INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(9980, 9980, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Wednesday said onions and potatoes will be available at lower prices by mid-December.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He made the remarks while replying to questions from journalists after a meeting of the National Tariff Policy Monitoring and Review Committee at the secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the prices of onion may decrease when the new crop will arrive in market.”Murikata variety of onion will be available in market next and price may come down.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Minister also emphasized the need for promoting local production.</div><div><br></div><div>“Again, as new potatoes start will hit the market at the end of December, then price will come down. Now it\'s a matter of our own production. Again, when we talk about oil and sugar, it depends on the price in the international market. Depending on the context, prices will increase or decrease. We have 20 per cent shortage of onion what we need. We meet this by importing, 90 per cent of which comes from India. The price has gone up there too,” said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned that the prices of vegetables fluctuates due to factors such as rain, transportation cost, and occasional hoarding. However, he said prices of certain vegetables have started to decrease, and he expected the prices of winter vegetables will come down in the coming days.</div><div><br></div><div>Tipu Munshi said they hope to see some relief in prices as imports continue.” In the meantime, the first shipment of imported eggs has entered the country. I see its impact on the market. If more eggs are imported you will find egg&nbsp; at the price fixed by the government.” According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-08 15:19:26', '2023-11-08 15:19:26'),
(9981, 9981, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said that the movement will continue till the goal of restoring democracy is achieved.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said this while speaking at a virtual press briefing amid the first day of the countrywide 48-hour blockade the BNP and its like-minded parties called on wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our leaders and activists will carry out every programme that the party will announce. Our destination is either a prison or a highway. There is nothing in the middle of these two,” Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>“They can take us to prison, hurt us in many ways, torture us, but we will accept everything and this journey will continue till democracy is restored.”</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan East Chhatra Dal Al-Amin was picked by plainclothes members of the law enforcing agencies, Rizvi said, “We do not know where one of our student leaders is ...and how he is. Sheikh Hasina\'s law enforcement agencies and their intelligence agencies are doing these things every day.”</div><div><br></div><div>This is for creating an overall anarchic and intimidating environment so that the BNP leaders and activists cannot continue their movement, but the government will fail, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi condemned the killing of a female garment worker in a police attack on the garment industry workers while they were demonstrating for better wages at Konabari in Gazipur.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi claimed that more than 515 leaders and activists were arrested and 1,920 were sued in 18 cases in the last 24 hours amid countrywide blockade. “A total of 12,445 leaders and activists were arrested and 579 cases were filed since the October 28 grand rally.”</div><div><br></div><div>“The first day of the two days of blockade is underway amid so much oppression, torture and sabotage. The programme has been successful,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“No long distance vehicles were run throughout the country. Because they didn’t get passengers. That means people have support to our programme,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-08 16:05:01', '2023-11-08 16:05:01'),
(9982, 9982, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least five members of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) sustained injuries in a blast of an Armed Personnel Carriers (APC) during a clash with readymade garment (RMG) workers on Dhaka-Tangail Highway on Wednesday afternoon.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The injured are Prabir, 30, Fuad, 28, Khorshed, 30, Ashiqul, 27, and Bipul, 24.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals said RMG workers were demonstrating on the highway demanding a monthly minimum wage of Tk 23,000 instead of government-announced Tk12,500.</div><div><br></div><div>At one stage of the demonstration, a clash broke out between the RMG workers and law enforcers, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>The APC went off suddenly when it was being used to tackle the demonstrating workers. Five cops who were inside the APC, sustained injuries in the blast.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Initially, they were rushed to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital and three of them shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said Shaheed Tajuddin Hospital\'s resident physician Rafiqul Islam.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Prabir, Fuad, and Khorshed, 30, were sent to the DMCH for better treatment, he said, adding that Ashiqul and Bipul, 24, were undergoing treatment in Gazipur.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Ibrahim Khan, deputy commissioner (DC-DB) of the GMP, could not be reached over mobile phone despite repeated attempts in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the morning, a female RMG worker named Anjuara Khatun was killed and 10 were injured in a clash between police and workers at Konabari in Gazipur.</div><div><br></div><div>Witnesses said workers of garment factories took to the streets in the morning in Konabari, demanding Tk 23,000 as the monthly minimum salary.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, police fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas to disperse them, triggering a clash that left 11 people injured.</div><div><br></div><div>The protesting garment workers claimed that Anjuara died on the way to the DMCH. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-08 16:14:25', '2023-11-08 16:14:25'),
(9983, 9983, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today (November 09, 2023) reiterated his country\'s non-interference approach towards other countries\' internal affairs, noting that the future of Bangladesh will be determined by the people of Bangladesh.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He laid emphasis on maintaining political and social stability through joint efforts.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our policy is very clear. We don’t intervene. It is our hope that there will be stability after the next election and that our cooperation will continue,” the Chinese ambassador said. He hoped that the election will be held based on “constitution and laws.”</div><div><br></div><div>He was addressing an event titled “BRI@10: Ushering in Next Golden Decade” at a Dhaka hotel, organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).</div><div><br></div><div>CEAB President Ke Changliang spoke as the special guest at the event. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want stability. We hope, Chinese people and property will be protected. So far, we feel safe. Thanks for the efforts that have been taken,” said the ambassador.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is the pre-election year in Bangladesh. Many friends from the media have come to ask me what is China’s observations on the current political situation in Bangladesh. I want to underscore that the upcoming election is an internal affair of Bangladesh,” said Ambassador Yao.</div><div><br></div><div>As a matter of foreign policy, he said, China adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of other countries, and opposes any force interfering in internal affairs of other countries.</div><div><br></div><div>“The future of Bangladesh shall be determined by people of Bangladesh. China is full of confidence about the better future of Bangladesh as well as China-Bangladesh relations,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“As a friend of Bangladesh and a country with large investments, enterprises and personnel in Bangladesh,” he said, “China sincerely hopes that all stakeholders in Bangladesh would take the fundamental interests of the people into full consideration, properly resolve their differences, and jointly maintain political and social stability.”</div><div><br></div><div>In two years’ time, China and Bangladesh will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.</div><div><br></div><div>The envoy said China is willing to take this opportunity to work with Bangladeshi friends from all walks of life to stay committed to the themes of peace, stability and development, push bilateral relations to a new level, and usher in a new era of friendly cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, he said they are discussing the possibility of a free trade agreement between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>The ambassador said they want more trade and investment between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>He laid emphasis on boosting Bangladesh\'s exports through product diversification and having a more balanced trade in the next couple of years.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question on political dialogue, he said this answer should come from the political leaders, but they hope to see political and social stability in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador Yao said the repatriation of the Rohingyas is a very complicated process that requires international support.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the Rohingyas are in very poor condition, and all stakeholders need to come forward to achieve the repatriation goal.</div><div><br></div><div>Delivering his welcome remarks, DCAB President Lotus said the historic trip to China by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a young politician in the mid-1950s remains forever etched in their minds. \"And today, Bangladesh and China are moving closer together as friends on the international stage,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 09:05:09', '2023-11-09 09:05:09'),
(9984, 9984, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said the Election Commission is determined to hold the next general election in the stipulated time and procedures as its constitutional obligation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We told (President Mohammed Shahabuddin) that we, the Election Commission, are determined to hold the election in the stipulated time and fixed method as per the constitutional responsibility and obligation bestowed upon us,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC said this while talking to reporters after an EC delegation headed by him met President Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban here in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they informed the president about their (EC’s) overall preparation taken for holding the upcoming national election.</div><div><br></div><div>The President expressed satisfaction about their preparations and assured them of extending his cooperation if necessary.</div><div><br></div><div>“He (the President) assured that he would always be ready to extend any sort of assistance and cooperation for the sake of a free election,” said Habibul Awal.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, the EC said if needed, they would seek his (President’s) cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>“He (The President) said the democratic and constitutional continuation will have to be upheld at any cost,” said the CEC.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they told the president that they continue seeking cooperation tirelessly from all political parties, the government and the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“We assured him that we are optimistic that we will be able to complete the upcoming parliamentary elections in time as per the constitutional obligation amid cooperation from all (stakeholders),” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>About the tentative election schedule, the CEC said they informed the president that the election is very imminent. The election will have to be held before January 29 next. “But we still have not made a complete decision (over the schedule),” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will take the final decision over the schedule through discussion among us (election commissioners). We’ll announce the election schedule soon,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to a question if any talks were held to hold dialogues to dispose of the political dispute, the CEC replied in negative saying that no such discussion was held.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 09:09:22', '2023-11-09 09:09:22'),
(9985, 9985, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Jordan-Syria region at 0232 GMT on Thursday, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 36.53 degrees north latitude and 36.30 degrees east longitude. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 09:50:43', '2023-11-09 09:50:43'),
(9986, 9986, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Britain’s government escalated its row with London’s police chief on Thursday over the handling of a pro-Palestinian march this weekend, accusing his officers of taking a softer stance toward left-wing causes.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Plans for a demonstration in London on Saturday’s Armistice Day has sparked a row between government and police, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying he would hold the force accountable for any trouble after it said there was not enough reason to ban it.</div><div><br></div><div>London has been the venue for some of the biggest demonstrations in Europe since militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, with tens of thousands of marchers gathering each weekend to demand an end to Israel’s retaliatory bombing of Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Police have said they expect a significant demonstration on Saturday, Nov. 11, the anniversary of the end of World War One but that there are no plans for protest on Nov. 12, when formal Remembrance Sunday events are held in central London.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunak has called the march disrespectful but police commissioner, Mark Rowley, has said any ban would require intelligence of a threat of serious disorder, and that such bans had not been implemented for a decade.</div><div><br></div><div>Interior Minister Suella Braverman has called the demonstrations “hate marches.” Writing in The Times on Thursday she said they were an “assertion of primacy by certain groups — particularly Islamists” and a show of strength.</div><div><br></div><div>“Unfortunately, there is a perception that senior police officers play favorites when it comes to protesters,” she wrote. “During COVID, why was it that lockdown objectors were given no quarter by public order police yet Black Lives Matters demonstrators were enabled, allowed to break rules and even greeted with officers taking the knee?“</div><div><br></div><div>Braverman, seen as a possible future leader of the governing Conservative Party, said while freedom of speech and assembly were long-held traditions in Britain, there was “a debate to be had” over whether some public displays were so offensive they should be banned.</div><div><br></div><div>Neil Basu, a former senior officer in London’s Met Police, said the political criticism could increase the likelihood of counter protesters turning up, increasing the risk of violence.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s somewhat ironic that all of this rhetoric about this march might actually be increasing the intelligence case, to have it banned,” he told LBC Radio.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 200 people have been arrested since the Oct. 7 attack for hate crimes in Britain, including antisemitic and Islamophobic offenses, and public order offenses, many of which were racially aggravated and linked to protests. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 10:08:38', '2023-11-09 10:08:38'),
(9987, 9987, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg \"personally rejected\" proposals aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of teenagers on Facebook and Instagram, internal communications shared as part of an ongoing lawsuit have revealed, reports CNN.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the unsealed communications, Zuckerberg overruled senior executives, including Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg, who advocated for increased measures to protect more than 30 million teens using Instagram in the United States.</div><div><br></div><div>One notable rejection involved a 2019 proposal to disable Instagram\'s \"beauty filters,\" which digitally alter users\' appearances and have been linked to promoting unrealistic body image expectations, negatively impacting teens\' mental health, said the report.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite broad support from top executives, Zuckerberg insisted that there was a \"demand\" for the filters and claimed he had seen \"no data\" indicating harm.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawsuit revealed internal tensions within Meta, with executives expressing concerns about the lack of investment in well-being initiatives. Instagram\'s policy chief, Karina Newton, and Meta\'s vice president of product design, Margaret Gould Stewart, had recommended disabling beauty filters based on advice from academics and external advisors. However, after Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth brought the matter to Zuckerberg\'s attention, the proposal was rejected.</div><div><br></div><div>The newly unveiled documents also accused Meta of exploiting the psychology of adolescent brains and claimed that Zuckerberg personally set goals for increasing user engagement on Instagram, potentially prioritising profits over user wellbeing.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, Meta spokesman Andy Stone defended the company, emphasising that they have a robust central team overseeing youth well-being efforts and have implemented various tools to support teens and families. Stone also stated that Meta banned filters promoting cosmetic surgery, changes in skin colour, or extreme weight loss. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 10:50:22', '2023-11-09 10:50:22'),
(9988, 9988, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field against Sri Lanka on Thursday as they make a last push for a World Cup semi-final berth with rain threatening to play spoilsport.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Kiwis have lost four straight matches and made one change from their previous defeat to Pakistan in a rain-hit game at the same venue in Bengaluru last weekend.</div><div><br></div><div>Fit-again fast bowler Lockie Ferguson comes in for leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A little bit of weather around. A few unknowns,\" said Williamson.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our focus has been on the type of cricket we want to play. Hopefully we can make a few improvements on past performances.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Kiwis remain slight favourites in the hunt for the remaining semi-final spot as they have a better run rate than rivals Pakistan and Afghanistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Victory in the match and defeats for Pakistan and Afghanistan will take them clear on 10 points and into the semis, but a loss will leave their fate out of their hands.</div><div><br></div><div>Table-toppers India, South Africa and Australia have already booked their places in the final-four of the 10-team tournament.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, are already out of the semi-final race but have Champions Trophy qualification on the line.</div><div><br></div><div>The top seven teams from this World Cup will gain entry into the 2025 tournament where hosts Pakistan will have automatic qualification.</div><div><br></div><div>The teams are still hurting from the \"timed out\" dismissal -- the first in international cricket history -- for Angelo Mathews in their previous loss to Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Mendis said New Zealand \"is a calm team\" when asked about their previous ill-tempered encounter with Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne takes the place of fast bowler Kasun Rajitha.</div><div><br></div><div>Teams:</div><div><br></div><div>New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (capt), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wkt), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (capt/wkt), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka</div><div><br></div><div>Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (RSA), Joel Wilson (WIS)</div><div><br></div><div>TV Umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)</div><div><br></div><div>Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 11:05:43', '2023-11-09 11:05:43'),
(9989, 9989, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The ongoing political and labour unrest has hit the country\'s economy at a wrong time.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Since September 28 the BNP-led opposition has imposed on-again off-again nationwide hartals and blockades to press for resignation of the government paving the way for a free and fair election under a non-partisan caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>The situation has been compounded as the political unrest coincides with continuing protests by garment workers for hiking their wage.</div><div><br></div><div>The protests have been marked by clashes with police, casualties and torching of vehicles, mainly buses.</div><div><br></div><div>The anti-government protests has hit the country even as the economy, smarting from Covid-19 setbacks, is struggling with the foreign exchange shortage, the value of taka sliding over 30 percent, double-digit inflation, the high price of energy and labour unrest cantering salary hike, economists say expressing worries.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Bank has recently held discussions with prominent economists and its former governors on the ways to overcome the situation.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The invited economists suggested policy changes to overcome the US dollar crisis, a stable exchange rate and reduce the inflation at a tolerable level, according to sources familiar with the talks.</div><div><br></div><div>The labour unrest for higher wage in the garment sector is also solvable by the RMG owners and policymakers of the sector, they opined.</div><div><br></div><div>But the economists and businesspeople felt that they have little to say about the political unrest except suggesting a consensus among the political parties on how to hold the next election which may be held by first week of January.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Talking with UNB former senior economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dr Ahsan H Mansur said the political conflicts are pushing the economy towards great uncertainty.</div><div><br></div><div>Until there is a peaceful solution to the impasse on the upcoming national election, this situation may continue having dire economic and social consequences.</div><div><br></div><div>“But so far there is no sign of flexibility in the attitude of politicians. Disruption of production activities for a few days can be a long-term effect. This will lead to an adverse effect to inflationary pressures, dollar crisis, and employment opportunities,” said Mansur.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Export-import, private sector credit growth, remittance inflow, investment, jobs creation, GDP growth, revenue collection, and all other sectors will be affected by this political uncertainty, said Mansur, who is also chairman of Policy Research Institute (PRI), a private think tank.</div><div><br></div><div>He said a key source of the country’s foreign exchange income is the export sector. An average of $5 billion a month comes from the export of goods.</div><div><br></div><div>Exports of goods fell by 14 percent in October compared to the same month of the previous fiscal year, he pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>Garment exports fell by 13 percent in October compared to September. Exports worth $3.76 billion were earned in the month in October FY2023-24. That is $600 million less than the same month FY2022-23.</div><div><br></div><div>FBCCI president Mahbubul Alam said traders are worried about the strikes and blockades. This is seriously disrupting the product supply system. This has led to hike in the prices of many items,</div><div><br></div><div>He said the businesspeople feel that there should be a political compromise anyway. Everyone has to consider the economy and the interests of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hasan told UNB that amid the election-centered conflict and recent labour unrest the buyers of Bangladeshi products are expressing concern.</div><div><br></div><div>Some brand buyers have reduced export orders due to the uncertainty of getting the product in hand on time, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Buyers are worried; they want us to understand the situation. They have been requested for a meeting on behalf of Buyers Forum in Dhaka,” the BGMEA President said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Shop Owners Association General Secretary Md. Zahirul Haque Bhuiyan said that a day’s strike causes a loss of Tk 6000 to 6,500 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>The economic loss from the siege is also huge. Some shops remain open during the blockade. But buyers are a few. The daily loss in sales can reach up to Tk. 5,000 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>He also urged the political parties to reach an understanding for an early solution to the problem and save the economy.</div><div><br></div><div>“All have to keep the country’s interest above everything else,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Lokman Hossain, general secretary of Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market Traders Association, said that supply of goods has been affected by the blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of cargo trucks arriving at the market came down by at least 30 to 40 percent during the protest days.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are a few buyers in the market. If the blockade continues and goods trucks are unable to arrive, there will be problems in the supply chain,” Lokman said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Masrur Reaz, economist and Chairman of Policy Exchange told UNB that political uncertainty affects all the sectors of the economy.</div><div><br></div><div>This should be resolved with the consent of political parties for the sake of recovering the economy.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that growing political uncertainty will bring a double blow to the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.</div><div><br></div><div>The domestic supply chain is disrupted, production is being affected and buyers’ confidence is reducing due to the uncertainty, he pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>The trend of decreasing import of capital machinery used in production is quite alarming. A decrease in capital imports means output will decrease. This will further reduce exports.</div><div><br></div><div>Analysing different financial data it is found that the main source of foreign exchange is the export sector. But there has been a fall in earnings from this sector.</div><div><br></div><div>An average of 5 billion US dollars is earned in a month from the export of goods. But the exports of goods fell by 14 percent in October compared to the same month of the previous FY 2022-23.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first three months of the current FY2023-24, the import of capital equipment has decreased by almost 20 percent. The import of raw materials of various types of ready-made garments has decreased by about 26 percent compared to the same period of the FY2022-23.</div><div><br></div><div>Imports of cotton, the main raw material for apparel production, have declined the most, by about 39 percent. Yarn, cloth and other raw materials also decreased at almost the same rate. Imports of other raw materials other than apparel fell by more than 36 percent. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 11:11:00', '2023-11-09 11:11:00'),
(9990, 9990, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Giving a pause for two days, the BNP and like-mined parties will enforce another&nbsp; spell of a 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade beginning from Sunday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a virtual press briefing on Thursday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>The fresh agitation was announced around 13 hours before the end of the opposition’s 48-hour nationwide blockade that was enforced at 6am on Wednesday. The ongoing blockade has been marked by widespread incidents of violence, including torching and vandalising vehicles.</div><div><br></div><div>The other opposition parties, who have long been carrying out the simultaneous movement with BNP, also announced a similar programme by issuing press releases.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the blockade programme will be observed from 6am Sunday to 6am Tuesday across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, he said the&nbsp; opposition parties will also arrange prayers on Friday in mosques after Juma prayers in memory of opposition leaders and activists and the garment workers who have been killed in police firing during their demonstrations.</div><div><br></div><div>He said special munajats will also be offered seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the slain opposition leaders, activists and the garment workers.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said vehicles of the newspapers or media, ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders and medicines will remain out of the purview of the blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>He said their blockade will continue until the release of their all arrested leaders and until their one-point demand is met.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their blockade was successful with the spontaneous support of the country’s people.</div><div><br></div><div>He thanked leaders and activists of BNP and like-minded parties to make the blockade programme a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the party enforced a 48-hour nationwide blockade from 6am on November 5 and a three-day countrywide blockade from October 31 to November 2.</div><div><br></div><div>They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on Oct ober 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Half an hour into the start of BNP\'s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 12:26:18', '2023-11-09 12:26:18'),
(9991, 9991, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Toxic gray smog has sickened tens of thousands of people in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore, forcing authorities to shut schools, markets and parks for four days, officials said Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The decision came after the country’s second-largest city was repeatedly ranked the world’s most polluted city. Doctors advised people to wear face masks and stay at home. Residents said many people were coughing and having breathing problems.</div><div><br></div><div>“Wearing of marks and staying at home are the two easiest solutions to avoid getting rushed to hospitals with respiratory-related diseases, infections in eyes and skin diseases,” said Salman Kazmi, a doctor at Lahore’s main Mayo Hospital, where thousands of people were treated for such ailments this week.</div><div><br></div><div>On Thursday, the concentration of PM 2.5, or tiny particulate matter, in the air approached 450, considered hazardous.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts say the burning of crop residue at the start of the winter wheat-planting season is a key cause of the pollution.</div><div><br></div><div>Lahore was once known as the city of gardens, which were ubiquitous during the Mughal era of the 16th to 19th centuries. But rapid urbanization and surging population growth have left little room for greenery in the city. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 12:55:46', '2023-11-09 12:55:46'),
(9992, 9992, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Five Republican presidential candidates in the United States have clashed in their latest debate over a host of issues, including the war in Gaza, immigration and their difficult quest to win the nomination against former President Donald Trump.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator Tim Scott sparred on the stage of the third debate of the campaign in Miami, Florida on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>The stage was downsized from the last debate in September with former Vice President Mike Pence suspending his campaign and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum failing to qualify.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump, who remains the distant frontrunner despite his mounting legal woes, once again decided to skip proceedings.</div><div><br></div><div>The war in Gaza and its international and domestic implications dominated the first part of the debate, but the candidates’ support for Israel kept resurfacing even when discussing other topics.</div><div><br></div><div>Haley and Ramaswamy – who remain longshot candidates – deepened their rivalry, exchanging jabs throughout the evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Scott, who cut a quiet figure in the previous debate, delivered a more assertive performance, claiming more speaking time.</div><div><br></div><div>DeSantis, long seen as the most serious threat to Trump’s grip on the party’s nomination, promoted his conservative record in Florida while criticising President Joe Biden’s policies. - Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 13:17:04', '2023-11-09 13:17:04'),
(9993, 9993, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said holding a free, fair and neutral election is the main goal of her government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Election is coming and this is the democratic and constitutional right of the people. Protecting this right and holding a free, fair and neutral election is the goal of the government,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while delivering her introductory speech at the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting at her official residence Ganabhaban here.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the democratic rights of the people so far have got is the outcome of Awami League’s movement and struggle.</div><div><br></div><div>“The free, fair and neutral election is the contribution of Awami League,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the ruling Awami League chief, said that her party believes in the democratic and constitutional rights of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“Awami League repeatedly came to power getting votes of the people, formed government and developed socioeconomic status of the people,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Coming down heavily on BNP, she said that whenever people live in peace, BNP becomes active to create anarchy through arson terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have to save people from this unrest and arson terrorism, this is the main task,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister mentioned that conspiracy is on by the vested quarters to cripple Bangladesh economically.</div><div><br></div><div>“They are conspiring from every side to create unnatural situation in the country through arson terrorism and killing people. We have to advance facing all these odds,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She requested all to remain vigilant so none can stop the forward march of the country in the coming days. According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 14:16:09', '2023-11-09 16:41:48'),
(9994, 9994, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A 15-year-old boy was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) while he was cutting grass at Diar Manikchak border in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was Samirul Islam alias Samiul of Barinagar village of Char Ashariadah union of the upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>The incident happened at the border on Thursday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals said, Samiul went to cut grass on the land near Diyar Manikchak border around 9:30 am. At that time, BSF soldiers of Char Ashariadah outpost on the Indian border fired three rounds at Samirul. He died on the spot.</div><div><br></div><div>Commander of 53 Battalion Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Lt Col Nahid Hossain said the visited the spot in the afternoon after receiving information about the incident. The body was later recovered.</div><div><br></div><div>Ashraful Haque Bhola, chairman of Char Ashariadah UP said, “There is a barbed wire fence on the border of the area. There are sometimes warnings not to let anyone go near the barbed wire fence. However, Samirul was cutting grass 150 yards inside Bangladesh from the zero line of the border. The BSF opened fire in a completely provocative manner. When they see someone approaching the barbed wire of the border, they shoot.”</div><div><br></div><div>Atiqul Islam, Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) , said , BGB members recovered the body of the boy. The body will be handed over to the family and necessary action will be taken in this regard according to the law. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 14:33:10', '2023-11-09 14:33:10'),
(9995, 9995, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Brazilian justice minister Flavio Dino delivered a stiff rebuke to Israel today after its Mossad spy agency said it had helped foil an attack by the Islamist group Hezbollah on Jewish targets in Brazil.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dino was responding to a highly unusual statement published yesterday in which Israel’s Mossad agency thanked Brazilian police and said that, “given the backdrop of the war in Gaza”, Hezbollah was continuing to attack Israeli, Jewish and western targets.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier yesterday, Brazil’s federal police arrested two unnamed people on terrorism charges, and carried out 11 search and seizure warrants on properties.</div><div><br></div><div>Without explicitly naming Israel, Dino said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “Brazil is a sovereign country”, and “no foreign force orders around the Brazilian federal police”.</div><div><br></div><div>Dino said the investigations that resulted in yesterday’s operations “began before the outbreak of the ongoing tragedies on the international scene”, and said the investigation had “nothing to do with international conflicts”.</div><div><br></div><div>“We appreciate appropriate international cooperation, but we reject any foreign authority that deems to direct Brazilian police bodies, or use our investigations for the use of propaganda or its political interests,” he wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>He did not explicitly deny any of the details in the Israeli statement, but seemed more angered by its timing, tone and the link it drew to the current war in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Dino’s comments may chill relations with the Israeli government as Brazil tries to negotiate a safe exit for around 30 Brazilians still stuck in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>They also come as a growing number of Latin American nations take a stronger line on Israel over its bombardment of Gaza in the wake of the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>Late last month, Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel, while Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors.</div><div><br></div><div>Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sought to balance criticism of Hamas’ attacks with calls for a ceasefire.</div><div><br></div><div>Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon, could not immediately be reached for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Neither could the Iranian government. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 14:40:48', '2023-11-09 14:40:48'),
(9996, 9996, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Police in Italy said today they had arrested a 37-year-old Algerian man in the Milan subway, later discovering he was wanted by that country for alleged ties to Islamic State (IS).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>When stopped by police officers for a routine check, the man became “particularly aggressive”, said police in Milan, who added the arrest took place “in recent days”.</div><div><br></div><div>He was “repeatedly shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ while attempting to grab from his backpack an object that turned out to be a knife with a blade more than 12cm long”, they said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The man was later found to be wanted by authorities in Algeria, suspected since 2015 of belonging to “IS militias and employed in the Syrian-Iraqi theatre of war”, police said.</div><div><br></div><div>Police said the suspect was unknown to Italian authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>The man is currently in Milan’s San Vittore prison and awaiting extradition, they added.</div><div><br></div><div>IS proclaimed a “caliphate” in 2014 across swathes of Syria and Iraq, launching a reign of terror that continues with hit-and-run attacks and ambushes. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 15:03:40', '2023-11-09 15:03:40'),
(9997, 9997, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Powerful Russian anti-ship missiles acquired by Hezbollah give it the means to deliver on its leader\'s veiled threat against U.S. warships and underline the grave risks of any regional war, sources familiar with the group\'s arsenal say.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned Washington last week his group had something in store for the U.S. vessels deployed to the region since war erupted last month between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel, shaking the wider Middle East.</div><div><br></div><div>Two sources in Lebanon familiar with the Iran-backed group\'s arsenal say he was referring to Hezbollah\'s greatly enhanced anti-ship missile capabilities, including the Russian-made Yakhont missile with a range of 300 km (186 miles).</div><div><br></div><div>Reports by media and analysts have for years indicated that Hezbollah acquired Yakhont missiles in Syria after deploying there more than a decade ago to help President Bashar al-Assad fight a civil war.</div><div><br></div><div>Hezbollah has never confirmed possessing the weapon.</div><div><br></div><div>The Shi\'ite group\'s media office did not immediately respond when reached for comment for this story.</div><div><br></div><div>Washington says its Mediterranean naval deployment - comprising two aircraft carriers and their supporting ships - aims to prevent the conflict from spreading by deterring Iran, which backs groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.</div><div><br></div><div>Hezbollah perceives the U.S. warships as a direct threat because of their ability to hit the group and its allies.</div><div><br></div><div>Nasrallah said in a speech on Friday that the U.S. warships in the Mediterranean \"do not scare us, and will not scare us\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have prepared for the fleets with which you threaten us,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The White House said after Nasrallah delivered his Friday speech that Hezbollah must not exploit the Hamas-Israel war, and the United States did not want to see the conflict expand into Lebanon.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the sources said Hezbollah\'s anti-ship capabilities had developed enormously since 2006, when the group first demonstrated it could strike a vessel at sea by hitting an Israeli warship in the Mediterranean during a war with Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There\'s the Yakhont, and of course there are other things besides it,\" the source said, without elaborating.</div><div><br></div><div>The source added that use of this weapon by Hezbollah against hostile warships would indicate the conflict had escalated into a major regional war. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 15:31:40', '2023-11-09 15:31:40'),
(9998, 9998, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana is stepping into the acting world with web film, The Archies, and we have heard that the actor has come out to support her through a special move.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to a source, Shah Rukh will be making a special appearance in the web film.</div><div><br></div><div>“He is connected to the project, and it is a special one for him as it marks Suhana’s entry in the industry. He wanted to be part of the project in some way, due to which he has a special connection to it,” says the insider, adding, “He has either a cameo appearance or he is onboard as a narrator in the web film”.</div><div><br></div><div>“The whole team is hush hush about his involvement, as they want to keep it a surprise. That being said, it will definitely be a special one for him and his fans,” adds the source.</div><div><br></div><div>The highly anticipated project, which is based on The Archies comics, also marks the acting debuts of a bunch of young talents, including veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, and actor Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor’s daughter Khushi Kapoor.</div><div><br></div><div>The Zoya Akhtar directorial also features Agastya Nanda, Dot, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, and Yuvraj Menda, in the lead roles. The film is slated to release in the OTT space in December this year.</div><div><br></div><div>While the teams and the platforms are keeping mum, fans are excited to see if it is indeed true.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Shah Rukh was seen in Pathaan and Jawan, which worked well at the box office. He will next be seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki, which will clash with Prabhas’ Salaar. Accoridng to Hindustan Times reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-09 15:51:27', '2023-11-09 15:51:27');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(9999, 9999, '<div><br></div><div>India and the U.S. underlined their commitment to boosting security ties Friday as their top diplomats and defense chiefs met to discuss regional security, China and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with their Indian counterparts in New Delhi as part of an Asian trip aimed at showing unity over Russia’s war in Ukraine and preventing differences on the Israel-Hamas war from deepening.</div><div><br></div><div>Blinken said the U.S. and India were continuing to “deepen our collaboration on everything from emerging technologies to defense to people-to-people ties\" and align diplomacy for \"an Indo-Pacific region that’s free, that’s open, that’s prosperous, that’s resilient.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said the two sides discussed the crisis in the Middle East and \"we appreciate the fact that from day one India has strongly condemned the attacks of Oct. 7. And as our joint statement makes clear, India and the United States stand with Israel against terrorists.”</div><div><br></div><div>Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the situation in the Middle East was a big concern. While India has condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, it balances its position by calling for talks on \"a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side at peace with Israel.” - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-10 17:56:24', '2023-11-10 17:56:24'),
(10000, 10000, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday inaugurated the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox\'s Bazar dual-gauge single railway line setting yet another milestone in the country\'s communication network.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The southern region wore a festive look as she unveiled the new rail route (from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar) for train movement at a ceremony at newly constructed Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The premier flagged off a train and then travelled by it from Cox’s Bazar Railway Station to Ramu Railway Station.</div><div><br></div><div>She bought her own ticket from the counter of the railway station. She waved the green flag before boarding the train.</div><div><br></div><div>She also blew the whistle signalling the start of the train.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the inauguration programme, the prime minister said, “Today Cox\'s Bazar has been linked to the country\'s railway network.&nbsp; I am really very delighted for being able to attend the inaugural ceremony physically, \" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I have kept my promise by inaugurating the railway. This was a longstanding demand of this region. This is a day of feeling proud,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters during the train ride, the prime minister said that this train link will contribute a lot to country’s GDP and economy.</div><div><br></div><div>“Transportation of goods, people and tourists will be expedited resulting in increase the GDP and more vibrant economy,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that Cox’s Bazar has the longest sandy sea beach in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>“But we could not build this tourist spot up to the mark. We have to make sure that tourists can come here comfortably,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that apart of tourists conveyance the trade and commerce of this area have been given importance.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are building a deep seaport, power station, building an economic zone here,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also mentioned that Bangladesh will be linked with trans Asian railway by this rail line.</div><div><br></div><div>“This rail line will go to Ghumdhum from Ramu, later from Ghumdhum it will be linked with South and South East countries.”</div><div><br></div><div>On her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was received by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan and local MPs.</div><div><br></div><div>Local artists greeted her with traditional songs and dances.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The railways minister presided over the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary Md Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 09:04:04', '2023-11-11 09:04:04'),
(10001, 10001, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 jolted Ethiopia at 0626 GMT on Saturday, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 5.31 degrees north latitude and 36.75 degrees east longitude. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 09:18:15', '2023-11-11 09:18:15'),
(10002, 10002, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said BNP and its allies only know how to destroy the good things her government creates.</b></span><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">“They (BNP and its allies) only know how to destroy, not to create. We creat and they destroy,” she said.</span><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The prime minister said this while inaugurating the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail communication.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Recalling the the horrible days when BNP-Jamaat enforced arson terrorism to burn people alive,  Hasina said that their hearts are filled with darkness.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who can kill people through arson attacks, burn buses, trucks, trains, those who were involved in criminalisation they are not blind at all. Their hearts are filled with darkness,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, urged everyone to remain vigilant against BNP and its allies.</div><div><br></div><div>She warned that destructiveness and burning people alive will not be tolerated.</div><div><br></div><div>\"But it will not be tolerated if they  destroy and burn people alive,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan presided over the programme where Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary  Md Humayun Kabir also spoke.</div><div><br></div><div>A documentary on the rail line project was screened at the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>On her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was welcomed by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan along with local MPs.</div><div><br></div><div>Local artistes performed traditional songs and dances to greet the PM, according to UNB reports.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 09:26:11', '2023-11-11 16:36:09'),
(10003, 10003, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A total of 130 garment factories in Ashulia, Savar and Dhamrai have been declared closed due to workers’ protest.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The closure notices were seen at the entrances of factories today.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Savar Industrial Police, said the authorities concerned have closed 130 garment factories in Savar, Ashulia and Dhamrai for an indefinite period.</div><div><br></div><div>During a visit, several garment factories including Rose Dresses Limited, Ananta Garments Limited, Pioneer Limited, AR Jeans Producer Limited, Agami Apparels Limited, Crosswear Limited, Sain Apparels Limited, Textown Limited, Ornet Knit Garments Industries Limited and others were seen to be closed.</div><div><br></div><div>Garment workers in different parts of the country have been demonstrating for over a week demanding a hike in basic salary to Tk 23,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The government on November 7 fixed Tk 12,500 as the minimum salary for entry-level RMG workers. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 09:48:11', '2023-11-11 09:48:11'),
(10004, 10004, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israel must stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians, French President Emmanuel Macron told the BBC in an interview published late on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Macron said there was “no justification” for the bombing and saying a cease-fire would benefit Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that France “clearly condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas, but that while recognizing Israel’s right to protect itself, “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>When asked if he wanted other leaders — including in the United Sates and Britain — to join his calls for a cease-fire, Macron said: “I hope they will.”</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has faced growing calls for restraint in its month-long war with Hamas but says the Gaza-based militants, who attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and took hostages, would exploit a truce to regroup.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement responding to Macron’s comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that world leaders should be condemning Hamas, and not Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>“These crimes that Hamas (is) committing today in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, New York and anywhere in the world,” Netanyahu said.</div><div><br></div><div>Macron’s interview to the BBC aired a day after a humanitarian conference on Gaza was held in Paris.</div><div>Macron said the “clear conclusion” of all governments and agencies present at that summit was “that there is no other solution than first a humanitarian pause, going to a cease-fire, which will allow to protect... all civilians having nothing to do with terrorists,” reports Reuters.</div><div><br></div><div>“De facto, today, civilians are bombed, de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 10:29:05', '2023-11-11 10:29:05'),
(10005, 10005, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Administrators of MIT suspended a number of students Thursday from the prestigious technology school after Israel-Hamas war protesters took over a prominent building for much of the day and then some refused to leave by a set deadline.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was far from the only disruption at college campuses in recent days over the war. Brandeis University banned a pro-Palestinian student group this week, while nearly two dozen students were arrested over a protest at Brown University.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, Columbia University announced it was suspending Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace as official student groups through the end of the term. It accused both of repeatedly violating campus policies including an unauthorized event Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The range of responses to these protests show that college administrators are struggling to address protests that have gotten heated and turned once-quiet spaces on campus into places where some students say they don’t feel safe.</div><div><br></div><div>At MIT, Sally Kornbluth, the school’s president, sent a letter to all students outlining the “boundaries of protest on campus” during a pro-Palestinian demonstration that she described as “disruptive” and “loud.” The protest in the building called Lobby 7 lasted much of the day and attracted counterprotesters.</div><div><br></div><div>When some protesters refused to leave after a deadline was set, the school said it would suspend them. But after hearing concerns including visa issues, Kornbluth said they would be “suspended from non-academic campus activities.” It was unclear how many students would be affected and when that would happen.</div><div><br></div><div>“After exhausting all other avenues for de-escalating the situation, we informed all protesters that they must leave the lobby area within a set time, or they would be subject to suspension,” Kornbluth wrote. “Many chose to leave, and I appreciate their cooperation. Some did not.”</div><div><br></div><div>People on both sides criticized the response.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our love and fight for the people of Gaza will not be swayed by the administration’s fear tactics,” MIT-wide Coalition for Palestine organizer Mohamed Mohamed said in a statement. “While the administration may possess the means to send letters and emails to all students, staff, faculty, and workers, we possess something even more potent — a just cause and the collective voices of thousands in the MIT community who remain committed to advocating for an end to the genocide and an end to the occupation.”</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, the MIT Israel Alliance criticized the university for not academically suspending any of the protesters, whom they accused of preventing students from attending classes.</div><div><br></div><div>“Instead of dispersing the mob or de-escalating the situation by rerouting all students from Lobby 7, Jewish students specifically were warned not to enter MIT’s front entrance due to a risk to their physical safety,” the group said in a statement. “The onus to protect Jewish students should not be on the students themselves.”</div><div><br></div><div>The latest war began with an attack on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants who targeted towns, farming communities and a music festival near the Gaza border, killing at least 1,200 people. Israel has responded with weeks of attacks in Gaza, which have killed more than 11,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry — most of them Palestinian civilians.</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday, Brandeis University President Ron Liebowitz put out a statement to the school community saying it no longer recognized the Brandeis chapter of the National Students for Justice in Palestine. It made the move over what the university said was the group’s support of Hamas and its “its call for the violent elimination of Israel and the Jewish people,” he wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>Brandies was founded in 1948 by the American Jewish community.</div><div><br></div><div>The group, according to The Boston Globe, was sent a notice Monday that its status as an official student group had been rescinded.</div><div><br></div><div>“All students, faculty, and staff are welcome here, and encouraged to participate in the free exchange of ideas,” Liebowitz wrote. “To promote such free exchange, we must not and do not condone hate, the incitement of violence, or threats against or harassment of anyone, be they Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Israeli, Palestinian, or any other religion or ethnicity.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Brandeis chapter of the National Students for Justice in Palestine could not be reached for comment. But the Globe reported that the group, in an October statement after Hamas attacked Israel, said it was a “moral imperative to recognize and support the resilience of the people who have endured 75 years of oppression, displacement, and the denial of their basic rights.” That included “armed resistance.”</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University’s Department of Public Safety arrested 20 students who refused to leave a campus building during a sit-in. The students, with the group BrownU Jews for Cease-fire Now, posted on X that they were calling on the university to promote an “immediate cease-fire and a lasting peace” as well as the divestment of its endowment from companies that “enable war crimes in Gaza.”</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, the university said it repeatedly warned students they were trespassing before arresting them.</div><div><br></div><div>“At Brown, we recognize our responsibility for being an educational institution that manages challenging discussions in a way that remains true to the fundamental principle of freedom of expression while emphasizing the importance of safety for all community members,” Brown said in a statement.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Brown leaders have met with many student groups in recent weeks to listen to and address concerns, and we will continue to do so moving forward.” - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 11:02:47', '2023-11-11 11:02:47'),
(10006, 10006, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday once again urged the people to vote for Awami League in the upcoming national elections to help finish the incomplete development programmes.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Election is coming, and I want you to vote for boat (electoral symbol of Awami League) so we can serve you again and complete the unfinished works,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister was addressing a public meeting at Matarbari Thermal Power Plant Project\'s township ground in the afternoon organised by AL\'s Maheshkhali Upazila unit.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that Awami League could form the government for three consecutive terms as people of the country voted it to power.</div><div><br></div><div>She blamed the increasing inflation on Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter sanctions.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have tried to contain that. We have taken steps to curb inflation rate and very soon inflation rate will decline. People will be able to live a better life,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She urged all to utilise their every piece of land for farming and produce whatever they can.</div><div><br></div><div>“Please do not leave behind a single inch of land without farming. We have to develop our own country,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, said that her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman liberated this country, and it is her duty to improve the fate of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“The father of the nation placed Bangladesh as least developed country, and following his ideology and footsteps we have put Bangladesh as the developing country. We have to implement that,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>For that purpose, she said, the people have to cast their votes for boat and ensure the win of Awami League in the next election.</div><div><br></div><div>“Only Awami League can do that, no one else can.&nbsp; They do not have any patriotism and no responsibility towards people,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Coming down heavily on BNP and its allies for unleashing arson attacks again on general people,&nbsp; Hasina said, If any person has humanity, then that person can not burn anyone alive.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Their only task is to burn people alive and destroy property,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>So, the PM said, people have to remain cautious about them.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She said that for the development and welfare of the mass people she is ready for any sort of sacrifice.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“If needed I am ready to sacrifice my blood like my father. My only task is to ensure your welfare,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud, AL lawmaker from Maheshkhali and Kutubdia constituency Asheq Ullah Rafiq also spoke with Maheshkhali Upazila AL President Valiant Freedom Fighter Anwar Pasha Chowdhury in the chair. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 12:53:51', '2023-11-11 12:53:51'),
(10007, 10007, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The nationwide blockades for the past few days have dealt a severe blow to the business landscape of Bangladesh, leaving wholesale markets desolate and causing a week-long economic slump.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The impact has spread over areas like New Market, Chandni Market, Eastern Plaza, Elephant Road, Farmgate, Gulistan Market, Shantinagar, Kakrail, Mouchak Market, Rampura-Badda, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, Gulshan-Banani, and Uttara in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Nawabpur, Chawkbazar, Islampur, Babubazar, Shankharibazar, Moulvibazar, and Bangabazar, also witnessed a decline in trade activities.</div><div><br></div><div>Dewan Aminul Islam, President of Dhaka New Market Traders’ Association, said that sales were very low during the blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are no buyers. Small traders are suffering more. If the blockade continues, then we will be the most affected,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Employees at Olympia Bakeryshop in the Baitul Mukarram area similarly report a decline in sales. They have resorted to a shift toward alternative sales strategies within familiar networks.</div><div><br></div><div>Sabuj, a tea vendor at Paltan intersection, said his shop faced a significant contraction in sales over the past week.</div><div><br></div><div>“I make TK10-12,000 per day. Now it’s Tk2-3,000,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Farooq Hasan, President of BGMEA, told UNB “The sector was already suffering from a shortage of buyers in the international market. Now, due to internal political instability, we have to face a more difficult situation. As a result, not only the export sector will be affected, but the entire economy of the country will be affected.&nbsp; It will also affect the reserves.”</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Hatem, Executive President of BKMEA, expressed concern over escalating losses among traders.</div><div><br></div><div>“The internal transportation of goods has been severely impeded. Industrial production witnessed a decline.Export sector is especially vulnerable to the ongoing blockade,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) President, Abdus Salam Murshedi, told UNB that due to the blockade, businesses cannot collect the raw materials stuck at various ports due to the transportation crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahbubul Alam, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), called for a collective reconsideration of the ongoing strike blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>“Such programs, if prolonged, may lead to a standstill in the wheels of the economy,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 29, a hartal was observed across the country called by BNP and other like-minded opposition parties. After the three-day blockade on October 31, the blockade continued on November 5 and 6, and after the two-day blockade, it continued on November 8 and 9 with a one-day break. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 13:20:55', '2023-11-11 13:20:55'),
(10008, 10008, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>When a historic earthquake struck Morocco in September, Ahmed Aazab tightly hugged his wife and four children as their home’s brick walls tumbled around them.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The roof collapsed, shattering clay pots in the kitchen and trapping picture frames and homework assignments beneath rubble. When the ground finally stopped shaking, the construction worker shepherded his five loved ones to a park. Then he rescued his father, mother and aunt, who were trapped in his childhood home nearby.</div><div><br></div><div>For centuries, families in towns like Moulay Brahim in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains constructed their homes of stone and bricks, which they made by tightly ramming handfuls of muddy earth into molds.</div><div><br></div><div>Now they face the daunting task of rebuilding from the quake and villagers and architects are debating just how.</div><div><br></div><div>From Mexico to Hawaii, the question of rebuilding communities without changing them for the worse arises in the aftermath of virtually all-natural disasters. In Morocco, King Mohammed VI’s cabinet pledged in a statement the week after the quake to rebuild “in harmony with heritage and architectural features.”</div><div><br></div><div>More than 3,000 people died in September\'s earthquake in Morocco, and some 1,000 villages were damaged. The country plans to spend $11.7 billion on post-earthquake reconstruction over the next five years — equivalent to roughly 8.5% of its annual GDP. Morocco plans to allocate residents cash relief for basic necessities, with an additional $13,600 to rebuild households that were completely destroyed and $7,800 to those that were partially destroyed.</div><div><br></div><div>Because of the number of earthquakes in Morocco, there’s widespread agreement among villagers and architects that safety should be a top priority. That’s created a drive for modern building materials and an ambivalence toward the government’s stated commitment to rebuild in line with Morocco’s cultural and architectural heritage.</div><div><br></div><div>In some places, local officials awaiting word from higher authorities have stopped those who have tried to start building. That\'s sowed resentment as the weather grows colder, laid-off miner Ait Brahim Brahim said in Anerni, a pastoral mountainside village where 36 people died.</div><div><br></div><div>Many say they hope to build with the concrete and cinderblocks commonly used in larger Moroccan cities, rather than the traditional earthen bricks they suspect may have compounded their misfortune.</div><div><br></div><div>“Everyone goes for modern. The traditional ways, no one cares about it,” Ait Brahim said.</div><div><br></div><div>But a subset of architects and engineers is pushing back against the idea that bricks made from earth are more vulnerable to damage.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammed Hamdouni Alami, a professor at Rabat’s National School of Architecture, said that the idea that newer materials like concrete are signs of higher social class has taken hold as parts of Morocco experienced rapid development.</div><div><br></div><div>“People see that the government is building all over the country using concrete and think it’s because it’s better and safer. They ask, ’Why should we build with materials that are for the poor, that are unsafe and primitive?” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>But Hamdouni Alami said that bricks of earth, often called adobe in Spain and the Americas, have long been used in wealthier earthquake-prone regions like California. Some of Morocco’s most famous buildings constructed with them — including Marrakech’s 16th Century El Badi Palace — have survived the test of time.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s not an issue of materials, it’s an issue of techniques,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Kit Miyamoto, a Japanese-American structural engineer, led a team that met with masons and surveyed damage after the earthquake and reached a similar conclusion. His team\'s report said it found “no significant difference in the seismic performance of either traditional or modern construction systems.” It concluded that poorly constructed homes of a combination of concrete and earthen materials fared worst in the earthquake.</div><div><br></div><div>“A common belief in many post-earthquake affected communities worldwide is that old traditional construction systems must be ‘bad and weak,’ while new modern techniques such as steel and concrete are inherently ‘better,’” they wrote in their October report. “Poor construction quality is the primary cause of failure, not modern versus traditional material systems.”</div><div><br></div><div>Miyamoto said he hopes that Morocco rebuilds using affordable materials that residents will be able to repair. If the government merely rebuilds using more costly concrete, he said, he worries about residents’ future ability to make small repairs to maintain seismic safety.</div><div><br></div><div>His team\'s recommendations included that rebuilding adhere to a code with new seismic safety requirements added in 2011, seven years after a violent earthquake shook the country’s north.</div><div><br></div><div>The code includes sections about earthen materials, foundations, building reinforcement and the ideal space between bricks. It restricted the number of floors that could be built in earthquake-prone areas and prohibited the use of mud bricks on “soft ground.”</div><div><br></div><div>However, the extent of its implementation remains limited — a problem that many have blamed for damage in cities like Casablanca and rural parts of the country hit by the earthquake. There, many walls — whether made of concrete or earthen bricks — lacked adequate foundations, reports AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The problem isn’t the building code, it’s that it’s not in use,” Miyamoto said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 13:37:12', '2023-11-11 13:37:12'),
(10009, 10009, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The second seasonal live concert of Coke Studio Bangla, the Bangladeshi franchise of the globally popular musical program Coke Studio, enthralled thousands of fans at Bangladesh Army Stadium in the capital on Friday night.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The event showcased a total of 125 artists including singers, musicians and dance performers, according to the organisers.</div><div><br></div><div>Began with the performance of Hatirpool Sessions in the afternoon, the main concert started with the electrifying track \"Nasek Nasek\" by Animes Roy and Pantha Kanai, the very first track of Coke Studio Bangla Season One - the event went on rocking the audiences from 6:30 pm till 12 am.</div><div><br></div><div>During this time, the ensemble line-up of Coke Studio Bangla\'s artists from both seasons including Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, Animes Roy, Pantho Kanai, Meghdol, Momotaz Begum, Mizan Rahman, Ritu Raj, Sanzida Mahmood Nandita, Elita Karim, Shuvo (D rockstar), Anuradha Mandal, Shawon Gaanwala, Moktadir Dewan Shanto with \'Beatmosphere\', Jalali Set, Ripon Kumar Sarkar (Boga), Sunidhi Nayak, Soumyadeep Sikdar (Murshidabadi), Kaniz Khandaker Mitu, Md Makhon Mia, Warda Ashraf, Shanila Islam, Jannatul Firdous Akbar, Armeen Musa and Ghashphoring Choir, Riad Hasan, Pollob Vai, Sohana (Daughter of coastal), Mukul Mojumder Ishaan, Islam Uddin Palakar, Emon Chowdhury, Arfan Mredha Shiblu, Aleya Begum, Fuad Al Muqtadir, Tasfia Fatima Tashfee, Suchona Shelly, Bappa Mazumder, Hamida Banu, Pritom Hasan and others showcased their stunning performances one after another.</div><div><br></div><div>There were several \'magical\' moments delivering the platform\'s tagline \"Real Magic\" - including Jalali Set\'s electrifying rap performance, Beatmosphere\'s jaw-dropping beatboxing and acapella performances, Emon Chowdhury’s heart-touching guitar tribute to rock legend Ayub Bachchu and Pritom\'s flamboyant showstopping performance of \'Deora\' which saw a fan jumped on the stage and hugged Pritom while the artist dealt the situation with care and professionalism.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the performers delivering great performances from their end, the concert suffered with chaotic situations from the beginning till the end. The entire Army Stadium area and the adjacent roads were jam-packed with concertgoers, and many fans could not even enter the venue despite being legitimate ticket holders.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>That happened because the gates had to be closed after 7 pm as the concert went on becoming massively overcrowded from the beginning, with more than 30 thousand music lovers.</div><div><br></div><div>Also, despite putting out restrictions and operating rigorous security checks on the entrance, the entire atmosphere of Army Stadium got poisonously polluted with the smokes of cigarettes and weeds, and the issue was even addressed by the organizers as they continuously requested the crowd not to smoke.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the concert ended on a high note with Coke Studio Bangla music producer and curator Arnob thanking the fans and confirming the upcoming season three. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 13:47:55', '2023-11-11 13:47:55'),
(10010, 10010, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The health care system in the Gaza Strip is \"on its knees,\" the head of the World Health Organization warned Friday, noting that half of the territory\'s 36 hospitals are no longer functioning.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to the Security Council, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation on the ground as desperate: \"Hospital corridors crammed with the injured, the sick, the dying; morgues overflowing; surgery without anesthesia; tens of thousands of displaced people sheltering at hospitals.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"The health system is on its knees, and yet somehow is continuing to deliver lifesaving care,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Tedros said there had been more than 250 attacks on health care -- such as strikes on hospitals, clinics, ambulances and patients -- in Gaza and the West Bank, and 25 such attacks in Israel in the conflict triggered by Hamas\'s shock October 7 assault.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The best way to support those health workers and the people they serve is by giving them the tools they need to deliver that care -- medicines, medical equipment and fuel for hospital generators,\" he said, calling for an increase in aid trickling in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt and repeating the UN\'s call for a ceasefire.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I understand what the children of Gaza must be going through, because as a child, I went through the same thing,\" said the WHO chief, who is from Ethiopia\'s Tigray region.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The sound of gunfire and shells whistling through the air; the smell of smoke after they struck; tracer bullets in the night sky; the fear; the pain; the loss -- these things have stayed with me throughout my life.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He also denounced the \"horrific, barbaric and unjustifiable attacks\" carried out by Hamas fighters, and demanded the release of hostages held by the militant group.</div><div><br></div><div>The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Marwan Jilani, addressed the Security Council by video, calling on members to \"do all you can to spare further deaths and sufferings.\" The council is divided on the war and has failed to issue a resolution on it.</div><div><br></div><div>He highlighted the dire situation at the Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City, which the Red Crescent said was fired on Friday by Israeli snipers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our utmost concern is the direct threat to the lives of all those wounded and sick, together with tens of thousands of civilians, including thousands of children,\" Jilani said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They are looking at you, imploring you to act to stop another possible massacre unfolding.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Security Council started its meeting with a minute of silence to honor the victims of the Hamas assault, the civilians killed in Israel\'s retaliatory strikes on Gaza, as well as the journalists and UN personnel who have died in the war. According to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 13:55:58', '2023-11-11 13:55:58'),
(10011, 10011, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Police arrested a local BNP leader from Sirajganj’s Diardhangora area on Friday night in a case filed over sabotage.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Shamim Hossain Hitler, co-organizing secretary of Sirajganj district unit BNP, was arrested around 10:30pm, Sirajul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sirajganj Sadar Police Station, confirmed, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from this, there are several cases against him, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader was sent to jail on Saturday morning, told the OC.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 14:00:14', '2023-11-11 14:00:14'),
(10012, 10012, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least five houseboats were reduced to ashes in a massive fire that broke out at Srinagar\'s iconic Dal Lake early Saturday morning. The fire, believed to have originated from a houseboat at Ghat number 9, quickly spread and engulfed four adjacent houseboats, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The houseboats, known for their historical significance and cultural value, were moored along the lake when the fire broke out.</div><div><br></div><div>Immediate action was taken by special teams from the fire services department, who rushed to the scene to control the blaze. The financial toll of the disaster is expected to be substantial, with preliminary estimates reaching crores.</div><div><br></div><div>However, there was no loss of life in the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, however, initial reports suggest that a short circuit may have been the catalyst. According to Hindustan Times reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 14:06:25', '2023-11-11 14:06:25'),
(10013, 10013, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">This is the season of eating healthier, enjoying seasonal produce and enjoying more and more outdoor activities. However a sudden drop of temperature may also bring along seasonal ailments which especially affects the elderly, young children and those who already suffer from co-morbidities.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>This season increases incidents of cold, cough, flu and aggravates health conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, asthma, etc.&nbsp;</div><div>Statistics also suggest that more people tend to suffer from heart attacks in winter. Here are some essential health tips to keep your body healthy this winter and fight seasonal infections:</div><div><br></div><div>► Have dry fruits</div><div>Dry fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews naturally increase your body temperature. When added to your winter diet, dry fruits can work wonders for you because they have more nutrition, vitamins, minerals, and fibre than any other fresh fruit.</div><div><br></div><div>► Eat seasonal root vegetables</div><div>Many winter root vegetables are known for being carb-heavy and starchy. However, winter root veggies are complex, slow-burning carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates help you feel full and satisfied and won’t result in sharp blood sugar rises. Some common root vegetables include carrots, radishes, beetroot, sweet potato, purple yam, etc.</div><div><br></div><div>► Maintain high hygiene</div><div>Wash your hands regularly to keep infections away. Wash well before eating, after using the washroom and touching any contaminated things. Encourage young children to wash their hands after coming home from outdoors.</div><div><br></div><div>► Stay hydrated</div><div>You may not feel as thirsty in the winters. However, having enough water intake is one of the best things which you can do to avoid many of the winter ailments.</div><div><br></div><div>► Eat fresh fruits</div><div>Boost your immunity by including more and more seasonal fruits that include oranges, strawberries, amla, papaya, kiwi, etc. in your diet.</div><div><br></div><div>► Have enough fibre</div><div>People have a tendency to overeat during the winter months since it’s vital to stay warm. However, this does not mean you eat only calorie-rich foods and fatty foods. Include more plant based foods that include soluble fibre and help aid your digestion.</div><div><br></div><div>► Have leafy green vegetables</div><div>Dark leafy greens are high in vitamins A, C, and K as well as a number of other nutrients. Include spinach, fenugreek leaves, mustard greens, etc in your diet that not only improve your bone health but also aid in preventing dry skin during the winter.</div><div><br></div><div>► Include Omega-3 fatty acids</div><div>These are the good fats found in foods like fish, nuts, and seeds of plants. In addition to lowering a person’s stress levels, they aid in reducing the body’s levels of joint pain and stiffness.</div><div><br></div><div>► Use herbs and spices</div><div>Include spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and onions in your diet to fight inflammation, maintain the health of your nasal passages, and boost your immune system.</div><div><br></div><div>► Exercise regularly</div><div>Wintertime is a time when it’s normal to feel a little lethargic. However, it’s crucial to maintain a moderate amount of physical exercise to boost your immunity and fend off the seasonal illnesses that are typical during this time of year. Try some indoor exercises like yoga, aerobics, strength training, and other similar ones if the weather outside makes it impossible to exercise.</div><div><br></div><div>► Moisturize your skin</div><div>Your skin may become dry, dull, and hard throughout the winter. To maintain it smooth and radiant, cover your skin with a high-quality moisturiser and sunscreen. This is especially important for people suffering from psoriasis and eczema.</div><div><br></div><div>► Keep yourself warm</div><div>Keep your airways open and your immune system healthy by dressing for the weather and arming yourself with coats, mufflers, caps, and other protective gear.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 15:10:50', '2023-11-11 15:10:50'),
(10014, 10014, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The BNP and like-minded opposition parties are set to enforce another spell of nationwide blockade of road, rail and waterways for 48 hours from Sunday morning, to mount pressure on the Awami League regime to quit and pave the way for the next election under a non-party neutral administration.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The blockade will begin at 6am on Sunday and end at 6am on Tuesday across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Giving a pause for two days, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition parties, who have long been carrying out the simultaneous movement with BNP, will also enforce the blockade simultaneously.</div><div><br></div><div>At a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday called upon the country’s people and the BNP supporters to observe the programme spontaneously to make it successful.</div><div><br></div><div>Vehicles of the newspapers or media, ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders and medicines will remain out of the purview of the three-day blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the party enforced two rounds of 48-hour nationwide blockade from Nov 5 to Nov 9 with a break on Nov 7 and a three-day countrywide blockade from October 31 to November and programmes were marked by widespread incidents of clashes, violence and torching of several dozens of vehicles.</div><div><br></div><div>They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on October 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.</div><div><br></div><div>According to BNP, their party’s 11 leaders and workers were killed and around 3,906 others were injured in clashes with police and the ruling party leaders and activists since October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, a police constable, a journalist and ruling party activists were also killed in clashes during the period.</div><div><br></div><div>Half an hour into the start of BNP\'s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 15:26:35', '2023-11-11 15:26:35'),
(10015, 10015, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>As thousands of Taylor Swift fans eagerly lined up Thursday for the superstar\'s first-ever concert in Argentina, they saw themselves surrounded by posters urging them to not vote in favor of right-wing populist Javier Milei in next week\'s presidential election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"A Swiftie Doesn\'t Vote Milei,\" read one of the posters, using the term commonly used to describe fans of the 12-time Grammy winner.</div><div><br></div><div>Some Swifties agreed. \"Taylor defends lots of positions and things that Milei doesn\'t represent,\" said 17-year-old Julieta Bracamontes. \"That sign is right and I agree with it.\"</div><div><br></div><div>At the bottom of the poster a hashtag read \"Milei Is Trump.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who holds lots of socially conservative positions including opposition to abortion, has often been described as Argentina\'s Donald Trump.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I think Trump is very similar to Milei,\" said Constanza Trunsky, a psychology student, noting the points in common between Argentina\'s current political climate and the views Swift has expressed in the past, particularly her support for the LGBT community.</div><div><br></div><div>Milei has said he supports marriage equality, which has been the law in Argentina since 2010, but has spoken up against sex education in schools and is opposed to the state devoting funds to assist the trans community as well as other minority groups.</div><div><br></div><div>Another poster that suddenly appeared in numerous locations around the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires showed a stylized stencil portrait of Swift holding a tray of cookies of different shapes that read, \"Massa 2023,\" in reference to Economy Minister Sergio Massa, Milei\'s opponent in the Nov. 19 presidential runoff.</div><div><br></div><div>The most hardcore Swifties immediately knew the image made reference to a famous photo of an overalls-wearing Swift holding cookies in favor of President Joe Biden\' s 2020 candidacy.</div><div><br></div><div>Politics first burst into the South American country\'s Swift fandom late last month, when a fan club issued a news release calling on fans of the superstar singer to vote against Milei.</div><div><br></div><div>Milei \"represents the antidemocratic right that comes to take away all our acquired rights,\" the fan club said in a news release.</div><div><br></div><div>The group spoke up shortly after Massa received the most votes in the Oct. 22 election, obtaining 37% of the total, almost seven points more than Milei but not enough to avoid a runoff.</div><div><br></div><div>But not all Swifties agreed with the fan club meddling in politics.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I don\'t think it\'s something they should get involved in and say that Swifties won\'t vote (for Milei) because everyone has their personal opinion, and they can\'t generalize like that,\" Lucila Losinno, 28, said Thursday while waiting to get into the concert.</div><div><br></div><div>Others who had been impatiently waiting for the Eras Tour to arrive in South America were eager to shake off any talk of politics.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I don\'t sympathize with any of the politicians, but I don\'t know, I feel that putting the face of the artist on something political isn\'t very good,\" said Malena Garachena, 19. But \"it\'s OK, I don\'t think she\'ll see it.\" - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 15:34:36', '2023-11-11 15:34:36');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10016, 10016, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP on Saturday alleged that the government has created a frightening situation in the country with its crackdown on the opposition leaders and workers in a bid to hold another fake and lopsided election like in the past.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also claimed that the ruling party ‘cadres’ are setting fire to public vehicles to malign BNP’s movement.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Awami fascist regime has become tactless and dangerously desperate to stage a mockery in the name of a one-sided fake election as they did in the past. Sheikh Hasina is now desperate to hold the election by stamping 43 seals for the boat in 57 seconds,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Slamming the government for starting a crackdown to arrest the BNP leaders and activists in false cases, Rizvi said the members of the law enforcement agencies have swooped on the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“Common people are now living in a silent appalling atmosphere like the wartime period. The head of the government has become a ferocious killer in fear of losing power…the country has been thrown into a suffocating situation at her (PM’s) behest,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The veteran leader also said police officers subservient to the government have now become employees of the Awami League Limited Company.</div><div><br></div><div>When the night falls, he said fear descends on the country due to police raids as many cases are being filed every day against the pro-democratic forces.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the police stations are now indulging in brisk trade of arrest spreading panic in every house. “Sheikh Hasina has established the rule of hangman by destroying all the happiness and peace of the people.”</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that more than 315 BNP leaders and activists were arrested and 12 fresh cases were filed against the opposition leaders and workers in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said over 10,405 opposition leaders and followers were arrested centring BNP’s Oct 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockade programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>He also claimed that 11 leaders and workers of their party and a journalist were killed and 3,906 others were injured by the law enforcers and the ruling party men since October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said a total of 13,386 BNP leaders and followers were arrested and 613 cases were filed against 48,443 opposition leaders and workers since July 28, according to UNB reports.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that their party is going to enforce another spell of 48-hour blockade from 6 am on Sunday in a peaceful manner. \"But Awami terrorists are torching vehicles and going on a rampage to bring question marks over the opposition party\'s movement. We have numerous evidence and videos and photos of it in our hands.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 16:09:37', '2023-11-11 16:09:37'),
(10017, 10017, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The US dollar crisis grows deeper in banks after Bangladesh Bank (BB) warned the banks to buy it at its prescribed pre-fixed rate, yet in the kerb (open) market, the dollar is selling at Tk128 even - an almost Tk 15 difference.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The central bank official avoid commenting on the record price of dollars in the kerb, arguing that the BB is searching for the illegal dollar traders who are behind the trading of dollars at a higher rate.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, the BB spokesperson and Executive Director Mezbaul Haque told UNB that the central bank warned banks strictly to buy dollars at an excessive rate.</div><div><br></div><div>The central bank will impose rigorous punishment if banks buy dollars ignoring the bank rate, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The price of the US dollar is rising unbridled in the open market. In contrast, three days later, the price of the dollar increased by Tk3 in the kerb market. On Saturday, the US dollar was selling in the kerb market at Tk127 per dollar.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, on Wednesday (November 8), every dollar was sold at Tk 124 in the kerb market.</div><div><br></div><div>For money exchangers, Bangladesh Bank has fixed the buying price of the dollar at Tk113.75 and the selling price at Tk115.25.</div><div><br></div><div>However, no money exchange traded dollars at this rate.</div><div><br></div><div>In Motijheel, Dilkusha, Paltan, and Fakirapool areas, buyers have bought dollars at the rate of up to Tk128 per dollar in various shops and restaurants on Saturday while dollars are not traded in money exchanges.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, Secretary General of the Money Changers Association of Bangladesh Helal Sikder said that the dollar is not being traded at the rate set by Bangladesh Bank, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“The customer comes and goes back without getting a dollar. They are forced to buy dollars from illegal traders at high rates,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-11 16:35:11', '2023-11-11 16:35:11'),
(10018, 10018, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the newly constructed Ghorashal-Palash Urea Fertiliser Factory (GPUFF) in Narsingdi, the largest of its kind in the Southeast Asia, which is expected to help slash fertiliser imports significantly.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>She opened the environment friendly energy saving and modern technology based factory with production capacity of 9.24 lakh MT of fertilizer annually by unveiling the inaugural plaque at a civic rally on the GPUFF premises in Palash Upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>State-of-the-art technology are installed to run the factory smoothly while skilled manpower have already been prepared through proper training by foreign experts since the project\'s inception.</div><div><br></div><div>Construction of a railway line is undergoing for connecting the factory to Ghorashal Railway Station aimed at facilitating transportation.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister, as well, inspected the factory before its inauguration.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She also released commemorative stamps, opening envelopes and a special canceller marking the opening of the GPUFF.</div><div><br></div><div>A video documentary on the project was screened at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun MP, State Minister Kamal Ahmed Mojumder MP, Anwarul Ashraf Khan, MP and Senior Secretary Zakia Sultana were present.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier is scheduled to address a grand rally to be held at the Mosleh Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium here where she will also inaugurate a number of development projects in Narsingdi.</div><div><br></div><div>With starting operation of the fertiliser factory, the dependency on importing fertiliser will reduce significantly as the local factories will produce together 19.24 lakh MT against the country\'s total annual demand of 26 lakh tonnes.</div><div><br></div><div>The local factories are currently producing about 10 lakh tonnes while the rest of the annual demand is met through import.</div><div><br></div><div>The factory will create 30,000 jobs, according to the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).</div><div><br></div><div>The factory which has capacity of producing 2800 MT of fertiliser daily, was built at a cost of Tk 15,500 crore on 110 acres of land</div><div><br></div><div>Of the total cost, the government provided Tk 4,580.21 crore, and Tk 10.920 crore was obtained through business loan schemes from JICA, HSBC, and Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Limited.</div><div><br></div><div>The factory\'s two steam gas generators are capable of producing 32 MW of electricity while the plant needs 28 MW to run.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the first fertilizer factory in Bangladesh where the environmental pollutant Carbon-Di-Oxide (CO2) will be captured from the primary reformer flue gas and the production of urea fertilizer will increase (about 10pc ) by using the captured CO2.</div><div><br></div><div>This is \"modern, sophisticated, energy efficient and green\" fertilizer factory in the country which will reduce the import of urea fertilizer and save hard-earned foreign currency. According to BSS reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 09:08:45', '2023-11-12 09:08:45'),
(10019, 10019, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BGMEA President Faruque Hassan on Sunday said the owners of the RMG units can keep their factories closed under the law to protect industry and property until the vandalism is stopped and law enforcement agencies are able to ensure adequate security.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Every entrepreneur has a constitutional right to protect his own industry and properties from outsiders,” he told a media briefing at BGMEA office at Uttara.</div><div><br></div><div>The BGMEA chief repeated&nbsp; that for the sake of the country and the industry, to protect the employment of the worker siblings, if the working brothers and sisters do not work in any factory, leave the factory without working, vandalize the factory, then the factory authorities can keep the factory closed under section 13 (1) of the Labor Act.</div><div><br></div><div>Faruque said as there is currently less work in many factories in the garment sector, buyers have stopped placing new orders; they have asked to stop new recruitment.</div><div><br></div><div>“New appointments will be made when the situation improves,” said the BGMEA president.</div><div><br></div><div>Faruque urged the government to identify those who are plotting against this industry and take action.</div><div><br></div><div>“Also give us adequate security to run industries. Politics and economics complement each other. Remittance earning from the expatriates is experiencing a slowdown at the moment. In this situation, the garment industry, one of the main sectors of export earnings, deserves special attention,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The government on Tuesday announced Tk 12,500 as minimum wage for entry level RMG workers, raising it by 56.25% from the existing one.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian announced the new wage structure for RMG workers which will be effective from December 1.</div><div><br></div><div>RMG workers unions have rejected the offer and instead asked for an increase of nearly Tk 23,000 a&nbsp; month. Many workers resorted to street protests clashing with police and vandalizing factories.</div><div><br></div><div>Owners have announced indefinite shutdown of over 130 factories mainly in Gazipur and Ashulia areas.</div><div><br></div><div>The unrest for higher wage has left one female worker dead in police firing, dozens injured and arrested.</div><div><br></div><div>Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Industrial Police Md Zakir Hossain Khan on Saturday said they smell a rat behind the unrest in the readymade garment (RMG) industry in Gazipur, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The government has already announced wages and our notion is that a group is instigating them [RMG workers] to do movement. We are identifying those who are provoking them [demonstrating workers],\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 11:47:41', '2023-11-12 11:47:41'),
(10020, 10020, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP activists are instigating the garment workers, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Garment workers’ salary were increased earlier and the garment owners will solve the workers’ problem. But it has been seen that the BNP activists instigating the innocent workers ,” he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Turning down the United Nations’ observation that BNP leaders are being arrested due to political vengeance, Asaduzzaman said “They (BNP) killed a policeman and injured many policemen during the October 28 rally. The law enforcement agencies arrested those people involved in beating a female leader, attacking chief justice’s residence after checking video footages. Without asking their activists to refrain from carrying out attacks the BNP leaders declared hartal from the rally stage. Top leaders are also responsible for that.”</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the UN Chief\'s request to allow BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment after releasing her, the home minister said the government has taken steps to provide better treatment for her with the facility to bring physicians from abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question about BNP’s participation in the next election, he said its’ BNP’s decision whether they will take part in the election or not.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the arson attacks being carried out by the opposition activists during the ongoing blockade, Asaduzzaman, said the people of the country will resist them. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:11:36', '2023-11-12 13:11:36'),
(10021, 10021, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 jolted New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea at 0451 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 3.63 degrees south latitude and 151.32 degrees east longitude. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:14:41', '2023-11-12 13:14:41'),
(10022, 10022, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Export and import between Bangladesh and India through Lalmonirhat’s Burimari land port will remain off today and tomorrow, on the occasion of Kali Puja.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Three Indian organizations for businesses and drivers decided to keep their activities suspended for two days, marking Kali Puja.</div><div><br></div><div>However, internal activities at the land port in Lalmonirhat are going on.</div><div><br></div><div>Mur Hasan Kabir, sub-inspector of Burimari Land Port Immigration Outpost, said immigration activities between Bangladesh and India are on.</div><div><br></div><div>Gias Uddin, assistant director (traffic) of Burimari Land Port Authority, said businesspeople from both countries informed them about the suspension of business activities for two days on the occasion of Kali Puja. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:16:18', '2023-11-12 13:16:18'),
(10023, 10023, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After a hugely disappointing World Cup mission, Bangladesh national cricket team returned home today almost silently on a special chartered flight of ICC from Pune.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The special flight carrying the Tigers landed at 10am.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh lost seven out of their nine matches in the World Cup, making it their worst-ever mission in the cricket\'s biggest extravaganza for the first time since 2007.</div><div><br></div><div>They were the first team in this World Cup to be eliminated from the semifinal race.</div><div><br></div><div>In a bid to seal a semifinal spot in the World Cup for the first time in their history, Bangladesh started with a bang, beating Afghanistan by six wickets.</div><div><br></div><div>But thereafter their performance took a huge nosedive as they lost six matches on the trot.</div><div><br></div><div>They regained some pride, edging Sri Lanka past by three wickets in a controversial match which will be remembered always for the first ever \'timed</div><div>out\' dismissal of Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan chose to inflict this dismissal after Mathews failed to be at the crease within two minutes of regulation time.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib himself came up with a stellar all-round performance in this match as he took 2-57 before hammering a 65 ball-82. During his knock, Shakib</div><div>fractured his injured finger, which ruled him out of the last match against Australia.</div><div><br></div><div>Therefore, before the Australia match, Shakib returned to Dhaka. The rest of the members came back today.</div><div><br></div><div>But while the players and other officials returned today, all of the coaching staff chose to return to their respective countries from Pune.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the members of the coaching staff, including pace bowling coach Allan Donald and computer analyst Srinivas, have already bid goodbye to the team.</div><div><br></div><div>Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and the remaining members of the coaching staff will come to Dhaka later this month ahead of the two-match Test series at home against New Zealand.</div><div><br></div><div>The contract of all of the coaches with BCB apart from Hathurusingha and assistant coach Nic Pothas will however expire on November 30 this year.</div><div><br></div><div>But it is learnt that the board wants all of the coaches to stay at least this year considering the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand at home.</div><div><br></div><div>New Zealand which played the three-match ODI series before the World Cup, will arrive in Bangladesh just after the showpiece event. The first Test is from November 28 in Sylhet while the second Test will start on December 4 in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh later will tour New Zealand for a limited over series in the last week of this December. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:19:29', '2023-11-12 13:19:29'),
(10024, 10024, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh’s human rights record will be examined by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) working group for the fourth time on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Law Minister Anisul Huq will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the review meeting to be held in Geneva.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s first, second, and third UPR reviews took place in February 2009, April 2013, and May 2018, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In its submitted national report, Bangladesh said it would continue to strengthen its institutions and measures to promote and protect human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>As a nation built on the sacrifices of martyrs and the struggle of freedom fighters to achieve the rights of its people, Bangladesh said, it continues to maintain its unwavering commitment to human rights obligations.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR working group comprises the 47 Member States of the Human Rights Council. However, each of the 193 UN Member States can participate in a country review.</div><div><br></div><div>The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups, according to UN Human Rights Council.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN Member States have been reviewed thrice.</div><div><br></div><div>During the fourth UPR cycle, states are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Questions related to steps taken by the government to ensure a free and fair national election, freedom of assembly and expression, and the vital role of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society are likely to come during the review, a diplomatic source told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Future pledges</div><div><br></div><div>In pursuance of its commitment to the UPR process, Bangladesh will continue to update policies and legislations to implement its international human rights obligations, according to a submitted national report.</div><div><br></div><div>It will make efforts to enforce different Acts aiming at the promotion and protection of human rights to make the violators of human rights accountable.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh will further strengthen national institutions that promote human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and good governance and involve NGOs, CSOs, and other stakeholders in human rights promotion at all levels.</div><div><br></div><div>It will promote a “culture of peace” support collective measures against racism, sexism, and xenophobia, and protect the victims against such crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh will pursue its pro-people development agenda with a focus on women, children, minorities, persons with disabilities, vulnerable sections of society, climate change, and sustainability and will engage with the UN, its treaty bodies, and other human rights mechanisms of the UN as well as international partners for the improvement of human rights in Bangladesh as well as promotion of human rights worldwide.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh thinks stronger cooperation and support from external partners including developed countries, countries from the Global South, UN agencies and entities, international financial institutions and other international organizations can play a complementary role in Bangladesh’s continued efforts to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens.</div><div><br></div><div>Universal Periodic Review</div><div><br></div><div>The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council that calls for each UN member state to undergo a peer review of its human rights records every 4.5 years.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR provides each state the opportunity to regularly:</div><div><br></div><div>1) Report on the actions it has taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>2) Receive recommendations – informed by multi-stakeholder input and pre-session reports – from UN member states for continuous improvement.</div><div><br></div><div>Established in March 2006 by the UN General Assembly in resolution 60/251, the UPR is designed to prompt, support, and expand the promotion and protection of human rights in every country.</div><div><br></div><div>As a constitutional democracy, Bangladesh continues to remain \"fully committed\" to protecting human rights for all.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been adopting progressive policies to realize a better society for all where fundamental human rights, the rule of law, equality, and justice prevail, officials said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh considers all human rights to be universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, the government of Bangladesh continued to adopt legislative and policy reforms, \"enhance\" democratic institutions and accountability mechanisms to realize the aspiration of “a society in which the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality, and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens” as pledged by the constitution. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:22:24', '2023-11-12 13:22:24'),
(10025, 10025, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two people, including a motorcyclist, died in separate road accidents at Mirsharai, on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The incidents happened in Baradarogahat and Chhota Kamaldah areas of the upazila on Saturday morning and afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Yusuf, 42, a truck driver\'s assistant, and Basu Deb (36) of Durgapur union under Zorarganj kKhan of the upazila. Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kumira Highway Police Station, confirmed the matter.</div><div><br></div><div>According to locals, Basu died when an unidentified vehicle hit him on the Chattogram-bound lane at Chhota Kamaldah area of Mirsharai at 4 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the morning, Yousuf died when a truck hit his parked truck from behind in Baradarogtat area, said Deputy Assistant Director of Agrabad Fire Service and Civil Defence Abdur Razzaque, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The bodies of the deceased were sent to Chattogram Medical College morgue, said the OC.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:30:20', '2023-11-12 13:30:20'),
(10026, 10026, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government can’t be overthrown by carrying out clandestine attacks as the people are not behind the opposition movement.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“What can they do by imposing blockades? They want to topple the government. But how can they overthrow the government? The government can’t be ousted by clandestine attacks,” she asserted.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was addressing a huge public rally arranged by Narsingdi district Awami League at Musleh Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium here in Narsingdi.</div><div><br></div><div>She said if the people don’t join, a movement can’t be waged.  “BNP is a terrorist party. Jamaat is a party of war criminals. The people of this country can’t hear their words (call),” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM blasted BNP as it came up with blockade and strike programmes accusing them of burning the people through arson violence at a time when the students will sit for examinations this November ahead of the next general election.</div><div><br></div><div>“They dare not to come in public,” she said adding that they rather set buses and even ambulances on fire and burn the people, emerging from any lane.</div><div><br></div><div>She said BNP men beat journalists and police and lynched police in broad daylight. “They’ve utterly been violating human rights,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president, Sheikh Hasina, urged the people to catch and throw the arsonists in the fire. “If anyone goes to carry out arson violence and set a bus on fire, catch them and throw them in the same fire. If so, they would get a lesson otherwise not,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Coming down heavily on BNP leader Tarique Rahman, the PM said he was involved in many offences including the August 21 grenade attack, arms smuggling and money laundering.</div><div><br></div><div>“He (Tarique) is in London fleeing from (the country) and orders to carry out arson violence, staying there. Come back to Bangladesh, if you have courage. We’ll see you for a while,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Comparing the attack carried out by BNP men to a hospital and ambulance to the Israel bombing attack on Palestine hospital, she said the followers of BNP leader Khaleda Zia and Tarique Zia attack pregnant women in ambulances. “If so, my wonder if they are bastard sons of Israel,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>About the minimum wage for garment workers, the prime minister said her government increased the wage from only Tk 800 to Tk 1,600 during her 1996-2001 regime. But no hike was seen during the subsequent BNP regime. Even the BNP government didn’t implement the government’s decision of Tk 1,600 wage for the next five years, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Back to power in 2009, her government again raised the minimum wage on three occasions from Tk 1,600 to Tk 3,200, Tk 5,200 and Tk 8,300 in the past, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“This time the wage was raised to Tk 12,500. Their wage was increased by 56 percent. What should be their objection now?” asked the premier.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the AL government raised the wage for garment workers to Tk 12,500 from only Tk 800 within only 14 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina sought votes for ‘boat,’ the electoral symbol of ruling Awami League, in the upcoming national election.</div><div><br></div><div>When she asked the participants to raise their hands that they would cast votes for the boat, they raised their hands. Then she expressed gratitude to them.</div><div><br></div><div>“The arsonists and killers should not be allowed to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president also asked her party leaders and activists to work united for the party’s nominated candidate.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister called upon the people except the public servants to join the universal pension scheme for their better future.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that her government created 2.5 crore to 2.75 crore jobs since 2009, she said only 3 percent people are unemployed now.</div><div><br></div><div>“But there is no scope to remain unemployed,” she asked the unemployed youths to become entrepreneurs by availing different facilities given by the government, including collateral-free loans from Karmasangsthan Bank, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The PM also said that the government has taken a total of 314 development projects for Narsingdi since 2009. Of the projects, 191 ones have already been executed and work on the remaining projects are underway.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 13:50:04', '2023-11-12 13:53:25'),
(10027, 10027, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Though most of the party’s central leaders have apparently gone into hiding amid a crackdown following the October 28 violence, BNP leaders may take to the streets again after the announcement of the schedule for the next polls to intensify the ongoing movement.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to UNB, some senior BNP leaders said they have already prepared a strategy to carry out a non-stop movement with harsher programmes like hartal, blockade and laying siege to the Election Commission and different government offices to halt any lopsided election.</div><div><br></div><div>They said their party also took the opinions of the like-mined parties about what to do if the election schedule is announced and most parties suggested enforcing blockade or hartal without any pause.</div><div><br></div><div>As per their strategy, the BNP leaders said soon after the announcement of the schedule for the next election, the opposition parties will first give a 48-hour ultimatum to the Election Commission (EC) to cancel the schedule and create a proper atmosphere for a participatory election under a neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>If the EC pays heed to their ultimatum, they will then try to show their strength on the streets across the country with their action programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Article 126 of the Constitution, it shall be the duty of all executive authorities to assist the Election Commission to discharge its duties.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leaders said they would closely observe how the EC exerts the powers enshrined by the constitution to take control over the state apparatus, including the law enforcement agencies.</div><div><br></div><div>They said they would also observe the role of the EC in stopping the mass arrest of opposition leaders and activists and releasing the arrested party senior leaders and workers.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP claimed over 10,770 opposition leaders and followers were arrested centring BNP’s Oct 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockade programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, vice-chairman Barrister Shahjahan Oma, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, chairperson’s adviser Amanullah Aman, and joint secretaries general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Kahirul Kabir Khokon were arrested following the party’s grand rally and violence.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the 19 members of the BNP standing committee, Jamiruddin Sircar, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Begum Selima Rahman now remained active in politics. However, they are now staying in safer places secretly to avoid arrest.</div><div><br></div><div>Three standing committee members including Salahuddin Ahmed and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku have been staying abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>The other party policymakers either died or remained inactive due to physical illness.</div><div><br></div><div>The other active members of the BNP executive committee, including the vice chairmen, joint secretaries general and organising secretaries are also on the run and guiding the party leaders and workers from hideouts.</div><div><br></div><div>A party standing committee member, wishing anonymity, said they will come out of their secret places once the polls schedule is announced to boost the morale of party workers to strengthen the movement.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they have a plan to isolate Dhaka from the rest of the country by making the blockade programme more effective through increasing picketing on highways and roads at the district level.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our party won’t participate in the parliamentary election under the current government. So, after the announcement of the schedule, our all leaders will come out on the streets and join the movement,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“After the announcement of the polls schedule, all the state machinery, including the law enforcers, will be under the control of the commission. So, the Election Commission’s role will be more questionable, if the arrest of BNP leaders and workers continues even after the polls schedule announcement. Besides, questions will be raised in the country and abroad about the sincerity of the Election Commission in conducting fair, free and impartial elections,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said the government may think BNP will be weakened if the election schedule is announced. “But it won’t happen. We have seen examples of cancellations of elections after the announcement of the schedule. “BNP will deal with all situations staying on the streets. People won’t this time allow the government to stage a drama in the name of election.”</div><div><br></div><div>Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said BNP\'s movement for the restoration of democracy and voting rights will not fail this time. “If the schedule is announced, we will have no choice but to continue the movement. We’ll force the government to meet our demands through a fierce mass movement.”</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said their party will not retreat from the movement under any circumstance, according to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"If a one-sided schedule is announced ignoring the opinion of the opposition parties, it will prove that the government and the Election Commission are not serious about a fair and acceptable election,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 14:02:36', '2023-11-12 14:02:36'),
(10028, 10028, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A senior Ukrainian military official played a key role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year, according to a joint investigation by the Washington Post and Der Spiegel published Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Roman Chervinsky, a colonel in Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, was the “coordinator” of the Nord Stream operation, people familiar with his role told the US and German newspapers.</div><div><br></div><div>They quoted officials in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, as well as others with knowledge of the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity.</div><div><br></div><div>Chervinsky oversaw the logistics and supervised a team of six people who rented a sailboat under false identities and used diving equipment to place explosive charges on the pipelines, the American newspaper detailed.</div><div><br></div><div>He neither planned the operation nor acted alone, taking his orders from Ukrainian officials, the Washington Post added.</div><div><br></div><div>Four large gas leaks were discovered on Nord Stream’s two pipelines off the Danish island of Bornholm at the end of September 2022, with seismic institutes recording two underwater explosions just prior to that.</div><div><br></div><div>The pipelines had been at the center of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation to Western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Depending on the source, responsibility for the explosions was attributed to Ukraine, Russia or the United States, but all have denied it.</div><div><br></div><div>Through his attorney, Chervinsky denied any role in the sabotage of the pipelines.</div><div><br></div><div>“All speculations about my involvement in the attack on Nord Stream are being spread by Russian propaganda without any basis,” Chervinsky said in a written statement to The Washington Post and Der Spiegel.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly denied that his country was involved in the pipeline explosions.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would never do that,” he told the German daily Bild last June, adding that he would “like to see proof.”</div><div><br></div><div>According to The Washington Post, the sabotage operation was conceived while keeping Zelensky in the dark.</div><div><br></div><div>The Washington Post and Der Spiegel said they had contacted the Ukrainian government for a reaction to their joint investigation, but had received no response.</div><div><br></div><div>Chervinsky is currently on trial in Kyiv, accused of abusing his power in an attempt to get a Russian pilot to defect.</div><div>He claims that the prosecution is political retaliation for his criticism of Zelensky, according to media reports. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 14:40:29', '2023-11-12 14:40:29'),
(10029, 10029, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">“It’s truly been an honor to have this opportunity to represent my country and to be part of this journey,” she said. “It means the world to me that I get to showcase all that Egypt has to offer, to show the world what Egyptians are really made of.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Tantawy expressed that wrapping her head around the events of the past few months has been quite challenging for her.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“I never expected myself to be here. I didn’t grow up with pageantry. It wasn’t something that was instilled in me at a young age, but I am a strong believer of what is meant for you will find you and that is exactly what Miss Universe Egypt did, it found me,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The model won the Miss Universe Egypt title in September. The pageant was held in Cairo and live streamed globally on the pageant’s YouTube channel.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Tantawy competed with finalists Salma Eltoukhy, Doaa Meera Tarek, Aya Abdelrazik and Amera Othman.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The competition’s categories were a personal interview, a swimwear round backed by Egyptian brand Hadia Ghaleb, an evening gown round, and the final question.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Tantawy reflected on her position as Miss Universe Egypt and the platform she now has, saying: “If I could say one thing to all the women in Egypt, it would be to always remember just how strong and resilient you are.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Her message continued: “You may face hardships in your life, you may not always get the support you deserve, but if anyone in the world can do it, it is you. Look back at your ancestors and see just how much they’ve achieved but also always look towards the future because it is yours to create,” reports Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', '<p>Universe<br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, '<p><br></p>', '2023-11-12 14:50:32', '2023-11-12 14:50:32'),
(10030, 10030, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli air strikes in Gaza have killed more than a dozen people and destroyed the main hospital’s cardiac ward, Gaza officials say, as fighting continues in the besieged strip for the 37th consecutive day.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At least 13 people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a home in Khan Younis, Gaza officials reported on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The day before, at least “several people” were killed and wounded in a strike at a UN compound in Gaza City where hundreds had sheltered, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The ongoing tragedy of death and injury to civilians ensnared in this conflict is unacceptable and must stop,” the UNDP said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Al-Shifa Hospital surrounded</div><div>The strikes continue as Israel steps up its offensive near Gaza’s main hospital, al-Shifa, where health officials say thousands of medics, patients and displaced people are trapped with no electricity and dwindling supplies.</div><div><br></div><div>The hospital has repeatedly come under fire as Israeli forces close in on the facility, which it accuses Hamas fighters of using as cover for a command centre – charges Hamas denies. Israel has not provided proof for its claims.</div><div><br></div><div>Witnesses inside al-Shifa Hospital told the AFP news agency that “violent fighting” had raged around the hospital all Saturday night.</div><div><br></div><div>One air strike destroyed the hospital’s cardiac ward, Gaza officials said, while electricity cuts shut off incubators in the neonatal unit hosting around 40 babies and ventilators for others receiving urgent care.</div><div><br></div><div>Doctors Without Borders surgeon Mohammed Obeid said in an audio message posted on social media that two babies died in the al-Shifa neonatal unit after power to their incubators depleted and a man also died when his ventilator cut off.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli military pledged on Saturday to aid the evacuation of babies from the hospital, noting that “staff of the al-Shifa Hospital has requested that tomorrow”.</div><div><br></div><div>Al-Shifa, one of the 16 operating hospitals left in Gaza, was also out of reach for the newly wounded, said Mohammad Qandil, a doctor at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, who is in touch with colleagues there.</div><div><br></div><div>“Al-Shifa Hospital now isn’t working, no one is allowed in, nobody is allowed out, and if you are wounded or injured around Gaza area you can’t be evacuated by our ambulance to al-Shifa Hospital, so al-Shifa Hospital now is out of service”, he told the Reuters news agency. Source: Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 15:01:03', '2023-11-12 15:01:03'),
(10031, 10031, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged the government is destroying the readymade garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh as part of a plot to shift the business to another country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he also slammed the government for letting loose law enforcers in suppressing a justified movement of the RMG workers and killing four labourers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The government is very cleverly implementing a blue-print of destroying the garment industry, the country’s largest sector for earning foreign currency. She (Sheikh Hasina) wants to create famine again like in 1974, and wants to destroy the country\'s economy,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also alleged that 150 garment factories were indefinitely shut on Saturday by the owners at the instigation of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader bemoaned that police who attacked the RMG workers filed cases accusing 11,000 RMG workers of staging demonstrations for their justified demands.</div><div><br></div><div>\"People believe that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants a guarantee to stay in power illegally by shifting the RMG business to another country,” Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said not only the political leaders and workers of the opposition parties but also the professional garment workers are not safe in the hands of the current fascist regime.&nbsp; “Four garment workers have so far been killed by the police.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the government has again started indulging in enforced disappearance by using the plainclothes police to suppress the opposition’s ongoing movement.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the members of the Detective Branch of police are moving around like \'Nazi forces\' in microbuses covered with black glass and picking up the pro-democratic forces. “Even ordinary people are not spared. They in the name of RAB-Police are also picking up the relatives, including parents, sons, children, brothers and sisters, of the democratic forces, and making them disappear.”</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi called upon the law enforcers not to be opponents of the people who are carrying out a spontaneous movement to get back the right to vote.</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that more than 365 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm on Sunday, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>He also claimed over 10,770 opposition leaders and followers have been arrested centring BNP’s Oct 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockade programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 15:27:35', '2023-11-12 15:27:35');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10032, 10032, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in an assessment of the situation of Afghanistan to the UN Security Council, recommended a roadmap for reintegration of the country into the international system.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On 16 March 2023, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2679 requesting the Secretary-General to provide the Security Council an independent assessment on Afghanistan, no later than 17 November 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>In the assessment seen by TOLOnews, Guterres stated that the urgent needs of the Afghans require a general shift away from politically driven aid approaches towards increased and more sustainable assistance, “especially in key sectors such as food security, livelihoods and health.”</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres stressed that the mechanisms to support engagement should be created and a UN Special Envoy should be appointed to ensure sufficient and dedicated resources to facilitate engagement among international and Afghan stakeholders, spearhead coordination and connect with the proposed and existing platforms.</div><div><br></div><div>After the Islamic Emirate came to power in August 2021, Afghanistan plunged into a dire political, economic and humanitarian crisis. The Islamic Emirate, the current ruling party in Afghanistan, has not yet been recognized by any country as it failed to fulfill its commitment at international levels, the assessment said.</div><div><br></div><div>The document also emphasized adherence to principles of non-discrimination, ensuring respect for women’s rights and their full participation as well as the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans.</div><div><br></div><div>The assessment also highlighted priority areas of building confidence between international and Afghan stakeholders, and among Afghans themselves as:</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Expanding international assistance that contributes to the basic needs of the Afghan people.</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Establishing economic dialogue and reforms to begin to resolve the many barriers to economic recovery.</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Enable partial restoration of regular transit, trade, and other means of connectivity between Afghans and the world.</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Encouraging and assisting activities that help Afghans realise their political, economic, cultural and social rights.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the international concerns about the use of Afghan soil as threats to other countries, planning and financing of terrorist acts, and the production, sale and trafficking of illegal narcotics; the UN Secretary-General suggested ‘effectively’ requiring coordination and cooperation between the de facto Afghan officials and the international stakeholders on a “bilateral and multilateral basis.”</div><div><br></div><div>The assessment also stressed supporting bilateral and multilateral security cooperation; cooperating with international counter-narcotics efforts; strengthening international borders, including effective border controls; expanding international cooperation and assistance in areas that advance regional and global priorities; reviewing and updating relevant provisions of the UN 1988 Sanctions list and gradually resuming diplomatic engagement inside Afghanistan.</div><div><br></div><div>The document recommends that the international community and Afghan stakeholders begin a more coherent political engagement process, arguing that more integrated and coherent international engagement should be pursued through a performance-based roadmap.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the Afghan de facto authorities who insist on recognition as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, he said: “Doing so (offering recognition) comes with acceptance of their obligations and commitments in international conventions, and good faith measures to comply with these through policy, legislation and in practice.”</div><div><br></div><div>The document underscored the impact of the restrictions imposed by the interim Afghan government, saying that it is important to emphasize the commitments and obligations of the State of Afghanistan as a “signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and as a party to the CEDAW, ICCPR, ICESCR. Obligations under the CEDAW, ICCPR, ICESCR, and other instruments include ensuring that women and girls enjoy equal rights with men to education at all levels, employment and occupation, and to participate in government policy-making and other forms of public life.”</div><div><br></div><div>Progress would be indicated by measurable steps to implement fulfilling Afghanistan’s treaty obligations and other commitments under international law; taking meaningful steps to improve Afghanistan’s compliance with its treaty obligations, notably with regard to equal treatment and access; reinforcing and establishing inclusive forms of governance that are accessible and serve all sections of the population, across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres stressed the need to pursue intra-Afghan dialogue to achieve more inclusive governance.</div><div><br></div><div>“A national political dialogue that reflects the views and participation of all Afghans should lead to the establishment of a predictable rule of law-based governance and an inclusive constitutional order that enshrines the rights of citizens in law and creates a predictable legal landscape,” the document said.</div><div><br></div><div>Measurable progress on upholding the obligations of the “State of Afghanistan” and on inclusive governance and intra-Afghan dialogue will pave the way toward the end state of full normalization and integration of Afghanistan within the international system, the document stated.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the document, several recommendations are proposed for \"an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbors, fully reintegrated into the international community,\" including:&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; A series of proposed measures that can be taken immediately and aimed at addressing the basic needs of the Afghan people and strengthening trust through more structured engagement.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; A call for international attention to and cooperation on issues that impact regional and global security and stability.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; A proposed roadmap for political engagement designed to reintegrate Afghanistan fully into the international community, in line with the State of Afghanistan’s international commitments and obligations, and with a degree of domestic input and inclusivity conducive to future peace and stability.</div><div><br></div><div>-&nbsp; &nbsp; A set of mechanisms and formats to ensure the coordination and implementation of all the above.</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 15:41:08', '2023-11-12 15:41:08'),
(10033, 10033, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A delegation of the European Union (EU) arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to have discussions with relevant stakeholders on the country’s labour sector.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"Freshly arrived in Dhaka for EU exchanges with Bangladesh stakeholders on labour rights and human rights,\" EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter after his arrival together with some of the delegation members from Brussels.</div><div><br></div><div>They visited a school for children with disabilities in Badda, Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Very glad to be again in Dhaka,\" said Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni who is leading the delegation.</div><div><br></div><div>They will have meetings with labour, commerce and foreign secretaries of the government on Wednesday&nbsp; apart from their talks with other relevant stakeholders.</div><div><br></div><div>The visit is aimed at taking \"stock of progress\" in implementing the National Action Plan for the labour sector, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh adopted a National Action Plan (2021-2026) on the labour sector and the plan is closely linked to the roadmap submitted by the government of Bangladesh to the ILO Governing Body as the result of an Article 26 complaint.</div><div><br></div><div>The roadmap aims to improve the country’s observance of labour rights including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, Ambassador Whiteley said aligning labour law with international standards will be an “essential element” for the European Parliament and the Commission in considering Bangladesh’s application for market access, the GSP+.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh has the option to accede to GSP+ which is the next most generous GSP programme after the Everything but Arms (EBA),” he said while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 15:53:13', '2023-11-12 15:53:13'),
(10034, 10034, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in a survey report said that the city corporations and municipalities spend Tk7045 per capita annually to provide various services, of which 8 percent only is spent on waste management.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the BBS survey, all city corporations and municipalities together spent Tk 28,539 crore in the fiscal year 2020-21. Out of this, Tk2260 crore has been spent on waste management. That is, local governments spend about 8 percent of their total expenditure on waste management.</div><div><br></div><div>These data have emerged in the \'Municipal Waste Management Survey 2022\' recently published by BBS, which covers the financial year 2020-21.</div><div><br></div><div>The average annual per capita expenditure on waste management is Tk 558.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from this cost, the private companies who get registration for cleaning work from the City Corporation or municipality charge a fixed rate against the collection of waste from residential or commercial buildings.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, urban planners have raised questions about spending so much on waste management.</div><div><br></div><div>They say that solid waste management activities in city corporations and municipalities are done traditionally. That is, all types of solid waste are collected together and disposed of in landfills.</div><div><br></div><div>However, recycling and proper management of the accumulated waste is not done. On the other hand, up to Tk100-500 per household is being charged depending on the area for waste collection. As a result, even though so much money is spent on waste management, its benefits are not gained.</div><div><br></div><div>“Currently, we are not getting the benefit of what the local governments are spending. Waste collection, transportation, and disposal are not done properly,” Akter Mahmod, Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Jahangirnagar University, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The BBS survey has highlighted the measures taken by the local governments to prevent environmental pollution, including resource management, employment, and technological development in this sector.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-12 16:07:10', '2023-11-12 16:07:10'),
(10035, 10035, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Twenty special trains are running on different routes on Monday as people can join Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s public rally.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khulna Railway Station Master Md Masud Rana said the trains will carry  people from Jashore, Chuadanga, Benapole, Kotchandpur, Alamdanga, Mobarakganj,  Kushtia, and Jhenaidah to Khulna on the occasion of PM’s visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, five ferries have been arranged at Rupsa Ghat, three at Jailkhana Ghat, and two at Nagar Ghat on this occasion .</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khulna Road Transport and Highways Division (Ferry) executive engineer Md Azam Sheikh said they have arranged an additional six ferries for smooth transportation of people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the occasion, the city has taken on a festive look, and AL leaders and activists are eagerly awaiting the premier’s visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stringent measures have been taken by law enforcement agencies to ensure foolproof security at the venue. 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, '2023-11-13 08:16:11', '2023-11-13 12:40:00'),
(10036, 10036, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A total of five premature babies and seven critical patients have died in Gaza\'s Al-Shifa hospital, a Hamas official said Sunday, as the facility suffers fuel shortages amid intense fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas militants.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We fear the toll will rise further by morning,\" said Youssef Abu Rish, deputy health minister in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. 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, '2023-11-13 08:20:03', '2023-11-13 08:20:03'),
(10037, 10037, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least eight pro-Iran fighters were killed in US strikes on eastern Syria, a war monitor said Monday, after Washington announced the raids a day earlier in response to attacks on American forces.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The toll is \"eight pro-Iran fighters dead, including at least one Syrian, and Iraqi nationals\", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, following the strikes late Sunday on the Mayadeen and Albu Kamal areas of Syria\'s eastern Deir Ezzor province. AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 08:46:50', '2023-11-13 08:46:50'),
(10038, 10038, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Health officials and people trapped inside Gaza’s largest hospital rejected Israel’s claims that it was helping babies and others evacuate Sunday, saying fighting continued just outside the facility where incubators lay idle with no electricity and critical supplies were running out.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed urgent calls for a cease-fire unless it includes the release of all the nearly 240 hostages captured by Hamas in the Oct. 7 rampage that triggered the war.</div><div><br></div><div>A day after Netanyahu said Israel was bringing its “full force” with the aim of ending Hamas’ 16-year rule in Gaza, residents reported heavy airstrikes and shelling, including around Shifa Hospital. Israel, without providing evidence, has accused Hamas of concealing a command post inside and under the compound, allegations denied by Hamas and hospital staff.</div><div><br></div><div>“They are outside, not far from the gates,” said Ahmed al-Boursh, a resident sheltering there.</div><div><br></div><div>The hospital’s last generator ran out of fuel Saturday, leading to the deaths of three premature babies and four other patients, according to the Health Ministry. It said another 36 babies are at risk of dying.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel’s military asserted it placed 300 liters (79 gallons) of fuel near Shifa overnight for an emergency generator powering incubators for premature babies and coordinated the delivery with hospital officials. But the military said Hamas prevented the hospital from receiving the fuel.</div><div><br></div><div>A Health Ministry spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qidra, disputed the account and also told Al Jazeera the fuel would not be enough to operate the generator an hour. “This is a mockery towards the patients and children,” Al-Qidra said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to CNN, Netanyahu asserted that “100 or so” people had been evacuated from Shifa and that Israel had created safe corridors.</div><div><br></div><div>But Health Ministry Undersecretary Munir al-Boursh said Israeli snipers have deployed around Shifa, firing at any movement.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are wounded in the house, and we can’t reach them,” he told Al Jazeera. “We can’t stick our heads out of the window.”</div><div><br></div><div>The military said troops would assist in moving babies on Sunday. But Medical Aid for Palestinians, a U.K.-based charity that has supported Shifa’s neonatal intensive care unit, said transferring critically ill infants is complex. “With ambulances unable to reach the hospital ... and no hospital with capacity to receive them, there is no indication of how this can be done safely,” CEO Melanie Ward said.</div><div><br></div><div>The only option is for Israel to stop its assault and allow fuel into the hospital, Ward said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Health Ministry said there are 1,500 patients at Shifa, along with 1,500 medical personnel and between 15,000 and 20,000 people seeking shelter.</div><div><br></div><div>The president of Doctors Without Borders International, Christos Christou, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” it would take weeks to evacuate the patients.</div><div><br></div><div>World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the X social media platform that Shifa has been without water three days and “is not functioning as a hospital anymore.” Several humanitarian groups told The Associated Press they weren’t able to reach the hospital Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service said another Gaza City hospital, Al-Quds, is “no longer operational” because it was out of fuel with 6,000 people trapped there. Gaza’s sole power plant shut down a month ago, and Israel has barred fuel imports to prevent Hamas from using them.</div><div><br></div><div>One woman fleeing northern Gaza, Fedaa Shangan, said she’d had a cesarean section at Al-Quds: “The wound is still fresh.” She said the Israeli army near the hospital “did not care about the presence of patients, children, women and the elderly. They did not care about anyone.”</div><div><br></div><div>Alarm was growing. “We do not want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people, people seeking medical care are caught in the crossfire,” President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told ABC’s “This Week.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Decisive international action is needed now to secure an immediate humanitarian cease-fire” amid attacks on health care, the U.N. regional directors of the World Health Organization and others said in a statement, adding that more than half of Gaza’s hospitals are closed.</div><div><br></div><div>Muhammed Zaqout, director of hospitals in Gaza, said the Health Ministry has been unable to update the death toll since Friday as medics are unable to reach areas hit by Israeli bombardment.</div><div><br></div><div>About 2.3 million Palestinians remain in the besieged territory.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu has said the responsibility for any harm to civilians lies with Hamas. Israel has long accused the group, which operates in dense residential neighborhoods, of using civilians as human shields.</div><div><br></div><div>EVACUATION WINDOWS, BUT NO PAUSES</div><div><br></div><div>The U.S. has pushed for temporary pauses that would allow for wider distribution of badly needed aid to civilians in the territory, where conditions are increasingly dire.</div><div><br></div><div>But Israel has only agreed to brief daily periods during which civilians can flee ground combat in northern Gaza and head south on foot along two main roads. Israel continues to strike what it says are militant targets across southern Gaza, often killing women and children.</div><div><br></div><div>Hospital officials said at least 13 were killed after an Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Khan Younis.</div><div><br></div><div>The war has displaced over two-thirds of Gaza’s population.</div><div><br></div><div>Wael Abu Omar, spokesperson for Gaza’s border crossings, said 846 people left Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah crossing Sunday. Nearly all were foreigners while a few were patients from Gaza’s hospitals and their caretakers.</div><div><br></div><div>He said 76 aid trucks entered Gaza. The U.N. and partners have said much more were needed daily.</div><div><br></div><div>Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on X that he asked European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to apply the same “legal, moral grounds” for EU support of Ukraine to “define its stand on Israel’s war crimes.”</div><div><br></div><div>More than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people have been reported missing.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial Hamas attack. The Israeli military said two more of its soldiers were killed in Gaza, bringing the total to 48 since the ground offensive began.</div><div><br></div><div>About 250,000 Israelis have evacuated from communities near Gaza, where Palestinian militants are still firing barrages of rockets, and along the northern border with Lebanon.</div><div><br></div><div>NETANYAHU REJECTS U.S. POSTWAR VISION</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu has begun to outline Israel’s postwar plans for Gaza, which contrast sharply with the vision of the United States.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Gaza would be demilitarized and Israel would retain the ability to enter Gaza freely to hunt down militants. He rejected the idea that the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, would at some stage control Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the U.S. opposes an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza and envisions a unified Palestinian government in Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward a Palestinian state, long opposed by Netanyahu’s government.</div><div><br></div><div>The war threatens to trigger a wider conflict, with Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon trading fire along the border. Attacks by Hezbollah on Sunday wounded seven Israeli troops and 10 others, Israel’s military and rescue services said. According to AP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 09:12:33', '2023-11-13 09:12:33'),
(10039, 10039, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has written to President and CEO of American Apparel &amp; Footwear Association, Stephen Lamar, seeking support in terms of responsible purchasing practices.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“To ensure uninterrupted and smoother operation in the industry, it is important that prices of all goods which will be shipped from 1 December, 2023 are duly adjusted/ up-charged covering the increment in wage component,” BGMEA President Faruque Hassan wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>The American Apparel &amp; Footwear Association (AAFA) is a national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn product companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market.</div><div><br></div><div>From now onward, the BGMEA president said, all business negotiations and deals will have to be made adhering to the new minimum wage policy.</div><div><br></div><div>“Therefore, I would humbly request you to kindly pursue the AAFA members to collaborate with their Bangladeshi suppliers with due empathy and consideration,” the BGMEA chief wrote in his letter.</div><div><br></div><div>“With every effort and action we take, we mean to complement our long term goal, which is to grow mutually and sustainably. We are working with our government relentlessly to ensure more favorable environment for business,” Faruque said.</div><div><br></div><div>“You are following the improvements made and progress by the government to create better infrastructure and policies supporting envisioned growth and efficiency. I am sure with your continued support and collaboration we will continue to thrive,\" said the BGMEA President.</div><div><br></div><div>In his letter to Lamar, the BGMEA chief said the minimum wage in 2023 for garment workers was declared by the government on November 7.</div><div><br></div><div>The declaration was made based on the proposal submitted by the Minimum Wage Board, and was widely consulted and agreed by the stakeholders including workers’ and employers’ representatives, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the new minimum wage, the gross minimum monthly wage of the 7th grade workers has been set at Tk 12,500, equivalent to around USD 113.63 – a 56.25 percent increase of the gross wage while the basic wage has gone up by 63.41 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>The new minimum wages comes at a time when the global economy is going through an unprecedented situation, so is Bangladesh’s economy, said the BGMEA chief.</div><div><br></div><div>“The RMG industry in Bangladesh is feeling the heat of this crisis, especially with soaring inflation, all our input costs have increased significantly including fuel, gas, electricity, transportation,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>From the first of July this year, Bangladesh Bank has increased interest rates which made trade and investment finance more costly.</div><div><br></div><div>“You are aware that since 2013, the industry had to make a huge investment to ensure international standard workplace safety, which we have done diligently despite all the difficulties,” he wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>“Now to align with global climate action agenda, our factories are making further investment to reduce GHG emission and be more resource efficient. Not only that, for ensuring workplace safety, comfort for our workers and to reduce fatigue, factories are upgrading machine, process and production method,” said the BGMEA president.</div><div><br></div><div>“Through all these efforts, Bangladesh has emerged as a reliable, sustainable and one of the most preferred sourcing destinations,” Faruque said, adding that all these initiatives and investments have impact on the business, in relative and absolute term.</div><div><br></div><div>“Now, with the increase in the minimum wages, this industry has taken the challenge to ensure better living standards of the workers while maintaining competitiveness,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The raise in the minimum wage, especially 63.41 percent raise in the basic wage, leads to higher benefit for the workers in terms of overtime benefit, earned leave encashment, festival bonus and other allowances, Faruque said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The implementation of the new wage structure would exert a huge financial impact on the factories. This will be challenging for many of our factories to implement the new wage in the current economic and financial circumstances,” he wrote in the letter.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Faruque said, ensuring decent living standards of the workers is a top priority for them, as well as for global brands and retailers.</div><div><br></div><div>“Since we have accepted the new minimum wage, we will ensure implementation of it, and we need your support in terms of responsible purchasing practice,” the BGMEA president wrote in the letter to the CEO of American Apparel &amp; Footwear Association.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 09:20:33', '2023-11-13 09:20:33'),
(10040, 10040, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>After giving a pause for a day, the BNP and like-minded parties will again enforce a 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade beginning from Wednesday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a virtual press briefing on Monday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the other opposition parties, who have long been carrying out the simultaneous movement with BNP, also observe a similar programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the blockade programme will be observed from 6am Wednesday to 6am Friday across the country. It will be the fifth phase of the blockade programme of the opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their ongoing blockade was successful with the spontaneous support of the country’s people.</div><div><br></div><div>He thanked the leaders and activists of BNP and like-minded parties to make the blockade programme a success.</div><div><br></div><div>The fresh agitation was announced around 14 hours before the end of the opposition’s 48-hour nationwide blockade that was enforced at 6am on Sunday. The ongoing blockade has been marked by widespread incidents of violence, including torching and vandalising vehicles.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP and other opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have been enforcing blockades across the country in fourth phases since Oct 31.</div><div><br></div><div>They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on Oct 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Half an hour into the start of BNP\'s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 11:43:05', '2023-11-13 11:43:05'),
(10041, 10041, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A local Jubo League leader was stabbed to death by unidentified miscreants in Gaibandha\'s Sundarganj upazila on Sunday night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was identified as Zahidul Islam, 38, president of Sonaray union unit Jubo League and son of Abul Hossain Member of Paschim Baidyanath village of the upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>Police have arrested four people in connection with the murder.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to police, Zahidul Islam and Kabir Mia were attacked by 7-8 people while they were returning home from Bamandanga on Sunday around 11:30 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals rescued them and took them to the Sundarganj Health complex. Later, Zahidul was transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated.</div><div><br></div><div>Zahidul died while undergoing treatment at the hospital, KM Azmiruzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sundarganj Police Station, said.</div><div><br></div><div>Efforts are underway to arrest the criminals, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Mizanur Rahman Litu, president of upazila unit Jubo League, alleged that Zahidul Islam was killed in a planned attack by Jamaat-BNP terrorists, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>\"We demand immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the killers\", he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 11:51:55', '2023-11-13 11:51:55'),
(10042, 10042, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Unidentified miscreants set fire to a truck loaded with maize in Dinajpur town on Monday morning amid the countrywide 48-hour blockade enforced by BNP and like-minded opposition parties.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sumon Debnath, sub-inspector of Kotwali Police Station, said the truck, owned by Gulzar Hossain, was kept in a garage where it was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants around 5 am.</div><div><br></div><div>Fire Service Civil Defence personnel were able to douse the fire. The front side of the truck was gutted but the maize was saved, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Jinnah Al Mamun, Additional Superintendent of Police of Sadar Circle said, process is underway to identify the culprits and bring them under the law.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 12:06:57', '2023-11-13 12:06:57'),
(10043, 10043, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">More than 180,000 people across France, including 100,000 in Paris, marched peacefully on Sunday to protest against rising antisemitism in the wake of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, representatives of several parties on the left, conservatives and centrists of President Emmanuel Macron\'s party as well as far-right leader Marine Le Pen attended Sunday’s march in the French capital amid tight security. Macron did not attend, but expressed his support for the protest and called on citizens to rise up against “the unbearable resurgence of unbridled antisemitism.”</div><div><br></div><div>However, the leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, Jean-Luc Melenchon, stayed away from the march, saying last week on X, formerly Twitter, that the march would be a meeting of “friends of unconditional support for the massacre” in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>The interior ministry said at least 182,000 people marched in several in French cities in response to the call launched by the leaders of the parliament\'s upper and lower houses. No major incident has been reported, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Paris authorities deployed 3,000 police troops along the route of the protest called by the leaders of the Senate and parliament’s lower house, the National Assembly, amid an alarming increase in anti-Jewish acts in France since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas after its Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, but given its own World War II collaboration with the Nazis, antisemitic acts today open old scars.</div><div><br></div><div>Holding a French flag, Robert Fiel said marching against antisemitism is “more than a duty.”</div><div><br></div><div>“It\'s a march against violence, against antisemitism, against all (political extremes) that are infiltrating the society, to show that the silent majority does exist,” the 67-year-old said.</div><div><br></div><div>Family members of some of the 40 French citizens killed in the initial Hamas attack, and of those missing or held hostage, also took part in the march, which Paris police said drew 105,000 participants.</div><div><br></div><div>Patrick Klugman, a lawyer and a member of “Freethem” committee working to obtain the release of people held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza, said the large participation in the march is meaningful and symbolic in reassuring Jewish communities in France.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am very proud of my country because of this mobilization,” Klugman said. “I feel less alone than in the past weeks and days.”</div><div><br></div><div>Yonathan Arfi, the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France known as CRIF said he was encouraged Sunday\'s show of support, but the question remains, he told French broadcaster BFM at the march, “what will be done (against antisemitism) tomorrow?”</div><div><br></div><div>Tomer Sisley, an Israeli and French actor insisted the massive show of solidarity proves that majority of French citizens are against violence and hate against any religious and ethnic group.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re not Jews, we’re not Muslims, we’re not Christians,” Sisley said. \"We are French and we are here to show that we are all together.”</div><div><br></div><div>French authorities have registered more than 1,000 acts against Jews around the country in the month since the conflict in the Middle East began.</div><div><br></div><div>Former French president Francois Hollande said “there are many French flags in the protest but what unites us is not just a flag, it’s what it represents, it’s the value of freedom and the value of human dignity.\"</div><div><br></div><div>In a letter addressed to the French on Sunday, Macron vowed that perpetrators will be prosecuted and punished.</div><div><br></div><div>“A France where our Jewish fellow citizens are afraid is not France,” Macron said in the letter, published in Le Parisien newspaper. He called on the country to remain “united behind its values ... and work for peace and security for all in the Middle East.”</div><div><br></div><div>Macron said he will attend “in my heart and in spirit,” but not in person. “My role is to build unity of the country and to be firm on values,” Macron said Saturday on the sidelines of Armistice Day commemorations to mark the end of World War I.</div><div><br></div><div>French far-right leader Marine Le Pen attended Sunday\'s march amid fierce criticism that her once-pariah National Rally party has failed to shake off its antisemitic heritage despite growing political legitimacy.</div><div><br></div><div>After arriving to the march with the president of the party, Jordan Bardella, Le Pen dismissed critics and said that she and the party members are “exactly where we need to be.” She called on other politicians “to take a break from fomenting political controversies” during the march.</div><div><br></div><div>Le Pen and other far-right officials showed up at the end of the march, hundreds of meters away from government members and other officials who led the demonstration.</div><div><br></div><div>Borne, who is the daughter of a Jewish Holocaust survivor, tweeted “the presence of the National Rally is not fooling anyone.”</div><div><br></div><div>The president of the Paris region council, Valérie Pécresse, a former conservative presidential candidate, denounced “hypocrisy,” saying that National Rally officials ran against her in past elections “who were clearly antisemitic people and Marine Le Pen never sanctioned them.”</div><div><br></div><div>As of Saturday, officials counted 1,247 antisemitic acts since Oct. 7, nearly three times as many as in the whole of 2022, according to the Interior Ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday\'s march in Paris appears as the biggest gathering to denounce antisemitism in France since a 1990 demonstration against the desecration of a Jewish cemetery.</div><div><br></div><div>France has banned a number of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, although supporters have marched in several French cities in the past weeks, including thousands demanding a cease-fire in Gaza in a protest in Paris last Sunday. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 12:38:37', '2023-11-13 12:38:37'),
(10044, 10044, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Law Minister Anisul Huq on Monday conveyed to the UN Human Rights Council that opposition party BNP’s demand for holding polls under a caretaker government is “completely unconstitutional and illegal.”</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning Bangladesh’s independent Election Commission, he said the government is committed to hold the next national election in a “free, fair and peaceful” manner with the participation of people.</div><div><br></div><div>Taking part at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, the Law Minister highlighted BNP’s violence and destruction on October 28-29.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from brutally beating one policeman to death, they attacked the residences of Chief Justice and other judges, and torched police outposts.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the policeman was beaten to death in broad daylight, and noted that there has been no arbitrary arrest but the law enforcement agencies went by the law of the land.</div><div><br></div><div>The Law Minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the review meeting that began at 3 pm (Bangladesh Time).</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices in Geneva, Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, among others are taking part in the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister in his remarks said the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against any human rights violation and highlighted the political space given to the opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>He also talked about the Rohingya crisis, noting that Bangladesh alone cannot resolve the crisis imposed by Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister also highlighted the continued political stability and significant economic development in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Delimitation of Constituencies Act-2021, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Appointment Act-2022 and Parliament Election (Electronic Voting Machine) Rules-2018 were enacted and Conduct Rules for Political Parties and Candidates2008 and Election Conduct Rules-2008 were amended since 2018 to make elections more fair, inclusive, and credible, said the Law Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Appointment Act2022 ensures an impartial and capable EC and is the first ever law of this kind in the country as well as in the subcontinent, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s first, second and third UPRs took place in February 2009, April 2013, and May 2018, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In its submitted national report, Bangladesh said it would continue to strengthen its institutions and measures to promote and protect human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR working group comprises the 47 member states of the Human Rights Council. However, each of the 193 UN member states can participate in a country review.</div><div><br></div><div>The documents on which the reviews are based are:</div><div><br></div><div>1) National report – information provided by the state under review</div><div><br></div><div>2) Information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities</div><div><br></div><div>3) Information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups, according to the UN Human Rights Council.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN member states. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member states have been reviewed thrice.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council that calls for each UN member state to undergo a peer review of its human rights records every 4.5 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Established in March 2006 by the UN General Assembly in resolution 60/251, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is designed to prompt, support, and expand the promotion and protection of human rights in every country.&nbsp; - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 12:58:36', '2023-11-13 12:58:36'),
(10045, 10045, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dismissing opposition BNP as headless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the party seeks to create an unusual situation by foiling the upcoming national election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“They know that they don\'t have any leadership. They are just a party without any head. One is absconding and another is in the jail. That party does not want to hold any election. They just want to create an unnatural situation,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister was addressing a grand rally organised by ruling Awami League at Khulna Circuit House ground.</div><div><br></div><div>She said natiinal polls are upcoming and all have to remain vigilitant during the voting.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP-Jamaat knows that in 2008 elections they have got only 30 seats,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She again warned that the hands that set fire to vehicles will be burnt in the same fire.</div><div><br></div><div>“Give them a good lesson so that no one dares harming any one of the country. That kind of incidents must not be allowed to happen again,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked the Awami League and its associate bodies to give protection to the people of the country along with the law enforcing agencies.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said that whenever Awami League comes to power the country gets development and the people gets welfare.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is very much regretful that BNP is the synonym of terrorism. The only task of BNP-Jamaat is to kill people through arson attacks,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection she mentioned the incidents of October 28 last when, she said, BNP-Jamaat terrorists mercilessly beat a policeman to death.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that BNP-Jamaat terrorists injured 45 policemen and attacked journalists who went there to cover their programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>“They attacked hospitals like the Israeli forces in Gaza. They also vandalised ambulances. I do not think that they have a little bit of humanity,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that the only virtue of BNP-Jamaat is to kill people.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government has already declared to award Tk 20,000 for nabbing arson terrorists and handing them to the law enforcing agencies, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will not spare anyone who is involved in killing people through arson attacks,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that continuous democratic process is helping Bangladesh gain massive development, visible to all.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 13:12:16', '2023-11-13 13:12:16');
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(10046, 10046, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday the death toll at Al-Shifa hospital rose to 34 since the weekend as the facility suffered fuel shortages.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The latest toll included 27 adult intensive care patients and seven babies, deputy health minister in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, Youssef Abu Rish said.</div><div><br></div><div>The hospitals in the center of the heaviest north Gaza fighting have been forced out of service amid shortages and combat, the Hamas-run health ministry said Monday, adding the number of patients dying in the biggest medical center had risen.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel argues that its Hamas enemies have built their military headquarters in tunnels beneath the Al-Shifa hospital complex, while UN agencies and doctors inside the facility warned the effects of the raging battles were claiming the lives of civilians including infants.</div><div><br></div><div>As witnesses reported more “violent fighting,” overnight aerial bombardments and the clatter of gunfire echoed across the sprawling Al-Shifa hospital at the heart of the Gaza City, now an urban war zone.</div><div><br></div><div>The Hamas government’s deputy health minister Youssef Abu Rish told AFP all hospitals in the north of the embattled territory were “out of service.”</div><div><br></div><div>The World Health Organization in the Palestinian Territories warned that up to 3,000 patients and staff are sheltering inside without adequate fuel, water or food, after the UN’s humanitarian agency said previously that 20 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been disabled.</div><div><br></div><div>“Regrettably, the hospital is not functioning as a hospital anymore,” said WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, after contacting on-the-ground staff inside the Al-Shifa complex.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s been three days without electricity, without water,” he said, describing the plight of those trapped inside as “dire and perilous.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army pushed on with their campaign, determined to destroy the Islamist movement whose gunmen it says killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 240 hostages in the country’s worst ever attack.</div><div><br></div><div>But Israel is facing intense international pressure to minimize civilian suffering amid its massive air and ground operation, which that Hamas authorities say have killed 11,180 people, including 4,609 children.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel said 44 of its troops have been killed in the Gaza offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>Flags flew at half-mast at United Nations compounds across Asia on Monday, as staff observed a minute’s silence in memory of colleagues killed in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 13:42:19', '2023-11-13 13:42:19'),
(10047, 10047, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Miscreants set a bus on fire at Shanir Akhra in the capital on Monday evening, presumably as part of the ongoing countrywide 48-hour blockade enforced by BNP and like-minded opposition parties.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The miscreants intercepted the bus of Moumita Paribahan near Chowrasta Bridge and set it on fire at 6:16 pm, said Talha Bin Jashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence\'s media cell.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, two firefighting units from Postogola Fire Station rushed to the spot and are trying to put the fire under control.</div><div><br></div><div>The ongoing blockade, which will end at 6 am on Tuesday, has been marked by widespread incidents of violence, including torching and vandalising vehicles.</div><div><br></div><div>After giving a pause for a day, the BNP and like-minded parties will again enforce a 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade beginning from Wednesday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a virtual press briefing on Monday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 13:56:36', '2023-11-13 13:56:36'),
(10048, 10048, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 15 villagers including women were injured in staggered clashes for around five hours over feudal issues between two local groups in Sadar upazila of Brahmanbaria on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Police charged batons and fired rubber bullets to bring the situation under control. A tense situation was prevailing in the area as of filing this report at 7 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Police and locals said there had long been a dispute between Dola Bari Group and Khane Bari-Siraj Ali Bari Group over territorial supremacy in Kaliseema Paschim Para under Natai Dakshin union of the upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, current member of Zilla Parishad Babul Miah leads Khane Bari-Siraj Ali Bari Group while former UP member Arju Miah leads Dola Group.</div><div><br></div><div>Supporters of Babul allegedly beat up Dola Group’s Shawkat and his son on Sunday evening. Locals tried to settle the matter last night but failed.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on Monday morning, arbitration was called to resolve at Sadar police station.</div><div><br></div><div>Supporters of the both groups equipped with locally-made arms got locked into clashes when the arbitration was going on around 11am, witnesses said.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 15 villagers were injured and several homes and structures badly damaged in the clashes lasted four five hours.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the injured, Harris Miah, Babu, Shakib, Firoz Mia, Sohag Mia, Hanif Mia, Billal Mia, Rozina Akter, Siraj Mia and Noab Mia, were admitted to Sadar Hospital and the rest were receiving treatment at various private clinics.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Sohel Ahmed, inspector (operations) of Sadar police station, said they used more than 50 rounds of rubber bullets and charged batons to bring the situation under control, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Additional police personnel were deployed in the area to avoid further untoward incidents, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 14:44:36', '2023-11-13 14:44:36'),
(10049, 10049, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has requested meetings with senior leaders of three major political parties to underscore the US position regarding the upcoming national election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The United States will continue to implement their \"3C policy\" in an even-handed manner against those who undermine the democratic election process, a media statement issued by the US embassy today said.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States wants free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner and calls on all sides to eschew violence and exercise restraint, the embassy said.</div><div><br></div><div>It reiterated that the United States does not favor any particular political party.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States urged all sides to engage in dialogue without preconditions.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, a new visa policy was announced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) or “3C” of the US Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national election.</div><div><br></div><div>Under this policy, the United States will be able to restrict visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 15:21:48', '2023-11-13 15:21:48'),
(10050, 10050, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Law Minister Anisul Huq today conveyed to the UN Human Rights Council that the opposition party BNP’s demand for holding the next national election under a caretaker government is “completely unconstitutional and illegal.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning Bangladesh’s independent Election Commission, he said the government is committed to hold the next national election in a “free, fair and peaceful” manner with the participation of people.</div><div><br></div><div>Taking part at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, the law minister highlighted BNP’s violence and destruction on October 28 and 29, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from brutally beating one policeman to death, BNP men attacked the residences of the chief justice and other judges, and torched police outposts, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the policeman was beaten to death in broad daylight, and noted that there has been no arbitrary arrest but the law enforcement agencies went by the law of the land.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the review meeting that began at 3 pm (Bangladesh Time).</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices in Geneva, Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, among others took part in the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Briefing reporters virtually, the law minister said a total of 111 countries joined the meeting and 90 percent of the countries appreciated Bangladesh’s progress on the human rights front.</div><div><br></div><div>He said even countries like the United States, the UK and Canada did not criticise Bangladesh in a major way, rather they came up with some constructive recommendations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister said he responded to all the questions on rights issues including regarding those on the next national election.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Asked whether any country raised the issue of political dialogue ahead of the election, he said the dialogue issue was not mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister said they will know how many recommendations Bangladesh received the day after tomorrow.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh will let the UN Human Rights Council know by February which recommendations it is willing to accept.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Joining the media briefing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said they tried to enhance engagement with all the stakeholders before the UPR.</div><div><br></div><div>\"You have watched and heard it today. And you realised that UPR is a beautiful process that brings every country on the same level playing field,\" he told reporters.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister said their aim is to see Bangladesh in a better position tomorrow compared to what they have seen yesterday. \"That\'s the spirit. We utilised our past experiences.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister in his remarks at the review meeting said the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against any human rights violation and highlighted the political space given to the opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>He also talked about the Rohingya crisis, noting that Bangladesh alone cannot resolve the crisis imposed by Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister also highlighted the continued political stability and significant economic development in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Delimitation of Constituencies Act-2021, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Appointment Act-2022 and Parliament Election (Electronic Voting Machine) Rules-2018 were enacted and Conduct Rules for Political Parties and Candidates-2008 and Election Conduct Rules-2008 were amended since 2018 to make elections more fair, inclusive and credible, said the law minister.</div><div><br></div><div>The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Appointment Act-2022 ensures an impartial and capable EC and is the first ever law of this kind in the country as well as in the subcontinent, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s first, second and third UPRs took place in February 2009, April 2013, and May 2018, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In its submitted national report, Bangladesh said it would continue to strengthen its institutions and measures to promote and protect human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR working group comprises the 47 member states of the Human Rights Council. However, each of the 193 UN member states can participate in a country review.</div><div><br></div><div>The documents on which the reviews were based are:</div><div><br></div><div>1) National report – information provided by the state under review</div><div><br></div><div>2) Information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities</div><div><br></div><div>3) Information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups, according to the UN Human Rights Council.</div><div><br></div><div>The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN member states. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member states have been reviewed thrice.</div><div><br></div><div>Established in March 2006 by the UN General Assembly in resolution 60/251, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is designed to prompt, support, and expand the promotion and protection of human rights in every country. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-13 16:01:22', '2023-11-13 16:01:22'),
(10051, 10051, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said many don’t want to run for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election, fearing poor performance as seen in the 2008 election.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Many don’t want to join the election. (It is normal that) those who secured only 30 seats will have no desire to run the election. They are causing public suffering through creating an abnormal situation by trying to thwart the election,” the PM said without mentioning BNP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read: Produce leprosy drugs locally: PM Hasina to pharmaceutical companies</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said this while inaugurating 10,041 infrastructures throughout the country under 157 projects of 24 ministries and divisions through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The beneficiaries connected to the event virtually from 101 location, including 64 DC offices throughout the country. The total estimated cost of the projects Tk 97,471 crore.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said the ongoing blockades and arson violence started when people of the country were living in peace and the nation was witnessing rapid progress.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day to day life and academic activities of students, particularly those sitting for annual exams, are being hampered due to the ongoing arson attacks and violence, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said her government has increased literacy rate in the country to 76.6 percent, which was only 45 percent in the BNP regime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She hoped that good sense would prevail and the destruction and arson violence would end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister again asked countrymen to resist the arson violence for the sake of protecting their own lives and properties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister unveiled foundation stones of or opened 4,644 infrastructures under different projects as well as handed over 5,397 houses constructed under Ashrayan-2 project in 132 upazilas of 46 districts among landless and homeless families.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the event, the PM declared 11 more districts and 60 upazilas as “landless and homeless-free”. A total of 32 districts and 394 upazilas have so far been declared “landless and homeless family-free”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 4,644 infrastructures include 2023 Government Primary School Bhaban, 1800 Madrasa Bhaban, 299 Academic Bhaban and 40 Administrative Bhaban under Technical and Madrasa Education Division; 952 Academic and Research Bhaban under Secondary and Higher Education Division; 12 Student Dormitory Bhaban; 222 disaster management centres; 128 Chief Judicial Magistrate Bhaban; Sub-register Office Bhaban in 46 districts; 110 flood shelter centres; 25 Mujib Qilla; 20 bridges; 22 complexes under the Social&nbsp; Welfare Ministry; 34 bhaban under the Health Services Division; 7 student messes; 16 dormitories; 23 ICUs; 79 community clinics; 46 Medical College Bhaban; 24 Nursing College Bhaban; tennis infrastructural development in 25 districts; 13 Sports School Bhaban; 26 BKSP Training Centres; 20 child day care centres; 38 SPM with double pipelines; construction of 10 gas pipelines; instalment of 26 refining units; 24 mine digging; 140 gas plant purchase and instalment; construction of 33 pipelines; 18 infrastructures of Sheikh Hasina Textile Engineering College; 11 Textile Institute infrastructures; 40 technical training centre; and 14 Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre Bhaban. PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the event. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 08:05:19', '2023-11-14 08:05:19'),
(10052, 10052, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United States has once again said it supports \"free and fair\" elections in Bangladesh.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We think the future of the Bangladeshi government should be determined by its people,\" US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular media briefing on Monday (November 13, 2023) when a reporter wanted to know why the US government must discuss Bangladesh-related issues with India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Miller said the United States is not taking a side in Bangladesh’s elections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We do not support one political party over the other. We support free and fair elections,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Miller also said, \"I welcome the attempts by various reporters to draw me into internal Bangladeshi political matters, and I’m going to continue to refrain from doing so.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam reiterated that the next general election in Bangladesh will be held as per the constitution, regardless of “who’s doing what.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said election is an internal matter of the people of Bangladesh and the election will be held under the constitution and relevant laws.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Election Commission is taking preparations to hold the next national election by January next year and is likely to announce polls schedules soon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Law Minister Anisul Huq conveyed to the UN Human Rights Council that opposition party BNP’s demand for holding the next national election under a caretaker government is “completely unconstitutional and illegal.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning Bangladesh’s independent Election Commission, he said the government is committed to hold the next national election in a “free, fair and peaceful” manner with the participation of people. 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, '2023-11-14 08:08:04', '2023-11-14 08:08:04'),
(10053, 10053, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the next national election is drawing nearer and the Election Commission is likely to announce the polls schedule in a day or two.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Since we’ve been able to establish the voting rights of the people, they will cast their votes freely,” she said in a confident voice.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was speaking at a function marking the inauguration of 10,041 infrastructures (Involving the total cost of nearly Tk 100,000 crore) throughout the country under 157 projects of 24 ministries and divisions through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>The beneficiaries were connected to the event virtually from a total of 101 places, including 64 DC offices throughout the country. The total estimated cost of the projects is Tk 97,471 crore.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country, she said the continuation of the government is essential to sustain this momentum.</div><div><br></div><div>Without mentioning BNP she took a swipe at the opposition party saying it doesn\'t want to join the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections, fearing its performance could be as bad as in the 2008 polls.</div><div><br></div><div>In the 2008 election, Awami League gained a landslide victory with 233 seats out of 300 constituencies, while BNP won only 30 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who secured only 30 seats will have no desire to run the election.&nbsp; They are attempting to invite sufferings for the people of Bangladesh creating an abnormal situation by foiling the election,” she said, not mentioning the name of BNP. In 2008 vote BNP secured 29 seats and later added another in a bye-election.</div><div><br></div><div>She said AL also won the 2014 election overcoming arson violence and attempts to foil the vote.</div><div><br></div><div>We’ve come (to power) being elected by the people time and again. Awami League never formed the government by any other means but the democratic way.</div><div><br></div><div>All the electoral reforms – from enactment of a law over constitution of election commission to introduction of transparent ballot boxes— were done following Awami League’s proposals only to ensure the people’s voting rights.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said her government started the development of Bangladesh from the grassroots level so that the people can enjoy urban facilities even staying in villages.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said the blockade programme and arson violence has been launched when the people are living in peace and the country witnessing its rapid progress.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The normal life of the people and the academic activities of the students particularly those who are sitting for the annual examinations are hampered due to the arson violence, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said her government has increased the literacy rate to 76.6 percent now from only 45 percent during the BNP government of 2001-6.</div><div><br></div><div>She wished that good sense would prevail upon them and they would stop this destruction and arson violence.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister, however, asked the countrymen to resist this arson violence for the sake of protecting their own lives and assets.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the infrastructures, the prime minister unveiled foundation stones of or opened 4,644 infrastructures under different projects as well as distributed 5,397 houses, constructed under Ashrayan-2 project at 132 upazilas in 46 districts, among landless and homeless families across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>At the event, the PM declared more 11 districts and 60 upazilas as landless and homeless-free units following the distribution of the Ashrayan houses on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 32 districts and 394 upazilas have so far become landless and homeless family-free ones.</div><div><br></div><div>The 4,644 infrastructures include 2023 Government Primary School Bhabans, 1800 Madrasha Bhaban, 299 Academic Bhaban and 40 Administrative Bhaban under Technical and Madrasha Education Division, 952 Academic cum Research Bhaban under Secondary and Higher Education Division, 12 student dormitory Bhaban, 222 disaster management centres, 128 chief judicial magistrate Bhaban, sub-register office Bhaban in 46 districts, 110 flood shelter centres, 25 Mujib Killa, 20 bridges, 22 complexes under the Social&nbsp; Welfare Ministry, 34 Bhaban under the Health Services Division, 7 student mess, 16 dormitories, 23 ICU, 79 community clinic, 46 Medical College Bhaban, 24 Nursing College Bhaban, tennis infrastructural development in 25 districts, 13 Kriya (Sports) School Bhaban, 26 BKSP Training Centre, 20 child daycare centres, 38 SPM with double pipelines, constructions of 10 gas pipelines, installment of 26 refining units , 24 mine digging, 140 gas plant purchase and installment, construction of 33 pipelines, 18 infrastructures of Sheikh Hasina Textile Engineering College, 11 Textile Institute infrastructures, 40 technical training centre and 14 Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre Bhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the event. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 09:24:20', '2023-11-14 09:24:20'),
(10054, 10054, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bowling coach Morne Morkel on Monday became the first man to quit Pakistan\'s backroom staff following the team\'s exit from the World Cup in India.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 39-year-old has tendered his resignation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Morkel has resigned as the bowling coach of the Pakistan men\'s team,\" said a PCB release. \"He was given a six-month contract in June this year.\"</div><div><br></div><div>PCB said his replacement will be announced before the team\'s three-Test tour of Australia starting next month.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan\'s team director Mickey Arthur told AFP that Morkel had enjoyed his brief stay in the job.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Morne was only contracted until January 2024 but his work with other leagues does not allow any more time unfortunately,\" said Arthur.</div><div><br></div><div>\"He loved his time with us and is very sad that he can\'t continue.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup following a 93-run defeat against England in Kolkata on Saturday, failing to reach the semi-finals with five defeats and four wins.</div><div><br></div><div>Skipper Babar Azam and Arthur are also under fire for the poor show of a team which was ranked as the world\'s top ODI side before the tournament.</div><div><br></div><div>This is the fifth time in the last six World Cups that Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals.</div><div><br></div><div>Arthur\'s contract as head coach was not renewed after Pakistan\'s failed campaign in 2019. He is back in a second spell, this time as team director. According to AFP reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 09:35:58', '2023-11-14 09:36:19'),
(10055, 10055, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Nearly 200 Rohingya refugees, including many women and children, landed in Indonesia’s westernmost province on Tuesday, a local official said, the largest contingent of the persecuted Myanmar minority to arrive in months.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thousands of the mostly Muslim Rohingya risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.</div><div><br></div><div>The group of 196 landed Tuesday morning in a remote part of Aceh Province’s Pidie region, local navy commander Andi Susanto said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the new arrivals immediately fled inland, according to Marfian, a spokesperson for the fishing community, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.</div><div><br></div><div>“Ten... immediately fled to the nearby hills. It seems that they were the middlemen that intentionally brought the refugees to the area,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The local government gave a lower number of seven who fled.</div><div><br></div><div>The refugees were being assisted by local authorities and residents.</div><div><br></div><div>“Local people have provided food and drink for them as it is their habit of helping stranded Rohingyas,” Marfian said.</div><div><br></div><div>Images shared with AFP showed tired-looking refugees, including women holding babies in their arms, waiting on the beachside for help.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have attempted the risky journey to Southeast Asian countries in 2022, according to the UN refugee agency.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing last year while attempting hazardous sea crossings, the agency has estimated.</div><div><br></div><div>In March, 184 Rohingya refugees arrived in the eastern Aceh town of Peureulak after they were dropped at sea by boat and made to swim ashore. According to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 09:54:29', '2023-11-14 09:54:29'),
(10056, 10056, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>After massive backlash over AR Rahman’s interpretation of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song \"Karar Oi Louho Kopat\" in the latest Bollywood war film “Pippa”, the makers have issued an apology on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Raja Krishna Menon-directed film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli, Soni Razdan and others, was released on November 10 on Amazon Prime Video. The film features battle between India and Pakistan in then East Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War.</div><div><br></div><div>Produced by RSVP Movies and Roy Kapur Films, the film features a remake of the Nazrul song \"Karar Oi Louho Kopat\". The remake version has been composed by Oscar winning-music composer AR Rahman and features Indian singers Rahul Dutta, Tirtha Bhattacharjee, Pijush Das, Shrayee Paul, Shalini Mukherjee and Dilasa Chowdhury.</div><div><br></div><div>After the release of the song, Nazrul exponents and admirers along with general audiences in both Bangladesh and India expressed massive dissatisfaction over the remake.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to that, the film’s makers stated: “We understand the emotional attachment that audiences may have to the original composition, and while all art is inherently subjective, if our interpretation has hurt sentiments or caused unintended distress, we offer our sincere apologies.”</div><div><br></div><div>The statement notes that the producers, director and music composer of the film “Pippa” wish to clarify that their rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the statement, they approached the making of this song by faithfully following both the letter and the spirit of the license agreement for the lyrics, as duly signed by the late Kalyani Kazi and witnessed by Anirban Kazi.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our intent was to pay homage to the cultural significance of the song while adhering to the terms set forth in our agreement, which permitted us to use the lyrics with a new composition,” the statement claims.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Saturday, several of the country’s eminent Nazrul exponents shared their official statements against the “distortion” of the song at a press conference held at the Kabi Nazrul Institute in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.</div><div><br></div><div>General Secretary of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha (BNSS) Khairul Anam Shakil, Kazi Nazrul Islam’s granddaughter Mistee Kazi, Nazrul exponent Sadya Afreen Mallick, veteran Nazrul singer Shaheen Samad, singer Bulbul Islam and others were present at the press conference.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prominent Indian newspaper The Times of India, Kalyani Kazi’s agreement to the makers mentioned that she was \"represented\" to the production house as the \"sole surviving legal heir\" and \"all rights, title and interest in the literary work are owned and vests\" on her. It also stated that she was \"authorized to grant the licence\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"We came to know about the agreement through the media. Legally, I am not sure if Kalyani Kazi could ignore all of us and enter into an agreement saying she is the only heir,\" Mistee Kazi told The Times of India. Accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 10:19:40', '2023-11-14 10:19:40'),
(10057, 10057, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman on Tuesday said BNP itself locked its central office in the capital’s Nayapaltan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“If BNP leaders want, they can carry out their activities in the office and there is no bar from our side,” the DMP chief said while replying to a question from reporters after visiting the people injured&nbsp; in various arson incidents at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>“He said that the police remain deployed in front of the BNP office throughout the year for security. As part of regular duty, police are guarding there. BNP has&nbsp; locked its party office on&nbsp; October 28. However, they can carry out party activities in the office if they want,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to a question, the commissioner said that the parked vehicles are being burned and police are working to stop these attacks. “We have given various instructions at the field level. As a result, we managed to arrest many perpetrators with the help of the public.”</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP chief also sought people’ cooperation to stop these violence. He also assured that they will provide financial support to the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>Processes are underway to take strict action against the perpetrators of this atrocity, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 19 people have been arrested in connection with the arson violence he said adding that no one will be spared. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 10:46:07', '2023-11-14 10:46:07'),
(10058, 10058, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh has expressed its displeasure to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk over a recent letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a press note on the country “without waiting for fuller information and facts.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We expect that human rights mechanisms would give themselves adequate time before jumping to conclusions without the benefit of full facts to avoid the risks of being influenced by rumors and unverified information,” according to Bangladesh’s response to Türk on November 10.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter seen by UNB notes that the UN rights chief’s letter, dated November 1, 2023, addressed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been written “hastily without waiting for fuller information and facts” to emerge and without allowing sufficient time for reflection.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter mentioned that a press note was also “hurriedly released” from Türk’s office on the same issue without consulting Bangladesh, and without taking into consideration the facts and figures the country provided along with “horrific images and video footage taken from neutral sources.”</div><div><br></div><div>Guided by the obligations emanated from the constitution, Bangladesh side said that the government has been allowing and extending necessary cooperation to all political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to arrange assemblies, protests, processions etc.</div><div><br></div><div>In this spirit the government allowed mass assemblies convened by different political parties on October 28, 2023 on the streets of Dhaka despite the declared objective of a major opposition party – BNP – to create anarchy and disconnect Dhaka from other parts of Bangladesh as a pressure tactic, reads the letter.</div><div><br></div><div>During its rally and strike on October 28-29, the unruly activists of BNP – “misguided” by the propaganda of its leaders – took recourse to indiscriminate street violence, arson, other forms of violent activities on the apolitical law enforcement agency members, police stations, CCTV cameras, the judiciary, media personnel, innocent civilians, state institutions, hospitals, ambulances, fire service vehicles and public properties, according to Bangladesh’s reply to Türk.</div><div><br></div><div>A member of the police was beaten to death while more than 100 police officers were injured, a bus worker was burnt alive, residences of the chief justice of Bangladesh and other judges of the Supreme Court were attacked, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the following days, as BNP spread the “campaign of arson and terror” all over Bangladesh, a few more people were killed, reads the letter.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is unfortunate that BNP unleashed its attacks on the on-duty media personnel. TV cameras were snatched away and at least 25 journalists were attacked, several of whom were admitted to hospitals. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) condemned these attacks by the BNP activists,” according to Bangladesh’s response.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the letter, Bangladesh said Türk’s office should conduct an unbiased assessment of BNP’s targeted attacks on the press impeding freedom of expression.</div><div><br></div><div>“Let me reassure you that our law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are well-trained to apply minimal and optimal force as they seek to prevent destruction of property or lives. Our LEAs deserve appreciation for being reasonable and restrained despite a member of the Police being mercilessly beaten to death by BNP hoodlums,” reads the letter.</div><div><br></div><div>The current government, as a democratically elected one, is committed to uphold the rule of law and ensure peace and security, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Every single arrest made following the incident of October 28, was based on specific allegations against the persons concerned, Bangladesh said.</div><div><br></div><div>“There has been no arbitrary arrest and detention, and we assure them access to full legal recourse as allowed under domestic laws,” the letter said.</div><div><br></div><div>In its reply, Bangladesh also mentioned that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was convicted on corruption charges in two cases while a few other cases are ongoing – all of which were filed during the 2007-08 caretaker administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Considering her health condition, based on the application of her family members, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suspended her sentence under legal provision.</div><div><br></div><div>“Begum Khaleda Zia was offered a release for a period of six months on conditions of (a) taking treatment in Bangladesh and (b) not leaving the country. She accepted the conditions under which she was released on 25 March 2020 and her release tenure was extended several times,” said the government of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh in its reply mentioned that she has been receiving treatment of the highest standard at the Evercare Hospital, one of the best hospitals in Bangladesh, as per her choice.</div><div><br></div><div>Recently, her family members and the leadership of BNP sought permission from the government to bring specialist doctors from the USA for her treatment. The government accorded its permission.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh appreciated engagement of Türk’s office with the government of Bangladesh on the recent developments.</div><div><br></div><div>“As Bangladesh is constructively and consistently engaged with the UN mechanisms in promoting and protecting human rights, we expect our steadfast commitment would be reciprocated with the spirit of cooperation and proportionality,” reads the letter to the UN rights chief. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 12:16:11', '2023-11-14 12:16:11');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10059, 10059, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Gaza\'s Shifa Hospital has become the focus of a dayslong stalemate in Israel\'s war against the Hamas militant group.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Shifa is Gaza\'s largest and best-equipped hospital. Israel, without providing visual evidence, claims the facility also is used by Hamas for military purposes. It says Hamas has built a vast underground command complex center below the hospital, connected by tunnels, something Gaza health officials and Hamas deny.</div><div><br></div><div>Since Israel declared war against Hamas in response to a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, its forces have moved in on Shifa. While Israel says it is willing to allow staff and patients to evacuate, Palestinians say Israeli forces have fired at evacuees and that it is too dangerous to move the most vulnerable patients. Meanwhile, doctors say the facility has run out of fuel and that patients are beginning to die.</div><div><br></div><div>Here is a closer look at the Shifa standoff.</div><div><br></div><div>A HOSPITAL AND A SHELTER</div><div><br></div><div>Shifa is the leading hospital in a health care system that has largely collapsed after years of conflict, chronic underfunding and an Israeli-Egyptian blockade aimed at weakening Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>Shifa has over 500 beds and services like MRI scans, dialysis and an intensive care unit. It conducts roughly half of all the medical operations that take place in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.</div><div><br></div><div>After the war erupted, tens of thousands crammed into the hospital grounds to seek shelter. As the war has moved closer to the hospital, most of those huddling there have fled south — joining some two-thirds of the territory\'s 2.3 million residents who have left their homes.</div><div><br></div><div>But hundreds of people, including medical workers, premature babies and other vulnerable patients, remain, staffers say.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, the hospital announced that its last generator had run out of fuel. Health officials say at least 32 patients, including three babies, have died. They say 36 other babies are at risk of dying because life-saving equipment can\'t function.</div><div><br></div><div>The Health Ministry released a photo Monday showing about a dozen premature babies wrapped in blankets on a bed to keep them warm. \"I hope that they will remain alive despite the disaster in which this hospital is passing through,\" said ministry spokesman Medhat Abbas.</div><div><br></div><div>International law gives hospitals special protections during war. Hospitals can lose those protections if combatants use them to hide fighters or store weapons, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.</div><div><br></div><div>Still, there must be plenty of warning to allow evacuation of staff and patients. If harm to civilians from an attack is disproportionate to the military objective, it is illegal under international law.</div><div><br></div><div>ISRAEL\'S CASE AGAINST HAMAS</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has long accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. The group often fires rockets toward Israel from crowded residential areas, and its fighters have battled Israeli troops inside densely populated neighborhoods.</div><div><br></div><div>Throughout the war, Israel has released photos and video footage showing what it says are weapons and other military installations inside or next to mosques, schools and hospitals.</div><div><br></div><div>Late Monday, Israel\'s chief military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, showed footage of what he said was a Hamas weapons cache found in the basement of Gaza\'s Rantisi Hospital for Children.</div><div><br></div><div>Hagari said he entered the hospital with Israeli troops on Monday, a day after the facility\'s last patients were evacuated. The hospital ran out of fuel last week, and Israel had ordered people to leave as it conducts its ground offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>Hagari entered a room decorated with a colorful children\'s drawing of a tree, with weapons lying across the floor. He said they included explosive vests, automatic rifles, bombs and rocket-propelled grenades.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Hamas uses hospitals as an instrument of war,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He showed another area that he said appears to have been used to hold hostages.</div><div><br></div><div>It included what appeared to be a hastily installed toilet and air vent, a baby bottle and a motorcycle — scarred by a bullet hole and apparently used to carry hostages. One windowless room had curtains on the wall that he said could be used as a backdrop in a video. Hagari said forensic experts were examining the scenes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This is not the last hospital like this in Gaza, and the world should know that,\" Hagari said.</div><div><br></div><div>The army has claimed that Hamas is operating inside Shifa and underneath it in bunkers, some of which it says are accessible from the hospital itself. It also claims hundreds of Hamas fighters sought shelter at Shifa after the Oct. 7 massacre, in which at least 1,200 people in Israel were killed.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel says these claims are based on intelligence. However, it has released no visual evidence to support the claims. Hagari last month unveiled maps showing where Israel believes Hamas\' underground command centers are located, including one next to hospital\'s reception area and another next to the dialysis department.</div><div><br></div><div>He also showed off simulated illustrations of what these centers allegedly look like, but acknowledged: \"This is only an illustration.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Israel also released a video of what it said was a captured militant answering questions during an interrogation. The militant, speaking quietly but clearly under duress, says that most tunnels are \"hidden in hospitals.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"At Shifa, for example, there are underground levels,\" the militant says. \"Shifa is not small. It\'s a big place that can hide things.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The army also released a voice recording of what it says are two anonymous Palestinians in Gaza discussing the presence of a tunnel under Shifa. The recording could not be verified.</div><div><br></div><div>Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official, rejected the Israeli claims about Shifa as \"false and misleading propaganda.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"The occupying forces have no evidence to prove it,\" Hamad said. \"We have never used civilians as human shields because it goes against our religion, morality and principles.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesman for the Health Ministry, said Tuesday that the hospital repeatedly invited international organizations to tour Shifa, but has not received a response.</div><div><br></div><div>HOW WILL THE STANDOFF END?</div><div><br></div><div>Israel on Sunday said it had tried to deliver some 300 liters (about 80 gallons) of fuel to the hospital in plastic containers several hundred meters (yards) from the facility. But as of Monday, the fuel had apparently not been taken.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel accused Hamas of preventing medical workers from retrieving the containers. Hospital officials said the fuel should be delivered by the Palestinian Red Crescent and that the quantity of fuel was insufficient in any case.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel offered safe passage for people to leave. But those who tried to go described a terrifying experience.</div><div><br></div><div>Goudhat Samy al-Madhoun, a health care worker, said some 50 people left the facility on Monday, including a woman who had been receiving kidney dialysis. He said Israeli forces fired on the group several times, wounding one man who had to be left behind.</div><div><br></div><div>U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday said the hospital \"must be protected\" and called for \"less intrusive action\" by Israeli forces.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is my hope and expectation that there will be less intrusive action,\" Biden said in the Oval Office.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army has said it is aware of the complexities, but says Hamas should not expect immunity.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'re not looking to take control of hospitals. We\'re looking to dismantle their infrastructure,\" said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, another Israeli army spokesman, reports AP</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'ll go in, we\'ll do what we have to do and leave,\" he said. \"What it\'s going to look like, it\'s hard to say.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 12:32:16', '2023-11-14 12:32:16'),
(10060, 10060, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP on Tuesday urged the government to stop a ‘game’ in the name of announcing a schedule for the 12 parliamentary elections by the current ‘partisan’ Election Commission (EC).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also urged the government to quit power accepting the opposition’s demand for holding the next polls under a non-party government.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The government has become crazy to hold a lopsided election ignoring the demands of people. Sheikh Hasina has started the process of announcing the election schedule illegally by the Election Commission which is subservient to her,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader further said, “We would like to issue a strong warning to stop this game in the name of election schedule. Step down first and hand over power to a caretaker government.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also called upon the government to cancel the Election Commission before the announcement of the election schedule.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He also warned that the consequences will be dire if the opposition’s one-point demand is not accepted.</div><div><br></div><div>“There will be no election in Bangladesh as per the schedule (to be announced by the current EC). There will be no elections without a caretaker government. People will not allow any farcical and stage-managed election on the soil of Bangladesh,” Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the next national election is drawing nearer and the EC is likely to announce the polls schedule in a day or two.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission is likely to hold a meeting on Wednesday to finalise its decision on announcing the schedule for the upcoming national election.</div><div><br></div><div>EC Jahangir Alam said on Tuesday said he will hold a press briefing on Wednesday morning to inform when and how the schedule would be announced.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said Awami League always promote the culture of spreading hatred against its opponents as the party never believes in social harmony or democracy “That is why they attack their opponents with offensive and indecent language and repress them in various ways. But Awami League never thinks that this coercive misrule can be overturned at any moment.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He called upon the leaders and workers of BNP and like-minded parties to peacefully take to the streets to make their blockade programme- from Wednesday morning to Friday morning—a success.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;\"This blockade is for restoring democracy and freedom of speech and for ensuring a free, fair transparent and credible election. This blockade is also a part of the democratic struggle to get back people’s ownership of the country. Let\'s all make this blockade a success,\" the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that the ruling party activists were indulging in arson violence during the opposition’s blockade programme to shift the blame onto BNP, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi also claimed that more than 420 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 14:05:38', '2023-11-14 14:05:38'),
(10061, 10061, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam on Tuesday disclosed that the prevailing political situation is severely disrupting not only the country\'s supply chain but, by extension, manufacturing and production, as well as prices, exports, and even the service sector.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this in a views-exchange meeting with business leaders of various sectors, economists, and former leaders of FBCCI on the prevailing trade and economic situation, held at the Gulshan office of the federation.</div><div><br></div><div>The FBCCI President presided over the meeting and discussed various issues, including ongoing political violence, the dollar crisis, price inflation, control of imports of luxury goods, bank loans, foreign exchange reserves, ensuring a business-friendly environment, LCs, and others.</div><div><br></div><div>Business leaders said that for the past few years, a very stable political and economic environment has prevailed in the country, which is very important for business, trade, and the economy.</div><div><br></div><div>But recently, due to the violent activities of political parties, the country\'s business, trade, and investment are at risk. At the same time, attempts are being made to deliberately disrupt the readymade garment sector, they opined.</div><div><br></div><div>Stating that the country\'s political instability is pushing the national economy to the brink, the FBCCI president said the prevailing situation is severely disrupting the country\'s supply chain - impacting product production, market prices exports, and service sectors as well.</div><div><br></div><div>He insisted that political parties avoid all kinds of violent activities for the sake of the national economy.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the FBCCI President urged the Bangladesh Bank to play a more effective role in solving the dollar crisis and controlling inflation. He also urged the concerned authorities to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to continue the production system in industrial factories, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>In the ready-made garment sector, the wage commission has been set up according to the demands of the workers and employees, and the wages have been re-fixed based on discussions with both the workers and employers, which is a very positive step, the business leaders said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 15:37:21', '2023-11-14 15:37:21'),
(10062, 10062, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>India has said they will continue to support Bangladesh\'s vision of a \"stable, peaceful and progressive\" nation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their own future. As a close friend and partner, we respect the democratic process in Bangladesh,\"</div><div><br></div><div>Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>While asked about arrests and jailing of opposition leaders in Bangladesh, he said the \"characterisation\" of all of these elements is \"your words, not mine.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Crackdown, jailed opposition leader, etc. are your interpretation. Please don\'t ascribe them to me,\" the spokesperson conveyed to the reporter who asked the Bangladesh related questions, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that they do not want to comment on the policy of any third country. \"Elections in Bangladesh, as I have said, are a domestic matter for them,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 16:28:19', '2023-11-14 16:28:19'),
(10063, 10063, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Miscreants set fire to three buses in the capital ahead of the 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade called by BNP and other like-minded opposition parties.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Two buses of Manarat International University were set on fire at the Nobaberbagh Uttarpara Beribadh area at Mirpur 1 at 8:25 pm on Tuesday, confirmed Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (media cell).</div><div><br></div><div>Two firefighting units of Kalyanpur Fire Station went to the spot and doused the fire, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, a BRTC bus was set on fire at Mirpur-10 at around 9:30 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, one firefighting unit of Mirpur Fire Station rushed to spot and doused the fire, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-14 16:36:20', '2023-11-14 16:36:20'),
(10064, 10064, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As Election Commission will announce the schedule of the next general election any time, no scope is left for dialogue now, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“We have urged BNP several times to consider dialogue with us, without any condition. But there is no scope right now,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The road transport and bridges minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have received a letter from Donald Lu (US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs). US Ambassador Peter Haas was here to give us the letter this morning. We can respond (to the letter) after holding a discussion with the party chief, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the AL leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>“I have read the letter, and it is about holding free, fair and neutral election,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Quader said, “Those who believe in democracy can’t avoid dialogue. The EC is set to announce the polls schedule, so now there is no scope to hold a dialogue.”</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal is set to address the nation and announce the schedule for the upcoming general election at 7 pm today (November 15, 2023), Election Commission has said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the CEC’s speech in the evening, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam said while briefing reporters this morning. According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 06:59:56', '2023-11-15 07:06:17'),
(10065, 10065, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal is set to address the nation and announce the schedule for the upcoming general election at 7 pm today, the Election Commission has said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the CEC’s speech in the evening, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam said while briefing reporters this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Before announcing the polls schedule, a meeting will be held at the Election Commission at 5 pm today. The CEC will hold the 26th meeting of the Election Commission, said the EC secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>The dates of nomination paper submission, evaluation, and withdrawal of candidature will be finalised at the meeting, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>A three-tier security system has been set up at the Election Commission building on the occasion of the announcement of the next general election\'s schedule.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from police, RAB and Ansar personnel have been deployed in front of the Election Commission building. Entry of visitors has been restricted inside the building.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC is going to announce the polls schedule amid the ongoing 48-hour blockade called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties to press home their one-point demand.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission is determined to hold the next general election within the stipulated time as per its constitutional obligation, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal had said earlier.</div><div><br></div><div>The 11th national election was held on December 30, 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the constitution, the tenure of the current government will end on January 29, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 11,96,91,633 voters are expected to cast their votes at 42,103 polling centres across the country in the 12th general election of Bangladesh. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 07:38:20', '2023-11-15 07:38:20'),
(10066, 10066, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Another 48-hour blockade, called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties to press home their one point demand, began this morning (November 15, 2023) with traffic movement on the streets.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The latest blockade started at 6 am today and will end at 6 am on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka city is witnessing an increase in vehicular movement and commuters on the streets.</div><div><br></div><div>People were seen rushing to their respective destinations. Rickshaws are dominating the city roads.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Tuesday, miscreants set four buses on fire in Dhaka’s Mirpur area ahead of the blockade called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile in Chattogram city, Awami League and its associate bodies will hold peace rallies at 19 points against BNP-Jamaat’s blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>The points include Darul Fazal Market premises, Kathgarh, Saltgola crossing, Badamtoli, Bohaddarhat, Naya Bazar, AK Khan, City Gate, Wasa, Muradpur, Kaptai Road, Oxygen, Aman Bazar, Moti Tower, Bakolia Access Road, Natun Bridge, Andorkilla and Dewanhat intersection.</div><div><br></div><div>After a pause for a day, BNP and like-minded opposition parties called yet another 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade beginning from Wednesday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a virtual press briefing on Monday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP and other opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have been enforcing blockades across the country since Oct 31. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 08:19:14', '2023-11-15 08:19:14'),
(10067, 10067, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Natore tribunal on Wednesday convicted a man and sentenced him to death for killing his wife in 2018.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The court also fined Tk 30,000 to the condemned convict Rony Molla, 33, of Purulia village in Gurudaspur upazila, and asked him to provide the money to his mother-in-law.</div><div><br></div><div>Natore Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Abdur Rahim handed down the punishment.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prosecution, the convict Rony used to torture his wife Rina Khatun, 20, for Tk 2 lakh as dowry since their marriage.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 15, 2018, Rony beat Rina up mercilessly and stabbed her with a sharp weapon over the issue.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she died on the way to the local hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Mafiz Uddin, father of Rina, filed a case in this connection.</div><div><br></div><div>On November 13, 2018, police submitted charge sheet against Rony. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 08:58:47', '2023-11-15 08:58:47'),
(10068, 10068, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United States has reiterated that it remains neutral, without taking any side, and urged all political parties to de-escalate and eschew violence and find ways for peaceful elections.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We are on no particular political party’s side. We want free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner,” US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas told reporters today.</div><div><br></div><div>He called upon all sides to de-escalate, eschew violence and try to figure out a way to have dialogue without pre-conditions to improve the election atmosphere.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador Haas made the remarks after a meeting with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader at the Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they delivered the same message to all political parties in Bangladesh, that the United States remains neutral ahead of the upcoming polls.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Ambassador Haas requested meetings with senior leaders of the three major political parties to underscore the US position regarding the upcoming election, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Tuesday said, “We have consistently said that we believe elections in Bangladesh should be free and fair and open, and they should take place free of violence.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 09:06:59', '2023-11-15 09:06:59'),
(10069, 10069, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality on Wednesday morning.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Its air quality continued to be in the \'unhealthy\' zone with an air quality index (AQI) score of 186 at 9:13 am.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the first two spots on the list, with AQI scores of 264 and 251, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups while 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><br></div><div>In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div><br></div><div>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><br></div><div>As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 09:33:28', '2023-11-15 09:33:28'),
(10070, 10070, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At a Gaza camp for those forced to leave their homes by the Israeli relentless bombardment, Ayman al-Jueidi tried to shift the pooling rainwater weighing down his makeshift shelter.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>As he went along, the Palestinian stopped to catch a few drops in his mouth and splash a little on himself. Like many others caught in the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, he had not showered for days.</div><div><br></div><div>The ongoing crisis in Gaza has displaced almost 1.6 million people, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, leaving hundreds of thousands living in cramped shelters with little food and insufficient water.</div><div><br></div><div>But on Tuesday those in the south woke up to yet another scourge: rain soaking their meagre belongings and threatening to bring waterborne diseases as it gathers in stagnating puddles.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are completely soaked, all of our clothes are soaked, our mattresses, our blankets too, even a dog could not live like this,” said Jueidi, who has set himself up in the courtyard of a UN school in Rafah at the southern extremity of the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>Those with access to waterproof sheeting are shoring up their makeshift homes. Others are using plastic bags to strengthen their defences against the rain.</div><div><br></div><div>“My children’s clothes are drenched and I have nothing for them to change into, they will get sick,” said Jueidi, wearing only a thin t-shirt as the weather turned chilly.</div><div><br></div><div>“Where will we sleep? We haven’t eaten anything for three days.” UNRWA gives the family “cans of food and biscuits, but our children are never full, we need bread”, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We had no water, and then suddenly we were drowned,” said Souha Hassan, who has lived under a tent since Oct 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Ms Hassan feared the worst is yet to come. “We don’t have any winter clothes because we left our homes without anything and now all our things are soaked,” she said. “And this is only the beginning. What will happen in the winter, when the rain will be stronger still? Our children are already weak because they don’t eat enough, it will be terrible.”</div><div><br></div><div>Another displaced Gazan, Karim Mreish, said people at the shelter were praying for the rain to stop.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those children, those women, those elderly pray to God that it doesn’t rain,” he said. “If it does it will be very difficult and words will fail to describe our suffering.”</div><div><br></div><div>Ahmed Bayram, a spokesperson for the Norw­egian Refugee Council, said the start of the rainy season could mark “the most difficult week in Gaza since the (military) escalation began.” “Heavy rains will mean more impeded movement for people and rescue teams,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“It will make it harder to save people stuck under the rubble, or to bury the dead, all of this amidst ceaseless bombardment and a fuel shortage catastrophe.”</div><div><br></div><div>The UN has warned of an impending cholera crisis stemming from a lack of fuel, which it has said will bring its aid operations to a halt by Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Potable water can no longer be trucked in, sewage pumps cannot be fuelled, and hospitals relying on generators are starting to shut down. “In the next 48 hours, it just comes to a halt, there’s nothing that we can do,” said UNRWA’s Gaza chief Thomas White. - AP/Dawn</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 10:20:31', '2023-11-15 10:20:31'),
(10071, 10071, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 30 people were killed in Indian-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday when a passenger bus skidded off a mountainous road and plunged into a deep gorge, police said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The accident took place on a remote road in the Doda area, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) southeast of the region’s capital Srinagar.</div><div><br></div><div>“Thirty passengers have died in the accident, caused by the driver’s negligence by hitting the crash bar of the road,” senior police officer Sunil Gupta told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“The bus tumbled down the mountain some 250 metres (800 feet),” he said, adding that more than 25 people were also injured in the crash.</div><div><br></div><div>A video clip from the site showed a grisly scene of several dead bodies, as rescuers tried to help the injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Police said they feared the death toll could rise, with many badly hurt.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the accident was “distressing” and offered his “condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones”.</div><div><br></div><div>“I pray that the injured recover at the earliest,” he said on social media, adding that government compensation of more than $2,400 would be offered to the next of kin of those killed, and $600 to those injured.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Anguished’</div><div>Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that he was “deeply anguished to learn about the loss of precious lives”.</div><div><br></div><div>“The local administration is conducting the rescue operation in the gorge where the bus had the accident,” Shah added.</div><div><br></div><div>Accidents are common on India’s vast network of roads, which are often poorly maintained.</div><div><br></div><div>The country accounts for 11 per cent of the global road death toll, despite having just one percent of the world’s vehicles, according to a World Bank report released in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>The same report estimated 150,000 car crash fatalities in India annually — or one every four minutes — causing road crashes that cost the Indian economy around $75 billion each year, the report added.</div><div><br></div><div>Medical expenses and loss of income push many accident survivors into poverty.</div><div><br></div><div>In May, at least 21 people died when a bus veered off a bridge in India, reportedly after the driver fell asleep at the wheel.</div><div><br></div><div>In July, 25 people were killed and eight others injured in western India when a bus crashed and caught fire on an expressway. According to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 10:38:03', '2023-11-15 10:38:03'),
(10072, 10072, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Israeli army claimed on Tuesday it had captured Gaza’s parliament building and other government institutions run by Hamas in Gaza City, as its forces deepened their offensive in the besieged Pales­tinian enclave.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Military units “took over the Hamas parliam­ent, the government buil­ding, the Hamas police headquarters and an engineering faculty that served as an institute for the production and development of weapons”, the army claimed in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas dismissed the Isr­aeli army’s claim that it had taken over institutions.</div><div><br></div><div>The move was a “pathetic attempt to manufacture victory and imaginary control of empty places or those previously targeted and destroyed”, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the director of Gaza’s main hospital said the facility had been forced to bury scores of dead patients in a mass grave, while thousands of Palestinians were trapped inside.</div><div><br></div><div>While Israeli forces were at the gates of the sprawling Al Shifa Hospi­tal, patients and people see­king shelter were str­anded in horrific conditions.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are bodies littered in the hospital complex and there is no longer electricity at the morgues,” said Al Shifa hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya, adding 179 bodies had been interred so far.</div><div><br></div><div>“We were forced to bury them in a mass grave,” he said, adding that seven babies and 29 intensive care patients were among those who had died after fuel for the hospital’s generator ran out.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations estimates that 2,300 people — patients, staff and displaced civilians — are inside and may be unable to escape from the facility.</div><div><br></div><div>The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza put the death toll from Israel’s relentless assault at 11,240 people, mostly civilians, including thousands of children.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel’s military says 47 of its troops have been killed in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Al Shifa’s fate has become a major focus of the more than five-week crisis, which has stirred international criticism of the suffering and death inflicted on civilians in the besieged territory. - Reuters/Dawn</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 11:25:25', '2023-11-15 11:25:25'),
(10073, 10073, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The visiting European Union (EU) delegation has recommended that Bangladesh step up its efforts to ensure that its policies and practices are aligned with International Labour Organization’s (ILO) standards.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The monitoring mission stressed the need to fully implement the National Action Plan on the labour sector, particularly guaranteeing freedom of association, collective bargaining, and an inclusive and representative participation of labour unions through tripartite consultation.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU officials welcomed progress made on safety standards in the garment sector and noted some positive steps towards improving economic and social rights.</div><div><br></div><div>“Challenges, however, remain in both labour and human rights,” said the EU team in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>On the human rights front, more efforts are needed to comply with the core EBA conventions, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), safeguarding the freedom of expression, freedom of association, the right to peaceful assembly, and creating an enabling environment for the civil society to carry out its activities, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU encouraged Bangladesh to accept and implement the recommendations of the 2023 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council in this regard. Soruce: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 12:29:34', '2023-11-15 12:29:34'),
(10074, 10074, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Violence, or threats of violence, directed at diplomatic personnel is unacceptable and deeply troubling, the US Embassy in Dhaka said today.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We have repeatedly raised our concerns about the threatening rhetoric directed at Ambassador Peter Haas with the Bangladeshi government,\" US Embassy Spokesperson Stephen Ibelli told media.</div><div><br></div><div>The embassy spokesperson also said the Bangladesh government has the obligation to ensure the security of US diplomatic missions and personnel under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 12:45:50', '2023-11-15 12:45:50'),
(10075, 10075, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli troops entered Gaza’s biggest hospital on Wednesday and were searching its rooms and basement, witnesses said, culminating a siege that caused global alarm after what Israel said was a deadly clash at the gates.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City has become the main target of the ground operation by Israeli forces, who say Hamas fighters have their headquarters in tunnels beneath it, which Hamas denies.</div><div><br></div><div>World attention has been focused on the fate of hundreds of patients and thousands of displaced civilians trapped inside. Gaza officials say many patients including three newborn babies have died in recent days as a result of Israel’s encirclement of the facility.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel said its troops killed fighters in a clash outside the gates, and had brought medical supplies for those inside.</div><div><br></div><div>“Before entering the hospital our forces were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads, fighting ensued in which terrorists were killed,” the Israeli military said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We can confirm that incubators, baby food and medical supplies brought by IDF tanks from Israel have successfully reached the Shifa hospital. Our medical teams and Arabic speaking soldiers are on the ground to ensure that these supplies reach those in need,” the Israeli military said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Ahmed El Mohallalati, a surgeon, told Reuters by phone that staff were in hiding as the fighting unfolded outside the hospital overnight.</div><div><br></div><div>“So yesterday early evening it started... shooting around the hospital and within the hospital. And the sound was really horrible. Look, you can feel that it’s, you know, it’s very near to the hospital,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“And then we realized that the tanks are moving around the hospital. One of the big tanks entered within the hospital from the eastern main gate, and they were, they were they just parked in the front of the hospital emergency department.”</div><div><br></div><div>“All kinds of weapons were used around the hospital. They targeted the hospital directly. We try to avoid being near the windows,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Another witness inside the hospital, reached by telephone, said tanks had entered the compound at 3:00 a.m. The Israeli troops dismounted and spread out in the yard, and began searching the basement and entering buildings.</div><div><br></div><div>“It was very dangerous looking from the glass window. The administration of the hospital told us the occupation army informed them they wanted to search us and search room by room. I am very scared,” the man said, asking that his name be withheld for fear of Israeli reprisals.</div><div><br></div><div>“There was no shooting because there were no gunmen inside the facility. The soldiers were acting freely as were people inside the hospital, the doctors, the wounded and the displaced,” the man said. He later said that gunfire could occasionally be heard and he was remaining in hiding.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: “Based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, IDF forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa hospital.”</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli army spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told CNN the hospital and compound were for Hamas “a central hub of their operations, perhaps even the beating heart and maybe even a center of gravity.”</div><div><br></div><div>The US said on Tuesday that its own intelligence supported Israel’s conclusions. Hamas said that amounted to giving Israel a “green light” for Israel to raid the hospital, and it held US President Joe Biden fully responsible for the operation along with Israel itself. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 12:48:56', '2023-11-15 12:48:56'),
(10076, 10076, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members have arrested two people including president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal(JCD) metropolitan unit on charges of planning sabotage after announcement of polls schedule.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The arrestees were Rezaul Karim, 36, president of Barisal Metropolitan unit Chhatra Dal and his associate Abir, 27.</div><div><br></div><div>Rab\'s Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin confirmed the matter at a press conference in Barishal on Wednesday noon.</div><div><br></div><div>Rezaul and his associate planned to set fire to a launch of Dhaka-Barishal route after the schedule for the national election is announced.</div><div><br></div><div>He used to make videos and send it to the leaders which went viral social media platforms. Besides, a call record of setting fire to a Dhaka-Barishal passenger launch has also gone viral, said Commander Moin.</div><div><br></div><div>There are 8-10 cases against them including for sabotage and arson attacks, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>They have been sent to jail through the court, he added.&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 12:51:22', '2023-11-15 12:51:22'),
(10077, 10077, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>We’ve been reporting throughout the day about the situation at al-Shifa Hospital, but Gaza’s largest medical complex is just one of the several medical facilities that are under threat.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a voice note, Ahmed Muhanna, director from al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, describes the situation there as “extremely critical”.</div><div><br></div><div>“All the time they are bombing around the hospital and close to the hospital,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Today, we have found shrapnel inside the hospital, and the ambulance and cars were damaged. We are working with injured and pregnant women from the northern areas and Gaza City because all the hospitals in Gaza City and the northern area also are out of service.” Source: Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 12:57:13', '2023-11-15 12:57:13'),
(10078, 10078, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In a whistle-stop tour of Geneva on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen scolded the heads of international agencies, urging the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief to find a way to get access to hostages in Gaza, the World Health Organization (WHO) director to condemn Hamas, and the UN secretary-general to resign.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In his meeting with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger in Geneva, Cohen insisted that the organization put the issue at the top of its agenda and use all leverage at its disposal to visit the some 240 hostages taken captive by Hamas and other terror groups during the atrocities perpetrated in southern Israel on October 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Cohen decried the World Health Organization following a meeting with its head Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying Hamas’s use of hospitals in Gaza as “cover for its terrorist activities” indicated a severe failure of the WHO.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister also held meetings at the UN Office in Geneva, where he decried UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as unfit to lead the body following strong criticism he has voiced against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Red Cross must work through all channels to visit the hostages as soon as possible, including children, women and the elderly, held captive by the Hamas terrorist organization,” said Cohen following his meeting with Spoljaric Egger. - The Times of Israel</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 13:05:12', '2023-11-15 13:05:12'),
(10079, 10079, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Relentless Israeli air strikes on Gaza continue for the 39th day killing at least 11, 320 Palestinians, including more than 8,000 women and children, since October 7.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The United States would like to see safe evacuation for patients at Gaza hospitals to get out of harm’s way and will support an independent third party to conduct those evacuations, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a news briefing, Miller said Washington did not want to see any civilians, \"certainly not babies in incubators\" and other vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire.</div><div><br></div><div>He added the US was in conversations with humanitarian organizations and third parties on the possible evacuation.</div><div><br></div><div>Four rights groups are suing the Dutch government for its stance on its war on Gaza, which they say is tantamount to supporting Israel’s violations.</div><div><br></div><div>In a joint statement on Tuesday, Oxfam Novib, Amnesty International, PAX, and The Rights Forum argued that the Netherlands is \"partly responsible for violations of the laws of war and collective punishment of the Gazan civilian population,\" particularly due to its continued weapons exports to Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>They have demanded the Dutch government act in accordance with its policy frameworks, constitutional obligations, and international agreements. According to TRTAfrika reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-15 13:15:16', '2023-11-15 13:15:16');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10080, 10080, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Some 110 countries have put forward 301 recommendations for Bangladesh that include election issues.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the UN Human Rights Council, the UPR Working Group adopted the recommendations section of the draft report on the Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh human rights record on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US recommended Bangladesh to protect the ability of the citizens to vote and choose their government by ensuring free and fair elections held in a peaceful manner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK recommended measures to guarantee a safe and transparent environment for civil society, human rights defenders and the media, ensuring that they can exercise their right to freedom of expression and assembly without fear of repercussions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva M Sufiur Rahman thanked all the countries, including 12 countries who sent advanced questions and helped the process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh will \"carefully examine\" all the recommendations and will inform its feedback in February.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law Minister Anisul Huq, who led the Bangladesh delegation at the UPR meeting, on Monday said a total of 111 countries joined the meeting and 90 percent of the countries appreciated Bangladesh’s progress on the human rights front.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said even countries like the United States, the UK and Canada did not criticise Bangladesh in a major way, rather they came up with some constructive recommendations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law minister said he responded to all the questions on rights issues including regarding those on the next national election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, UN experts said the universal periodic review of the Human Rights Council is an opportunity for Bangladesh not only to reiterate its commitment to human rights in words but to take urgent, concrete action to end attacks on human rights defenders and journalists. 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, '2023-11-16 08:21:35', '2023-11-16 08:21:35'),
(10081, 10081, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the second World Cup semi-final on Thursday with rain in the air.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Bavuma said he is still not \"100 percent\" after the hamstring injury he suffered against Afghanistan but \"it will have to be good enough\".</div><div><br></div><div>The winners of Thursday\'s game will take on undefeated hosts India, who knocked out New Zealand in the first semi-final, in Sunday\'s final at Ahmedabad.</div><div><br></div><div>The eastern Indian city of Kolkata witnessed rain in the morning and the ground staff at the iconic Eden Gardens were kept busy bringing the covers on and off in the hours before play.</div><div><br></div><div>It remained gloomy with the floodlights turned on as players from both teams went about their warm-up drills.</div><div><br></div><div>South Africa have made one change with leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi coming in for fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.</div><div><br></div><div>The Proteas will be looking to break their semi-final jinx after having failed to cross the final-four hurdle on four occasions including twice against Australia.</div><div><br></div><div>Their 1999 exit was the most painful when the match ended in a tie at Edgbaston and Australia went through due to a better group stage finish.</div><div><br></div><div>Pat Cummins\' Australia are chasing their sixth World Cup title and are on a roll with seven straight victories en route to the semi-final.</div><div><br></div><div>All-rounder Glenn Maxwell and left-arm quick Mitchell Starc return to the team after both missed the team\'s last victory over Bangladesh. Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott miss out.</div><div><br></div><div>Maxwell\'s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan remains the tournament\'s highlight when he rescued Australia from 91-7 and carried them to their victory target of 292.</div><div><br></div><div>Teams:</div><div><br></div><div>South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (capt), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 09:01:08', '2023-11-16 09:01:08'),
(10082, 10082, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russia’s rocket forces loaded an intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with the nuclear-capable “Avangard” hypersonic glide vehicle into a launch silo in southern Russia, according to a defense ministry TV channel broadcast on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>President Vladimir Putin announced the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle in 2018, saying it was a response to US development of a new generation of weapons and a US missile defense system that it could penetrate.</div><div><br></div><div>As it approaches its target, the Avangard glide vehicle detaches from the rocket and is able to maneuver sharply outside the trajectory of the rocket at hypersonic speeds of up to 27 times the speed of sound (about 21,000 miles per hour or 34,000 kilometers per hour).</div><div><br></div><div>The ‘Zvezda’ television channel owned by the Russian defense ministry showed a ballistic missile being transported to a launch silo, slowly raised into vertical position and then lowered into a shaft in the Orenburg region near Kazakhstan.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia installed its first Avangard-equipped missile in 2019 at the same Orenburg facility.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia and the United States, by far the biggest nuclear powers, have both expressed regret about the steady disintegration of arms-control treaties which sought to slow the Cold War arms race and reduce the risk of nuclear war.</div><div>But the United States, Russia and China are developing a range of new weapons systems, including hypersonic ones.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States casts China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat, while US President Joe Biden argues that this century will be defined by an existential contest with between democracies and autocracies.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia says the post-Cold War dominance of the United States is crumbling and that Washington has for years sown chaos across the planet while ignoring the interests of other powers. Source: Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 09:25:36', '2023-11-16 09:25:36'),
(10083, 10083, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tourist ship operations to Saint Martin\'s Island from Teknaf in Cox\'s Bazaar have been suspended due to inclement weather, leaving&nbsp; over hundred of tourists stranded on the island.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The local administration suspended the operation of vessels as a depression was formed over the Bay of Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>Adnan Chowdhury, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said the vessel movement on Teknaf- Saint Martin\'s route has been suspended due to the inclement weather and it will remain halted until further notice.</div><div><br></div><div>Hossainul Islam Bahardur, general secretary of Ship Owners Association, said 400 tourists went to Saint Martin\'s Island by three ships on Wednesday. Of them, over 100 did not return from there.</div><div><br></div><div>According to a special bulleting of Met office, all maritime ports have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3.</div><div><br></div><div>Under its influence deep convection is taking place over North Bay.</div><div><br></div><div>Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The sea will remain moderate near the deep depression center.</div><div><br></div><div>All fishing boats and trawlers in north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 09:38:17', '2023-11-16 09:38:17'),
(10084, 10084, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The third committee of the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the annual resolution on the human rights situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar by consensus.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Jointly tabled by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU), the resolution was cosponsored by 114 countries, marking the highest level of international support since 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh is a small country with a high density of population and very limited resources. Protracted presence of the Rohingyas in our territory is not an option. They must return to their homeland, Myanmar,” the representative of Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York said while addressing the meeting following the adoption of the resolution on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Underscoring the need for improving the situation in Rakhine state by the Government of Myanmar for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingyas to the country, the Bangladesh representative urged the international community, including ASEAN, to continue their support in this regard.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Till Rohingyas return to Myanmar, she stressed, among other priorities is the need for adequate funding from international partners for those living in temporary camps in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Given the intensive political polarization amid various global conflicts, the adoption of this year\'s resolution, with an unprecedented level of co-sponsorship, sends a powerful signal of global solidarity and renewed commitment to addressing the Rohingya crisis.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh extended deep appreciation to OIC and EU for their leadership in keeping this important matter high on the UN agenda.</div><div><br></div><div>This year\'s resolution highlights several critical developments.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It commends the generosity and humanitarian support of the Government of Bangladesh in hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingyas including its extensive investments in the Bhashan Char project.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the deteriorating political situation in Myanmar, it called upon the country to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis and create a conducive environment in Rakhine to facilitate voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>It welcomed the recently adopted Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022), in which the Council demanded an immediate end to all forms of violence throughout Myanmar.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The resolution also called for swift implementation of the ASEAN’s five-point consensus to expedite the repatriation of Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It noted the ongoing justice and accountability processes and welcomed the developments in the case against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice and the investigation by the Prosecution of the International Criminal Court.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Above all, the UN member states were urged to continue humanitarian support to the Rohingyas living in Bangladesh in the spirit of responsibility and burden sharing. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 09:46:22', '2023-11-16 09:46:22'),
(10085, 10085, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The BNP on Thursday announced a 48-hour hartal across the country starting from Sunday to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing on Wednesday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the shutdown will begin at 6am on Sunday and end at 6pm Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said they will enforce the hartal also to mount pressure on the government to step down and hand over power to a neutral government and release all the arrested BNP leaders and workers, including its secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.</div><div><br></div><div>Some other opposition parties, including Gono Odhikar Parishad and Labour Party also announced to enforce a 48-hour hartal during the same period.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) enforced a half-day hartal from 6 am to 2 pm and Ganatantra Mancha enforced dawn-to-dusk hartal from 6am to 6pm on Thursday protesting the polls schedule.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the party and like-minded parties enforced a 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade from 6am Wednesday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration. It was the fifth phase of the blockade programme of the opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on October 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Half an hour into the start of BNP\'s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway. Accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 11:22:55', '2023-11-16 11:22:55'),
(10086, 10086, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Qatari mediators on Wednesday sought to negotiate a deal between Hamas and Israel that included the release of around 50 civilian hostages from Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deal, under discussion and coordinated with the U.S., would also see Israel release some Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails and increase the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza, the official said. Source: Tolo News</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 11:53:37', '2023-11-16 11:53:37'),
(10087, 10087, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday upheld a High Court (HC) order that granted bail to Jagannath University student Khadijatul Kubra in two cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2020.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>As a result, now there is no legal barrier for Khadija, who has been in prison since September 2022, to walk out of the jail.</div><div><br></div><div>A six-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order after hearing a petition filed against the stay order of the Chamber Court.</div><div><br></div><div>Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua and Advocate BM Illias Kochi stood for the accused and Assistant Attorney General Saiful Alam represented the state.</div><div><br></div><div>The defendant’s lawyers said the JnU student now has no barrier to walking out of the jail.</div><div><br></div><div>In October 2020, the police filed two cases against Khadija and retired Maj Delowar Hossain with Kalabagan and New Market police stations for “spreading anti-government propaganda and harming Bangladesh\'s reputation.”</div><div><br></div><div>The allegations in the two cases filed a week apart, were similar.</div><div><br></div><div>The police arrested Khadija on September 17, 2022. She has been imprisoned since then.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case details, Khadija and Delowar conspired to broadcast false, fabricated, and defamatory propaganda about the prime minister, various government agencies, and senior state officials in order to oust the country\'s legitimate administration.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They were aiming to destroy communal harmony through their conspiracy by promoting enmity, hatred, and division among various communities, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Khadija was 17 when the cases were filed under the Digital Security Act in 2020, but the case was filed showing her as an adult, according to her lawyer. Despite having kidney disease, Khadija\'s bail petitions were repeatedly denied by a Dhaka court.</div><div><br></div><div>On February 23 this year, Khadija was granted bail by the High Court in the cases. The state filed a petition challenging the bail.</div><div><br></div><div>On July 10, the Appellate Division suspended the bail of the JnU student for four months in two cases.</div><div><br></div><div>During the hearing, Khadija\'s lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy argued that she was not accountable for the opinions expressed by guests in videos on her YouTube channel. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 12:07:32', '2023-11-16 12:07:32'),
(10088, 10088, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government will continue to do its routine work till the national election and no policy decision will be taken during this time, said&nbsp; Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The minister made the remarks while replying to questions from reporters at his secretariat office, a day after the announcement of the schedule of 12th parliamentary election by the Election Commision(EC).</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday evening, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister said in democracies, the government usually doesn\'t take any policy decisions following the announcement of election schedule to maintain the level-playing field.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The government usually refrains from taking any policy decisions that might suggest that they (the government) are trying to attract people by taking new policy decisions,” said minister Anisul Huq.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“With the announcement of the election schedule, the Election Commission will oversee all electoral tasks. Government departments and organizations will support the commission in fulfilling its electoral responsibilities without impeding the election process.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>When asked whether any laws will be passed during this time, the law minister said no new laws will be enacted as the parliament is not in session anymore.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“However, if necessary, ordinances may be issued in case of urgent needs as a special arrangement,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>When questioned about the nature of routine tasks, the law minister said, \"Routine work refers to the ongoing operations necessary for administrative functions. This includes tasks such as disbursing salaries for autonomous bodies and maintaining daily activities, which will proceed under the current government.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Ongoing development projects will continue as planned; however, no new initiatives or projects will commence during this period.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding whether official transfer and promotion processes will fall under the Election Commission\'s jurisdiction during this time, the law minister said \"It\'s within the Election Commission\'s purview to decide on handling such matters. I\'m unable to provide a definitive statement on that,\" reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, When asked whether the EC or the Ministry of Home Affairs will oversee the police during this time, Anisul Huq said, “If the EC communicates any directives regarding the police, they will inform the Ministry of Home Affairs. And if the concerns raised by the Election Commission are deemed valid, the Home Ministry will take appropriate action based on their guidance.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 15:23:35', '2023-11-16 15:23:35'),
(10089, 10089, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday said it is a diplomatic procedure to inform the host country through diplomatic channels when any ambassador or high commissioner leaves the station which MoFA does not make public.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“It was not supposed to be shared publicly,” MoFA Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters when her attention was drawn about US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas’ station leave.</div><div><br></div><div>She said when any ambassador or high commissioner leaves the station, they are informing the MoFA through a diplomatic note, which also mentions who will be acting chief of the mission in absence of that particular diplomat.</div><div><br></div><div>They also need to inform their respective headquarters, said the Spokesperson.</div><div><br></div><div>Seheli also said there is no scope to spread misinformation or disinformation as there is a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the same way if any Bangladeshi diplomat leaves the station, he or she also conveys it to the host country and MoFA here.</div><div><br></div><div>There has been much discussion since morning regarding the departure of Ambassador Haas though the US Embassy did not make any comment when approached to know what exactly happened.</div><div><br></div><div>A section of media reported that the US envoy went on vacation and left Dhaka on Thursday noon for Colombo, Sri Lanka. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 15:38:49', '2023-11-16 15:38:49'),
(10090, 10090, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Israel was a \"terror state\" committing war crimes and violating international law in Gaza, sharpening his repeated criticism of Israeli leaders and their backers in the West.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking two days before a planned visit to Germany to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Erdogan said Israel\'s military campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas included \"the most treacherous attacks in human history\" with \"unlimited\" support from the West.</div><div><br></div><div>He called for Israeli leaders to be tried for war crimes at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and repeated his view - and Turkey\'s position - that Hamas is not a terrorist organisation but a political party that won past elections.</div><div><br></div><div>Britain, the United States, European Union and some Arab states deem Hamas a terrorist group, unlike Turkey. Ankara hosts some members of Hamas and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>\"With the savagery of bombing the civilians it forced out of their homes while they are relocating, it is literally employing state terrorism,\" Erdogan said of Israel in parliament. \"I am now saying, with my heart at ease, that Israel is a terror state.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We will never shy away from voicing the truth that Hamas members protecting their lands, honour, and lives in the face of occupation policies are resistance fighters, just because some people are uncomfortable with it,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan\'s trip to Germany will be his first to a Western nation since Israel began bombarding Gaza on Oct. 7 in response to Hamas\'s attacks. Germany has expressed strong solidarity with Israel, while urging a focus on limiting the impact of military operations on Gaza\'s civilian population.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The West, namely the United States, is unfortunately still seeing this issue backwards,\" Erdogan said, adding he would call leaders of the countries who last month abstained from a vote at the United Nations General Assembly on an aid truce in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on Wednesday, Erdogan spoke to Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and told her that Ankara expected Rome\'s support in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, the Turkish presidency said. Meloni\'s office said she had called for rapid de-escalation in Gaza, adding Turkey had a crucial role in preventing the spread of the conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce whether or not Israel had nuclear weapons, adding that Netanyahu would soon be a \"goner\" from his post.</div><div><br></div><div>He also likened the conflict between Israel, a Jewish state, and the Palestinians to a war between the Christian and Muslim worlds, saying the crisis was \"a matter of cross and crescent\". Reports, Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Ankara would also take steps to ensure Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian territories are recognised as \"terrorists\", he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 15:41:44', '2023-11-16 15:41:44'),
(10091, 10091, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Jashore court on Thursday sentenced three people to death, two to life term and four others to 20 years of jail in a case filed over recovery of 72 kilograms of gold from Sharsha upazila of Jashore along Indian border around five years back.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Second Court of Jashore Additional District and Sessions Judge Md Tajul Islam handed down the judgment, said the court’s Public Prosecutor Md Asaduzzaman.</div><div><br></div><div>The death-row convicts are Mohiuddin Tarafdar, Zahidul Islam and Mujibur Rahman, residents of the Sharsha upazila. They were also fined Tk 10,000 each in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>The lifers are Masud Rana and Nur Jalal Mondal, residents of India’s West Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>The court fined them Tk 50,000 each, in default of which they will have to serve six more months in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>Those who got 20 years of jail with fine of Tk 50,000 each are Imran Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Kabir Hossain, and Shafiqul Mondal alias Mollah alias Lidu of several areas under the Sharsha upazila of the district.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the convicts, local Zahidul, Indian nationals Masud Rana and Nur Jalal are now absconding while the rest were on the dock during the delivery of the judgment.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case statement, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted a drive in Narikelbaria area under the Sharsha upazila&nbsp; and challenged some people who were crossing the border on August 9, 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>All the smugglers except Mohiuddin managed to flee and left two bags here.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the BGB personnel recovered 624 gold bars weighing around 72kg from the detainee and bags. A case was filed later in this connection. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 16:00:26', '2023-11-16 16:00:26'),
(10092, 10092, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">India has reiterated that the people of Bangladesh will decide about their election scheduled to be held on January 7 next year.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We have repeatedly highlighted our position on Bangladesh\'s election...as well as this is something that people of Bangladesh have to decide themselves,\" Spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi told reporters at the weekly briefing in New Delhi.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the people of Bangladesh and their democratic system will work this out. \"I think I said it on many occasions.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The MEA Spokesperson did not make any comments on media queries regarding rejection of polls schedule by a political party.</div><div><br></div><div>India made it clear that the election in Bangladesh is Dhaka\'s internal matter and it is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We did discuss very extensively regional issues and so far as Bangladesh is concerned, we shared our perspective very clearly,\" Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters in a media briefing in New Delhi recently after the 5th Annual India-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2+2 meetings signify the participation of two high-level representatives, usually ministers holding the Foreign and Defence portfolios, from the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin were the principal participants from the US side.</div><div><br></div><div>During the media briefing, there was a question asked on whether Bangladesh was discussed during the 2+2 Dialogue.</div><div><br></div><div>The Indian Foreign Secretary said it is not for India to comment on the policy of a third country. He said as a close friend and partner of Bangladesh, India respects the democratic process in Bangladesh and will continue to support the country\'s vision of a stable, peaceful and progressive nation.</div><div><br></div><div>India earlier said they will continue to support Bangladesh\'s vision of a \"stable, peaceful and progressive\" nation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their own future. As a close friend and partner, we respect the democratic process in Bangladesh,\" MEA Spokesperson said in a previous briefing. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-16 16:02:35', '2023-11-16 16:02:35'),
(10093, 10093, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said her party always favours change of government through votes.</span><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>“</b>We want that voting rights of the people will continue. And the government will be changed through votes,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said this while inaugurating the sale of nomination forms of the Awami League at its central office in 23 Bangabandhu Avenue.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that people of the country have to resist those who unleashed arson terrorism to foil election.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have established voting rights of the people through a long struggle,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She thanked the political parties which have decided to participate in the January 7 parliamentary election.</div><div><br></div><div>“The political parties which do not have trust and confidence on the people and are not well organised as political parties, they are trying to foil the election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that foiling election might cause heavy toll for a country.</div><div><br></div><div>“In 2013 and 2014 we have witnessed arson terrorism that caused loss of lives and properties. What kind of politics is this, destroying lives and properties through arson terrorism,” she asked.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina urged the people of the country to be aware of those who are conspiring to foil the election through arson terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that democratic process has been continuing in the country since 2009 and as a result Bangladesh has registered unprecedented socioeconomic advancement and attained developing country status.</div><div><br></div><div>She sought blessings from the people so that the 12th parliamentary elections are held peacefully.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said that academic activities of students are getting hampered through hartals and blockades.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP- Jamaat gets pleasure through torturing mass people,” she alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina also said that attempt to foil elections might not bring any good result for the people involved.</div><div><br></div><div>“If anyone tries to foil election, and continues the arson terrorism, the result of these will not bring any good to them, It is the rights of the people to vote and choose their desired candidates in the elections,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also mentioned that people of the country will punish them.</div><div><br></div><div>“I will urge the people not to let anyone halt the democratic pricess in the country that we attained through huge struggle,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the nominations process of Awami League, Hasina said that those who are taking nomination forms are all eligible, no doubt about it.</div><div><br></div><div>“But It is the job of the nomination board of Awami League to choose the appropriate candidates for the next election. We will also take opinion from the grassroots level before choosing the candidates,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, she visited nomination forms selling booths at the Awami Legaue office.</div><div><br></div><div>Ten booths for eight divisions have been set up to sell the nomination forms among the aspirant candidates for the parliamentary elections.</div><div><br></div><div>The aspirants can collect and submit the nomination papers from November 18 to November 21 between 10 am and 4 pm every day.</div><div><br></div><div>They should buy and submit the forms for party nomination from the specific booths installed at the AL Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Nomination forms for the candidates of Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions are available from the second floor of the party office, while the aspirants from Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions have to collect nomination papers from the third floor.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Bangladesh Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to the central office of Awami League in a private car from Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she went to Bangabhaban riding an official car to pay a courtesy call to the President. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 09:03:33', '2023-11-18 09:03:33'),
(10094, 10094, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>ChatGPT-maker Open AI said Friday it has pushed out its co-founder and CEO Sam Altman after a review found he was “not consistently candid in his communications” with the board of directors.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI,” the artificial intelligence company said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>In the year since Altman catapulted ChatGPT to global fame, he has become Silicon Valley’s sought-after voice on the promise and potential dangers of artificial intelligence and his sudden and mostly unexplained exit brought uncertainty to the industry’s future.</div><div><br></div><div>Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, will take over as interim CEO effective immediately, the company said, while it searches for a permanent replacement.</div><div><br></div><div>The announcement also said another OpenAI co-founder and top executive, Greg Brockman, the board’s chairman, would be stepping down from that role but remain at the company, where he serves as president. But later on X, formerly Twitter, Brockman wrote, “based on today’s news, i quit.”</div><div><br></div><div>OpenAI declined to answer questions on what Altman’s alleged lack of candor was about. The statement said his behavior was hindering the board’s ability to exercise its responsibilities.</div><div><br></div><div>Altman posted Friday on X: “i loved my time at openai. it was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. most of all i loved working with such talented people. will have more to say about what’s next later.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of AP’s text archives.</div><div><br></div><div>Altman helped start OpenAI as a nonprofit research laboratory in 2015. But it was ChatGPT’s explosion into public consciousness that thrust Altman into the spotlight as a face of generative AI — technology that can produce novel imagery, passages of text and other media. On a world tour this year, he was mobbed by a crowd of adoring fans at an event in London.</div><div><br></div><div>He’s sat with multiple heads of state to discuss AI’s potential and perils. Just Thursday, he took part in a CEO summit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisco, where OpenAI is based.</div><div><br></div><div>He predicted AI will prove to be “the greatest leap forward of any of the big technological revolutions we’ve had so far.” He also acknowledged the need for guardrails, calling attention to the existential dangers future AI could pose.</div><div><br></div><div>Some computer scientists have criticized that focus on far-off risks as distracting from the real-world limitations and harms of current AI products. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into whether OpenAI violated consumer protection laws by scraping public data and publishing false information through its chatbot.</div><div><br></div><div>The company said its board consists of OpenAI’s chief scientist, Ilya Sutskever, and three non-employees: Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner of the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology.</div><div><br></div><div>OpenAI’s key business partner, Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars into the startup and helped provide the computing power to run its AI systems, said that the transition won’t affect its relationship.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have a long-term partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft remains committed to Mira and their team as we bring this next era of AI to our customers,” said an emailed Microsoft statement.</div><div><br></div><div>While not trained as an AI engineer, Altman, now 38, has been seen as a Silicon Valley wunderkind since his early 20s. He was recruited in 2014 to take lead of the startup incubator YCombinator.</div><div><br></div><div>“Sam is one of the smartest people I know, and understands startups better than perhaps anyone I know, including myself,” read YCombinator co-founder Paul Graham’s 2014 announcement that Altman would become its president. Graham said at the time that Altman was “one of those rare people who manage to be both fearsomely effective and yet fundamentally benevolent.”</div><div><br></div><div>OpenAI started out as a nonprofit when it launched with financial backing from Tesla CEO Elon Musk and others. Its stated aims were to “advance digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return.”</div><div><br></div><div>That changed in 2018 when it incorporated a for-profit business Open AI LP, and shifted nearly all its staff into the business, not long after releasing its first generation of the GPT large language model for mimicking human writing. Around the same time, Musk, who had co-chaired its board with Altman, resigned from the board in a move that OpenAI said would eliminate a “potential future conflict for Elon” due to Tesla’s work on building self-driving systems.</div><div><br></div><div>While OpenAI’s board has preserved its nonprofit governance structure, the startup it oversees has increasingly sought to capitalize on its technology by tailoring its popular chatbot to business customers.</div><div><br></div><div>At its first developer conference last week, Altman was the main speaker showcasing a vision for a future of AI agents that could help people with a variety of tasks. Days later, he announced the company would have to pause new subscriptions to its premium version of ChatGPT because it had exceeded capacity.</div><div><br></div><div>Altman’s exit “is indeed shocking as he has been the face of” generative AI technology, said Gartner analyst Arun Chandrasekaran.</div><div><br></div><div>He said OpenAI still has a “deep bench of technical leaders” but its next executives will have to steer it through the challenges of scaling the business and meeting the expectations of regulators and society.</div><div><br></div><div>Forrester analyst Rowan Curran speculated that Altman’s departure, “while sudden,” did not likely reflect deeper business problems.</div><div><br></div><div>“This seems to be a case of an executive transition that was about issues with the individual in question, and not with the underlying technology or business,” Curran said.</div><div><br></div><div>Altman has a number of possible next steps. Even while running OpenAI, he placed large bets on several other ambitious projects.</div><div><br></div><div>Among them are Helion Energy, for developing fusion reactors that could produce prodigious amounts of energy from the hydrogen in seawater, and Retro Biosciences, which aims to add 10 years to the human lifespan using biotechnology. Altman also co-founded Worldcoin, a biometric and cryptocurrency project that’s been scanning people’s eyeballs with the goal of creating a vast digital identity and financial network. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 09:24:29', '2023-11-18 09:24:29'),
(10095, 10095, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the sale of party nomination forms for the 12th parliamentary elections on Saturday morning.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Following the inauguration at the party\'s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, Awami League advisory council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed collected the nomination form on her behalf for the Gopalganj-3 constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League is selling each nomination form at Tk50,000, sources said.</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal unveiled the detailed schedule for the 12th parliamentary polls, slated to take place on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the announcement, Awami League has started selling nomination papers to its candidates.Those seeking party nominations will be able to collect and submit nomination papers from November 18-21 between 10am and 4pm daily.</div><div><br></div><div>Candidates aspiring for nominations are required to gather and submit their application forms at the designated divisional booths at the party\'s central office, according to a press release issued by Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>Nomination papers for the candidates from Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Chattogram divisions will be distributed on the second floor, while candidates from Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barishal divisions will be able to collect nomination forms from the booths on the third floor of the central office.</div><div><br></div><div>All candidates will have to submit their nomination papers at the booths on the ground floor of the central office.</div><div><br></div><div>Nomination seekers have the option to personally collect and submit their application forms or delegate this task to their representatives.</div><div><br></div><div>Aspirants will have to bring a photocopy of their national ID card with them to collect nomination papers.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the polls schedule, nomination papers must be submitted by November 30 at the respective district election commission offices.</div><div><br></div><div>The scrutiny of nominations is set for December 1-4, and the last day for withdrawing candidature is December 17. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 09:32:59', '2023-11-18 09:32:59'),
(10096, 10096, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli forces on Friday killed five Palestinians, including three militants, across the West Bank, deepening a surge of violence in the occupied territory that has accompanied Israel\'s war in the Gaza Strip.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deaths raised to 205 the number of Palestinians killed in West Bank violence since the Gaza war erupted on Oct. 7, making it the deadliest period in the territory since the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel says the crackdown is aimed at Hamas, the ruling group in Gaza, and other militant groups active in the West Bank. But rights groups say the Israeli tactics, including deadly raids, home demolitions and arrests, are being carried out with increased frequency.</div><div><br></div><div>The war erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants in Gaza crossed into Israel and killed at least 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 others. Israel launched a war that has claimed over 11,000 lives in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to health officials in the Hamas-ruled territory. At the same time, Israel has cracked down on suspected militants across the West Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest violence began Thursday night, when Israeli military trucks and bulldozers drove into the Jenin refugee camp and positioned snipers atop several buildings, local journalists said. Gunbattles erupted in several locations, drawing in Hamas militants.</div><div><br></div><div>At one point, an Israeli aircraft targeted militants who threw explosives toward Israeli forces, the Israeli military said. Airstrikes, once a rare attack mode in the West Bank, have become increasingly common since the war began. Three men were killed, and the Islamic Jihad militant group claimed them as members. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 09:37:59', '2023-11-18 09:37:59');
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(10097, 10097, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Fish worth Tk one crore, kept under the open sky for drying, at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans were damaged due to the incessant rain triggered by the cyclonic storm ‘Midhili’.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Kamal Uddin Ahmed, chairman of Dubla Fishermen’s Group, said 60,000 quintals (1 quintal = 100 kg) of fish have been damaged.</div><div><br></div><div>Harun-or-Rashid, officer of Bagerhat-Mongla Weather Observatory Centre, said the Met office recorded 91 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, from 6 pm Thursday till 6 pm Friday, in Bagerhat.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 10,000 fishermen from the coastal areas gathered at Dublar Char, popularly known as “Shutki Polli” or Dried Fish Village, as the dried fish processing season kicked off on November 3.</div><div><br></div><div>Every year, several thousand fishermen and hired hands flock to the area to catch fish and make shutki (dried fish) in Shelar Char, Narikelbaria, Majherkella and Alorkol of Sharankhola range of the East zone of Sundarbans.</div><div><br></div><div>The dried fish processing will continue till March, next year.</div><div><br></div><div>Dublar Char experienced intermittent rainfall for the past couple of days due to the depression in the Bay of Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>Frustration gripped the fishermen at Dublar Char as fish worth Tk one crore were damaged due to the rain.</div><div><br></div><div>Khalilur Rahman, in-charge of Dublar Char forest camp, said the authorities concerned informed the fishermen about the inclement weather through loudspeaker.</div><div><br></div><div>The stench of rotten fish is prevailing in the area, affecting the environment and health of the fishermen and others living on the char, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is difficult for the fishermen to stay in the strong stench. It would be better to dump the fish damaged due to the rain,” said Kamal Uddin, chairman of Dubla Fishermen’s Group.</div><div><br></div><div>Muhammad Nurul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarbans East Zone, said the extent of the losses caused by the rain could not be ascertained yet.</div><div><br></div><div>The periphery of the cyclonic storm Midhili crossed the Mongla-Payra coast near Khepupara as of Friday noon, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Cyclone Midhili completed crossing the coast by the evening, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 09:55:11', '2023-11-18 09:55:11'),
(10098, 10098, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rohit Sharma will carry a billion hopes when he leads India out for the World Cup final on Sunday, the pinnacle of a journey which began in poverty but which has led to a personal fortune of around $25 million and the high-pressure captaincy of the national cricket team.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The swashbuckling 36-year-old opener, nicknamed \"Hitman\" for his ability to get big scores quickly, has accumulated 550 runs at the tournament in a chart led by teammate Virat Kohli (711) ahead of Sunday\'s showdown with Australia in front of around 130,000 fans.</div><div><br></div><div>But Rohit\'s selfless approach with the bat to give the team attacking starts and allow the likes of Kohli and the middle-order to build has won him praise in a near-perfect campaign for two-time World Cup winners India.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The impact he\'s had has been unbelievable because he sets the tone for the batting, he is the one who is sacrificing his wicket so that others could come and score the runs,\" former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told TV channel India Today.</div><div><br></div><div>\"He is taking the attack to the opposition in the first 10 overs. Demoralising the opposition attack at the start. He has got out in the 40s three or four times already. As a leader he has shown the template.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Rohit smashed 47 off 29 balls laced with four fours and four sixes in India\'s 70-run over New Zealand in the semi-final in Mumbai on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Former England captain Michael Vaughan called Rohit a \"genuine hero\" and the \"man who has changed the culture\" of the team, which stands at the cusp of a third World Cup title.</div><div><br></div><div>- IPL supremacy -</div><div>Rohit took over the captaincy of the white-ball team in 2021 and a year later became the all-format leader in the cricket-crazy nation\'s quest for a global title.</div><div><br></div><div>M.S. Dhoni led India to their last World Cup victory in 2011 at home and then a Champions Trophy title two years later before the team faltered twice in the semi-finals of the 50-over showpiece -- 2015 and 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>Kohli\'s inability to lead India to a title remained one of the biggest talking points by his critics and Rohit was the chosen one with five Indian Premier League titles under his captaincy belt.</div><div><br></div><div>Rohit took over the IPL leadership from Australia great Ricky Ponting and led Mumbai Indians to titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>He rose from humble beginnings -- he studied on a scholarship after his family was unable to afford the $3.30 monthly fees -- to become India\'s limited-overs star and the only batsman to have scored three double-centuries in one-day internationals.</div><div><br></div><div>Rohit, who is often criticised for his visible paunch in contrast to Kohli\'s chiselled frame, has amassed 10,662 runs at an average of over 49 in 261 ODIs for India since his debut in 2007.</div><div><br></div><div>His boyhood cricket coach Dinesh Lad, in an interview with AFP last week, said if his student lifts the World Cup in Ahmedabad he will be the \"richest person in the world\".</div><div><br></div><div>Rohit was part of the team\'s inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup triumph under Dhoni but was not selected in the 2011 World Cup squad, an absence that left him \"heartbroken\".</div><div><br></div><div>But come Sunday and Rohit will not only have a shot at leading his team to cricket\'s biggest prize but also to answer his critics with what he does best -- bat and lead. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 10:00:38', '2023-11-18 10:00:38'),
(10099, 10099, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As there is no visible effort to hold political talks, Jatiya Party will decide within a couple of days whether the party will join the next national election or not.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu came up with the announcement while talking to reporters at the party president’s Banani office in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>He said although US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu sent letters to three major parties for talks, so far there has been no sign of dialogue.</div><div><br></div><div>Chunnu said BNP did not clearly say anything about the dialogue while the ruling party turned it down.</div><div><br></div><div>In this situation, he said there is now a question whether the Jatiya Party will go to the election or not.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Our senior leaders will convene a meeting of our presidium members, if necessary, and we will decide through discussions within a day or two whether we will go to the polls or not.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He, however, said their party still wants political talks to ensure a credible and participatory election.</div><div><br></div><div>On November 15, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Soon after the announcement of the Election Schedule, Jatiya Party Chief Patron Raushan Ershad welcomed it through a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Some leaders, loyal to Raushan, said they would participate in the election, but most of the party’s grassroots leaders loyal to its Chairman GM Quader at a recent meeting suggested not going to polls under the current government. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 10:51:59', '2023-11-18 10:51:59'),
(10100, 10100, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Renewed fighting this week between Myanmar’s military and an ethnic minority armed group has displaced more than 26,000 people in western Rakhine state, the United Nations said on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military “have resulted in the displacement of 26,175 people” across Rakhine, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in an update.</div><div><br></div><div>AA fighters launched attacks on security forces in Rakhine and neighboring Chin state on Monday, ending a shaky cease-fire and opening another front as the military battles opponents in the north and east.</div><div><br></div><div>UNOCHA said at least 11 people had been killed in military shelling of AA positions since Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>On Thursday junta troops shelled the town of Pauktaw, 16 miles (25 kilometers) west of state capital Sittwe, and shot at it from helicopters after AA fighters briefly seized the police station, residents told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The military took control of the town later in the day, and on Friday local media cited residents saying that around 50 people had been detained and an unknown number were feared dead.</div><div><br></div><div>UNOCHA said 19,000 people had been displaced from Pauktaw.</div><div><br></div><div>“Virtually all” roads and waterways connecting Rakhine townships have been blocked, UNOCHA said, adding most humanitarian activities in affected townships had been suspended.</div><div><br></div><div>It added more than 100 people had reportedly been detained by junta authorities since the renewed clashes.</div><div><br></div><div>For years the AA has fought a war for the autonomy of the state’s ethnic Rakhine population in their home near the border with Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Since last month AA fighters, in alliance with two other armed ethnic minority groups, have been battling the junta across a swathe of northern Shan state near the border with China.</div><div><br></div><div>The alliance, which includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has seized towns and blocked vital trade routes to Myanmar’s northern neighbor.</div><div><br></div><div>The offensive has galvanized other opponents of the military, with clashes spreading to Myanmar’s western and eastern borders in what analysts say is the biggest military challenge to the junta since it seized power in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday anti-coup fighters in eastern Kayah state said they had torched a courthouse in the state capital Loikaw amid clashes with security forces in and around the city.</div><div><br></div><div>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday he was “deeply concerned” about the widening conflict. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 11:24:25', '2023-11-18 11:24:25'),
(10101, 10101, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The White House on Friday condemned Elon Musk’s endorsement of what it called a “hideous” antisemitic conspiracy theory on X, while major US companies including Walt Disney Co, Warner Bros Discovery and NBCUniversal parent Comcast paused their advertisements on his social media site.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Musk on Wednesday agreed with a post on X that falsely claimed Jewish people were stoking hatred against white people, saying the user who referenced the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory was speaking “the actual truth.”</div><div><br></div><div>That conspiracy theory holds that Jewish people and leftists are engineering the ethnic and cultural replacement of white populations with non-white immigrants that will lead to a “white genocide.”</div><div><br></div><div>The White House accused Musk of an “abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate” that “runs against our core values as Americans.”</div><div><br></div><div>“It is unacceptable to repeat the hideous lie ... one month after the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, referring to the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and Comcast, Lions Gate Entertainment and Paramount Global said on Friday they also were pausing their ads on X. Axios reported that Apple, the world’s largest company by market value, was also pausing its ads.</div><div><br></div><div>IBM on Thursday halted its advertising on X after a report found its ads were placed next to content promoting Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Media Matters said it found that corporate advertisements by IBM, Apple, Oracle and Comcast’s Xfinity were being placed alongside antisemitic content.</div><div><br></div><div>Advertisers have fled the site, formerly called Twitter, since Musk bought it in October 2022 and reduced content moderation, resulting in a sharp rise in hate speech on X, according to civil rights groups.</div><div><br></div><div>Representatives for Musk and X on Friday again declined to comment on his post.</div><div><br></div><div>“When it comes to this platform — X has also been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination. There’s no place for it anywhere in the world — it’s ugly and wrong. Full stop,” X CEO Linda Yaccarino wrote on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Antisemitism has been on the rise in recent years in the United States and worldwide. Following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas after last month’s attack, antisemitic incidents in the United States rose by nearly 400 percent from the year-earlier period, according to the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization that fights antisemitism.</div><div><br></div><div>Musk, chief executive of electric vehicle maker Tesla and founder of rocket company SpaceX, has blamed the Anti-Defamation League for the ongoing drop in advertisers, without offering any evidence. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 12:34:25', '2023-11-18 12:34:25'),
(10102, 10102, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Nine young men including a minor were charged over the death of a French child, a collateral victim of drug trafficking in the southern city of Nimes, a prosecutor said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Two days after the death of the 10-year-old identified only as Fayed, an 18-year-old was killed during a drug deal.</div><div><br></div><div>The teen is believed to be the initial target on the evening that Fayed died, said Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone.</div><div><br></div><div>Eight men aged between 18 and 30 have been remanded in custody while a 17-year-old has been placed under judicial supervision, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The young Fayed and his family had nothing to do with drug trafficking and are obviously collateral victims, perhaps a mistake in targeting due to the make of the car they were in,” Bessone said.</div><div><br></div><div>The boy was killed late in the evening of Aug 21 in a gritty Nimes neighbourhood when his uncle’s car came under fire in a turf war between drug gangs, AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The investigation is also turning to the nearby Mediterranean city of Marseille, with evidence suggesting the drug dealing hotspot in Nimes is backed by the “DZ Mafia”, the main gang operating in Marseille, the prosecutor said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 12:58:42', '2023-11-18 12:58:42'),
(10103, 10103, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The BNP and like-minded opposition parties are set to enforce a 48-hour nationwide hartal from Sunday morning, as their movement to force the government to resign almost 18 months ago moves into a new, critical phase. The hartal has been called to protest the Election Commission\'s schedule for the next national election under the Awami League-led government, announced last week.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The shutdown which will begin at 6am on Sunday and end at 6am on Tuesday is meant to mount pressure on the government to step down and hand over power to a neutral government and release all the arrested BNP leaders and workers, including its secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.</div><div><br></div><div>At a press briefing on Saturday, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, one of the few leaders of the party not incarcerated at present, called upon people from all walks of life and the opposition leaders and workers to observe the programme peacefully and make it a success.</div><div><br></div><div>“This hartal is meant for restoring all the lost rights of people and realising the demand for holding a free, fair, and acceptable election. This shutdown is also for registering the protest against repression of the government,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi urged the leaders and workers of BNP and other opposition parties to take to the streets with courage during the hartal hours to effectively enforce the shutdown.</div><div><br></div><div>He also called upon the government to step down and cancel the election schedule to ensure a credible and inclusive election.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the same cluster of parties led by BNP enforced a 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade from 6am Wednesday that ended at 6am on Friday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration. It was the fifth phase of the blockade programme of the opposition parties.</div><div><br></div><div>They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on October 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Half an hour into the start of BNP\'s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway.</div><div><br></div><div>Separately, the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) enforced a half-day hartal from 6 am to 2 pm and Ganatantra Mancha enforced dawn-to-dusk hartal from 6am to 6pm on Thursday protesting the polls schedule. An emerging alliance of Islamist parties also rejected the EC\'s schedule, which has raised concerns about the coming election being truly participatory. According to UNB reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 13:18:06', '2023-11-18 14:37:26'),
(10104, 10104, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Erling Haaland will miss Norway’s final European Championship qualifier against Scotland after injuring his foot in a friendly match against the Faroe Islands, his team doctor said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Manchester City striker suffered a knock in Thursday’s friendly and will not be available for tomorrow’s Group A match against Scotland in Glasgow.</div><div><br></div><div>“The injury is not serious, but he has so much pain and somewhat limited function that the Scotland game unfortunately comes a little too early,” team doctor Ola Sand said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Norway are third in the group and cannot finish in the top two with Spain and Scotland having already sealed their spots at Euro 2024. However, the Scandinavian side can still qualify if they make the playoffs.</div><div><br></div><div>Haaland is Norway’s top scorer in the qualifiers with six goals and coach Stale Solbakken said he would not be bringing in a replacement.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s obviously a shame that Erling won’t be ready for the game on Sunday, but we’re not going to bring in a replacement,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is a great opportunity for the attacking players in the squad.”</div><div><br></div><div>City will also be sweating over his fitness with Pep Guardiola’s side hosting Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash next Saturday after the international break. Haaland is the league’s top scorer this season with 13 goals. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 13:31:02', '2023-11-18 13:31:02'),
(10105, 10105, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russia carried out a major drone attack on Ukraine overnight, hitting infrastructure facilities and causing power outages in more than 400 towns and villages in the south, southeast, and north of the country, Ukrainian officials said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine air defences shot down 29 out of 38 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched from Russian territory, the air force said.</div><div><br></div><div>The air force said in a statement that the attack on several Ukrainian regions lasted from 8pm yesterday to 4am local time today.</div><div><br></div><div>The energy ministry said 416 settlements in the Odesa region in the south and the Zaporizhzhia region in the southeast were cut off from electricity after networks were damaged in the strikes.</div><div><br></div><div>Last winter, Russia pounded Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones, leaving millions without electricity, heating, and water during the coldest months.</div><div><br></div><div>This year, Ukraine had an unusually warm autumn. However, as temperatures start to fall, officials have urged residents and businesses to prepare for renewed Russian attacks. “We do not have a right to relax,” Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of the power grid operator Ukrenergo, told Ukrainian TV.</div><div><br></div><div>“Certainly, all of us, energy workers and defence forces, are preparing to repel possible Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure this winter.”</div><div><br></div><div>The energy ministry also said an oil refinery was hit in the Odesa region. An administrative building was also damaged and one civilian was wounded in the strike, the south military command said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.</div><div><br></div><div>In Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region on the border with Russia and Belarus, two infrastructure buildings were damaged during the overnight strike, the military said.</div><div><br></div><div>The energy ministry said six settlements were without power in the Chernihiv region.</div><div><br></div><div>The drones also targeted Kyiv in the second attack so far this month, officials said, adding that all drones heading to the capital were shot down on their approach. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 13:54:48', '2023-11-18 13:54:48'),
(10106, 10106, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The BNP on Saturday accused the government of a serious crackdown on opposition politics across the country with the aim of establishing an autocratic dictatorship since the country’s voters turned down the schedule announced by the Election Commission for the next national election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called upon the Election Commission and the government to cancel the election schedule and create an atmosphere for holding a credible, inclusive and acceptable election in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“The country’s 12 crore voters rejected with hatred the dictated election schedule announced by the Election Commission,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said people who have been disenfranchised for the past 15 years have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of \'despotic ruler Sheikh Hasina\', and for the installation of a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee the next polls.</div><div><br></div><div>“Fascist Sheikh Hasina is carrying out a big crackdown across the country to establish an autocratic dictatorship, by eliminating the nationalist forces and opposition parties and dissidents through a cunning blueprint after establishing her control over all the state apparatuses, including the judiciary, administration and police,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that the police have been unleashed on the people like wolves to arrest the BNP leaders and activists and their family members.</div><div><br></div><div>“The astonishing evil efforts of the police have demonstrated that Sheikh Hasina\'s government has become violent to create a destructive and lifeless situation and dull around for holding a lopsided election. As in the past, she wants to make the festival of vote robbery a success by confining the people of Bangladesh and evicting them from their homes,” Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said police are raiding the houses of BNP leaders and activists to arrest them wholesale in ‘fictitious’ cases, forcing the opposition leaders and workers to leave their houses and villages.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also alleged that the law enforcers are also indulging in the ‘arrest trade’ by taking money from the BNP leaders and activists by showing them fear of arrest in ‘false’ cases.</div><div><br></div><div>“Sheikh Hasina gave them (police) license for the arrest business. Virtually the rule of law has been uprooted in the country. BNP leaders and activists are now living a miserable life in fear of getting arrested in ghost cases. The leaders and activists of the opposition parties have been treated as second-class citizens of the country,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi warned that the government would not be able to resist its fall by carrying out the recession and since people have taken to the streets to restore their rights.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the election is not held under a non-partisan caretaker administration, the government must face fall. Immediately withdraw the election schedule you announced. Postpone elections and resign first. Otherwise, the country’s people will resist this dictated one-sided election will their all strengths, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader claimed that police have arrested 302 BNP leaders and activists across the country in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>That brought the total to 13,210 BNP leaders and activists arrested in various cases since October 28. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 14:34:08', '2023-11-18 14:34:08'),
(10107, 10107, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Crops including Ropa Aman, mustard, winter vegetables, and paddy seedbeds on around 610 hectares of farmland have been damaged in the aftermath of Cyclone Midhili in Chandpur district, officials disclosed on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Around 190 hectares of Ropa Aman, 140 hectares of mustard, 270 hectares of winter vegetables and 10 hectares of paddy seedbeds have been damaged due to the precipitation carried in by Cyclone Midhili.</div><div><br></div><div>Visiting various places in Chandpur’s Sadar and Faridganj upazila, it can be seen that most of the Aman paddy land went under water due to the cyclone.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Habib, a farmer of Sobhanpur in the Sadar upazila, was seen picking up the paddy from the water that he cut two days ago. He said that this year he cultivated Aman paddy on 3.5 acres of land spending Tk around 1 lakh. But most of the land is now under water. “I don\'t know what to do now”, Habib sighed.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdul Khalek, another farmer of Balithuba West Union of Faridganj Upazila, said that he spent about Tk50,000 and planted the BR-22 variety of rice on one acre of land. As this variety is very large in height, all the paddy has fallen to the ground due to the intense windspeeds during the cyclone.</div><div><br></div><div>Khalek apprehends he will suffer huge losses this year, and sought help from the government.</div><div><br></div><div>Deputy Director of Chandpur Agricultural Extension Department Dr Safayet Ahmad Siddiqui said that their officials are surveying the affected areas, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The extent of financial loss will be estimated as part of the survey report, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 14:35:19', '2023-11-18 14:35:19'),
(10108, 10108, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Palestinians in Gaza, whose rights for years have been “comprehensively restricted,” are now enduring a bombardment of an intensity “rarely experienced in this century,” as well as ongoing urban warfare, a leading UN official said on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Volker Turk, the high commissioner for human rights, added that one in every 57 people living in the Gaza Strip has been killed or wounded in the past five weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking during a meeting of the General Assembly requested by the UN’s Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he said: “The levels of distress are unimaginable; the situation is a living nightmare.”</div><div><br></div><div>More than 11,100 people have been killed in the territory, more than 4,600 of them children, according to figures from the Gazan health ministry. More than 26,000 people have been injured, many of them severely, and at least 2,000 are presumed trapped under the rubble of damaged or destroyed buildings, with no means available to reach or rescue them.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli airstrikes have struck many civilian locations, including hospitals, schools, markets, bakeries and homes.</div><div><br></div><div>“An entire population is being deeply traumatized, and the impact on children in particular will have far-reaching consequences,” Turk told the large gathering of ambassadors and heads of UN agencies.</div><div><br></div><div>He lamented the fact that many Palestinians have been unable to comply with instructions from Israeli forces to move from northern Gaza, scene of the most intense military action, to the south of the territory. Hundreds of thousands of people, including many children, disabled people, and the sick and wounded, remain stuck in the north, where the shelling is intense and humanitarian access has been impossible.</div><div><br></div><div>Turk dismissed the current Israeli proposal for the establishment of a so-called “safe zone” as “untenable,” warning: “The zone is neither safe nor feasible for the number of people in need.”</div><div><br></div><div>He joined the heads of other UN agencies, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in warning that fuel supplies in Gaza are on the verge of completely running out.</div><div><br></div><div>“Already, this is leading to the collapse of water, sewage and crucial healthcare services, and could end the trickle of humanitarian assistance that Israel has to date permitted to enter Gaza,” Turk said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also repeated a warning from the WFP that Gazans “are facing the immediate possibility of starvation.”</div><div><br></div><div>He then sounded “the loudest possible alarm bell about the West Bank” and East Jerusalem, expressing great concern about the intensification of violence there and “severe discrimination against Palestinians.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said: “I am alarmed by the rise in killings of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and by settlers, displacement of Palestinian communities due to settler violence, a sharp increase in seemingly arbitrary arrests and detention, and the ill-treatment of Palestinians in detention.</div><div><br></div><div>“These heighten a potentially explosive situation that is well past the early-warning level.”</div><div><br></div><div>Turk called for a humanitarian ceasefire and an end to the fighting, “not only to deliver urgently needed food and provide meaningful humanitarian assistance but also to create space for a path out of this horror.”</div><div><br></div><div>“All forms of collective punishment must come to an end. Israelis’ freedom is inextricably bound up with Palestinians’ freedom. Palestinians and Israelis are each other’s only hope for peace.”</div><div><br></div><div>Martin Griffiths, the UN’s humanitarian chief, told the General Assembly that “international humanitarian law appears to have been turned on its head.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said that more than 41,000 housing units have been destroyed or severely damaged, amounting to about 45 per cent of the total housing stock in Gaza, and it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people are internally displaced.</div><div><br></div><div>“Many of them have fled southward in search of relative safety, only to be now told to relocate — many of them for the second time — westward,” he added. “Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands remain in the north, where the fiercest fighting and bombardment is taking place.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is little-to-no medical care available in northern Gaza. Out of 24 hospitals with in-patient capacity in the north, only one, Al-Ahli in Gaza city, is presently operational and admitting patients. Eighteen hospitals have shut down and evacuated since the start of hostilities.”</div><div><br></div><div>Across the Strip, food and water supplies are running “perilously low,” Griffiths said, and the chronic lack of fuel means communications networks and other essential services, such as water desalination plants, “are progressively dropping offline.”</div><div><br></div><div>He urged Hamas to release all the hostages that are still being held, and stressed the need for the humanitarian effort to shift from “ad hoc delivery of assistance to a continuous flow of aid.” To help facilitate this he called for the opening of additional border-crossing points and permission for fuel deliveries to begin.</div><div><br></div><div>Griffiths also pleaded for “a humanitarian ceasefire — call it what you will but the requirement, from a humanitarian point of view, is simple: stop the fighting to allow civilians to move safely. Do it for as long as possible, to facilitate an unimpeded humanitarian response. Give the people of Gaza a breather from the terrible, terrible things that have been put on them these last few weeks. And, without condition, release all the hostages.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are not asking for the moon, we are asking for the basic measures required to meet the essential needs of the civilian population and stem the course of this crisis.” According to Arab News Reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-18 14:40:57', '2023-11-18 14:40:57'),
(10109, 10109, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh would be the 9th largest consumer market by 2030 with the government working with the goal of overtaking many established markets in the world.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve been working with a goal so Bangladesh could surpass established markets like the UK and Germany, and the current high-growth countries Vietnam and Thailand at that time. We’ve this effort,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said this while inaugurating the 60 years’ celebration and Investment Expo, 2023 of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are some 17 crore people in our Bangladesh. Besides, we’ve strengthened connectivity with our neighbouring countries. We think Bangladesh would become the world’s 9th largest consumer market by 2030,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that Bangladesh has a large population, she said the government is developing them as skilled manpower for its better utilization.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said the number of growing middle class and rich people will be 3.40 crore by 2025 in Bangladesh and the estimated GDP per capita will be 5,880 US$ by 2040.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Due to its strategic geographical location, Bangladesh can be the hub of the regional market of 3 billion people,” she said adding that her government has taken steps to strengthen the connectivity with this region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier unveiled a research book titled ‘Catalyzing Greater FDI for Vision 2041’, which was published by FICCI. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 08:01:24', '2023-11-19 08:01:24'),
(10110, 10110, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Eleven arson attacks were recorded in the past 15 hours, from 6 pm yesterday till 9 am this morning (November 19, 2023).</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A total of 11 vehicles were set on fire by miscreants during this time. Of these, five were set on fire inside Dhaka city, according to the media cell of Fire Service and Civil Defence.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, three reports of arson violence were recorded in Rajshahi division, two in Chattogram, and one in Mymensingh, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (media cell).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The affected vehicles included six buses, one covered van, one CNG-run autorickshaw, one pickup van, and three carriages of a train.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 107 members of 20 firefighting units worked to douse the fires across the country during this period.</div><div><br></div><div>A 48-hour hartal — called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties — protesting the general election schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) is underway from this morning amid fear of violence. UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 08:03:57', '2023-11-19 08:03:57'),
(10111, 10111, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today dismissed the leave-to-appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami, challenging a High Court verdict that cancelled its registration with the Election Commission earlier.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the dismissal order due to frequent absence of the party’s lawyers, including Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali, during the scheduled dates of hearing.</div><div><br></div><div>Though lawyer Ziaur Rahman, a representative of lawyer AJ Ali, today sought time for hearing, the Appellate Division dismissed it.</div><div><br></div><div>Advocate Tania Amir, who represented the writ petitioner, said the HC verdict that scrapped Jamaat-e-Islami\'s registration with the EC will remain in force following the dismissal order.</div><div><br></div><div>Jamaat-appointed lawyer AJ Ali had earlier sought six weeks\' time from the SC for hearing the appeal due to his personal problems, but the Appellate Division rejected the time petition.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on November 12, the SC fixed November 19 for hearing the petition seeking ban of Jamaat’s political activities.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on November 6, the Appellate Division fixed November 12 for hearing the petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami challenging the HC order.</div><div><br></div><div>On June 26, lawyer Tania Amir filed a petition on behalf of Bangladesh Tariqat Federation’s Secretary General Rezaul Haque Chandpuri, seeking ban on the political activities including rallies, processions of the party until the deposition of the case filed over revoking the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party.</div><div><br></div><div>In August 2013, the HC declared Jamaat’s registration illegal following a writ petition filed in 2009 by Chandpuri and 24 others.</div><div><br></div><div>In the petition, they said Jamaat was a religion-based political party and it did not believe in the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>After the HC judgment, EC kept the registration of Jamaat withheld.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 7, 2018, the EC issued a gazette notification revoking the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party in compliance with the High Court order. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 09:08:38', '2023-11-19 09:08:38'),
(10112, 10112, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Miscreants set fire to a tin-shed room of a government primary school in Bormi union under Sreepur upazila of Gazipur earler today, police said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Locals said unidentified miscreants set a tin-shed room of Gilashawar Late A. Jabbar Government Primary School on fire this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Noticing the blaze, locals rushed to the spot and put it out within a short time.</div><div><br></div><div>The fire left a few benches, fans and surrounding fences burnt.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>AFM Nasim, officer-in-charge of Sreepur police station, said it could not be immediately known who set fire to the school room.</div><div><br></div><div>An investigation was underway to identify the accused involved with the incident, he said, adding that efforts are on to nab the arsonists. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 10:27:20', '2023-11-19 10:27:20'),
(10113, 10113, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the national election will be held as per the election schedule announced by the Election Commission.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Certainly it will not be deferred. Election will be held timely,\" he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to know whether there is any scope of deferring the polls.</div><div><br></div><div>He said enthusiasm is seen everywhere after the announcement of polls schedule and the people of the country are waiting for the elections.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said many leaders and supporters of BNP may leave the party and join with other political parties if BNP does not join polls.</div><div><br></div><div>He said this will show a history how a political party born inside Cantonment loses its credibility.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said BNP is most welcome to join the polls as the EC is not creating any barriers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We want to see a free and fair elections. We believe in democracy. There is only way to change the power in a democratic process. That is election,\" said the Foreign Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>He said BNP is showing many excuses.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said those who will destroy people\'s property will be punished. \"These are not acceptable. They should seek apology to people.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Momen said the US does not have headache about elections in other countries but talking every day about Bangladesh, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said they should form a political party named \"Ambassadors Party\" and few people may vote them if they guarantee that they will take those to their countries who will vote in favour of Ambassadors Party.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 13:09:34', '2023-11-19 13:09:34'),
(10114, 10114, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In a remarkable display of sustained disciplined bowling, Australia restricted India to 240 all-out in 50 overs in the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Sunday in Ahmedabad.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>India was asked to bat first after losing the toss - a huge call by Pat Cummins that defied conventional wisdom.</div><div><br></div><div>The hosts struggled to establish effective partnerships when they needed them most. Credit goes to the Australian pace attack, which denied the Indian batting line-up the chance to settle in.</div><div><br></div><div>Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul both secured half-centuries, and the responsibility rested on them to carry India\'s hopes further. However, they couldn\'t defy the disciplined Australian attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Mitchell Starc led the charge, taking three wickets for 55 in 10 overs. He initiated the breakthrough by dismissing Shubman Gill.</div><div><br></div><div>India lost three wickets before even reaching 100 runs. As on other occasions, Rohit Sharma had a promising and explosive start, but the Indian captain couldn\'t sustain his aggression.</div><div><br></div><div>Shreyas Iyer, like Gill, failed to deliver on the biggest match of their lives.</div><div><br></div><div>Josh Inglis, the Australian wicketkeeper, took five catches behind the wicket.</div><div><br></div><div>For Australia, Starc claimed three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins took two wickets each.</div><div><br></div><div>Prior to this match, Australia and India faced each other in another final of the ICC World Cup, which Australia won. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 14:21:37', '2023-11-19 14:21:37');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10115, 10115, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ensuring her wish to participate in the forthcoming National Election, Dhallywood’s popular actress Mahiya Mahi has collected the nomination form to contest for the Chapainawabganj-2 constituency from Awami League.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mahi, who was born and brought up in the area under the constituency, confirmed the development on her official Facebook account.</div><div><br></div><div>“Alhamdulillah. By the grace of Allah, today (Saturday) I collected the party nomination papers of Bangladesh Awami League for Chapainawabganj-2 seat,” Mahi wrote on Saturday night.</div><div><br></div><div>The actress uploaded a photo of herself holding the nomination form with her husband Rakib Sarkar, mother Dilara Yasmin, and father Abu Bakar Khokon on her official Facebook page, also stating that she would submit the nomination form on November 20 at 3 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to journalists earlier, Mahi talked about her desire to enter the parliament with a mission to work for the people of the aforementioned constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am a native of this district and constituency by birth, and people have wanted me to get a nomination ever since I stepped up into politics. I will seek the nomination for the people of Chapainawabganj-2 constituency,\" Mahi, the Joint General Secretary of the Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote (Bangabandhu Cultural Alliance), said as a guest speaker at the Nawabganj Government Women\'s College\'s student assembly on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to the journalists, she added, “There are significant scopes for meaningful projects in the parliamentary constituency of Chapainawabganj-2. I have some significant, women-specific plans as well - and I shall continue to fight for the advancement of our district and the women\'s society, whether I get the nomination or not.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Being a public representative allows one to have an impact, and in my opinion, everything is possible if one is determined enough. I recognize that, from this vantage point, I could make significant contributions to the welfare of the local populace if I get nominated,” Mahi told the journalists at the event.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this year, Mahi bought the nomination form of the ruling party to participate in the by-election from the Chapainawabganj-2 constituency. However, she failed to get the nomination.</div><div><br></div><div>Numerous popular celebrities, including Ferdous, Shakeel Khan, Jyotika Jyoti, Tareen Jahan, and Rokeya Prachi, have also expressed interest in taking part in the forthcoming National Election on January 7 next year. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 14:41:08', '2023-11-19 14:41:08'),
(10116, 10116, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">American superstar Taylor Swift on Saturday postponed a show in Rio de Janeiro due to extreme heat, after a fan died at the singer\'s concert the previous night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Saturday\'s postponement came after the heat index in the city reached as high as 59 degrees Celsius (138 Fahrenheit) Friday, when a 23-year-old fan in the crowd of 60,000 died during the first \"Eras Tour\" show in Brazil.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I\'m writing this from my dressing room in the stadium,\" Swift posted on Instagram Saturday. \"The decision has been made to postpone tonight\'s show due to extreme temperatures in Rio.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"The safety and well-being of my fans, fellow performers and crew has to and always will come first,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The concert has been moved to Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Swift could be seen in videos posted to social media from Friday trying to help fans by dispatching aides to pass out water bottles and even throwing one to the audience herself.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s with a shattered heart that I say we lost a fan earlier tonight,\" Swift said in a post on Instagram to her millions of followers earlier Saturday. \"I can\'t even tell you how devastated I am by this.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Rio Health Secretariat reported that Ana Benevides died Friday evening after suffering cardiorespiratory arrest in the Nilton Santos stadium during Swift\'s concert.</div><div><br></div><div>It said efforts to revive the young woman failed and an investigation had been launched. \"At this time, the cause of death cannot be determined,\" the agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>Much of central and southeastern Brazil has been suffering an unusually oppressive springtime heat wave.</div><div><br></div><div>Fans lashed out at the venue\'s handling of the heat, saying officials had prevented them from bringing in water.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The lack of organization yesterday was absurd. What happened to the young woman was a crime due to bad organization. You just don\'t deny anybody water,\" said Yasmin Monteiro, 24, who tried to enter the stadium Saturday with five litres of water, before the announcement that the night\'s concert was postponed.</div><div><br></div><div>Caio Wesley, a 25-year-old who tried to carry in four litres of water, described organisers\' attitude in prohibiting the entry of liquids as \"selfish.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"I brought all this water to see how long I can last,\" he told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>Brazil\'s Justice Ministry on Saturday published a resolution requiring event organisers to guarantee that fans have access to drinking water.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is unacceptable that people suffer, faint and even die due to lack of access to water,\" Justice Minister Flavio Dino said.</div><div><br></div><div>In her earlier Saturday post, Swift said she would not discuss the woman\'s death from stage as \"I feel overwhelmed by grief when I even try to talk about it, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to her family and friends,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 14:48:53', '2023-11-19 14:48:53'),
(10117, 10117, '<p><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\"It Takes One Day\"—the theme of this year’s World Cup became a harsh reality for the hosts, India.</span><br></p><p>India has emerged victorious every time they stepped onto the field in this ICC World Cup in their home backyard. However, the final on Sunday wasn\'t just another day for them.</p><p>On the contrary, for Australia, who began the World Cup with two consecutive defeats, it only took one day to clinch their sixth World Cup title— the most titles held by any country in cricket.</p><p>This unfolded in front of more than 130,000 home fans, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his key ally Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister, along with many stars from India’s film industry.</p><p>Australia won the toss in the final and opted to have India bat first. Despite glimpses of hard-hitting from Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, India failed to establish a solid foundation.</p><p>Shubman Gill was the first to fall, dismissed by Mitchell Starc, Australia’s standout bowler in the final.</p><p>India lost two more wickets before reaching even 100 runs on the board. The partnership between Sharma and Lokesh Rahul steadied the ship, although it didn\'t last long.</p><p>Virat Kohli, the standout batter for India in this World Cup, setting records for the most runs in a single edition and surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries in an ODI career, returned with 56. Rahul contributed 66, yet it wasn\'t enough to guide India to a formidable total that could mentally pressure Australia.</p><p>Starc ended with three wickets for 55 runs, while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins each took two wickets.</p><p>In response, Australia lost their first wicket in the second over when India’s best World Cup bowler, Mohammad Shami, removed David Warner. Following him, Jasprit Bumrah quickly claimed two more wickets, one of which was Steven Smith\'s, who opted not to review an lbw appeal by Bumrah.</p><p>TV replays revealed the ball had pitched outside the off-stump, indicating a missed opportunity for Smith to survive had he chosen a review.</p><p>Travis Head, at the non-striker\'s end when Smith opted against a review, shared the guilt for not insisting on it. Australia lost three for 47 inside 10 overs into the innings.</p><p>However, in the end, it was Head who stood tall and strong, hitting a century—the second in a World Cup final chase in history, following Aravinda de Silva\'s feat—and guiding Australia to a comfortable win.</p><p>During the process, he and Marnus Labuschagne, who notched up a half-century, forged a resilient partnership of 192 runs, marking the second-highest partnership in the history of World Cup finals. In the end, Australia won by six wickets with 42 balls to play.</p><p>When Glenn Maxwell, who earlier in the event scored the World Cup\'s maiden double-ton against Afghanistan, made the winning run, a hush fell over the 130,000 fans in the world\'s largest cricket stadium. - UNB</p><p>bnbd24/fas</p>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 16:28:18', '2023-11-19 16:28:18'),
(10118, 10118, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the current Election Commission (EC) is working as a \"puppet of the government\" to hold a lopsided election in the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he maintained however that the country’s people have united to resist the one-sided election and oust the current Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The spineless and puppet Election Commission is vigorously trying to implement the Awami election schedule,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that the ruling party leaders and workers along with pro-Awami League members of police, RAB and detectives have swapped like hyenas on those who have been carrying out the movement across the country for restoration of people’s voting rights.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader alleged that opposition leaders and activists are being harassed and tortured to foil the ongoing movement which has spread across the country like sparks braving all obstacles, to end the dangerous deadlock in politics and to realise the demand for the resignation of the Awami League government followed by holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladeshis are hearing the footsteps of the inevitable mass uprising. Amid the countdown to the fall of an autocratic oppressor, evil efforts are on to conduct another one-sided and stage-managed election,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said law enforcers continue raiding the houses of BNP leaders and workers all over the country, besides attacking their houses and business institutions to spread panic.</div><div><br></div><div>He said an intimidating situation has been created with the wholesale arrest of the opposition leaders and workers and by issuing various threats.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said Awami League has a track record of indulging in deadly terror acts like killing people by beating them with sticks and oars and sprinkling gunpowder on vehicles.</div><div><br></div><div>“Awami League has been campaigning outside the country blaming BNP for subversive activities. But they’re unable this time to do their marketing abroad involving BNP with terrorism. The entire world has understood that the smear campaign of terrorism against the BNP is basically a strategy for a one-sided election,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader claimed that more than 510 leaders and activists of BNP and its different associate bodies have been arrested in the previous 24 hours as of 5pm Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>He thanked the country’s people and the leaders and workers of the BNP and like-minded parties and alliances for making the first day of their 48-hour hartal a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi slammed Prime Minister’s ICT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy for his comment that there will be no party named BNP and Jamaat in the country within the next 10-15 years, saying the people of the country were stunned and shocked by hearing his arrogance, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the Awami League government could not succeed in its evil efforts to split the BNP by spending hundreds of crores of taka through various agencies and spreading false propaganda against the leaders and workers of the party.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi also said BNP will remain as a political party as long as the red-green flag of Bangladesh remains.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 16:32:30', '2023-11-19 16:32:30'),
(10119, 10119, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on Sunday he had growing confidence that a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas would be reached, adding challenges that remained were “very minor.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The challenges facing the agreement are just practical and logistical,” Sheikh Mohammed said at a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Doha.</div><div><br></div><div>His comments followed a Washington Post report, citing people familiar with the deal, claiming that Israel, the United States and Hamas militants had reached a tentative agreement to free dozens of women and children held hostage in Gaza in exchange for a five-day pause in fighting.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US officials said no deal had been reached yet.</div><div><br></div><div>“The efforts are still ongoing ... and we communicate with both parties, whether it’s with the Israelis or with Hamas, and we see there is a good progress especially happened in the last few days,” said Sheikh Mohammed.</div><div><br></div><div>“The deal is going through ups and downs from time to time throughout the last few weeks. But I think that you know I’m now more confident that we are close enough to reach a deal that can bring the people safely back to their home.”</div><div><br></div><div>The hostage release could begin within the next several days, barring last-minute hitches, according to people familiar with the detailed, six-page agreement, the paper said on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>The report comes as Israel appears to be preparing to expand its offensive against Hamas militants to southern Gaza after air strikes killed dozens of Palestinians, including civilians reported to be sheltering at two schools.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the agreement, all parties would freeze combat operations for at least five days while 50 or more hostages are released in groups every 24 hours, the Post reported.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas took about 240 hostages during its Oct. 7 rampage inside Israel that killed 1,200 people.</div><div><br></div><div>The pause also is intended to allow a significant amount of humanitarian aid in, the newspaper said, adding the outline for the deal was put together during weeks of talks in Qatar. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-19 16:47:55', '2023-11-19 16:47:55'),
(10120, 10120, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Scotland is keen on hiring construction workers from Bangladesh, a visiting parliamentary delegation from the country told Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>This was conveyed when a six member Cross-Party Parliamentary Group (CPG) led by first- ever Bangladeshi origin MP of the Scotland Parliament Foysol Choudhury met the prime minister at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>The other members of the delegation were Miles Briggs, Evelyn Tweed, Juned Hussain Chowdhury, Farhan Masud Khan and Md Lutfur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.</div><div><br></div><div>Foysol Choudhury, however, said the workers\' lack of skill in English&nbsp; language is seen as a barrier in hiring them.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Scotland also wants to invest in Bangladesh\'s agro sector.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina told the delegation&nbsp; that through&nbsp; various institutions her government is providing training in language, vocational work and computer language to enhance efficiency of the outgoing manpower of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The Scottish MPs highly appreciated the unprecedented development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years, said the press secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>They mentioned that Bangladeshi diaspora is involved in mainstream politics of Scotland and currently there are some 200 elected councillors there.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Ambassador at Lagre M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 08:02:47', '2023-11-20 08:02:47'),
(10121, 10121, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least sixteen arson attacks were recorded till 9 am on Monday morning during the 48-hour hartal called by BNP, Jammat and some like-minded parties.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A total of 16 vehicles were set on fire by miscreants during this time and three of those&nbsp; were set on fire inside Dhaka city, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, four arson attacks were reported in Dhaka division including Dhaka city, seven in Rajshahi, four in Chattogram, and one in Mymensingh division.</div><div><br></div><div>Nine buses, six trucks, one covered van, One CNG-run autorickshaw and three carriages of a train were burnt during this period.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 144 members of 29 firefighting units worked to douse the fires across the country during this period, added the fire officer. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 08:08:07', '2023-11-20 08:08:07'),
(10122, 10122, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Khadijatul Kubra, a student of Jagannath University (JnU) who was released from Kashimpur central jail securing bail in two DSA cases on Monday morning, sat for an examination shortly after her release.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Khadija was released from Kashimpur Women\'s Prison at 9 am on Monday and went directly to Jagannath University to take part in the semester final exam.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Although the exam started at 10 o\'clock, she entered the hall at 11:30 am. She sat the exam in the fourth semester with two semesters lost.</div><div><br></div><div>Her elder sister Sirajum Monira said, \"We came to the prison early in the morning. Then Khadija was released at 9 am. Khadija\'s semester final exam starts today that\'s why we came early in the morning.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Khadija secured bail last Thursday. The bail order reached the jail authorities on Sunday evening.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Despite waiting a long time on Sunday, her relatives had to return without her because she was not given the permission to release.</div><div><br></div><div>The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday upheld a High Court (HC) order that granted bail her in two cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>In October 2020, police filed two cases against Khadija and retired Maj Delowar Hossain at the Kalabagan and New Market Police Stations for \'spreading anti-government propaganda and harming Bangladesh\'s reputation.\'</div><div><br></div><div>The allegations in the two cases filed a week apart, were similar.</div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested Khadija on September 17, 2022. She had been in jail since then.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case details, Khadija and Delowar conspired to broadcast false, fabricated, and defamatory propaganda about the Prime Minister, various government agencies, and senior state officials in order to oust the country\'s legitimate administration. They were aiming to destroy communal harmony through their conspiracy by promoting enmity, hatred, and division among various communities, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Khadija was 17 when the cases were filed under the Digital Security Act in 2020, but the case was filed showing her as an adult, according to her lawyer. Despite having kidney disease, Khadija\'s bail petitions were repeatedly denied by a Dhaka court.</div><div><br></div><div>On February 23 this year, Khadija was granted bail by the HC in the cases. The state filed a petition challenging the bail.</div><div><br></div><div>On July 10 of the year, the Appellate Division suspended the bail of Kubra for four months in two cases.</div><div><br></div><div>During the hearing, Khadija\'s lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua argued that she was not accountable for the opinions expressed by guests in videos on her YouTube channel. According to UNB Reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 08:27:30', '2023-11-20 08:27:30'),
(10123, 10123, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Lionel Messi has few barriers yet to break in soccer. One of them will be in reach Tuesday, when Argentina visits Brazil in a South American World Cup qualifying match.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The 36-year-old Messi has scored 31 goals for Argentina in World Cup qualifying encounters, but none of those came against Brazil, home or away. He has five goals against the archrival, all in friendly matches.</div><div><br></div><div>Brazil’s soccer confederation said all 69,000 tickets for the clash at the Maracana Stadium are sold. Both teams will play after defeats in the previous round; the locals lost 2-1 at Colombia and the World Cup champion was defeated at home 2-0 by Uruguay.</div><div><br></div><div>Many Brazilian fans are keen to watch Messi in a match that could be his last in Rio de Janeiro playing for Argentina. In the same arena, the star lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany, and beat the host in the decider of the 2021 Copa America.</div><div><br></div><div>Argentina leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 points from five matches. Uruguay is second with 10 points. Colombia has nine and Venezuela eight. Brazil will host the World Cup champions in fifth position, with seven points.</div><div><br></div><div>Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have five points each. Bolivia has three and Peru one.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will include 48 teams, meaning direct entry for the top six teams from South America. The seventh-place team can earn a berth in an intercontinental playoff.</div><div><br></div><div>BRAZIL vs. ARGENTINA</div><div><br></div><div>Optimism is in short supply in Brazil, which lost its two latest matches and is struggling under new coach Fernando Diniz. A defeat to Argentina could be the team\'s first ever in a home match of World Cup qualifying, and the hosts will have several absences for that encounter.</div><div><br></div><div>Carlos Augusto is likely to start as left-back for the first time, Jesus will take the role of injured Vinicius Júnior up front and teenage sensation Endrick is likely to play in the second half.</div><div><br></div><div>The 17-year-old Endrick, who will join Real Madrid next year, spoke in a press conference about his expectations of playing against Messi for the first time.</div><div><br></div><div>“For me, Pelé is the king and no one will get near him. Messi is phenomenal, the best in the world again, and I want to enjoy playing against him, a man I only saw in the videogames,” the striker said. “I am more of a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, but it will be wonderful to see Messi up close.”</div><div><br></div><div>Argentina will arrive in Brazil late on Monday and have its final training session for the clash in Buenos Aires. Coach Lionel Scaloni did not speak after Sunday\'s training, and had most of the practice behind closed doors, but gave hints of where his doubts are.</div><div><br></div><div>Ángel di Maria, Nicolás González and Leandro Paredes are in contention for a place in the midfield and Lautaro Martínez, who did not score for the national team in his previous 14 matches, could replace Julián Álvarez up front.</div><div><br></div><div>Also on Tuesday, Paraguay will host Colombia; Uruguay will take on Bolivia; Ecuador welcomes Chile; and Peru plays host against Venezuela. The seventh and eighth rounds of South American qualifying will take place in September after the next edition of Copa America in the United States. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 08:31:03', '2023-11-20 08:31:03'),
(10124, 10124, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government has dropped the plan to float international bidding for offshore hydrocarbon exploration in the Bay of Bengal before the upcoming general election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We’re instructed not to proceed with the plan to invite any bidding right at this moment, before the election,” a top official of the state-owned Petrobangla said.</div><div><br></div><div>“It was also decided not to proceed with ExxonMobil’s interest of expression (EOI). We’ve been asked to go slow on both issues,” he told UNB requesting anonymity.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, on July 26, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the draft ‘Bangladesh Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2023’ in order to invite international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration in offshore areas of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The final approval for the draft Model PSC 2023 was given under a plan to invite the bidding round within December.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the approval, on August 9, the then Energy Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder said that the government planned to invite international bidding for offshore hydrocarbon exploration within a month.</div><div><br></div><div>Recently, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, at a contract signing ceremony with US-based Excelerate Energy for importing LNG, said that the government will invite bidding on hydrocarbon exploration when the new government is formed after general election.</div><div><br></div><div>The government, meanwhile, signed a number of long-term deals with different companies to import LNG which drew criticism from energy experts, saying that the deals will make the country further dependent on imported energy.</div><div><br></div><div>According to official sources, the new Model PSC was prepared as part of a plan to invite international bidding within the current year for offshore deep and shallow water gas blocks, to make Bangladesh more attractive to international oil companies and draw investment in hydrocarbon exploration in the Bay of Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the initiative, the gas price was tagged with the price of Brent Crude in the international market to ensure flexibility.</div><div><br></div><div>“Under the plan, we’re going to offer the price of gas at 10 percent of Brent Crude,” the Petrobangla official told UNB. The official said if Brent Crude is traded at USD 75 per barrel, the gas price would be USD 7.5 per thousand cubic feet (MCF). The gas price will always remain linked to the international oil price, he said, referring to the new provision of the Model PSC 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside the Model PSC approval, the government was also in discussion with ExxonMobil which placed a USD 30 billion investment offer.</div><div><br></div><div>“The offer was an EOI where ExxonMobil expressed keen interest in the whole maritime area, considering a single block instead of 26 offshore blocks,” an official said adding, the US company, however, did not mention any oil or gas price in the proposal.</div><div><br></div><div>Official sources said the country has a total of 48 blocks, of which 26 are located offshore. Of the 26 offshore blocks, 11 are located in shallow sea (SS) water while 15 are located in deep sea (DS) water areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the offshore blocks, 24 remain open for IOCs while two blocks — SS-04 and SS-09 – are under contract with a joint venture of ONGC Videsh Ltd and Oil India Ltd where drilling work has recently started.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s offshore area remains unexplored despite the settlement of its dispute with neighbouring Myanmar and India over maritime boundary almost nine years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, about 2300 mmcfd gas is being produced from 22 gas fields in the country, while about 700 mmcfd gas is being imported from abroad to meet the demand of about 4000 mmcfd, leaving a deficit of about 1000 mmcfd.</div><div><br></div><div>The government had last amended the Model PSC in mid-2019, whereby the price of gas for any participating IOC, that is, the price at which they would sell the gas to the government, was raised to USD 5.5 per MCF for shallow water blocks, and USD 7.25 per MCF for gas extracted from its deep sea blocks.</div><div><br></div><div>There was a target to invite international bidding in March 2020 for exploration in offshore areas, but that got postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic that emerged at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>“The recent upward trend in oil and gas prices has pushed the policymakers to further raise the gas price by introducing more flexibility and incentives including keeping the export option open in the PSC,” said another Petrobangla official.</div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned that the government had to import LNG at USD 36 per MMBtu while it was just below USD 10 early last year.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russia-Ukraine war has further deepened the global market volatility, pushing petroleum price over USD 100 per barrel, the highest in the last 7 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Now, again oil and gas prices are on a downward trend and Brent Crude is traded at USD 75 per barrel while LNG price is at below USD 14 per MMBtu. Accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 08:35:42', '2023-11-20 08:35:42'),
(10125, 10125, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday unveiled the cover of an exceptional publication titled \'Moron Sagorpare Tomra Amar,’ written about Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his family members martyred in the brutal carnage on August 15, 1975.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, Bangbandhu’s eldest daughter, uncovered the publication, a collection of five books, at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>She wrote the preface of the book edited by former Vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique and published by Joyeeta Prokashoni.</div><div><br></div><div>In the preamble of the book, she said her government is moving towards building the Sonar (golden) Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu by preventing the distortion of history. “It is very important for the new generation to know the authentic history of the Liberation War,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said the government has taken various initiatives in this regard. Many private institutions and organisations as well as many researchers personally are working on presenting the true history of the Liberation War. “These initiatives are commendable,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said she is happy to know that a collection of five books (Moron Sagorpare Tomra Amar) on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa, their three sons --Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, was being published.</div><div><br></div><div>“I applaud this initiative of handing the five books in one box to the readers at a low price. I feel this initiative will help the new generation know the correct history. I wish this collection a success,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Ali Arafat MP (Dhaka-17), PM’s Military Secretary Major General Kabir Ahammad, PM’s Speechwriter Md. Nazrul Islam and Yeasin Kabir Joy of Joyeeta Prokashoni were present at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>There are five books titled ‘Muktidata Sheikh Mujib,’ ‘Joytu Bangamata,’ ‘Bir Muktijuddha Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: Alokito Taronyar Proticchobi,’ ‘Shaheed Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal: Taronyar Deepto Shikha,’ and ‘Sheikh Russel: Duronta Shaishaber Proticchobi’ in the publication box. Accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 14:41:43', '2023-11-20 14:41:43'),
(10126, 10126, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday said no political issues will be discussed in the foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I don\'t think so. Political discussion has already been done. There will be no discussion about politics there,\" Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to whether political and upcoming elections will be discussed in the forthcoming meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said it is routine meeting between the two countries where various issues of mutual interest will be discussed.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We do FOC (Foreign Office Consultations) with many countries. It is a routine matter,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is scheduled to visit India on November 23 or 24 to hold a regular bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Vinay Mohan Kwatra.</div><div><br></div><div>This is the second foreign secretary-level meeting between the two countries this year. The first one was held in February in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Both the countries express their satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relation that exists between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>In the Foreign Office Consultations, the two countries usually discuss all the major issues of mutual interests to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>Recently, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the relationship between Bangladesh and India today stands out as a model in terms of shared benefits.</div><div><br></div><div>In an interaction in London, he said the two countries have settled the land boundary and maritime border issues.</div><div><br></div><div>Jaishankar highlighted connectivity cooperation, energy supply and use of ports and noted that Bangladesh-India ties stand as model ties. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 14:59:15', '2023-11-20 14:59:15'),
(10127, 10127, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP on Monday said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was denied justice as the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court dismissed the party’s appeal against the High Court verdict that scrapped its registration with the Election Commission as a political party.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also said the instance of depriving anti-government political parties and political figures by giving ‘unjust’ verdicts against them is nothing new in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“Even though the country’s people are not surprised by this verdict (against Jamaat), they’re disappointed with the politically biased statements and the incident of helping fulfil the wishes of the government by people involved with the judiciary, the last resort for justice,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said Jamaat has already described the verdict as \'devoid of justice\'.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the example of cancelling the registration of a party which has visibly expanded across the country at almost all levels, from the national parliament to the local government, and the order for registering an unknown political party is not evidence of a just process.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi also said any opposition party deserves to have its democratic rights protected by the judiciary in a democratic system. “Any exception to this is contrary to democracy and justice. It’s also unacceptable.”</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi also condemned and protested a Dhaka court’s verdict sentencing 14 leaders and activists of BNP, including its joint secretary general Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel to one and a half years of jail in a case filed over obstructing police in conducting their duties.</div><div><br></div><div>“These dictated verdicts are well designed to clear the field ahead of the election. If these young leaders can be detained by sentencing them, then Sheikh Hasina\'s illegal power will continue for a long time. As part of this plan, these leaders have been sentenced,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Sunday, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court dismissed the leave-to-appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami, challenging a High Court verdict that cancelled its registration with the Election Commission earlier.</div><div><br></div><div>A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the dismissal order due to the frequent absence of the party’s lawyers, including Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali, during the scheduled dates of the hearing.</div><div><br></div><div>In August 2013, the HC declared Jamaat’s registration illegal following a writ petition filed in 2009 by Chandpuri and 24 others. In the petition, they said Jamaat was a religion-based political party and it did not believe in the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 15:08:50', '2023-11-20 15:08:50'),
(10128, 10128, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Armed Forces Day will be celebrated through various programmes tomorrow amid festivity and enthusiasm, marking the establishment of army, navy and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The day\'s programme will begin with offering of special prayers after Fajr prayers at all mosques in all the cantonments and naval and air force bases throughout the country on the day, seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces, said an ISPR press release here on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages, greeting members of the armed forces.</div><div><br></div><div>To mark the day, the President and the Prime Minister will place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment tomorrow morning, paying homage to the martyred armed forces\' members who laid down their lives in the Liberation War in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan will place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.</div><div><br></div><div>On the occasion, chiefs of the three services will pay courtesy call on the President at the Bangabhaban and Prime Minster at Armed Forces Division on the day.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister will accord a reception to family members of the Bir Shreshthas and selected gallantry award winning 1971 veterans and their family members at Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier will distribute peace award for 2022-23 among five army, three navy and three air force personnel.</div><div><br></div><div>Liberation War Affairs Minister, PM\'s Security Affairs Adviser, chiefs of the three services, PM\'s Principal Secretary, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Senior Secretary of the Defence Ministry, Secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry and other military and civil officials will be present at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, a reception programme will be arranged on behalf of the premier at Senakunja in the cantonment at 4pm on the same day.</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Sangsad speaker, chief justice, former presidents, leader of the opposition in parliament, former chief advisors, ministers and the people with the rank of minister, state ministers and the people with the rank of state minister, deputy speaker, foreign envoys in Bangladesh, chiefs of international organizations, chief election commissioner, election commissioners, judges, cabinet secretary, principal secretary, lawmakers (Dhaka), former military officials, former chiefs of the three services, sports and cultural personalities, Swadhinata Padak and Ekushey Padak winning people in 2023, journalists, educationists, political leaders and dignitaries, family members of all Bir Shresthas, gallantry award winning officials, who lived in Dhaka during and after the Liberation War, and their family members, high civil officials and serving and former officials of three services will join the reception.</div><div><br></div><div>The state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will live telecast the function.</div><div><br></div><div>Marking the Armed Forces Day, the navy chief will accord reception to family members of the gallantry award winning freedom fighters on the day, while army chief and air force chief are expected to accord reception to gallantry award winning freedom fighters/family members on November 23.</div><div><br></div><div>Receptions will also be accorded at cantonment or base at Barishal, Cox\'s Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Cumilla, Jashore, Rangpur and Khulna under the regional headquarters.</div><div><br></div><div>Various programmes have also been chalked out at different army garrisons, naval ships, installations and bases of the air force across the country outside Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Navy will keep its ships open for all from 2 pm until the sun sets at different naval berths, rocket ghats and BIWTA ghats in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur Barishal and Chattogram for public on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day on November 21.</div><div><br></div><div>A \'Bishesh Anirban\' programme illustrating the significance of the day will be telecast by BTV today after the news of 8 pm while the programme would be telecast later by other television channels gradually.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Betar will broadcast a programme \"Bishesh Durber\" at 7.30 pm. National dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.</div><div><br></div><div>The educational institutions run by armed forces organized essay and painting competitions marking the Armed Forces Day. According to BSS reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 15:23:58', '2023-11-20 15:23:58'),
(10129, 10129, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Giving a pause for a day after its 48-hour hartal, the BNP and like-minded parties will enforce a 48-hour fresh road-rail-waterway blockade across the country starting from Wednesday morning to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing on Monday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>It will be the sixth phase of the blockade programme of the opposition parties since October 31.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the blockade will begin at 6am on Wednesday and end at 6m on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the blockade is also meant for mounting pressure on the government to quit, hold the next election under a non-party neutral government and release party leaders and activists, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.</div><div><br></div><div>He said other opposition parties, who have long been carrying out the simultaneous movement with BNP, will also observe a similar programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the party and like-minded parties enforced a 48-hour countrywide shutdown from Sunday and it will end at 6m on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi thanked the country’s people and the opposition leaders and activists for making their hartal programme a success.</div><div><br></div><div>The opposition parties observed blockades in five phases to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.</div><div><br></div><div>They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on October 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Half an hour into the start of BNP\'s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 15:37:12', '2023-11-20 15:37:12'),
(10130, 10130, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>It has just been a week since “Tiger 3” dominated the box office, and social media is abuzz with speculation about the next installment, “Tiger 4”, due to what Salman Khan said at the ICC World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On the sidelines of the World Cup final match, Salman Khan, who portrays the titular Tiger in the spy thriller series, spoke with Katrina Kaif and a group of cricket specialists, reports NDTV.</div><div><br></div><div>A video going viral on social media begins with Katrina Kaif praising cricketer Virat Kohli\'s talent and contribution towards cricket. Katrina Kaif said, “Watching Virat when he started playing IPL for RCB, from then until now just look at the journey and the graph…,” Salman Khan interjected, “And, you also saw from Tiger 1 to Tiger 3 na and that too at 57. Now wait for Tiger 4 at 60.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Tiger 3” is Salman Khan\'s greatest opener to date and the fifth installment in the YRF Spy Universe. Salman and Katrina play super spies Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger and Zoya in the Tiger franchise.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 15:43:08', '2023-11-20 15:43:08'),
(10131, 10131, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least seventeen arson attacks were recorded till 6 pm on Monday during the 48-hour hartal called by BNP, Jammat and some like-minded parties.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A total of 17 vehicles were set on fire by miscreants during this time and four of those were set on fire inside Dhaka city, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, one arson attack was reported in Dhaka division, seven in Rajshahi, four in Chattogram, and one in Mymensingh division.</div><div><br></div><div>Ten buses, six trucks, one covered van, one CNG-run autorickshaw and three carriages of a train were burnt during this period.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 156 members of 31 firefighting units worked to douse the fires across the country during this period, added the fire officer.</div><div><br></div><div>So far, 195 arson attacks have been reported from October 28 to 6pm on November 20 across the country. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-11-20 15:55:32', '2023-11-20 15:55:32');
