INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5339, 5339, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said that Bangladesh would renew its efforts for making Bangla one of the official languages of the United Nations when the global body will go through a greater reform.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He said there is huge involvement of funds in the process, and it needs to think whether spending such a huge amount of money every year will be logical at this moment though they have the love, respect and desire for Bangla to become UN’s official language.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We thought about it and worked on it. We estimated around five to six years ago that it will require Tk 800 crore annually,” Shahriar told reporters after attending a programme at Foreign Service Academy marking the International Mother Language Day.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that Bangladesh will have that capacity but at this moment, opinions might not be there in favour of such a plan.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations has six official languages - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in February 2021, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said there is no opposition from the member countries to Bangla as another official language of the United Nations, but the UN has said it does not have money to fund it.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN authorities have said they would need $600 million per year for making a new official language functional in the UN system, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangla should be named an official United Nations language to reflect the vast number of its speakers and its heritage in literature and history, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the UN General Assembly in 2010, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Since Bangla [also known as Bengali] is spoken by nearly 300 million people worldwide, has a rich history in literature, history and in other fields. Our Parliament adopted a resolution requesting the UN to declare Bangla as one of its official languages,” she added. “I fervently appeal to you all for acceptance of our very legitimate request.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-21 14:23:48', '2023-02-21 14:23:48'),
(5340, 5340, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the need for research to preserve, revitalise and develop the mother languages of the world as many languages are being lost.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I always put emphasis on research. The reason is that enrichment of anything is not possible without research,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said this while inaugurating a four-day programme of the International Mother Language Institute at Segunbagicha to mark the Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day-2023.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the government will take steps to provide fellowship for language research in the International Mother Language Institute.</div><div><br></div><div>“I think this institute has a responsibility to preserve all the languages of the world, conduct research on these and know the history of languages. I think it can be done,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said she, if needed, will arrange funds to provide fellowship for language researchers.</div><div><br></div><div>She said today Bangladesh has attained food autarky thanks to research. “Now research is extensively needed in different sectors including science and health,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>In this context, the PM said the government provides fellowship and stipends to 24 million students in Bangladesh and free textbooks to the school students.</div><div><br></div><div>She said her government raised the literacy rate to 65.5 percent from only 45 percent during the 1996-2001 tenure and got an award from UNESCO for this achievement at that time. Then her government formed a fund with the award money to provide stipend for higher education.</div><div><br></div><div>“Coming in power in 2009, now we’ve raised the literacy rate to 75.2 percent. So, we are advancing (in terms of education),” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Many languages in different countries are being lost…We want the engendered languages of the world to be preserved here and research to be conducted on these. We’re giving the utmost importance to research. I want International Mother Language Institute to make a huge contribution to preserve the languages,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said the country’s children should learn one or two foreign languages alongside learning own language.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that English has turned as the dominant medium of international communication now, she said, “Alongside it, I think it is very essential to learn own language. Our children can learn one or two other languages alongside the own language.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said she laid the foundation stone of the International Mother Language Institute during the visit of the then UN general secretary Kofi Annan in 2001, but the subsequent BNP-Jamaat government stopped its works.</div><div><br></div><div>She thanked the 2001-2006 BNP government for stopping its works saying that otherwise her government didn’t get scope to develop this institute as per her design.</div><div><br></div><div>“From the one perspective, they did a good job. I would like to thank them as I could develop this institute as per my choice after coming in power for the second term. So, I thank them for stopping it,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Language Movement in 1952.</div><div><br></div><div>In the event, Hasina, also chief patron of the institute, handed over the international mother language national medals and the international mother language international medals to four recipients.</div><div><br></div><div>Habibur Rahman and Ranjit Sinha were awarded with the national medals, while Mahendra Kumar Mitra and Mother Language Lovers of World Society, Vancouver, Canada were conferred with the international medals in recognition of their extraordinary contribution for the preservation, revitalisation and development of mother languages.</div><div><br></div><div>President of the Mother Language Lovers of World Society Md Aminul Islam received the medal on behalf of the Society.</div><div><br></div><div>Education Minister Dipu Moni, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhoury (Nowfel) and Head of the Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Susan Maree Vize spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Professor Dr Pabitra Sarkar, Former Vice Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University, India, presented the keynote paper focusing on ‘the necessity of multilingual education in the multilingual world.’</div><div><br></div><div>Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division Suleman Khan gave the welcome address and Director General of the International Mother Language Institute Professor Dr Hakim Arif delivered the vote of thanks.</div><div><br></div><div>At the outset of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show respect to the language movement heroes for their sacrifice.</div><div><br></div><div>In the event, a video documentary titled “Bangabandhu and Language Movement” was screened.</div><div><br></div><div>Children from different countries including Bangladesh, India, Australia, Algeria, Japan, China, Russia and France greeted the Prime Minister in their own mother languages on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day, according to UNB reports.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-21 14:42:07', '2023-02-21 14:42:07'),
(5341, 5341, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least six people were injured in a clash between two groups of Sramik League, one of Awami League’s front organisations, over placing wreaths at the central Shaheed Minar in Manikganj Sadar Upazila on Tuesday.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The clash erupted between the followers of Sramik League leaders Abdul Jalil and Babul Sarkar around 9:00am in front of the central Shaheed Minar at Manikganj Govt High School. Later, the Jubo League and the Shecchashebok League also got involved in the fight.</div><div><br></div><div>Jubo League leaders Nazmul and Pradip Basu, Shecchashebok League leader Kajal and Sramik League leader Kader were among the injured.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to police and party sources, a long-standing dispute has been going on between Abdul Jalil and Babul Sarkar over the leadership of district Sramik League. Both claim themselves as president of the district Sramik League.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday morning, leaders and activists from Awami League’s front organisations gathered around Manikganj’s central Shaheed Minar to pay their homage to the&nbsp; 1952 Language Movement martyrs.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Later,&nbsp; district AL’s former additional secretary Sultanul Azam Khan announced the name of Abdul Jalil as the Shecchashebok League leader to place wreaths at the Shaheed Minar triggering protest from Babul Sarkar’s followers. Protests led to a massive clash between the two groups.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior party leaders and police officers intervened to bring the situation under control about half an hour later.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>District Awami League\'s General Secretary Abdus Salam termed the incident \"unexpected\" and said disciplinary action would be taken against those who were involved in the clash.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdur Rouf, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, told UNB that no complaint was immediately filed in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>“However, the senior leaders of the district Awami League have managed to reach a compromise between the two groups,” he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>District Awami League\'s General Secretary Abdus Salam termed the incident \"unexpected\" and said disciplinary action would be taken against those who were involved in the clash.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdur Rouf, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, told UNB that no complaint was immediately filed in this regard, reports UNB,</div><div><br></div><div>“However, the senior leaders of the district Awami League have managed to reach a compromise between the two groups,” he also said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-21 14:44:50', '2023-02-21 14:44:50'),
(5342, 5342, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A clash broke out in Chattogram University in the first hour of 21st February between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League over paying tributes at Shaheed Minar.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The clash erupted at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, which left 20 activists injured, said the leaders of the two groups.</div><div><br></div><div>According to campus sources, these two groups- ‘brothers’ and ‘Moku’- are sub-factions of BCL’s CU unit’s Bijoy group.</div><div><br></div><div>While the leaders and activists of ‘brothers’ group were on their way to the university’s central Shaheed Minar the activists of ‘Moku’ group tried to bar them from going there, triggering the violence.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the injured was transferred to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Delwar, an officer at CU Medical Centre, said a total of 20 people received treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Delwar Hossain, a leader of a faction of Bijoy group said, “They had taken over our rooms. When we tried to talk about it, the situation turned violent.”</div><div><br></div><div>“They were trying to evict some of our activists from Alaol Hall for several days now and started chasing us today when we were going to the hall,” Hossain said.</div><div><br></div><div>Several leaders and activists from the ‘brothers’ group claimed they were attacked while carrying wreaths to the Shaheed Minar.</div><div><br></div><div>Although the groups were engaged in the clash for nearly two hours no one from the university administration was reportedly present there.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Shahidul Islam, acting Proctor of the university, said proctorial body and police went there and controlled the situation upon receiving information, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“We will look into the matter seriously if there’s a written complaint,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-21 14:49:42', '2023-02-21 14:49:42'),
(5343, 5343, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Vladimir Putin has sharpened his vitriol towards the West as President Joe Biden, fresh from a visit to Kyiv, praised Western democracy for standing up to naked Russian aggression.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a week heavy with events ahead of Friday\'s anniversary of Russia\'s Ukraine invasion, Mr Putin spoke first.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The West had enabled Nazi Germany, he claimed, and had turned Ukraine into a neo-Nazi regime that was \"anti-Russia\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hours later Mr Biden said autocrats understood only one word: \"No, no, no!\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Putin thought the world would roll over, he was wrong,\" he said, vowing that Nato was more united than ever. Kyiv stood strong, proud, tall and free and Western support for Ukraine would not fail, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Welcoming him to Warsaw\'s royal castle, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that by travelling to Kyiv Mr Biden had shown the free world did not fear anything. Nato\'s role was to defend and support the free world and Ukraine \"must win this war\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Putin\'s speech barely touched on the progress of Russia\'s military in Ukraine and there was no indication of how the war might end. The main news involving Russia\'s military came from Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who accused the chief of staff and defence minister of trying to destroy his group and starve it of weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s president did announce he was suspending the New Start nuclear arms control treaty signed with the US in 2010. The deal caps nuclear warhead numbers and Nato, and UK leaders have urged him to reconsider.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also declared he had put new ground-based systems on combat duty. He had already threatened last year to use \"all means at our disposal\" to protect Russia and territory it has seized in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Truth was an early casualty of Mr Putin\'s lengthy speech, at an exhibition centre a stone\'s throw from the Kremlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They were the ones who started the war... we\'re using force to stop it,\" President Putin asserted in his address to both houses of Russia\'s parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No Western troops have been on the ground in Ukraine, but Russia\'s foreign ministry appeared to double down on the claim when it summoned US ambassador Lynne Tracy on Tuesday, saying that Washington should take steps to withdraw \"US-Nato military and equipment\" from Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Putin has blamed the West and Nato countless times in the past, and he reprised many of his claims from his TV address on the day of the invasion a year ago. He reminded Russians of the war in Iraq and the bombing of Belgrade, but steered clear of Russia\'s long and devastating role in the Syrian civil war, its invasion of neighbouring Georgia or landgrab in Crimea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As he spoke there was a deadly reminder of the human cost of Europe\'s most deadly invasion since World War Two.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Six people died and many more were wounded as Russian shells hit Kherson city, liberated from Russian troops last November. A bus stop, a pharmacy and residential areas were hit in the city centre and local media said a kindergarten was among the buildings that came under attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his nightly address on Tuesday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia\'s attacks \"did not and could not have any military purpose\", and were instead intended to sow \"terror\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added that Ukrainian forces were maintaining their positions on the front line in eastern Ukraine - where the bulk of the current fighting is taking place - despite facing great pressure. 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, '2023-02-22 02:10:10', '2023-02-22 02:10:10'),
(5344, 5344, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The former face of Mexico\'s war on drugs has been convicted by a US jury of drug trafficking.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Genaro García Luna, once Mexico\'s security minister, was found guilty of taking millions of dollars from Mexico\'s biggest crime group, the Sinaloa drug cartel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">García Luna - who was arrested in the state of Texas in 2019 - had pleaded not guilty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 54-year-old could face life in prison.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a minimum, García Luna will serve the mandatory minimum of 20 years, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The verdict came after a four-week trial and three days of jury deliberation in the US District Court in Brooklyn, New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prosecutors said the former head of the Mexican equivalent of the US Federal Bureau of Investigations accepted millions of dollars stuffed in briefcases and delivered by members of Joaquín \"El Chapo\" Guzmán\'s Sinaloa drug cartel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">García Luna, who moved to the US after leaving office, is the highest-ranking Mexican official ever to be tried in the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Twitter, a spokesperson for current Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Jesús Ramírez Cuevas, praised the decision and took aim at former Mexican President Felipe Calderón.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">García Luna served under Mr Calderón, who oversaw a crackdown on drug cartels beginning in 2006.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Justice has arrived for the former squire of Felipe Calderón,\" Mr Ramirez Cuevas wrote. \"The crimes against our people will never be forgotten.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ioan Grillo, a Mexico-based British author and expert on Mexico\'s criminal underworld, told BBC News the conviction has \"big implications\" for both the US and Mexico governments\' fight against corruption and organised crime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This could encourage prosecutors to go after other cases,\" he said. \"They took a certain risk by not having physical evidence and convicting him on testimony from drug traffickers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added García Luna\'s conviction could also help dissuade Mexican officials from being \"openly corrupt\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If you\'re a Mexican agent, you\'ll be thinking about how much you expose yourself to the Americans,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ex-minister - widely considered the architect of Mexico\'s war on drugs - was said to have shared information with the Sinaloa drug cartel about its rivals and warned the group about law enforcement operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">García Luna denied the allegations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The claims against García Luna\'s involvement with the Sinaloa cartel first came to light during a trial against Guzmán, who was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years in 2019.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A former cartel member named Jesus \"Rey\" Zambada testified during Guzmán\'s trial that he had delivered millions of dollars in payments to García Luna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The case against the former minister was built on the testimony of nine cooperating witnesses, mostly convicted cartel members, including Zambada.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">García Luna declined to testify at the trial, but his wife, Linda Cristina Pereyra, took the stand and attempted to downplay their finances and lifestyle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her closing argument, US prosecutor Saritha Komatireddy said the Sinaloa cartel could not have built a \"global cocaine empire\" without García Luna\'s aid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They paid the defendant bribes for protection,\" she said. \"And they got what they paid for.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">García Luna\'s lawyers argued the witnesses were testifying against him to \"save themselves\" after committing \"horrific crimes\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alejandro Hope, a former Mexican intelligence official, said the conviction would come as no surprise to those closely following the trial in Mexico.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was certainly enough to convince the jury, although many others will be unconvinced,\" he told BBC News.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conviction could \"complicate some parts\" of US-Mexico cooperation, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There won\'t be any sort of rupture or open dispute,\" he added. \"But ... it will be known that the US has its eyes on Mexican officials. For some, that will make things difficult.\" 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, '2023-02-22 02:14:15', '2023-02-22 02:14:15'),
(5345, 5345, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air quality is in the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning (February 22, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 163 at 9:20 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;\">India’s Delhi, Iraq’s Baghdad and Ghana’s Accra occupied the first, second and third spots, with AQI scores of 342, 198 and 191 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201–300 is ‘’very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 04:12:55', '2023-02-22 04:12:55'),
(5346, 5346, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended Moscow’s participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States, announcing the move Tuesday in a bitter speech in which he made clear he would not change his strategy in the war in Ukraine.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin emphasized, however, that Russia isn’t withdrawing from the pact yet, and hours after his address the Foreign Ministry said Moscow would respect the treaty\'s caps on nuclear weapons. It also said Russia would continue to exchange information about test launches of ballistic missiles per earlier agreements with the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin cast his country — and Ukraine — as victims of Western double-dealing and said it was Russia, not Ukraine, fighting for its very existence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We aren’t fighting the Ukrainian people,” Putin said ahead of the war’s first anniversary Friday. “The Ukrainian people have become hostages of the Kyiv regime and its Western masters, which have effectively occupied the country.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The speech reiterated a litany of grievances he has frequently offered as justification for the widely condemned military campaign, while vowing no military letup.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Along with limits on the number of nuclear weapons, the 2010 New START envisages broad inspections of nuclear sites. Putin said Russia should stand ready to resume nuclear weapons tests if the U.S. does so, a move that would end a global ban on such tests in place since the Cold War era.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded by calling for Russia and the United States to return to dialogue immediately because “a world without nuclear arms control is a far more dangerous and unstable one.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Moscow’s decision to suspend participation in the treaty as “really unfortunate and very irresponsible.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ll be watching carefully to see what Russia actually does,” he said while visiting Greece.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun called on the U.S. and Russia to “continue to negotiate with each other in finding a good solution.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Poland a day after his surprise visit to Ukraine, did not mention the START suspension but blasted Putin for the invasion. He pledged continued support for Ukraine despite “hard and bitter days ahead.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow and forever,” Biden said at Warsaw\'s landmark Royal Castle before a cheering crowd of Poles and Ukrainian refugees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin\'s announcement was the second time in recent days the Ukraine war showed it could spread into perilous new terrain, after Blinken told China over the weekend that it would be a “serious problem” if Beijing provided arms and ammunition to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China and Russia have aligned their foreign policies to oppose Washington. Beijing has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion or atrocities against civilians in Ukraine, while strongly criticizing Western economic sanctions on Moscow. Late last year, Russia and China held joint naval drills.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deputy head of Ukraine’s intelligence service, Vadym Skibitskyi, told The Associated Press his agency hasn’t seen any signs so far that China is providing weapons to Moscow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and made a dash toward Kyiv, apparently expecting to overrun the capital quickly. But stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces — supported by Western weapons — turned back Moscow\'s troops. While Ukraine has reclaimed many areas initially seized by Russia, the sides have become bogged down elsewhere.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war has revived the divide between Russia and the West, reinvigorated the NATO alliance, and created the biggest threat to Putin\'s rule of more than two decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Tuesday\'s speech, Putin again offered his own version of recent history, discounting Ukraine\'s arguments that it needed Western help to thwart a Russian military takeover. He has repeatedly depicted NATO’s expansion to include countries close to Russia as an existential threat to his country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s they who have started the war. And we are using force to end it,” he said before an audience of lawmakers, officials and soldiers, and broadcast on all state TV channels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who was in Ukraine on Tuesday, said she wished Putin had taken a different approach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“What we heard this morning was propaganda that we already know,” Meloni said in English. “He says (Russia) worked on diplomacy to avoid the conflict, but the truth is that there is somebody who is the invader and somebody who is defending itself.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also meeting with Zelenskyy was the newly appointed chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, who led a delegation for the first time since the start of the war and since Republicans won control of the House of Representatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chairman Mike McCaul and a handful of other GOP lawmakers said they had a productive meeting about what Zelenskyy needs for winning the war. He provided them with a list of weapons, including longer-range artillery and air-to-surface systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting comes as some hard-right Republicans are vowing to block future U.S. aid to Ukraine. “We have seen time and again the majority of Republicans and Democrats support our assistance to Ukraine,” McCaul said in a statement. “But the Biden administration needs to lay out their long-term strategy.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin denied any wrongdoing in Ukraine, even after Kremlin forces struck civilian targets, including hospitals, and are widely accused of war crimes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelenskyy cited fresh attacks on Ukrainian civilians Tuesday, and downplayed Putin’s speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I have not watched it, because during this time there were missile strikes on Kherson. Twenty-one people were wounded and six were killed,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin also accused the West of taking aim at Russian culture, religion and values. He fired another broadside at Western gender policies that he described as efforts to destroy “traditional” values.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And he said Western sanctions hadn’t “achieved anything and will not achieve anything.” He blasted Russian tycoons who kept their assets in the West and saw them confiscated or frozen as part of the sanctions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Believe me, ordinary people had no sympathy for those who lost their yachts, palaces and other assets abroad,” Putin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Russia’s Constitution mandates that the president deliver the state-of-the-nation speech annually, Putin never gave one in 2022. Last year, the Kremlin also canceled two other big annual events — Putin’s news conference and a highly scripted phone-in marathon taking questions from the public.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reflecting the Kremlin\'s clampdown on free speech and press, it barred in-person coverage of the address by media from “unfriendly” countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and those in the European Union. 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, '2023-02-22 04:16:38', '2023-02-22 04:16:38'),
(5347, 5347, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea\'s latest missile launches are a demonstration of the country\'s avowed ability to use nuclear force against South Korea and the mainland U.S. How immediate is that threat?</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea claims its nuclear forces are capable of destroying its rivals, and often follows its provocative weapons tests with launch details. But many foreign experts call the North’s claims propaganda and suggest that the country is not yet capable of hitting the United States or its allies with a nuclear weapon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There’s no question that North Korea has nuclear bombs, and that it has missiles that place the U.S. mainland, South Korea and Japan within striking distance. What’s not yet clear is whether the country has mastered the tricky engineering required to join the bombs and the missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea has demonstrated that it has missiles that could fly far enough to reach deep into the continental U.S., but it\'s not clear whether they can survive reentering the Earth\'s atmosphere on arrival.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea said it launched a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile on Saturday to verify the weapon’s reliability and the combat readiness of the country’s nuclear forces. It’s one of three kinds of ICBMs the country has developed, along with the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-17. All three are liquid-fueled, and North Korea has portrayed them all as nuclear-capable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Launched almost straight up to avoid the territories of neighbors, the weapon reached a maximum altitude of about 5,770 kilometers (3,585 miles) and flew 990 kilometers (615 miles), according to North Korean state media. The reported flight details suggest the missile could travel 13,000 kilometers (8,080 miles) or beyond if launched on a normal trajectory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“These days, North Korea has been disclosing information about its launches in a very detailed manner to try to let others believe what they’ve done is genuine,” analyst Shin Jong-woo at South Korea’s Defense and Security Forum said. “But I think that’s part of their propaganda.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are questions on whether North Korea has acquired the technology to shield warheads from the high-temperature, high-stress environment of atmospheric reentry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A South Korean biennial defense document released last week said it’s not clear whether the missiles can survive reentry, because all of North Korea’s ICBM tests have so far been made on high angles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, said a normal trajectory would cause greater stress, as a warhead would spend a longer time passing through altitudes with high air density.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korean state media said the launch was made “suddenly” after a surprise order from leader Kim Jong Un.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The Kim regime’s claims of short-notice launches are thus intended to demonstrate not only the development of strategic and tactical nuclear forces but also the operational capability to use them,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a military parade earlier this month, North Korea showcased around a dozen ICBMs, an unprecedented number that suggested progress in its efforts to mass-produce powerful weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among them were huge canister-sealed missiles that experts say were likely a version of a solid-fuel ICBM that North Korea has been trying to develop in recent years. Solid-fueled systems allow missiles to be mobile on the ground and make them faster to launch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea likely has dozens of nuclear warheads. The question is whether they are small enough to fit on a missile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea has so far performed six underground nuclear test explosions to manufacture warheads that it can place on missiles. Outside estimates of the number of North Korean nuclear warheads vary widely, ranging from 20-60 to up to about 115.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a 2021 interview with 38 North, a North Korea-focused website, renowned nuclear physicist Siegfried Hecker, who has visited North Korea’s main Yongbyon nuclear complex numerous times, said that “20 to 60 is possible, with the most likely number being 45.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some experts argue that North Korea has likely already built miniaturized nuclear warheads to be mounted on missiles, citing the number of years the country has spent on its nuclear and missile programs. But others say North Korea is still years away from producing such warheads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“After its sixth nuclear test, people accepted that North Korea really will have nuclear weapons. But they are still debating whether it has warhead miniaturization technology,” Shin, the analyst, said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The North described its sixth nuclear test in 2017 as a detonation of a thermonuclear bomb built for ICBMs. It created a tremor that measured magnitude 6.3, and some studies put its estimated explosive yield at about 50 to 140 kilotons of TNT. In comparison, the pair of atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II — which killed a total of more than 210,000 people — yielded explosions equivalent to about 15 and 20 kilotons of TNT, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The biennial South Korean defense document said North Korea is estimated to have 70 kilograms (154 pounds) of weapons-grade plutonium. Some observers say that\'s enough for about 9-18 bombs. The document estimated that North Korea has “a considerable amount of” highly enriched uranium as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea’s Yongbyon complex has facilities to produce both plutonium and highly enriched uranium, the two main ingredients to build nuclear weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plutonium plants are generally large and generate a lot of heat, making them easier to detect. But a uranium enrichment plant is more compact and can be easily hidden from satellite cameras. North Korea is believed to be running at least one additional covert uranium enrichment facility, in addition to one at its Yongbyon complex.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the collapse of diplomacy with then-U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019, Kim sped up the development of short-range solid-fuel, nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike key targets in South Korea, including U.S. military bases there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The so-called “tactical” nuclear weapons include what North Korea calls “super-large” 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers that it tested Monday. South Korea describes the weapon as a short-range missile system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korean state media said its new artillery system can carry nuclear warheads, and that four rockets would be enough to wipe out an enemy airfield. The statement drew quick outside doubts about whether the weapons are indeed nuclear-capable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The North Korean claim doesn’t make sense to some extent. ... Why do they need four tactical nuclear weapons to destroy just one airfield?” Shin, the analyst, said. “Also, which country would disclose such attack scenarios via state media?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other new North Korean short-range systems include missiles that were apparently modeled after the Russian Iskander mobile ballistic system or outwardly resemble the U.S. MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System. Launched from land vehicles, these missiles are designed to be maneuverable and fly at low altitudes, theoretically giving them a better chance of defeating South Korean and U.S. missile defense systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Whether North Korea has an ability to arm short-range missiles with nuclear warheads has not been independently confirmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While North Korea may be able to place simple nuclear warheads on some of its older missiles, including Scuds or Rodong missiles, it would likely require further technology advancements and nuclear tests to build smaller and more advanced warheads that can be installed on its newer tactical systems, said Lee, the expert.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea also has an intermediate-range, nuclear-capable Hwasong-12 missile capable of reaching Guam, a major U.S. military hub in the Pacific. It has been developing a family of mid-range, solid-fuel Pukguksong missiles which are designed to be fired from submarines or land vehicles. 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, '2023-02-22 04:54:59', '2023-02-22 04:54:59'),
(5348, 5348, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Muslims in Bangladesh will observe the holy Shab-e-Barat on the night of March 7 as the Shaban moon was sighted in the country’s sky on Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the moon was sighted, the month of Shaban will begin from February 22.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee, held at the conference room of Baitul Mukarram, in the evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan presided over the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The announcement was made after analysing data collected from the district administrations, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and Space Research and Remote Sensing Institute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Shaban. Muslims offer special prayers, recite the holy Quran, and take part in other religious rituals. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 04:59:34', '2023-02-22 04:59:34');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5349, 5349, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Global consulting giant McKinsey plans to let go 2,000 of its employees, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The round of layoffs would be one of the company\'s biggest ever, according to Bloomberg, which said the firm had increased headcount from 28,000 to 45,000 over the past five years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing anonymous sources, Bloomberg said the number of employees affected could still change, and are expected to primarily target administrative staff who do not interact directly with clients.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">McKinsey is seeking to centralize its support services for its consultants in a bid to save money after having recruited heavily in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Founded almost 100 years ago in Chicago and now operating in more than 130 countries, the consultancy had a record revenue of $15 billion in 2021, and exceeded that figure in 2022, according to a Bloomberg source.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many large US companies, especially in the tech sector, have rolled out layoffs in recent months, following years of rapid growth fueled by the accelerated digital transition during the pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The layoffs come two years after McKinsey\'s approximately 650 senior partners chose Bob Sternfels to replace Kevin Sneader at the helm of the company.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sneader\'s short tenure atop McKinsey was marked by US lawsuits accusing the company of having contributed to the nation\'s deadly opioid crisis through work with pharmaceutical companies, such as OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">McKinsey agreed in February 2021 to pay $573 million to settle those lawsuits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The company did not immediately respond to a request from AFP. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 05:14:44', '2023-02-22 05:14:44'),
(5350, 5350, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in an anti-crime drive detained an alleged woman drug peddler with 400 grams of heroin from a village in the district last night.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The detainee was identified as Elina Begum, 29, wife of late Masud Rana of Veemdanga Madarpur village under Godagari upazila in the district, RAB sources said this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a raid in her residence at around 8:30 pm and nabbed her with the contraband item.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The person along with the seized goods was handed over to Godagari Model Police Station with a case in this connection. 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, '2023-02-22 05:36:15', '2023-02-22 05:36:15'),
(5351, 5351, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia said Tuesday it will observe curbs imposed by the New START treaty, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow was suspending participation in the arms pact with the United States.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Russia intends to adhere to a responsible approach and will continue to strictly comply with the quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms stipulated by it (New START) within the life cycle of the treaty,\" Russia\'s foreign ministry said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The treaty, the last nuclear arms control pact between the world\'s two main nuclear powers, had been extended until early 2026.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign ministry said Putin\'s decision came following the \"destructive actions\" of the United States, which it accused of violating the agreement that was first signed in 2010.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ministry pointed to Washington\'s \"extreme hostility\" and its \"overt course of malicious escalation of the conflict in Ukraine\", where Russia is waging a military campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said Washington, which financially and militarily backs Kyiv, created a \"fundamentally different security environment\" for Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the other listed reasons for the suspension, Moscow said Washington \"violated the central provisions\" of the treaty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said Washington \"renamed\" strategic offensive weapons so they \"no longer to fall under treaty definitions\" or \"declared them converted without giving the Russian side the chance to reliably verify\" the results.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ministry, however, added that Russia\'s decision to suspend the treaty is \"reversible\" but Washington \"must show political will\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow said in August that it was suspending US inspections of its military sites under New START. It said it was responding to American obstruction of inspections by Russia, a charge denied by Washington. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/k h</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 06:20:41', '2023-02-22 06:20:41'),
(5352, 5352, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 82 people died in gas explosion-related fires in Narayanganj over the last three years, according to police and fire service. This excludes the number of victims of such fire incidents who died while receiving treatment.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although gas pipeline leaks and cylinder explosions are the leading causes of these recorded fires, threats still persist. A blast in Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque of Narayanganj killed 37 on September 4, 2020.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have also been accusations of irregularities in the investigation process, and the accused in the majority of cases remain uncharged due to the slow process of investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to police and fire service, there were 104 gas explosion-related fire incidents in Narayanganj district in 2022. Sixty-nine of them were caused by flaws in the gas pipeline, 34 incidents were reportedly caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. A total of 18 people, including children, died and 25 were injured in those incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were 114 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2021. Pipeline flaws were responsible for 96 incidents. That year, 20 people were killed and more than 50 were injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 44 people died and 26 were injured in 106 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2020. Seventy-one incidents were caused by gas line faults, while the rest were caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. That year, 37 people died in a massive explosion at the Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Locals of the district say that the authorities show concern for a few days following an incident. But their efforts to address these threats got nipped in the bud every time, they said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Locals reportedly file complaints about gas leaks, but no significant action is taken to address this serious issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said that the negligence of Titas gas authorities and lack of awareness among locals are to blame for many incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service, said, “We urge residents to stay cautious and inspect their gas pipelines for leaks.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mamunur Rashid, deputy general manager of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited in Narayanganj, said, “Gas pipelines inside the homes are the responsibility of the consumers. All we do is distribute the lines.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The majority of fire incidents are caused by faults in house lines. Gas leaks cause explosions when burners are left on,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Customers need to be cautious and should never leave gas stoves on,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chai Lau Marma, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations) in Narayanganj, said, “We file cases in response to complaints. After investigating, we put the names on the chargesheet and file in court.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Narayanganj residents urged the government to take measures to address these fire risks promptly. 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, '2023-02-22 06:25:42', '2023-02-22 06:25:42'),
(5353, 5353, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Reports of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis player Sania Mirza\'s alleged divorce have been circulating since last year. While neither Shoaib nor Sania have publicly addressed their alleged breakup, rumours about Shoaib\'s relationship with Pakistani actor Ayesha Omar have also been making news.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now, in a new interview on former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar\'s chat show, Ayesha addressed being blamed for Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik\'s divorce rumours, and clarified she would \'never be attracted\' to a married man.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ayesha\'s name has been linked to Shoaib Malik\'s amid reports of his alleged divorce, since the two appeared together in a 2021 photoshoot. Pictures of the two from the photoshoot were widely shared on social media last year. There were also rumours that Shoaib will marry Ayesha, which the Pakistani actor refuted last year. Now, a clip of her responding to Shoaib Akhtar\'s question about her equation with Shoaib Malik on an episode of his chat show is being widely shared online.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about her alleged affair with Shoaib, Ayesha said, \"I will never be attracted to a married or committed man ever. Everyone knows me... that goes without saying.\" When Shoaib Akhtar called her photoshoot with Shoaib Malik \'very revealing\', Ayesha asked, \"Who said that?\" The host then said, \"Yeh controversy bahut badi ho gayi (it became a big controversy).\" Ayesha then told him, \"Woh yahan nahi thi, across the border this (Not here, but in India, this became a controversy).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, Ayesha broke her silence over her alleged relationship with Shoaib Malik as she responded to a person\'s comment on an Instagram post that asked her, \"Kya aap dono ka shadi ka program hai (Do you guys plan to get married)?\" As per a report by The Times of India at the time, Ayesha had said, \"Jee nahin. Bilkul nahi. Un kee shadi hoe we hai aur wo apni biwi kay sath bohut khush hai. Main donon @realshoaibmalik aur @saniamirza kee bohat respect kartee hoon (No, absolutely not. He is married and he is happy with his wife. I respect @realshoaibmalik and @saniamirza a lot).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shoaib and Sania married in 2010 and have been staying in Dubai since then. They welcomed their son Izhaan in 2018. According to reports, Sania and Shoaib have allegedly ended their relationship, and are co-parenting their son Izhaan. 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, '2023-02-22 07:04:40', '2023-02-22 07:04:40'),
(5354, 5354, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">By-election to the Chattogram-8 constituency – left vacant following the death of Awami League MP Moslem Uddin Ahmed – will be held on April 27, 2023.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Election Commission (EC) Secretary Jahangir Alam announced the schedule of the by-election today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the schedule, the last date for submitting nomination papers is March 27, while the date for scrutinising nomination papers is March 29, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Voting will start at 8 am on April 27 and will continue till 4 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moslem Uddin, a freedom fighter and also president of Chattogram South unit of Awami League, breathed his last at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on February 6. He was 75.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was elected as an MP on January 13, 2020 – in the vacant seat following the death of former Chattogram-8 MP Moinuddin Khan Badal. 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, '2023-02-22 07:24:10', '2023-02-22 07:24:10'),
(5355, 5355, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">While both Real Madrid and Liverpool are rightly considered Champions League royalty, there can only be one king.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Down by two goals after 14 minutes at Anfield, defending champion Madrid came back to win 5-2 on Tuesday and take a commanding lead into the second leg of the round of 16 matchup.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema scored two goals each to stun the hosts — Liverpool conceded four goals in a home European match for the first time — and confirm the Spanish giant will take some stopping in its defense of the trophy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We played with personality, we produced goals. We want this Champions League again,\" Benzema said. “And that produced a match which was lovely to play in and for those who were watching.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If anything, this Madrid team looks more complete than the one that beat Jurgen Klopp\'s team in last year’s Paris final. Yet this win echoed the memorable comebacks that led to that record-extending 14th Champions League title.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was the chaotic defending that allowed Liverpool to race into a 2-0 lead as Darwin Nunez struck with a backheel in the fourth minute and Mohamed Salah doubled the advantage thanks to Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ blunder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then came the rousing fightback, led by one of European soccer’s emerging stars in Vinicius and sealed by an aging icon in Benzema.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eder Militao was also on the scoresheet when he headed Madrid into a 3-2 lead just after halftime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 22-year-old Vinicius became the youngest player to score two goals against Liverpool at Anfield since Johan Cruyff for Ajax in 1966 when the Dutch great was 19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Brazil international is establishing himself as Madrid’s star player and, in the face of a typically daunting Anfield atmosphere, he rose to the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Vinicius right now in my opinion is the most decisive player in world football, the man who can make the biggest difference and if he can keep this consistency let\'s hope he can continue in this vein,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just as the visitors looked in danger of buckling under the pressure, Vinicius produced a moment of magic with his first goal in the 21st.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exchanging passes with Benzema just inside the box, there didn’t look to be any obvious danger until he flashed a low shot through a crowd of legs and into the bottom corner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vinicius evened the score in the 36th when Alisson’s attempted kick rebounded straight off him and looped into an empty net.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the goal was a moment of good fortune, it was also a measure of the panic he sparked in Liverpool’s defense that Alisson was rushed into making the mistake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two minutes after halftime, Madrid took the lead when Militao headed in Luka Modric’s free kick from the left.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It went from bad to worse for Liverpool as the 35-year-old Benzema, the inspiration for Madrid’s triumph last year, got in on the act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His shot was deflected off Joe Gomez in the 55th to make 4-2 and he added and fifth when rounding Alisson in the 67th.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It had all started so well for Liverpool, which went into the game with confidence after back-to-back wins against Everton and Newcastle in the Premier League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those victories had sparked hope of an unlikely run in Europe and came just in time for the ultimate test of trying to halt Madrid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nunez struck early to shock the visitors before Salah capitalized on Courtois’ mis-control to tap in from close range in the 14th.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home fans were rocking until Vinicius sparked a comeback that looks likely to propel Madrid to the quarterfinals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think Carlo thinks the tie is over and I think it as well in the moment,\" Klopp said afterward. \"But the closer you get to the game, the bigger our chances become. Tonight 5-2 they are pretty good in counter attacking and we have to go there and take some risks to score three goals. We go there to try and win the game.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 07:37:20', '2023-02-22 07:37:20'),
(5356, 5356, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Rain or thunder shower accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at one or two places over Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions and Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria disricts, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Light to moderate fog may occur at places over the country during late night till morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged and day temperature may fall slightly over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 16.8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia in 24 hours till 6 am Wednesday. The highest temperature was recorded at 32.0 degrees Celsius in Chandpur. 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, '2023-02-22 08:11:24', '2023-02-22 08:11:24'),
(5357, 5357, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">For many people, living a healthy lifestyle entails more than just eating a nutritious meal and getting adequate exercise; it also includes vitamins, supplements and additional nutritional items. However, despite widespread myth in people regards their potential advantages, there is less understanding of their potential adverse effects.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In fact, health experts reveal that employing these supplements when not required or when taken in excess may result in a adverse effects to the body and may lead one to the hospital. When it comes to supplements, people say, “What is the harm in taking them? There are no side effects, let’s take them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is so much buzz about their potential advantages that it can be difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction as we all know that vitamins and minerals are vital for health. Further, they are optimally available in a balanced meal and can be generated in our body with optimal exercises and right exposure to sunlight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Shruti Tapiawala, Nephrology and Renal Transplant Physician at Global Hospitals in Mumbai\'s Parel, explained, “By not following a balanced diet, doing regular exercises and spending time outdoors, vitamin and mineral deficiencies crop up and people resort to taking them in pill, capsule, or powder form, especially in megadoses, which is neither necessary nor without dangers. Example, excessive Vit D3 can cause toxicity and high calcium levels causing irregularities of heart, brain and kidneys.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added, “An example for medical indication for supplements is as follows- A systematic evaluation of the possible effects of dietary supplements on cardiovascular health, including heart attack and stroke, found that only omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid were useful in preventing heart disease. This will add to a low-salt diet, dietary adjustments benefit in heart ailments.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asserting that our body needs certain nutrients, she said, “Your body repairs and regenerates cells and tissues on a regular basis. The body has a robust system of generating cells and destroying/scavenging defective or old cells when their life span is over.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nutrients derived from food and its metabolism are used to perform the day-to-day functions of all endocrine organs, make chemicals required for brain, heart and gastrointestinal function, and also provide minerals to the bones for bone health.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Does our food contain everything? Dr Shruti Tapiawala answered, “Yes if one eats a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, lentils (dals), pulses, cereals, dairy products, body can absorb and process the required vitamins and minerals. Further exercising in morning sunlight and getting fresh air ( oxygen ) will help the strengthening of bones and muscles.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about what you should know before taking a supplement, she said, “While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of dietary supplement regulation, no safety testing or FDA clearance is necessary before a new supplement can be sold. Furthermore, there are no restrictions that nutritional supplement packaging mention potential side effects, nor are there maximum pill size standards (a clear risk for older people).&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For one reason, nutritional supplements, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, can occasionally interfere with one another. One should always take a supplement only when a deficiency is proven and based on that prescription given by doctors.” HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 09:02:30', '2023-02-22 09:02:30'),
(5358, 5358, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 14-year-old boy was killed and 10 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League over establishing supremacy at Charkasia village in Raipur upazila of Laxmipur district on Wednesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Russel Hossain, son of Manir Hossain Bhuttu of the village, was stabbed to death in a fierce clash between two rival factions of AL, said Mahfuzzaman Ashraf, officer-in-charge of Laxmipur police station.</div><div><br></div><div>Shahjalal Rahul, joint general secretary of Charbongshi union unit AL and Nazrul Islam, a member of the same AL unit had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>As a sequel to the enmity, the supporters of both groups equipped with sharp weapons, attacked each other in Miarhat area in the morning, leaving Russel dead on the spot and 10 others wounded.</div><div><br></div><div>The injured were taken to Sadar Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control. They recovered the body from the spot.</div><div><br></div><div>Additional police have been deployed to avert further trouble. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 09:19:30', '2023-02-22 09:19:30'),
(5359, 5359, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Amid shrining birth rate, Chinese provinces are changing their marriage leave policies, Hindustan Times reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>As Chine moves away from the usual minimum paid marriage leave of three days, now young newlyweds will get a paid marriage leave of 30 days, quoting a statement by Communist Party mouthpiece People\'s Daily Health.</div><div><br></div><div>The change is aimed at encouraging young couples to get married and have children. While some China provinces are giving 30 days of marriage leave, others have a provision of leave for about 10 days.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Gansu and Shanxi provinces are giving give 30 days, while Shanghai 10 and Sichuan still only three, Reuters reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Dean of the Social Development Research Institute of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Yang Haiyang said, \"Extending marriage leave is one of the effective ways of increasing the fertility rate,\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"The extension of marriage leave is mainly in some provinces and cities with relatively slow economic development,\" Yang Haiyang added.</div><div><br></div><div>China\'s population has declined owing to the country enforcing a strict one-child policy from 1980 to 2015. In 2022, China recorded its lowest ever birth rate of 6.77 births per 1,000 people which experts believe has resulted in financial impact on the country\'s economy.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The country also faces the cumbersome challenge of unprecedented and rapid population ageing.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 09:58:41', '2023-02-22 09:58:41'),
(5360, 5360, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) says it has arrested the Nayeb-e-Amir of the militant group Jama\'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya from Sayedabad area of Dhaka.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The arrestee was identified as Mohibullah alias “Bholar Shayekh”.</div><div><br></div><div>Acting on a tip-off, a team of CTTC unit conducted a drive at Sayedabad bus terminal and arrested Mohibullah with two mobile phone sets and a laptop on Tuesday evening, CTTC unit chief Md Asaduzzaman said at a press briefing held at DMP media centre today.</div><div><br></div><div>When briefing, Asaduzzaman said Mohibullah used to deliver sermons and inspire members of the militant group after taking them into the hill districts.</div><div><br></div><div>His main target was to psychologically prepare the new recruits for “jihad” after misinterpreting religious scripture, the CTTC chief said.</div><div><br></div><div>After living in the Chattogram Hill Tracts region for some time, Mohibullah returned to Dhaka and carried out different activities including intensifying communication through encrypted messaging app, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohibullah also had a number of meetings with top leaders of militant groups for strengthening activities in Dhaka, Sylhet and Kishoreganj. He also used to go to madrasas in Hathazari of Chattogram district, said Asaduzzaman.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohibullah was also an active member of the banned extremist outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad Bangladesh (HuJI-B) when he was a student of a madrasa in Hathazari and took “jihadi training” with other members of HuJI-B. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 10:11:03', '2023-02-22 10:11:03'),
(5361, 5361, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Nearly 1 million people applied for international protection in the European Union in 2022, according to data published Wednesday, bringing the number of asylum requests to a level not seen since the refugee crisis of 2015-2016.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The EU agency for asylum said 966,000 asylum applications were made in the 27 EU countries as well as in Norway and Switzerland last year, up 50% from 2021. That doesn\'t include more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees who were granted temporary protection in the EU, a special mechanism activated to avoid collapsing already backlogged asylum systems.</div><div><br></div><div>The European agency linked the increase to continuing easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions, increasing food insecurity and conflicts in many parts of the world. Though most asylum-seekers enter the EU legally, mainly by plane with travel visas, some also crossed the EU\'s land and sea borders without permission, mainly through the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean.</div><div><br></div><div>After more than a decade of war and economic collapse in their country, Syrians continued to be the top nationality of asylum-seekers in Europe with more than 130,000 applications. They were followed closely by Afghans fleeing the spiraling security, humanitarian and financial troubles that followed the Taliban takeover in August 2021, with 129,000 requests.</div><div><br></div><div>Coming in third were applicants from Turkey who doubled in numbers with 55,000 requests. Soaring inflation and “democratic backsliding” were among the factors believed to have caused the increase, the agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>In many places, reception centers are overwhelmed, leaving asylum-seekers in the streets.</div><div><br></div><div>The recent earthquake that killed nearly 46,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless in Turkey and Syria has raised fears of a potential surge in irregular border crossings into Greece.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Germany offered earlier this month to temporarily ease visa restrictions to some quake survivors while Spain promised to resettle a small group of 100 vulnerable Syrian refugees from Turkey, which is home to 4 million refugees.</div><div><br></div><div>Venezuelans, Colombians, Bangladeshis and Georgians applied for asylum in record numbers last year, as did Moroccans, Tunisians and Egyptians. Some 4% of asylum-seekers in 2022 claimed to be unaccompanied minors.</div><div><br></div><div>The European agency didn\'t say which EU countries received the most applications last year. But an internal EU migration report seen by the Associated Press lists Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Italy as the top five.</div><div><br></div><div>Asylum authorities issued decisions on more than 600,000 applications last year but they received even more new cases, adding to the existing backlog. Of the applications analyzed, 40% were granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, mostly for Syrian, Belarusian, Eritrean, Yemeni, and Malian applicants, as well as for most of the Ukrainians who chose to apply for asylum instead of temporary protection. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 11:22:22', '2023-02-22 11:22:22'),
(5362, 5362, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President M Abdul Hamid asked all concerned, including the university authorities, to develop the young generation as skilled manpower in science and information technology (IT) to face the new challenges of the 21st century at the national and international levels.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“There is no alternative to acquiring skills to survive in this competitive world. The science and applied education should be expanded from primary to higher levels,” he told the \"Sixth Convocation 2023\" of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) at Mirpur Cantonment.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The President, also the university’s chancellor, added: “Skilled human resources should be developed through analytical and applicable education. Only getting certificates through memorizing notes will not do.”</div><div><br></div><div>Chief of Army Staff (CAS) General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed was the convocation speaker at the 6th convocation of BUP where over 29,892 graduates, meantime, have already come out successfully since it was established on June 05, 2008 as the 31st public university.</div><div><br></div><div>Education Minister of Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, MP, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, members of parliament (MPs), BUP Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam, chiefs of the three services and BUP pro-VCs, treasurer and registrar, among others, were present there.</div><div><br></div><div>On the occasion, 36 graduates were awarded “Chancellor Gold Medal” while 29 others, concluding 25 students from in-house faculties and four from affiliated institutes got “Vice-Chancellor Gold Medal”&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Stressing on the quality education with research activities as the first step in building a nation, the President said it (quality education) is the main means of economic development, intellectual growth, non-communal sense of life and above all profound patriotism.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>“Curriculum should be designed in line with the existing labour market as there is no substitute for demand-based and work-oriented education at present,” Abdul Hamid mentioned.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>He advised the BUP authority to give importance to research and ensure transparency and accountability in every work of the university to make it a \'Centre of Excellence\'.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Chancellor directed the university teachers to dedicate themselves to teaching and keep in mind that “education without joy cannot bring any benefit.”</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have to keep ourselves up-to-date by absorbing the new concepts and strategies invented in various subjects coping with the times,\" he observed.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Appreciating the BUP authority’s relentless efforts to provide quality higher education, the Chancellor said the BUP admission tests, other examinations and its result process, are being done through the \'University Comprehensive Management Software System\'.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the needs of the era, the BUP would continue its activities in providing technology-based education in various fields of knowledge and science, he hoped.</div><div><br></div><div>Congratulating the graduates for obtaining the degree, the President advised them to remember that ‘education is not limited only to obtaining a degree but the real success of a graduate depends on how a student can take advantage of it in personal, holistic and professional life.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the prevailing world situation, Hamid said, under the efficient leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country\'s economy is moving towards the right direction.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>“We need to increase the flow of foreign exchange to save the country from the global recession due to the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp; And this should be done through increasing exports and overseas employment,” he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The President suggested the graduates for taking preparation in sustaining the global competition as well as establishing themselves as entrepreneurs, reports BSS</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Today’s graduates will work for people’s welfare, imbued with the spirit of 1971 Liberation War and&nbsp; patriotism, to build a hunger-and poverty-free, happy, rich and self-reliant Bangladesh, envisioned earlier by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he hoped.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 11:54:31', '2023-02-22 11:54:31'),
(5363, 5363, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Four people sustained burn injuries as a fire broke out in a house apparently due to leakage in the gas pipeline at Behakoir in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The injured were identified as Sajeeb, 27, Mamun Mia, 32, Rubel, 30 and Zakaria, 34.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahbub Alam, officer-in-charge of Sonargaon Police Station, said the fire broke out in the house of one Baker when one of the victims tried lit cigarette at the kitchen of the house, leaving them injured.</div><div><br></div><div>First they were taken to Sonargaon Upazila Health Complex and then shifted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The fire might have originated from the gas accumulated in the kitchen of the house, said police.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 14:14:53', '2023-02-22 14:14:53'),
(5364, 5364, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) today approved separate proposals for procuring some 1.60 crore litres of soybean oil and 60,000 metric tons of fertilizer to meet the growing demand in the country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from the 7th meeting of the CCGP in this year held virtually with Finance Minster AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.</div><div><br></div><div>Briefing reporters virtually after the meeting, Cabinet Division additional secretary Sayeed Mahbub Khan informed that the day\'s meeting approved a total of seven proposals.</div><div><br></div><div>He informed that following two separate proposals from the Ministry of Commerce, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) would procure some 1.10 crore litres of soybean oil from Meghna Edible Oil Refinery Ltd under local open tender method at a cost of around Taka 190.24 crore where per litre soybean oil would cost Taka 172.95 against the previous price of Taka 177.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the TCB would also procure some 50 lakh litres of soybean oil from UN Trading, Dhaka under local direct tender method with around Taka 86.40 crore where per litre oil would cost Taka 172.8 against the previous price of Taka 178.45.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahbub said that following two separate proposals from the Ministry of Industries, Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) would procure some 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from KAFCO, Bangladesh with around Taka 110.20 crore where per ton fertilizer would cost $345.125 against the previous price of $500.125.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the BCIC would also procure some 30,000 metric tons of bulk granular urea fertilizer from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company, Saudi Arabia at a cost of around Taka 115.53 crore. Under this consignment, per ton fertilizer would cost $361.83 against the previous per ton price of $470.</div><div><br></div><div>He also informed that the day\'s CCGP meeting approved a proposal from the Power Division under which the M/S J&amp;C Impex Ltd.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka has been awarded the contract for collecting and installing related machineries of gas turbine for Shikalbaha 150MW peaking power plant and for providing necessary consultancy services with around Taka 91.85 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>The Cabinet Division additional secretary said that the package number PW-03 under the project for Cox\'s Bazar-Teknaf Road Development (2nd revised) has been awarded to Max Infrastructure Ltd with around Taka 169.48 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the meeting also approved a variation proposal of the Road Transport and Highways Division. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 14:45:54', '2023-02-22 14:45:54'),
(5365, 5365, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>North Korea could test-fire intercontinental ballistic missiles on a lower, longer trajectory and conduct its seventh nuclear test this year to perfect its weapons capabilities, South Korean lawmakers said on Wednesday, citing intelligence officials.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>North Korea has so far conducted ICBM tests only on lofted trajectories, but has already secured capabilities to launch them at a normal angle, enabling them to fly much further, the lawmakers said after a briefing by Seoul\'s National Intelligence Service (NIS).</div><div><br></div><div>The lawmakers said Pyongyang might undertake an ICBM test on a normal trajectory to pressure the United States, which has conducted military drills in the region recently and plans more large exercises in the coming months.</div><div><br></div><div>The briefing came as the US, South Korean and Japanese navies staged joint tactical drills on Wednesday in waters between the Asian neighbours.</div><div><br></div><div>A Japanese escort vessel and US and South Korean destroyers joined the training aimed at stepping up trilateral ballistic missile responses, Tokyo\'s defence ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>North Korea fired an ICBM on Saturday and two more short-range ballistic missiles on Monday, with the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un threatening to use the Pacific as a \"firing range\" depending on US behaviour.</div><div><br></div><div>\"ICBMs have not been launched at a normal angle so far, but North Korea has all the capabilities and seems to be preparing a timeline to boost the pressure effect on the United States,\" Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters after the briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>North Korea is also likely to carry out what would be its first nuclear test since 2017 and launch a spy satellite this year but it has yet to master the technology to equip multiple rocket launchers with atomic devices, Yoo said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There is a possibility for a seventh test which would be essential to complete the miniaturization and lightening of weight of nuclear bombs,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Youn Kun-young, another member of the committee, said North Korea might also develop solid fuel-based ICBMs this year, and confirmed the defence ministry\'s report that Chinese spy balloons did not enter South Korean airspace.</div><div><br></div><div>Also on Wednesday, North Korea\'s foreign ministry said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been \"extremely unfair, unbalanced\" on its missile tests.</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres condemned the North\'s latest ICBM launch, urging it to immediately halt further provocative actions, comply with Security Council resolutions banning such tests and return to denuclearization talks.</div><div><br></div><div>He \"should clearly understand that his unreasonable and prejudiced stand on the Korean peninsula issue is acting as a factor inciting the hostile acts of the US and its followers,\" Kim Son Gyong, Pyongyang\'s vice foreign minister for international organizations, said in a statement carried by state media KCNA, reports Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"In case a situation unwished by anyone arises on the Korean peninsula ... (Guterres) can never be free from the heavy responsibility for it.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 15:23:37', '2023-02-22 15:23:37'),
(5366, 5366, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Saudi Arabian government is going to introduce biometric Visa system from this year for the Hajj pilgrims of Bangladesh.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to a notification issued here today, under the new system, pilgrims from Bangladesh must submit visa applications through biometric method in order to perform Hajj this year.</div><div><br></div><div>The required preparations are being made in order to process visa applications using biometric technology, the notification added. Pilgrims are requested to keep their passports with them instead of submitting to the Ashkona Hajj Office, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>Those who have already submitted their passports are urged to return them back. All concerned will be notified when visa process starts, the notification also added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 15:53:14', '2023-02-22 15:53:14');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5367, 5367, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the planned construction of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Pedestrian Underpass is going to be a landmark achievement of the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“This is reduce traffic jam and accident,” she said while witnessing the presentation on the project at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher Briefed the reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>The 1070-metre pedestrian underpass will connect the first, second and third terminals of the airport, BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and metro rail station and Ashkona Haji Camp.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina expressed her satisfaction with the design and overall aspects of the project.</div><div><br></div><div>After seeing the presentation of the project, the prime minister said that it is very beautiful and everything she wanted is there</div><div><br></div><div>She said that people will be able to get off the train and get on the plane, the environment will also be better.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that this project should be unique, beautiful and sustainable keeping in mind that people can get services easily.</div><div><br></div><div>Army Headquarters 24 Engineer Construction Brigade will implement this project.</div><div><br></div><div>The cost of this underpass will be Tk 1183.87 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>The underpass will have escalators, elevators as well as airport-like buggies.</div><div><br></div><div>The underpass will have AC as well as natural light and ventilation. Ventilation will be provided for natural oxygen flow in case of power failure.</div><div><br></div><div>There will be eight exit and entry points. At the same time there will be fire fighting system. About 1.5 lakh liters of water will be kept in reserve.</div><div><br></div><div>The language movement, the great liberation war, the life and work of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the culture of Bangladesh will be highlighted in the underpass tunnel. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-22 16:26:14', '2023-02-22 16:26:14'),
(5368, 5368, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">UN head António Guterres has condemned Russia\'s invasion of Ukraine as an \"affront\" to the world\'s collective conscience at a meeting of the General Assembly nearly one year on.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting was debating a motion backed by Ukraine and its allies demanding Russia pull out immediately and unconditionally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine hopes that by supporting the motion countries will show solidarity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin has accused the West of wanting to defeat Russia at any cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vasily Nebenzya, the Kremlin\'s ambassador to the UN, said the US and its allies were prepared to plunge the entire world into war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian President Vladimir Putin sent up to 200,000 soldiers into Ukraine on 24 February 2022 in the biggest European invasion since the end of World War Two.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The devastating war that ensued has left at least 7,199 civilians dead and thousands of others injured, according to a UN estimate, while Russia and Ukraine have each seen at least 100,000 of their soldiers killed or injured, according to the US military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 13 million people were made refugees abroad or displaced inside Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Putin\'s claim that his operation was needed to \"demilitarise and denazify\" Ukraine, a country with historic ties to Russia, was dismissed by Ukraine and its allies as a ruse for an unprovoked attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"That invasion is an affront to our collective conscience,\" Mr Guterres told the General Assembly. \"It is a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The possible consequences of a \"spiralling conflict\" were, he said, a \"clear and present danger\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Guterres said the war was \"fanning regional instability and fuelling global tensions and divisions, while diverting attention and resources from other crises and pressing global issues\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There had, he said, been \"implicit threats to use nuclear weapons\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is high time to step back from the brink,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Complacency will only deepen the crisis, while further eroding our shared principles proclaimed in the Charter. War is not the solution. War is the problem. People in Ukraine are suffering enormously. Ukrainians, Russians and people far beyond need peace.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sixty countries have sponsored the resolution, which stresses \"the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Guterres was speaking after Russia\'s President Vladimir Putin gave a speech blaming the West for the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his address to the nation on Tuesday, Mr Putin also announced Russia\'s decision to suspend a key nuclear arms treaty after US President Joe Biden, fresh from a surprise visit to Kyiv, praised Western democracy for standing up to Russian aggression.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Biden has called the decision to suspend the treaty, designed by the US and Russia in 2010 to prevent nuclear war, a big mistake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday, Mr Putin met China\'s top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, in Moscow and said co-operation with Beijing was \"very important to stabilise the international situation\". The visit marked an end to China\'s claim to neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine. 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, '2023-02-23 03:11:02', '2023-02-23 03:11:02'),
(5369, 5369, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An earthquake of about 7.2 magnitude occurred in Tajikistan at around 8:37 a.m. (0037 GMT), at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), Chinese state television CCTV reported on Thursday，citing the China Earthquake Networks Center.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The epicenter is about 82 km from the nearest border with China and was strongly felt in Kashgar and Artux in the western part of the Xinjiang region, CCTV reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The average elevation within 5 km of the epicenter is about 4,655 meters (15,300 feet), according to CCTV. Reuters</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 03:17:02', '2023-02-23 03:17:02'),
(5370, 5370, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin bolstered their respective alliances with NATO and China, days before the first anniversary of Moscow\'s invasion of Ukraine.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Global tensions between superpowers were highlighted on a day of diplomacy in Warsaw and Moscow on Wednesday. Biden promised that the United States \"will defend literally every inch of NATO\", the military alliance that includes some Eastern European countries bordering Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin said Chinese leader Xi Jinping would visit Russia, saying relations had reached \"new frontiers.\" Washington is concerned Beijing could provide material support for Moscow\'s war in Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24 last year and has become the biggest land conflict in Europe since World War Two.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war has displaced millions, left Ukrainian cities, towns and villages in ruins and disrupted the global economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin, in an address to mark Thursday\'s Defender of the Fatherland public holiday, said Russia will continue to pay increased attention to boosting its nuclear forces and will begin mass deliveries of Zirkon sea-launched hypersonic missiles. Russia is due to begin military exercises with China in South Africa on Friday and has sent a frigate equipped with the hypersonic missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia would also keep equipping its armed forces with advanced equipment and is boosting production of conventional weapons, Putin said in the remarks issued by the Kremlin early on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday, Putin welcomed China\'s top diplomat, Wang Yi, to the Kremlin, and Wang also met separately with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. TASS news agency quoted Wang as saying China would \"firmly adhere to an objective and impartial position and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lavrov and Wang had not discussed a reported Chinese peace plan, the Russian foreign ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The relationship between China and Russia, Wang said through an interpreter, was not directed against any third party but in a clear jab at the United States he said the countries would \"not succumb to pressure from third parties.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>EASTERN FLANK OF NATO</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Warsaw, Biden met with leaders of nine Eastern European countries that during the Cold War were either aligned with Moscow or part of the former Soviet Union. Some of them now are among the strongest supporters of military aid to Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As NATO\'s eastern flank, you are the front line of our collective defence. You know better than anyone what is at stake in this conflict. Not just for Ukraine, but for the freedom of democracies throughout Europe and around the world,\" Biden said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin says it regards NATO, which could soon expand to include Sweden and Finland, as an existential threat to Russia. On his trip this week, which included a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Biden rejected Russia\'s contention that the West wants to control or destroy it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, at a meeting on Wednesday of the 193-member United Nations General Assembly to mark the Ukraine war\'s anniversary, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced Russia\'s invasion as a violation of the founding U.N. Charter and international law and called out Moscow\'s threats about possible use of nuclear weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In two speeches last September Putin indicated that he would, if needed, use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have heard implicit threats to use nuclear weapons. The so-called tactical use of nuclear weapons is utterly unacceptable. It is high time to step back from the brink,\" Guterres said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin suspended the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) on nuclear arms control with the United States on Tuesday, accusing Washington of turning the war into a global conflict by arming Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow would stick to agreed limits on nuclear missiles and keep informing the United States about changes in its deployments, a senior Russian defence ministry official said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden said in an ABC News interview that he saw no change in Moscow\'s nuclear posture and did not think Putin\'s remarks meant Russia was thinking of using nuclear weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about Russia\'s suspension of participation in New START, Biden called it \"a big mistake\" but said, \"I don\'t read into that that he\'s thinking of using nuclear weapons or anything like that.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>BATTLEFIELD</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia, trying to secure full control of two eastern provinces forming Ukraine\'s Donbas industrial region, has launched repeated assaults. Russian troops managed to break through Ukrainian defences near the town of Kreminna on Tuesday but were pushed back and lost some of their heavy equipment, a senior Ukrainian official said on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kreminna is about 70 km (43.5 miles) north of Bakhmut, focus of the fiercest Russian attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia controls around a fifth of Ukraine a year after starting what it called a \"special military operation\" to protect Russian security. Ukraine and its Western allies have described the invasion as an imperial-style land grab. Reuters</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 03:32:02', '2023-02-23 03:32:02'),
(5371, 5371, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal as Inter Milan beat 10-man Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lukaku converted a rebound after his first effort had bounced off the post in the 86th minute at the San Siro.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Porto had a double chance at 0-0, but Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana denied both Zaidu Sanusi and Mehdi Taremi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visitors had Otavio sent off in the 78th minute for two bookable offences and could not keep Inter out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second leg takes place at Porto\'s Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday, 14 March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lukaku, who has played for Chelsea, West Brom, Everton and Manchester United, came on in the 58th minute for ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and became the match-winner after he reacted quickest when his header hit the woodwork.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides will regret missed chances. Inter, second in Serie A, nearly scored in the last minute of the first half but Alessandro Bastoni\'s header was tipped over by Diogo Costa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hakan Calhanoglu had also seen an earlier header pushed over, with Lautaro Martinez heading over when unmarked from six yards out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Porto also had their moments when it was goalless, but Mateus Uribe and Taremi missed opportunities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Second in Portugal\'s Primeira Liga, Sergio Conceicao\'s side had Otavio sent off after he had been booked for dissent in the first half and then shown a second yellow card for a foul on Calhanoglu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Otavio will now miss the second leg, but Porto will still fancy their chances of overturning the deficit at home in three weeks\' time. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 03:45:50', '2023-02-23 03:45:50'),
(5372, 5372, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia and China showcased their deepening ties Wednesday in meetings others are watching for signs that Beijing might offer the Kremlin stronger support for its war in Ukraine.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visit by Wang Yi, the Chinese Communist Party\'s most senior foreign policy official, to Moscow comes as the conflict in Ukraine continues to upend the global diplomatic order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Relations between Russia and the West are at their lowest point since the Cold War, and ties between China and the U.S. are also under serious strain. Moscow suspended its participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with Washington this week. And the U.S. expressed concern that China could provide arms and ammunition to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the start of talks with Wang, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed ties between the two countries and added that the Kremlin expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian leader, whose own rule over Russia is imperiled by the war, noted escalating international tensions, adding that “in this context, cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation on the global arena is particularly important for stabilizing the international situation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also read: No economic ‘knockout’ yet from West’s sanctions on Russia</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Wang said “Chinese-Russian relations aren’t directed against any third countries and certainly can’t be subject to pressure from any third countries,” the specter of the war and how it has galvanized the West and deepened its divide with Russia hung over his meeting with Putin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For instance, Wang emphasized that Moscow and Beijing both support “multipolarity and democratization of international relations” — a reference to their shared goal of countering the perceived U.S. dominance in global affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Wednesday, Wang held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “Our ties have continued to develop dynamically, and despite high turbulence in the global arena, we have shown the readiness to speak in defense of each other’s interests,” Lavrov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wang responded in kind, underlining Beijing\'s focus on deepening ties with Russia — a relationship it has said has “no limits.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China has pointedly refused to criticize the invasion of Ukraine while echoing Moscow\'s claim that the U.S. and NATO were to blame for provoking the Kremlin . The government in Beijing also has blasted the sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia, in turn, has staunchly supported China amid tensions with the U.S. over Taiwan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two nations have held military drills showcasing their defense ties. China, Russia and South Africa are holding naval drills in the Indian Ocean this week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Russian frigate, the Admiral Gorshkov, arrived in Cape Town in recent days sporting the letters Z and V on its sides, letters that mark Russian weapons on the front lines in Ukraine and are used as a patriotic symbol in Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rapprochement has worried the West. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said any Chinese involvement in the Kremlin’s war effort would be a “serious problem.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked Wednesday whether NATO has any indication that China might provide arms or other support to Russia’s war, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also told The Associated Press in Warsaw, Poland:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have seen some signs that they may be planning for that and of course NATO allies, the United States, have been warning against it because this is something that should not happen. China should not support Russia’s illegal war.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stoltenberg said potential Chinese assistance would amount to providing “(direct) support to a blatant violation of international law, and of course (as) a member of the U.N. security council China should not in any way support violation of the U.N. charter, or international law.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Government-backed scholars in China shrugged off Washington\'s warnings over Beijing\'s relationship with Moscow as a reflection of what they described as a polarizing and distorted U.S. view.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Global Times quoted Zhang Hong, associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as saying the U.S. and its allies have looked at the Russia-Ukraine conflict through “colored glasses.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It seems like anyone who talks with Russia will be seen as siding with Moscow in Russia-Ukraine conflict,” the English-language Chinese newspaper quoted Zhang as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wang\'s talks with Lavrov followed his meeting Tuesday with Nikolai Patrushev, the powerful secretary of Russia’s National Security Council, who called for closer cooperation with Beijing to counter what he described as Western efforts to maintain dominance by thwarting an alliance between China and Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While China recently has emphasized its close ties with Moscow, it also has to tread carefully to avoid an escalation of tensions with the West as it looks to stimulate its economy following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Isolation from the West is not something (Beijing) wants to risk,” Yu Jie, senior research fellow for China in the Asia-Pacific program at Chatham House, a British think tank, said in comments published Wednesday. “President Xi and his colleagues have begun to realize that cooperation with Russia comes with substantial limits to avoid undermining China’s own political priorities and longer-term economic interests.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wang\'s trip to Moscow took place against a backdrop of grinding battles in Ukraine, with neither side appearing to gain momentum. Ukraine’s presidential office said at least seven civilians were killed between Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a speech at a patriotic concert, Putin on Wednesday hailed Russia\'s “heroic” troops and claimed Moscow\'s forces were fighting for the country\'s “historic frontiers” to protect its “interests, people, culture, language and territory.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“When we stand together, we have no equals,” he shouted to enthusiastic crowds at a Moscow sports arena.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The growing relationship between China and Russia is another example of how the war could spread into perilous new terrain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another was Putin’s announcement Tuesday that Russia would suspend its participation in the New START Treaty, raising new concerns about the fate of the arms pact, which was already on life support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last fall, Moscow decided to allow the resumption of U.S. inspections of its nuclear sites but refused to hold a scheduled round of consultations under the pact.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lower house of Russia’s parliament on Wednesday quickly endorsed Putin’s move to suspend the treaty, with officials and lawmakers casting it as an 11th-hour warning to Washington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reflecting Beijing\'s cautious stance, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the treaty was key to peace and stability and that China hopes “the two sides will properly resolve their differences.\" 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, '2023-02-23 04:13:53', '2023-02-23 04:13:53'),
(5373, 5373, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A new study using NASA\'s Chandra X-ray Observatory has tracked two pairs of supermassive black holes in dwarf galaxies on collision courses, NASA said on Wednesday.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">This is the first evidence for such an impending encounter, providing scientists with important information about the growth of black holes in the early universe, according to NASA.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Dwarf galaxies by definition contain stars with a total mass less than about 3 billion times that of the sun, according to NASA.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Astronomers have long suspected that dwarf galaxies merge, particularly in the relatively early universe, in order to grow into the larger galaxies seen today. However, current technology cannot observe the first generation of dwarf galaxy mergers because they are extraordinarily faint at their great distances, according to NASA.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The new study overcame these challenges by implementing a systematic survey of deep Chandra X-ray observations and comparing them with infrared data from NASA\'s Wide Infrared Survey Explorer and optical data from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">U.S. astronomers searched for pairs of bright X-ray sources in colliding dwarf galaxies as evidence of two black holes, and discovered two examples.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">One pair is in the galaxy cluster Abell 133 located 760 million light-years from Earth. The other is in the Abell 1758S galaxy cluster, which is about 3.2 billion light-years away. Both pairs show structures that are characteristic signs of galaxy collisions, according to NASA. XINHUA</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 04:50:06', '2023-02-23 04:50:06'),
(5374, 5374, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An eleven-year-old girl in Cambodia has died from bird flu, the country\'s first fatality from the virus in years, health authorities said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Health Organization has called for vigilance after the recent detection of bird flu in mammals, but has stressed that the risk to humans is low.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The girl in Cambodia fell ill on February 16 with a fever, cough and sore throat, and later died in hospital, Cambodia\'s Communicable Disease Control Department said Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It did not specify the time of death, but said that test results delivered on Wednesday confirmed that the girl -- who was from Prey Veng province -- was \"positive for H5N1\", referring to the bird flu virus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The disease typically spreads from birds to humans through direct contact.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since late 2021, Europe has been gripped by its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, with North and South America also experiencing severe outbreaks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This has led to the culling of tens of millions of domestic poultry worldwide, many with the H5N1 strain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The global outbreak is also responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of wild birds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The recent detection of the disease in a number of mammals, including foxes, otters, minks, sea lions and even grizzly bears, has sparked concern that humans could be more at risk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The recent spillover to mammals needs to be monitored closely,\" WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said this month, stressing that \"for the moment, WHO assesses the risk to humans as low\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Globally, there have been more than 450 fatal bird flu cases since 2003, according to the WHO. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 04:55:15', '2023-02-23 04:55:15'),
(5375, 5375, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality continued to be in the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 161 at 8:55am this morning, 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;\">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;\">Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Thailand’s Chiang Mai occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 196, 177 and 166, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing 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, '2023-02-23 05:28:58', '2023-02-23 05:28:58'),
(5376, 5376, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Israeli army launched air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip at dawn on Thursday, an AFP journalist said, after rockets were fired from the territory into Israel about two hours earlier.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Shortly after 6:00 am local time (0400 GMT), black smoke rose over one of the targeted locations north of Gaza City. In a statement sent to the press a few minutes later, the Israeli army said that it was \"carrying out strikes in the Gaza Strip\". AFP</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 05:57:53', '2023-02-23 05:57:53'),
(5377, 5377, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A cricket legend Sourav Ganguly former president of Indian Cricket Control Board (BCCI), is due in Dhaka today (February 23).</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The objective of his arrival is to attend grand inauguration of DNCC Mayor Cup-2023 Season-2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka North City Corporation has organised the tournament and confirmed arrival of Ganguly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Logo unveiling of the programme is going to be held at a five-star hotel in the capital at 3:00pm presided over by DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 06:33:45', '2023-02-23 06:33:45'),
(5378, 5378, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Hrithik Roshan is seen posing with a stuntman named Mansoor Ali Khan on the set of his film Vikram Vedha (2022) in an old photo. On Thursday, a paparazzo shared the throwback photo on Instagram leaving fans of late Sushant Singh Rajput mindblown as they called Hrithik\'s stuntman a \'replica of SSR (Sushant Singh Rajput)\'.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fans could not get over Mansoor\'s uncanny resemblance to Sushant, and flooded the comments section of the paparazzo\'s post with comments about the late actor, who died in 2020.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The photo featured Hrithik Roshan and Mansoor in identical black shirts and trousers as they filmed for Vikram Vedha. Fans said Mansoor looked just like a xerox copy of Sushant, only with messy long hair and a beard. A fan commented, \"Oh my God, replica of SSR (Sushant Singh Rajput).\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another one wrote, \"Stuntman resembles SSR.\" Another fan commented, \"The fact that he looks like SSR, also his name is Mansoor, Sushant\'s character\'s name from Kedarnath (2018)!\" One more commented, \"Ek pal ko laga Sushant hai Hritik ke sath (for a moment I felt it was Sushant with Hrithik).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The photo was originally posted by Mansoor on Instagram last month as he wished Hrithik on his birthday. In his caption, he had written, \"Happy Birthday bhai Hrithik Roshan. You are a super star with pure heart, so grounded and so humble, so caring, so loving person. You always appreciate and respect others talent!! Also a super friendly human…\" A person had commented on his post at the time, \"Yeh toh Sushant hai bhai (brother, this is Sushant).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vikram Vedha, directed by Pushkar-Gayathri, was the Hindi remake of their 2017 Tamil film of the same name. The original film featured R Madhavan, Vijay Sethupathi, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Shraddha Srinath.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was released in 2017 and was a box office hit. Along with Hrithik, the film\'s Hindi remake also featured Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte. Hrithik is now working on an action film with Anil Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, titled Fighter. It is directed by filmmaker Siddharth Anand. 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, '2023-02-23 07:11:59', '2023-02-23 07:11:59'),
(5379, 5379, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth, according to the latest estimates released today in a report by United Nations (UN) agencies.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report, ‘Trends in maternal mortality’, reveals alarming setbacks for women’s health over recent years, as maternal deaths either increased or stagnated in nearly all regions of the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“While pregnancy should be a time of immense hope and a positive experience for all women, it is tragically still a shockingly dangerous experience for millions around the world who lack access to high quality, respectful health care,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“These new statistics reveal the urgent need to ensure every woman and girl has access to critical health services before, during and after childbirth, and that they can fully exercise their reproductive rights,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report, which tracks maternal deaths nationally, regionally and globally from 2000 to 2020, shows there were an estimated 287,000 maternal deaths worldwide in 2020. This marks only a slight decrease from 309,000 in 2016 when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into effect. While the report presents some significant progress in reducing maternal deaths between 2000 and 2015, gains largely stalled, or in some cases even reversed, after this point.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In two of the eight UN regions – Europe and Northern America, and Latin America and the Caribbean – the maternal mortality rate increased from 2016 to 2020, by 17% and 15% respectively. Elsewhere, the rate stagnated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report notes, however, that progress is possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For example, two regions – Australia and New Zealand, and Central and Southern Asia – experienced significant declines (by 35% and 16% respectively) in their maternal mortality rates during the same period, as did 31 countries across the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“For millions of families, the miracle of childbirth is marred by the tragedy of maternal deaths,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“No mother should have to fear for her life while bringing a baby into the world, especially when the knowledge and tools to treat common complications exist. Equity in healthcare gives every mother, no matter who they are or where they are, a fair chance at a safe delivery and a healthy future with their family.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In total numbers, maternal deaths continue to be largely concentrated in the poorest parts of the world and in countries affected by conflict. In 2020, about 70% of all maternal deaths were in sub-Saharan Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In nine countries facing severe humanitarian crises, maternal mortality rates were more than double the world average (551 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 223 globally).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“This report provides yet another stark reminder of the urgent need to double down on our commitment to women and adolescent health,” said Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank, and Director of the Global Financing Facility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“With immediate action, more investments in primary health care and stronger, more resilient health systems, we can save lives, improve health and well-being, and advance the rights of and opportunities for women and adolescents.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions that can be aggravated by pregnancy (such as HIV/AIDS and malaria) are the leading causes of maternal deaths. These are all largely preventable and treatable with access to high-quality and respectful healthcare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Community-centered primary health care can meet the needs of women, children and adolescents and enable equitable access to critical services such as assisted births and pre- and postnatal care, childhood vaccinations, nutrition and family planning. However, underfunding of primary health care systems, a lack of trained health care workers, and weak supply chains for medical products are threatening progress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Roughly a third of women do not have even four of the recommended eight antenatal checks or receive essential postnatal care, while some 270 million women lack access to modern family planning methods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exercising control over their reproductive health – particularly decisions about if and when to have children – is critical to ensure that women can plan and space childbearing and protect their health. Inequities related to income, education, race or ethnicity further increase risks for marginalized pregnant women, who have the least access to essential maternity care but are most likely to experience underlying health problems in pregnancy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is unacceptable that so many women continue to die needlessly in pregnancy and childbirth. Over 280,000 fatalities in a single year is unconscionable,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“We can and must do better by urgently investing in family planning and filling the global shortage of 900,000 midwives so that every woman can get the lifesaving care she needs. We have the tools, knowledge and resources to end preventable maternal deaths; what we need now is the political will.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The COVID-19 pandemic may have further held back progress on maternal health. Noting the current data series ends in 2020, more data will be needed to show the true impacts of the pandemic on maternal deaths. However, COVID-19 infections can increase risks during pregnancy, so countries should take action to ensure pregnant women and those planning pregnancies have access to COVID-19 vaccines and effective antenatal care.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Reducing maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing global health challenges,” said John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Ending preventable maternal deaths and providing universal access to quality maternal health care require sustained national and international efforts and unwavering commitments, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every mother, everywhere, survives childbirth, so that she and her children can thrive.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report reveals that the world must significantly accelerate progress to meet global targets for reducing maternal deaths, or risk the lives of over 1 million more women by 2030. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 07:50:44', '2023-02-23 07:50:44');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5380, 5380, '<div><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its search for a new assistant coach for the national cricket team.</b><br></div><div><br></div><div>BCB President Nazmul Hasan said they are expecting applications from local coaches as well.</div><div><br></div><div>The BCB recently appointed Chandika Hathurusinghe as the head coach of the Bangladesh team for the second time, following his initial tenure from 2014 to 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>After confirming Hathurusinghe\'s appointment, the BCB has been actively searching for an assistant coach.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have been looking for an assistant to Chandika,\" Nazmul told the media on Wednesday. \"We have issued a notice. And we encourage local coaches to apply for this post. We really want someone from the local coaching community to take up this role.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The BCB will assign a local coach for other posts if it does not find a suitable assistant coach from local applicants, Nazmul said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hathurusinghe, who spoke to the media for the first time in his second stint as the national team coach of Bangladesh, said he is looking forward to developing a game plan that will suit the Bangladesh team better.</div><div><br></div><div>The 54-year-old coach also acknowledged that the Bangladesh team has demonstrated their strength in ODIs over the years, but still need to improve their performance in longer and shorter versions.</div><div><br></div><div>During Hathurusinghe\'s first tenure, the Bangladesh team achieved historic success in ODIs, including a memorable victory against England in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and successful home series against Pakistan, India, and South Africa.</div><div><br></div><div>In the same period, Bangladesh also registered Test wins against England and Australia at home.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh team is currently gearing up to face England in a home series that comprises three ODIs and three T20Is, scheduled to begin on March 1 in Dhaka. UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 07:59:44', '2023-02-23 07:59:44'),
(5381, 5381, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Grameenphone users have been experiencing network disruptions in several areas since this morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many GP customers posted on social media that they are facing problems while sending SMS and making phone calls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Contacted, Khairul Basher, Head of Communications, GP, said, “We sincerely apologize for the temporary difficulty in making calls due to multiple fiber optics cables being cut. Our team is prioritizing this issue and working relentlessly to resolve the problem at the earliest.” 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, '2023-02-23 08:06:50', '2023-02-23 08:06:50'),
(5382, 5382, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A case has been filed against 10 people in connection with the death of a teenage boy during a clash between two factions of Awami League in Raipur upazila of Laxmipur district on Wednesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fatema Begum, mother of diseased Russel Hossain,14, filed the case against Awami League leader BM Shahjalal and 9 others on Wednesday night, said Shipon Barua, officer-in-charge of Raipur Police Station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police also arrested five people after the clash from the spot, said the OC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They were shown arrested in the case. Four other arrestees were identified as Rahul, general secretary of Charbongshi union unit Awami League, Shohag, Faruk and Sumon Shikdar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Russel Hossain, son of Manir Hossain Bhuttu was killed and 10 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League over establishing supremacy at Charkasia village in Raipur upazila. 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, '2023-02-23 08:40:35', '2023-02-23 08:40:35'),
(5383, 5383, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked agriculturists to carry on their efforts to increase food yield keeping in mind the adverse global circumstances and climate change.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>\"In view of the (global) situation, we have to produce our crops,\" she said, opening golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>She added that climate change phenomenon also required Bangladesh to produce new crop varieties alongside the traditional crops.</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Bangabandhu-Pierre Elliot Trudeau Agricultural Technology Centre at BRRI in Gazipur coinciding with the BRRI golden jubilee celebrations.</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>The premier, however, acknowledged with happiness that Bangladesh not only set an example in food grain production, but also in different kind of vegetables, fruits and other agricultural products.</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>She said since the country was going to enter the era of fourth industrial revolution (4IR), her government has taken initiatives to develop skilled human resources.</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>\"To keep pace (with the 4IR), we have to learn about nano-technology, bio-informatics, machines, internet of things and new agriculture technologies and have to produce these technologies as well,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>With Agriculture Minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque in the chair, BRRI Director General Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir delivered the welcome address.</div><div><br></div><div>Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Executive Chairman Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, International Rice Research Institute Director General Jean Balie, Global Institute for Food Security Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Steven Webb, among others, also spoke.</div><div><br></div><div>Liberation War Affairs Minister A K M Mozammel Huq and State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel were also present.</div><div><br></div><div>A documentary titled \"50 years of BRRI\'s pride and success\" was screened at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, after arrival at the BRRI, the prime minister paid homage to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>She also inaugurated Bangabandhu-Pierre Elliot Trudeau Agricultural Technology Centre at BRRI.</div><div><br></div><div>The center has been set up at BRRI following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council aiming to cooperate on multidisciplinary research, training and development partnership to ensure sustainable food security.</div><div><br></div><div>Subsequently, the premier also released balloons and pigeons marking the BRRI golden jubilee.</div><div><br></div><div>She, as well, took part in different programmes including tree plantations, inspection of BRRI laboratories, its various innovations and a cultural event titled \"Dhan-Kabbya\".</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister unveiled the cover of five research publications of BRRI and BARC. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 09:45:08', '2023-02-23 09:45:08'),
(5384, 5384, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Tajikistan on Thursday morning, with tremors strongly shaking parts of neighbouring China.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The quake hit around 8.37am Beijing local time at a depth of 6 miles, Chinese state media CCTV reported, citing the China Earthquake Networks Center.</div><div><br></div><div>The epicentre was located nearly 82km from the nearest border with China and was felt across the Xinjiang region, including Kashgar and Artux.</div><div><br></div><div>The epicentre appeared to be in Gorno-Badakhshan, a semi-autonomous and sparsely populated eastern region dominated by the towering Pamir Mountains.</div><div><br></div><div>So far there have been no reports of injuries or casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>The region was hit by two aftershocks of magnitude 5 and 4.6 about 20 minutes after the initial jolt.</div><div><br></div><div>The USGS estimated that “little or no population” would be exposed to landslides from the quake. - Independent&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 09:57:23', '2023-02-23 09:57:23'),
(5385, 5385, '<div><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tarique Rahman (acting chairman of BNP), who has been convicted in cases and has been living in London, and his associates including then intelligence officials in Bangladesh held ties with the separatist group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua, according to a report published today by India Today.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The report quotes Major General Gaganjit Singh, former deputy director general of India’s Defense Intelligence Agency, recalling the 2004 ten-truck arms and ammunition haul in Chattogram. According to Singh, the arms supply was done through the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat alliance.</div><div><br></div><div>ULFA and a few other rebel organisations in northeast India were intended to use the large consignment of weapons seized in Chattogram in April 2004, according to Major General Singh.</div><div><br></div><div>Sing’s disclosure in the India Today report comes after ULFA commander Anup Chetia in a recent interview said that the weapons were intended for other rebel groups in addition to his group. Chetia was arrested in Dhaka in 1997; he was the general secretary of ULFA at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Singh, the architect of the entire conspiracy to get weaponry in order to intensify the separatist campaign in India’s Assam was ULFA Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua.</div><div><br></div><div>“But he was operating in close coordination with DGFI and some NSI officials who had close links with Tarique Rahman and his cronies in what was then referred to as Hawa Bhaban (political office of BNP),” the ex-intel officer said.</div><div><br></div><div>The huge consignment of arms were being supplied, taking advantage of the BNP-Jamaat alliance, using Bangladesh “as a sanctuary,” Singh was quoted by India Today.</div><div><br></div><div>According to former BBC correspondent Subir Bhaumik, who reported on the Chattogram arms haul, Singh was closely involved in the operation to trace the passage of the weapons consignment.</div><div><br></div><div>As per reports, during the BNP-Jamaat government (2001-2006), Hawa Bhaban gained notoriety as the most influential and alternative power house from which Tarique, along with his confidants, gave the go-ahead for a number of reprehensible plots, including the grenade attack on then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>The India Today report quotes Singh as saying, “Paresh Barua was operating from a hotel in GEC Mor in Chittagong, not far from field intelligence unit of DGFI. We had all the details of the arrival of the weapons at the CFL jetty.” His sources in Bangladesh informed the police that the arms consignment had landed, adds the report.</div><div><br></div><div>“The police had no idea this was meant for ULFA and other rebels because the DGFI had been secretive about the whole operation. As the police swung into action to seize the weapons, the media also rushed in. The whole thing blew up on the face of the BNP government,” Singh said.</div><div><br></div><div>Detailed examination of the 10-truck arms haul case verdict and mainstream media reports point to hardcore radicals chosen and facilitated by Tarique, who enjoyed the highest level of official patronage to carry out such heinous schemes, the report says. ‍Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 11:08:02', '2023-02-23 11:08:02'),
(5386, 5386, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United Nations’ educational, scientific and cultural agency chief on Wednesday called for a global dialogue to find ways to regulate social media companies and limit their role in the spreading of misinformation around the world.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Audrey Azoulay, the director general of UNESCO, addressed a gathering of lawmakers, journalists and civil societies from around the world to discuss ways to regulate social media platforms such as Twitter and others to help make the internet a safer, fact-based space.</div><div><br></div><div>The two-day conference in Paris aims to formulate guidelines that would help regulators, governments and businesses manage content that undermines democracy and human rights, while supporting freedom of expression and promoting access to accurate and reliable information.</div><div><br></div><div>The global dialogue should provide the legal tools and principles of accountability and responsibility for social media companies to contribute to the “public good,” Azoulay said in an interview with The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She added: “It would limit the risks that we see today, that we live today, disinformation (and) conspiracy theories spreading faster than the truth.”</div><div><br></div><div>The European Union last year passed landmark legislation that will compel big tech companies like Google and Facebook parent Meta to police their platforms more strictly to protect European users from hate speech, disinformation and harmful content.</div><div><br></div><div>The Digital Services Act is one of the EU’s three significant laws targeting the tech industry.</div><div><br></div><div>In the United States, the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have filed major antitrust actions against Google and Facebook, although Congress remains politically divided on efforts to address online disinformation, competition, privacy and more. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 14:02:57', '2023-02-23 14:02:57'),
(5387, 5387, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said that the Bangladeshi products are capable of gaining trust of the Saudi Arabia buyers since the country has gained capacity to supply world class products in the global market in comparatively less price.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The commerce minister said this while addressing the inaugural session of the three-day \"Bangladeshi Products Exhibition 2023\" as the chief guest held at Saudi Arabia\'s capital Riyadh on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Javed Patwary and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan spoke on the occasion presided over by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) vice chairman AHM Ahsan, said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming Saudi Arabia as a trusted friend of Bangladesh, Tipu said that Saudi Arabia is also a large trade and development partner of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that the demand for Bangladeshi products in the market of Saudi Arabia is growing day by day, he said that this huge potential should be tapped.</div><div><br></div><div>The commerce minister mentioned that the present Awami League government has been providing necessary support to the businesses to extend trade and commerce.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The reputation of Bangladeshi products has spread across the globe for which the export of Bangladeshi items is growing day by day,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Tipu also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Saudi King, the Crown Prince and also to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending all necessary support to Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the Kingdom would continue to extend all possible support for boosting trade and commerce between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>The commerce minister also stressed the need for holding fair in various parts of the world projecting the Bangladeshi products to attract attention of the global buyers.</div><div><br></div><div>According to official data, Bangladesh exported goods worth $290 million to Saudi Arabia in the last fiscal year (FY22) which is 12 percent higher than the previous fiscal year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 30 firms are taking part in the exhibition highlighting RMG, pharmaceuticals, and leather goods products. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 14:32:51', '2023-02-23 14:32:51'),
(5388, 5388, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US President Biden appeared to trip and fall Wednesday while he was climbing the steps to board Air Force One in Warsaw, Poland, according to video of the incident, Fox News reported.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The video shows Biden falling near the top of the staircase on the airport tarmac before catching himself, turning to wave and entering the aircraft. It remains unclear what might have caused Biden to trip on the steps, Fox News reported.</div><div><br></div><div>The incident occurred shortly after the president wrapped up his trip to Eastern Europe to visit Ukraine and Poland. Biden is slated to return to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening aboard the plane.</div><div>The White House didn\'t immediately respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden\'s apparent fall on the steps leading to Air Force One comes nearly two years after he similarly fell on the same steps at Joint Base Andrews.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 14:39:03', '2023-02-23 14:39:03'),
(5389, 5389, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that there is no scope for BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to do politics as she has been convicted in graft cases.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader said this while replying to journalists during a joint meeting of AL at its Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Why has Khaleda Zia\'s jail sentence been suspended? She is sick. If she was not ill, she would have been in jail. A convict has no scope to do politics,\" he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The joint meeting was held between AL central leaders and presidents and general secretaries of Dhaka city north and south units and associate bodies of AL, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said Khaleda Zia didn\'t get release from his jail sentence. But her jail sentence has been suspended several times on humanitarian grounds, he said, adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showed the generosity.</div><div><br></div><div>He said BNP also knew it very well that there is no scope for Khaleda Zia to do politics and that is why they made the party\'s senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman as its acting chairman.</div><div><br></div><div>As Khaleda Zia is not valid to do politics, she has been dropped, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Castigating BNP, the AL general secretary said BNP has given birth to terrorism in the country. When they were in power, they carried out terrorist acts, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP carried out attacks on the then Opposition Leader Sheikh Hasina, wherever she went, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 15:51:59', '2023-02-23 15:51:59'),
(5390, 5390, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Stating that the Law Minister’s recent comment on their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has created confusion in the public mind, BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Thursday said she will definitely do politics if a favourable environment is created.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“They (government) are giving different statements at times (over Khaleda’s scope to do politics). They’re creating a smoke screen over the issue,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters after a meeting between the liaison committees of BNP and Ganatantra Mancha at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Tuku said the Prime Minister once threatened that Khaleda Zia will be sent to jail again if she does politics. “Now her law minister is saying that there’s no barrier for Khaleda Zia to do politics. You (journalists) say which one we’ll accept.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said they are not interested in what the ministers are saying about Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>“I think it is an insignificant matter. Begum Khaleda Zia did politics, became a leader from the field of politics, and became the Prime Minister thrice…Begum Khaleda Zia will definitely do politics if a favourable environment is created,” Tuku said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said people don’t understand what the government wants to mean as the ruling party leaders are making contradictory comments over Khaleda’s right to do politics. “BNP is least bothered about the ruling party leaders’ comments on the matter,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier at an event in the capital on Sunday, the law minister said the BNP chairperson can take part in politics, but she is barred from contesting the next general election because of her conviction for corruption.</div><div><br></div><div>The government will not interfere if she does politics, the minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Whether she will do politics or not, it’s her personal matter,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In the meeting, Tuku said they discussed the issue of growing anarchy in the education sector by the Chhatra League.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Different untoward incidents are happening on the campus. We’re deeply concerned as the way the education system is being collapsed and our girls are being targeted and repressed on every campus,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of their simultaneous movement, the BNP leader said they will announce action programmes against the anarchy on the campus in the future. “We call upon the students to come forward in this regard.”</div><div><br></div><div>In over an hour-long meeting, the leaders of the BNP and Ganatantra Mancha also discussed their next course of action and the joint declaration of the simultaneous movement.</div><div><br></div><div>Ganatantra Mancha leader Hasnat Quayum said, \"We have discussed finalising the joint declaration of our simultaneous movement. Hopefully, we will be able to come up with the joint declaration in a very short time,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob, Nagorik Oikay Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Junaid Saki, Gano Odhikar Parishad member secretary Nurul Haque Nur, among others, was there.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-23 16:16:47', '2023-02-23 16:16:47'),
(5391, 5391, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China, a firm Russian ally, has called for a cease-fire between Ukraine and Moscow and the opening of peace talks as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plan issued Friday morning by the Foreign Ministry also urges the end of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China has claimed to be neutral in the conflict, but it has a “no limits” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticize its invasion of Ukraine over even refer to it as such, while accusing the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames\" by providing Ukraine with defensive arms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China and Russia have increasingly aligned their foreign policies to oppose the U.S.-led liberal international order. Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed the strength of those ties when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow this week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China has also been accused by the U.S. of possibly preparing to provide Russia with military aid, something Beijing says lacks evidence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Given China\'s positions, that throws doubt on whether its 12-point proposal has any hope of going ahead — or whether China is seen as an honest broker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the proposal was released, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it an important first step.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think that, in general, the fact that China started talking about peace in Ukraine, I think that it is not bad. It is important for us that all states are on our side, on the side of justice,” he said at a news conference Friday with Spain\'s prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Department spokesman Ned Price said earlier Thursday that the U.S. would reserve judgment but that China’s allegiance with Russia meant it was not a neutral mediator. “We would like to see nothing more than a just and durable peace ... but we are skeptical that reports of a proposal like this will be a constructive path forward,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Price added that the U.S. hopes “all countries that have a relationship with Russia unlike the one that we have will use that leverage, will use that influence to push Russia meaningfully and usefully to end this brutal war of aggression. (China) is in a position to do that in ways that we just aren’t.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The peace proposal mainly elaborated on long-held Chinese positions, including referring to the need that all countries\' “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity be effectively guaranteed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also called an end to the “Cold War mentality\" — it\'s standard term for what it regards as U.S. hegemony and interference in other countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A country’s security cannot be at the expense of other countries’ security, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs,” the proposal said. “The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and properly addressed.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China abstained Thursday when the U.N. General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces. It is one of 16 countries that either voted against or abstained on almost all of five previous resolutions on Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution, drafted by Ukraine in consultation with its allies, passed 141-7 with 32 abstentions, sending a strong message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that appears to leave Russia more isolated than ever.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While China has not been openly critical of Moscow, it has said that the present conflict is “not something it wishes to see,” and has repeatedly said any use of nuclear weapons would be completely unacceptable, in an implied repudiation of Putin’s statement that Russia would use “all available means” to protect its territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are no winners in conflict wars,\" the proposal said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“All parties should maintain rationality and restraint ... support Russia and Ukraine to meet each other, resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, gradually promote the de-escalation and relaxation of the situation, and finally reach a comprehensive ceasefire,\" it 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, '2023-02-24 07:11:25', '2023-02-24 07:11:25'),
(5392, 5392, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality continued to be in the \'unhealthy\' zone on Friday morning.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 161 at 8:45am, the metropolis ranked eighth in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia’s Krasnoyarsk, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Mumbai occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 271, 191 and 175, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'poor\', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-24 07:15:01', '2023-02-24 07:15:01'),
(5393, 5393, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia launched a rescue ship on Friday for two cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut whose original ride home sprang a dangerous leak while parked at the International Space Station.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new, empty Soyuz capsule should arrive at the orbiting lab on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The capsule leak in December was blamed on a micrometeorite that punctured an external radiator, draining it of coolant. The same thing appeared to happen again earlier this month, this time on a docked Russian cargo ship. Camera views showed a small hole in each spacecraft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian Space Agency delayed the launch of the replacement Soyuz, looking for any manufacturing defects. No issues were found, and the agency proceeded with Friday\'s predawn launch from Kazakhstan of the capsule with bundles of supplies strapped into the three seats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Given the urgent need for this capsule, two top NASA officials traveled from the U.S. to observe the launch in person. To everyone\'s relief, the capsule safely reached orbit nine minutes after liftoff — “a perfect ride to orbit,” NASA Mission Control\'s Rob Navias reported from Houston.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials had determined it was too risky to bring NASA’s Frank Rubio and Russia’s Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin back in their damaged Soyuz next month as originally planned. With no coolant, the cabin temperature would spike during the trip back to Earth, potentially damaging computers and other equipment, and exposing the suited-up crew to excessive heat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Until the new Soyuz pulls up, emergency plans call for Rubio to switch to a SpaceX crew capsule that’s docked at the space station. Prokopyev and Petelin remain assigned to their damaged Soyuz in the unlikely need for a fast getaway. Having one less person on board would keep the temperature down to a hopefully manageable level, Russian engineers concluded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The damaged Soyuz will return to Earth with no one aboard by the end of March, so engineers can examine it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three men launched in this Soyuz last September on what should have been a six-month mission. They\'ll now stay in space for a full year, until a new capsule is ready for their crew replacements for liftoff in September. It was their Soyuz that just launched with no one on board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The damaged supply ship was filled with trash and cut loose over the weekend, burning up in the atmosphere as originally planned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The Russians are continuing to take a really close look” at both spacecraft leaks, NASA\'s deputy space station program manager Dana Weigel told reporters earlier this week. “They\'re looking at everything ... to try to understand that.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NASA has a fresh crew of four launching atop a SpaceX rocket early Monday morning from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX\'s William Gerstenmaier said the four astronauts returning to Earth in a few weeks already have inspected the Dragon capsule that will carry them home and “it all checked out fine.\" 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, '2023-02-24 07:20:55', '2023-02-24 07:20:55'),
(5394, 5394, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the country’s health sector has witnessed significant progress despite various limitations over the last 14 years.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh is now almost self-sufficient in cardiac care. Bangladesh has the capacity to treat 95 to 98 percent of cardiovascular diseases as skilled manpower, modern technology and equipment are available here in the country,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said this in a video message aired in the 3rd International Scientific Conference arranged by Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation (BCRF) in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also opened the two-day conference being held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina said healthcare has now become much more accessible and reached the doorsteps of common people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“As the country\'s cardiologists and doctors provide better medical services to the patients in the country, the people of the country are benefiting and thus (the country’s) foreign currency is being saved,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said work is underway to set up a full-fledged pediatric cardiac unit in Dhaka for better treatment of pediatric cardiac patients in the country. “Plans have been taken to extend such facilities to other government hospitals as well,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To increase the scope of pediatric cardiac treatment, the scope to produce pediatric cardiologists has been enhanced as a full-fledged pediatric cardiology and pediatric cardiac surgery unit was set up at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said the PM.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 500-bed world-class \'Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research Institute\' has been established in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;The premier stressed the need for focusing on preventive measures regarding cardiovascular diseases as the number of cardiac patients is on rise in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“The number of cardiac patients is increasing day by day in the country due to various reasons including diet, lack of physical work, smoking and excessive diabetes. Along with the development of cardiovascular disease care, we also need to pay attention to preventive measures,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina said cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Bangladesh and all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, some 17.9 million people die every year in the world due to cardiovascular diseases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“About 27 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh are caused by cardiovascular diseases. At present, 10 children per thousand are suffering from cardiovascular diseases in the country. One in five young people in Bangladesh is at risk of heart disease,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Focusing on her government’s steps for the development of the health sector, the PM said it has taken a plan to build a medical college in every district. The number of medical colleges rose to 115 now from 50 ones in 2009, while the number of MBBS course seats went up to 10,789 from only 2,050 in 2009, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government will build a medical university in every division and four medical universities have already been set up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing to the participants, their participation in the 3rd Scientific Conference has created a unique opportunity to share knowledge and experiences among cardiac specialists. 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, '2023-02-24 08:28:35', '2023-02-24 08:28:35'),
(5395, 5395, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The England men\'s cricket team landed in Dhaka on Friday morning for their first tour of Bangladesh since 2016.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tour, which was originally scheduled for September and October 2021 but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, consists of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played in Dhaka and Chattogram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">England captain Jos Buttler, who stated in December 2022 that he was looking forward to leading the world champions in Bangladesh, a country where they have not won an ODI series since 2010. He anticipates a challenging contest from the hosts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh team has already begun preparations for the series starting on March 1 in Dhaka. Tamim Iqbal will lead Bangladesh in the ODI series, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) having already announced the squad for the contest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chandika Hathurusingha will be coaching the Bangladesh team during the series. BCB reappointed Hathurusingha as the head coach for a two-year period following the departure of Russell Domingo. Hathurusingha will be in charge of all three formats of the game and expressed his happiness at returning to Bangladesh, hoping to continue his good work with the team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first two ODIs will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on March 1 and 3, with the third ODI taking place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on March 6. All the ODIs will begin at 2:30 PM local time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The T20I series will start on March 9 at Chattogram, followed by two more matches on March 12 and 14 in Dhaka. All T20Is will begin at 6:00 PM local time. 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, '2023-02-24 08:41:28', '2023-02-24 08:41:28'),
(5396, 5396, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate 44 projects during her daylong visit to Gopalganj tomorrow.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier is also likely to lay foundation stones of five other projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 44 projects include two rural piped water supply schemes - one at Dumuria union under Tungipara upazila and another one at Ramshil union under Kotalipara upazila, 24 meter RCC girder bridge on Gopalpur UP Office-Kajulia UP via Boraihati Polshair Bazar Road and 99 meter girder bridge on Kushli GC-Dharabashail GC via Mitradanga, Sonakhali Road in Tungipara upazila, four-storey Shuagram Bohumukhi High School at Kotalipara, three-storey girls hostel (100 beds) at Sheikh Hasina Adarsha Degree College at Kotalipara, four-storey academic building of Kotalipara SN Institution, Kotalipara Poura Kitchen Market and Kotalipara Upazila Parishad built Sheikh Russel Library at Bhangarhat Talimpur Telihati High School at Kotalipara upazila, \'Mukta Manch\' on the ancestral home of poet Sukanta Bhattacharya at Kotalipara, flood shelter center at Uttar Kotalipara Rammohon High School at Kotalipara, one-storey commercial building having 10-storey foundation at Boro Bazar in Gopalganj Sadar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister will lay foundation stones of Gopalganj Zilla Tathya Complex Bhaban and Kotalipara Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre under Public Works Department, Radhaganj Union Bhangarhat Bazar Development and Mural Construction on 1971 Liberation War at Koralipara Upazila under Local Government Engineering Department and building Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman\'s mural at 11 union parishads under Kotalipara Upazila Parishad. 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, '2023-02-24 10:14:21', '2023-02-24 10:14:21');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5397, 5397, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Primary and secondary levels students in rural Bangladesh face manifold challenges in continuing their education and shortage of teachers is one of those that hampers regular their academic activities.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Like many other places in the country, the academic activities at 366 government primary schools have been hampered seriously in absence of head teachers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are 1,240 government primary schools in nine upazilas of the district and the posts of headmaster at 366 schools are lying vacant, according to District Education Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among these, assistant teachers have been working as acting head teacher at 234 schools but the rest schools have been operating without headmasters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the assistant teachers who were performing the roles of head teacher are not getting the facilities the headmasters usually get and there is no one to look into it, forcing the teachers to continue their additional work with frustration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nurjahan Begum, who recently got the responsibility of headmaster at Korimer Khamar Government Primary School in Sadar upazila, said “We have been performing our duties amid frustration.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a recent visit to Muktaram Government Primary School in Sadar upazila, this correspondent found that the headmaster post of the school has been lying vacant for the past two years following the death of its headmaster.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since then, no one has been appointed and no assistant teacher was made headmaster. A senior teacher of the school is performing the duty of the headmaster.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, five assistant teachers are available instead of nine which also hamper the academic activities, said an assistant teacher of the school, Nazneen Rebeka Sultana.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Expressing dissatisfaction, Anwarul Islam, president of Muktaram Government Primary School managing committee, said “We have sent letters to the authorities concerned seeking fulfillment of the vacant posts but yet to get any response.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Principal Salauddin Rubel, General Secretary of District Swadhinota Sikkhok Porishad (Swaship), said “The academic activities of different primary schools are facing setback due to manifold problems including shortage of teachers. The situation of primary schools in Char areas is fragile.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">District Primary Education Officer Shahidul Islam, said the problem will be resolved as the higher authorities have been informed. 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, '2023-02-24 10:54:09', '2023-02-24 10:54:09'),
(5398, 5398, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The \"amazing successes\" of Bangladesh were celebrated in the British Parliament at the launch of a report by UK- based Bangladesh think-tank, the Study Circle.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report, entitled, \"Bangladesh: The Journey of Indomitable Development\", highlights the vast array of sectors in which Bangladesh has seen dramatic progress over the last 14 years, including the economy, interfaith harmony, education, health, and infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A cross-party group of leading politicians, as well as diplomats and community leaders attended the event in the House of Lords\' Attlee Room, which came the day after the 21 February commemorations of International Mother Language Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said, \"Today we are on a real path of progress. One reason for Bangladesh\'s concrete development is because it has had political stability and continuity.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s achievements in promoting inter- communal harmony were particularly celebrated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK Prime Minister\'s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Fiona Bruce MP, and Jim Shannon MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, joined the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Rizvi invited Shannon to visit Bangladesh to see the inter-religious harmony for himself, said a media release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Launching the report, Study Circle Chair Syed Mozammel Ali, who was gazetted as a \'freedom fighter\' for his advocacy for Bangladesh Independence in the UK in 1971, noted Bangladesh\'s tremendous economic growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At 6.9% last year, this outstripped even the so-called \'tiger\' economies of South Korea and Singapore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ali quipped that, given that Bangladesh has 10% of the World\'s tigers, going forward, Bangladesh should be championed as the \"Bengal Tiger economy\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ali went all to detail numerous of Bangladesh\'s achievements, including its climate leadership and its support for the Rohingya.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He trumpeted the deep ties between the UK and Bangladesh, particularly the British Bangladeshi diaspora and the 8,000 Bangladeshi- owned restaurants, which he said was like having \"like having a High Commission on every high street\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He noted that a great opportunity to enjoy the interchange would come in the next few weeks, as England\'s men\'s cricket team travels to Bangladesh for its first tour since 2016.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At that time, England was the only team not to cancel after the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, which was widely appreciated by Bangladeshis at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s High Commissioner to the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, said the Study Circle is doing an absolutely brilliant job.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is an empirical, evidence-based publication on Bangladesh\'s development journey under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event was also an early outing for the UK\'s High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, who will be replacing current British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton-Dixon after Ramadan in late April.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another speaker was Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali, who is also the UK Prime Minister\'s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh, and the first UK MP of Bangladeshi heritage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said, \"This report highlights that Bangladesh has achieved a great deal. As British Bangladeshis we are all really proud of Bangladesh\'s development.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Conservative peer Lord Popat, another of the Prime Minister\'s trade envoys, and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Commonwealth, said, “What a transformation of a country in such a short time, the incredible story that is Bangladesh, now one of the fastest growing economies in the world, what an achievement.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Conservative MP for Northfield Gary Sambrook, and Labour MP for Brent Central Dawn Butler, were also among the guests, as were London Assembly Members Marina Ahmad and Unmesh Desai and a significant number of local councillors of Bangladeshi heritage, including Mayor of Camden Nasim Ali, Brent Councillor Parvez Ahmed and Camden councillors Samata Khatoon and Shah Miah. Former London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi and former Camden councillor Abdul Hai were also present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the event, Study Circle Chair Mr Ali was treated to a tour of the House of Lords by Lord Daniel Hannan, the Conservative Party Vice Chair for International Relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event received well wishes from many other parliamentarians, including Labour\'s Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Catherine West MP. 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, '2023-02-24 11:06:07', '2023-02-24 11:06:07'),
(5399, 5399, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested 29 alleged muggers in separate drives in the capital and recovered huge number of sharp weapons from their possessions last night.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Acting on a tip-off, teams of RAB-2 made the arrests in separate drives in capital\'s Mohammadpur, Adabor, Hajaribagh, Dhanmandi and Tejgaon area,\" RAB-2 senior ASP (media) Md Fajlul Haque told BSS this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The senior RAB official said they recovered huge number of knives, straight razors, and other sharp weapons from the possession of the arrestees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They will be handed over to local police stations and legal actions will be taken in this regard, RAB sources said. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-24 11:14:34', '2023-02-24 11:14:34'),
(5400, 5400, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Canada is keen to collaborate with Bangladesh in the agriculture sector particularly in the development of food storage and small-scale farmers.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Canadian Minister of International Development Harjit S Sajjan expressed this interest during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the spokesperson the visiting Canadian minister appreciated the development of Bangladesh in agriculture and education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister also praised&nbsp; Hasina for developing a large agro-farm inside her residence complex</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier called upon the Canadian entrepreneurs to make investment in agro-processing industry and others in the special economic zones of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Bangladesh is now setting up 100 special economic zones throughout the country. Canadian investors can make investments there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government puts emphasis on the development of the agro-processing industry to export processed foods alongside meeting the local demand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that Bangladesh is a small country with a large population, the PM said her government has been trying to boost farm production significantly in a small area in order to feed the local people and export the surplus food or assist other countries with food.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Bangladesh became successful as its scientists have been able to develop many high yielding varieties of crops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A huge number of lands which once used to remain fallow in the country, particularly its southern region, have been brought under cultivation thanks to the development of varieties which are tolerant of saline and drought, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About her government’s steps to promote small farmers,&nbsp; Hasina said the government provides them with subsidies to irrigation, agriculture appliances and agricultural mechanisation, and assists them under many other programmes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government has introduced a micro-saving programme and so, the small farmers can save their money and also take loans from it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In irrigation, the government now puts importance to rainwater harvesting and use of surface water instead of underground water for the sake of conservation of nature, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the Rohingya issue, the PM sought cooperation from the development partners over repatriation of displaced Rohingya people to their motherland.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She, however, sought their assistance to develop more areas in Bhashan Char, island in Noakhali, to relocate more Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar for their temporary shelter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina said Bangladesh developed the Bhashan Char island with its own fund to arrange a better living condition for Rohingyas.&nbsp; A good number of Rohingya have already been shifted to Bhashan Char.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If the area with better living conditions can be expanded there, more Rohingyas can be relocated from Cox’s Bazar, she said, seeking help from the donors in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said some of the Rohingyas have got involved in various crimes like human and drug trafficking and internal conflicts in Cox’s Bazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said an inhuman environmen exists in camps for women particularly children and adolescent girls. If they go to Bhashan Char, they will get a decent environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about climate change,&nbsp; Hasina said Bangladesh is mainly emphasizing&nbsp; the adaptation and mitigation to fight the impacts of climate changes. The&nbsp; problems induced by climate changes are being addressed by local solutions, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government focuses on minimizing damages of lives and livelihood during natural disasters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this context, she mentioned that cyclone shelter centres, cyclone-resilient houses and greenbelts were built on the coastal area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Turning to education, the premier said her government is putting importance to the development of skilled manpower alongside general education to create scopes for self-employment and increase remittance outflow exporting skilled labour to foreign markets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls were present. 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, '2023-02-24 12:08:03', '2023-02-24 12:08:03'),
(5401, 5401, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A youth was killed and two others injured as their motorbike collided head-on with a bus in the Railway Koshaipara area under Godagari upazila here this afternoon.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased identified as Sadikul Islam, 23, son of Saber Ali, was a resident of Chanduria village under Tanore upazila.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The injured - Razzaque Ali, 40, son of late Tamir Uddin and Raihan Ali, 35, son of Lutfor Rahman - are now undergoing treatment.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kamrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Godagari Police Station, said when they were going to Godagari riding on a motorbike, a bus from the opposite direction knocked them down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Being informed, police and firefighters rescued them and rushed them to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where the attending doctors declared Sadikul dead after a few minutes of admission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A case has been lodged with Godagari Police Station. 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, '2023-02-24 12:15:32', '2023-02-24 12:15:32'),
(5402, 5402, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Policymakers of the Group of 20 leading economies should focus on helping the world’s most vulnerable people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday as top-level financial talks kicked off in the Indian technology hub of Bengaluru.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“You represent the leadership of global finance and economy at a time when the world is facing serious economic difficulties,” Modi said in a video address to the finance ministers, central bank governors and other leaders attending the meetings, which wrap up Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is up to you, the custodians of the leading economies and market systems ... to bring back stability, confidence and growth to the global economy,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As countries deal with slew of challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic, including unsustainable debt, conflict, inflation and eroding trust in international financial institutions, Modi said, “I urge you to focus on the most vulnerable people in the world.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meetings in Bengaluru are due to touch on a wide range of issues including digital currencies and payments, reform of institutions like the World Bank, climate change and financial inclusion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Multiple meetings between various leaders were also scheduled, including talks between U.S. and British officials and meetings of India’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, with her counterparts from France and Brazil.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As is usually the case, broader issues such as the war in Ukraine are overshadowing the talks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reaffirmed she would push for stronger sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and better enforcement of restrictions meant to hinder Moscow’s war effort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The G-20 meetings offer a chance for leaders to consider how to coordinate their policies: many central banks including the U.S. Federal Reserve have been raising interest rates sharply to try to rein in decades-high inflation brought on by various factors including the war and rebounding demand for travel, goods and services following the COVID-19 pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">G20 Presidency: India to invite Bangladesh as guest country</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With increases in income lagging far behind, rising costs for food, housing, fuel and fertilizer impose huge burdens, especially on the poor and in developing nations, where debt burdens have surged both at the national and household levels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the G-20 host this year, India is taking the opportunity to showcase its ascent as an economic power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Modi suggested the gathering could “draw hope from the vibrant Indian economy,” which is forecast to grow at a more than 6% annual pace this year, making it one of the fastest growing in the world. He also pointed to the country’s digital payments technology as a model to be emulated. 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, '2023-02-24 12:44:33', '2023-02-24 12:44:33'),
(5403, 5403, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Five Bangladeshi nationals were killed and two others injured in a road accident in South Africa, a foreign ministry official said on Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased have been identified as Abul Hossain, 45, and his son Nadim Hossain, 10, Raju Ahmed, 34, Ismail Hossain, 38, and Mostafa Kamal, 40.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md. Tarikul Islam, director general (Africa Wing) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed it to UNB, quoting the Bangladesh Mission in South Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All the deceased were from Feni district’s Sadar and Daganbhuiyan upazilas. 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, '2023-02-24 12:54:25', '2023-02-24 12:54:25'),
(5404, 5404, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Former Indian cricket team captain and ex-president of BCCI, Sourav Ganguly, and his wife Dona Ganguly met the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam told reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President of Bangladesh Cricket Board Nazmul Hassan Papon was also present at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ganguly, popularly known as Dada to his fans, arrived in Dhaka on a private visit on Thursday after several years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to the media at a hotel in Dhaka\'s Gulshan, Ganguly said: \"Every time I come here, I get so much love from the people of Dhaka. I sometimes forget if it\'s India or Bangladesh.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former left-handed batter was India\'s captain in Bangladesh\'s maiden Test in 2000. \"Many precious moments of my life are in Bangladesh,\" the former Indian captain said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ganguly lauded PM Hasina\'s efforts to create a drug-free nation and stated that sports can play a vital role in achieving this goal. 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, '2023-02-24 14:08:34', '2023-02-24 14:08:34'),
(5405, 5405, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said BNP is gradually becoming a bankrupt organisation as the political party gets stuck in the quicksand of wrong politics.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The country\'s people know better that the BNP, which is suffering from a multi-dimensional crisis, is now staying out of boundary in the field of politics after receiving a red card from the people. BNP is gradually becoming a bankrupt party after getting stuck in the quicksand of wrong politics,\" he said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a statement of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir that stated, \'Tarique Rahman is the trailblazer of BNP\'s movement for restoration of democracy\', Quader said Tarique is the blessed son of corruption, the mastermind of August 21 grenade attack, the patron of terrorism and militancy and convicted fugitive and he (Tarique) is a pathfinder in recovering their so-called democracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Through this, it has been proved that BNP has chosen the strategy of ill-politics instead of following the path of politics of principles and ideals, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We want to say clearly that the government or Bangladesh is not in any crisis rather the BNP is in a deep crisis,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AL general secretary said Mirza Fakhrul talked about the destruction of the country\'s economy but he commented a few days back that they were in a good position during the Pakistan period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"What is the economic condition of their beloved Pakistan today? And, on the contrary, where has the economic progress of Bangladesh gone? During 1996-2001, the Awami League government under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Hasina created the golden trend of economic progress,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During 2001-2006, Quader said, the BNP indulged in rampant graft and pushed the economic progress towards a declining trend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said the BNP\'s concern about the economic crisis is nothing but a mockery to the nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We want to say unequivocally that Bangladesh\'s economy is in a relatively good position despite the global recession and crisis as a result of the timely actions taken by the incumbent government,\" the AL general secretary said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We understand the heart pain of Mirza Fakhrul Islam. As Bangladesh is not a bankrupt one like Pakistan or Sri Lanka, their hidden desires have fallen flat,\" he said, adding that BNP\'s dream of seizing state power through conspiracy is getting fade day by day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the commodity price hike, Quader said the prices of commodities have soared across the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"BNP is trying to catch fish in troubled waters capitalising on this crisis, which is a threat to entire human civilization\", he said. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-24 16:18:28', '2023-02-24 16:18:28'),
(5406, 5406, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Jubo League will hold a three-day countrywide peace rally from Saturday against terrorism and anarchy of BNP-Jamaat and for continuation of the country\'s development and progress under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s leadership.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The organization will hold peace rally at district and city level on Saturday, upazila, thana and municipality level on Sunday and union level on Tuesday, said a press release. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-24 16:22:45', '2023-02-24 16:22:45'),
(5407, 5407, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A wrecked Russian tank put on display in Berlin, a bloody cake with a skull on top of it left in a Belgrade street and Ukraine’s yellow-and-blue flag held aloft in the sizzling Bangkok sun were among the memorials, stunts and ceremonies held across the world Friday to mark the anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Commemorations of a grim year for Ukraine spread across the globe, drawing people to peace rallies and other events in the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Latin America.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A rusting T-72 tank was placed outside the prominent Russian Embassy building on the German capital’s Unter den Linden boulevard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tank was struck in the Kyiv region in the early stages of the war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. It was taken to Berlin by a private group, which said that the Ukrainian defense ministry’s Military History Museum loaned it. Destroyed Russian armor litters parts of Ukraine after months of battlefield setbacks for the Kremlin’s forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The whole world should see that there are many people in Germany who stand behind Ukraine, so that’s why we’re putting the Russians’ scrap tank in front of their door,” said Wieland Giebel of the Berlin Story group, who was one of the exhibit’s organizers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Serbia, whose government has maintained friendly relations with Russia and has refused to join Western sanctions designed to punish Moscow for its invasion, police moved in to stop a group of anti-war activists from reaching the Russian Embassy in the capital, Belgrade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The activists wanted to hand over a demand for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be put on trial for genocide in Ukraine. They left a cake, covered with red icing representing blood and with a skull on top of it, on the pavement near the embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped outside his office at No. 10 Downing Street, joining Ukraine’s ambassador and some Ukrainian soldiers being trained in the United Kingdom for a minute’s silence in commemoration of those killed in the fighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">King Charles III published a message lauding the “remarkable courage and resilience” of the Ukrainian people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A teenage Ukrainian pianist forced to flee her country with her mother when the war broke out gave a solo performance at a shopping mall in the city of Liverpool in northwest England.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alisa Bushuieva, age 13, wore a traditional Ukrainian floral headband and dress as she played her country’s national anthem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a convention center in Utrecht, Netherlands, about 2,000 Ukrainian refugees gathered to hear by video link a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and in Brussels hundreds gathered to wave the Ukrainian flag and chant “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In northern Europe, people placed candles on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral at a memorial event for Ukraine war victims, and in southern Europe peace quotations printed on jute bags were displayed in Rome as part of an installation by Italian artist Gianfranco Meggiato entitled “The Meeting: The Symbol of Peace.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow planned no special events for Friday, as most Russians took a nationwide day off amid an extended public holiday. As part of authorities’ relentless effort to prevent any sign of dissent, police in some areas visited activists’ homes to warn them against trying to stage any demonstrations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainians living in Brazil protested outside the Russian Consulate in Sao Paulo, with one sign comparing Putin to Adolf Hitler.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainians in Lebanon chanted slogans during a Beirut rally and held up signs saying, “Stand strong with Ukraine” and “No terrorism.” Ukrainians and their supporters also marked the anniversary in Tel Aviv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dozens of South Koreans and Ukrainian expatriates gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Seoul. They held candles and banners demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A peace rally was also held in Tokyo, and people placed flowers outside the Ukrainian consulate in Bali, Indonesia in tribute to those killed in the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainians living in Thailand gathered outside their embassy in Bangkok. About 50 people, many wearing their national colors, sang the national anthem as an embassy official raised the flag. Several wept during a speech by the embassy’s charge d’affaires, in which he urged them to stay strong.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iliana Martsenyak, originally from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which has been pummeled by Russian barrages, wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke of how the anniversary made her feel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Honestly, I cannot find any words to describe how me and every single Ukrainian feels today because of this absolutely irrational, cruel and awful war that has been brought to our land,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group marched to a nearby city park, holding Ukrainian flags and protest signs aloft. They stopped at the library of Lumpini park, largely in silence as a mother embraced her young daughter and others stared resolutely into the distance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the anniversary commemorations began Thursday evening, when the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Portuguese parliament building in Lisbon were lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The Sydney Opera House followed suit on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A vigil took place in London’s Trafalgar Square, organized by the Ukrainian and U.S. embassies, and 461 paper angels were hung from the roof of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London to commemorate each Ukrainian child that has died in the past year. 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, '2023-02-24 16:29:43', '2023-02-24 16:29:43'),
(5408, 5408, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet China\'s leader Xi Jinping to discuss Beijing\'s proposals on ending the war in Ukraine.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Speaking on the first anniversary of Russia\'s full-scale invasion, he said the proposal signalled that China was involved in the search for peace.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I really want to believe that China will not supply weapons to Russia,\" he said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">China\'s plan calls for peace talks and respect for national sovereignty.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">However, the 12-point document does not specifically say that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine, and it also condemns the usage of \"unilateral sanctions\", in what is seen as a veiled criticism of Ukraine\'s allies in the West.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Chinese authorities have so far not publicly responded to Mr Zelensky\'s call for a summit with Mr Xi.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Meanwhile, Russia hailed the Chinese peace proposals. \"We share Beijing\'s views,\" the foreign ministry in Moscow said in a statement.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Beijing was considering supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia - a claim strongly denied by Beijing. On Friday, American media again reported that the Chinese government was considering sending drones and artillery shells to Moscow.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Asked about the Chinese plan, US President Joe Biden told ABC News on Friday: \"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin\'s applauding it, so how could it be any good?</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I\'ve seen nothing in the plan that would indicate that there is something that would be beneficial to anyone other than Russia,\" he added.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">China appears to be siding with Russia, though it would like to find a way of rescuing President Putin by arranging some kind of face-saving peace deal, says the BBC\'s World Affairs Editor John Simpson.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Chinese proposals follow Foreign Minister Wang Yi\'s visit to Moscow, where he met President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">After the talks, Mr Wang was quoted by China\'s state-run Xinhua news agency as saying that Beijing was willing to \"deepen political trust\" and \"strengthen strategic coordination\" with Moscow.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Western officials gave the latest proposals a lukewarm reception. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said Beijing \"doesn\'t have much credibility\" because it had \"not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine\".</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">President Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and Russian troops made significant advances during the first few days in Ukraine\'s north, east and south.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">But the attack on the capital Kyiv was soon repulsed and the Ukrainian military was later able to retake large areas.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The conflict - the biggest in Europe since World War Two - has since become a grinding war of attrition.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">At a lengthy news conference in Kyiv on Friday, Mr Zelensky also said victory \"will inevitably await us\" if allies \"respect their promises and deadlines\".</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Poland said it had already delivered four German-made Leopard II tanks to Ukraine and was ready to deliver more. Germany has said it will provide 14 Leopard tanks, with Spain and Canada also sending tanks.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The US - by far the biggest provider of military aid to Ukraine - has pledged to send 31 of its M1 Abrams tanks and the UK is providing 14 Challenger 2 tanks.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Ukrainian leader added that his country had failed to engage sufficiently with countries in Africa and Latin America after many nations in those continents abstained during a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution condemning Russia\'s invasion.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We didn\'t work well for many years, we didn\'t pay attention, I think it\'s a big mistake,\" he said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Asked if he could name his worst moment of the war so far, Mr Zelensky said Bucha, a town outside Kyiv where Russian troops are accused of having killed civilians in the early part of the war. The small town had been under Russian control until Ukrainian troops fought back last April to reclaim it.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"What I saw. It was horrible,\" Mr Zelensky said, visibly moved.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The US marked a year since Russia invaded Ukraine by announcing a new range of sanctions against Russia and new aid for Ukraine.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The latest restrictions target more than 100 entities both within Russia and worldwide, including banks and suppliers of defence equipment. The US said it wanted to stop those helping Russia exploit loopholes to get sanctioned materials.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The White House\'s fresh round of aid for Ukraine is worth $12bn (£10bn), comprising $2bn from the Department of Defense including ammunition and drones and $10bn from the State Department including budgetary support to the Ukrainian government.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">A further $550m will be supplied to both Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova to strengthen their energy infrastructure.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Moldova is Europe\'s poorest country and has been heavily impacted by the war. Its leaders have warned for several weeks that Russia is plotting to seize power.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">It comes days after US President Joe Biden flew to Kyiv for a surprise visit and held talks with Mr Zelensky.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">On Friday, the EU also approved its 10th round of sanctions against Russia, imposing restrictions technology that has a civilian and military dual use. BBC</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 01:35:09', '2023-02-25 01:35:09'),
(5409, 5409, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia has expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for abstaining from voting in favour of the latest resolution that the UN General Assembly adopted on Ukraine situation.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The non-binding “anti-Russian” resolution of the UNGA will not bring the world closer to ending the Ukraine conflict, the Russian Embassy in Dhaka tweeted on Friday quoting Moscow’s permanent envoy to the UN Vassily Nebenzia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Thank you, Bangladesh, for abstaining,\" it reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution that demands Russia leave Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thirty-two countries including Bangladesh, India, China, Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstained from voting while seven countries including Russia voted against the resolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution. 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, '2023-02-25 01:49:27', '2023-02-25 01:49:27');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5410, 5410, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Heavy snow and rain pounded California and other parts of the West on Friday in the nation\'s latest winter storm, while tens of thousands of people in Michigan suffered in freezing temperatures days after one of the worst ice storms in decades caused widespread power outages.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The winter storms have blacked out nearly 1 million homes and businesses from coast to coast, closed major roads, caused pileups on highways and snarled air travel. More than 1,200 flights were canceled and more than 17,000 were delayed Friday across the U.S., according to FlightAware.com.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Weather Service warned of a “cold and dangerous winter storm” that would last through Saturday in California. Blizzard warnings were posted in the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountain ranges, where as much as 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow was expected. Temperatures could drop far below normal in the region, posing a special risk to homeless people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Simply put, this will be a historic event for the amount of snow over the higher peaks and lower elevation snow,” according to the regional weather office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interstate 5, the West Coast’s major north-south highway, was closed south of the Oregon border as snow fell to the floor of the Sacramento Valley and in a high mountain pass north of Los Angeles, where blizzard warnings were in effect. Avalanche warnings were posted in some areas, and flash flood warnings were issued for Los Angeles and nearby coastal areas until Friday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Michigan, hundreds of thousands of people remained without power Friday after a storm earlier this week coated power lines, utility poles and branches with ice as thick as three-quarters of an inch. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called Friday for more accountability on restoration efforts by the state’s two largest utilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Annemarie Rogers had been without power for a day and a half in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. She sent two kids to stay with relatives and put extra blankets on the bed to try to keep warm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s kind of miserable,” she said. “We do have a gas fireplace that’s keeping us warm in one room. There’s some heat generating from the furnace, but with no electricity to the blower it’s not circulating well.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At one point, more than 820,000 customers in Michigan were in the dark. By Friday, that was down to under 600,000, most in the state\'s populous southeastern corner around Detroit. But promises of power restoration by Sunday, when low temperatures were expected to climb back above zero (minus 18 Celsius), were of little consolation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“That’s four days without power in such weather,\" said Apurva Gokhale, of Walled Lake, Michigan. \"It’s unthinkable.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tom Rankin said he and his wife were unable to reach his 100-year-old mother-in-law Friday morning by phone. The couple drove to her home in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, to find her in bed “with a whole lot of blankets,” Rankin said, adding they helped her to their car, planning to ride out the outage at another relative’s home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve not had an ice storm in the last 50 years that has impacted our infrastructure like this,” said Trevor Lauer, president of Detroit-based DTE Electric.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least three people have died in the storms. A Michigan firefighter died Wednesday after coming in contact with a downed power line, while in Rochester, Minnesota, a pedestrian died after being hit by a city-operated snowplow. Authorities in Portland, Oregon said a person died of hyperthermia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Much of Portland was shut down with icy roads not expected to thaw until Saturday after the city’s second-heaviest snowfall on record this week — nearly 11 inches.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tim Varner sat huddled with blankets in a Portland storefront doorway that shielded him from some of the wind, ice and snow. Local officials opened six overnight shelters but the 57-year-old, who has been homeless for two decades, said it was too hard to push a shopping cart containing his belongings to get to one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s impossible,” he said. “The snow gets built up on the wheels of your cart, and then you find slippery spots and can’t get no traction. So you’re stuck.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not all were dismayed by the winter weather. In the San Francisco Bay Area, hundreds of people drove up to 2,500-foot (760-meter) Mount Tamalpais to play in the snow — a rarity in the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">San Francisco resident Shankar Krishnan woke up at 4 a.m. and headed out hoping to see snow for the first time in a long time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It feels awesome. It’s like the trees are all frosty,. There’s snow on the ground. There’s snow coming down from the sky,\" Krishnan said. \"It’s beautiful out here.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Southern California, authorities warned that rainfall could cause debris flow in some areas burned by wildfires in recent years. In the flash flood warning area, between three and six inches (eight and 15 centimeters) of rain had fallen by Friday afternoon with another two to four inches (five and 10 centimeters) expected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Evacuation warnings were issued in Ventura County for four areas considered unstable after being hit hard by storms last month. To the north, snow piled up across Santa Cruz County as roads closed and motorists were forced to abandon their cars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Parts of Interstate 80 in California and Wyoming closed, including about a 70-mile (112-kilometer) stretch over the top of the Sierra Nevada linking California and Nevada. Some schools in Nevada and northern Arizona were closed, and a Major League Soccer season-opening game in Southern California was postponed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm has added to major precipitation from December and January “atmospheric rivers” that improved California’s drought outlook, but authorities who allocate water to farms, cities and industries remain cautious because of a recent history of abrupt changes in hydrologic conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The weather service said temperatures could drop far below normal in the region, posing a special risk to homeless people. 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, '2023-02-25 03:28:18', '2023-02-25 03:28:18'),
(5411, 5411, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air quality is in the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning (February 25, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 163 at 8:50 am, the capital of Bangladesh ranked seventh in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Mumbai occupied the first, second and third spots, with AQI scores of 244, 168 and 175 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 03:47:28', '2023-02-25 03:47:28'),
(5412, 5412, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed Friday to do everything to defeat Russia this year, as the first Leopard tanks arrived in Ukraine on the anniversary of the start of Europe\'s largest conflict since World War II.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Street protests against the Russian invasion were held in many European capitals to mark the anniversary, and fresh Western sanctions targeted Russia\'s banks, military industry and semiconductor access.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the Group of Seven industrialised nations threatened embargo busters with \"severe costs\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Poland sent the German-made Leopard tanks to help Ukraine repel Russian troops and deliver a \"clear and measurable signal of further support\", said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who was visiting Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Poland would send more tanks soon, Morawiecki added, and was also offering to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, as Western allies underlined their unwavering support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia, however, remained defiant, with former president Dmitry Medvedev insisting his country was ready to push its offensive \"to the borders of Poland\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tensions were also building on Ukraine\'s border with Moldova, as Moscow claimed Kyiv was plotting to invade the breakaway region of Transnistria and promised to respond. Moldova denied any threat from Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky said he was planning to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping after the release Friday of Beijing\'s 12-point position paper on the conflict, which included a call for peace talks and for respecting all territorial sovereignty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky noted that Beijing\'s paper appeared to show \"there is respect for our territorial integrity, security issues\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Friday, he said in a statement that Ukraine would \"do everything to gain victory this year\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Spirit is strong\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A year ago Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stunned the world by sending tanks and troops across the border, a move seen as punishment for Kyiv\'s pivot to the West.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war has devastated swathes of Ukraine, displaced millions, turned Russia into a pariah in the West and, according to Western sources, caused more than 150,000 casualties on each side.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Demonstrators protesting Moscow\'s aggression marched in cities across Europe to mark the invasion anniversary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Berlin, activists placed a Russian tank wreck in front of Moscow\'s</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">embassy. Crowds fell silent for a minute from Tallinn to London, while key European buildings were draped or lit up in the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine\'s flag.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A year ago, Russian troops sought to rapidly install a pro-Moscow regime in Ukraine but failed to conquer Kyiv and subsequently suffered defeats in northeastern and southern Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since October, Russia has pummelled Ukraine\'s energy infrastructure, causing power shortages for millions during winter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the daily trials, many Ukrainians refuse to be cowed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bucha, where Russia has been accused of widespread atrocities, 64-year-old Galyna Gamulets recalled coming under fire from Russian troops for more than two weeks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She voiced pride in her nation and said \"we will succeed\" in repelling the invaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Living hell\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The West, which has imposed increasingly stringent sanctions on Russia and boosted humanitarian aid and arms supplies for Ukraine, unveiled more help Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States announced sweeping sanctions aimed not just at Russia but also 200 individuals and entities across Europe, Asia and the Middle East supporting Moscow\'s war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a video call, G7 allies warned: \"third-countries or other international actors who seek to evade or undermine our measures\" must \"cease providing material support to Russia\'s war, or face severe costs\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington\'s new aid package came days after President Joe Biden arrived in Kyiv for a historic visit and pledged new arms deliveries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Biden on Friday ruled out providing the F-16 fighter jets Ukraine has requested, at least for the time being, telling ABC News in an interview that Zelensky \"doesn\'t need F-16s now\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Look, we\'re sending him what our seasoned military thinks he needs now. He needs tanks, he needs artillery, he needs air defence, including Himars,\" Biden said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There are things we\'re sending him to put him in a position to make gains this spring and summer going into the fall.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The EU also agreed to a fresh round of sanctions, and along with</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">contributions from Sweden and Portugal, Germany said it had managed to assemble a battalion of modern Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank separately announced an extra $2.5 billion for Ukraine to support essential services and core government functions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Friday, after a minute\'s silence at the Security Council, UN Secretary- General Antonio Guterres denounced Russia\'s military action, saying it had made life for Ukrainians a \"living hell\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- China\'s key role -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Key player China has sought to position itself as a neutral party while</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">maintaining close ties with Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to Beijing\'s new position paper, Moscow said it \"highly values\" China\'s contribution but insisted any conflict settlement must recognise Russia\'s control over four Ukrainian regions it annexed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Western countries gave China\'s plan a muted reception. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said it was \"still doubtful\" Beijing sincerely wanted to play a constructive role in seeking peace.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Beijing simply \"doesn\'t have much</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">-\'Miracles happen\'-</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On eastern Ukraine\'s frontline, morale remained high among Kyiv\'s troops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"God is helping us. Nobody thought that Ukraine would hold,\" said a soldier who goes by the call sign \"Cook\" in the eastern region of Donetsk. \"I know that miracles happen.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite military setbacks and sanctions, Putin, 70, has refused to back down, accusing the West of supporting neo-Nazi forces and claiming Russia\'s survival was at stake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His assault on Ukraine and mobilisation of reservists have sparked what might be Russia\'s largest mass exodus since 1917\'s Bolshevik Revolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But with television propaganda in overdrive, many Russians have ralliedbehind Putin despite economic trouble and multiplying casualties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The country is really changing for the better,\" said Lyubov Yudina, a 48-year-old security guard in Moscow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But teacher Ruslan Melnikov, 28, was dejected. \"I don\'t see any future now.\" 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, '2023-02-25 04:06:24', '2023-02-25 04:06:24'),
(5413, 5413, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least ten people died and 25 others were injured after their bus fell into a ravine in northeastern Algeria on Friday, civil protection officials said.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bus was travelling from Algiers to Tikjda, a mountain resort popular with tourists, when it fell 150 metres into a ravine near the town of El Asnam, the source said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All those injured were transferred to hospital in nearby Bouira.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mountainous region of Tikjda is a popular holiday destination for</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Algerians, who have flocked there in large numbers after the heavy snowfall of recent weeks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speeding motorists, including public transport drivers, is the main cause of road accidents in Algeria, according to the national road safety agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2021, the latest figures available, Algeria recorded almost 7,186 traffic accidents, resulting in 2,643 deaths and 11,479 injuries. 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, '2023-02-25 04:12:54', '2023-02-25 04:12:54'),
(5414, 5414, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Joe Biden indicated Friday that he will indeed be announcing a 2024 bid for a second term -- only not right away.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speculation has been mounting over Biden\'s plans. At 80, he is the oldest person ever in the US presidency and while he has repeatedly said he intends to run again, he has yet to commit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with ABC News\' David Muir, he said \"my intention is..., has been from the beginning, to run.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about an earlier interview Friday in which his wife First Lady Jill Biden told the Associated Press that the time and place of a campaign announcement was all that remained to decide, Biden quipped: \"As my mother would say, \'God love her.\'\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, he indicated that he is in no hurry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There\'s too many other things we have to finish in the near term before I start a campaign,\" he said. \"I\'ve got other things to finish before I get into a full-blown campaign.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked by ABC whether his age is part of his calculation on whether or not to run, Biden said: \"No. But it\'s legitimate for people to raise issues about my age. It\'s totally legitimate to do that.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The only thing I can say is \'watch me,\'\" he added, referring to his record in office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term. Earlier this month, an extensive medical test found him to be \"healthy, vigorous\" and \"fit to successfully execute the duties of the president.\" 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, '2023-02-25 04:17:49', '2023-02-25 04:17:49'),
(5415, 5415, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Centurion Joe Root was left unbeaten as England declared their first innings and made a double breakthrough to take command of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Root struck Matt Henry for four to reach 153 before England captain Ben Stokes called the innings over at 435-8, leaving his bowlers about half an hour to attack the Black Caps before lunch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They did so to lethal effect, with veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson (2-9) obtaining thin edges from Devon Conway (0) and Kane Williamson (4) to leave the hosts languishing at 12-2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anderson, reinstated this week to the top of the ICC\'s world Test bowling rankings at the age of 40, has put England on course for a sweep of the two- match series, having won the first Test by 267 runs in Mount Maunganui.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tourists lost five wickets and added a further 122 runs in an</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">entertaining opening session at the Basin Reserve after resuming at 315-3.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harry Brook fell in the third over for 186, having added just two to his overnight score.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His blazing knock formed part of a 302-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Root, the second highest in all their Tests against New Zealand and having rescued England from 21-3 early on day one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Root was unperturbed, advancing from his overnight 101 to surpass 150 for the 14th time in his career.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His innings was a mainstay, with his middle and lower-order partners prepared to throw their bat at the other end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stokes scored 27 off 28 balls while Stuart Broad (14) and Ollie Robinson (18) offered late runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Root struck 10 fours and three sixes, including a reverse ramp shot that cleared the boundary rope off the fourth ball he faced on Saturday, from Tim Southee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seamer Matt Henry took the key wicket of Brook, holding onto a sharp caught- and-bowled chance, to return New Zealand\'s best bowling figures of 4-100. 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, '2023-02-25 04:23:33', '2023-02-25 04:23:33'),
(5416, 5416, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">World landmarks were lit up in the colors of Ukraine’s national flag as people across the globe threw their support behind the country Friday on the anniversary of Russia\'s full-scale invasion.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House gleamed in yellow and blue in solemn remembrance of the outbreak of the war on Feb. 24, 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conflict has affected economies worldwide, bringing shortages of energy, grain and fertilizer, and the date drew people to peace rallies and other events in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, as well as Europe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the memorials, stunts and ceremonies, a wrecked Russian tank was put on display in Berlin, a bloody cake with a skull on top of it was left in a Belgrade street, Ukraine’s flag was held aloft amid tears in the sizzling Bangkok sun, and Japanese monks prayed for the dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A rusting T-72 tank was placed outside the prominent Russian Embassy building on the German capital’s Unter den Linden boulevard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tank was struck in the Kyiv region in the early stages of the war. It was taken to Berlin by a private group, which said that the Ukrainian defense ministry’s Military History Museum had loaned it. Destroyed Russian armor litters parts of Ukraine after months of battlefield setbacks for the Kremlin’s forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The whole world should see that there are many people in Germany who stand behind Ukraine, so that’s why we’re putting the Russians’ scrap tank in front of their door,” said Wieland Giebel of the Berlin Story group, who was one of the exhibit’s organizers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Serbia, whose government has maintained friendly relations with Russia and has refused to join Western sanctions designed to punish Moscow for its invasion, police moved in to stop a group of anti-war activists from reaching the Russian Embassy in the capital, Belgrade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The activists wanted to hand over a demand for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be put on trial for genocide in Ukraine. They left a cake, covered with red icing representing blood and with a skull on top of it, on the pavement near the embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped outside his office at No. 10 Downing Street, joining Ukraine’s ambassador and some Ukrainian soldiers being trained in the United Kingdom for a minute’s silence in commemoration of those killed in the fighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">King Charles III published a message lauding the “remarkable courage and resilience” of the Ukrainian people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A teenage Ukrainian pianist forced to flee her country with her mother when the war broke out gave a solo performance at a shopping mall in the city of Liverpool in northwest England.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alisa Bushuieva, 13, wore a traditional Ukrainian floral headband and dress as she played her country’s national anthem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a convention center in Utrecht, Netherlands, about 2,000 Ukrainian refugees gathered to hear by video link a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and in Brussels hundreds waved the Ukrainian flag and chanted “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In northern Europe, people placed candles on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral at a memorial event for Ukraine war victims, and in southern Europe peace quotations printed on jute bags were displayed in Rome as part of an installation by Italian artist Gianfranco Meggiato entitled “The Meeting: The Symbol of Peace.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Poland, thousands of Poles, Ukrainians and Belarusians gathered before Russia’s embassy in Warsaw to protest. They held national flags and signs with the name of Ukrainians killed in the war written on them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Marchers in Bulgaria’s capital of Sofia waved Ukrainian flags and carried banners that read: “Ukraine will win” and “No to Russian terror.\" They were joined by some of the 50,000 Ukrainian refugees that found shelter in Bulgaria over the past year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow planned no special events for Friday, as most Russians took a nationwide day off amid an extended public holiday. As part of authorities’ relentless effort to prevent any sign of dissent, police in some areas visited activists’ homes to warn them against trying to stage any demonstrations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainians living in Brazil protested outside the Russian Consulate in Sao Paulo, with one sign comparing Putin to Adolf Hitler.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainians in Lebanon chanted slogans during a Beirut rally and held up signs saying, “Stand strong with Ukraine” and “No terrorism.” Ukrainians and their supporters also marked the anniversary in Tel Aviv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Georgia, thousands of people marched through the streets of Tbilisi, the country\'s capital, chanting “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think that Georgians should support Ukraine, because Ukraine is fighting for us, too. Ukraine’s victory means our victory,\" said Tsira Zhvania, a student who joined the rally in Tbilisi on Friday. “Unlike the Georgian government, Georgian people should stand with the people of Ukraine.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dozens of South Koreans and Ukrainian expatriates gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Seoul. They held candles and banners demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 1,000 people protested in Tokyo’s Hibiya Park, holding banners that said: “Russia, stop invading Ukraine.” Outside the city’s United Nations’ University, demonstrators held a candlelight vigil, and at Zenkoji temple in Nagano in central Japan, about 30 monks prayed for the lives lost in the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">People also placed flowers outside the Ukrainian consulate in Bali, Indonesia, in tribute to those killed in the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainians living in Thailand gathered outside their embassy in Bangkok. About 50 people, many wearing their national colors, sang the national anthem as an embassy official raised the flag. Several wept during a speech by the embassy’s charge d’affaires, in which he urged them to stay strong.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iliana Martsenyak, originally from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which has been pummeled by Russian barrages, wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke of how the anniversary made her feel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Honestly, I cannot find any words to describe how me and every single Ukrainian feels today because of this absolutely irrational, cruel and awful war that has been brought to our land,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group marched to a nearby city park, holding Ukrainian flags and protest signs aloft. They stopped at the library of Lumpini park, largely in silence as a mother embraced her young daughter and others stared resolutely into the 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, '2023-02-25 05:25:36', '2023-02-25 05:25:36'),
(5417, 5417, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being expected to inaugurate 44 projects during her daylong visit to Gopalganj today.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier is also likely to lay foundation stones of five other projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 44 projects include two rural piped water supply schemes - one at Dumuria union under Tungipara upazila and another one at Ramshil union under Kotalipara upazila, 24 meter RCC girder bridge on Gopalpur UP Office-Kajulia UP via Boraihati Polshair Bazar Road and 99 meter girder bridge on Kushli GC-Dharabashail GC via Mitradanga, Sonakhali Road in Tungipara upazila, four-storey Shuagram Bohumukhi High School at Kotalipara, three-storey girls hostel (100 beds) at Sheikh Hasina Adarsha Degree College at Kotalipara, four-storey academic building of Kotalipara SN Institution, Kotalipara Poura Kitchen Market and Kotalipara Upazila Parishad built Sheikh Russel Library at Bhangarhat Talimpur Telihati High School at Kotalipara upazila, \'Mukta Manch\' on the ancestral home of poet Sukanta Bhattacharya at Kotalipara, flood shelter center at Uttar Kotalipara Rammohon High School at Kotalipara, one-storey commercial building having 10-storey foundation at Boro Bazar in Gopalganj Sadar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister will lay foundation stones of Gopalganj Zilla Tathya Complex Bhaban and Kotalipara Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre under Public Works Department, Radhaganj Union Bhangarhat Bazar Development and Mural Construction on 1971 Liberation War at Koralipara Upazila under Local Government Engineering Department and building Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman\'s mural at 11 union parishads under Kotalipara Upazila Parishad. 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, '2023-02-25 05:30:37', '2023-02-25 05:30:37'),
(5418, 5418, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other Group of Seven leaders adopted a set of additional sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine at an online G-7 summit Friday to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the invasion.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The leaders renewed their commitment to “intensifying our diplomatic, financial and military support for Ukraine, to increasing the costs to Russia and those supporting its war effort,” and countering the negative impact on the rest of the world, especially the most vulnerable people, they said in a statement, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The G-7 countries also affirmed their coordinated action to “further counter Russia\'s capacity to wage its illegal aggression\" and pledged to prevent Russia from obtaining military equipment and technology. They also called on other countries to stop providing military support to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida, as this year’s G-7 president, also announced Japan will impose additional sanctions on Russia, including freezing the assets of some 120 individuals and organizations and banning the export of drones and other materials that can be used for military purposes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In order to absolutely not allow one-sided changes to the status quo, we must firmly carry out support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia to regain peace and international order based on the rule of law,\" Kishida told a news conference before hosting a teleconference with other G-7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“G-7 serves the core of the international commitment to do so,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the summit, Kishida planned to discuss the latest developments in the Russian war on Ukraine and how to support Ukraine\'s recovery and affirm G-7 solidarity for the war-torn country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida noted growing concern about China\'s potential transfer of lethal weapons to Russia, and said that Japan will cooperate with G-7 and other countries to send a “clear message” to third countries to stop supplying weapons to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida also expressed “strong concern” about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement Tuesday that he was suspending Moscow\'s participation in an arms control treaty between Russia and the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Russia\'s nuclear threat is unacceptable, and use of nuclear weapons should never happen,” Kishida, whose electoral constituency is Hiroshima, said at the news conference. “As the world\'s only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, the 77-year history of non-nuclear weapons use should not be tarnished by Russia.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the world observed the one-year anniversary of Russia\'s war on Ukraine, about 1,000 people protested Friday night in Tokyo\'s Hibiya Park, holding banners saying: “Russia, stop invading Ukraine.\" Outside of the United Nations\' University in Tokyo, demonstrators held a candlelight vigil. And at Zenkoji temple in Nagano in central Japan, about 30 monks prayed for the lives lost in the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Top diplomats from Ukraine, the United States, Britain, Sweden, the EU, Lithuania and Sweden at a joint news conference in Tokyo called for solidarity for Ukraine and condemned Russia. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Putin is wrong to accuse NATO of expanding eastward. He said the newest NATO members expanded west by their free will because the West has “a pull” of freedom, liberty and respect for individuals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also Friday, nuclear and security experts on a panel at the non-profit Sasakawa Peace Foundation released recommendations for the Kishida government to initiate discussions at the G-7 Hiroshima summit toward establishing a framework to protect nuclear facilities in conflict areas, in response to Russia\'s repeated attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Due to its pacifist principles, Japan\'s support for Ukraine has been limited to non-combative military equipment such as helmets, bulletproof vests and drones, and humanitarian supplies including generators.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida is the only G-7 leader who has not visited Ukraine. Pressure is mounting at home for Kishida to visit Kyiv before he hosts the G-7 summit in Hiroshima. Asked about a possible visit, Kishida said he is “considering” a visit, taking into consideration ways to ensure safety and secrecy, but nothing official has been decided.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan has joined the United States and European nations in sanctioning Russia over its invasion and providing humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine. Japan was quick to react because it fears the possible impact of a war in East Asia, where China’s military has grown increasingly assertive and has escalated tensions around self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida at the online G-7 also explained Japan’s support for Ukraine. That includes a new $5.5 billion in financial aid, which Kishida unveiled Monday, bringing total Japanese support for Ukraine to more than $7 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan has also accepted more than 2,000 displaced Ukrainians and helped them with housing assistance and support for jobs and education — a rare move for a country that is known for its strict immigration policy. 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, '2023-02-25 06:14:13', '2023-02-25 06:14:13');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5419, 5419, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Pentagon announced a new package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine on Friday, marking the first anniversary of Russia\'s invasion with a $2 billion commitment to send more rounds of ammunition and a variety of small, high-tech drones into the fight.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The announcement comes just days after President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and pledged America\'s continuing commitment to Ukraine. Biden told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people that \"Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement Friday, the Pentagon said the aid includes weapons to counter Russia\'s unmanned systems and several types of drones, including the upgraded Switchblade 600 Kamikaze drone, as well as electronic warfare detection equipment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also includes money for additional ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, artillery rounds and munitions for laser-guided rocket systems. But, in an unusual move, the Pentagon provided no details on how many rounds of any kind will be bought. Including this latest package, the U.S. has now committed more than $32 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia\'s invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the first anniversary of Russia\'s invasion is a chance for all who believe in freedom “to recommit ourselves to supporting Ukraine’s brave defenders for the long haul — and to recall that the stakes of Russia’s war stretch far beyond Ukraine.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden was scheduled to meet virtually Friday with other Group of Seven leaders and Zelenskyy “to continue coordinating our efforts to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its war,” the White House said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those efforts include what the White House called “sweeping” sanctions on over 200 people and entities “to further degrade Russia’s economy and diminish its ability to wage war against Ukraine.” The Biden administration will also further restrict exports to Russia and raise tariffs on some Russian products imported to the U.S.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The White House statement released Friday also said, “G7 countries will continue to keep Russia’s sovereign assets immobilized until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just days after Austin traveled to Kyiv in April 2022 to meet with Zelenskyy, he launched a now-monthly meeting of ministers of defense and defense chiefs to make sure momentum on assisting Ukraine does not fade. The most recent meeting was last week in Brussels, and over the past year the sessions have resulted in regular announcements by international partners of increasingly lethal weapons systems to help Ukraine defend itself.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That effort also spawned a spin-off group of the chief weapons buyers for each partner nation. They now meet regularly to address the pressure that support for Ukraine has put on international weapons stockpiles, to make sure equipment continues to flow and manufacturing meets the demands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Allies and partners, said Austin, have committed more than $20 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including tanks, armored vehicles, air-defense systems, artillery systems and weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Difficult times may lie ahead, but let us remain clear-eyed about what is at stake in Ukraine,” Austin said, “to ensure that a world of rules and rights is not replaced by one of tyranny and turmoil.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest aid package uses the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to provide funding for longer-term contracts to buy weapons and equipment. Unlike the presidential drawdown authority that the Pentagon has used repeatedly over the past year to pull weapons from its own stocks and quickly ship them to Ukraine, the USAI-funded equipment could take a year or two to get to the battlefront. As a result, it will do little to help Ukraine prepare for an expected new offensive in the spring.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Pentagon, the money will also buy mine clearing and communications equipment and fund training, maintenance and sustainment for Ukraine’s forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On CNN Thursday night, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Biden and Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine’s request for F-16 fighter jets during the U.S. president’s visit week to Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They’re about to mount a significant counter offense,” Sullivan noted, referring to expectations that Ukraine will mount a spring offensive. “From our perspective, F-16s are not the key capability for that offensive.” He suggested, however, that the F-16 request could be revisited for long-term defense. 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, '2023-02-25 06:20:14', '2023-02-25 06:20:14'),
(5420, 5420, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Peruvian President Dina Boluarte announced Friday the \"definitive recall\" of her ambassador to Mexico, citing the continued support that the North American country has given to deposed president Pedro Castillo.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Peru\'s leftist former president Castillo was impeached and arrested for attempting to dissolve parliament and rule by decree in December, and Boluarte has since seen weeks of anti-government protests across the Andean nation calling for her removal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Castillo\'s ouster was criticized by leftist Latin American allies, including Mexico, which has sparked a diplomatic row.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Friday Boluarte denounced the \"unacceptable\" interference in the \"internal affairs\" of Peru by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I have ordered the definitive recall of our ambassador to Mexico,\" Boluarte said in a televised address.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In this way, diplomatic relations between Peru and Mexico are formally reduced to the level of charge d\'affaires.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Her announcement comes the same day Lopez Obrador reiterated that \"Mexico will continue to support (Castillo) who was unjustly and illegally removed from office\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I strongly reject the remarks made today by the president of Mexico on Peru\'s internal affairs and his repeated unacceptable questioning of the constitutional and democratic origins of my government,\" Boluarte said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that Lopez Obrador has \"decided to support the coup d\'etat carried out by the now former president Pedro Castillo on December 7, 2022\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lopez Obrador has been one of Castillo\'s most fervent foreign supporters, along with the fellow leftist leaders of Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Peru had already expelled the Mexican ambassador at the end of December, after Mexico granted political asylum to Castillo\'s wife and two sons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 48 people have died in clashes between security forces and protesters since unrest broke out on December 7, following his impeachment and arrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The demonstrations are driven by poor southern, Indigenous Peruvians who perceive Castillo -- who is also from humble origins and has Indigenous roots -- as an ally in their fight against poverty, racism and inequality. 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, '2023-02-25 07:23:02', '2023-02-25 07:23:02'),
(5421, 5421, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ram Charan, who is currently in the US with director SS Rajamouli, revealed that he would love to perform the RRR song Naatu Naatu at the Oscars ceremony on March 12, 2023. The Telugu song, composed by MM Keeravaani and written by Chandrabose, is nominated for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards. It is nominated alongside songs by Rihanna, Lady Gaga and songwriter Diane Warren.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Academy recently confirmed that Rihanna would be performing her Oscar-nominated song Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. On Friday, it was shared that Sofia Carson would be joining Diane to perform the other nominated song Applause from the film Tell It Like a Woman. Academy CEO Bill Kramer had said on the Best in Show podcast that he was trying to work it out to make sure the Best Original Song performers would be up on stage during the live awards show.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to cinephile social platform Letterboxd, Ram said, “We would love to do ‘Naatu Naatu’ anywhere that we are being appreciated, but not every place accommodates us to perform. But if we’re at the Oscars and there’s a request, and there’s time, why not? We’ll be more than happy to entertain our audience, who have given us so much. To do the whole number on the stage would be difficult, as it takes a lot of breath and energy. But definitely the hook step. Why not!”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the film, Ram and his co-star Jr NTR dazzle a mostly British crowd with their dancing skills. Naatu Naatu has already won the Best Original Song award at the 80th Golden Globe Awards. Choreographed by Prem Rakshith, the song was filmed in Ukraine, at the Mariinskyi Palace (Ukraine Presidential Palace) in Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the Golden Globes, Ram had spoken with Variety on the red carpet about the shooting of the track. He had said, \"My knees still wobble talking about it. Ya, it was what it is, it is a beautiful torture and look where it got us! We are standing here, talking to you today on this carpet, thanks to it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The RRR team is expected to attend the Oscars ceremony next month and walk the red carpet. On Friday, RRR picked four awards at the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards, including Best Original song. 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, '2023-02-25 07:27:35', '2023-02-25 07:27:35'),
(5422, 5422, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Local leaders in Patuakhali said that police prevented BNP’s road march programme — to press home demands including resignation of the government, addressing price hike of daily essentials, and release of BNP leaders and activists in jail on “false” cases.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaders and activists of BNP gathered in front of its Patuakhali district unit office with processions to join the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When they started their road march programme at 10 am, police obstructed them, they said. A scuffle took place among the leaders and activists of BNP and police, leaving six people including district unit Chhatra Dal President Ujjal Talukdar injured, said Snehangshu Sarkar, member secretary of district unit BNP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional police have been deployed at the BNP office. 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, '2023-02-25 08:18:02', '2023-02-25 08:18:02'),
(5423, 5423, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Centurion Joe Root was left unbeaten as England declared their first innings and made a double breakthrough to take command of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Root struck Matt Henry for four to reach 153 before England captain Ben Stokes called the innings over at 435-8, leaving his bowlers about half an hour to attack the Black Caps before lunch.</div><div><br></div><div>They did so to lethal effect, with veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson (2-9) obtaining thin edges from Devon Conway (0) and Kane Williamson (4) to leave the hosts languishing at 12-2.</div><div><br></div><div>Anderson, reinstated this week to the top of the ICC\'s world Test bowling rankings at the age of 40, has put England on course for a sweep of the two-match series, having won the first Test by 267 runs in Mount Maunganui.</div><div><br></div><div>The tourists lost five wickets and added a further 122 runs in an entertaining opening session at the Basin Reserve after resuming at 315-3.</div><div><br></div><div>Harry Brook fell in the third over for 186, having added just two to his overnight score.</div><div><br></div><div>His blazing knock formed part of a 302-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Root, the second highest in all their Tests against New Zealand and having rescued England from 21-3 early on day one.</div><div><br></div><div>Root was unperturbed, advancing from his overnight 101 to surpass 150 for the 14th time in his career.</div><div><br></div><div>His innings was a mainstay, with his middle and lower-order partners prepared to throw their bat at the other end.</div><div><br></div><div>Stokes scored 27 off 28 balls while Stuart Broad (14) and Ollie Robinson (18) offered late runs.</div><div><br></div><div>Root struck 10 fours and three sixes, including a reverse ramp shot that cleared the boundary rope off the fourth ball he faced on Saturday, from Tim Southee.</div><div><br></div><div>Seamer Matt Henry took the key wicket of Brook, holding onto a sharp caught-and-bowled chance, to return New Zealand\'s best bowling figures of 4-100. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 09:13:00', '2023-02-25 09:13:00'),
(5424, 5424, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A speeding passenger bus rammed into a van on a motorway in eastern Pakistan, killing 13 people and injuring several others, a police spokesman said Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The accident happened overnight in Rahim Yar Khan, a district in Punjab province, according to Mohammad Awais, a district police spokesman. He said the dead and injured had all been moved to a hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Awais provided no further details, saying officers were still investigating the cause.</div><div><br></div><div>Traffic accidents in Pakistan generally happen due to traffic rules violations, resulting in thousands of deaths or injuries every year. Last month, a bus crashed into a pillar and fell off a bridge, catching fire and killing 40 passengers in the southern district of Lasbela. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 09:42:16', '2023-02-25 09:42:16'),
(5425, 5425, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Asserting that her government will continue its drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the people to remain vigilant.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Our drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption will be continued. All of you must remain cautious regarding this matter,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister was addressing a huge public rally at TT High School ground at Bhangar Haat in Kotalipara upazila here.</div><div><br></div><div>She also asked all guardians to remain alert so that their children don\'t get involved with drugs and militancy.</div><div><br></div><div>With Kotalipara upazila unit AL president Bhabendra Nath Biswas in the chair the rally was addressed among others by AL presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim And AL general secretary Obaidul Quader.</div><div><br></div><div>Kotalipara upazila unit AL Aynal Hossain conducted the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the PM inaugurated 43 development projects and laid foundation stones of another five in Kotalipara. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 10:49:47', '2023-02-25 10:49:47'),
(5426, 5426, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Police detained Saturday some 25 BNP activists and leaders, including a central leader, on charges of attempts to carry out subversive activities and chaos following a road march in Bagerhat district.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>BNP, however, claimed that police held at least 40 leaders and activists from different areas after a “peaceful” road march in the district.</div><div><br></div><div>The detainees included central assistant publicity secretary Shamimur Rahman Shamim, district unit BNP’s former president MA Salam, its incumbent convener ATM Akram Hossain Selim Talim, and another leader Ali Robi, among others.</div><div><br></div><div>Protesting the detainment and obstruction to their programme, BNP central committee Education Affairs Secretary ABM Dr Obaidul Islam at an instant press conference at Bagerhat Press Club around 11am alleged that at least 40 BNP men were detained centring the road march over several demands including resignation of the government and controlling price hike of essentials.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also announced a programme to be observed at each police station in all metropolitan cities on March 4, protesting the obstruction and detention of their party members across the country today.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Asaduzzaman, superintendent of police in the district, said they apprehended some 20 to 25 BNP men after receiving information that the party men were hatching plans to carry out subversive activities and disorder in the name of the road march, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Verification was going on about the detainees and legal actions will be taken in this connection later, the SP said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 11:21:22', '2023-02-25 11:21:22'),
(5427, 5427, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 73rd Berlinale film festival awards its top prizes on Saturday, including the Golden Bear for best picture, after a star-studded edition that highlighted freedom struggles in Ukraine and Iran.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>After two years of a reduced format due to pandemic restrictions, the 11-day festival was back in full swing this year, with A-listers such as Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren and Steven Spielberg walking on the red carpet.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The Berlinale has come back with a vengeance, and added something that it wasn\'t especially known for in its pre-pandemic days: star power,\" said Variety magazine.</div><div><br></div><div>The festival reached peak celebrity on Tuesday when U2 frontman Bono – in town to premiere the documentary \"Kiss the Future\" -- presented Spielberg with an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement.</div><div><br></div><div>The Berlinale, which ranks along with Cannes and Venice among Europe\'s top cinema showcases, marked the first anniversary of Russia\'s invasion of Ukraine with a focus on Ukrainian cinema.</div><div><br></div><div>President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is the subject of a documentary premiered at the event by two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn, addressed the opening ceremony via video link.</div><div><br></div><div>The festival, which traditionally has the strongest political focus of the three big European cinema showcases, also highlighted anti-government protests in Iran with new feature films and documentaries.</div><div><br></div><div>- Continent-spanning love story -</div><div><br></div><div>There are 19 films from around the world vying for this year\'s Golden Bear, which will be awarded at a gala ceremony by a jury led by Hollywood star Kristen Stewart, at 32 the youngest president in the festival\'s history.</div><div><br></div><div>Several films from Asian directors are among the top contenders, including \"Past Lives\", a continent-spanning love story by Korean-Canadian first-time filmmaker Celine Song.</div><div><br></div><div>Critics lavished praise on the film, already a breakout hit at last month\'s US film festival Sundance.</div><div><br></div><div>The Hollywood Reporter called it a \"remarkably assured debut\", while Deadline said Song had created \"an elegant and unexpectedly mesmerising character piece that speaks profoundly to the concept of love in the modern age\".</div><div><br></div><div>Also in the running is Makoto Shinkai\'s \"Suzume\", the first Japanese anime to compete for the Golden Bear since Hayao Miyazaki\'s \"Spirited Away\" won the prize in 2002.</div><div><br></div><div>It follows 17-year-old schoolgirl Suzume as she finds herself caught up in a mission to close a series of magical doors in a bid to prevent earthquakes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Although one might feel weary in advance to hear \'Suzume\' is yet another anime in which a young person is enlisted into a struggle to save their family/hometown/Japan/the world, this one\'s a keeper,\" the Hollywood Reporter said.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Joyous and exhausting\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Chinese director Liu Jian also premiered an animated film at the festival, the semi-autobiographical \"Art College 1994\".</div><div><br></div><div>Screen Daily said it \"evokes a specific time and a place so vividly that you can almost taste the stale cigarette smoke and cheap beer\".</div><div><br></div><div>Critics were also impressed by \"20,000 Species of Bees\", the fictional feature debut from Spanish director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren which tells the story of an eight-year-old transgender girl.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Arthouse audiences worldwide should respond to the pathos, breadth and humanity of a film that takes a while to build but, when it does, never loses its grip,\" said Screen Daily.</div><div><br></div><div>Another Spanish-language family drama, Mexican director Lila Aviles\' \"Totem\", also emerged as a highlight.</div><div><br></div><div>The Hollywood Reporter said it was as \"noisy, joyous and as exhausting as the multi-generational bash at the heart of its story\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"Afire\" from German director Christian Petzold, about a group of friends whose holiday retreat to the Baltic coast goes horribly wrong, also won praise.</div><div><br></div><div>Variety called it \"wincingly well-observed and acidly funny\", while the Hollywood Reporter said it was \"a deceptively simple and straightforward but emotionally layered film\".</div><div><br></div><div>Last year, Spanish director Carla Simon won the Golden Bear for \"Alcarras\", a Catalan drama about a family of peach farmers. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 12:17:27', '2023-02-25 12:17:27'),
(5428, 5428, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President M Abdul Hamid today asked all concerned, including university authorities, to remain alert against corruption and nepotism.</span><br></b></div><div><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div>\"Corruption is one of the major barriers to country\'s overall development and progress... So, everyone should be aware against corrupt practices,\" he told the \'Sixth Convocation-2023\' of Jahangirnagar University (JU), Savar, on the outskirts of the capital this afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The President, also the university chancellor, added: \"Recently, many negative new reports were published on the recruitment and tender business in different universities... Stay away from the corruption and nepotism.\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Chief Justice of Bangladesh Justice Hasan Foez Siddique spoke as the convocation speaker at the sixth convocation of JU.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The President also called upon the teachers and students to do politics staying above the party affiliation and maintaining a healthy academic environment on campuses.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"The vice-chancellor, the teachers and the students use to practice the freedom of thought. They also do practice and actively participate in politics but a fair and clean politics is expected,\" said the chancellor.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"Beyond the studies, you can involve yourself in various co-curricular activities such as politics, social service and cultural acts. But there is no compromise with the education,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Expressing grave concern over the world-ranking as no Bangladeshi university was found even among the first 1,000 universities in the ranking, the President said only certificate-based education cannot bring development for the country and its people.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"And institutional education would be fruitful if it can be linked with real life,\" the Head of the State observed.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Abdul Hamid told the vice-chancellor and teachers that the teaching and research activities are their main and most important responsibilities while the foremost duty of a student is to study and acquire knowledge.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>President Hamid called for taking pragmatic steps to improve the quality of education.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"The youth society must achieve self-reliance in the field of science and technology... It requires continuous research in the respective fields,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Addressing the graduates and students, the President said every student should be educated in ethics, values, patriotism and nationalism along with academic education.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Abdul Hamid stressed on the development and positive change of the country to make every university world-class for the proper care of the talented youths.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Advising the graduates to play a positive role in the welfare of the country and nation, the President said, \"Not only individuals, the families, the society and the national development should also be focused.\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>President Hamid told the businessmen that even businessmen are busy to become rich ignoring the ethics and morality after starting a business.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Giant business and industrialists take loans from various financial institutions to become loan defaulters willingly,\" he added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>He said entering the job, a section of service holders remains busy to earn money, own a car and house and they even do not hesitate to compromise with the interests of the country and the nation.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"The graduates will work as diligent citizens to make the country a happy and prosperous \'Golden Bangla\' envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu as well as a developed and \"Smart Bangladesh\", the chancellor hoped.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>As many as 15,219 students participated in the programme and of those, the President awarded 16 students with gold medals in three categories in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Of the total participants, 11,444 have completed regular graduation and post-graduation, 3,461 have completed weekend program, 34 have completed M Phil degree and 280 have completed Ph.D.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Members of Parliament, JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md Nurul Alam, Pro-VC Professor Sheikh Md Manjurul Haque, Treasurer Professor Dr. Rasheda Akhtar, Registrar Rahima Kaniz and deans of respective faculties, among others, were present. Accrding to BSS reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 15:37:35', '2023-02-25 15:37:35'),
(5429, 5429, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The first 2,000 suspected gang members in El Salvador have been moved to a huge new prison, the centrepiece of President Nayib Bukele\'s self-declared war on crime.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Tens of thousands of suspected gangsters have been rounded up in the country under a state of emergency following a spike in murders and other violent crime.</div><div><br></div><div>The jail will eventually hold more than 40,000 people.</div><div><br></div><div>Pictures show the first massive group of inmates - tattooed and barefoot - being led led to the facility.</div><div><br></div><div>The prisoners are left sitting on the floor with their hands behind their shaven heads, stacked closely together, before being taken to their cells.</div><div><br></div><div>President Bukele tweeted that the first 2,000 people were transferred \"at dawn, in a single operation\" to the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism, which he says is the largest jail in the Americas.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This will be their new house, where they will live for decades, all mixed, unable to do any further harm to the population.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The mega-prison - in Tecoluca, 74 kilometers (46 miles) southeast of the capital San Salvador- comprises eight buildings. Each has 32 cells of about 100 square meters (1,075 square feet) to hold \"more than 100\" prisoners, the government says.</div><div><br></div><div>The cells only have two sinks and two toilets each.</div><div>President Bukele declared a \"war on gangs\" last March, passing emergency measures which have been extended several times.</div><div><br></div><div>The emergency measures have been controversial as they limit some constitutional rights, such as allowing the security forces to arrest suspects without a warrant.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 64,000 suspects have been arrested in the anti-crime drive.</div><div><br></div><div>Human rights organisations have argued that innocent people have been caught up in the policy, but Bukele\'s anti-gang push remains popular with Salvadorans. Source: BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 16:07:58', '2023-02-25 16:07:58'),
(5430, 5430, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed Friday to do everything to defeat Russia this year, as the first Leopard tanks arrived in Ukraine on the anniversary of Europe\'s largest conflict since World War II.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Street protests took place in many European capitals against the Russian action in Ukraine, to mark the anniversary, and fresh US sanctions targeted Russian banks, military industry and semiconductor access.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile the Group of Seven industrialised nations threatened embargo busters with \"severe costs\".</div><div><br></div><div>Poland sent the German-made tanks to help Ukraine repel Russian troops and send a \"clear and measurable signal of further support\", said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who was visiting Kyiv.</div><div><br></div><div>Poland will send more tanks soon, Morawiecki said, also offering to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F16 jets, as Western allies underlined their unwavering support.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia remained defiant, former president Dmitry Medvedev insisting that his country was ready to push its offensive \"to the borders of Poland\".</div><div><br></div><div>Tensions were also building on Ukraine\'s border with Moldova, as Moscow claimed Kyiv was plotting to invade the breakaway region of Transnistria and promised to respond. Moldova denied any threat from Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Zelensky said he was planning to meet China\'s President Xi Jinping after the release of Beijing\'s 12-point position paper Friday, which included a call for peace talks and for the respect of all territorial sovereignty.</div><div><br></div><div>Zelensky noted that Beijing\'s paper appeared to show \"there is respect for our territorial integrity, security issues\".</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier Friday, he said in a statement that Ukraine \"will do everything to gain victory this year\".</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Spirit is strong\' -</div><div><br></div><div>A year ago to the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin stunned the world by sending troops across the border, a move seen as punishment for Kyiv\'s pivot to the West.</div><div><br></div><div>The war has devastated swathes of Ukraine, displaced millions, turned Russia into a pariah in the West and, according to Western sources, caused more than 150,000 casualties on each side.</div><div><br></div><div>Demonstrators protesting Moscow\'s aggression marched in cities across Europe to mark the invasion anniversary.</div><div><br></div><div>In Berlin, activists placed a Russian tank wreck in front of the Russian embassy.</div><div><br></div><div>Crowds fell silent for a minute from Tallinn to London while key buildings across Europe were draped or lit up in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag.</div><div><br></div><div>A year ago, Russian troops sought to rapidly install a pro-Moscow regime in Ukraine but failed to conquer Kyiv and subsequently suffered defeats in northeastern and southern Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Since October, Russia has pummelled Ukraine\'s energy infrastructure, causing power shortages for millions over winter.</div><div><br></div><div>In a recent Ukrainian poll, nearly one in five said they had lost a loved one in the war.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the daily trials, many Ukrainians refuse to be cowed.</div><div><br></div><div>In Bucha, where Russia has been accused of widespread atrocities, 64-year-old Galyna Gamulets recalled coming under fire from Russian troops for \"more than two weeks\".</div><div><br></div><div>She voiced pride in her nation and said that \"we will succeed\" in repelling the invaders.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Living hell\' -</div><div><br></div><div>The West, which has imposed increasingly stringent sanctions on Russia and boosted humanitarian aid and arms supplies for Ukraine, unveiled more help on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States announced sweeping sanctions aimed not just at Russia but also \"over 200 individuals and entities\" across Europe, Asia and the Middle East supporting Moscow\'s war.</div><div><br></div><div>After a video-call, G7 allies warned that \"third-countries or other international actors who seek to evade or undermine our measures\" must \"cease providing material support to Russia\'s war, or face severe costs\".</div><div><br></div><div>The new aid package from Washington came days after President Joe Biden arrived in Kyiv on a historic visit and pledged new arms deliveries.</div><div><br></div><div>Along with contributions from Sweden and Portugal, Germany said it had managed to cobble together a battalion of modern Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>The World Bank announced an extra $2.5 billion for Ukraine Friday, to support essential services and core government functions.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, after a minute\'s silence at the UN Security Council, Guterres denounced Russia\'s military action, saying it had made life for Ukrainians a \"living hell\".</div><div><br></div><div>Russia\'s invasion was \"a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>- China\'s position paper -</div><div><br></div><div>Key players China and India abstained from Thursday\'s UN vote.</div><div><br></div><div>China has sought to position itself as a neutral party while maintaining close ties with Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to Beijing\'s new position paper, Moscow said it \"highly values\" China\'s contribution but insisted that any conflict settlement must recognise Russia\'s control over four Ukrainian regions it annexed.</div><div><br></div><div>Western countries gave China\'s plan a muted reception. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said it was \"still doubtful\" Beijing sincerely wanted to play a constructive role in seeking peace.</div><div><br></div><div>NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Beijing simply \"doesn\'t have much credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine\".</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations on Friday welcomed China\'s position paper on Ukraine as an important contribution.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I think the call on the need to avoid the use of nuclear weapons is particularly important,\" Antonio Guterres\'s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.</div><div><br></div><div>-\'Miracles happen\'-</div><div><br></div><div>On the frontline in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv troops\' morale remained high.</div><div><br></div><div>\"God is helping us. Nobody thought that Ukraine would hold,\" said a soldier who goes by the call sign \"Cook\" in the eastern region of Donetsk. \"I know that miracles happen,\"</div><div><br></div><div>Despite military setbacks and sanctions, Putin, 70, has refused to back down, accusing the West of supporting neo-Nazi forces and claiming Russia\'s survival was at stake.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are protecting people\'s lives, our native home,\" Putin said in his state of the nation address on Tuesday. \"And the goal of the West is endless power.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Putin\'s assault on Ukraine and mobilisation of reservists have sparked what might be Russia\'s largest mass exodus since the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.</div><div><br></div><div>But with television propaganda in overdrive, many Russians have rallied behind Putin despite economic trouble and multiplying casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The country is really changing for the better,\" said Lyubov Yudina, a 48-year-old security guard in Moscow.</div><div><br></div><div>But Ruslan Melnikov, a 28-year-old teacher, was dejected. \"I don\'t see any future now.\" Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 16:15:24', '2023-02-25 16:15:24'),
(5431, 5431, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement, the BNP and its associate bodies and like-minded parties will march in all thanas under their divisional cities on March 4 (next Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The main opposition party announced the fresh programme shortly after the launch of their march in all districts of the country today (Saturday) - which was part of the same series of programmes</div><div><br></div><div>The programme will also protest against the rise in the prices of power, gas and essential items, and pressure the government to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition, essentially to drop the \'false\' cases against her, and now and to accept the party’s 10-point demand.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the party rank and file to make the party’s movement a success with their spontaneous participation, to force the government to accept their 10-point demand and quit.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Standing Committee members and the party’s senior leaders participated in the district-level programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Today\'s nationwide march programme in all districts by the BNP to press home their 10-point demand was observed on Saturday amid clashes and obstruction in nine districts.</div><div><br></div><div>The leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies alleged that the ruling party activists attacked them in Jhalokathi, Nilphamari and Netrokona when they tried to observe their march programme there.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, they said police charged batons on the opposition leaders and activists in Patuakhali while law enforcers opened fire on a procession in Cumilla.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP could not hold the march programme in Bagerhat and Rajbari due to obstructions reportedly by police while the party leaders and activists cut short the programme in Gazipur and Magura in the face of police obstruction.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the party’s march programme was foiled as a crude bomb exploded in front of its office in Natore before the start of the march.</div><div><br></div><div>In his statement, Mirza Fakhrul strongly condemned and protested the incident and said the government was trying to create anarchy by attacking the opposition’s peaceful march programme as it got scared of the ongoing movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that over 100 BNP leaders and activists were injured in attacks by police and ruling party ‘cadres’ on the march programme in different districts.</div><div><br></div><div>From December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement to bring down the government, or at least realise the all-important caretaker or non-party provision ahead of the next election.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme in five areas in the capital since January 28.</div><div><br></div><div>The party also arranged a similar programme in all unions and divisional cities across the country to press home their 10-point demand. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-25 16:34:01', '2023-02-25 16:34:01'),
(5432, 5432, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday unveiled the cover of a book titled \"Bangabandhu Bhalobashar Opor Nam\".</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The book was written by former Chhatra League and Awami League leader late Duranta Biplob.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister\'s Assistant Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas said late Duranta Biplob\'s mother Rokeya Akter Khatun, his brother Durjoy Biplob and sister Shashwati Biplob were present on the occasion at the premier\'s official residence Ganabhaban here.</div><div><br></div><div>Former member of Awami League\'s central Agriculture and Cooperatives affairs sub-committee late Duranta Biplob has written the book on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 09:39:13', '2023-02-26 09:39:13'),
(5433, 5433, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 27 migrants died after their boat sank at dawn off the Italian coastal city of Crotone in the southern region of Calabria, Italian media reported on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>News agency ANSA said at least 30 people were believed to have drowned.</div><div><br></div><div>The search for survivors was continuing, hampered by stormy seas.</div><div>AGI news agency quoted a rescue worker as saying a baby of just a few months old was among the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the migrants\' vessel was overloaded and had split apart because of the violent waves.</div><div><br></div><div>Italian coast guards declined to comment when contacted by AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest such tragedy comes just days after the hard-right government pushed through parliament a controversial new law on rescuing migrants.</div><div><br></div><div>Far-right president Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the post-Fascist Brothers of Italy party, won power in October, partly on a promise to stem the flow of migrants reaching Italian shores.</div><div><br></div><div>The new law forces migrant aid vessels to make just one rescue attempt at a time, which critics say risks increasing the number of drownings in the central Mediterranean.</div><div><br></div><div>The route is considered the most dangerous crossing in the world for people seeking asylum in Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>A large number of people fleeing conflict and poverty for what they hope will be a better life in Europe cross from Africa via Italy. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 10:18:54', '2023-02-26 10:18:54'),
(5434, 5434, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO members of taking part in the Ukraine conflict by donating arms to the country and said the West planned to break up Russia.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"They are sending tens of billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine. This really is participation,\" Putin said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 channel aired on Sunday. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 11:04:42', '2023-02-26 11:04:42'),
(5435, 5435, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least four people were killed and 10 others wounded on Sunday in a bomb blast in Pakistan\'s southwest Balochistan province, the police said, Xinhua reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the police, the blast took place in the Rukni Bazaar, a busy market in the Barkhan district of the province. An explosive device planted in a motorcycle was detonated with a remote-controlled device.</div><div><br></div><div>Police, security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to a nearby hospital. The area has been condoned off by the police.</div><div><br></div><div>Hospital officials feared that the death toll might rise as some of the injured were in critical condition.</div><div><br></div><div>No group claimed the deadly attack yet.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Saturday evening, unknown terrorists attacked a police vehicle with a roadside bomb in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan, killing two policemen and leaving two others injured.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 11:09:20', '2023-02-26 11:09:20'),
(5436, 5436, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The first results are expected later from Nigeria\'s tightest election since the end of military rule in 1999.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>However, following widespread delays and some attacks on polling stations on Saturday, voting has been postponed until Sunday in parts of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>In other areas, voting continued through the night.</div><div>Turnout appears to be high, especially among young people who make up about a third of the 87 million eligible voters.</div><div><br></div><div>This makes it the biggest democratic exercise in Africa.</div><div><br></div><div>The election has seen an unprecedented challenge to the two-party system that has dominated Nigeria for more than two decades. BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 13:13:09', '2023-02-26 13:13:09');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5437, 5437, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government has been trying its best to keep the country\'s economy vibrant even though the world is going through an economic recession.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“When the whole world is passing through a recession caused by the Covid-19, the Ukraine war and others, our effort is to keep our economy vibrant. We’re trying our best to do so,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was addressing a commemorative discussion on the death of her former political adviser Dr SA Malek through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu Parishad arranged the discussion in the city’s Kalabagan area to commemorate its president Dr  Malek, who died on December 06, 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said her government has been building Bangladesh with the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have been able to transform Bangladesh into a developing country. One day this Bangladesh will be built as a developed and prosperous country,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM recalled the contribution of Dr Malek in implementing the ideology of Bangabandhu and spreading the spirit of the Liberation War.</div><div><br></div><div>“He was always very sincere to implement the ideology of Bangabandhu and bear the spirit of the Liberation War,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said Dr Malek is one of thr few persons who played the key role to put forth the ideology of Bangabandhu before the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“He put forth the ideology of the Father of the Nation before the people even amid many adversities,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said Bangabandhu Parishad was formed to protest the assassination of Bangabandhu and raise his ideology before the people after the 1975 15th August carnage.</div><div><br></div><div> \"Dr SA Malek is one of them who played a key role to put forth the ideology of Bangabandhu before the people,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said the late leader played a great role in making the people familiar with the term of \"Second Revolution\" launched by the Father of the Nation.</div><div><br></div><div>She said Dr Malek and former Dhaka City mayor late Mohammad Hanif played the most significant role in electing her the President of Awami League (in 1981) as they created public opinion and took it to the party forum.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said she even scolded Dr  Malek for insisting time and again she became president of the Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Dr Malek is a politically conscious person,  Hasina said he had a role in each of the country\'s democratic and progressive movements, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Recalling the contribution of Dr Malek in the Liberation War, she also said, \"He fought with great bravery in the battlefield during the War of Liberation in 1971 by taking arms.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 13:24:12', '2023-02-26 16:25:12'),
(5438, 5438, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>GE Gas Power, a world leader in natural gas power technology, services and solutions, is focused to generate electricity that is reliable, affordable and sustainable for the people in Bangladesh, said a senior official of the company.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The company is confident that its highly efficient and record setting gas turbine technology is a suitable fit to replace old and inefficient power generation units in Bangladesh, thus offering increased power output with lowest cost of electricity.</div><div><br></div><div>“In Bangladesh, we are offering our latest and most advanced gas turbines that would reduce the overall generation cost to a single digit, despite using imported LNG as fuel”, said Deepesh Nanda, the Chief Executive Officer of GE Gas Power for the South Asia region, in an exclusive interview with UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Also read: National Committee identifies 9 reasons for current power crisis</div><div><br></div><div>He said that Bangladesh has set a target to supply uninterrupted electricity to the people at an affordable cost with highest reliability.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re ready to take the challenge as GE Gas Power’s 9HA.02 gas turbine can generate electricity at more than 64 percent net efficiency in combined-cycle mode while Bangladesh’s average efficiency level is 47 percent”, said the GE top official.</div><div><br></div><div>GE has been engaged in Bangladesh for more than 40 years now and has its presence in most of the gas-based power stations that use GE’s gas turbines and other power generation equipment.</div><div><br></div><div>At present, the portfolio of 38 GE gas turbines is capable of generating more than about 3 GW of electricity.</div><div><br></div><div>Not only as an equipment supplier, but GE Gas Power is also making significant contributions to the country’s power and gas sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>“We invested as an equity partner in the 341 MW Summit Bibiyana power plant, 335 MW Summit Meghnaghat Power Plant and also partnered with other key players in the sector,” Deepesh said.</div><div><br></div><div>GE had invested in Summit’s FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) in Moheshkhali of Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div><br></div><div>“Now we’re planning to increase our presence further across the Bangladesh market through foreign direct investment (FDI) while keeping the focus on transforming the power sector.” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to GE’s own analysis on Bangladesh’s power sector he said that as per our estimates for using HFO (furnace oil) vs. Coal vs. LNG as a fuel in power generation - the cost of electricity by using HFO is Tk 16-15 per kilowatt hour (each unit) while coal costs Tk 12 and gas Tk 9.7 per kWh.</div><div><br></div><div>There is a significant gap between the cost for using HFO and gas.</div><div><br></div><div>“The government did a remarkable job in ensuring energy security and using HFO-based engine plants for power generation”, he said adding that as the fuel prices went up, engine plants saved the day.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the LNG costs $13 per mmbtu under the contracts with Qatar and Oman and by using this LNG to generate electricity the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) would be Tk 9.7 per unit.</div><div><br></div><div>LCOE even accounts for the maintenance cost of the power plant for 22 years and all that cost is included in the current price.</div><div><br></div><div>“And if the fuel price comes down to earlier levels, or if we are using domestic gas then the LCOE will be reduced further.” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the net efficiency of GE’s 9H.02 gas turbine is 64.1 percent in a combined-cycle mode, which means that more than 64 percent of the fuel energy is efficiently converted to electricity using GE’s technology. But it is difficult to change all the plants overnight, he noted.</div><div><br></div><div>“That’s why there should be a long-term plan to replace the old power plants, where the local gas is burnt inefficiently, with new and efficient combined-cycle gas power plants. The focus should be on upgrading the power generation equipment in these older plants”, he mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>“If you take the worst-case scenario of higher fuel prices today, the cost of electricity by using GE’s 9HA gas turbines will be Tk 8.5 to Tk 9 per kWh”, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>That’s almost half of the HFO price. And it is almost 40 percent lesser than coal-based power plants,” the GE top official claimed.</div><div><br></div><div>Deepesh said that GE Gas Power is committed to resolve the energy trilemma in Bangladesh. “The first part of the energy trilemma deals with affordability, the second with fuel security and the third part relates to sustainability”.</div><div><br></div><div>Switching to gas-based power generation from coal reduces carbon-emissions straight by 50 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>GE believes that the accelerated and strategic deployment of gas power and renewables can change the near term trajectory of climate change, enabling substantive reductions is emissions quickly.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This is how, you can take care of the environment, burn fuel efficiently, save money, ensure benefits to the government - as subsidy burden comes down, pass on the lower cost of electricity benefit to the public, and the industry benefits as well – by getting continuous supply of reliable power.” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said if for instance the cost of electricity for the textile units increases in Bangladesh, then other countries in South Asia will become more competitive and that will impact the foreign exchange revenue of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>He further claimed that emerging electricity markets such as Bangladesh which are regulated should always keep the focus on the long-term transformation of the power sector, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is on the right track by signing long-term LNG contract with Qatar. Because in the long term, the price of gas will always be below $10 whereas in the short term there can be spikes in prices, Deepesh said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 13:41:34', '2023-02-26 13:41:34'),
(5439, 5439, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Two siblings were stabbed to death and another was critically injured allegedly by their uncle and cousin in Kachpur area of Narayanganj\'s Sonargaon on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Aslam Sani and his younger brother Shafiqul Islam Rony, sons of late Sanaullah of Panchpara area in Kanchpur union.</div><div><br></div><div>The injured is Rafiqul Islam, another brother of the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday noon, Aslam and his brothers locked into an altercation with his uncle Mohiuddin and his son Mostafa over the renovation work of a drain in front of their house, Nayeem, a relative of the deceased, said.</div><div><br></div><div>At one stage, Mohiuddin and his son Mostafa along with some others attacked Aslam and his brothers with lethal weapons, leaving them critically injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals rescued the injured and rushed them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where Aslam and his younger brother Rafiqul succumbed to their injuries around 2:30pm, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, police visited the spot, said Ahsanullah, inspector (Investigation) of Sonargaon police station, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Police are investigating the matter, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 13:58:27', '2023-02-26 13:58:27'),
(5440, 5440, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a social media campaign titled ‘#Click4Wildlife’ to create mass awareness about wildlife conservation ahead of World Wildlife Day on March 3.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The first of its kind, the online campaign calls for submissions of wildlife photographs in Bangladesh, a selection of which will be displayed in a virtual exhibition hosted by UNDP during the World Wildlife Day.</div><div><br></div><div>“Humans cannot exist without nature, and it is essential for all of us to realise the importance of wildlife conservation,” UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller said.</div><div><br></div><div>“UNDP has long been working to restore and preserve habitats and create enabling environments where nature and humans can co-exist side by side,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>They believe this campaign and exhibition will make people realise the beauty of nature and raise awareness about its conservation.</div><div><br></div><div>The participation process is very simple. Anyone who is interested in participating, will have to post the picture they want to submit publicly on their social media profile on Facebook and Instagram.</div><div><br></div><div>They must use the ‘#Click4Wildlife’ hashtag and tag @UNDPBD (Facebook) or @undpbangladesh (Instagram) in the caption and direct message the post link to either UNDP’s Facebook page or Instagram page to complete the submission.</div><div><br></div><div>The top 20 photographers will be selected from the submissions based on the likes/reactions to their posts.</div><div><br></div><div>The selected photographers will be featured in the virtual exhibition and win digital certificates and goodies from UNDP.</div><div><br></div><div>The deadline for submission and evaluation is 28th February, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 14:39:46', '2023-02-26 14:39:46'),
(5441, 5441, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday he would visit China in April, and urged Beijing to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>China has sought to position itself as a neutral party on the conflict, even as it has maintained close ties with Russia and helped scuttle a joint statement condemning the war at a G20 gathering in India.</div><div><br></div><div>It published a 12-point position paper on Friday that called for urgent peace talks and a \"political settlement\" to end the conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday also expressed hopes to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, calling it \"important for world security\".</div><div><br></div><div>Macron said Saturday he would visit China in \"early April\" and urged Beijing to help \"put pressure\" on Russia to end the war.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The fact that China is engaging in peace efforts is a good thing,\" Macron said on the sidelines of an agricultural show in Paris, in reference to the position paper.</div><div><br></div><div>Peace was only possible if \"Russian aggression was halted, troops withdrawn, and the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine and its people was respected\", he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko would pay a state visit from February 28 to March 2 at Xi\'s invitation.</div><div><br></div><div>A long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko allowed his country to be used as a launchpad for Moscow\'s invasion of its pro-Western ally on February 24 last year.</div><div><br></div><div>Kyiv has expressed concerns that Belarus could again support Moscow in its war effort, with the countries announcing the creation of a joint regional force last October.</div><div><br></div><div>Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang told his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Aleinik that Beijing was willing to work with Minsk to deepen mutual political trust during a phone conversation on Friday, China\'s ministry said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>China would also continue to support Belarus in maintaining national stability and oppose attempts by \"external forces\" to interfere in its internal affairs or impose \"illegal\" unilateral sanctions on Minsk, Qin told Aleinik.</div><div><br></div><div>- Diplomatic rifts exposed -</div><div><br></div><div>The diplomatic rift between Beijing, Moscow and the West was exposed on Saturday as G20 finance ministers failed to adopt a joint statement on the global economy after China sought to water down references to the Ukraine war.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia said the United States, the European Union and the G7 \"destabilised\" the talks in India by trying to impose their \"diktat\".</div><div><br></div><div>The Chinese position paper urged all parties to \"support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible\".</div><div><br></div><div>It also made clear its opposition to the use and threat of deploying nuclear weapons, after Putin threatened to use Moscow\'s atomic arsenal in the conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of Ukraine\'s allies have expressed scepticism at China\'s commitment to brokering peace, nodding to Beijing\'s close ties to Moscow. China has denied a claim by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that it was \"considering providing lethal support\" to Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>Macron urged China \"not to supply any arms to Russia\" and sought Beijing\'s help to \"exert pressure on Russia to ensure it never uses chemical or nuclear weapons and it stops this aggression prior to negotiations\".</div><div><br></div><div>Zelensky did not specify when or where talks with Xi would happen, but expressed hope Friday that China would support a \"just peace\" in Ukraine and that Beijing would not supply weapons to Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>- Spring counter-offensive -</div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday, the deputy chief of Ukrainian military intelligence told a German newspaper group that a fresh push to retake seized territory was planned for spring, adding Kyiv\'s forces would \"not stop until we get our country back to its 1991 borders\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"One of our strategic military objectives is to try to drive a wedge into the Russian front in the south -- between Crimea and Russian territory,\" Vadym Skibitsky said.</div><div><br></div><div>Beyond that, \"the objective of our counter-offensive is to liberate all the occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea\".</div><div><br></div><div>Skibitsky also raised the possibility of future Ukrainian strikes on \"arms depots or military equipment on Russian territory, for example around the city of Belgorod, from where attacks on Ukraine are launched\".</div><div><br></div><div>On the ground, the head of Russia\'s Wagner mercenary group said his forces had captured another village on the outskirts of the frontline city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed the capture of Yagidne, a short distance from central Bakhmut, which has become a key political and symbolic prize in the battle to control the eastern Donbas region. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 15:16:50', '2023-02-26 15:16:50'),
(5442, 5442, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (SG) António Guterres has <b>reaffirmed UN’s continued support to Bangladesh in overcoming unprecedented challenges that may arise out of the ongoing global conflicts and the adverse impact of climate change.</b></span><b><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He made this commitment while meeting Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen at the U N Headquarters in New York on Friday, a press release said here today.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The SG informed that some European Countries namely Latvia, Estonia, Belgium and Netherlands have adequate stockpile of raw materials of fertilizer that Bangladesh may consider to import at an affordable price.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanking Secretary-General, the Foreign Minister assured that Bangladesh will explore the possibility to seize this opportunity.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen applauded the Black Sea Grain initiative that helped countries in need to import fertilizer and cereal to tackle their food crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Appreciating Bangladesh’s extra-ordinary development trajectory under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Guterres wished that Bangladesh would continue to achieve more successes in the coming years, particularity in attaining the SDGs.</div><div><br></div><div>He also admired the continuous leadership of Bangladesh in maintaining the international peace and security as the top troops and police contributing country to the United Nations peacekeeping operations.</div><div><br></div><div>They also discussed the Rohingya crisis and its possible way out in view of the recently adopted Security Council’s Resolution on Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>They underscored the importance of ASEAN’s leadership in resolving the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>The Secretary General highly appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity for sheltering 1.2 million Rohingyas and reiterated UN’s support for returning the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the Foreign Minister held meetings with Csaba Korösi, the President of the General Assembly (PGA), Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary General for Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA) and Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Department of Peace Operations (DPO).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith was present, among others, at those meetings. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 15:23:59', '2023-02-26 15:23:59'),
(5443, 5443, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that this time their party will resist any attempt to hold the next national election under a partisan government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“They (govt) want to hold the polls (national election) as before. They’ll again rig and steal votes like before. But we’ll stand up and resist it. We must do it for the sake of our existence and rights and to protect Bangladesh and its people,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader made the remarks in a brief rally on the premises of Nawabganj Shaheed Minra before the start of a march towards Boxanagar intersection by Dhaka District unit BNP on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said that injustice like depriving people of their voting rights can no longer be tolerated. “We’re repeatedly being attacked and beaten up. We’re not willing to be beaten anymore.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The country’s people will be able to cast their votes freely if the election is held under a neutral government, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“But it doesn’t happen now. They (AL) want to give their votes and also your votes. That\'s why people have started saying that if we had known before, we wouldn\'t have boarded your broken boat.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their party will not have any objection if Awami League comes to power again with people’s votes through a credible election under a neutral government.</div><div><br></div><div>He called upon the government to quit and dissolve the parliament and arrange the election under a non-party caretaker government by accepting BNP’s 10-point demand.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their party together with like-minded opposition parties has launched a simultaneous movement to save the country and its people from the misrule of the Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged young people to come forward and make this movement a success. “All the changes that have taken place in Bangladesh, from the Language Movement to the movement in the 90s and the Liberation War, everything has been done by the young people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said they will establish a government of people by defeating the current ‘monstrous’ regime through a mass upsurge.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader alleged that the current government has destroyed the economy of the country through unbridled plundering and theft.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“They (AL leaders) are getting rich suddenly and making a lot of money by indulging in corruption. The Awami League leaders who had no sandals on their feet, now ride expensive cars and build big houses by sucking the blood and stealing the money from the country’s people.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the government is implementing mega projects in the name of devolvement to plunder public money.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"But development is not benefiting common people. If this government comes again, this country will not exist, the nation will not exist.”</div><div><br></div><div>Later, several thousand leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies took out a silent procession from the Shaheed Minar that ended at the Boxanagar intersection after parading nearly a two-kilometer stretch of the road, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, on Saturday, the party observed a similar programme in all districts, except Dhaka, to press home their party’s 10-point demand.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 15:44:12', '2023-02-26 15:44:12'),
(5444, 5444, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government has taken a pilot programme to provide milk to 300 government primary schools of the country throughout the year so that the students can drink it free of cost during \'Tiffin\' period.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The programme will run under the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) at the initiative of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, an official release said here today.</div><div><br></div><div>Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim inaugurated the \'School Milk Programme\' in a function as the chief guest on Islamia Government Primary School premises in city\'s Tejgaon area today, the release added.</div><div><br></div><div>The programme will start in 50 schools immediately and it will be implemented gradually in other schools within this year.</div><div><br></div><div>In 61 districts, milk will be provided during \'Tiffin\' period to all students from class one to class five of primary schools selected by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.</div><div><br></div><div>Milk will be distributed on the days when the schools remain open. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 15:53:28', '2023-02-26 15:53:28'),
(5445, 5445, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government has been making efforts to create smart athletes to ensure Bangladesh\'s participation in any international sports competition.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We have built digital Bangladesh. Our next target is to transform the country into a Smart Bangladesh which will help generate smart players and thus we will achieve the quality of taking part in any international sports,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said this while formally inaugurating the final phase of Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 at Bangladesh Army Stadium in the capital city this evening.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I believe that the youth games will add a new dimension to the sports arena and work as a platform to generate star players,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said her government has been working to ensure the country\'s socio-economic advancement alongside boosting up excellence of the sports arena.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the youths will get a chance to flourish their talents in various sports by taking part in the youth games. It would inspire the fresher and children to get involved in the sports, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Describing the athletes as the soldiers towards building Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous one by 2041, the Prime Minister wished their every success in the youth games.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP, BOA President and Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed and Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza spoke at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>A video documentary on Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 was screened at the function. At the outset of the programme, the national anthem was also played.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the Prime Minister witnessed a colourful cultural programme marking the grand opening of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The BOA has been organizing Bangladesh Games and Youth Games every four years since 2018. The motto of the Games was to select future players for national teams in various disciplines and to groom up the latent talents of young athletes.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly four thousand athletes will compete for 193 gold, 193 silver and 287 bronze medals in 193 events of twenty four disciplines in the final phase of the second edition of the Youth Games named after Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the inter-upazila first phase of the games was held from January 2-10 last, the inter-district second phase was held from January 16-22 January last. Eight divisions are participating in the final phase in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, both the men\'s and women\'s football competitions of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 held on the opening day of the meet at two city separate venues in the capital. According to BSS reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-26 16:23:12', '2023-02-26 16:23:12'),
(5446, 5446, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rishi Sunak and the European Commission president are due to hold \"final talks\" on a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland on Monday, Downing Street says.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister and Ursula von der Leyen will meet in Berkshire in the afternoon to discuss \"complex challenges\" around the protocol.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK wants to change the current agreement - which sees some goods checked when entering Northern Ireland from the rest of Great Britain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A new deal has been expected for days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab earlier said the UK and EU were \"on the cusp\" of a deal and that the EU had \"moved\" on some issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Downing Street released more details about the talks between Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen, which is set to take place around late lunchtime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If a deal is reached, it would then be announced later on Monday, with the leaders holding a joint press conference after the cabinet has been updated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister would then address the House of Commons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both Tory and Labour MPs have been told by their respective whips to come to Parliament on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Downing Street said: \"The prime minister wants to ensure any deal fixes the practical problems on the ground, ensures trade flows freely within the whole of the UK, safeguards Northern Ireland\'s place in our Union, and returns sovereignty to the people of Northern Ireland.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have been \"hundreds of hours of talks\" during the \"intensive negotiations with the EU\", the spokesperson added, saying \"positive, constructive progress has been made\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed under former PM Boris Johnson as part of the process of the UK leaving the European Union.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It means Northern Ireland has continued to follow some EU laws so that goods can flow freely over the border to the Republic of Ireland without checks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Instead, goods arriving from England, Scotland and Wales are checked when they reach Northern Irish ports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Critics, including Northern Ireland\'s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), feel this undermines the nation\'s position within the rest of the UK as well as impacting trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DUP has complained about what it calls a \"democratic deficit\", with Northern Ireland being subject to EU rules while not having a say on them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party has prevented a Northern Ireland devolved government from forming, leaving it in political gridlock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BBC chief political correspondent Nick Eardley said that while officials had been negotiating over the weekend, leader-level talks were needed to discuss the final details.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sources in government have repeatedly said that not everyone will get everything they want from the deal - but the priority is addressing issues with the protocol and protecting the Good Friday agreement, our correspondent said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is no expectation in Westminster that the DUP will endorse the deal immediately and many believe it will not be enough to tempt them back to Stormont, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some Conservative MPs could also rebel against the government in any vote in Parliament, with Brexiteer Tories wanting lawyers to scrutinise the text.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One Tory told the BBC on Sunday night: \"The bottom line is - if this doesn\'t result in power sharing, it\'s not a worthwhile agreement.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said he had been in contact with Ms von der Leyen on Sunday and \"very much\" welcomed her meeting with Mr Sunak.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He tweeted: \"We should acknowledge the level of engagement between the UK Gov, the European Commission and the NI parties in recent months.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His deputy, Micheal Martin, said there had been \"very significant progress\", adding \"a great effort\" had been made to resolve issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I would hope it can be brought to a conclusion, but that\'s a matter for the UK and EU negotiating teams to call.\" 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, '2023-02-27 03:56:42', '2023-02-27 03:56:42'),
(5447, 5447, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The best way to come back alive is to stay low, hugging the ground, and skimming the treetops. Too low and you can be shot down by machine gun fire - too high and you can be detected by enemy air defence systems.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For helicopter pilots in war-time Ukraine, there is little margin for error.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just ask Roman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has flown countless combat missions for Ukraine\'s Sikorsky Brigade and been decorated for valour. He tells us his age - 34 - but not his last name.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The closer to the target, the lower we fly. It\'s one or two metres above ground,\" he tells the BBC. \"It\'s not enough just to strike the target. You have to come back safe and bring your crew and helicopter back safely for the next mission.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over the past year some of his fellow pilots have not made it back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">We were given rare access to Ukraine\'s war in the skies at an air strip on a patch of open ground. We can\'t say where it is - if Russia could identify the location, it would be a major target.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">We watch Roman take off for his latest sortie on Ukraine\'s eastern front with our camera in the cockpit. His helicopter is followed by two others; their blades slice the air beneath a muddy grey sky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Below them a Ukrainian trench zigzags across the landscape, and a village lays deserted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They speed across a frozen lake as if skating on ice. Half an hour later they return, having unleashed 80 missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Roman comes in to land circling low enough over our heads for us to see him wave from the window. He\'s renowned among fellow airmen in his brigade for executing difficult manoeuvres - a Ukrainian top gun in an ageing Soviet aircraft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His Mi-8 helicopter is about as old as he is, and lacks heavy armour, or modern warning systems about incoming missiles. Every mission could be his last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Of course, there is some risk,\" he says after touching down. \"I just don\'t think about this. If it happens, it will not be my problem, it will be a problem for my relatives\". It sounds like a joke, but his expression is concealed by his balaclava.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will not disclose his target, but chances are it was close to the eastern city of Bakhmut - which the Russians are battling to encircle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was just an ordinary mission. You concentrate 100% on your task,\" he says. \"You think of your guys waiting for you on the ground. They are really striving if they call for aviation.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What he doesn\'t think about is the Russian troops on the receiving end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If they came here with war,\" he tells me, \"we are just protecting our country. We are not aggressors. We are the victim. And if to win this war we should kill Russian soldiers, we are ready to kill them all.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As soon as the helicopters land, maintenance crews converge, refuelling and rearming the aircraft to be ready for the next flight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The missiles are loaded by hand. One is inscribed with a crude message to Russian troops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within minutes Roman has co-ordinates for a new target and is wheels up again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He says Ukraine can\'t win this war with the Soviet equipment it\'s got.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A spokesman for his brigade spells it out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need new helicopters with navigation equipment, high precision weapons and ammunition,\" he tells us. \"We need everything.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Add this to the fighter jets already requested by President Volodymyr Zelensky, and it\'s a long list for what may be a long war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded last year, Roman was part of a Ukrainian peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Now this former peacekeeper sees a danger of endless conflict with Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Just look back at our history,\" he says. \"We have always had problems with our neighbour. When we win this one if they don\'t change, they will come back to attack us again, in years or in decades.\" 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, '2023-02-27 04:12:21', '2023-02-27 04:12:21'),
(5448, 5448, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka once again topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality this morning (Monday, February 27, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 245 at 9:20 am today, Dhaka ranked first among cities with the most polluted air. The air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India’s Delhi and China’s Beijing occupied the second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 221 and 187.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while 201–300 is ‘‘very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 05:12:49', '2023-02-27 05:12:49'),
(5449, 5449, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Andrés Cafiero arrived in Dhaka this morning to inaugurate the South American country’s new embassy here and deepen trade and cultural relations.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen received him at the VIP Lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his arrival in Dhaka.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Argentina is reopening its embassy here after 45 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam will join with the Argentine foreign minister to inaugurate the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Banani this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine embassy in Dhaka was closed in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the country at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomatic operations, such as visas in order to travel, have since been handled by the Argentine embassy in India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Argentina says it is convenient to reopen the embassy in accordance with foreign policy guidelines based on “political, strategic and commercial” reasons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister Momen will have a bilateral meeting with his Argentine counterpart at state guesthouse Jamuna this evening to discuss trade and investment issues. The meeting is likely to begin at 6pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen will also host a dinner in honor of the Argentine foreign minister after the bilateral talks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from reopening the Argentine embassy in Dhaka, Cafiero is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There is also the possibility of signing visa exemption agreements on diplomatic and official passports, MoUs on cooperation in agriculture and diplomatic training academies of the two countries,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters recently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two countries are working on a memorandum of understanding on football related matters as well, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from the import of soybean oil and wheat from Argentina, the two sides are likely to discuss Bangladesh\'s inclusion in South America\'s powerful economic alliance Mercosur.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, is an economic and political bloc originally comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine visiting team is likely to enjoy a friendly match between two teams comprising Bangladesh\'s junior footballers as well as meeting with football officials. 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, '2023-02-27 05:22:33', '2023-02-27 05:22:33');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(5450, 5450, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit Evercare Hospital in the capital on Monday afternoon for health check-ups.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP chief will leave for the hospital around 3 pm, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda, a 77-year-old former prime minister, has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart and eye problems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 10, the BNP chief suffered a heart attack due to a 95 percent block in her left artery and a stent was placed there by removing the blockage at the same hospital the following day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Doctors also found two more blocks in her blood vessels, but they could not remove those due to her health complications.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail as a lower court sentenced her to five years\' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay at her Gulshan house and would not leave the country. 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, '2023-02-27 05:45:01', '2023-02-27 05:45:01'),
(5451, 5451, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and rights groups have called on Bangladesh to “stop harassing” Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam in a public letter issued yesterday.</b></span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The public letter was sent to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and Health Minister Zahid Maleque.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Law Minister Anisul Haq, and Foreign Minister AK&nbsp; Abdul Momen were kept in the CC list.&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The letter was published on the website of CPJ, and it reads: “We, the undersigned press freedom and human rights groups, write to seek your leadership in ensuring an immediate end to the harassment of Bangladeshi journalist and human rights defender Rozina Islam.”</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“Islam’s work, for which she received the United States Department of State’s Anti-Corruption Champions Award in 2022, is a public service, not a crime, and should be protected under Sections 4 and 5 of the Disclosure of Public Interest Information (Protection) Act,” the letter adds.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The public letter urged the authority of Bangladesh to respect and protect the journalist’s human rights, saying, “We urge the authorities to fully respect and protect the human rights of journalist and human rights defender Rozina Islam, including her right to a fair trial, and to immediately cease all forms of judicial harassment against her, facilitating the return of her passport from judicial custody, and ensuring that she is not subjected to further retaliation for her work.”&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The organizations that signed the public letter include Amnesty International, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, Capital Punishment Justice Project, Coalition For Women In Journalism, Committee to Protect Journalists, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma Free Media Movement, Front Line Defenders, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Federation of Journalists, International Women’s Media Foundation, Overseas Press Club of America, Pakistan Press Foundation, PEN America, PEN Bangladesh, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, South Asian Journalists Association, and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). UNB</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 06:01:05', '2023-02-27 06:01:05'),
(5452, 5452, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chinese billionaire Bao Fan is \"cooperating in an investigation\" by authorities, his company said, almost two weeks after his disappearance sparked fears of a renewed crackdown on the nation\'s financial services industry.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The China Renaissance chairman rose to fame as a key player in the emergence of some of the country\'s biggest tech giants, supervising blockbuster IPOs and a landmark merger between major ride-hailing firm Didi and its top competitor at the time, Kuaidi Dache.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His Hong Kong-listed firm said in a filing dated Sunday that it was now \"aware that Mr. Bao is currently cooperating in an investigation being carried out by certain authorities\" in mainland China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Company will duly cooperate and assist with any lawful request from the relevant PRC authorities, if and when made,\" it added, referring to the country by its official name: the People\'s Republic of China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The firm did not provide further details about the nature of the investigation, nor did it reply to an AFP request for comment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shares in the company slumped as much as 50 percent at one point following the February 16 announcement that he was missing, before clawing back to sit at around 30 percent down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While yet to recover from that slump, the firm was up 1.97 percent in early trading on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Powerhouse -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China Renaissance has developed into a global financial institution since its founding in 2005, with more than 700 employees and offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group has supervised the IPOs of several domestic tech giants, including leading e-commerce firm JD.com, as well as the 2015 merger between two of the country\'s top ride-hailing apps.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That same year, Bao appeared on Bloomberg Market\'s 50 Most Influential list, with the financial newswire writing the \"fast-talking\" banker had the ability to \"arrange practically anything in China\'s vibrant tech scene\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But an aggressive crackdown on alleged corruption by President Xi Jinping has since clipped the wings of many of China\'s leading financiers and major tech companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to financial news outlet Caixin, China Renaissance president Cong Lin was taken into custody last September as authorities launched a probe into his work at the financial leasing unit of state-owned bank ICBC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And in 2017, Chinese-Canadian businessman Xiao Jianhua received a 13-year jail sentence under corruption charges last August.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Known to hold close ties to top Chinese Communist Party leaders, the billionaire was reportedly abducted from his Hong Kong hotel room by plainclothes police officers from Beijing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the time of his arrest, Xiao was one of China\'s richest men, with an estimated fortune of $6 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alibaba founder Jack Ma has also seen his fortune fall by around half to an estimated $25 billion after regulators pulled the plug on what would have been the world\'s biggest-ever IPO -- that of fintech giant Ant Group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A reshuffle of Ant\'s shareholding structure announced in January saw Ma, who has since receded from public view, cede control of the megafirm he founded in 2014. 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, '2023-02-27 06:05:26', '2023-02-27 06:05:26'),
(5453, 5453, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United Nations said it needed $4.3 billion this year to help millions of people in war-ravaged Yemen, ahead of a donors\' conference on Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aid agencies need the money to help more than 17 million people in the country, which has been devastated by an eight-year civil war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conflict has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and plunged the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula into one of the world\'s worst humanitarian tragedies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yemen is also at the forefront of the climate crisis, with severe drought and flooding threatening lives, the UN said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It acknowledged that \"record global humanitarian needs are stretching donor support like never before\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But without sustained support for the aid operation in Yemen, the lives of millions of Yemenis will hang in the balance, and efforts to end the conflict once and for all will become even more challenging,\" it said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition intervened to back the government after the Huthis seized control of the capital Sanaa and large swathes of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A truce that began on April 2 last year expired on October 2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN chief Antonio Guterres, who will attend Monday\'s donor conference in Geneva, said the international community had \"the power and the means to end this crisis\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"And it begins by funding our appeal fully and committing to disbursing funds quickly,\" he said in the statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, the UN raised more than $2.2 billion to enable aid agencies to reach nearly 11 million people across the country every month. 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, '2023-02-27 06:08:34', '2023-02-27 06:08:34'),
(5454, 5454, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted off Central Sulawesi province in central Indonesia on Monday morning, the meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency said.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The earthquake happened at 8:26 a.m. local time (0126 GMT) with its epicenter situated at 42 km southeast of Sigi Regency and a depth of 10 km under-land, the agency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;The earthquake did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, it added. 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, '2023-02-27 06:11:42', '2023-02-27 06:11:42'),
(5455, 5455, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Hrithik Roshan was joined by girlfriend Saba Azad at the Mumbai airport on Monday. Before walking towards the airport gate, Hrithik and Saba shared a goodbye kiss inside his car as the paparazzi captured them. Saba was there to see off the actor, who was flying with his team.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The actor-singer also got off the car briefly to give a hug to one of Hrithik\'s team members. A video of Hrithik and Saba from the airport was shared on a paparazzo account on Instagram, with many dropping heart and kiss emojis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hrithik and Saba reportedly began dating early last year. Rumours about Hrithik and Saba\'s relationship had started when they were spotted on a dinner date more than a year ago. Following which, she also joined Hrithik\'s family for a get-together. The rumours came to an end after the two walked hand-in-hand at filmmaker Karan Johar\'s 50th birthday bash in May, last year. Hrithik was previously married to interior designer Sussanne Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a recent interview, Saba Azad had opened up about people talking about her personal life. In an interview with News18, Saba had said about the attention her relationship with Hrithik Roshan gets, “If one was to go to work, anywhere else, to any other field, you go to work, you come back home, nobody is discussing your personal life.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Your personal life is your business. But I find this is one industry where it would be discussed. But having said that, let’s not talk further about it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month, Saba was among the many artists that performed at Lollapalooza, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, in Mumbai. Saba, one half of Mumbai-based band Madboy/Mink, was joined by Hrithik, who came to watch her perform. The actor\'s ex-wife and interior designer Sussanne Khan also attended the music festival along with her boyfriend, actor Arslan Goni.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hrithik\'s son Hridaan Roshan was also present at the festival. Hrithik\'s cousin, budding actor Pashmina Roshan, as well as Saba and Sussanne had shared pictures and videos from the festival on Instagram Stories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saba often accompanies Hrithik for family functions and vacations. They celebrated Christmas 2022 together on a family holiday with Hrithik\'s sons and cousins in Europe. 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, '2023-02-27 06:21:43', '2023-02-27 06:21:43'),
(5456, 5456, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A research team led by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has developed a new device to detect and analyze cancer cells from blood samples, which can help doctors to monitor treatment progress without conducting invasive biopsy surgeries.</b></span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The study, published in Volume 223 of the Biosensors and Bioelectronics journal, displayed a high throughput static droplet microfluidic device with 38,400 chambers.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The device is capable of isolating and classifying the number of metabolically active circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood at single-cell resolution.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Researchers found that the workflow of their newly-designed device is simple and robust, which can eliminate the need for specialized equipment and expertise required for single-cell analysis of CTCs and facilitate on-site metabolic screening of cancer cells.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Our device monitors single cells for increased lactate using pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes that detect acidification around cells,\" Majid Warkiani, coauthor and UTS professor, said in a statement on Monday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"A single tumor cell can exist among billions of blood cells in just one milliliter of blood, making it very difficult to find. The new detection technology has 38,400 chambers capable of isolating and classifying the number of metabolically active tumor cells,\" the expert said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">According to the statement, cancer is a leading cause of illness and death in Australia, with more than 150,000 Australians diagnosed every year. Those with suspected cancer, particularly in organs like the liver, colon or kidney, often require surgery for a definitive diagnosis.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Noting that getting a biopsy can cause discomfort, higher costs and an increased risk of complications due to surgery, Warkiani regarded the assessment of tumor cells in blood samples as \"far less invasive than taking tissue biopsies.\"</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"It allows doctors to do repeat tests and monitor a patient\'s response to treatment,\" he added.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The UTS research team has filed a provisional patent for the static droplet microfluidic device and has plans to commercialize the product. Xinhua</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 06:37:17', '2023-02-27 06:37:17'),
(5457, 5457, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The High Court on Monday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the allegation over purchasing of multiple houses by Awami League MP Abdus Sobhan Mia (Golap)&nbsp; in New York.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after hearing on a writ petition in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court asked the ACC to submit the probe report within four months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court also issued a rule asking why the inaction of the respondents to investigate the allegation against Golap over purchasing multiple houses in New York and acquiring huge illegal property abroad through abusing power should not be declared illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman stood for the writ petition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Syed Sayedul filed the writ petition with the HC bench concerned on Sunday seeking investigation into the alleged purchase of nine houses by MP Golap in New York at a cost of 40 lakh dollar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Election Commissioner, Chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission, Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) and secretary to the Home Ministry were made respondents in the writ petition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A report in this regard was published in a daily newspaper which was attached to the writ.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recently, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalism,&nbsp; published a report on its website where it claimed that AL MP Golap purchased a number of houses in New York at a cost of 40 lakh dollar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the report, Golap started to buy homes in New York from 2014 and in five years, he managed to purchase nine houses. The estimated cost of the houses is approximately Tk 42 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Golap was elected AL MP from Madaripur-3 constituency in 2018 and he was made the publicity secretary of the Central Awami League in December last. He was also served as the office secretary of the party. 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, '2023-02-27 07:32:53', '2023-02-27 07:32:53'),
(5458, 5458, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Andrés Cafiero arrived this morning to reopen his country\'s new embassy here for exploiting untapped huge trade potential with Bangladesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen received his Argentine counterpart at the VIP Lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cafiero will inaugurate the new Argentine embassy at Banani in the capital along with State Minister for Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the evening, Argentine foreign minister will hold a bilateral talk with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Momen at the state guesthouse Jamuna to discuss trade and investment issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After that the two foreign ministers are likely to sign agreements between the two countries. Momen will also host a dinner in honor of the Argentine foreign minister after the signing ceremony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, the Argentine minister will pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreath at Bangabandhu memorial museum at Dhanmondi and also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cafiero will also meet Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and visit the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) within the framework of affection and the passion that Bangladeshi fans showed for the Argentine team in the last FIFA World Cup.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Argentina is reopening its embassy here 45 years after it was closed here in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the country at that time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomatic operations, such as visas in order to travel, have since been handled by the Argentine embassy in India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentina foreign ministry said with the reopening of the embassy and its consular section, it wants to use the potential of the bilateral relationship, mainly in the commercial aspect that has a wide potential to diversify trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will be the first time that a South American foreign minister attends Bangladesh, a nation with which they share half a century of diplomatic relations, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine foreign ministry also said Cafiero\'s visit represents a significant event for Argentine geopolitics, since Bangladesh is located at the crossroads of South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia, being the eighth most populous country in the world, with a market of more than 170 million inhabitants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2022, bilateral trade with Bangladesh was USD 765 million. Argentine exports reached USD 742.9 million and imports from Bangladesh totaled USD 22.1 million. A trade surplus of USD 720.8 million for Argentina was registered in 2022. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 07:50:12', '2023-02-27 07:50:12'),
(5459, 5459, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kane Williamson called it \"special\" after surpassing Ross Taylor on Monday to become New Zealand\'s highest Test run-scorer.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Williamson\'s century steered New Zealand to 483 all out in their second innings and set England a target of 258 runs to win the second Test in Wellington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 32-year-old former captain earned two standing ovations at the Basin Reserve during a superb innings which brought up his 26th Test century.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He raised his bat fleetingly after reaching 29 not out early on Monday to pass Taylor\'s record of 7,683 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Williamson left the field to more applause when he fell for 132 to part-time seam bowler Harry Brook.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Williamson was typically modest about his place in the history books.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s not something I have thought a whole lot about but it\'s an honour if you look at the names on that list,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I admired a lot of them growing up, then played alongside some of them, but it\'s special to be in that company.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stephen Fleming, also a former Black Caps captain, sits third on 7,172 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Williamson reached the milestone in his 92nd Test and 161st innings, considerably quicker than Taylor\'s 112 Tests and 196 visits to the crease.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now-retired Taylor was quick to compliment Williamson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Congratulations, Kane,\" Taylor posted on Twitter. \"This achievement is a testament to your hard work and dedication to Test cricket, of which I was privy to for a number of years.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Williamson, a right-handed batsman, started the two-match England series needing only 39 runs to clinch the record.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he totalled only 10 runs through his first three innings, forming part of a New Zealand top order that struggled against the English seam attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He sits 35th on the all-time Test leaderboard, which is topped by Indian great Sachin Tendulkar with 15,921 runs. 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, '2023-02-27 08:33:55', '2023-02-27 08:33:55'),
(5460, 5460, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">From the day of her birth in Pakistan, Iram Aslam was betrothed to a cousin 17 days older. But to the young woman, who emigrated as a teenager to this Italian farm town on the Po River plain, the cousin felt like a brother. So on a visit to her homeland, she played for time, telling her aunts she wasn’t ready for marriage.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“They did everything possible to make me marry him,″ said Aslam, now 29. She said she told them: ”‘I don’t want to marry him and please don’t ask me anymore.’”</div><div><br></div><div>Her family, in both Italy and Pakistan, kept scheming to have her wed a man of their choice — and their caste. Aslam dismissed around 30 potential husbands.</div><div><br></div><div>“In the end, I made everyone angry, and no one talks to me anymore,” she said of her relatives in Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>In two murder trials this month, Italian prosecutors are seeking justice for Pakistani immigrant women allegedly killed because they refused marriages imposed by their parents. The cases highlight differences, often misconstrued as religion-based, between centuries-old immigrants’ cultural traditions and Western values prizing individualism.</div><div><br></div><div>“I liked another person, wanted another one,″ Aslam said of her own situation. “But they didn’t want it, because among us, love doesn’t exist.” Love is viewed “as a sin,” she added, her thick, wavy brown hair covered by a multicolored headscarf. She asked that her face not be fully shown for fear of further antagonizing Pakistani neighbors in Guastalla, a town of 15,000 where they are the dominant immigrant community.</div><div><br></div><div>To escape marriage-obsessed relatives, Aslam went for a time to live in Germany.</div><div><br></div><div>But there was no escape for 18-year-old Saman Abbas.</div><div><br></div><div>Like Aslam, she emigrated as a teenager from Pakistan to an Italian farm town, Novellara, 11 kilometers (seven miles) from Guastalla.</div><div><br></div><div>In what appears to be an identity card photo taken shortly after her arrival, Abbas’ face is framed by a black hijab, or headscarf. But the young woman quickly embraced Western ways, appearing in social media posts with her hair tumbling out from under a bright red headband. In one, she and her Pakistani boyfriend were shown kissing on a street in the regional capital, Bologna.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Italian investigators, that kiss enraged Abbas’ parents, who wanted their daughter to marry a cousin in Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>In November, her body was dug up in the ruins of a Novellara farmhouse. She had last been seen alive a few hundred yards away on April 30, 2021, in surveillance camera video as she walked with her parents on the watermelon farm where her father worked. A few days later, her parents caught a flight from Milan to Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Abbas had reportedly told her boyfriend she feared for her life, because she refused to be married to an older man in her homeland.</div><div><br></div><div>An autopsy revealed a broken neck bone, possibly caused by strangulation.</div><div><br></div><div>An uncle and a cousin were extradited from France, and another cousin from Spain. They are now on trial in Reggio Emilia, the provincial capital with jurisdiction over Novellara, accused of Abbas’ murder.</div><div><br></div><div>Also indicted is her father, Shabbir Abbas, arrested in his village in eastern Punjab. The whereabouts of her mother, who is also charged, are unknown.</div><div><br></div><div>A lawyer for her father, Akhtar Mahmood, told Italian state television that the young woman’s family is innocent. He disputed prosecutors’ allegations, contending that she had wanted to return with her family to Pakistan to flee Western ways.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked about Italy’s request for Shabbir Abbas’ extradition, Pakistan’s ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, told The Associated Press that the Pakistani government would “not hesitate” to do so. However, Italy has no extradition treaty with Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Javed blamed “individual ignorance″ for forced marriage, which is illegal in Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2019, Italy made coercing an Italian citizen or resident into marriage, even abroad, a crime covered under domestic violence laws.</div><div><br></div><div>Late this month, police in Spain detained the father of two sisters who were allegedly murdered while visiting family in Pakistan. The women had reportedly refused to have their husbands come to Spain after being forced to marry their cousins.</div><div><br></div><div>In the United Kingdom, home to Europe’s largest Pakistani community, the government’s Forced Marriage Unit cautioned that the problem of forced marriage isn’t “specific to one country, religion or culture” and said statistics don’t reflect “the full scale of the abuse” since forced marriage is a “hidden crime.”</div><div><br></div><div>Under the Italian justice system, civil plaintiffs can attach lawsuits for damages to criminal trials, and two organizations representing Islamic communities in Italy are among those suing in the Abbas trial.</div><div><br></div><div>Other plaintiffs include women’s advocacy organizations.</div><div><br></div><div>Tiziana Dal Pra, whose group, Trama delle Terre, promotes intercultural relations, said that while violence surrounding forced marriage “gets interpreted as religious,” what’s really at play is “patriarchal control” of women’s bodies.</div><div><br></div><div>In December, a court in the northern city of Brescia convicted and gave five-year prison sentences to three Pakistani immigrants — the parents and older brother of four girls — for beating them and keeping them out of school.</div><div><br></div><div>According to court documents, the parents threatened their daughters that if they refused arranged marriages, they would end up like that “girl in Pakistan.”</div><div><br></div><div>The court said that threat referred to 25-year-old Sana Cheema, who was slain when she returned from Italy to Pakistan in 2018, allegedly at her parents’ insistence.</div><div><br></div><div>By her friends’ accounts, Cheema, who had taken Italian citizenship, loved her life in Brescia, where she worked out at a gym, went out for coffee with girlfriends and danced with them at a disco. She was proud of her job teaching at a driving school in the northern city.</div><div><br></div><div>Brescia prosecutors are now trying Cheema’s father and brother in absentia on a novel charge: murder in violation of the political right to marry one’s own choice.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2019, a court in Pakistan acquitted the two on murder charges, citing insufficient evidence. But Italy’s justice ministry ruled the Brescia trial could go forward since Pakistan and Italy have no agreement governing cases involving so-called judicial double jeopardy.</div><div><br></div><div>Cheema’s family initially told Pakistani authorities that she died of a heart attack the day before she was supposed to fly back to Italy. Two friends testified in Brescia this month that Cheema told them her parents wanted her to marry a cousin in Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>They also quoted from Facebook messages in which Cheema said her parents had confiscated her passport and phone in Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>With the Italian Embassy closely following the case, Cheema’s body was exhumed. An autopsy indicated she was likely strangled.</div><div><br></div><div>Prosecuting the case in Italy sends the message that “exercising the right of who you want to live with, above all, who you want to marry, is a political right” to be guaranteed “with utmost firmness,” Brescia Prosecutor General Guido Rispoli told the AP.</div><div><br></div><div>At the edge of a field near the farmhouse where Saman Abbas’ body was found, mourners have left a stuffed toy squirrel and bunches of flowers at an improvised shrine.</div><div><br></div><div>“It will continue to happen, I tell you, that’s how it is,″ Aslam said of violence linked to forced marriage.</div><div><br></div><div>What progress has been made with trials like the ones in Reggio Emilia and Brescia isn’t enough, she added: “It’s like salt in flour.” - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 09:35:56', '2023-02-27 09:35:56'),
(5461, 5461, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian director S.S. Rajamouli\'s films are all-singing, all-dancing spectacles -- and he is now a favourite to secure the first ever Oscar for an all-Indian film.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>His three-hour extravaganza \"RRR\" is a fictionalised story of two colonial-era revolutionaries, filled with large-scale, visual effects-laden action sequences and musical numbers.</div><div><br></div><div>It has smashed box offices in India, wowed audiences from the United States to Japan, and is a front runner for the Best Original Song award at next month\'s Oscars, having already beaten out Taylor Swift and Rihanna for the same prize at the Golden Globes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"When I\'m going to a movie, I would like to see larger-than-life characters, larger-than-life situations, larger-than-life drama,\" Rajamouli told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"And that\'s what I like to make,\" he said at his office in the southern city of Hyderabad.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Nothing holds the heroes back in delivering their action sequences.\"</div><div><br></div><div>A word-of-mouth hit that has seen moviegoers dancing in cinema aisles, Telugu-language \"RRR\" has become one of the highest-grossing Indian movies ever.</div><div><br></div><div>It has also introduced the country\'s lesser-known but prolific southern cinema industry to a worldwide audience.</div><div><br></div><div>India\'s Hindi-language Bollywood cinema industry has long been known as the world\'s most productive, but international film awards beyond the festival circuit have largely remained the preserve of English-language movies.</div><div><br></div><div>That changed when Bong Joon-ho\'s \"Parasite\" swept four Oscars in 2020, including Best Film and Best Director, after decades when the plaudits for Korean cinema were confined to the critics.</div><div><br></div><div>The only previous Indian Oscars won were for English-language films -- the 1982 British-Indian co-production \"Gandhi\" and 2008\'s Mumbai-set British drama \"Slumdog Millionaire\".</div><div><br></div><div>Now Rajamouli hopes a statuette for the dance number \"Naatu Naatu\" will pave the way for Indian auteurs to do the same.</div><div><br></div><div>Shot in front of Ukraine\'s turquoise presidential palace -- before the war -- it features high-energy performances from the two leads as they confront their antagonist.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are breaking ground, but I think we are in very, very initial, initial steps,\" said the 49-year-old.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If you see (South) Korea, for example, the kind of inroads that they have made... we should aspire to do that, all Indian film-makers.\"</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Unprecedented\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Rajamouli was born in the southern state of Karnataka. His father was a scriptwriter who exposed him to the industry.</div><div><br></div><div>His early influences included prominent Telugu directors but he found himself drawn to epic Hollywood films such as \"Ben Hur\" and \"Braveheart\", and is a fan of Steven Spielberg and James Cameron.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajamouli\'s 2015 historical action-drama \"Baahubali\" -- then the most expensive film made in India -- made him a household name domestically, leading a wave of southern films to the top of the multilingual country\'s box office.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2017 sequel was well-received, with both movies among the highest-grossing of all time in the nation of 1.4 billion people, cementing Rajamouli\'s reputation as a blockbuster director.</div><div><br></div><div>He was \"pleasantly surprised\" by the buzz around \"RRR\" in the West, he said, pointing to what he called a \"lack of maximalist entertainment\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"There\'s a section of audiences who wanted that, a celebratory kind of engagement with the cinema.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Despite appearing on Netflix only two months after it debuted across 1,200 US theatres in March last year, \"RRR\" has become among North America\'s highest-grossing Indian films.</div><div><br></div><div>It was \"unprecedented\" and \"a total outlier\", said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.</div><div><br></div><div>Audiences continue to flock to packed screenings for repeat viewings -- a January showing at Hollywood\'s historic TCL Chinese Theatre sold out in 98 seconds.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajamouli\'s films have been compared to Marvel superhero movies and he said it would \"be an honour\" to be asked to do one -- but he worries that a major studio would want to involve itself in the production process.</div><div><br></div><div>- Troubling undertones -</div><div><br></div><div>The accolades for \"RRR\" have also been accompanied by criticism of perceived troubling undertones in the film, including the promotion of Hindu nationalism and hyper-masculinity.</div><div><br></div><div>\"RRR\" contains Hindu mythology and nationalist fervour at a time when film-makers, mostly in Bollywood, have been repeatedly targeted by Hindu right-wingers on social media.</div><div><br></div><div>Rights campaigners say that under Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood stars are facing increased pressure -- particularly minority Muslim actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajamouli grew up in a \"deeply religious\" Hindu family but is now an atheist and believes that \"religion essentially is exploitation\".</div><div><br></div><div>He blames criticism of the film on the polarisation of debate in India that does not allow for a middle ground.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Any extreme point of view, I oppose,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I don\'t have any kind of hidden agenda... I make films for people who are willing to pay their hard-earned money on the film ticket, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"I like to get them entertained, make them feel dramatic about the characters, about the situations, have a good time, go back and live their lives.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 10:24:18', '2023-02-27 10:24:18'),
(5462, 5462, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said over two dozen Pakistanis were believed to be among 59 people who drowned when a boat carrying migrants to Europe crashed against rocks near the southern Italian coast.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>At least 81 people survived Sunday\'s accident, with 20 hospitalised including one person in intensive care, Italian authorities said.</div><div><br></div><div>The wooden boat, which sailed from Turkey, is said to have carried people from Iran and Afghanistan as well.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The reports of the drowning of over two dozen Pakistanis in a boat tragedy in Italy are deeply concerning and worrisome,\" Sharif said in a statement, adding, \"I have directed the foreign office to ascertain facts as early as possible and take the nation into confidence.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Turkey is part of one of the most-used routes for human smugglers to smuggle migrants into Europe, who at times travel by road, walk for miles and endure being locked in ship containers for days.</div><div><br></div><div>Italy is one the main landing points for migrants trying to enter Europe by sea, with many seeking to travel on to northern European nations.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations Missing Migrants Project has registered more than 17,000 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean since 2014. More than 220 have died or disappeared this year, it estimates. Source: Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 10:38:08', '2023-02-27 10:38:08'),
(5463, 5463, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked new Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) cadres to utilise their talents and innovative ideas to build the developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"I want the new officers to take the country forward by applying their talents and innovative ideas in more effective way to transform into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh,\" she said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said this while addressing the certificate distribution among the trainees of BCS officers\' 74th foundation training course and its closing ceremony held at Shapla Auditorium of the Prime Minister\'s Office (PMO) here.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the situation of Bangladesh 14 years back, she said huge development has been made in the country in the last 14 years.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked the fresh officers to take the country forward with maintaining the current development spree.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said her government\'s only target is to ensure a developed and beautiful life for the countrymen by transforming Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country by 2041.</div><div><br></div><div>Describing the fresh BCS cadres as the soldiers of 2041, she said, \"Bangladesh will be built as a smart country by 2041. The officers of today will be the soldiers of tomorrow.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She said you have to work for implementing Delta Plan-2100 formulated by this government, continuing that her government already started executing it to protect Bangladesh from the adverse impact of the climate change.</div><div><br></div><div>\"You have to keep in mind that we will always have to go forward,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Once Bangladesh had been neglected by many foreign countries, she said, adding, but now Bangladesh appeared as role model of development in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>The country has become a developing nation due to her government\'s timely measures, she continued.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have to keep intact this honour,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister reiterated her call to the countrymen to show austerity in using electricity, water and gas as the world is going through a economic recession steaming from the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter sanctions.</div><div><br></div><div>She also asked all to make savings and become economical as the price of everything including essentials is skyrocketing globally and it is not sure when the war will come to an end.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said the new officers will have to work for the welfare of the country and its people with a sense of belonging.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked the freshers to follow the ideal of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and spirit of the Liberation War in running the state.</div><div><br></div><div>She also called upon them to expedite uplift works for ensuring country\'s overall development to turn Bangladesh into a hunger-and-poverty free state as envisioned by the Father of the Nation.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the initiative to give people a better life, she said her government has taken Ashrayan project to provide houses to every landless and homeless people, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>Not a single person will remain homeless and landless across the country, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister also thanked the government officers for working sincerely in implementing the housing project.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-02-27 11:17:44', '2023-02-27 11:17:44');
