ranked 9th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Pakistan’s Karachi and UAE’s Dubai occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 382, 177 and 166, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 150 is considered \'unhealthy\', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 13:55:25', '2023-04-07 13:55:25'),
(6229, 6229, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Mushfiqur Rahim shrugged off Bangladesh\'s mid-innings jitters to hit a quickfire half-century Friday and seal a seven-wicket victory over Ireland in their one-off Dhaka Test.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ireland were bowled out for 292 soon after resuming on the fourth day and Mushfiqur top-scored for the hosts with seven fours from his 51 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Opener Tamim Iqbal made 31 and put on 62 runs with Mushfiqur for the third wicket after Ireland saw a glimmer of hope with two crucial early wickets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton Das gave Bangladesh a positive start but poor fortune saw him bowled for 23 as a Mark Adair bouncer struck him off the helmet and fell to his stumps, dislodging the bails.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three overs later, Najmul Hossain was caught by Andy Balbirnie at slip off Andy McBrine after making just four runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Najmul was initially declared not out by the on-field umpires but replays confirmed a fair catch to leave Ireland jubilant and Bangladesh reduced to 43-2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Mushfiqur and Tamim denied the visitors further success, taking Bangladesh to 89-2 by lunch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ben White dismissed Tamim after the break but Mominul Haque remained on 20 alongside Mushfiqur to take Bangladesh home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh also had pacer Ebadot Hossain to thank when his two wickets wrapped up Ireland\'s innings at 292 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tourists added just six runs to their overnight 286-8 after Ebadot forced last man Graham Hume to give a catch behind the stumps for 14.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">McBrine added just one run to his overnight 71 to give Ebadot a finish of 3-37.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visitors were staring down the prospect of an innings defeat on Thursday before debutant Lorcan Tucker became Ireland\'s second Test centurion with 108.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kevin O\'Brien is the only other Irishman to hit a Test century, scoring 118 against Pakistan during their maiden Test in 2018.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harry Tector added 56 to lift Ireland from a precarious 13-4 and surmount a 155-run first innings deficit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visitors were all out for 214 runs in their first innings and Bangladesh posted 369 runs in response.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mushfiqur put the hosts in the box seat on the second day with his first innings knock of 126.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This week\'s Test extends Ireland\'s losing streak in the five-day format. They have now lost all four Tests they have played since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council in 2017.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ireland next head to Sri Lanka where they will play two Tests in Galle, the first match beginning on April 16. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 15:10:50', '2023-04-07 15:10:50'),
(6230, 6230, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The devastating fire at Bangabazar market was finally doused on Friday morning, over 75 hours after it broke burning down thousands of shops amid hectic Eid shopping.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Shahjahan Shikdar, deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence said the last traces of Tuesday\'s fire was extinguished around 9:30 on Friday.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The massive fire broke out at the Bangabazar Shopping Complex in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, burning several thousand shops, mainly ready-made garment and footwear stores, to ashes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of six adjacent markets were also burnt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other six markets are--Gulistan Market, AnexK tower, Mohanagar shopping complex, Adarsha market, Banga Islami Market and Barisal Plaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association President, the fire damaged over 5,000 shops, resulting in a loss of over Tk15 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) formed an eight-member&nbsp; committee to investigate the origin of the fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, two cases were filed by police and fire service against 300 unidentified people after angry mob attacked the Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters saying that firefighters failed to quickly bring the fire under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Dhaka court on Thursday granted a one-day remand to each of three accused in a case over the attack on police and obstruction of government work. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 15:17:32', '2023-04-07 15:17:32'),
(6231, 6231, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday extended heartiest congratulation to the national cricket team as tigers handed Ireland a seven-wicket defeat in the one-off Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a felicitation message, the cricket-lover Prime Minister greeted all the players, coach and officials of the national cricket team as well as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials concerned for beating Ireland.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the winning spree of the Bangladesh cricket team would continue in future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the one-off Test between Bangladesh and Ireland, the home side chased down a 138-run target before the end of the second session on the fourth day. The Ireland tour of Bangladesh ends with the one-off Test after the two sides played ODI and T20I series, both of which ended in the Tigers\' favour. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 15:39:30', '2023-04-07 15:39:30'),
(6232, 6232, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh won the one-off Test against Ireland by seven wickets in Dhaka\'s Mirpur on the fourth day Friday, with more than four sessions to spare.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the fourth innings, Bangladesh needed 138 runs to win, a target they reached with the loss of three wickets. Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 126 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 51.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Bangladesh had lost eight of their last nine Tests. Their last Test win came last year against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui where Ebadot Hossain delivered an outstanding bowling performance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although Ireland batted grittily, Bangladesh ultimately emerged victorious. The visitors lost four quick wickets for 13 runs in their second innings. However, they made a strong comeback, thanks to the century of wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker and 72 of Andy McBrine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In reply to Ireland\'s first innings score of 214, Bangladesh posted 369, securing a 155-run lead. Taijul Islam took five wickets for the hosts, while McBrine took six wickets for Ireland.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ireland not only chased down 155 runs but also set a target of 138 runs for the hosts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Litton Das scored 23 off 19 balls to give Bangladesh a fluent start. Although Najmul Hossain Shanto fell quickly and Tamim Iqbal perished when the Tigers were 33 runs away from the win, Mushfiqur and Mominul Haque sealed the victory for their team. Mark Adair, Ben White, and McBrine took one wicket each for Ireland.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It wasn\'t enough in the end,\" said Andrew Balbirnie, Ireland captain, after the match. \"We showed a lot of grit. We all really enjoyed playing Test cricket again, you have to show a lot of fight, which we did.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was only the fourth Test for Ireland, who had previously lost the three Tests they played.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mushfiqur was named the player of the match for his century and fifty. He praised the bowlers of Bangladesh for their efforts on the track which was not very bowling-friendly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s next assignment is a three-match ODI series against Ireland in England next month, which is part of the inaugural 2020-2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. All three ODIs will be played at the County Ground, Chelmsford, in England. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 16:22:17', '2023-04-07 16:22:17'),
(6233, 6233, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Eight people were killed in a gunfight between two groups in Rowangchhari upazila of Bandarban district on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The identities of the deceased could not be known yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Mannan, officer-in-charge of Rowangchhari Police Station, confirmed the news.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Being informed, police recovered the bodies from Khamthampara area around 12:30pm today, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bodies were sent to Bandarban Sadar Hospital, he added. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 16:25:43', '2023-04-08 15:15:34'),
(6234, 6234, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United States hopes that the Government of Bangladesh would examine the allegations brought against Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a documentary aired and an article published by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW).</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'m not going to preview any actions from up here. But we will examine the allegations in this article and video very carefully, and we hope the Bangladesh government will do the same,\" said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The perpetrators of human rights violations should be held accountable, the US Embassy in Dhaka quoted Patel as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Seheli Sabrin has said that RAB keeps working to ensure the country\'s security and it is not being used for any political purpose. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', '<p><br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 17:17:50', '2023-04-07 17:17:50'),
(6235, 6235, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday voiced suspicion that influential ruling party leaders might have carried out the fire incident at Bangabazar market to grab the land.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Some very influential people of the ruling Awami League have long been trying to occupy Bangabazar market. If a real impartial investigation is conducted, then there is a possibility to find out that this incident was completely carried out by the Awami League,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a press briefing after a meeting with the 12-party liaison committee at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said their party wants a neutral probe into the incident to unveil the truth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Justifying his remark involving the ruling party leaders with the market fire, Fakhrul said the government has started talking about constructing multi-storied buildings at Bangabazar just a day after the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A massive fire broke out at the Bangabazar Shopping Complex in Dhaka on Tuesday morning and it spread to some other nearby markets, burning several thousand shops, mainly readymade garment and footwear stores, to ashes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said investigations were being carried out to unearth whether the BNP was involved in the devastating fire incident at Bangabazar or not.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also alleged that BNP was trying to politicise the fire incident instead of standing by the fire-affected people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polls without BNP’s participation won’t have legitimacy</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul alleged that the government has been planning to retain power through a stage-managed election as it did earlier in 2014 and 2018.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We think that the government wants to hold a unilateral election as before. That is why they have rejected the UN’s proposal (for cooperation in the next national election),” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Monday Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh is mature enough and there is no need to take help from the United Nations in the national parliamentary election of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul said if the BNP and its alliance partners do not participate in the election under the Awami League government, then there will be no legitimacy of the polls “This is the reality. That\'s why the Chief Election Commissioner said yesterday (Thursday) that if the major parties don’t participate, then the legitimacy of the election will remain in question.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Mostafa Jamal Haidar, the coordinator of the 12-party alliance, said they discussed with the BNP leaders the next course of action of the simultaneous movement to realise their 10-point demand including the resignation of the government and holding the next polls under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they will intensify the movement in the days to come and make it a success with the united efforts of all.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman were also present at the meeting. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 19:06:47', '2023-04-07 19:06:47');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6236, 6236, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israel unleashed rare airstrikes on Lebanon and continued bombarding the Gaza Strip on Friday, an escalation that sparked fears of a broader conflict following days of violence over Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later Friday, there were signs that both sides were trying to keep the hostilities in check. Fighting on Israel\'s northern and southern borders subsided after dawn, and midday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem passed peacefully. But a Palestinian shooting attack in the Israeli-occupied West Bank killed two women near an Israeli settlement just hours later — a grim reminder of the combustible situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The early morning Israeli strikes followed an unusually large rocket barrage fired at Israel from southern Lebanon — what analysts described as the most serious cross-border violence since Israel’s 2006 war with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants. The violence erupted after Israeli police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem earlier this week, sparking unrest in the contested capital and outrage across the Arab world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli strikes seemed designed to avoid drawing in the Iran-backed Shiite group, which Israel considers its most immediate threat. The Israeli military said its warplanes struck infrastructure belonging to Palestinian militants that it accused of firing the nearly three dozen rockets that slammed into open areas and northern Israeli towns on Thursday. Nonetheless, the Israeli military said it believed the Palestinian militants acted with the knowledge of Hezbollah, which holds sway over much of southern Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were no reports of serious casualties, but several residents of the southern Lebanese town of Qalili, including Syrian refugees, said they were lightly wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I immediately gathered my wife and children and got them out of the house,” said Qalili resident Bilal Suleiman, who was jolted awake by the bombing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A flock of sheep was also killed when the Israeli missiles struck an open field near the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidiyeh, according to an Associated Press photographer. Other airstrikes hit a bridge and power transformer in the nearby town of Maaliya and damaged an irrigation system providing water to orchards in the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Gaza Strip, Israel\'s military pounded what it said were weapons production sites and underground tunnels belonging to Hamas, the militant group ruling the Palestinian enclave. Residents inspected the damage left after Israeli strikes — including to a children’s hospital in Gaza City, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the retaliatory strikes, Israelis living along the southern border returned home from bomb shelters. Most missiles that managed to cross into Israeli territory hit open areas, but one landed in the nearby town of Sderot, sending shrapnel slicing into a house.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were no reports of casualties on either side of the southern border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said everyone wanted avoid a full-blown conflict. “Quiet will be answered with quiet,” said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a spokesman for the Israeli military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tensions remained high in the region. In the West Bank, a Palestinian shooting attack near an Israeli settlement in the Jordan Valley killed two sisters in their 20s and seriously wounded their 45-year-old mother, Israeli medics and officials said. The three victims were residents of the Israeli settlement of Efrat, near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, said Oded Revivi, the mayor of the settlement. The girls\' father was driving in another car behind his wife and daughters and witnessed the attack, Revivi added. Medics said they dragged the unconscious women from the smashed car that appeared to have been pushed off the road.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said it was searching for those behind the attack, setting up roadblocks in the area. No militant group immediately claimed responsibility. But Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem hailed the attack “in retaliation for the crimes committed by Israel in the West Bank and the Al-Aqsa mosque.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jerusalem\'s holy site of Al-Aqsa, a tinderbox for Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sits on a hilltop sacred to both Muslims and Jews. In 2021, an escalation also triggered by clashes at the scared compound spilled over into an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over 130,000 worshippers poured into the compound for midday prayers on Friday, which ended without incident. Before dawn prayers, chaos had erupted at one of the entrances to the esplanade as Israeli police wielding batons descended on crowds of Palestinian worshippers, who chanted slogans praising Hamas as they tried to squeeze into the site. An hour later, according to videos, people leaving the prayers staged a largescale protest on the limestone courtyard, with Palestinians raising their fists and shouting against Israel. Israeli police forced their way into the compound, inflaming tensions during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police did not comment on the earlier beatings, but said security forces entered the holy compound after prayers in response to “masked suspects” who threw rocks toward officers at one of the gates. Israeli authorities control access to the area but the compound is administered by Islamic and Jordanian officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The unrest comes at a delicate time for Jerusalem\'s Old City, which on Friday was teeming with pilgrims from around the world. The Christian faithful retraced the route Jesus is said to have taken for Good Friday, Jews celebrated the weeklong Passover holiday and Muslims prayed and fasted for Ramadan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current round of violence began Wednesday after Israeli police twice raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque — in one case fiercely beating Palestinians, who responded by hurling rocks and firecrackers. That led Thursday to rocket fire from Gaza and, in a significant and unusual escalation, the barrage from southern Lebanon and the Israeli retaliation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s Foreign Ministry said Friday it had instructed the country\'s mission to the United Nations in New York to submit a complaint to the U.N. Security Council against the “deliberate Israeli bombing and aggression” in the south, which it condemned as “a flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even as a tense calm took hold along the Lebanese and Gaza borders, the West Bank remained volatile. Violence has surged to new heights in the territory in recent months, with Palestinian health officials reporting the start of 2023 to be the most deadly for Palestinians in two decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nearly 90 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the start of the year, according to an Associated Press tally. During that time, 16 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks on Israelis — all but one of them civilians. Israel says most of those Palestinians killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting police incursions and people not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 19:09:54', '2023-04-07 19:09:54'),
(6237, 6237, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President M Abdul Hamid today called upon all to stand united against any evil force that threatens the country\'s hard-earned democracy as he addressed the \"Special Jatiya Sangsad Session\" marking the parliament\'s golden jubilee.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All must stand united against any evil force that threatens democracy,\" the President told the House. It is presumed to be his last speech in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) as the President.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Hamid\'s second term as President is coming to an end on April 23. He has been the President for last 10 years in two consecutive terms. President-elect Md Sahabuddin is likely to take oath as the new President on April 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Urging the countrymen, irrespective of political affiliations, the Head of State said, \"Let\'s join together to build a welfare-oriented state keeping the beloved motherland away from conflicts and any extremist and terror acts.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Jatiya Sangsad is the \'heart of democratic practice\', said the President and urged the parliamentarians of both the treasury and opposition benches to stay above all sorts of enmity, personal and party interests for constructive, effective and active participation to establish democracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was in the chair while Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Rowshan Ershad were present at the special session. President-elect Md Sahabuddin and President Hamid\'s wife Rashida Khanam witnessed it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his 16-page written speech, the President said, \"Our identity as a self-respecting, patriotic nation on the map of the world should be upheld with our integrity, honesty and hard work.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said: \"Our thoughts, work-plan and strategies for the development of the country may be different but there should be no violence, no conflict of interest and deep unity should be forged in the areas of national interest and patriotism.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad polls, the President said, \"Election is the only way to come to power or bring change.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamid said that the politics of terror and violence in the name of movement can never be beneficial for the country, society and economy; rather, it makes the political atmosphere chaotic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid put emphasis on the importance of everyone\'s support to develop democracy by forgetting conflicts and reaching consensus in all aspects through dialogue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called upon all to contribute to establishing a tolerant democratic system by removing violence from politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The people of Bangladesh would exercise their right to vote impartially in line with the established democratic norms and the constitution, and will enrich and accelerate the history of country\'s democracy, the President hoped.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the long 50 years of parliamentary activities, he said, April 7 is a historic and unforgettable day in the history of Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad and the country\'s parliamentary democracy. The first session of the National Assembly was held on this day in 1973.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President said this special session will play an important role in presenting the history of the parliament to the new and future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Members of Parliament (MP) will present the history of parliament as well as Bangabandhu\'s customs, tactics and the history of freedom struggle and Liberation War before the countrymen and the world in their speeches, the President hoped.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the current political context, President Hamid said political stability has been maintained in the country in the last 14 years under the strong and charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh has achieved all the qualifications to be graduated from a lest developed country (LDC) to a developing one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He told the parliament that presently there is no opportunity for any other group or unconstitutional force to take over the state power except the representatives elected by the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid, in his address, mentioned about the remarkable success of Bangladesh in various fields of socio-economic development, including poverty alleviation, education, health, human resource, women empowerment, reduction of infant and maternal mortality rate, removing gender disparity and increase in average life expectancy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the world that have achieved economic growth despite the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country\'s economy has turned around due to the government\'s multifaceted socio-economic and investment projects, programs and activities to ensure sustainable and inclusive development, Hamid added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the large amount of remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis is making an important contribution to keeping the wheels of the economy moving, he said the social safety net has been greatly expanded in the country and the country\'s food security is secured despite the instability in the global economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the aim to include the landless, homeless and marginalized people in the mainstream of the national economy, different programs such as shelter project, distribution of khas land among the landless and employment generation are being widely implemented under the social security schemes, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid said the government led by Sheikh Hasina has already declared 211 upazilas free of the homeless and landless people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President said Bangladesh\'s first satellite \'Bangabandhu Satellite-1\' has been launched into the space and the launch of \'Bangabandhu Satellite-2\' is now at its final stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, success in providing cent percent electricity supply in the country, construction of Padma Bridge with own funding, metro rail in Dhaka, Payra deep sea port, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel, third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport and Rooppur nuclear power plant are the major instances of the present government\'s successful steps.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recalling some of his sweet memories with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said, \"I first met Bangabandhu in 1964. Bangabandhu was the only idol for many youths of East Pakistan at that time. It was in no way possible for anyone, who once came close to Bangabandhu\'s or got the touch of his affection, to forget him (Bangabandhu).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He told the parliament that he spent the most important and eventful time of his life in the Jatiya Sangsad complex here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President said MPs are elected as representatives of the people and they may have political differences and differences in ideologies, but there can be no difference in making the Jatiya Sangsad as the focal point of democracy and development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid said if the JS standing committees related to various ministries can be made more active in the parliamentary system, it will be possible to ensure the transparency and accountability of the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Hamid also stressed on ensuring the participation of people of all levels in the JS and said: \"We can never ensure sustainable development by keeping women, half of the workforce, out of the decision-making process.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In order to make the development sustainable, the President said, democracy must be strengthened institutionally and the practice of democracy must be spread to the grassroots.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid asked the new MPs to acquire more knowledge on parliamentary customs and rules of procedure by regularly participating in the activities of the different committees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If you want to perform your duties efficiently as a member of parliament, you need to know about the constitution, rules of procedure, parliamentary customs and procedures,\" the President advised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Hamid said had Bangabandhu not been martyred on August 15, 1975, the country would have become a developed and prosperous one long ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"After 1975\'s brutal incidents, country\'s development and democracy were blocked for a long time. As a result, the country fell far behind. Due to the continuity of government and democracy in the last one and a half decades, the country is rapidly progressing on the path of advancement and progress. Now it is our responsibility to advance this trend of development in days to come,\" Hamid observed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the very outset of the speech, President Hamid remembered with deep respect and gratitude the greatest Bengali of all time Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all the martyrs of August 15, 1975, all the brave freedom fighters, the four national leaders and other martyrs who had to embrace death in August 21 carnage and other democratic movements at different times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President also prayed for the eternal peace of their departed souls. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 19:13:04', '2023-04-07 19:13:04'),
(6238, 6238, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An Iranian court has ordered the execution of a man accused of killing seven people during nationwide protests last year, the judiciary said Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abbas Kurkuri was accused of using a military weapon to fatally shoot seven people in Izeh, in Khuzestan province, in November, and charged with the capital crimes of \"moharebeh\", or \"war against God\" and \"corruption on earth\", the judiciary\'s Mizan Online news website reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Islamic republic witnessed several months of civil unrest following the September 16 death of Kurdish Iranian Amini, 22, after her arrest for allegedly flouting Iran\'s strict dress code for women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of people were killed, including dozens of security personnel, and thousands were arrested in connection with what officials labelled \"riots\" fomented Iran\'s enemies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kurkuri\'s sentence can be appealed in the supreme court, Mizan added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the burial of one of the shooting victims, identified as 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak, the boy\'s mother reportedly blamed security forces for killing her son.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the time of his death, officials insisted the boy was killed in a \"terrorist\" attack carried out by an extremist group.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The judiciary\'s website added that Kurkuri had \"accepted the charges\" and confessed to being \"under the influence of social media\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Such confessions are frequently condemned by rights groups based outside of Iran as \"forced\", arguing that they are often obtained under duress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iranian authorities have so far executed four people and issued death sentences for around 20 others in connection to the mostly women-led protest movement. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 19:16:01', '2023-04-07 19:16:01'),
(6239, 6239, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday told the Parliament that the stability of parliamentary democracy since 2008 created a scope for massive development in Bangladesh.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“During the last three terms --2008, 2014 and 2018-- in line with the constitution, the continuous progress of Bangladesh National Parliament, the consistency of parliamentary democracy and political stability created a field for massive development of Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Hasina, also the Leader of the House, said this while placing a motion in the House on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Jatiya Sangsad, Bangladesh National Parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said in continuation of the scope, Bangladesh achieved many successes like the successful implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reducing the poverty rate to 18 percent from 40 percent, gradual sustainable development of Bangladesh, the graduation of Bangladesh into the club of the developing countries, reaching electricity to cent percent houses,&nbsp; massive development of communication infrastructures, attainment of food autarky, construction of Padma Bridge with own finance, implementation of Metrorail project, launching Bangabandhu Satellite,&nbsp; setting up Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, rehabilitation of landless and homeless people under Ashrayan project, women empowerment, construction of Birnibash (houses) for freedom fighters and building Digital Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Overall, today Bangladesh is a wonder of the world for the development of the people’s life,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina, an MP from Gopalganj-3, moved the motion under the Section-147 of the Rules of Procedure in the House on the 50th anniversary day of Bangladesh National Parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier in her motion said, “During the auspicious moment of 50 years of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad, the Parliament is in opinion that the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad as the centre of parliamentary democracy will continue to play an effective and active role in the quality development of people\'s life and the successful implementation of their hopes and aspirations, and thus democracy will be strengthened, an exploitation-free social system will be established, equality and justice will be guaranteed for all, we all will work together to fulfill these promises stated in the constitution, and build a happy, prosperous, advanced, hunger- and poverty-free smart Bangladesh and the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-- this should be our conviction.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, President Md. Abdul Hamid addressed the House on the occasion of the 50 years of the Jatiya Sangsad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 07, 1973, the first parliament had gone into the maiden sitting in independent Bangladesh. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 20:33:49', '2023-04-07 20:33:49'),
(6240, 6240, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least three people were killed in a landslide at Beltoli Ghona area of Akbar Shah Union in Chattogram today.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the three workers was Khoka, 45. The others were not immediately identified. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident occurred around 5:45pm. Locals rescued and rushed them to hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Firefighters are still carrying out rescue operations, said Enamul Haque, senior officer of Agrabad Station of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re working. The number of fatalities is still unknown,” he said. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On February 11, the district administration\'s mobile court conducted an operation on the claim that hills in the Akbarshah area\'s Beltoli Ghona were being cut down to make space for a new roadway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A man named Shahjahan, 40, was sentenced to 7 days on the charge of cutting hills. An excavator used for hill-cutting was also seized at this time. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh </div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-07 20:38:57', '2023-04-07 20:39:18'),
(6241, 6241, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea claimed Friday it had tested another underwater nuclear attack drone, in its latest response to South Korean and United States military drills.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A national defence science research institute in the DPRK carried out a test of underwater strategic weapon system from April 4 to 7,\" the official Korean Central News Agency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The underwater nuclear attack drone \'Haeil-2\'... cruised 1,000 km of simulated underwater distance.\" AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 09:23:21', '2023-04-08 09:23:21'),
(6242, 6242, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality is ‘unhealthy’ this morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 173 at 8:58 am, Dhaka ranked 4th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 274, 187 and 180, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201 and 300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 10:19:24', '2023-04-08 10:19:24'),
(6243, 6243, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A fire broke out today at Dhaka’s Barishal Plaza Market — opposite to Bangabazar which burned down just four days ago. The fire has been brought under control.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire broke out on the 3rd floor of the market around 8:05 am and spread soon, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On information, 14 firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 8:45 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, what caused the fire could not be known immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A massive fire broke out at the Bangabazar Market in Dhaka on April 4 and it spread to some other nearby markets, burning several thousand shops, with mainly readymade clothes and footwear, to ashes. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 10:22:30', '2023-04-08 10:22:30'),
(6244, 6244, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Watermelon cultivation has started in the remote char area of the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although watermelon cultivation started on an experimental basis last year, the number of farmers signing up to the this time. The yield has also been as expected. Farmers are hoping for double the profit if there is no flood in advance this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, if the government comes forward in marketing and banks provide loans with easy instalments, the misery of the people of the char area can be erased, or at least eased.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Kurigram Department of Agricultural Extension, there are about 450 chars in 16 rivers in the district. There are about 45,000 hectares of cultivable land. Of these, farmers are starting cultivation on 35,000 hectares of land in 368 chars. Maize, watermelon, sweet pumpkin, cucumber and pepper have been cultivated in these char areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, watermelon was cultivated on 50 acres of land in Char Bagua village of Hatia union of Ulipur upazila of the district. In the early floods, 40 acres of crops were submerged and damaged. Yet the farmers did not stop. This year watermelon has been cultivated on 34 hectares of land in the char.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Farmers have also started harvesting watermelons. Due to favorable weather conditions, the yield has also been as expected. As a result, they are hoping to make a good profit this time after overcoming last year\'s loss. However, the biggest obstacle to commercial cultivation in the char is marketing management. Besides, many farmers have left the land after being unable to cultivate these crops despite the desire, the banks not providing loans to the common farmers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dashim Uddin of Bagua Char said three enterprising farmers have cultivated watermelon on 40 acres of land in this char. As a result of getting a large amount of loan from the bank, they have got the opportunity to cultivate on a large scale. Many farmers here have become interested in their farming, but they are not able to come forward due to economic reasons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdur Sabur, who cultivated watermelon, said, “Although watermelon was cultivated on an experimental basis last year, the watermelon field was washed away in the early floods. This year, I have cultivated watermelon on 14 acres of land. It cost me Tk6-7 lakh. I hope to pick up 20,000 watermelons. This will earn me an additional income of Tk6-7 lakh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the problem here is marketing watermelon. Wholesalers come here and buy watermelons at a lower price. If we could take melons to the city and sell, we would have made more profits. More farmers would have come forward to cultivate watermelon.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The farmer also said watermelon seeds should be sown at the beginning of the month of Paush. After four months, watermelon can be lifted in the middle of chaitra month. There are some precautions to be taken in watermelon cultivation. In the sand land, a hole of one and a half feet in the 10-inch by 10-inch square has to be given some loamy soil, dung fertilizer and DSP in the pit. Forty grams should be given in each pit. In this way, after keeping it for a week, three seeds are sown in a pit. In addition, regularly insecticides have to be sprayed to protect against the attack of insects and rats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abul Hossain Master, former chairman of Hatia Union, said at present, local entrepreneurs in the char area have become interested in cultivating various agricultural products. Due to economic problems, the rest of the farmers are unable to come forward. “Their misery would go away if banks and NGOs come forward.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional Deputy Director (Crops) of Kurigram DAE, Md Azizul Islam, said watermelon cultivation has started in the district since last year. Watermelon has been cultivated on 22,000 hectares of land this year. There is a plan to set up a collection center in the char areas so that the farmers do not suffer for marketing. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 10:40:40', '2023-04-08 10:40:40'),
(6245, 6245, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kusal Mendis struck a rapid half-century as Sri Lanka posted 182-6 in the third and deciding T20 against New Zealand in Queenstown on Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wicketkeeper-opener Mendis raced to 73 off 48 balls to set the Black Caps an imposing chase to win the series -- locked at 1-1 -- in the final match of what has been a difficult tour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 28-year-old took full advantage after being dropped by Daryl Mitchell at slip when on 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He went on to hit six fours and five sixes in his 12th half-century, falling just short of his career-high score of 79.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Having been asked to bat, Mendis was the dominant figure in an opening stand of 76 with Pathum Nissanka (25 off 25), before putting on a further 46 with Kusal Perera (33 off 21).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wickets fell rapidly over the closing overs, preventing the tourists from going close to 200.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ben Lister took 2-37 while fellow-seamer Adam Milne and legspinner Ish Sodhi were the most economical of New Zealand\'s bowlers, recording identical figures of 1-30 off four overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Matt Henry replaced Henry Shipley in their only change from the nine-wicket win at Dunedin in game two on Wednesday while Sri Lanka also made a solitary change to their seam attack, with Lahiru Kumara in for Dilshan Madushanka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The match is the last of Sri Lanka\'s tour, in which New Zealand won the Test and ODI series by the same 2-0 scoreline. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 10:45:39', '2023-04-08 10:45:39'),
(6246, 6246, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Taiwan\'s defence ministry said Saturday it detected three warships and 13 Chinese aircraft around the island, after President Tsai Ing-wen returned from the United States.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry of National Defense said three ships and 13 aircraft had been detected around Taiwan by 6 am local time (2200 GMT) on Saturday and \"4 of the detected aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan\'s southeast ADIZ\". AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 10:48:33', '2023-04-08 10:48:33'),
(6247, 6247, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US President Joe Biden on Friday called a federal judge\'s decision to suspend approval of an abortion pill as an \"unprecedented step in taking away basic freedoms from women.\"</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"My administration will fight this ruling,\" Biden said in a statement issued by the White House.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The ruling, if it were to stand, makes every regulated drug vulnerable to \"these kinds of political, ideological attacks,\" Biden said. AFP</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 11:02:04', '2023-04-08 11:02:04'),
(6248, 6248, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The sitting of the 22th special session of the 11th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) resumed at 10.00 am today with Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;The day\'s proceedings began with recitation from the Holy Quran. BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 11:35:24', '2023-04-08 11:35:24'),
(6249, 6249, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Hundreds of thousands of homes in eastern Canada remained without power Friday, two days after an ice storm killed three people and caused widespread property damage, particularly in Montreal.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">About 460,000 homes in Quebec were in the dark, down from 1.1 million at the height of the outages.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We have restored power to over 50 percent of the customers affected by the outages,\" said electricity provider Hydro-Quebec.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Our teams are hard at work and we are confident that a further 200,000 customers will have their power back by the end of the day,\" the utility company added.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Some homes though will be without electricity until Sunday, potentially Monday, said Hydro-Quebec spokesman Regis Tellier.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">More favorable weather conditions should \"accelerate the restoration of service,\" he said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Quebec Premier Francois Legault said that a third person had died from storm-related causes when he used a barbecue inside his home about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Montreal.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">A resident of eastern Ontario was killed by a falling tree on Wednesday, and a 60-year-old Quebec man died when he was crushed by a tree branch while trying to clear his land early Thursday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Montreal, which accounted for about half of the power outages, opened six temporary emergency shelters where residents spent the night.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">At one, located in the Verdun neighborhood, about 30 people came to warm up, drink coffee, eat and charge their electronic devices on the first day of the long Easter weekend.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"It was mostly boring,\" said 28-year-old teacher Isabelle, who declined to give her last name.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I had planned to work and it delayed me a bit, but it\'s not the end of the world,\" she told AFP.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Rosalie Gouba, accompanied by her mother and two sons aged eight and three, said she was sorry to have had to throw away next month\'s food supplies and to see the blackout continue.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The first night was very difficult because I\'m scared of sleeping in the dark. Since I am stressed, the children are too,\" said the 30-year-old, who came with books to keep her boys occupied.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The storm affected Quebec and Ontario, Canada\'s two most populous provinces.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Health officials in Montreal also recorded about 60 reports of carbon monoxide poisoning, after families used indoor barbecues to keep warm.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Hundreds of Montreal city employees were still cleaning up debris Friday, especially in parks where many branches had collapsed under the weight of the ice.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">City parks, including Mount Royal, the hill overlooking the city, remained closed.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Temperatures of around one degree Celsius (33 degrees Fahrenheit) melted the ice, but wind gusts were shaking trees, risking more fallen branches.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Authorities were still advising people to stay away from power lines.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The power outage was the biggest in Quebec since an ice storm in 1998, which threw the province into chaos for several weeks. AFP</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 11:40:15', '2023-04-08 11:40:15'),
(6250, 6250, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Miscreants vandalised and set fire to the office of Nandigram upazila unit BNP in Bogura district on Friday night.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Secretary of upazila unit BNP, Belayet Hossain Adar, said a group of masked miscreants swooped on the office around 10 pm and set it on fire after pouring petrol.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also vandalised the chairs at the office. The furniture and banner of the office were also burnt in the fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP has organised a 2-hour sit-in programme on Saturday as part of their 10-point demand. The leaders of the upazila unit BNP were not present at the office during the incident as they went to the police station to get permission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">On information, local people had doused the flame before a firefighting unit reached the spot, said Warehouse Inspector Tanvir Hasan of Nandigram Fire Service and Civil Defence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Condemning the incident, Mosharraf Hossain, former MP of Bogura-4 constituency demanded punishment of those involved in the attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police visited the spot at night. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 12:16:53', '2023-04-08 12:16:53');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6251, 6251, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The World Bank\'s ongoing reform could result in a $50 billion lending boost over the next decade, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told AFP ahead of stakeholders\' meetings next week where key changes are expected to be announced.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Central bankers, finance ministers and participants from more than 180 member countries are expected to gather in the US capital for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank\'s spring meetings in the coming week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A key topic of discussion will be the World Bank\'s evolution, amid a push for lenders to revamp and meet global challenges like climate change. The United States is the largest shareholder of the World Bank Group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I expect there to be an update of the bank\'s mission to add building resilience against climate change, pandemics, and conflict and fragility to the core goals,\" Yellen said in the interview with AFP Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that there needs to be a recognition that these challenges aren\'t separate or conflicting but rather, inextricably linked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Second, there will be an announcement that the bank is stretching its financial capacity to meet these objectives, and adopting changes or endorsing changes that could result in an additional $50 billion in extra lending capacity over the next decade,\" Yellen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The move would be a significant resource boost marking a 20 percent rise in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development\'s (IBRD) sustainable lending level. The IBRD is the World Bank\'s middle-income lending arm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Seeking added reforms -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yellen also said there would be an announcement on updating the bank\'s operational model to \"orient it towards the goals that we\'re setting.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among other things, this includes creating more incentives for the mobilization of both domestic and private capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We seek additional reforms during the rest of this year,\" Yellen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March, the World Bank submitted an evolution plan to be discussed with its development committee on April 12, during the spring meetings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that World Bank President David Malpass has laid a \"solid foundation\" for the ongoing work, Yellen added that she expects US candidate Ajay Banga to be elected to the helm of the organization and continue the revamp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Banga was the sole nominee for the position after Malpass announced this year that he would step down early.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Hopeful sign\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also on policymakers\' agendas next week are support for war-torn Ukraine and debt restructuring.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have seen some movement by China on participating in debt restructuring for Sri Lanka, which is a hopeful sign,\" Yellen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As global growth slows, the World Bank previously warned that the outlook is especially tough for the poorest economies -- which face sluggish growth driven by heavy debt burdens and weak investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yellen had earlier said that China should move more quickly on some debt restructurings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Discussions on this front will continue next week as a newly formed global sovereign debt roundtable gathers, she told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re having useful technical discussions on important elements of debt restructuring. China has been participating, and we all continue to press China for improvements,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington will continue pushing for a speedier and more predictable operation of the G20 \"common framework\" for debt restructuring as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Ukraine, Yellen said: \"Once again, we will work with all of our allies to insist that Russia cease its brutality in Ukraine.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that the United States would press for economic support alongside its partners on this front. 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, '2023-04-08 12:42:07', '2023-04-08 12:42:07'),
(6252, 6252, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">If the highway renovation work in Sirajganj is not completed soon, there are chances of massive traffic jam, and homebound Eid holiday makers would have to endure extreme difficulties.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As construction work on the highway continues, district police have identified 14 high-risk areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Proposals have been submitted to the authorities concerned for the renovation of 20 bridges spanning about 51 km of the Chandaikona highway from the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge to Hatikumrul.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is risk of severe traffic congestion at the 14 high-risk points. Every year before Eid, all the vehicles carrying homebound commuters pass through the Bangabandhu Bridge-West Highway. As a result, there is extra pressure on this highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is expected that the roads on this route will be repaired by the second week of this month. Bus and truck drivers, in particular, say that if the work on the highway is completed, there will be relief during Eid journey. People of 16 districts of north Bangladesh use this highway to go home from Dhaka during Eid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Every day, 16,000 to 20,000 vehicles use this highway, and during Eid, 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles ply it. Work is underway to widen and repair the four-lane highway – connecting the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It has already caused traffic congestion and slow movement on the highway. Besides, the north lane of the newly constructed Nalka Bridge has been opened, but the Dhaka-facing lane has been closed. Traffic is moving through the risky old bridge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The contractor, Akhter JV Project’s Manager Ekhlas Uddin said that discussions have already been held with the Sirajganj Superintendent of Police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the highway, potholes will be repaired soon. New four-lane roads have been opened in different parts of the highway. Officials of the local Roads and Highways Department said the renovation work on the risky points on the highway has been supervised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Badrul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said two rounds of discussions were held among the district police, officials of SASEC-2, and officials of the contractor company. They have assured to complete the repair work soon. On the occasion of Eid, 10 mobile teams and 16 picket teams will work on the highway. In addition, mikes and digital sign will be installed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sirajganj Traffic Inspector (Administration) Salekuzzaman Khan said they spoke to the district police regarding ensuring smooth flow of traffic before Eid. There will be 15 to 18 mobile teams on the highway. Work has already started to ease the traffic congestion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior police officials mentioned that arrangements have been made to make the Eid journey of the homebound people uninterrupted. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 13:03:47', '2023-04-08 13:03:47'),
(6253, 6253, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President-elect Mohammed Shahabuddin will take oath on April 24 as the current President Abdul Hamid\'s term is coming to an end on April 23.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB that preparations are being made for the swearing-in ceremony of the new president as it will be held on April 24 at 11 am in Bangabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League candidate Shahabuddin was elected unopposed in the presidential election. He will be the 22nd president of Bangladesh as the successor of Abdul Hamid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader proposed the name of the presidential candidate while Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud supported it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Born in Pabna in 1949, Shahabuddin is a brave freedom fighter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During his student life, Shahabuddin served as an activist and president of Pabna district Chhatra League and later handled the responsibility of Pabna Jubo League as the president. In 1971, he was the convenor of Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad of Pabna district, and also actively participated in the Liberation War.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was imprisoned following the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. He was later appointed as the Law Ministry’s coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 1982, he joined the BCS (Judicial) Department, and in 1995, he was elected General Secretary of the Judicial Service Association.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He served as the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, which investigated murders, rapes, thefts, and other crimes by BNP-Jamaat alliance’s activists and leaders following the 2001 general election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also worked as a District and Sessions Judge and retired in 2006. He was a commissioner at Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the previous National Council of Bangladesh Awami League, he served as election commissioner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He earned his LLB from Rajshahi University in 1975, and completed his MSc from the same institution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Shahabuddin’s wife Prof Dr Rebecca Sultana, is a former joint secretary of the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current President Abdul Hamid is leaving Bangabhaban on April 24 after serving two consecutive terms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The longest serving president in the history of Bangladesh, Hamid was the acting president after the death of Zillur Rahman in March 2013. He was elected to his first term in April 2013 and re-elected to his current second term in 2018.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamid was elected as a member of parliament from the Mymensingh-18 constituency as the youngest person elected in the 1970 Pakistan general election. He was elected as member of parliament for Kishoreganj-5 constituency, from Awami League, in the general elections of 1973, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2009.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For his contribution to the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he was awarded the Independence Award in 2013.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After his term ends, Hamid may move to a house in Nikunjo in the capital, said his press secretary Joynal Abedin. However, two sources in the president\'s family said that a flat in the Cantonment area is also being prepared for him. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 14:06:33', '2023-04-08 14:06:33'),
(6254, 6254, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ahead of Allu Arjun\'s birthday on Saturday, the makers of Pushpa 2: The Rule treated fans to a special creative video, titled #HuntForPushpa. Revealing the whereabouts of Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj, the video offers a glimpse of his fierce look to officially announce the sequel. While this isn\'t the official teaser video of Pushpa 2, the film\'s team is likely to release it soon.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pushpa 2 is said to redefine the connotation of the Global Indian Film. Since the success of the first chapter, there has been a constant curiosity and demand for an update on the sequel from fans, which led to the release of #WhereIsPushpa? video.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The video begins with the news of Pushpa escaping from the Tirupati jail and being shot eight times before disappearing in the Seshachalam forests. As cops continue to search for him, rumours of Pushpa being killed in an encounter reach the public. This causes public protests and riots in Tirupati by his followers who talk about how Pushpa helped them with all his black money.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amidst this, Pushpa is seen alive. A footage from the forest captures him walking in the forest beside a tiger. He strikes the iconic ‘thaggede la’ pose while looking at one camera. His followers break into celebration. The video ends with a look at Allu Arjun in his famous printed pink shirt as he sat on a chair with several goons around him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reacting to the special video, a fan wrote in the comment section, “Sukumar is one of the most underrated directors, He deserves nation wide recognition. Pushpa The Rise created the platform, Now with this he will definitely RULE.” “This film has the potential of beating the records of Pathaan,” added another one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pushpa 2 went on the floors last November with a look test. The second installment of the franchise will have a face-off between Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil, who was introduced as the main antagonist in Pushpa: The Rise in 2021. The film also has actor Rashmika Mandanna, who plays the character Srivalli.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pushpa: The Rule is directed by Sukumar. It is produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Pushpa 1 was originally shot in Telugu and later dubbed and released in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 14:42:45', '2023-04-08 14:42:45'),
(6255, 6255, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan won the 2023 TIME100 poll, in which readers voted for the individuals they felt most deserved a spot on TIME’s annual list of the most influential people.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Stars and noteworthy figures also featured on the poll included actor Michelle Yeoh, athlete Serena Williams, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. But it was Khan that ultimately took the win, earning 4% of the vote after more than 1.2 million votes were cast.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan, arguably India’s most famous actor and an international icon in his own right, is also a producer and co-owner of the Knight Riders Group women’s cricket team. The actor made his mark as Bollywood’s favorite romantic hero, starring in blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.</div><div><br></div><div>His decades-long career has seen him star in more than 100 films and his most recent film is Pathaan. Released in January, it’s one of the top grossing films of the year so far, collecting nearly $130 million worldwide.</div><div><br></div><div>Second place went to the Iranian women protesting for greater freedoms from the country’s Islamic regime, garnering 3% of the vote. Protesters took to the streets of cities around Iran after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was killed at the hands of the country’s “morality police” last September for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely. They were named TIME’s 2022 Heroes of the Year and also won last year’s Person of the Year reader poll.</div><div><br></div><div>They were followed by health care workers, who came in third with 2% of the vote. They have been at the forefront of the global pandemic since 2020—in the U.S. alone some 18 million people worked selflessly throughout the pandemic helping others.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The pressures of caring for patients in difficult conditions have taken a toll, in a survey conducted from June to Sept. 2020, health care workers overwhelmingly reported feeling stress, anxiety, burnout and exhaustion.</div><div><br></div><div>Third and fourth place went to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, each of whom earned about 1.9% of the vote. The Duke of Sussex made headlines in January after the release of his memoir Spare, which recounts monumental moments ranging from Princess Diana’s death in 1997 to Queen Elizabeth’s death in September. He is also known for founding the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick service people.</div><div><br></div><div>Meghan Markle, a former actress turned humanitarian, now hosts her podcast Archetypes, where her mission is to “investigate, dissect, and subvert the labels that try to hold women back.” She previously narrated the Disney documentary Elephants and has been an advocate for anti-racism and women’s rights. The couple have also launched nonprofit Archewell Foundation, as well as Archewell Productions, which has a creative partnership with Netflix.</div><div><br></div><div>Fifth place went to soccer star Lionel Messi, with 1.8% of the vote. The Argentinian player won his first World Cup title in 2022, adding to his numerous accolades including seven Ballon d’Or awards, a prestigious award presented by France Football magazine.</div><div><br></div><div>TIME’s editors will reveal their choices for the 2023 TIME100 list on April 13. Source: Time</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 15:11:04', '2023-04-08 15:11:04'),
(6256, 6256, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United States said Friday it supported ally Israel\'s right to self-defense after deadly attacks as well as rocket fire from Lebanon that triggered Israeli strikes.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"The targeting of innocent civilians of any nationality is unconscionable. The United States stands with the government and people of Israel,\" State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States also voiced support for Israel over Lebanon, without explicitly backing the Jewish state\'s strikes on its northern neighbor in response to the rocket fire by militants.</div><div><br></div><div>\"As we urge de-escalation on all sides, we recognize Israel\'s ability to exercise its inherent right to self-defense,\" another State Department spokesperson said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The use of Lebanon as a launchpad for rocket attacks against Israel only puts Lebanon at risk and increases the potential for further conflict,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Violence has soared since Wednesday when Israeli police clashed with Palestinians inside Jerusalem\'s Al-Aqsa mosque, just as believers in the world\'s three major monotheistic religions were celebrating major holidays.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, two British-Israeli sisters aged 16 and 20 were killed and their mother seriously wounded in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank, while an Italian tourist was killed and seven other people wounded in Tel Aviv when a car rammed into people walking on a cycling path.</div><div><br></div><div>The vocal US support for Israel comes after an unusually public spat as President Joe Biden pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to drop a bid to weaken the judiciary.</div><div><br></div><div>The plan by the hard-right government, which Netanyahu has put on hold, has set off major protests by Israelis who say it violates democratic principles. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 15:45:23', '2023-04-08 15:45:23'),
(6257, 6257, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">If the highway renovation work in Sirajganj is not completed soon, there are chances of massive traffic jam, and homebound Eid holiday makers would have to endure extreme difficulties.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>As construction work on the highway continues, district police have identified 14 high-risk areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Proposals have been submitted to the authorities concerned for the renovation of 20 bridges spanning about 51 km of the Chandaikona highway from the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge to Hatikumrul.</div><div><br></div><div>There is risk of severe traffic congestion at the 14 high-risk points. Every year before Eid, all the vehicles carrying homebound commuters pass through the Bangabandhu Bridge-West Highway. As a result, there is extra pressure on this highway.</div><div><br></div><div>It is expected that the roads on this route will be repaired by the second week of this month. Bus and truck drivers, in particular, say that if the work on the highway is completed, there will be relief during Eid journey. People of 16 districts of north Bangladesh use this highway to go home from Dhaka during Eid.</div><div><br></div><div>Every day, 16,000 to 20,000 vehicles use this highway, and during Eid, 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles ply it. Work is underway to widen and repair the four-lane highway – connecting the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge.</div><div><br></div><div>It has already caused traffic congestion and slow movement on the highway. Besides, the north lane of the newly constructed Nalka Bridge has been opened, but the Dhaka-facing lane has been closed. Traffic is moving through the risky old bridge.</div><div><br></div><div>The contractor, Akhter JV Project’s Manager Ekhlas Uddin said that discussions have already been held with the Sirajganj Superintendent of Police.</div><div><br></div><div>On the highway, potholes will be repaired soon. New four-lane roads have been opened in different parts of the highway. Officials of the local Roads and Highways Department said the renovation work on the risky points on the highway has been supervised.</div><div><br></div><div>Badrul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said two rounds of discussions were held among the district police, officials of SASEC-2, and officials of the contractor company. They have assured to complete the repair work soon. On the occasion of Eid, 10 mobile teams and 16 picket teams will work on the highway. In addition, mikes and digital sign will be installed.</div><div><br></div><div>Sirajganj Traffic Inspector (Administration) Salekuzzaman Khan said they spoke to the district police regarding ensuring smooth flow of traffic before Eid. There will be 15 to 18 mobile teams on the highway. Work has already started to ease the traffic congestion.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior police officials mentioned that arrangements have been made to make the Eid journey of the homebound people uninterrupted.</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 16:02:20', '2023-04-08 16:02:20'),
(6258, 6258, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy has criticised the expulsion of two black minority US state lawmakers, sparing a white one, in Tennessee over their gun control protests, questioning the fairness of democracy in the United States.</span><br></b></div><div><b>&nbsp; &nbsp;</b></div><div>“US State legislature votes to expel two minority lawmakers, while keeping a third who was white. This is the state of democracy in the US,” Joy said overnight in his verified Facebook status.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>He also added: “The US State Department are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites”.</div><div><br></div><div>Tennessee’s Republican-controlled House voted Thursday to expel Justin Jones and fellow lawmaker Justin&nbsp; &nbsp;Pearson, who are both Black, for speaking out of turn during a gun control protest in the House chamber the week prior.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Republican Gloria Johnson, a white lawmaker too participated in the demonstration, faced an expulsion vote that ultimately failed.</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Jones later vowed he would seek re-election for his Nashville seat, calling his removal an attack on democracy.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Republicans voted to expel Jones and his fellow Democratic colleague Pearson for leading a gun control protest on 30 March. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 17:18:51', '2023-04-08 17:18:51'),
(6259, 6259, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Traders of Bangabazar, whose businesses burned down in the recent fire at the market, set up temporary shops on the streets and footpaths at the site of the incident today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Around 800 traders displayed their stocks since this morning. They set up their makeshift shops under the flyover, on the south side of Bangabazar Market.</div><div><br></div><div>Many traders are sitting with the clothes they were able to save from the devastating fire last Tuesday. Even though there is a crowd around the shops, sales are yet to pick up.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The traders setting up the temporary shops said they were displaying whatever goods they could save from the Bangabazar Market fire.</div><div><br></div><div>Aynal Hossain was sitting at his shop under the flyover. He told UNB that he had two shops in Bangabazar Market. Both shops were burnt to ashes.</div><div><br></div><div>“I was able to move some stuff. So I brought it here. No sale yet, because our regular customers do not know the address of the shop. Only Allah knows how we will celebrate this Eid,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Trader Shahidul Islam had a shop in Bangabazar, selling jeans and shirts. The shop burnt to ashes and now he has also set up shop on the footpath.</div><div><br></div><div>“Everything is over. There is no money for food at home. So, I was forced to set up shop on the footpath,” he lamented.</div><div><br></div><div>Last Tuesday, (April 4) at 6:10 am, a terrible fire broke out in Bangabazar&nbsp; complex in the capital. Bongo Market, Gulistan Market, Mahanagar Shopping Complex, Adarsha Market and Annex Tower were burnt down.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Businessmen claim that they have lost around Tk 2000 crore in the fire. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 17:40:35', '2023-04-08 17:40:35'),
(6260, 6260, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the government will have to accept the demands of the opposition parties if it wants to avoid violence and conflict ahead of the next general election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting with the liaison committee of \'Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote\', he also appreciated President Abdul Hamid for his comment that development in absence of democracy can never be universal.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the government wants to avoid conflict and move forward, then the first thing it needs to do is to meet the demands of the opposition parties. In other words, it has to resign, paving the way for talks,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said they used their all weapons to resolve the political crisis, but it is not possible to have a solution without a good intention of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>He said their party joined the 2018 election keeping trust in the promises of the government, but they faced dire consequences.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their party has long been urging the government to step down and take steps for talks on the polls-time caretaker government to ensure a credible national election in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question, he said their party will not engage in any dialogue with the government until it announces to quit power. “There is no question of believing them (govt). First, they have to announce to resign and then take steps for a dialogue.”</div><div><br></div><div>As a reporter drew his attention to President Abdul Hamid’s memorial speech in the parliament marking the 50th anniversary of the national legislature, Fakhrul said, “We respect the President. But constitutionally he does not have much power. Our past experience was not pleasant.”</div><div><br></div><div>He recalled that their party led by Khaleda Zia, when she was the leader of the opposition, went to the President and gave him some specific proposals on the formation of the Election Commission. “But unfortunately he could not implement any of our proposals. He does not have that power.”</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said the President just read out a traditionally written speech by the government in the parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>“However, I say that there’s one thing that I like personally as he said the development without democracy is not universal. That\'s good. Another thing he said is that democracy can never be practised through conflict and vengeance. These words are good,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul bemoaned that the Awami League government is trying to destroy democracy instead of practising it.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked whether there is any scope to consolidate democracy in Bangladesh through talks avoiding violence, he said it completely depends on the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the current parliament has become completely dysfunctional, and important public issues are not discussed there.&nbsp; “One person is all in all there. It’s an unelected parliament.”</div><div><br></div><div>About the recent Bangabazar Market fire, Fakhrul said&nbsp; the fire incidents are happening due to the irresponsibility of the government and its institutions. “The government institutions are not fit for serving people. They indulge in irregularities as they don’t have accountability to people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Fariduzzaman Farhad, the coordinator of the \'Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote\', said they discussed with the BNP leaders the current political situation and the strategy to intensify the ongoing simultaneous movement to realise their 10-point demand including the resignation of the government and holding the next polls under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they will carry out their movement until the fall of the current Awami League government for ensuring a credible national election in the country under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman were also present at the meeting. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 19:23:05', '2023-04-08 19:23:05'),
(6261, 6261, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Miscreants vandalised and set fire to the office of Nandigram upazila unit BNP in Bogura district on Friday night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>General Secretary of upazila unit BNP, Belayet Hossain Adar, said a group of masked miscreants swooped on the office around 10 pm and set it on fire after pouring petrol.</div><div><br></div><div>They also vandalised the chairs at the office. The furniture and banner of the office were also burnt in the fire.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP has organised a 2-hour sit-in programme on Saturday as part of their 10-point demand. The leaders of the upazila unit BNP were not present at the office during the incident as they went to the police station to get permission.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, local people had doused the flame before a firefighting unit reached the spot, said Warehouse Inspector Tanvir Hasan of Nandigram Fire Service and Civil Defence.</div><div><br></div><div>Condemning the incident, Mosharraf Hossain, former MP of Bogura-4 constituency demanded punishment of those involved in the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Police visited the spot at night. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 20:23:35', '2023-04-08 20:23:35'),
(6262, 6262, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Gobonamang Kgetho has a deep affection for Africa’s largest inland delta, the Okavango. It is his home.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The water and wildlife-rich land is fed by rivers in the Angolan highlands that flow into northern Botswana before draining into Namibia’s Kalahari Desert sands. Several Indigenous and local communities and a vast array of species including African elephants, black rhinos and cheetahs live among the vibrant marshlands. Much of the surrounding region is also teeming with wildlife.</div><div><br></div><div>Fisher Kgetho hails from Botswana’s Wayei community and relies on his pole and dug-out canoe to skirt around the marshes looking for fish. But things have changed in recent years — in the delta and across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“The fish sizes have shrunk, and stocks are declining,” Kgetho, whose life and livelihood depends on the health of the ecosystem, told The Associated Press. “The rivers draining into the delta have less volumes of water.”</div><div><br></div><div>Drilling for oil exploration, as well as human-caused climate change leading to more erratic rainfall patterns and water abstraction and diversion for development and commercial agriculture, has altered the landscape that Kgetho, and so many other people and wildlife species, rely on.</div><div><br></div><div>The delta’s defenders are now hoping to block at least one of those threats — oil exploration.</div><div><br></div><div>A planned hearing by Namibia’s environment ministry will consider revoking the drilling license of Canadian oil and gas firm Reconnaissance Energy. Local communities and environmental groups claimed that land was bulldozed and cut through, damaging lands and polluting water sources, without the permission of local communities.</div><div><br></div><div>Kgetho worries that rivers in his region are drying up because of \"overuse by the extractive industries, including oil exploration activities upstream.”</div><div><br></div><div>In a written statement, ReconAfrica, the firm\'s African arm, said it safeguards water resources through “regular monitoring and reporting on hydrological data to the appropriate local, regional and national water authorities” and is “applying rigorous safety and environmental protection standards.”</div><div><br></div><div>The statement went on to say that it has held over 700 community consultations in Namibia and will continue to engage with communities in the country and in Botswana.</div><div><br></div><div>The company has been drilling in the area since 2021 but is yet to find a productive well. The hearing was originally scheduled for Monday but has been postponed until further notice. The drilling license is currently set to last until 2025, with ReconAfrica previously having been granted a three-year extension.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals have persisted with legal avenues but have had little luck. In a separate case, Namibia’s high court postponed a decision on whether local communities should pay up for filing a case opposing the company’s actions.</div><div><br></div><div>The court previously threw out the urgent appeal made by local people to stop the Canadian firm\'s drilling activities. It\'s now deciding whether the government\'s legal feels should be covered by the plaintiffs or waived. A new date for the decision is set for May.</div><div><br></div><div>The Namibian energy minister, Tom Alweendo, has maintained the country\'s right to explore for oil, saying that European countries and the U.S. do it too. Alweendo supports the African Union\'s goal of using both renewable and non-renewable energy to meet growing demand.</div><div><br></div><div>There are similar fears of deterioration across Botswana and the wider region. Much of the country’s diverse ecosystem has been under threat from various development plans. Nearby Chobe National Park, for example, has seen a decline in river quality partly due to its burgeoning tourism industry, a study found.</div><div><br></div><div>In the Cuvette-Centrale basin in Congo, a dense and ecologically thriving forest that\'s home to the largest population of lowland gorillas, sections of the peatlands — the continent\'s largest — went up for oil and gas auction last year.</div><div><br></div><div>The Congolese government said the auctioning process “is in line” with development plans and government programs and it will stick to stringent international standards.</div><div><br></div><div>Environmentalists are not convinced.</div><div><br></div><div>Wes Sechrest, chief scientist of environmental organization Rewild, said that protecting areas “that have robust and healthy wildlife populations” like the Okavango Delta, “are a big part of the solution to the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises we’re facing.”</div><div><br></div><div>The peatlands also serve as a carbon sink, storing large amounts of the gas that would otherwise heat up the atmosphere.</div><div><br></div><div>Sechrest added that “local communities are going to bear the heaviest costs of oil exploration\" and “deserve to be properly consulted about any extractive industry projects, including the many likely environmental damages, and decide if those projects are acceptable to them.”</div><div><br></div><div>Steve Boyes, who led the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project that mapped the delta, said researchers now have even more data to support the need to maintain the wetlands.</div><div><br></div><div>Aided by Kgetho and other locals, whose “traditional wisdom and knowledge\" led them through the bogs, Boyes and a team of 57 other scientists were able to detail around 1,600 square kilometers (1,000 square miles) of peatlands.</div><div><br></div><div>“These large-scale systems that have the ability to sequester tons of carbon are our long-term resilience plan,” said Boyes.</div><div><br></div><div>For Kgetho, whose journey with the scientists was made into a documentary released earlier this year, there are more immediate reasons to defend the Okavango, reports AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We must protect the delta,\" Kgetho said. \"It is our livelihood.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 20:53:22', '2023-04-08 20:53:22'),
(6263, 6263, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>India is observing a rise in coronavirus disease cases, with the number of new infections crossing 6,155 on Saturday, prompting authorities to step up surveillance measures to prevent the situation from getting out of control.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The World Health Organization has identified XBB.1.16, an omicron sub-variant, as fueling the infection surge in India. Known as Arcturus, XBB.1.16 has high infectivity and pathogenicity and has been listed as a WHO variant under monitoring since late March.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, the number of reported daily cases in India crossed 6,000 for first time in over 200 days, prompting Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to advise sates to be on alert, ramp up testing and vaccinations, and start reviewing their preparedness from Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>“States need to continue working in (a) collaborative spirit as was done during the previous surges for COVID-19 prevention and management,” he said, as quoted in a statement issued by the Ministry of Health after a meeting with regional health chiefs.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister also “urged the state health ministers to conduct mock drills of all hospital infrastructure on April 10 and 11, 2023, and review the health preparedness with district administrations and health officials on April 8 and 9, 2023.”</div><div><br></div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated India, especially during the second viral wave between March and May 2021, when its hospitals run out of staff, beds and oxygen to treat the sick. People with empty oxygen cylinders were seen lining up outside refilling facilities, hoping to save relatives in critical care in hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Many people were forced to turn to makeshift facilities for mass burials and cremations as funeral services could not deal with the unprecedented number of bodies.</div><div><br></div><div>It remains unclear how many people died during that period. Indian authorities put the death toll for January 2020 to December 2021 at about 480,000, but WHO estimates show that 4.7 million people have died in India as a result of the pandemic.</div><div><br></div><div>In the wake of the new infection surge, medical experts agreed that increased vigilance and precautionary measures should be put back in place.</div><div><br></div><div>“I suppose whenever it goes beyond 5 percent positivity rate then this advisory kicks it ... the government is right,” Dr. Dorairaj Prabhakaran, an epidemiologist at the Public Health Foundation of India, told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>Some say that besides increasing testing and vaccination, it is high time that an action plan was put in place.</div><div><br></div><div>“What is the intervention? We know from the WHO that wearing (masks) and maintaining social distance is not having that kind of impact. It is all right to say test more (but) is that enough? What kind of preparedness does the government plan to undertake,” asked Prof. Rama V. Baru from the Center of Social Medicine and Community Health at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.</div><div><br></div><div>“We know we are under-testing and there is a rise in the reported cases — which means is it another variant? It should be.” Source: Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 21:08:42', '2023-04-08 21:08:42'),
(6264, 6264, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In the first official visit from Ukraine since the Russian offensive started in February last year, the war-torn country\'s first Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova will commence her four-day India visit on Monday to discuss bilateral relations, exchange views on the current situation in Ukraine, and global issues of mutual interest, officials said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ms Dzhaparova will also meet Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, and Deputy National Security Adviser, Vikram Misri.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"India shares warm and friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation with Ukraine. Over the last 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations, bilateral cooperation between the two countries has made significant progress in the areas of trade, education, culture and defence. The visit will be an occasion to further mutual understanding and interests,\" an official statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>During her visit, the minister is expected to seek humanitarian aid and equipment to repair energy infrastructure damaged during Russia\'s invasion, The Hindu reported.</div><div><br></div><div>She is also expected to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Kyiv, the newspaper said.</div><div><br></div><div>India, which holds the presidency of the G20 bloc this year, has declined to blame its old ally Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and has sought a diplomatic solution while boosting its purchases of Russian oil,</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy a number of times since the war began, and India has publicly maintained that diplomacy and dialogue are the only ways to resolve the conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>In a phone conversation with President Zelenskyy on October 4 last year, PM Modi said there can be \"no military solution\" and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts. Source: NDTV</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 21:41:26', '2023-04-08 21:41:26'),
(6265, 6265, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq has said that there was a dispute between the businessmen of Bangabazar regarding the proposal to build a multi-storied commercial building on the site. Whether that played any part in the fire that razed the market to the ground last week would come out in the investigation, the Commissioner added.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Besides police, the Fire Service and Civil Defense directorate is also investigating the cause of the fire.</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP commissioner came up with the remarks responding to reporters\' questions after a programme at the FDC in the city on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to another question, Commissioner Faruq termed the attack on the nearby FSCD headquarters during the Bangabazar fire as \'pre-planned\'.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that a total of 11 people have been arrested since the attack on the FSCD headquarters till today. Investigation is focused on ascertaining the motive behind the attack on the agency, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>A massive fire broke out at the Bangabazar Market in Dhaka on April 4 and it spread to some other nearby markets, burning several thousand shops, with mainly readymade clothes and footwear, to ashes. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 21:51:10', '2023-04-08 21:51:10');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6266, 6266, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday condemned the US for anchoring an attack submarine at a port of the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Greek Cypriot administration continues to disrupt the atmosphere of stability and peace on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean by stepping up its arms purchases.</div><div><br></div><div>“We strongly condemn the docking of the USS San Juan attack submarine at a Greek Cypriot seaport,” it added. “We repeatedly state that the removal of the arms sales restrictions imposed by the US on the Greek Cypriot administration and subsequent steps that will endanger the security of the Turkish Cypriot people will encourage the Greek Cypriot administration to take up arms.”</div><div><br></div><div>Citing pledges by Michalis Giorgallas, Greek Cypriot administration\'s defense minister, to buy US weapon systems, the statement said such developments show that the US is helping the Greek Cypriot administration systematically arm itself.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the US Defense Department, the USS San Juan docked at the Southern Cypriot port of Limassol on April 3. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides visited the sub on Thursday, according to the local media.</div><div><br></div><div>Decades-long struggle</div><div><br></div><div>Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.</div><div><br></div><div>Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece\'s annexation of the island led to Türkiye\'s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the TRNC was founded in 1983.</div><div><br></div><div>It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Türkiye, Greece and the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>The Greek Cypriot administration was admitted to the EU in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a UN plan to end the longstanding dispute. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-08 22:03:30', '2023-04-08 22:03:30'),
(6267, 6267, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 22 civilians were killed by extremist rebels in eastern Congo - the group\'s second large-scale deadly attack of the week, local authorities said Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fighters with the Allied Democratic Forces — which has ties to the Islamic State group — attacked people in Beni territory in North Kivu province late Friday evening, said Nicolas Kambale, the mayor of Oicha commune where the attacks occurred.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The enemy killed them savagely and as we speak we have at least 22 civilians killed who are already in the morgue,” Kambale said Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Violence has been simmering in eastern Congo for decades where some 120 armed groups have been fighting over land, resources, power and some to defend their communities. Attacks by rebel groups like ADF have increased recently. Since April last year, ADF attacks have killed at least 370 civilians and abducted several hundred more, including a significant number of children, according to the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group, which originally operated in North Kivu province, has spread to neighboring Ituri province, where more than 144,000 people have been displaced between January and February, according to the U.N. Efforts by Congo’s army and Ugandan forces to push them back have yielded little results.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Friday\'s attack came days after ADF killed more than 30 civilians, including women and children, between the Irumu and Mambasa territories in Ituri.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A spokesman for Congo\'s army in Beni, Capt. Antony Mwalushayi, said the attack Friday was in retaliation for large-scale offensives that the military has been conducting in the area. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 09:28:53', '2023-04-09 09:28:53'),
(6268, 6268, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 30 people were killed in an attack on an internally displaced person\'s camp in north-central Nigeria, the second major attack in the area this week, authorities said Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gunmen attacked civilians in Mgban village in Benue state Friday evening and an investigation is underway, said Sewuese Anene, a local police officer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While it\'s unclear who was responsible for the attack, authorities said suspicion fell on local herdsmen who have clashed in the past with farmers over land disputes in north-central Nigeria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The farmers accuse the herders, mostly of Fulani origin, of grazing their livestock on their farms and destroying their produce. The herders insist that the lands are grazing routes that were first backed by law in 1965, five years after the country gained its independence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The people attacked had been displaced from fighting between farmers and cattle herders and were seeking refuge in a makeshift displacement site.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The violence comes days after gunmen killed at least 50 people in two separate attacks on Umogidi village in the state, which is referred to as “Nigeria’s food basket” because of its bountiful harvests. The villages are some 170 kilometers (105 miles) away from Friday\'s attack, however, it\'s unclear if the same group was responsible for both attacks. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 09:59:30', '2023-04-09 09:59:30'),
(6269, 6269, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 44 people were killed by Islamic extremists in multiple attacks in northern Burkina Faso, the government said Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jihadis attacked Kourakou and Tondobi villages in Seno province, said Lt. Col. P.F Rodolphe Sorgho, governor of the Sahel region in a statement. Sorgho called the attacks on Thursday and Friday “despicable and barbaric” and said the government was stabilizing the area. He called on people to remain calm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The West African nation has been overrun by jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that\'s killed thousands and displaced 2 million people over six years. Fighting has frustrated and divided a once peaceful population, leading to two military coups last year with each junta leader vowing to stem the attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the violence is intensifying and spreading as jihadis blockade villages, preventing hundreds of thousands of people from moving freely.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In February, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for killing more than 70 soldiers, wounding dozens and taking five hostage, in an ambush on a military convoy in the north. A few weeks before that, jihadis killed at least 32 people, including soldiers and civilians, in multiple attacks across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The violence has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the country\'s history, forcing one in five citizens —some 4.7 million people — to be in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 10:05:14', '2023-04-09 10:05:14'),
(6270, 6270, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China deployed dozens of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan on Sunday for a second day of large-scale military drills, in an angry show of force following a meeting between the island\'s president and the US House speaker.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The move sparked condemnation from Taipei and calls for restraint from Washington, which said it was \"monitoring Beijing\'s actions closely\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dubbed \"Joint Sword\", the three-day operation -- which includes rehearsing an encirclement of Taiwan -- will run until Monday, the People\'s Liberation Army\'s (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am a little worried; I would be lying to you if I say that I am not,\" said 73-year-old Donald Ho, who was exercising in a park on Sunday morning in Taipei, in the far north of the self-ruled island.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am still worried because if a war broke out both sides will suffer quite a lot,\" he told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China\'s war games saw planes, ships and personnel sent into \"the maritime areas and air space of the Taiwan Strait, off the northern and southern coasts of the island, and to the island\'s east\", the army said as it launched the exercises, engineered to flex Beijing\'s military muscles in front of Taiwan and the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A report from state broadcaster CCTV said: \"The task force will simultaneously organise patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The patriotic write-up went on to detail the type of weaponry China was putting through its paces, including \"long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuellers\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen immediately denounced the drills, which come after she met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She pledged to work with \"the US and other like-minded countries\" in the face of \"continued authoritarian expansionism\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Washington, a State Department spokesperson said the United States had \"consistently urged restraint and no change to the status quo\", but noted it had ample resources to fulfil its security commitments in Asia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States has been deliberately ambiguous on whether it would defend Taiwan militarily, although for decades it has sold weapons to Taipei to help ensure its self-defence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Live-fire exercises -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exercises on Monday will include live-fire drills off the rocky coast of China\'s Fujian province, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Taiwan\'s Matsu Islands and 186 kilometres (115 miles) from Taipei.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These operations serve as a stern warning against the collusion between separatist forces seeking \'Taiwan independence\' and external forces and against their provocative activities,\" said Shi Yin, a PLA spokesman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The operations are necessary for safeguarding China\'s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP saw no immediate signs of enhanced military manoeuvres on the northern coast of Pingtan, a Chinese island across the strait from Taiwan where the live-ammunition exercises will kick off on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A smattering of tourists wandered the golden sands on Sunday morning, as fishing boats bobbed in the wharf beyond.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China views democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take it one day, by force if necessary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taiwan\'s defence ministry said on Sunday that as many as nine Chinese warships had been detected around the island the day before, along with over 70 aircraft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The number of aircraft crossings into Taiwan\'s southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ) was the highest recorded in a single day this year, according to data collected by AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) has continued to conduct military exercises around the Taiwan Strait and since this morning it has successively dispatched multiple batches of aircraft... as well as a number of ships in the area,\" the defence ministry said on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The military has been closely monitoring the situation for relevant developments, and tasked aircraft, ships and ground missile systems to respond accordingly,\" it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The drills came hours after the departure from Beijing of French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in China to urge his counterpart Xi Jinping to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In August last year, China deployed warships, missiles and fighter jets around Taiwan in its largest show of force in years following a trip to the island by McCarthy\'s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tsai returned to Taiwan on Friday after visiting her island\'s dwindling band of official diplomatic allies in Latin America, with two US stopovers that included meetings with McCarthy and other lawmakers. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 10:17:08', '2023-04-09 10:17:08'),
(6271, 6271, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality is “unhealthy” this morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 158 at 9:15 am, Dhaka ranked 9th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India’s Delhi, Thailand’s Chiang Mai, and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 306, 250 and 212, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy” while between 201 and 300 is “very unhealthy”, and 301–400 is “hazardous”, posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 10:43:24', '2023-04-09 10:43:24'),
(6272, 6272, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The US Department of Justice on Saturday said it has begun an investigation into a trove of leaked US documents, many related to Ukraine, that have spread to the internet.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The breach appears to include assessments and secret intelligence reports that touch not only on Ukraine and Russia but also highly sensitive analyses of US allies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have been in communication with the Department of Defense related to this matter and have begun an investigation,\" a Justice Department spokesperson told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A steady drip of dozens of leaked documents and slides have made their way onto Twitter, Telegram, Discord and other social media and chat sites in recent days, and new documents continue to surface.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Pentagon said Friday it was \"actively reviewing the matter\" and that it had formally referred the apparent breach to the Justice Department.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US officials told the Washington Post that some documents appeared to be manipulated but many were consistent with CIA World Intelligence Review reports that are shared at high levels within the White House, Pentagon and State Department.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Defense analysts say any breach of internal classified US documents would be both damaging and potentially embarrassing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, the leak would prove valuable to Moscow by showing how deep US intelligence has penetrated parts of the Russian military apparatus, US media said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other documents include apparent information about internal debate within the governments of US allies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the documents, for example, were discussions about South Korea\'s debate on whether to provide the United States artillery shells for use in Ukraine, The New York Times said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 11:40:20', '2023-04-09 11:40:20'),
(6273, 6273, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US Justice Dept opens probe into secret US documents leakLionel Messi scored one goal and set up another for Sergio Ramos as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at Nice on Saturday to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table and ease the pressure on coach Christophe Galtier.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi converted a Nuno Mendes cross in the 26th minute before Gianluigi Donnarumma produced several key saves and Dante was denied by the woodwork as PSG\'s goal lived a charmed life on the Cote d\'Azur.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Ramos then ended any doubt about the outcome when he headed in a Messi corner with 14 minutes remaining, as PSG bounced back from suffering consecutive home defeats.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Those losses had piled the pressure on Galtier amid reports he may not even see out the season.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The result clearly meant a lot to Galtier, who was in charge at Nice last season and expressed his displeasure at a banner unfurled by the home supporters aimed at his mother.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"My mum is 83 and has just had cancer. That\'s all. And if these people in the stands have been watching games in Europe this season it is because of the work I did last season,\" said Galtier, who led Nice to fifth in his single campaign at the club.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">A win for PSG\'s nearest challengers Lens on Friday had cut their lead at the top of the table to just three points before this game, and before the top two meet in Paris next weekend.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We knew we had a lot of pressure on our shoulders both because of our poor performances and because of Lens winning, and especially because Nice are a really good team who have been on a great run,\" Galtier told broadcaster Canal Plus.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\"It was definitely not our best performance of the season but the players fought for each other and it is obviously three important points.\"</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He added: \"It is better to have a six-point lead than be chasing after a six-point deficit but we know we have a very important match next weekend.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">It was a first defeat in 15 matches in all competitions for Nice since former PSG midfielder Didier Digard replaced Lucien Favre as coach in January. The Ineos-owned club remain eighth in the table.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">- Donnarumma stars -</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi\'s 14th Ligue 1 goal of the campaign that opened the scoring came at the end of a week in which it emerged he was likely to leave Paris when his contract expires in the summer.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Before that, Danilo Pereira had already hit the woodwork for the visitors, who also saw injury-prone midfielder Renato Sanches come off hurt early on.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Donnarumma saved well from Nicolas Pepe and Terem Moffi before half-time, and Dante then sent an effort off the underside of the bar six minutes into the second half, with the ball bouncing down onto the line and then hitting the post.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">It was an incredible let-off for the league leaders, who were grateful to Donnarumma again as he made further stops from Pepe and Youssouf Ndayishimiye.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Ramos made it 2-0 but there was still time for Danilo to head against his own crossbar late on.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Marseille can rejoin Lens and close back to within six points of PSG with a win at Lorient on Sunday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, bottom side Angers claimed their first Ligue 1 win since September as they beat European hopefuls Lille 1-0.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Substitute Halid Sabanovic scrambled in the only goal of the match with six minutes left as Angers ended a run of 21 matches without a win.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That means they will not match the French top-flight record for the most games without a win in a single season -- that record is held by Arles-Avignon who went 23 matches without a victory in 2010/11.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">They nevertheless remain seven points adrift at the bottom of the table and 12 away from safety with only eight games left. AFP</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 11:55:32', '2023-04-09 11:55:32'),
(6274, 6274, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Seven people, including a two-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, died late Saturday night when a fire swept a residential community in Rizal province, east of Metro Manila, Philippine police said on Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire broke out before 10 p.m. local time on Saturday in Taytay town and spread fast in the densely packed neighborhood of old houses, engulfing over 40 houses before it was declared under control more than an hour later.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victims were trapped in their house at the end of the street, and the bodies were found on the kitchen floor and inside the bathroom, according to the police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire also left more than 60 families homeless.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bureau of Fire Protection is investigating the cause of the fire. Xinhua</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 12:37:00', '2023-04-09 12:37:00'),
(6275, 6275, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two British-Israeli sisters killed in a shooting in the occupied West Bank have been named as Maia and Rina Dee.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sisters were killed on Friday afternoon near the Hamra Junction in the north of the Jordan Valley, as they drove to Tiberias.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They were the children of Rabbi Leo Dee, originally from London, who has described the deaths as a \"nightmare\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their mother, Leah, remains in a critical condition in hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maia was 20 years old and volunteering for national service in a high school, while younger sister Rina was 15.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their car was driven off the road after being shot at by gunmen while their father had been driving ahead in a separate vehicle. Rabbi Dee heard news of the attack before realising his own family had been involved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to the BBC, he described his daughters as \"beautiful and wonderful\" and said he hadn\'t been able to sleep since their deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Every time, I had nightmares and woke up,\" he said, \"but the reality was worse than the nightmare, so I went back to sleep. That\'s how it went.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The family live in the West Bank settlement Efrat, its mayor has said. The sisters\' funeral will be held on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described the incident as a terror attack, sent his condolences to the family in a tweet naming the sisters. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 12:47:22', '2023-04-09 12:47:22'),
(6276, 6276, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Three people were killed after a truck collided with a pickup van in Betmari area of Jamalpur’s Melandaha upazila today, police said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased were identified as Shah Alam (45), son of Karim Uddin, and Kajol (32), the driver of the pickup van and son of Hanif Uddin of Jamalpur Sadar Upazila, and Chanchal Barman (27) of Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">3 killed as truck collides with pick-up van in Jamalpur</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md. Delawar Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Melandaha police station, said a Jamalpur-bound truck hit a pickup van at around 7 am this morning, leaving 3 people dead on the spot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies and sent them to Melandaha Upazila Health Complex, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, police sent the bodies to Jamalpur General Hospital morgue for autopsy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The truck was seized from the spot. However, the driver fled the scene of the accident. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 13:10:10', '2023-04-09 13:10:10'),
(6277, 6277, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Shab-e-Qadr is considered to be one of the holiest nights for the Muslim community. As per Islamic belief, Shab-e-Qadr commemorates the day when the verses of the Holy Quran were first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When is Shab-e-Qadr?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year, the most significant night of the Muslims - Shab-e-Qadr - will be marked on 29 April, Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The day falls on an odd numbered nights in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan. Many people believe that it actually falls on the 27th day of Ramzaan (29 April this year).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">How is the day observed?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also known as Laylat al-Qadr, the Muslim community honour the day by reciting the holy verses from the Quran the entire night. They believe that the blessings of the Almighty flourishes and thrives during this night. Hence, the day is known to be the holiest night for all Muslims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Around the world, several religious scholars and preachers organise meetings on the Holy Quran, its holy verses, as well as on the life of Prophet Muhammad. They hold these talks to inspire Muslims to follow the path of true faith and righteousness.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here are few things to do on Shab-e-Qadr:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Take time out and do I\'tikaf, which means to adhere or commit oneself to something that is prayer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Perform Namaz and Tahajjud; it is a voluntary prayer during the holy time. Tahajjud is known as the ‘night prayer’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Read and recite a few important verses from the Holy Quran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- While praying, recite some special dua.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">History and Significance:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During Ramadan, Prophet Mohammad spent long hours meditating about the world. He mainly looked for support to guide his people away from the moral evils and idolatry. Occasionally, Prophet Mohammad travelled to the Cave of Hira, a small cave in the hills near Mecca, Saudi Arabia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to scriptures, it is believed that in around 610 Common Era (CE), Prophet Mohammad received the Quran’s first verses from Allah.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 13:20:20', '2023-04-09 13:20:20'),
(6278, 6278, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq on Sunday stressed the need for enactment of a fresh law to take actions against anti-liberation remarks.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“When they (anti-liberation forces) get chances, they make these remarks to make our Liberation War controversial. This is why, I think a fresh law like holocaust general act should be passed here,” he told Parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Minister said this while participating in the discussion on a motion placed by Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the 50 years (golden jubilee) of the Bangladesh National Parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A law is needed so that actions can be taken from the state against those who would talk against the Independence, the Liberation War or the spirit of the Liberation War, said the Minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the law commission has proposed such a law before the Law Ministry, which can be passed in the Parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing at BNP and Jamaat, the Minister said they tried to make the last two general elections questionable in order to make the parliament ineffective. They indulged in arson violence to thwart the 2014 election, and they joined the 2018 election but they didn’t contest it in true sense.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they (BNP-Jamaat) don’t believe this parliament--the center of the state power. Since they don’t have confidence in parliament, they hatch conspiracy whenever they get a chance to make not only this parliament but also Bangladesh as a futile and failed state, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mozammel said a fresh law should be adopted in this parliament to check such falsehood and distortion of history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Since the Prime Minister has been able to try the war criminals and the killing of Bangabandhu and the jail killing, it is possible for her (Sheikh Hasina) to make a safeguard for the nation by enacting a law against those who’re opposing the independence and liberation war,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that an effort was made to make Bangladesh as mini-Pakistan by killing Bangabandhu in the past, Mozammel said they still remark that Pakistan was better. “The Pakistani ghost has not gone from their hearts yet,” he added. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 14:07:02', '2023-04-09 14:07:02'),
(6279, 6279, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed a High Court (HC) order until May 8 that granted bail to Sohel Rana, the owner of the ill-fated Rana Plaza that collapsed in 2013 leaving 1,138 RMG workers dead, in a murder case over the deadly incident in Savar.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chamber Judge Justice Md Abu Zafor Siddique passed the order after hearing a petition submitted by the state seeking a stay order in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Attorney General Sarwar Hossain and Assistant Attorney General Saiful Islam represented the state while former Food Minister Advocate Kamrul Islam stood for the accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On that day (May 8), the regular bench of the Appellate Division will hold a hearing upon a petition to be submitted by the state, Assistant Attorney&nbsp; General Saiful said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on April 6, a High Court bench granted bail to Rana in the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HC bench of Justice Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Shahed Nuruddin granted bail to Rana declaring&nbsp; the HC rule in this regard valid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advocate-on-record Sufia Khatun, on behalf of the state, filed a petition seeking a stay on the Rana’s bail order on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza, an illegally-constructed building in Savar which housed five garment factories, came down crashing, killing 1,138 people and injuring over 2,000 others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trial in the murder case filed over Rana Plaza collapse began officially on January 31, 2022 by recording statements of the witnesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 18, 2016, Dhaka District and Session Court Judge SM Kuddus Zaman framed charges against the accused and passed an order to begin the trial.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But it got barred as most of the accused appealed to the higher court challenging legality of the order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On January 31 last year, after clearing the appeals, District and Sessions Court Judge AHM Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan recorded the statement of plaintiff, then Sub-Inspector of Savar police station Wali Ashraf.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over the tragic incident then SI of Savar police station Wali Ashraf filed a murder case accusing the owner and others of dereliction and negligence in building construction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 1, 2015, Assistant Superintendent of Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police Bijoy Krishna Kar submitted charge sheet in the case against 41 people including the building owner Sohel Rana.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 594 people were made witnesses in this case. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 14:10:27', '2023-04-09 14:10:27'),
(6280, 6280, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Bank has started releasing new taka notes for exchange from today, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, at specific branches of scheduled banks.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The central bank in a notification said that until April 17 (except weekends and public holidays), these notes will be available through certain branches of banks in the Dhaka region and through the offices of Bangladesh Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At this time, new notes of Tk 5, 10, 20, and 50 will be exchanged in a special system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the central bank, the same person cannot receive new notes more than once. However, while withdrawing the notes, one can take any amount of metal coins from the counter against the money.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new notes are available at these bank branches: Jatrabari branch of NCC Bank, Abdul Gani Road Corporate branch of Janata Bank, National Press Club Corporate branch of Agrani Bank, Mirpur branch of NRB Global Bank, Karwan Bazar branch of Southeast Bank, Bashundhara City branch of Social Islami Bank (Panthapath), Chak Bazar branch of Uttara Bank, Ramna Corporate branch of Sonali Bank, Uttara branch of Dhaka Bank, Gulshan branch of IFIC Bank, Mohakhali branch of National Bank, Mohammadpur branch of First Security Islami Bank, Rajarbagh branch of Janata Bank, and Sadarghat branch of Pubali Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the new notes are available at Southeast Bank\'s Kakrail branch, One Bank\'s Basabo branch, BRAC Bank\'s Shyamoli branch, Dutch-Bangla Bank\'s SME &amp; Agriculture branch in Dakshin Khan, Premier Bank\'s Banani branch, Bank Asia Dhanmondi branch, The City Bank\'s Begum Rokeya Sarani branch, Al-Arafa Islami Bank\'s Nandipara branch, Prime Bank\'s Elephant Road branch, Mercantile Bank\'s Narayanganj branch, Exim Bank\'s Shimrail branch, Islami Bank Bangladesh\'s Gazipur Chowrasta branch, UCBL’s Gazipur Chowrasta branch, Uttara Bank’s Savar branch, Mutual Trust Bank’s Savar branch and Trust Bank’s Keraniganj branch. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 14:49:13', '2023-04-09 14:49:13'),
(6281, 6281, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday accused the government of trying to create a confrontational situation in the country in a planned way by attacking the peaceful programmes of the opposition.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We’re clearly observing that this government is taking the country towards conflict in a planned way. They want to create a confrontational situation by attacking and obstructing the programmes of the opposition parties without any provocation,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their party has so far been observing all the programmes of their ongoing movement in a peaceful and democratic manner braving all obstacles and repressive acts.</div><div><br></div><div>Stating that Awami League always talks about abiding by the constitution, Fakhrul said the opposition’s rights to speak and protest have been enshrined in the national charter.</div><div><br></div><div>“Why can\'t we say anything against the government? Is the government the state or the God? The government is not the God (that we can’t criticise it),” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party does not believe in democracy and freedom of expression. “To them (those in power), they alone will speak up and all must follow their words like their slaves. But the people of Bangladesh won’t let that happen.”</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) protesting the killing of Sultana Jasmine, a union land office employee in Naogaon, in Rab custody last month.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said Sultana Jasmine was picked up by the law enforcers illegally from the street. “This can’t happen in any civilised and democratic country. It’s a gross violation of law and the constitution.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said there is no reason to downplay the murder incident of Jasmine.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“This killing has manifested that the current usurper Awami League government wants to cling to power by killing and torturing people and filing false cases against them.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader alleged that the members of elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been indulging in repression and killing of people at the behest of the government high-ups</div><div><br></div><div>He said the government has been increasingly using the Digital Security Act (DSA) to suppress those who talk about its corruption and injustice and raise voices against it.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have long been protesting against this law alongside the journalist brothers and the editors. But they (govt) won’t do it (repeal or amend it),” Fakhrul said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the government to reform the DSA and repeal its two sections, but the law minister turned down it.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the government is against annulling the DSA as it wants to completely snatch people’s right to speak and the right to protest using the repressive law.</div><div><br></div><div>He expressed concern as he said many journalists have been arrested and jailed in cases filed under the DSA for publishing the truth. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 19:04:10', '2023-04-09 19:04:10'),
(6282, 6282, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court on Sunday fixed May 22 for submission of the probe report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>With this, the deadline for submission of probe report in the case deferred for the 97th time.</div><div><br></div><div>Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was supposed to submit the report today but as it failed to submit the report Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rashidul Alam fixed the new date for submitting it.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 2, 2021, RAB submitted a progress report in Sagar-Runi murder case in affidavit form to the Attorney General’s Office.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the report, two unidentified people were involved in the murder.</div><div><br></div><div>Maasranga Television News Editor Sagar Sarowar and his wife ATN Bangla senior reporter Meherun Runi were found dead at their rented apartment in the city’s West Rajabazar area on 11 February 2012.</div><div><br></div><div>Nousher Ali Roman, brother of Runi, filed a case with Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station on the following day.</div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested Tanvir in connection with the murder case on October 1, 2012. Later, he secured bail in 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>Law enforcers have so far arrested eight people, including Tanvir, in connection with the murder case.</div><div><br></div><div>The seven other suspects are Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Abu Syed, Mintu alias Baggira Mintu alias Masum Mintu, Quamrul Hasan alias Arun, security guard Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Pal. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-04-09 20:51:05', '2023-04-09 20:51:05');
